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Spit and Mud and Kigatsuku
The Relief Society general board volunteered to clean a littered highway. They put on gloves and found that it didn’t take long to make a meaningful difference. The account illustrates effective, informal group service.
Kigatsuku means “an inner spirit to act without being told what to do.” First, we can do great good when we act as an organized group. One hundred and fifty years of Relief Society speaks for itself. One stake in Denver, Colorado, is making quilts—dozens of thick, warm, comforting quilts—which they will donate to the homeless and those in need. Second, we can do great good when we act in small, informal groups. The Relief Society general board volunteered to clean a littered highway, pulled on their gloves, and discovered that it doesn’t take a long time to make a big difference. And third, we can do great good on our own—just as individuals who care enough to serve. Think of Sister Julia Mavimbela in South Africa, teaching children who had never had a real home to tend the earth by planting gardens. It is the desire in individual hearts that powers not only small, individual acts of service, but also the great acts that become mass movements and even revolutions. You have that power, too.
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👤 Church Members (General)
Charity
Kindness
Relief Society
Service
Women in the Church
Bike to Nature
After placing their bikes on the train the day before, the group rode home relaxed and dozing. When they arrived in San Jose, they eagerly mounted their bikes for a final seven-mile ride to the chapel, ready to return home and share their experiences.
The final Saturday, having put the bikes on the train the day before, the weary travelers boarded to return home. There was plenty of room to stretch out and relax, and soon they were snoozers, not bikers.
Somehow, though, when the train finally halted in San Jose and they had to remount their cycles for another seven-mile jaunt to the chapel, they seemed almost eager to be riding once again. Soon they would be home recuperating, sharing a slice of their saga with their families.
Somehow, though, when the train finally halted in San Jose and they had to remount their cycles for another seven-mile jaunt to the chapel, they seemed almost eager to be riding once again. Soon they would be home recuperating, sharing a slice of their saga with their families.
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👤 Youth
👤 Church Members (General)
Family
Happiness
Sacrament Meeting
Hastening the Lord’s Game Plan!
On his first assignment as an Area Seventy with Elder Quentin L. Cook, the speaker entered a stake president’s office and noticed bronzed, worn-out missionary shoes displayed with a scripture, which calmed his nervousness. The stake president explained they belonged to a young convert who served in Guatemala despite limited family support; after the release interview, he requested the shoes and later had them bronzed with Isaiah’s verse about beautiful feet. The memorial reminds him of the effort required in the Lord’s work.
My awakening to these unique verses played an important role in my first assignment as an Area Seventy. I was a bit nervous being the companion of an Apostle, Elder Quentin L. Cook, at a stake conference. As I walked into the stake president’s office for the initial meeting that weekend, I noticed a pair of tattered-looking, bronzed shoes on the credenza behind his desk, accompanied by a scripture ending in an exclamation point. As I read it, I felt the Lord was aware of my study, had answered my prayers, and that He knew exactly what I needed to soothe my anxious heart.
I asked the stake president to tell me the story of the shoes.
He said:
“These are shoes of a young convert to the Church whose family situation was strained, yet he was determined to serve a successful mission and did so in Guatemala. Upon his return I met with him to extend an honorable release and saw his shoes were worn out. This young man had given his all to the Lord without much, if any, family support.
“He noticed I was staring at his shoes and asked me, ‘President, is anything wrong?’
“I responded, ‘No, Elder, everything is right! Can I have those shoes?’”
The stake president continued: “My respect and love for this returning missionary was overwhelming! I wanted to memorialize the experience, so I had his shoes bronzed. It is a reminder to me when I walk into this office of the effort we all must give regardless of our circumstances. The verse was from Isaiah: ‘How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!’ (Isaiah 52:7).”
I asked the stake president to tell me the story of the shoes.
He said:
“These are shoes of a young convert to the Church whose family situation was strained, yet he was determined to serve a successful mission and did so in Guatemala. Upon his return I met with him to extend an honorable release and saw his shoes were worn out. This young man had given his all to the Lord without much, if any, family support.
