Anna Matilda Anderson huddled with her mother and sister, Ida, under the black umbrella. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the train approach. She shivered. This train would take her from Sweden and begin her journey to America.
“Be good and listen to Elder Carlson,” Anna’s mother whispered in Swedish. She held the girls close. Elder Carlson was a missionary who had been serving in Sweden for three years, since Anna was eight. Now it was time for him to return to his family in Idaho, in the United States.
When Mamma had decided to send Anna and Ida to America to escape the persecution in Sweden, Elder Carlson had offered to watch over them. Now he stood by the train. He motioned for the two girls to join him. Ida hugged her mother tightly and moved forward, but Anna stayed behind.
“I love you,” Anna said. “I’ll miss you.”
“I’ll miss you too. Now listen closely. If you come to a place where you can’t understand what the people are saying, don’t forget to pray to your Father in Heaven because He can understand you.”
Still thinking of her mother’s words, Anna got on the train with Ida and Elder Carlson. She had been excited about her first ride on a train, but now she only wanted one last glimpse of Mamma. The train was too tall for her to see people’s faces, but she smiled when she saw her mother’s black umbrella held high above the crowd. It reminded her that Mamma was watching.
With a great bellow of smoke, the train lurched forward. At first it moved so slowly that Mamma ran beside the train. The black umbrella waved at Anna. But soon the black umbrella disappeared from view. Anna leaned against the windowpane. She knew it would be a long time before she saw Mamma again.
There had not been enough money for Mamma to buy a ticket. A family in Ogden, Utah, had paid for Ida’s passage to America. Ida would stay with them on their farm and work to repay them. But Anna would stay with her aunt in Salt Lake City. Anna’s aunt had gone to Utah several years earlier, and Mamma had written to tell her that Anna was making the long journey too.
After that first train trip, they took a boat over the North Sea to Denmark. Then they sailed to England and Ireland before crossing the Atlantic Ocean and landing in New York City. Anna was seasick for most of the 15-day journey. She was so relieved when she finally stepped off the boat!
“America looks different than Sweden, ja?” she said to Ida as they boarded the train in New York that would take them to Utah.
“Ja,” Ida whispered back in Swedish. “But America is home now, and if we work hard enough, soon we can bring Mamma here too.”
At last they were on the final stretch of their journey. Anna would have been excited for it to end if it didn’t mean losing Ida. There weren’t enough days left!
Finally Anna heard the conductor call, “Ogden, Utah!” She knew no English, but Anna recognized that name. Her heart sank. It sank even further when Elder Carlson stood and picked up his and Ida’s bags.
“Do you have to go?” she asked her sister.
“Yes,” Ida said gently. “Don’t worry, Auntie will be there when you get to Salt Lake City.”
Anna watched from the train as Ida and Elder Carlson met his family at the station. They would take Ida to her new home on the farm and then travel on to Idaho. Now Anna felt truly alone.
To be continued …
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Leaving Home
A Swedish girl, Anna, and her sister Ida leave their mother to emigrate to America under the care of Elder Carlson, a missionary returning home. Their mother counsels Anna to pray when she cannot understand others. After a long journey by train and ship, they reach Utah, where Ida departs in Ogden to work for a family while Anna continues alone to Salt Lake City to live with her aunt.
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👤 Early Saints
👤 Missionaries
👤 Parents
👤 Children
👤 Church Members (General)
Adversity
Children
Faith
Family
Missionary Work
Prayer
Sacrifice
My Father in Heaven Loves Me
A person imagines preparing a special gift for someone they love who is leaving on an important journey. They plan carefully, even getting help, so the traveler will find the gift at their destination and feel loved. The narrator reflects that if the traveler ignored the gift or failed to say thank you, it would be hurtful. The scenario teaches the importance of gratitude for gifts given in love.
If someone you love very, very much was going on an important journey, how would you help him prepare? You might give him a special gift to use while he was away. You would want the gift to be something that would show him every day how much you love him. It would be exciting for him to find the gift when he arrived at his destination. You would have to plan carefully. You might ask someone to help you prepare your special gift.
If you planned and prepared a special gift for someone you loved and he didn’t even take time to look at it, you would probably feel sad. If he never said thank you for the gift, you might think that he didn’t like it.
If you planned and prepared a special gift for someone you loved and he didn’t even take time to look at it, you would probably feel sad. If he never said thank you for the gift, you might think that he didn’t like it.
