When I was eight, my two cousins and I were sent on horseback to a nearby town to get groceries. Looking back, I am amazed how much confidence my grandmother and my aunt and uncle had in us. The morning skies were bright and clear as we left on our three horses.
In the middle of the prairie, we decided to get off our horses and play marbles. We were so interested in our game that we did not look up to see the dark clouds covering the sky. By the time we realized that a storm was coming, we didn’t even have time to get on our horses. Heavy rain and hail hit us so hard that all we could do was unsaddle the horses and take cover under the saddle blankets. Then our horses ran away.
Horseless, wet, and cold, we started walking as fast as we could toward a nearby town. It was late when we found a home and knocked on the door. The family there dried us off, fed us delicious bean burritos, and then put us to bed in a room with a dirt floor.
My cousins and I woke up in the morning to a bright sun and beautiful sky. A man knocked on the door looking for three lost boys. I will never forget what we saw on our way home—a crowd of people who had been looking for us all night. In front of them all were my loving grandmother and my uncle and aunt. They hugged us and cried, happy they had found their lost children.
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As an eight-year-old, the narrator and two cousins rode horses to get groceries but were caught in a sudden storm after stopping to play marbles. Their horses ran away, and they sought shelter with a family who fed them and let them sleep. The next morning, a man arrived looking for them, and they returned to a crowd that had searched all night, including their relieved grandmother and aunt and uncle.
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👤 Children
👤 Parents
👤 Other
Adversity
Children
Family
Kindness
Service
The Hands of the Seer:The Cardston Seminary Pageant
Rod Brandham, who played Porter Rockwell, described the emotion he and audiences felt during scenes of Joseph Smith’s persecution and death. Hearing people cry, he fought to hold back his own tears until the final song. He affirmed his love for Joseph Smith.
Rod Brandham, Porter Rockwell in the pageant, told of this year’s pageant’s effect on him and on the audiences it played to.
“The pageant is centered around the Prophet Joseph Smith and the sacrifices he made for the gospel. When you’re on the stage during the scenes where he is persecuted and jailed, and especially after his death at Carthage, you can hear some of the audience crying and it almost makes you cry. You have to fight hard to hold it inside until the performance is over, until the final song.”
Rod hesitated, clearing his throat.
“I love that man for what he did.”
“The pageant is centered around the Prophet Joseph Smith and the sacrifices he made for the gospel. When you’re on the stage during the scenes where he is persecuted and jailed, and especially after his death at Carthage, you can hear some of the audience crying and it almost makes you cry. You have to fight hard to hold it inside until the performance is over, until the final song.”
Rod hesitated, clearing his throat.
“I love that man for what he did.”
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👤 Youth
👤 Church Members (General)
👤 Early Saints
Adversity
Death
Grief
Joseph Smith
Sacrifice
Testimony
I’m Not Going Back
Within a year, the narrator received a call to the Nigeria Lagos Mission, served faithfully, and returned home with honors. He bore strong testimony throughout his service and felt deeply blessed by joining the Church.
Within a year, my call came, and I went to the Nigeria Lagos Mission and served faithfully. I returned home with honors. When I was on a mission, I would always bear my testimony that I know the Church is true. This is because I have strong testimony of what I know. I wish that everyone that is investigating the Church could have the same conversion as I had. Joining the Church was not a mistake but rather, I have been saved and I’ve been blessed.
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👤 Missionaries
👤 Church Members (General)
Conversion
Faith
Missionary Work
Service
Testimony
FYI:For Your Info
Allison Misinchuck, a new Beehive who lives far from other young women in her branch, relies on Young Women values to make good decisions. At New Beginnings, the young women presented a 'Rainbow Connection' program, each sharing about a value and its meaning. The activity helped them focus on good choices despite distance.
Allison Misinchuck is a new Beehive in her branch, and like many other Church members worldwide, she has to rely on her own strength to stay strong in the gospel. She and the other young women live quite far apart from each other, so they don’t see each other every day.
So how does Allison do it?
“The [Young Women] values help me to make good decisions. They make me think about things I might not think of otherwise,” says Allison.