“He noticed I was staring at his shoes and asked me, ‘President, is anything wrong?’
“I responded, ‘No, Elder, everything is right! Can I have those shoes?’”
The stake president continued: “My respect and love for this returning missionary was overwhelming! I wanted to memorialize the experience, so I had his shoes bronzed. It is a reminder to me when I walk into this office of the effort we all must give regardless of our circumstances. The verse was from Isaiah: ‘How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!’ (Isaiah 52:7).”
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👤 General Authorities (Modern)
👤 Church Leaders (Local)
👤 Missionaries
Adversity
Conversion
Missionary Work
Prayer
Sacrifice
Scriptures
How I Use the Friend
A child enjoys searching for the hidden CTR ring in a magazine and then showing it to their dad. The dad usually manages to find the ring, though it takes him a long time, making it a shared activity.
I like to read the Last Laugh because it is really funny and Through Your Eyes because it is so beautiful. I also like looking for the hidden CTR ring and showing it to my dad. He can usually find it, but it takes him a long time.
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👤 Parents
👤 Children
Children
Family
It Took a Boy to Save a Village
Before 1918, Tom’s younger brother Ailama became very ill. Their father, Elisala, received a dream instructing him to make juice from the bark of a wili-wili tree and give it to the boy. He followed the instructions, and Ailama soon recovered. This experience showed Tom the power of acting in faith.
Tom’s family had exercised faith in the face of illness before and had seen miracles as a result. Tom’s younger brother Ailama was sick some years earlier. Their father, Elisala, had a dream in which he was given specific directions on what to do to care for Ailama: find a wili-wili tree, remove some bark, and pound out the juice. Elisala did this and brought the juice to Ailama, who drank it and soon recovered. So Tom had seen how acting in faith can help overcome sickness.
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👤 Parents
👤 Children
👤 Youth
Faith
Family
Health
Miracles
Revelation
Marriage and the Great Plan of Happiness
The speaker’s mother-in-law called his father-in-law back into the house and asked him to say 'I love you.' He joked that he had said it at marriage and would let her know if it ever changed. The story emphasizes that 'I love you' cannot be overused and should be said daily.
Once when my father-in-law was leaving the house after lunch to return to the field to work, my mother-in-law said, “Albert, you get right back in here and tell me you love me.” He grinned and jokingly said, “Elsie, when we were married, I told you I loved you, and if that ever changes, I’ll let you know.” It’s hard to overuse the expression “I love you.” Use it daily.
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👤 Parents
Family
Love
Marriage
Following Wilford’s Way
The Gadfield Elm chapel, donated by the United Brethren, became the first Church-owned meetinghouse outside the United States. A conference there on June 14, 1840, chose Willard Richards as president; the chapel served the Saints until many emigrated and later fell into disrepair, but it is now being restored.
The Gadfield Elm chapel is the first Church-owned meetinghouse outside of the United States. It is the location of a conference held on June 14, 1840, at which Elder Willard Richards was chosen president. Donated by the United Brethren, who joined the Church en masse during the spring and summer of 1840, the chapel was used extensively until most of the newly baptized Saints emigrated to join the Saints in Nauvoo. Although it fell into disrepair, happily, it is currently being restored with a new roof.
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👤 General Authorities (Modern)
👤 Early Saints
Apostle
Conversion
Diversity and Unity in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Missionary Work
Good Books for Little Friends
Leslie tells the zookeepers they can bring animals to her house if anything goes wrong at the zoo. When a huge storm floods the zoo, the keepers accept her offer. It playfully imagines generous hospitality during a crisis.
If Anything Ever Goes Wrong at the Zoo by Mary Jean Hendrick Leslie tells the zookeepers that they can bring the animals to her house if anything ever goes wrong at the zoo, and when a huge storm floods the zoo, the keepers take her up on her offer. It wouldn’t ever really happen, but it’s fun to think about.