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👤 Other
Gratitude
Kindness
Love
Service
Preparing the World for the Second Coming
On his mission in Canada, Elder Sidney Going and his companion decided to visit one more family before returning home. The family accepted a Book of Mormon; the father read extensively over days, and soon the entire family was baptized.
Sid told me of an experience he had on his mission. It was evening, and he and his companion were just about to return to their apartment. They decided to visit one more family. The father let them in. Elder Going and his companion testified of the Savior. The family accepted a Book of Mormon. The father read all night. In the next week and a half he read the entire Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. A few weeks later the family was baptized.
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👤 Missionaries
👤 Church Members (General)
Baptism
Book of Mormon
Conversion
Jesus Christ
Missionary Work
Scriptures
Testimony
Small Things Make a Difference!
A child feels discouraged about being the shortest in class. The mother teaches that values matter more than height and encourages the child that they can still do many things. The child accepts this perspective and continues acting despite being small.
I’m the shortest in my class. I sometimes wish I was tall like my classmates. But my mother tells me that my values are more important than my height, and I can do many things even though I’m smaller than my classmates.
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👤 Parents
👤 Children
Children
Family
Parenting
The Saints Securely Dwell
In a temple meeting with President Lee and the Brethren, they sang a hymn about God's watchful care. President Lee then prayed, thanking God for protecting His saints and asking for continued watch-care. The experience inspired the speaker's message and filled him with gratitude for a people who care for one another.
After yesterday morning and this morning with President Lee, I think you can imagine the experience that is ours when we, as the Brethren, go to the temple, there to take sweet counsel together with him.
It was in such a meeting a short time ago that there came to me the inspiration for the subject that I speak upon today. We sang as the opening hymn in that meeting “How Gentle God’s Commands.” Later, in a prayer, President Lee included this phrase from the hymn: “Beneath his watchful eye, His saints securely dwell.” (Hymns, no. 67.) He then reverently gave thanks to the Almighty for the security and protection of his saints, and in that prayer he invited a continuation of that watch-care over them.
I was deeply touched with gratitude that in a world characterized by unrest, even by violence, there is a people who care for one another.
It was in such a meeting a short time ago that there came to me the inspiration for the subject that I speak upon today. We sang as the opening hymn in that meeting “How Gentle God’s Commands.” Later, in a prayer, President Lee included this phrase from the hymn: “Beneath his watchful eye, His saints securely dwell.” (Hymns, no. 67.) He then reverently gave thanks to the Almighty for the security and protection of his saints, and in that prayer he invited a continuation of that watch-care over them.
I was deeply touched with gratitude that in a world characterized by unrest, even by violence, there is a people who care for one another.
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👤 General Authorities (Modern)
Gratitude
Ministering
Prayer
Temples
The Kirtland Temple
God told Joseph Smith to build a temple, and the Saints worked together to construct and furnish it. Men built walls, women made furnishings, and children brought tools and water. When it was finished, they entered the temple, sang, shouted 'Hosanna,' and Joseph offered a dedicatory prayer.
God told Joseph Smith to build a temple. It would be a house of God.
The Saints worked together to help build the temple. Men built tall walls. Women made curtains and carpets. Children helped bring tools and water to the workers.
When the temple was finished, the Saints went inside. They sang a hymn and shouted “Hosanna!” Joseph said a prayer to dedicate (bless) the temple.
The Saints worked together to help build the temple. Men built tall walls. Women made curtains and carpets. Children helped bring tools and water to the workers.
When the temple was finished, the Saints went inside. They sang a hymn and shouted “Hosanna!” Joseph said a prayer to dedicate (bless) the temple.
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👤 Joseph Smith
👤 Early Saints
👤 Children
Children
Joseph Smith
Music
Prayer
Service
Temples
Unity
Women in the Church
FYI:For Your Information
Over 120 youth from the Monticello Utah Stake cleaned a stake farm that will become a recreation area and girls’ camp. They cleared springs, removed old roofs, cleaned a root cellar, and hauled trash, followed by games and a Dutch-oven dinner. The farm, with intact log cabins, will serve members for years.
More than 120 youths from the Monticello Utah Stake undertook cleanup operations at their stake farm that will one day include a recreation-park area for Scouts and a girls’ camp. A stake committee is working on a master plan for the campground, and the project will involve several years’ work.
Some of the day’s work included cleaning out the old spring, tearing off old roofs, cleaning out the solidly built root cellar, and hauling trash to the ravine for burial.
The farm, complete with log cabins still very much intact, will someday serve recreational needs for generations.
After the work was done the young people organized games, and a delicious Dutch-oven supper was served.
