Before 1961, missionary conferences were sometimes held in West Berlin, and missionaries and members from the German Democratic Republic could occasionally bring back lesson manuals in their luggage. Although not officially approved by the government, these were not always officially denied at the border crossings. Local Saints then typed the lesson manual information, making many carbon copies, until there were enough copies for each of the branches. After 1961, even this contact with official Church literature became more and more restricted. Brother Joachim Albrecht in Bautzen told this story:
“We received a directive from President Burckhardt that all unauthorized religious materials, books, manuals, etc., were to be destroyed. I was heartbroken. I had, over the years, scraped together a small but nice library of Church materials, for which I had no official authorization. I sat in front of an open fireplace. No, I said to myself. I can’t do it. But in the end, I burned all of the books and manuals I had collected with such difficulty. Less than two weeks after that the secret police knocked on my door. They searched my house for unauthorized printed material. I had none. From that experience I learned a great lesson about inspired leaders and listening to their counsel.”
Behind the Wall:
Brother Joachim Albrecht obeyed a directive to destroy unauthorized Church materials despite personal heartbreak. Less than two weeks later, secret police searched his home but found nothing, confirming the wisdom of following inspired leaders.
Read more →
👤 Church Leaders (Local)
👤 Church Members (General)
👤 Other
Adversity
Missionary Work
Obedience
Religious Freedom
Revelation
Jesus Served Others
For her eighth birthday, Abigail asked her friends to bring school supplies instead of gifts. Together, they made school kits for children who didn't have needed items. She felt happy imagining the recipients' excitement and loved serving with her friends and family.
For my eighth birthday party, all my friends brought some school supplies, and together we made kits for kids who didn’t have things for school. It made me feel happy thinking how excited the kids would be to get the school kits. I loved serving with my friends and family. I know that serving others can bring us joy, peace, and love.
Abigail H., age 8, Utah, USA
Abigail H., age 8, Utah, USA
Read more →
👤 Children
👤 Friends
Charity
Children
Family
Friendship
Happiness
Kindness
Love
Peace
Service
FYI:For Your Info
Before a temple trip, the Denton Texas Fourth Ward bishop challenged the youth to gather 100 names for baptism. The ward worked together and arrived at the Dallas Temple with enough names to match their ward size. Elder L. Lionel Kendrick gave them a special blessing, and many youth felt spiritual witnesses, including John Searcy, who was baptized for his great-grandfather.
Why are the youth of the Denton Texas Fourth Ward smiling?
Maybe it’s because they’re on an excursion to the Dallas Temple, a place they all enjoy visiting. Or maybe it’s because some of them are doing baptisms for their own ancestors. But, more than likely, it’s because they met their bishop’s challenge to gather 100 names for baptism—and then some.
A few weeks before the temple trip, the bishop issued the challenge, and the whole ward went to work. By the time the youth arrived at the temple, they had enough names to baptize the equivalent of their entire ward.
Elder L. Lionel Kendrick of the Seventy, who was then the president of the Dallas Temple, said the youth had done something unique in the history of the Dallas Temple. He gave the youth a special blessing.
“It was pretty powerful,” says Merrin McWilliams, 14. “The people who work in the temple have a great privilege. It’s the Lord’s house.”
Many of the youth say they had special feelings and witnesses of the spirit while doing baptisms, especially for members of their own families.
Fifteen-year-old John Searcy was baptized for his great-grandfather.
“I know he was special to my dad since he named me after him,” says John. “I’m glad we did it.”
Maybe it’s because they’re on an excursion to the Dallas Temple, a place they all enjoy visiting. Or maybe it’s because some of them are doing baptisms for their own ancestors. But, more than likely, it’s because they met their bishop’s challenge to gather 100 names for baptism—and then some.
A few weeks before the temple trip, the bishop issued the challenge, and the whole ward went to work. By the time the youth arrived at the temple, they had enough names to baptize the equivalent of their entire ward.
Elder L. Lionel Kendrick of the Seventy, who was then the president of the Dallas Temple, said the youth had done something unique in the history of the Dallas Temple. He gave the youth a special blessing.
