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Created in the “Image and Likeness of God”: Apprentices in the Master’s Workshop
Summary: While living in New York City for the summer, the family decided to attend Riverside Church with Christian colleagues as an ecumenical gesture. Their unwilling five-year-old son was dragged along, only to loudly announce in the crowded church that it was not the true Church, humorously ending the family's attempt at interfaith diplomacy.
Several years later our family was living in New York City for the summer, and we were attending a scholarly workshop together with lots of other aspiring scholars. Many of my colleagues were Christian, and one week we decided to perform an ecumenical gesture by attending the Riverside Church with my Christian colleagues. We got up in the morning and announced to our children that we were going to the Riverside Church, and our little boy said, “Wow, I really don’t want to put on my crunchy clothes today, and I really don’t want to go to that church.” First I pleaded. Then I just grabbed his arm and dragged him out the door. As we got to the Riverside Church and went through the entrance, we looked in and realized that people had not brought their children to this meeting. The two thousand people in the church were sitting there quietly, waiting for the beginning of the meeting, and my five-year-old son shouted out, “But Daddy, this isn’t even the true church!” So much for the ecumenical gesture of the Seelys that week.
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👤 Parents
👤 Children
👤 Friends
👤 Other
A High-Kicking Family
Summary: Shane Aldous and his family joined a karate class taught by Chol H. Kim, and their example of family support and character impressed him. After the Aldous family invited him to church, Kim was baptized, and later one of his students, Gloria Lee, was also baptized after initially confronting him about the Church. Gloria says she found the Church true and credits the Aldous family for helping her come to it.
Shane Aldous steps to the front of his karate class.
“Taegeuk Seven Jang,” he shouts and begins leading students through a complex series of smooth flowing movements called a kata. Shane’s hands move into positions, palms up, fingers together. His eyes wide, alert, he steps into a low stance. Then with practiced precision, a hand moves in a graceful circle, stops, pulls in, and punches upward. A fast high kick follows.
A karate class might seem an unlikely place for missionary work, but for Shane Aldous, 15, and his family, almost any place can present an opportunity.
“Two years ago I was the biggest boy in my class,” Shane explains. “All of the boys who thought they were tough wanted to fight me. But I didn’t want to fight. My mother saw an advertisement in the paper for karate classes and asked if I wanted to take lessons.”
Chol H. Kim, the instructor of the class, teaches TaeKwon Do, a Korean style of karate, which emphasizes both physical and mental discipline. “In TaeKwon Do, character development is as important as physical development. It’s a class rule,” Shane says, “to show respect to your teachers and your parents.”
Shane’s parents and his brother Brad, 14, were so impressed with what Master Kim was teaching that they also signed up for his classes. “We do things as a family whenever we can,” Shane says.
Because they worked together and could help each other learn, the Aldous family progressed rapidly.
Brad and Shane began entering karate tournaments, and at the United States National Junior Olympics they took top honors in their divisions. Shane brought home a silver medal, and Brad won two gold medals.
From the time the Aldous family enrolled in his school, Master Kim had been watching them closely. There was something about them that made them stand out from other people. “I was impressed by the support they gave each other,” he says. “And by the emphasis they put on family and personal growth and development.”
Eventually the Aldous family invited Master Kim to church. He began taking the missionary lessons and was baptized.
Not long after he was baptized, one of his students, Gloria Lee, 19, was also baptized.
“I thought Master Kim was making a terrible mistake,” she says. “I’d heard some bad things about the Mormons. I didn’t want him to become involved in what I thought was a false religion and ruin his whole life. I decided to so something about it, so I confronted him and some other members of the Church. But I had a lot of questions about my own religion, and everything I learned about Mormonism made sense. I couldn’t deny it. I started taking discussions from the missionaries, and instead of saving Master Kim from the ‘terrible’ religion, I ended up being baptized myself. I am very lucky. My family belongs to another church, and they worry about me the way I worried about Master Kim. It’s not easy, but I’ve never regretted being baptized. The Church is true. The Aldous family has always been a good example for me. Without them I would not have found the Church.”
Accorind to Shane, working together as a family and living and knowing gospel principles are important keys to being successful missionaries. “You never know when people are watching you,” he says. “Or when they are going to become interested and start asking questions.”
“Taegeuk Seven Jang,” he shouts and begins leading students through a complex series of smooth flowing movements called a kata. Shane’s hands move into positions, palms up, fingers together. His eyes wide, alert, he steps into a low stance. Then with practiced precision, a hand moves in a graceful circle, stops, pulls in, and punches upward. A fast high kick follows.
A karate class might seem an unlikely place for missionary work, but for Shane Aldous, 15, and his family, almost any place can present an opportunity.
“Two years ago I was the biggest boy in my class,” Shane explains. “All of the boys who thought they were tough wanted to fight me. But I didn’t want to fight. My mother saw an advertisement in the paper for karate classes and asked if I wanted to take lessons.”