Some of the day’s work included cleaning out the old spring, tearing off old roofs, cleaning out the solidly built root cellar, and hauling trash to the ravine for burial.
The farm, complete with log cabins still very much intact, will someday serve recreational needs for generations.
After the work was done the young people organized games, and a delicious Dutch-oven supper was served.
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👤 Youth
👤 Church Members (General)
Service
Stewardship
Young Men
Young Women
The Arms of Jesus
Kennedy decided to serve a mission and prepared with help from his family and Bishop Simbeya. At the Ghana MTC, temple and family history missionaries assisted him in preparing his parents’ names. He then performed ordinances for his father, witnessed his parents’ sealing, and was sealed to them, lingering in the temple to savor the Spirit.
A year ago Kennedy decided to serve a mission and become those arms of the Savior for others. His “better than adopted family”, his brother Bwalya, and his determined Bishop Simbeya in the Libala Ward helped him prepare.
For many African missionaries, their first opportunity to attend the temple is when they come to the missionary training center in Ghana. It is also their first and often only opportunity to do ordinance work for their deceased parents, siblings, or grandparents until they return home and are able to have sufficient resources to travel to the nearest temple.
Elder and Sister Meredith serve as temple and family history missionaries in the Africa West Area and spend time at the MTC each Sunday helping interested missionaries prepare their ancestors’ names so they can do temple work for them in the short time they are there. Their most joyous efforts occur in opportunities to help missionaries who want to do work for their own parents. Such was the case with Kennedy Chitalu.
While he was at the Ghana MTC, before departing to the Kenya Nairobi Mission, he was able to attend the house of the Lord and take part in not just his father’s ordinance work but also the sealing of his parents and finally his sealing to them for time and all eternity. He was so excited he didn’t want forget even a moment of his experience and stayed in the temple to savor the spirit he felt as long as he was able.
For many African missionaries, their first opportunity to attend the temple is when they come to the missionary training center in Ghana. It is also their first and often only opportunity to do ordinance work for their deceased parents, siblings, or grandparents until they return home and are able to have sufficient resources to travel to the nearest temple.
Elder and Sister Meredith serve as temple and family history missionaries in the Africa West Area and spend time at the MTC each Sunday helping interested missionaries prepare their ancestors’ names so they can do temple work for them in the short time they are there. Their most joyous efforts occur in opportunities to help missionaries who want to do work for their own parents. Such was the case with Kennedy Chitalu.
While he was at the Ghana MTC, before departing to the Kenya Nairobi Mission, he was able to attend the house of the Lord and take part in not just his father’s ordinance work but also the sealing of his parents and finally his sealing to them for time and all eternity. He was so excited he didn’t want forget even a moment of his experience and stayed in the temple to savor the spirit he felt as long as he was able.
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👤 Missionaries
👤 Church Leaders (Local)
👤 Parents
👤 Young Adults
Baptisms for the Dead
Bishop
Diversity and Unity in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Family
Family History
Missionary Work
Ordinances
Sealing
Service
Temples
True Religion
In the final hours of Joseph Smith’s life while imprisoned in Carthage Jail, his close friend John Taylor sang a hymn to cheer him. The moment highlights Joseph Smith’s lifelong service and compassion, mirrored by Taylor’s ministering act. The hymn’s message reinforces service as a hallmark of true religion.
The life of the Prophet Joseph Smith portrays these same attributes—service to friends, to his fellowmen, to all mankind, and to his God. It was during the last two hours of his life, confined behind bars in Carthage, that his close friend, President John Taylor, sang a song to cheer him on that melancholy occasion. The song has a number of verses commencing with helping the unfortunate and sharing a crust with one perishing for want of bread. These are some of the words:
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👤 Joseph Smith
👤 Early Saints
Charity
Death
Friendship
Joseph Smith
Music
Service
Now Is the Time
President Russell M. Nelson invited youth worldwide to take a seven-day social media fast and later extended a similar invitation to the sisters. He asked participants to notice changes in how they feel and think and to do a thorough life assessment with the Lord. He encouraged immediate changes where needed.
Recently, in a worldwide youth devotional, President Russell M. Nelson invited the youth to step back from the world, disengaging from social media by holding a seven-day fast. And just last evening, he made a similar invitation to the sisters as part of the women’s session of conference. He then asked the youth to notice any differences in how they feel, what they think, or even how they think. He then invited them “to do a thorough life assessment with the Lord … to ensure that your feet are firmly planted on the covenant path.” He encouraged them that if there were things in their lives that needed changing, “today is the perfect time to change.”