“It was pretty powerful,” says Merrin McWilliams, 14. “The people who work in the temple have a great privilege. It’s the Lord’s house.”
Many of the youth say they had special feelings and witnesses of the spirit while doing baptisms, especially for members of their own families.
Fifteen-year-old John Searcy was baptized for his great-grandfather.
“I know he was special to my dad since he named me after him,” says John. “I’m glad we did it.”
Read more →
👤 Youth
👤 Church Leaders (Local)
👤 General Authorities (Modern)
👤 Church Members (General)
Baptism
Baptisms for the Dead
Bishop
Family
Family History
Holy Ghost
Temples
Testimony
Young Men
Young Women
Love Crosses Borders
Estefania and her two young children had been sharing a tiny one-room space with extended family. When the youth presented her with keys to her first home, she was moved to tears. She expressed gratitude, seeing the gift as a sign of community love and a hopeful future.
House Build B:
Estefania and her two children, Camila (5) and Diego (2), had been living in an extremely small, one-room home with five other members of her extended family.
As she was handed the keys to her first home, Estefania was brought to tears. She thanked the youth for this act of love and service. To her and her family, it represented the love of her community and the hope of a brighter future.
Estefania and her two children, Camila (5) and Diego (2), had been living in an extremely small, one-room home with five other members of her extended family.
As she was handed the keys to her first home, Estefania was brought to tears. She thanked the youth for this act of love and service. To her and her family, it represented the love of her community and the hope of a brighter future.
Read more →
👤 Youth
👤 Parents
👤 Children
Adversity
Charity
Children
Family
Hope
Kindness
Love
Service
Miracles Today?
A mother found her toddler with a serious head injury and swelling after hitting the bathtub. Overwhelmed, she prayed and immediately felt peace, and the swelling and discoloration rapidly subsided.
Just as this sister felt the influence of the Spirit during a difficult time in her life, so do many other Saints receive the Lord’s help through answered prayers.
One mother told of a frightening incident she had had in the month previous with her eighteen-month-old toddler. He was exploring their bathroom when “he began to scream and scream. I ran into the bathroom, and I was horrified at what I saw. He had slipped and hit his head on the bathtub. It was turning an awful black and blue and was really beginning to swell.
“I’m afraid I almost became hysterical. I picked Ronnie up and carried him into our bedroom and laid him on the bed. All I could think to do was pray. So I knelt down there by the side of the bed and had hardly uttered the first few words of the prayer when I felt an almost tangible feeling of peace and calm.
“By the time I had completed the prayer Ronnie’s head was back to normal size, and almost all of the discoloration was gone.”
One mother told of a frightening incident she had had in the month previous with her eighteen-month-old toddler. He was exploring their bathroom when “he began to scream and scream. I ran into the bathroom, and I was horrified at what I saw. He had slipped and hit his head on the bathtub. It was turning an awful black and blue and was really beginning to swell.
“I’m afraid I almost became hysterical. I picked Ronnie up and carried him into our bedroom and laid him on the bed. All I could think to do was pray. So I knelt down there by the side of the bed and had hardly uttered the first few words of the prayer when I felt an almost tangible feeling of peace and calm.
“By the time I had completed the prayer Ronnie’s head was back to normal size, and almost all of the discoloration was gone.”
Read more →
👤 Parents
👤 Children
👤 Church Members (General)
Children
Faith
Holy Ghost
Miracles
Parenting
Peace
Prayer
One Man Making Life Better for the People of Kiribati
Eritai is working on a desalination project funded by the Church in collaboration with the Kiribati government and SUEZ. Years after mentoring him, Elder and Sister Brock became project managers for the national effort, bringing their relationship full circle. A local Church leader praised Eritai’s faith-driven commitment to help people.
He is also working on a desalination project which is funded by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints working in collaboration with the government of Kiribati and the SUEZ Group.
“The mentorship provided by Elder and Sister Brock came full circle, as some years later they became project managers for the national desalination project,” says Ruth Cross, welfare and self-reliance manager for the Church in Kiribati and local coordinator for the desalination project.
