About Joyce Anderson

Her family and friends call her the Queen of the United States...and Mom -- Joyce Anderson has been involved in LDS apologetics for over 20 years and with the Millennial Star since 2010. Since the beginning of the Covid19 pandemic she has added homeschooler to her list things she does in addition to being the butcher, baker & candlestick maker. When not schooling the children, she reads, paints, declutters, teaches primary, and is happy to share a bowl of chips & salsa with anyone who stops by.

Good Friday

Today is Good Friday, the day when the Christian world remembers the death of Jesus Christ. I remember as a small child watching the news one Good Friday and seeing throngs of people pushing their way thru the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem.  There were even people who had lashed themselves to crosses and who were hanging as a sign of devotion to their faith.  Understandably, it left me feeling very confused.   I asked my mother why did we call it “Good Friday” if Jesus was killed this day.  She said simply, “Because of all the “good” Jesus did for us today.”  As I’ve grown older I’ve been able to learn for myself of the “Good Jesus did for us today.”

Two words I came across this week in my Come Follow Me study that helped me think of the “Good” Jesus has done were ransom and remission.  In Matthew 26, we read about the Last Supper — it’s during this last night together, that Christ finished teaching the disciples about his work on the earth — that he is the Messiah. Christ institutes the ordinance of the sacrament. Continue reading

Maundy Thursday

As we approach Easter, I always become a bit more contemplative on Thursday before Easter. Most of the Christian world refers to this day as “Maundy Thursday“. We don’t in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But the term has deep meaning, all the same. Maundy comes from the Latin word “mandatum” which means “to command”. On this night of the Holy Week, the Savior and his disciples met for one last time, to share the Passover meal and for one last lesson from the Master.

That lesson is the most significant and meaningful lesson, of all of Jesus’ lessons — that is, the sacrament, and the new covenant. “A new commandment I give you, that ye love one another; as I loved you, that ye love one another.” (John 13:34).  Christ loves us with “an everlasting love, and with lovingkindness he hath drawn us to him.” (see Jeremiah 31: 3).  When we love one another it needs to be with that same love, which is charity, the pure love of Christ.  Moroni teaches us what charity is: Continue reading

The Apostles Testify of Jesus Christ

If you’re on social media (have you liked the Millennial Star Facebook page yet?), you might have noticed a lot of activity surrounding the dedication of the Rome, Italy temple in the last few days. All the members of the First Presidency and Quorum of the 12 were in attendance at the dedication. There was also a new picture of all 15 men taken in the Visitor Center in front of the Christus and 12 apostles statues.

Today, the Church released this video of our apostles and prophet reading passages from “The Living Christ.The Living Christ was released by the Church in 2000, declaration to the world of our belief in Jesus Christ. Here is the video, I hope you will share it with your friends of all faiths.

Ministering on International Women’s Day

Six weeks ago, I broke my foot. It has not been easy to say the least.  Three weeks ago, an x-ray showed that my foot had not healed and, in fact, and broken a bit more.  I felt devastated that day.

The doctor ordered me to not step on my foot (even in a walking cast).  I didn’t know what to do — how would I even get to the restroom or in the shower on one foot? I can’t do crutches, I need to buy a knee scooter!  Thank goodness I already have a shower chair. How would I feed my family? How much more time can my husband take off work to care for me and our 2 year old?  How would I take care of my house? How would my kids get to school? I was going to be totally dependent on others for a while to come.

Continue reading

Music Monday: If Ye Love Me Keep My Commandments

This year’s theme scripture for the Young Men and Women is John 14: 15, “If ye love me keep my commandments.” Last week in our ward’s mutual opening exercises, we all stood and repeated this scripture together. It was very powerful for me sitting on the back row, with my two year old daughter on my lap. I was so glad she was able to hear these young women and men say this short, but powerful declaration. The Spirit was there as these words were said, and these teenagers believed what they were saying. It was powerful.

In this arrangement The Swingles (nee The Swingle Singers), are singing this scripture set to music by the 16th Century composer Thomas Tallis, which has been arranged for double choir by Kevin Fox. The parts loop over and over each other, which creates a beautiful choral round.

The text also continues with verses 16-17. The whole passage reads:

1 If ye love me,keep my commandments.

16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

17 Even the Spirit of truth;