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👤 General Authorities (Modern)
👤 Youth
👤 Church Members (General)
Agency and Accountability
Apostle
Covenant
Fasting and Fast Offerings
Repentance
Revelation
Women in the Church
Not So Lonely
Each weekend, Damián travels across his town in Ecuador to stay with his grandparents and attend church with them. He enjoys church but feels sad that his immediate family does not come. After a home evening lesson and a kind talk with Abuela, he reflects on the love from his family, church members, and especially Heavenly Father and Jesus. Feeling that love helps him feel less lonely.
Damián looked through his backpack to see that he had what he needed. Church clothes? Check. Shoes? Check. Book of Mormon? Check. He zipped up his backpack, put it over his shoulder, and headed for the door.
“Mamá!” Damián called. “I’m going to Abuela and Abuelo’s!”
Mamá was folding towels. “Be sure to help your grandparents.” She stopped to give Damián a big hug. “I know you like to go to church with them. Have a nice time tomorrow.”
“I will!” said Damián. But I wish you would come with me, he thought.
Damián walked to the bus stop. Every Saturday, he took the bus across his town in Ecuador to Abuela and Abuelo’s house. He stayed the night with them. Then he went to church with them the next day.
On Sunday morning, Damián got dressed for church. He buttoned his shirt. He put on his shoes. Then he walked to church with Abuela and Abuelo.
Damián liked church. He liked to sing the songs and take the sacrament. He liked to see his friends too. But he wished the rest of his family was with him.
That afternoon, Damián, Abuela, and Abuelo walked over to Brother and Sister Ruiz’s house. They were going to have home evening together. Abuela brought a dish of flan for dessert.
The lesson was about Jesus. Damián colored a picture of Jesus while he listened to the lesson. “Jesus understands everything we feel,” Brother Ruiz said. “Even when we feel sad.”
Damián looked at his picture of Jesus. It made him happy that Jesus knew how he felt.
After the closing prayer, Abuela said, “I brought flan. Who wants some?”
“Me!” Damián said. The creamy, sweet dessert was Damián’s favorite! And Abuela made the best flan.
After home evening, Abuela walked with Damián to the bus stop so he could go home. Damián looked down at the ground.
“Is something wrong?” Abuela asked.
Damián frowned. “I wish the rest of my family came to church with us.”
“Me too,” Abuela said. She gave Damián a hug. “But your family loves you very much. And so do Abuelo and I and many others!”
The bus pulled up. Damián sat by the window and waved to Abuela as the bus drove away.
Damián thought about what Abuela had said. He thought about Mamá and his brother and sister. He knew they loved him so much. Then he thought about his Primary teacher. And the Ruiz family. And Abuela and Abuelo. They all loved him too.
Most of all, Damián knew Heavenly Father and Jesus loved him. And that made him feel not so lonely anymore
“Mamá!” Damián called. “I’m going to Abuela and Abuelo’s!”
Mamá was folding towels. “Be sure to help your grandparents.” She stopped to give Damián a big hug. “I know you like to go to church with them. Have a nice time tomorrow.”
“I will!” said Damián. But I wish you would come with me, he thought.
Damián walked to the bus stop. Every Saturday, he took the bus across his town in Ecuador to Abuela and Abuelo’s house. He stayed the night with them. Then he went to church with them the next day.
On Sunday morning, Damián got dressed for church. He buttoned his shirt. He put on his shoes. Then he walked to church with Abuela and Abuelo.
Damián liked church. He liked to sing the songs and take the sacrament. He liked to see his friends too. But he wished the rest of his family was with him.
That afternoon, Damián, Abuela, and Abuelo walked over to Brother and Sister Ruiz’s house. They were going to have home evening together. Abuela brought a dish of flan for dessert.
The lesson was about Jesus. Damián colored a picture of Jesus while he listened to the lesson. “Jesus understands everything we feel,” Brother Ruiz said. “Even when we feel sad.”
Damián looked at his picture of Jesus. It made him happy that Jesus knew how he felt.
After the closing prayer, Abuela said, “I brought flan. Who wants some?”
“Me!” Damián said. The creamy, sweet dessert was Damián’s favorite! And Abuela made the best flan.
After home evening, Abuela walked with Damián to the bus stop so he could go home. Damián looked down at the ground.
“Is something wrong?” Abuela asked.
Damián frowned. “I wish the rest of my family came to church with us.”
“Me too,” Abuela said. She gave Damián a hug. “But your family loves you very much. And so do Abuelo and I and many others!”
The bus pulled up. Damián sat by the window and waved to Abuela as the bus drove away.