“Eritai Kateibwi is a great example of hard work and determination built upon faith in God,” Cross continues. “Eritai’s deep sense of commitment propels the urgency of a shared vision to help people.”
“The mentorship provided by Elder and Sister Brock came full circle, as some years later they became project managers for the national desalination project,” says Ruth Cross, welfare and self-reliance manager for the Church in Kiribati and local coordinator for the desalination project.
“Eritai Kateibwi is a great example of hard work and determination built upon faith in God,” Cross continues. “Eritai’s deep sense of commitment propels the urgency of a shared vision to help people.”
Read more →
👤 Missionaries
👤 Church Leaders (Local)
👤 Other
Charity
Employment
Faith
Self-Reliance
Service
Healed Hearts and Family History
The couple listed Germany as their preferred mission location on their application. Despite doubting they would be sent so far from Australia, they were called to serve in the Freiberg Germany Temple. She was excited because she understood some Czech and knew Eastern European members often visited that temple.
In the application the bishop gave us, we could list the country we wanted to go to. Of course that was Germany. And although it seemed rather doubtful that we would be sent to the other side of the world, our Heavenly Father knew exactly what we needed. We were asked to fulfill a temple mission in Freiberg, Germany. I was excited because I still understand the Czech language from my youth and can speak a little bit. I knew that members from Eastern Europe often visit the Freiberg temple.
Read more →
👤 Missionaries
👤 Church Leaders (Local)
Bishop
Diversity and Unity in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Missionary Work
Temples
Covenant Daughters of God
Before the Kyiv Ukraine Temple was built, Katya and members of her branch traveled 36 hours by bus to the temple in Germany once a year. They prayed, studied, sang, and discussed the gospel during the journey. Upon arrival, they felt prepared to receive what the Lord had for them.
Katya, a dear sister in Ukraine, has a deep love for the temple. Before the temple in Kyiv was built, she and others in her branch sacrificed to travel 36 hours on a bus to attend the temple once a year in Germany. These devoted Saints prayed, studied scriptures, sang hymns, and discussed the gospel as they traveled. Katya told me, “When we finally arrived at the temple, we were prepared to receive what the Lord had to give us.”
Read more →
👤 Church Members (General)
Faith
Music
Prayer
Sacrifice
Scriptures
Temples
You Can Make a Difference:
After Sister Craet suffered a brain hemorrhage and fell into a coma, Relief Society president Sister Poula Buyse organized round-the-clock visits. When others grew discouraged, she stayed longer, offering comfort through talking, reading, and hymns; after Sister Craet awoke partially paralyzed and struggling to speak, Sister Buyse continued caring for her with love and hope.
Sometimes service requires long periods of time and much patience and faith. Sister Craet of the St. Niklaas Branch, Antwerp Belgium Stake, suffered a brain hemorrhage and fell into a coma. Sister Poula Buyse, the Relief Society president, immediately arranged for people to take turns staying with Sister Craet. As the weeks went by, some visitors became discouraged, thinking Sister Craet would never recover. So Sister Buyse began to stay longer and longer with Sister Craet, talking to her, reading to her, and singing hymns.
Sister Craet did eventually regain consciousness—but she was partially paralyzed and could not speak clearly. Her road to recovery was slow and painful. Sister Buyse cared for her when nursing personnel were absent, giving her company, love, and hope. Sister Buyse did more than talk about charity in Relief Society; she lived it.
Sister Craet did eventually regain consciousness—but she was partially paralyzed and could not speak clearly. Her road to recovery was slow and painful. Sister Buyse cared for her when nursing personnel were absent, giving her company, love, and hope. Sister Buyse did more than talk about charity in Relief Society; she lived it.
Read more →
👤 Church Leaders (Local)
👤 Church Members (General)
Charity
Disabilities
Faith
Health
Hope
Kindness
Love
Ministering
Patience
Relief Society
Service
“I Can’t Go Back to My Church”
After his first visit to the Church, missionaries contacted him and he asked them for a Book of Mormon. He read, pondered, and prayed about the teachings. He felt good as he did so and became eager to be baptized.