Chol H. Kim, the instructor of the class, teaches TaeKwon Do, a Korean style of karate, which emphasizes both physical and mental discipline. “In TaeKwon Do, character development is as important as physical development. It’s a class rule,” Shane says, “to show respect to your teachers and your parents.”
Shane’s parents and his brother Brad, 14, were so impressed with what Master Kim was teaching that they also signed up for his classes. “We do things as a family whenever we can,” Shane says.
Because they worked together and could help each other learn, the Aldous family progressed rapidly.
Brad and Shane began entering karate tournaments, and at the United States National Junior Olympics they took top honors in their divisions. Shane brought home a silver medal, and Brad won two gold medals.
From the time the Aldous family enrolled in his school, Master Kim had been watching them closely. There was something about them that made them stand out from other people. “I was impressed by the support they gave each other,” he says. “And by the emphasis they put on family and personal growth and development.”
Eventually the Aldous family invited Master Kim to church. He began taking the missionary lessons and was baptized.
Not long after he was baptized, one of his students, Gloria Lee, 19, was also baptized.
“I thought Master Kim was making a terrible mistake,” she says. “I’d heard some bad things about the Mormons. I didn’t want him to become involved in what I thought was a false religion and ruin his whole life. I decided to so something about it, so I confronted him and some other members of the Church. But I had a lot of questions about my own religion, and everything I learned about Mormonism made sense. I couldn’t deny it. I started taking discussions from the missionaries, and instead of saving Master Kim from the ‘terrible’ religion, I ended up being baptized myself. I am very lucky. My family belongs to another church, and they worry about me the way I worried about Master Kim. It’s not easy, but I’ve never regretted being baptized. The Church is true. The Aldous family has always been a good example for me. Without them I would not have found the Church.”
Accorind to Shane, working together as a family and living and knowing gospel principles are important keys to being successful missionaries. “You never know when people are watching you,” he says. “Or when they are going to become interested and start asking questions.”
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👤 Missionaries
👤 Church Members (General)
👤 Parents
👤 Other
Baptism
Conversion
Family
Friendship
Judging Others
Missionary Work
Testimony
The Provider
Summary: An Indian youth named Black Elk discovers a starving grandmother and her grandchildren and shares his food, then stays to hunt and provide for them. He teaches the children to gather food and helps restore their health while the grandmother regains strength. Though homesick, he remains until the family's tribe arrives, where he is honored for saving them. He departs with gifts, including a colorful rug to comfort his mother.
The three children watched big-eyed but uncomplaining as their grandmother filled the visitor’s bowl with the watery, meatless stew. She served the small amount left in the pot to the children, not taking any for herself.
Black Elk compared his portion with that for the children, then poured more than half of it back into the pot. He unrolled his pack and removed most of a cooked rabbit left from his noonday meal. The smiling children ate ravenously. They had not had meat for many days.
He speared a chunk of meat with his knife and handed it to the woman. “Eat!” he said to the gaunt-looking grandmother. She had missed many meals, sacrificing for the children. And, still, they were too thin. The sad plight of the little family troubled the Indian youth, who had seen the lone tepee and had stopped for the night.
When the children were asleep, he and the woman talked by the fire. “My son,” she said, “was killed by a wounded bear last fall. The children, their mother, and I wintered here alone after that. Then the mother took cold and died of a fever. My joints are stiff and I am too lame to hunt game,” she sighed. “We have survived on roots, nuts, and greens still growing in sheltered spots; but the children grow weaker by the day. I am so old and weary … I—I fear for them,” she added hopelessly.
Black Elk slept little that night. It had snowed lightly and he rose at dawn, stiff and chilled. The children shivered in tattered blankets by the fire as the old one brewed herb tea for breakfast. The youth felt ashamed when his stomach growled protests at such meager fare.
He urged the woman to return with him to his village, a week’s journey from here, but she refused. It was almost spring. Her tribe would come searching for the lost family. There was another son. He and his wife would take his brother’s children for their own. She must wait here.
Black Elk was dismayed by her refusal. But since she would not budge, he could not leave them alone to starve. By chance, they had all become his responsibility! He was only a youth, and Black Elk felt overwhelmed by such a heavy burden.
He taught the older girl, Singing Bird, to set snares for small game. He and the boy, Brown Tree, fished through the ice that still covered the lake, and hunted large game that was sparse in the area.
The woman was a good cook, and every scrap of fur she turned into warm clothing for the children, whose thin faces were rounding out as they became sleek and well fed. The old one became stronger, and the baby no longer coughed during the night. Black Elk felt pride as he looked at them. He was a good provider for the little family, as he must someday become for a family of his own.
As the weeks passed, he began to worry more and more about his own people. The braves, thinking him lost, would certainly have searched for him after so long a time, but his tribe seldom hunted in this area where game was scarce. Had they given up hope of finding him? Was his mother mourning his death? And suppose this family’s people failed to come! Black Elk felt despair as he considered the possibility.