Damián thought about what Abuela had said. He thought about Mamá and his brother and sister. He knew they loved him so much. Then he thought about his Primary teacher. And the Ruiz family. And Abuela and Abuelo. They all loved him too.
Most of all, Damián knew Heavenly Father and Jesus loved him. And that made him feel not so lonely anymore
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👤 Jesus Christ
👤 Parents
👤 Children
👤 Church Members (General)
👤 Friends
Children
Family
Family Home Evening
Jesus Christ
Love
Sabbath Day
Sacrament
Teaching the Gospel
The Greatest Miracle in Human History
On June 27, 1844, Joseph and Hyrum Smith were killed by an armed mob in Carthage, Illinois. John Taylor, who was wounded in the attack, later recorded a powerful tribute to Joseph’s life and mission. President Hinckley notes Governor Thomas Ford’s broken pledge of protection as part of the tragedy surrounding that day.
And again, if this is not enough, there is the testimony of a prophet, whose name was Joseph, who sealed with his blood the testimony of his Lord. Today we celebrate the anniversary of Easter. This year we commemorate the 150th anniversary of the death of the Prophet Joseph Smith. On the sultry afternoon of 27 June 1844, he and his brother Hyrum were killed by an armed mob, the members of which had painted their faces black to hide their identity. John Taylor, who was with them on that occasion and who was wounded, later wrote this appraisal:
“Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it. … He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people; and like most of the Lord’s anointed in ancient times, has sealed his mission and his works with his own blood; and so has his brother Hyrum. … Their innocent blood … is a witness to the truth of the everlasting gospel that all the world cannot impeach” (D&C 135:3, 7).
Because this is the sesquicentennial year of that tragic event, I wish to say a few words about the leading character on each side of that equation at Carthage. On the one side was Joseph the prophet-martyr; on the other, Thomas Ford, governor of Illinois, whose broken pledge culminated in the tragedies of that day.
I mention these things to say that there was tragedy on both sides of the Carthage problem. Joseph and Hyrum were murdered. Governor Thomas Ford, who had pledged the protection of the state of Illinois, and failed to provide it, fell upon tragic and sorrowful circumstances, dying in abject poverty and leaving a destitute family who for the most part also lived with disappointment and died with much of misery.
“Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it. … He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people; and like most of the Lord’s anointed in ancient times, has sealed his mission and his works with his own blood; and so has his brother Hyrum. … Their innocent blood … is a witness to the truth of the everlasting gospel that all the world cannot impeach” (D&C 135:3, 7).
Because this is the sesquicentennial year of that tragic event, I wish to say a few words about the leading character on each side of that equation at Carthage. On the one side was Joseph the prophet-martyr; on the other, Thomas Ford, governor of Illinois, whose broken pledge culminated in the tragedies of that day.
I mention these things to say that there was tragedy on both sides of the Carthage problem. Joseph and Hyrum were murdered. Governor Thomas Ford, who had pledged the protection of the state of Illinois, and failed to provide it, fell upon tragic and sorrowful circumstances, dying in abject poverty and leaving a destitute family who for the most part also lived with disappointment and died with much of misery.
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👤 Joseph Smith
👤 General Authorities (Modern)
👤 Other
Adversity
Death
Easter
Grief
Joseph Smith
Testimony
The Restoration
He Is Risen
After their friend William Ball was killed at Pearl Harbor, the five Sullivan brothers enlisted together in the U.S. Navy. They served on the USS Juneau, which was sunk off Guadalcanal. Their mother later received word that all five were missing and presumed dead.
Among the thousands of servicemen killed in the attack on Pearl Harbor was a sailor by the name of William Ball, from Fredericksburg, Iowa. What distinguished him from so many others who died on that day in 1941 was not any special act of heroism, but the tragic chain of events his death set in motion at home.
When William’s boyhood buddies, the five Sullivan brothers from the nearby town of Waterloo, received word of his death, they marched out together to enlist in the navy. The Sullivans, who wished to avenge their friend, insisted that they remain together, and the navy granted their wish. On November 14, 1942, the cruiser on which the brothers served, the USS Juneau, was hit and sunk in a battle off Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands.
Almost two months went by before Mrs. Thomas Sullivan received the news, which arrived not by the usual telegram but by special envoy: all five of her sons were reported missing in action in the South Pacific and presumed dead. Their bodies were never recovered.