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👤 Children
👤 Other
Adversity
Charity
Emergency Response
Kindness
Service
Feedback
A reader followed a New Era ice cream recipe that specified a four-quart freezer. Even after omitting the milk, the mixture still wouldn’t fit, though it turned out very creamy and delicious. She wonders if the recipe actually needed a six-quart freezer.
In the July New Era on page 33 a “Good Old-Fashioned Summer Cool-off” recipe calls for one quart cream and 1 1/2 quarts milk. The instructions also say to use a four-quart ice cream freezer. The question I have after trying the recipe (which, by the way, is delicious) is, should the instructions call for a six-quart freezer? I wasn’t able to use any of the milk called for. In fact, I couldn’t even get all the mixture into the freezer by omitting the milk. Perhaps that is why it was so good and creamy!
Susan PorterSalt Lake City, Utah
Susan PorterSalt Lake City, Utah
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👤 Church Members (General)
Friends
The author faced repeated Wednesday conflicts between ward choir rehearsals and basketball games. One night his father required him to attend choir and miss the game, which initially felt bitter. In hindsight, the enduring joy of sacred music far outlasted any athletic achievement.
Choir practice was every Wednesday night in the chapel at 7:30 P.M. By that time I was also a forward on the ward M Men basketball team, athletic manager, and captain of the team. Choir rehearsals and league games were often scheduled on the same Wednesday night. This produced conflicts. One night father insisted I attend choir practice and miss a game. Usually, in such cases, I was excused from choir practice. As I look back, the bitter taste I felt during that particular rehearsal has long since vanished. The glorious sounds of Handel resonate through my soul while my basketball prowess has somewhat diminished!
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👤 Parents
👤 Youth
Family
Music
Obedience
Sacrifice
Reaching Out to Ken
As a 16-year-old in Taiwan, the author sought to help Ken, a recently baptized 13-year-old who stopped attending church. Through invitations to activities and English classes, both Ken and his sister Linda became more involved. When Ken fell ill, the author felt prompted to bring him the sacrament with the bishop’s permission, which strengthened their connection. The continued fellowship from ward members helped Ken and Linda feel the Savior’s love, bringing the author joy in ministering.
When I was 16, I moved into a Taiwanese ward. Ken, a 13-year-old, had recently been baptized. But shortly after his baptism, Ken almost never attended church. I had a great desire to help Ken come back to church.
I invited him to come to several Church activities. Ken played basketball at Mutual and joined the youth choir. He and his sister, Linda, also began to attend the free English classes taught by my family and the missionaries. Soon Linda began to attend youth activities as well. I could see God’s hand helping us.
Ken’s family wondered why my family tried to help Ken and Linda. We told them that the gospel had brought us great joy, and we really wanted others to find the same joy and peace from the Savior. Later, Linda and Ken accepted our invitation to go to church. Linda came and had an awesome experience. However, Ken was ill, and when I prayed about what I could do to help him, I felt impressed that we should bring him the sacrament. With the bishop’s permission, our family went over to his house, and my brother and I helped administer the sacrament to him. We also visited with his family. I felt peaceful.
Our family has prayed for Ken, and all of us feel love for Ken and his family. The youth and adults in the ward and stake continue to fellowship Ken and Linda. The members’ combined efforts to minister are helping Ken and Linda feel the love of the Savior. This experience of trying to minister like the Savior has brought great joy to my life. Ministering is the Lord’s work, and because it is His work, His hand will guide our ministering efforts.
I invited him to come to several Church activities. Ken played basketball at Mutual and joined the youth choir. He and his sister, Linda, also began to attend the free English classes taught by my family and the missionaries. Soon Linda began to attend youth activities as well. I could see God’s hand helping us.
Ken’s family wondered why my family tried to help Ken and Linda. We told them that the gospel had brought us great joy, and we really wanted others to find the same joy and peace from the Savior. Later, Linda and Ken accepted our invitation to go to church. Linda came and had an awesome experience. However, Ken was ill, and when I prayed about what I could do to help him, I felt impressed that we should bring him the sacrament. With the bishop’s permission, our family went over to his house, and my brother and I helped administer the sacrament to him. We also visited with his family. I felt peaceful.