Pictured here with the other young women in her branch, Allison and all the young women in Orillia Branch, Brampton Ontario Stake, are holding a poem given to them for their New Beginnings program. The program featured the “rainbow” of good choices represented by the value colors. The evening was called the “Rainbow Connection,” and each girl participated by talking about one of the values and what it means.
That should make for some colorful conversation.
So how does Allison do it?
“The [Young Women] values help me to make good decisions. They make me think about things I might not think of otherwise,” says Allison.
Pictured here with the other young women in her branch, Allison and all the young women in Orillia Branch, Brampton Ontario Stake, are holding a poem given to them for their New Beginnings program. The program featured the “rainbow” of good choices represented by the value colors. The evening was called the “Rainbow Connection,” and each girl participated by talking about one of the values and what it means.
That should make for some colorful conversation.
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👤 Youth
Agency and Accountability
Faith
Self-Reliance
Unity
Young Women
Young Pioneers in Malaysia
Taught the gospel by his parents, Ernest sought his own witness. When he first bore his testimony in sacrament meeting, he felt sure Jesus is the Son of God and continues striving to strengthen his faith.
The youth also know that before they will be prepared to share the gospel with others, they must work hard to develop testimonies of their own. Aun Luck Tan Ernest’s parents taught him the gospel when he was young, but he always knew he needed to find out for himself if the gospel was true.
“I wanted to learn more about Jesus Christ when I was baptized,” Ernest, 17, says. “I knew He was the Son of God when I first bore my testimony in sacrament meeting. It was the happiest moment in my life, and I am still trying my best to strengthen my faith and grow in my testimony of Christ.”
“I wanted to learn more about Jesus Christ when I was baptized,” Ernest, 17, says. “I knew He was the Son of God when I first bore my testimony in sacrament meeting. It was the happiest moment in my life, and I am still trying my best to strengthen my faith and grow in my testimony of Christ.”
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👤 Youth
👤 Parents
Baptism
Conversion
Faith
Jesus Christ
Missionary Work
Sacrament Meeting
Testimony
Young Men
Mike and Curt Don’t Quit
After returning to BYU in 1971, Mike noticed Curt skillfully getting out of his car and thought he would be a strong addition to the wheelchair basketball team. He left a note inviting Curt to play, which began a lasting friendship.
Mike returned to BYU in 1971. It was there he first saw Curt. “I watched him get out of his car. He really handled himself well, and I thought he’d make a good player on our wheelchair basketball team. I left a note on his car inviting him to come play.” That invitation started a continuing friendship.
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👤 Other
Disabilities
Education
Friendship
Kindness
FYI:For Your Information
During a Scout activity played in the dark, Sam, who is blind, excelled. His familiarity with darkness turned into an advantage, and he led his team to victory. The experience highlighted his capability and leadership.
Sam’s Scoutmaster, Burl Bushman, told about a game recently played by the Scouts where Sam led the troop members to victory. “We turned out the lights and threw out a tennis ball. The Scouts had to catch it and run down and touch the opposite wall to score a point for their team. Since Sam, who is blind, always plays in the dark, he excelled at this sport.”
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👤 Youth
👤 Church Leaders (Local)
Disabilities
Young Men
I Know I’ll See My Brother Again
A child shares that her brother passed away on February 14, 2009 and expresses sorrow at his loss. She remembers how he played with her and her twin sister. She testifies that he is happy in heaven, will be resurrected, and that they will be together again.
My brother passed away on February 14, 2009. I was very sad to lose him. He was lots of fun. He played with me and my twin sister. I know that he is having the best time in heaven. I know he will be resurrected and that I will see him again. I love him and I love this gospel so much.
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👤 Children
Children
Death
Faith
Family
Grief
Hope
Love
Plan of Salvation
Testimony
Two Birds
A bird became trapped in a tabernacle, and people tried opening doors and using a net but couldn’t get it out. John prayed for help and felt guided to turn off all the lights and leave only one door open. The bird then flew out through the open door.
