Music and the Gospel: Broken Things

I grew up playing piano and singing with a bunch of different choirs - because of that, I think I receive a lot of guidance and personal revelation through music. In addition to the hymns that we sing at Church, there are lots of songs that help me come to know the Savior more. "Broken Things" by Juliet Turner is one of these. 

You can have my heart, though it isn't new,
It's been used and broken, and only comes in blue,
It's been down a long road, and it got dirty along the way,
If I give it to you, will you make it clean and wash the shame away?

You can have my heart, if you don't mind broken things,
You can have my life; you don't mind these tears,
Well, I heard that you make old things new, so I give these pieces all to you,
If you want it, you can have my heart.

So beyond repair, nothing I could do,
I tried to fix it myself, but it was only worse when I got through,
Then you walk right into my darkness and you speak words so sweet,
And you hold me like a child, 'til my frozen tears fall at your feet.

You can have my heart, if you don't mind broken things,
You can have my life if you don't mind these tears,
Well, I heard that you make old things new, so I give these pieces up to you,
If you want it, you can have my heart.

At first listen, I thought this was just a typical love song. Even as a teenager, I listened to it that way. And then one day...something changed. It started with the line "and you hold me like a child, 'til my frozen tears fall at your feet." It reminded me of this sentence from Elder McConkie's last talk, which said, "I am one of his witnesses, and in a coming day I shall feel the nail marks in his hands and in his feet and shall wet his feet with my tears."

And then there's the line, "I tried to fix it [my heart] myself, but it was only worse when I got through." I can't tell you how many times this has been true in my life. I'll be too proud to ask God for help, to call on the power of Christ's atonement, and I'll try to fix things myself. But it never gets fixed - and it really does get worse. 

If you listen to the song thinking of it from the perspective of being about Christ, then, it all makes sense. He makes us new, He asks only for our broken, humble heart, He doesn't mind the mistakes or hardships, He just wants to help us. And most of all, even when we're broken and dirty, the Savior can help make us clean and wash all the shame and pain away. 

In the future, I'd like to talk about more songs that have helped me to understand the Gospel - are there any "non-hymn" songs that have helped you understand the Savior more? 

The Savior as Messiah

I have to confess, I had to look up the definition for "Messiah." We use it so often in Church, but when I thought of a succinct way to define it, I couldn't. According to the dictionary, Messiah means, "one who is anticipated as, regarded as, or professes to be a savior or liberator." In terms of Christianity, the definition of Messiah is Jesus. 

After figuring this out, then, I got to thinking - what does the Messiah save me from? How is He my liberator? Kind of a simple question, but coming up with the answer helped me really recognize all that the Savior does for me.

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1. He saves me from the bonds of sin. 

Jesus Christ suffered for my sins, and because of that I can repent. Because He was willing to endure every sin and pain imaginable, I am able to be washed clean of the wrongs that I commit. I know that regardless of what I go through in this life, He has been there and has experienced what I am feeling, and He is there to help.

2. He saves me from an eternal death. 

He died for me and, three days later, He rose again. The Savior makes it possible for me to live with my family again after this life. He has taken away the sting and fear of death, because I know that it is not the end for me, nor is it for my friends and family.

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3. He saves me from loneliness.

Because of Jesus Christ, I am able to have a constant friend and companion. Through my ability to pray to the Father in Christ's name, I can ask for comfort and strength. He provides His spirit to guide and direct me. He is my elder brother and He loves me. No matter what happens, I know I have Him.

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4. He saves me from uncertainty. 

As the song says, "I know that my Redeemer lives." This phrase alone holds in it the power to attain knowledge of so many other Gospel principles. Because of Him, I can know that prayer works, that the Priesthood can heal, that families can be together forever. Because of Him, I know that we have a prophet of God on the Earth today. I can be certain of what my future will be, if I just follow the principles of His Gospel.




I know this video has been watched millions of times, but I suggest you make it a million and one. Remind yourself today of what is made possible because of Jesus Christ and His role as the Messiah on this Earth and then, tell me in the comments below...

What does Jesus Christ save you from?

August 2014 Visiting Teaching Printable

Can you believe July is already over? This summer has just flown by! I have been put in charge of sharing the monthly visiting teaching message and a free printable with you ladies every month, and what better day to start than the first day of August? This month's message is all about understanding the Savior's role as Messiah, and is definitely one of my favorites! (Even though I will probably end up saying that every month :) We will be posting all month long around this theme, so make sure you come back and check it out!

CLICK HERE to get the download, which includes this cute handout, as well as a matching copy of the Visiting Teaching message itself. Completing my Visiting Teaching has always been a calling I have struggled with, and I know I'm not the only one, so hopefully posting this free printable at the beginning of every month will help motivate all of us to visit our sisters, uplift them spiritually and bring them some goodies. You never know whose life you can change through such a simple visit!
If you are looking for some more ideas to spruce up your Visiting Teaching message each month, here are some of our favorites: SugarDoodle // Amy's Designs // Green Jello // Marci Coombs

We would love to hear how you use this printable for your Visiting Teaching sisters! Tell us about it in the comments :)