Our family has prayed for Ken, and all of us feel love for Ken and his family. The youth and adults in the ward and stake continue to fellowship Ken and Linda. The members’ combined efforts to minister are helping Ken and Linda feel the love of the Savior. This experience of trying to minister like the Savior has brought great joy to my life. Ministering is the Lord’s work, and because it is His work, His hand will guide our ministering efforts.
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👤 Youth
👤 Missionaries
👤 Church Leaders (Local)
👤 Church Members (General)
Apostasy
Bishop
Conversion
Family
Holy Ghost
Love
Ministering
Missionary Work
Prayer
Revelation
Sacrament
Service
Special Needs, Special Lessons
After Dora’s birth and a hospital rush three weeks later, her parents faced months of testing and shifting diagnoses. Doctors ultimately could not give a specific diagnosis, concluding she was physiologically normal but had low muscle tone and seizures. Her family lived for decades with that open-ended description, choosing not to be limited by labels.
In the days that followed our daughter Dora’s scheduled birth by Caesarean section, we knew that something was different about her. But it was not until she was rushed directly to the hospital from a doctor’s checkup three weeks later that we began to understand what a life-changing event her birth would be for our family.
The weeks and months that followed took us on a roller-coaster ride of hopes and fears as dedicated professionals tried to diagnose Dora’s condition. Each new theory brought its own set of anxieties.
“Oh please, not that. We could not bear to lose her,” we responded to one possible diagnosis. “If it is this, we are not sure how we can deal with it,” we responded to another.
Diagnosis is a two-edged sword. It can bring closure and help one understand what the future may be like, but it can also create expectations or define limitations that may not even be real. In our case, we are grateful that after all the theories and tests, doctors could never come to a specific diagnosis for Dora.
“She is physiologically normal in every way,” they told us, “but she suffers from low muscle tone and seizures.”
We have lived the past 28 years with that statement—its uncertainties, its twists and turns, its challenges, and its joys and possibilities. We did not know what the road would be like, but we never felt limited by a specific medical diagnosis.
The weeks and months that followed took us on a roller-coaster ride of hopes and fears as dedicated professionals tried to diagnose Dora’s condition. Each new theory brought its own set of anxieties.
“Oh please, not that. We could not bear to lose her,” we responded to one possible diagnosis. “If it is this, we are not sure how we can deal with it,” we responded to another.
Diagnosis is a two-edged sword. It can bring closure and help one understand what the future may be like, but it can also create expectations or define limitations that may not even be real. In our case, we are grateful that after all the theories and tests, doctors could never come to a specific diagnosis for Dora.
“She is physiologically normal in every way,” they told us, “but she suffers from low muscle tone and seizures.”
We have lived the past 28 years with that statement—its uncertainties, its twists and turns, its challenges, and its joys and possibilities. We did not know what the road would be like, but we never felt limited by a specific medical diagnosis.
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👤 Parents
👤 Children
👤 Other
Adversity
Disabilities
Family
Gratitude
Health
Hope
Parenting
At the Center of the Earth
Before age 10, Laura wanted to know for herself if the Book of Mormon and the Church were true. She prayed and received her testimony. The experience stayed with her.
Before she was 10 years old, Laura Córdova, now 15, prayed for a testimony. “I heard others say that the Book of Mormon and the Church were true,” she says. “So I prayed to know for myself. And the Lord gave me my testimony.”
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👤 Youth
Book of Mormon
Children
Conversion
Prayer
Testimony
Jesus Christ Is the Strength of Parents
The speaker invites listeners to imagine hearing a talk that describes an unrealistically perfect family. As the description continues, the listener feels discouraged and thinks their own family is hopeless. The scenario illustrates common parental insecurity and sets up the message that Jesus Christ provides help and change of heart.
For a moment, imagine this situation: You’re at church, listening to a talk about families. The speaker describes a perfect home and an even more perfect family. Husband and wife never quarrel. Children stop reading their scriptures only when it’s time to do homework. And the music of “Love One Another” is playing in the background. Before the speaker gets to the part about everyone cheerfully joining to clean the bathroom, you’re already thinking, “My family is hopeless.”