The next Sunday, i was contacted by some missionaries who asked me if they could visit me at home during the week. I agreed and set an appointment with them. I requested that they bring a copy of the Book of Mormon to me when they came to my house. The missionaries arrived and told me amongst other things “Brother Nimako, do you know that God loves you? The gospel we teach can bless you and your family.” I enjoyed their visit and scheduled another appointment.
I read my copy of the Book of Mormon and prayed. I pondered on the message the missionaries shared and what I was reading in the book of Mormon. I had a good feeling as I did this. I couldn’t wait to be baptised!
I read my copy of the Book of Mormon and prayed. I pondered on the message the missionaries shared and what I was reading in the book of Mormon. I had a good feeling as I did this. I couldn’t wait to be baptised!
Read more →
👤 Missionaries
👤 Other
Baptism
Book of Mormon
Conversion
Missionary Work
Prayer
Testimony
Friend to Friend
Another ancestor was converted in England and sacrificed to gather to Utah. At Brigham Young’s request he helped settle Fillmore and later moved to Oak City, contributing to the family's pioneer heritage.
As a closing question, I asked this General Authority’s brother about the family’s history.
“One of our other ancestors converted to the Church in England, gave up all he had, and came to Utah. Brigham Young asked him to settle the city of Fillmore, Utah. He later moved to Oak City. So you see, our family has quite a pioneer heritage.”
“One of our other ancestors converted to the Church in England, gave up all he had, and came to Utah. Brigham Young asked him to settle the city of Fillmore, Utah. He later moved to Oak City. So you see, our family has quite a pioneer heritage.”
Read more →
👤 Pioneers
👤 Early Saints
Conversion
Family
Family History
Sacrifice
Feedback
A young woman reading about a Texas girls’ camp was reminded of her six years at camp in Vernal, Utah, recalling the activities and spiritual moments. In a year when she couldn’t attend camp, the article helped her feel a sense of home despite being far away.
I would really like to say thanks a bunch for the article in the July 1987 issue about the girls’ camp in Texas. Although I didn’t go to camp “deep in the heart of Texas,” the experiences and feelings are the same.
As I read the article it reminded me intensely of my own six years at camp in Vernal, Utah. The rainy weather, jokes, skits, campfire songs, midnight hikes, and testimony meetings all helped to make camp years so nifty.
This is the first year I haven’t been able to go to camp, and this article helped bring a bit of home clear out here.
LaReesa KnightSharon, Massachusetts
As I read the article it reminded me intensely of my own six years at camp in Vernal, Utah. The rainy weather, jokes, skits, campfire songs, midnight hikes, and testimony meetings all helped to make camp years so nifty.
This is the first year I haven’t been able to go to camp, and this article helped bring a bit of home clear out here.
LaReesa KnightSharon, Massachusetts
Read more →
👤 Youth
Gratitude
Testimony
Young Women
Try to Be Like Jesus
Tiffany’s mother asked her to clean the kitchen sink. The scenario suggests that to be like Jesus, Tiffany could do more than required, reflecting Matthew 5:41.
Tiffany’s mother asked her to clean the sink in the kitchen.
To be like Jesus, Tiffany could:
forget to clean the sink.
clean the sink and wipe off the counters too.
clean just the sink, as her mother had asked.
Read Matthew 5:41. [Matt. 5:41]
To be like Jesus, Tiffany could:
forget to clean the sink.
clean the sink and wipe off the counters too.
clean just the sink, as her mother had asked.
Read Matthew 5:41. [Matt. 5:41]
Read more →
👤 Children
👤 Parents
Bible
Jesus Christ
Kindness
Obedience
Service
More Lemonade Aid
Aceilyn B. and Rose N. decided to raise money to help after Hurricane Katrina. They sold lemonade and baked goods and earned $350, which they contributed to hurricane relief.
Aceilyn B. and Rose N. sold lemonade and baked goods and earned $350 for hurricane relief after Hurricane Katrina.