One sentence only, spoken by one person only, provides a fitting epitaph: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
When William’s boyhood buddies, the five Sullivan brothers from the nearby town of Waterloo, received word of his death, they marched out together to enlist in the navy. The Sullivans, who wished to avenge their friend, insisted that they remain together, and the navy granted their wish. On November 14, 1942, the cruiser on which the brothers served, the USS Juneau, was hit and sunk in a battle off Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands.
Almost two months went by before Mrs. Thomas Sullivan received the news, which arrived not by the usual telegram but by special envoy: all five of her sons were reported missing in action in the South Pacific and presumed dead. Their bodies were never recovered.
One sentence only, spoken by one person only, provides a fitting epitaph: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
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👤 Other
Death
Family
Friendship
Grief
Love
Sacrifice
War
Brothers
While serving as teachers quorum president, Mark sought out a young man who had been absent from church. Through continued invitations, the young man attended an activity and felt welcome at church again.
Later, when Mark was teachers quorum president, he had a similar experience. He found a young man who had not attended in some time, and went after opportunities to invite him to come back. The young man came out to an activity and felt welcome at church again.
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👤 Youth
Kindness
Ministering
Missionary Work
Young Men
A child describes reverently participating in the sacrament by folding arms, bowing head, and partaking of the bread and water. During the ordinance, the child thinks about Jesus Christ’s suffering and death, picturing His hands and the crown of thorns. The experience leads the child to reflect on the Savior’s sacrifice so we can live again.
Sacrament Thoughts
I fold my arms
And bow my head;
Then the sacrament prayer is said.
I open my eyes
And then look up,
And after the bread I drink water
From a little plastic cup.
I try to think
Of how Jesus died,
Sacrificed His life
For all mankind.
I picture His hands
Pierced, bleeding, and sore.
A crown of thorns
On His head He wore.
And now I think
As I take the sacrament’s drink
How Jesus, our Savior,
Died for us,
That we might live again.
Sariah J., age 11, Utah
I fold my arms
And bow my head;
Then the sacrament prayer is said.
I open my eyes
And then look up,
And after the bread I drink water
From a little plastic cup.
I try to think
Of how Jesus died,
Sacrificed His life
For all mankind.
I picture His hands
Pierced, bleeding, and sore.
A crown of thorns
On His head He wore.
And now I think
As I take the sacrament’s drink
How Jesus, our Savior,
Died for us,
That we might live again.
Sariah J., age 11, Utah
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👤 Jesus Christ
👤 Children
Atonement of Jesus Christ
Children
Jesus Christ
Sacrament
Sacrament Meeting
“Lord, Is It I?”
A man admired his neighbor's immaculate lawn but fixated on a single large dandelion he noticed there. He considered removing it himself, then returned home without noticing his own yard was covered with dandelions. The story highlights our tendency to overlook personal shortcomings while criticizing others.
Once there was a man who enjoyed taking evening walks around his neighborhood. He particularly looked forward to walking past his neighbor’s house. This neighbor kept his lawn perfectly manicured, flowers always in bloom, the trees healthy and shady. It was obvious that the neighbor made every effort to have a beautiful lawn.
But one day as the man was walking past his neighbor’s house, he noticed in the middle of this beautiful lawn a single, enormous, yellow dandelion weed.
It looked so out of place that it surprised him. Why didn’t his neighbor pull it out? Couldn’t he see it? Didn’t he know that the dandelion could cast seeds that could give root to dozens of additional weeds?
This solitary dandelion bothered him beyond description, and he wanted to do something about it. Should he just pluck it out? Or spray it with weed killer? Perhaps if he went under cover of night, he could remove it secretly.
These thoughts totally occupied his mind as he walked toward his own home. He entered his house without even glancing at his own front yard—which was blanketed with hundreds of yellow dandelions.
But one day as the man was walking past his neighbor’s house, he noticed in the middle of this beautiful lawn a single, enormous, yellow dandelion weed.
It looked so out of place that it surprised him. Why didn’t his neighbor pull it out? Couldn’t he see it? Didn’t he know that the dandelion could cast seeds that could give root to dozens of additional weeds?
This solitary dandelion bothered him beyond description, and he wanted to do something about it. Should he just pluck it out? Or spray it with weed killer? Perhaps if he went under cover of night, he could remove it secretly.
These thoughts totally occupied his mind as he walked toward his own home. He entered his house without even glancing at his own front yard—which was blanketed with hundreds of yellow dandelions.
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👤 Other
Humility
Judging Others
Abide the Day in Christ
The speaker received a cancer diagnosis and, while driving home with her husband, prayed to know if she would live or die. The Holy Ghost answered both questions with the same reassurance that everything would be OK. She felt deep peace as she realized that years of gospel living had already prepared her family. Whether she lived or died, Christ’s restored gospel would sustain and bless them.