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👤 Parents
👤 Church Members (General)
Family
Judging Others
Music
Parenting
Sacrament Meeting
The Night of the Test
While camping in Negros Occidental, a student was invited by classmates and an older cousin to ride in a car where they began drinking beer and smoking. He refused, explained the Word of Wisdom, and left with his best friend to sleep in their tent. Later, he told his father and felt grateful for the Holy Ghost’s guidance.
When I was in my final year of elementary school, all of the students went camping in Negros Occidental, Philippines, before our graduation. We pitched our tents at the campsite and had a good time exploring among the guava and mango trees. When night came, my parents came to check on me. They told me to be very careful, and then they left.
One of my classmates invited my friends and me to take a ride with him and his older cousin. His cousin drove us around, and we had fun until—to my surprise—my classmates brought out beer and cigarettes. We parked the car near the campsite, and they began to drink the beers and smoke in the car. They invited me to join them, but I refused.
I said I wouldn’t join in because smoking would shorten my lifespan. I also said that it is against my beliefs, because I have been taught the Word of Wisdom. I told them that the Word of Wisdom is a law that teaches that we should keep our bodies clean, because they are temples of God. I told them we must avoid smoking; drinking alcohol, tea, and coffee; and taking drugs. My best friend and I left the group and slept in our tent.
When I went home, I was happy to tell my dad that I had not joined my classmates but instead had taught them about the Word of Wisdom. I was happy the Holy Ghost was there to guide me and give me the courage to speak to my friends.
One of my classmates invited my friends and me to take a ride with him and his older cousin. His cousin drove us around, and we had fun until—to my surprise—my classmates brought out beer and cigarettes. We parked the car near the campsite, and they began to drink the beers and smoke in the car. They invited me to join them, but I refused.
I said I wouldn’t join in because smoking would shorten my lifespan. I also said that it is against my beliefs, because I have been taught the Word of Wisdom. I told them that the Word of Wisdom is a law that teaches that we should keep our bodies clean, because they are temples of God. I told them we must avoid smoking; drinking alcohol, tea, and coffee; and taking drugs. My best friend and I left the group and slept in our tent.
When I went home, I was happy to tell my dad that I had not joined my classmates but instead had taught them about the Word of Wisdom. I was happy the Holy Ghost was there to guide me and give me the courage to speak to my friends.
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👤 Youth
👤 Parents
👤 Friends
Children
Courage
Health
Holy Ghost
Teaching the Gospel
Temptation
Word of Wisdom
What Is Important to My Family
Rachel, an eight-year-old, created a family coat of arms for a school assignment using symbols and colors tied to her faith and family heritage. She included elements like a green shield for choosing the right, a red heart for courage, and pictures of the Book of Mormon, baptism, and temples. Her teacher awarded her for creativity and displayed the shield. The project also helped Rachel share the gospel with her friends.
In school I had an assignment to create a family coat of arms. First I thought about what is important to my family. Then I started with a sheet of blue paper because I remembered the words from “Our Primary Colors” (Children’s Songbook, 258): “Blue is for truth in our thought and our deed.” Next I put on a green shield to remind me to choose the right, just like my CTR ring. I added a red heart on the shield because “red is for courage to do what is right,” and the heart is for the love that keeps our family together. I added a yellow Utah shape because I was born in Utah and because yellow is for “service from morning till night.” I added a picture of the world because my ancestors came from 14 different countries. I added a picture of the Book of Mormon because it is so important to my family. I added a picture of a baptism because we have to be baptized to return to live with Jesus. I added pictures of temples because they make it possible for our family to be together forever. And I added a white cat because I like cats and have two as pets. My teacher gave me a certificate for being the most creative, and she hung my shield on the wall for a long time. It also helped me to share the gospel with my friends.Rachel Mathews, age 8Valparaiso, Indiana
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👤 Children
👤 Friends
👤 Other
Baptism
Book of Mormon
Children
Courage
Diversity and Unity in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Education
Family
Love
Missionary Work
Sealing
Service
Teaching the Gospel
Temples
Truth
Elder is Sealed to His Parents
Isaiah John, who had attended a Pentecostal church, met a missionary in Monrovia, took the lessons, prayed, and was baptized in October 2018. Later, his mother visited, affirmed his choice by calling it a "perfect church," and encouraged him to continue attending before she passed away in 2022.