Read more →
👤 Other
Charity
Children
Emergency Response
Service
Music Man:An Interview with Mormon Composer Merrell Jenson
Merrell shared the gospel through his professional associations, gifting copies of the Book of Mormon. After finishing Three Warriors, a Jewish film editor considered sending his daughter to BYU. They investigated the university, and Merrell believes she enrolled.
Merrell: Since returning from my mission I have been made a seventy and have been able through my career to introduce the gospel to producers, musicians, and other people in the industry. I give a Book of Mormon with a picture of our family and my testimony in the front to the conductor of the orchestra I happen to be working with and also to people I meet on planes while traveling. By the time Producer Kieth Merrill* and I finished doing Three Warriors, the editor, who is Jewish, wanted to send his daughter to BYU. They went out and investigated the school, and I believe she is enrolled there now.
Read more →
👤 Church Members (General)
👤 Other
Book of Mormon
Conversion
Employment
Missionary Work
Movies and Television
Music
Testimony
The Circle Game
A mother draws a circle of string in the yard and asks her daughter Marla to count God's wonders within it while she prepares lunch. Initially seeing only grass, Marla begins to notice a violet, an acorn sprouting, an earthworm, and ants. When she proudly reports back, her mother points out the greatest wonder Marla missed: Marla herself. The experience teaches Marla to look closely and recognize both creation and her own worth.
“Mommy,” Marla called, frowning, “I’m hungry!”
“Lunch isn’t ready yet, but while you wait, you can play a game,” said Mother.
Marla’s frown vanished. “OK!”
Mother picked up a ball of string, opened the back door, and said, “Follow me.”
Marla skipped along beside her mother. The sun danced on Mother’s hair as they made a big circle with the string in the yard.
“Inside the circle,” Mother explained, “are many wonders of God’s world. While I’m fixing lunch, I want you to count them.”
Marla’s smile faded. “All I see is grass.”
“Look carefully. Not all of God’s wonders are big,” Mother explained.
Marla sat inside the circle. She saw a purple violet blooming.
Next, she discovered an acorn missed by the squirrels. The brown shell had cracked open, and a sprout was curling out of it. Marla gazed at the tall, leafy branches above her. Will this little sprout grow that big? she wondered.
Nearby, an earthworm poked its way through the earth, seeming to wave hello.
Her eyes now saw tiny ants working their way through their grass jungle.
When Mother returned, Marla proudly shared her discoveries with her.
“What a good detective you are,” Mother praised her. “But I see one of God’s wonders that you missed—a very large one, compared to all these others.”
“Where? Where?” Marla asked, looking around.
“Why, you, of course!” Mother told her. “To me, you’re the most special of God’s wonders in that circle.”
“Lunch isn’t ready yet, but while you wait, you can play a game,” said Mother.
Marla’s frown vanished. “OK!”
Mother picked up a ball of string, opened the back door, and said, “Follow me.”
Marla skipped along beside her mother. The sun danced on Mother’s hair as they made a big circle with the string in the yard.
“Inside the circle,” Mother explained, “are many wonders of God’s world. While I’m fixing lunch, I want you to count them.”
Marla’s smile faded. “All I see is grass.”
“Look carefully. Not all of God’s wonders are big,” Mother explained.
Marla sat inside the circle. She saw a purple violet blooming.
Next, she discovered an acorn missed by the squirrels. The brown shell had cracked open, and a sprout was curling out of it. Marla gazed at the tall, leafy branches above her. Will this little sprout grow that big? she wondered.
Nearby, an earthworm poked its way through the earth, seeming to wave hello.
Her eyes now saw tiny ants working their way through their grass jungle.
When Mother returned, Marla proudly shared her discoveries with her.
“What a good detective you are,” Mother praised her. “But I see one of God’s wonders that you missed—a very large one, compared to all these others.”
“Where? Where?” Marla asked, looking around.
“Why, you, of course!” Mother told her. “To me, you’re the most special of God’s wonders in that circle.”