Then she remembered a story she had heard about a [bird] that got lost in the [tabernacle] . People tried opening all the [doors] [and] chasing the [bird] out with a [net] . But the [bird] would [not] fly out any of the [doors] . Finally, a man named John said a [prayer] . Heavenly Father answered John’s [prayer] [and] helped him know what [to] do. “Turn off all the [lights] ,” John said. “[And] close all the [doors] except [one].” Then the [bird] flew out the [door] .
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👤 Other
Miracles
Prayer
Revelation
Miracles Today?
After high school, a young man turned to alcohol, smoking, and drugs, thinking it was fun. Reflecting on his parents, he chose to change, receiving support from friends, a bishop, and the Holy Ghost, and found true happiness through repentance.
And repentance is a miracle, made possible by the atonement of the Savior. A young man bore this testimony: “I think of all the pain I caused my parents—and myself—by not realizing that sin does not bring happiness. After high school I moved out and started drinking, smoking, and using a little drugs. I thought I was having a good time, but now I know I was really quite miserable.
“Then one day I stopped and thought, ‘What if my parents could see me now? What would they think?’
“It was then that I started to turn my life around. I discovered that I wasn’t achieving happiness. I would never have been able to change without some good new friends and an understanding bishop—and without the help of the Holy Ghost. But with their help I was able to repent. And now I see how unhappy I was. I testify that repentance and righteous living bring happiness. And I know from experience that the Lord is always there to help us change our lives if we only let him.”
“Then one day I stopped and thought, ‘What if my parents could see me now? What would they think?’
“It was then that I started to turn my life around. I discovered that I wasn’t achieving happiness. I would never have been able to change without some good new friends and an understanding bishop—and without the help of the Holy Ghost. But with their help I was able to repent. And now I see how unhappy I was. I testify that repentance and righteous living bring happiness. And I know from experience that the Lord is always there to help us change our lives if we only let him.”
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👤 Young Adults
👤 Parents
👤 Friends
👤 Church Leaders (Local)
👤 Church Members (General)
Addiction
Agency and Accountability
Atonement of Jesus Christ
Bishop
Conversion
Family
Friendship
Happiness
Holy Ghost
Repentance
Sin
Temptation
Testimony
“Am I a Child of God?”
A young adopted girl enjoys church but feels sad when hearing 'I Am a Child of God' because her first parents hurt her and her sisters. She asks her adoptive mother if she is truly a child of God, and her mom reassures her of God's love and her place in their family. Comforted, the girl gains confidence in her divine identity and loves singing the song again.
Illustration by Violet Lemay
Sundays were always the same since I came to my new adoptive family when I was younger. Mom did my hair, and I got to wear a pretty dress. Then Mom made sure everyone was ready for church. I loved going to church! My teachers were nice, and the kids in my class were friendly. I loved to learn about Heavenly Father and Jesus. Most of all, I loved the music. Singing songs always made me feel happy.
But one Sunday we sang a song I hadn’t heard before. As the other children sang, “I am a child of God, and He has sent me here, has given me an earthly home with parents kind and dear,” I felt sad. My first parents hurt me and my sisters. I started to think that maybe I wasn’t a child of God.
After church I ran to Mom and asked, “Mom, am I a child of God?”
Mom pulled me into her arms and told me that I’ve always been a child of God and that He loves me very much.
With tears running down my face, I asked, “Then why wasn’t I born to parents kind and dear?” Mom said she didn’t know why, but that she and Dad loved me and were glad I was in their family. That made me feel warm and happy inside. I knew what Mom said was true.
Now I love to sing “I Am a Child of God.” I am grateful for my new parents who are kind and dear, and I know that everyone is a child of God.
Sundays were always the same since I came to my new adoptive family when I was younger. Mom did my hair, and I got to wear a pretty dress. Then Mom made sure everyone was ready for church. I loved going to church! My teachers were nice, and the kids in my class were friendly. I loved to learn about Heavenly Father and Jesus. Most of all, I loved the music. Singing songs always made me feel happy.