I have learned from personal experience that spiritual preparation for the coming of the Lord is not only essential but the only way to find true peace and happiness.
It was a crisp fall day when I first heard the words “You have cancer.” My husband and I were stunned! As we drove home in silence, processing the news, my heart turned to our three sons.
In my mind I asked Heavenly Father, “Am I going to die?”
The Holy Ghost whispered, “Everything is going to be OK.”
Then I asked, “Am I going to live?”
Again, the answer came: “Everything is going to be OK.”
I was confused. Why did I receive the exact same answer whether I lived or died?
Then suddenly every fiber of my being filled with absolute peace as I was reminded: We did not need to hurry home and teach our children how to pray. They knew how to receive answers and comfort from prayer. We did not need to hurry home and teach them about the scriptures or words of living prophets. Those words were already a familiar source of strength and understanding. We did not need to hurry home and teach them about repentance, the Resurrection, the Restoration, the plan of salvation, eternal families, or the very doctrine of Jesus Christ.
In that moment every family home evening lesson, scripture study session, prayer of faith offered, blessing given, testimony shared, covenant made and kept, house of the Lord attended, and Sabbath day observed mattered—oh, how it mattered! It was too late to put oil in our lamps. We needed every single drop, and we needed it right now!
Because of Jesus Christ and His restored gospel, if I died, my family would be comforted, strengthened, and one day restored. If I lived, I would have access to the greatest power on this earth to help succor, sustain, and heal me. In the end, because of Jesus Christ, everything can be OK.
It was a crisp fall day when I first heard the words “You have cancer.” My husband and I were stunned! As we drove home in silence, processing the news, my heart turned to our three sons.
In my mind I asked Heavenly Father, “Am I going to die?”
The Holy Ghost whispered, “Everything is going to be OK.”
Then I asked, “Am I going to live?”
Again, the answer came: “Everything is going to be OK.”
I was confused. Why did I receive the exact same answer whether I lived or died?
Then suddenly every fiber of my being filled with absolute peace as I was reminded: We did not need to hurry home and teach our children how to pray. They knew how to receive answers and comfort from prayer. We did not need to hurry home and teach them about the scriptures or words of living prophets. Those words were already a familiar source of strength and understanding. We did not need to hurry home and teach them about repentance, the Resurrection, the Restoration, the plan of salvation, eternal families, or the very doctrine of Jesus Christ.
In that moment every family home evening lesson, scripture study session, prayer of faith offered, blessing given, testimony shared, covenant made and kept, house of the Lord attended, and Sabbath day observed mattered—oh, how it mattered! It was too late to put oil in our lamps. We needed every single drop, and we needed it right now!
Because of Jesus Christ and His restored gospel, if I died, my family would be comforted, strengthened, and one day restored. If I lived, I would have access to the greatest power on this earth to help succor, sustain, and heal me. In the end, because of Jesus Christ, everything can be OK.
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👤 Parents
👤 Children
👤 Jesus Christ
👤 Other
Adversity
Children
Covenant
Death
Endure to the End
Faith
Family
Family Home Evening
Health
Holy Ghost
Hope
Jesus Christ
Miracles
Parenting
Peace
Plan of Salvation
Prayer
Repentance
Sabbath Day
Scriptures
Sealing
Temples
Testimony
The Restoration
Some Thoughts on Songwriting
In a Detroit hotel, the narrator stayed in bed writing a song pledging friendship to someone whose goodness impressed him. The friendship became enduring, and the song was later adopted by BYU’s 'Friends' program.
In a Holiday Inn in Detroit I stayed in bed one morning until noon writing a song committing my friendship to someone whose needs and goodness had impressed me deeply, and now the friendship is rich and enduring, and the song was adopted by Brigham Young University as a theme for their helping-hand “Friends” program.
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👤 Friends
👤 Other
Charity
Friendship
Music
Service
I Do My Part, and God Does the Rest
As a little girl in Chile, the author attended Primary alone while her mother Ruby, the Primary president, kept lovingly inviting less-active children. Despite discouragement, Ruby persisted, and soon one boy, Carlos, came, then another, Alexis, and more followed. Within two years, attendance grew to 35 children, which the author credits to her mother's perseverance and faith, a lesson she now carries into her own service.