As a child, Isaiah John attended the Pentecostal church with his mother. At a certain point, he went to live with his brother in Monrovia. He continued attending the Pentecostal church after his move. One day he met a missionary who asked him about his beliefs and then asked him if he would be willing to visit The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Isaiah agreed. Right away he noticed a difference that he liked and that felt good. Isaiah began taking the lessons and prayed about what he should do. He wanted to do the right thing. He was baptized in October 2018. Isaiah was so happy to be baptized and confirmed. He was grateful for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
His mother came to visit and asked Isaiah if he was still going to church. He said “Yes, but not to the Pentecostal church”.
Isaiah said he will never forget what she said to him: “Brother Isaiah, do you know that the Church you are going to is a perfect church that has embraced the gospel of Jesus?”
He replied, “Yes, mom, I love the Church” and he explained that at church they talk about Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Ghost, and they teach how to live. Before she died in 2022, she told him to continue attending his church if he knew it was true, which made him very happy.
His mother came to visit and asked Isaiah if he was still going to church. He said “Yes, but not to the Pentecostal church”.
Isaiah said he will never forget what she said to him: “Brother Isaiah, do you know that the Church you are going to is a perfect church that has embraced the gospel of Jesus?”
He replied, “Yes, mom, I love the Church” and he explained that at church they talk about Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Ghost, and they teach how to live. Before she died in 2022, she told him to continue attending his church if he knew it was true, which made him very happy.
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👤 Missionaries
👤 Parents
👤 Other
Baptism
Conversion
Family
Holy Ghost
Missionary Work
Prayer
Testimony
Aussie Samoan Couple Continue to Serve Others Amid Life’s Challenges
Inspired by President Russell M. Nelson’s visit to Australia, the Mata’utias accepted a call in 2020 as welfare and self-reliance missionaries in Sydney. Despite the pandemic, they adapted by teaching via video calls and piloting English Connect.
Gose and Arouma decided to serve a senior mission for the Church of Jesus Christ after President Russell M. Nelson visited Australia and spoke about missionary service. They were called to serve in 2020 as welfare and self-reliance missionaries in the Australia Sydney Mission.
Although COVID affected the world during that time, they were able to continue their mission in Sydney. They learned to teach via video calls and taught English Connect as a pilot program.
Although COVID affected the world during that time, they were able to continue their mission in Sydney. They learned to teach via video calls and taught English Connect as a pilot program.
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👤 General Authorities (Modern)
👤 Missionaries
Adversity
Apostle
Education
Missionary Work
Self-Reliance
Service
Tanner and the Happy Dance
The next day, Tanner and his mom are waiting in a store line when a little boy ahead of them starts crying. Tanner performs his happy dance to cheer the boy. The boy smiles and laughs, and his mother thanks Tanner.
The next day Tanner went shopping with his mom. While they stood in line, a little boy in front of them was crying.
Tanner knew he could help. He did his happy dance for the unhappy boy. The boy was soon smiling and laughing. “Thank you,” the boy’s mom said.
Tanner knew he could help. He did his happy dance for the unhappy boy. The boy was soon smiling and laughing. “Thank you,” the boy’s mom said.
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👤 Children
👤 Parents
Charity
Children
Kindness
Service
June Conference
After the dance festival concluded and the audience left, the cast gathered again. They danced once more purely for the joy of it.
The presentations were inspirational not only for the audience but also for the young men and women who participated. After the dance festival was over and the audience had gone home, the huge cast got together and danced once more—just for the joy of it.
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👤 Youth
Happiness
Music
Young Men
Young Women