Read more →
👤 Parents
👤 Children
Children
Creation
Family
Love
Parenting
Almost Like a Song
Scott set a goal to read nightly and consistently followed through. His mother often found him late at night kneeling by his bed, reading scriptures, demonstrating diligence despite fatigue.
Besides football, Scott works hard to stay out in front in other areas of his life too. He made a goal to read for half an hour a night and has read A Marvelous Workand a Wonder, Jesus the Christ, and The Articles of Faith, as well as the scriptures.
“No matter how tired he is,” says his mother, Sharon, “he will always read his scriptures. Sometimes I’ll be going to bed late and I’ll see the light on in his room and I’ll find him kneeling at his bed, reading his scriptures.”
“No matter how tired he is,” says his mother, Sharon, “he will always read his scriptures. Sometimes I’ll be going to bed late and I’ll see the light on in his room and I’ll find him kneeling at his bed, reading his scriptures.”
Read more →
👤 Youth
👤 Parents
Faith
Family
Scriptures
Testimony
“How can I keep my thoughts clean from the negative influences around me?”
Alyssa recalls President Boyd K. Packer’s teaching that the mind is like a stage with room for only one thing at a time. When unclean thoughts arise, she intentionally replaces them by singing Primary songs in her mind or quietly whispering them.
“President Boyd K. Packer once explained how our mind is like a stage [see Oct. 1973 general conference]. There is only enough room for one thing to be playing on the stage at a time. If you feel unclean thoughts, try thinking about holy things! They can replace whatever was on your stage. What helps me is singing Primary songs. I either think about them or quietly whisper them.”
Alyssa F., 17, Washington, USA
Alyssa F., 17, Washington, USA
Read more →
👤 General Authorities (Modern)
👤 Youth
Apostle
Chastity
Music
Temptation
Young Women
Conference Story Index
Ward members find ways for a young man to serve. Their efforts help him participate and contribute.
Ward members find ways for a young man to serve.
Read more →
👤 Church Members (General)
👤 Youth
Ministering
Service
Young Men
The Power of Family Stories
While living with the author's family during early dementia, the author's grandmother shared a favorite story from her youth. She reluctantly agreed to dance with a boy she thought was a poor dancer, only to discover he had been taking lessons and she had the time of her life. The story helped the author see her grandmother as a relatable, joyful young girl.
When my grandma on my mom’s side first started struggling with dementia, she moved in with my family. During this time, she told me stories I hadn’t heard before. Each time she finished a story, she gave me a hug and said, “I’m sure glad you’re mine.” I could always find pieces of myself in the moments she shared—it made me realize how much I truly am hers.
“When I was your age, I’d rather dance than eat!” my grandma said. This was how she started one of my favorite stories. She got asked to a dance by a boy who she knew wasn’t exactly the best dancer. I could picture her standing in her school gym when her date came to ask her if she was ready to dance. She had been stalling, but she knew she couldn’t put it off forever. The next song was one of her favorites, and her foot started tapping, almost as if to spite her. She smiled at him and let him lead her out onto the dance floor.
“And wouldn’t you know, he’d been taking dancing lessons the whole time!” my grandma exclaimed at the end of her story. “I had the time of my life!”
This story introduced me to a different version of my grandma. She was suddenly a young girl I could relate to. It always made me smile to picture her happy as could be on a dance floor.
“When I was your age, I’d rather dance than eat!” my grandma said. This was how she started one of my favorite stories. She got asked to a dance by a boy who she knew wasn’t exactly the best dancer. I could picture her standing in her school gym when her date came to ask her if she was ready to dance. She had been stalling, but she knew she couldn’t put it off forever. The next song was one of her favorites, and her foot started tapping, almost as if to spite her. She smiled at him and let him lead her out onto the dance floor.
“And wouldn’t you know, he’d been taking dancing lessons the whole time!” my grandma exclaimed at the end of her story. “I had the time of my life!”
This story introduced me to a different version of my grandma. She was suddenly a young girl I could relate to. It always made me smile to picture her happy as could be on a dance floor.
Read more →
👤 Youth
👤 Other
Disabilities
Family
Love
Ministering