I am a young adult now, but an experience I had when I was a little girl has helped me all my life. I’m from Renaico, a small town in Chile. I remember with some emotion when my mother, Ruby, was the president of the Primary. We had a small branch then; I was the only child who attended. She would teach the class. When we got to church on Sunday morning, she would say, “Good morning, Jenny. I’m your Primary teacher.” This phrase was repeated every week. We would have an opening prayer and sing a song, and then she would proceed with the lesson.
She regularly visited children who were less-active, whom she lovingly called “my little darlings.” Often we would find these children playing in the street, and Mama would stop the car and say in a cheerful voice, “Hey, see you at church on Sunday.” Most of them said OK. But on Sunday it would be just Mama and me.
Sometimes I got frustrated when those children didn’t come to church. I would say, “That’s enough, Mama. They don’t want to come.” But she, in her loving way, would reply, “I need to be responsible in my calling and persevere.”
One day the unbelievable happened. A boy named Carlos came to church and said, “See, Sister Ruby, I told you I would come.” Well, at least now there were two of us. This made my mother’s face shine with joy, and every time Carlos came to class, she would say to me, “See, sweetheart, we need to be persistent, and God will do the rest.”
One day Carlos started coming with a boy named Alexis. The three of us loved playing together, and we are still friends today. From that day, more and more children started coming.
My mother was released from her calling after two years. When she left the Primary, 35 children were attending every week. How wonderful it was to see that my mother’s love for the children was returned. More than 10 years have passed since she was released, and the Church is larger here now, but nobody has ever surpassed her achievement of getting 35 children to attend!
I am the Primary president now. I love these little children, who have taught me so much. I’m so grateful for this wonderful calling and for my mother’s example of perseverance. I know that Heavenly Father lives and that it is true what my mother says: “I do my part, and He does the rest.”
She regularly visited children who were less-active, whom she lovingly called “my little darlings.” Often we would find these children playing in the street, and Mama would stop the car and say in a cheerful voice, “Hey, see you at church on Sunday.” Most of them said OK. But on Sunday it would be just Mama and me.
Sometimes I got frustrated when those children didn’t come to church. I would say, “That’s enough, Mama. They don’t want to come.” But she, in her loving way, would reply, “I need to be responsible in my calling and persevere.”
One day the unbelievable happened. A boy named Carlos came to church and said, “See, Sister Ruby, I told you I would come.” Well, at least now there were two of us. This made my mother’s face shine with joy, and every time Carlos came to class, she would say to me, “See, sweetheart, we need to be persistent, and God will do the rest.”
One day Carlos started coming with a boy named Alexis. The three of us loved playing together, and we are still friends today. From that day, more and more children started coming.
My mother was released from her calling after two years. When she left the Primary, 35 children were attending every week. How wonderful it was to see that my mother’s love for the children was returned. More than 10 years have passed since she was released, and the Church is larger here now, but nobody has ever surpassed her achievement of getting 35 children to attend!
I am the Primary president now. I love these little children, who have taught me so much. I’m so grateful for this wonderful calling and for my mother’s example of perseverance. I know that Heavenly Father lives and that it is true what my mother says: “I do my part, and He does the rest.”
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👤 Church Leaders (Local)
👤 Parents
👤 Children
Children
Endure to the End
Faith
Family
Friendship
Gratitude
Love
Ministering
Parenting
Service
Stewardship
Teaching the Gospel
Testimony
Links of Love
Impressed by changes in Luchito, his friend and fellow student Liliana studied the gospel and was baptized. She then invited her parents and sister Patricia, who accepted the message, and later introduced friend Guillermo Rosales, who also joined. Liliana eventually met recent convert NĂ©stor Bravo and married him in the temple.
But back to Luchito. Even before Luis Soto and Richard Spichiger joined the Church, he had shared his new testimony with another friend—a young woman named Liliana Salazar. Like Heraldo, Roberto, Luchito, and Luis, Liliana was an English major. She would be honored that year as the top student in her class. But more important, the changes she was observing in Luchito’s life prompted her to study his beliefs. After a few months, she, too became a Latter-day Saint. Then, at her invitation, her father, mother, and sister Patricia heard and accepted the message of the Restoration. And then Liliana introduced a sixth student—her friend Guillermo Rosales—to the Church, and he also joined.
Through her activity in the Church, Liliana met another recent convert, NĂ©stor Bravo, whom she later married in the temple.
Through her activity in the Church, Liliana met another recent convert, NĂ©stor Bravo, whom she later married in the temple.
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👤 Young Adults
👤 Parents
👤 Church Members (General)
Conversion
Education
Family
Friendship
Marriage
Missionary Work
Sealing
Temples
Testimony