But one Sunday we sang a song I hadn’t heard before. As the other children sang, “I am a child of God, and He has sent me here, has given me an earthly home with parents kind and dear,” I felt sad. My first parents hurt me and my sisters. I started to think that maybe I wasn’t a child of God.
After church I ran to Mom and asked, “Mom, am I a child of God?”
Mom pulled me into her arms and told me that I’ve always been a child of God and that He loves me very much.
With tears running down my face, I asked, “Then why wasn’t I born to parents kind and dear?” Mom said she didn’t know why, but that she and Dad loved me and were glad I was in their family. That made me feel warm and happy inside. I knew what Mom said was true.
Now I love to sing “I Am a Child of God.” I am grateful for my new parents who are kind and dear, and I know that everyone is a child of God.
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👤 Parents
👤 Children
👤 Church Members (General)
Abuse
Adoption
Children
Family
Gratitude
Kindness
Love
Music
Sabbath Day
George Albert Smith
After decades of marriage, Lucy Smith’s health declined while President Smith often traveled for Church duties. He was summoned from a funeral to return home, but she passed away before he arrived. His journal records sorrow tempered by gratitude and assurance of eternal reunion.
George Albert and Lucy Smith had been married for about 40 years when Lucy began a prolonged struggle with frail health. Though he worried about her and tried to comfort her as much as he could, President Smith’s duties as a General Authority often required him to be away from home. One day after President Smith gave a talk at a funeral, someone handed him a note telling him to return home immediately. He later wrote in his journal:
“I left the chapel at once but my Darling wife had breathed her last before I arrived at home. She was passing while I was talking at the funeral. I am of course bereft of a devoted helpmeet and will be lonely without her.”
“While my family are greatly distressed,” he continued, “we are comforted by the assurance of a reunion with [her] if we remain faithful. … The Lord is most kind and has taken away every feeling of death, for which I am exceedingly grateful.”16
“I left the chapel at once but my Darling wife had breathed her last before I arrived at home. She was passing while I was talking at the funeral. I am of course bereft of a devoted helpmeet and will be lonely without her.”
“While my family are greatly distressed,” he continued, “we are comforted by the assurance of a reunion with [her] if we remain faithful. … The Lord is most kind and has taken away every feeling of death, for which I am exceedingly grateful.”16
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👤 General Authorities (Modern)
👤 Other
Death
Faith
Family
Grief
Marriage
Plan of Salvation
How to Be a Knowbody
A Danish convert returned to his homeland after twenty years, hoping to share the gospel with family. Everywhere he went, he met the same response: the faith of their fathers was good enough. The conversations ended there due to reliance on tradition.
John, a Danish convert to the Church, recently returned to his native country for the first time since he left for Zion twenty years ago. Hoping to speak to his family about the gospel, he was met everywhere with the same argument. “Min Barnetro (the faith of my fathers) is good enough for me.” And that was the end of that.
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👤 Church Members (General)
👤 Other
Conversion
Diversity and Unity in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Faith
Family
Missionary Work
Personal Peace in Challenging Times
The speaker was assigned to dedicate part of historic Nauvoo and took the opportunity to visit Liberty Jail. There he read Joseph Smith’s pleas and the Lord’s comforting reply promising brief afflictions and ultimate exaltation if endured well. The experience reinforced that opposition refines and that Christ’s words bring personal peace.
I was recently assigned to dedicate a portion of historic Nauvoo. As part of the assignment, I was able to visit Liberty Jail in Missouri. As I viewed the jail, I contemplated the events that make it such a significant part of Church history. The lives of the Saints were threatened as the result of an extermination order issued by the governor of Missouri. In addition, the Prophet Joseph and a few choice associates had been unjustly imprisoned in Liberty Jail. One of the reasons for the violent opposition to our members was most of them were opposed to slavery. This intense persecution of Joseph Smith and his followers constitutes an extreme example of the unrighteous exercise of agency that can impact righteous people. Joseph’s time in Liberty Jail demonstrates that adversity is not evidence of the Lord’s disfavor nor a withdrawal of His blessings.
I was deeply moved as I read what the Prophet Joseph Smith declared as he was confined in Liberty Jail: “O God, where art thou? And where is the pavilion that covereth thy hiding place?” Joseph inquired how long the Lord’s people would “suffer these wrongs and unlawful oppressions.”
As I stood in Liberty Jail, I was deeply touched as I read the Lord’s answer: “My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; and then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high.” It is clear that opposition can refine us for an eternal, celestial destiny.
The Savior’s precious words “My son, peace be unto thy soul” resonate with me personally and have great significance for our day. They remind me of His teachings to His disciples during His mortal ministry.
I was deeply moved as I read what the Prophet Joseph Smith declared as he was confined in Liberty Jail: “O God, where art thou? And where is the pavilion that covereth thy hiding place?” Joseph inquired how long the Lord’s people would “suffer these wrongs and unlawful oppressions.”
As I stood in Liberty Jail, I was deeply touched as I read the Lord’s answer: “My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; and then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high.” It is clear that opposition can refine us for an eternal, celestial destiny.
The Savior’s precious words “My son, peace be unto thy soul” resonate with me personally and have great significance for our day. They remind me of His teachings to His disciples during His mortal ministry.
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👤 General Authorities (Modern)
👤 Joseph Smith
👤 Early Saints
Adversity
Agency and Accountability
Joseph Smith
Prayer
Race and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
A Priceless Heritage
As the rescued pioneers neared Salt Lake Valley, Brigham Young directed the Saints to receive them as their own children and provide for their needs. Captain Willie recorded that bishops placed the homeless into comfortable quarters and citizens welcomed them warmly. The Saints did all they could to alleviate the sufferers’ distress.
When the rescued sufferers got close to the Salt Lake Valley, Brigham Young convened a meeting on this block. He directed the Saints in the valley to receive the sufferers into their homes, make them comfortable, and administer food and clothing to them. Said President Young: “Some you will find with their feet frozen to their ankles; some are frozen to their knees and some have their hands frosted. … We want you to receive them as your own children, and to have the same feeling for them” (Hafen, Handcarts to Zion, p. 139).
When the rescuers brought the Willie handcart pioneers into this valley, it is recorded by Captain Willie: “On our arrival there the Bishops of the different Wards took every person, who was not provided with a home, to comfortable quarters. Some had their hands and feet badly frozen; but everything which could be done to alleviate their sufferings, was done. … Hundreds of the Citizens flocked round the wagons on our way through the City, cordially welcoming their Brethren and Sisters to their mountain home” (James G. Willie, in Journal History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 9 Nov. 1856, p. 15).
When the rescuers brought the Willie handcart pioneers into this valley, it is recorded by Captain Willie: “On our arrival there the Bishops of the different Wards took every person, who was not provided with a home, to comfortable quarters. Some had their hands and feet badly frozen; but everything which could be done to alleviate their sufferings, was done. … Hundreds of the Citizens flocked round the wagons on our way through the City, cordially welcoming their Brethren and Sisters to their mountain home” (James G. Willie, in Journal History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 9 Nov. 1856, p. 15).
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👤 Pioneers
👤 Church Leaders (Local)
👤 Church Members (General)
👤 Other
Adversity
Bishop
Charity
Emergency Response
Kindness
Love
Ministering
Service
Unity
What’s on Your Mind?
President Dallin H. Oaks is identified as an Apostle and former Utah Supreme Court Justice. The text says he struggled in school, especially with long division.
President Dallin H. Oaks, Apostle and former Utah Supreme Court Justice
Struggled in school, especially with long division.
Struggled in school, especially with long division.
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👤 General Authorities (Modern)
Adversity
Apostle
Education
What, Why, and How: A Breakdown of the Restoration
The article explains that after a long apostasy, God again revealed important truths to Joseph Smith. Heavenly messengers restored priesthood keys to him, inaugurating the dispensation of the fulness of times.
Joseph Smith
So was the fulness of the gospel lost forever? No! God revealed important truths to Joseph Smith again. Heavenly messengers restored all of the necessary priesthood keys to him (see D&C 27:8–13; 110; 128:18–21), making this the “dispensation of the fulness of times” (D&C 138:48). It is also known as the latter-days because it’s the last dispensation before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
So was the fulness of the gospel lost forever? No! God revealed important truths to Joseph Smith again. Heavenly messengers restored all of the necessary priesthood keys to him (see D&C 27:8–13; 110; 128:18–21), making this the “dispensation of the fulness of times” (D&C 138:48). It is also known as the latter-days because it’s the last dispensation before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
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👤 Joseph Smith
👤 Angels
Apostasy
Jesus Christ
Joseph Smith
Priesthood
Revelation
The Restoration
Elder L. Tom Perry:
On a flight, an overwhelmed mother of four young children sat near Elder L. Tom Perry. As all the children began crying, he offered to hold and care for the baby so she could tend the others. He continued helping through the meal, allowing the baby to sleep, and the mother remembered his kindness as a cherished family memory.
Roberta Jensen sat on the airplane trying to feed her new baby and quiet her three other children—all under the age of four. She was exhausted and embarrassed and alone.
The passenger across the aisle was a tall, cheerful man in a dark suit who looked familiar. When she spoke to him, he introduced himself as Elder L. Tom Perry. “Oh!” she thought. “An Apostle right next to me! I wonder if he can feel the turmoil I’m in and read the feelings of my heart.”
As the plane took off, all four children started crying. Roberta’s embarrassment turned to panic. Suddenly Elder Perry put away his briefcase and asked gently, “May I hold the baby?” During the rest of the trip he cared for the baby, feeding him and rocking him to sleep, while the grateful mother calmed and fed the other children.
When dinner was served, she reached for the baby, but Elder Perry, still smiling, said the baby was sleeping peacefully and there was no need to disturb him.
“I survived the trip,” she says, “and retained a dear memory that will be a part of our family forever. Elder Perry saw someone in need of help and he set aside his own needs to give that help.”
The passenger across the aisle was a tall, cheerful man in a dark suit who looked familiar. When she spoke to him, he introduced himself as Elder L. Tom Perry. “Oh!” she thought. “An Apostle right next to me! I wonder if he can feel the turmoil I’m in and read the feelings of my heart.”
As the plane took off, all four children started crying. Roberta’s embarrassment turned to panic. Suddenly Elder Perry put away his briefcase and asked gently, “May I hold the baby?” During the rest of the trip he cared for the baby, feeding him and rocking him to sleep, while the grateful mother calmed and fed the other children.
When dinner was served, she reached for the baby, but Elder Perry, still smiling, said the baby was sleeping peacefully and there was no need to disturb him.
“I survived the trip,” she says, “and retained a dear memory that will be a part of our family forever. Elder Perry saw someone in need of help and he set aside his own needs to give that help.”
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👤 General Authorities (Modern)
👤 Parents
👤 Children
Apostle
Charity
Children
Family
Gratitude
Kindness
Ministering
Parenting
Service
Pure Religion
A father recovering from alcoholism credited his return to the steadfast support of his wife and children. Their refusal to give up on him enabled his progress.
Pure religion encompasses patience and long-suffering. A father recovering from the wounds of alcoholism has often said, “I am making my way back because my family would not give up on me. Everyone had written me off except my wife and children.” How sweet are those words: “I am making my way back because my family would not give up on me.”
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👤 Parents
👤 Church Members (General)
Addiction
Family
Patience
“A Milestone in Church History” Reached: 100 Temples
Carlos Ordeneta from Maracaibo, Venezuela, traveled 10 hours with many others to attend the Caracas Venezuela Temple dedication. He shared how memorable it was to have the prophet dedicate the temple. He declared the temple the best thing that had happened to Venezuela.
Nearly 6,000 members from throughout Venezuela attended the dedication. “Having the prophet dedicate the temple in our country is something I will always remember,” said Carlos Ordeneta of Maracaibo, Venezuela, who traveled 10 hours with many other Maracaibo members to attend. “The temple is the best thing that has ever happened to Venezuela.”
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👤 Church Members (General)
Diversity and Unity in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Faith
Temples
Testimony