The old one saw that Black Elk was deeply troubled and homesick. “You have helped us enough. Return to your own people,” she urged gently one evening.
Black Elk looked at the dimpled baby making happy sounds as she played with rolling pine cones. “I cannot … yet,” he murmured miserably, turning away.
Pink fingers of light probed the eastern sky a few days later as the youth awoke to the sound of approaching horses. He rolled out of the wickiup he had erected beside the tattered tepee and snatched up his bow and arrows. Are the visitors friends or enemies? he wondered. The old one and Brown Tree stood bravely beside him. Singing Bird carried the baby into the forest to hide.
They listened. There were many horses! It was foolish to greet such a large group with weapons. Black Elk and the boy laid them aside and stood stiffly, waiting. The first Indians entered the clearing. Then Black Elk relaxed as the woman uttered a joyful cry and ran forward to greet her kinsmen!
The youth would have preferred to slip away unnoticed and return to his people, but the children’s uncle refused to permit it. Black Elk had taken the place of a dead brave and preserved his family from certain death. There must be a feast and dance in his honor.
The next morning Black Elk turned for a last look at the village of tepees that had sprouted like mushrooms. There was a haze of smoke from the cooking fires. He was leaving many new friends and the family he had nourished and cared for. When he said a sad farewell to the old woman and the children his eyes stung and his throat seemed strangely choked as the baby clung to him and cried. He would miss them.
Now he had long miles to travel. Miles that would go fast on the back of the beautiful spotted pony the uncle had given him. Other relatives had placed fine necklaces around his neck and a new skinning knife in his sheath.
But the most treasured gift was for his mother, from the old one. It was a magnificent woven rug of many colors. “To turn her tears of sorrow into tears of joy and pride in her son, who has proven he is a brave, returning to her in honor and high regard,” the grandmother said, clasping his hand for a moment.
Black Elk compared his portion with that for the children, then poured more than half of it back into the pot. He unrolled his pack and removed most of a cooked rabbit left from his noonday meal. The smiling children ate ravenously. They had not had meat for many days.
He speared a chunk of meat with his knife and handed it to the woman. “Eat!” he said to the gaunt-looking grandmother. She had missed many meals, sacrificing for the children. And, still, they were too thin. The sad plight of the little family troubled the Indian youth, who had seen the lone tepee and had stopped for the night.
When the children were asleep, he and the woman talked by the fire. “My son,” she said, “was killed by a wounded bear last fall. The children, their mother, and I wintered here alone after that. Then the mother took cold and died of a fever. My joints are stiff and I am too lame to hunt game,” she sighed. “We have survived on roots, nuts, and greens still growing in sheltered spots; but the children grow weaker by the day. I am so old and weary … I—I fear for them,” she added hopelessly.
Black Elk slept little that night. It had snowed lightly and he rose at dawn, stiff and chilled. The children shivered in tattered blankets by the fire as the old one brewed herb tea for breakfast. The youth felt ashamed when his stomach growled protests at such meager fare.
He urged the woman to return with him to his village, a week’s journey from here, but she refused. It was almost spring. Her tribe would come searching for the lost family. There was another son. He and his wife would take his brother’s children for their own. She must wait here.
Black Elk was dismayed by her refusal. But since she would not budge, he could not leave them alone to starve. By chance, they had all become his responsibility! He was only a youth, and Black Elk felt overwhelmed by such a heavy burden.
He taught the older girl, Singing Bird, to set snares for small game. He and the boy, Brown Tree, fished through the ice that still covered the lake, and hunted large game that was sparse in the area.
The woman was a good cook, and every scrap of fur she turned into warm clothing for the children, whose thin faces were rounding out as they became sleek and well fed. The old one became stronger, and the baby no longer coughed during the night. Black Elk felt pride as he looked at them. He was a good provider for the little family, as he must someday become for a family of his own.
As the weeks passed, he began to worry more and more about his own people. The braves, thinking him lost, would certainly have searched for him after so long a time, but his tribe seldom hunted in this area where game was scarce. Had they given up hope of finding him? Was his mother mourning his death? And suppose this family’s people failed to come! Black Elk felt despair as he considered the possibility.
The old one saw that Black Elk was deeply troubled and homesick. “You have helped us enough. Return to your own people,” she urged gently one evening.
Black Elk looked at the dimpled baby making happy sounds as she played with rolling pine cones. “I cannot … yet,” he murmured miserably, turning away.
Pink fingers of light probed the eastern sky a few days later as the youth awoke to the sound of approaching horses. He rolled out of the wickiup he had erected beside the tattered tepee and snatched up his bow and arrows. Are the visitors friends or enemies? he wondered. The old one and Brown Tree stood bravely beside him. Singing Bird carried the baby into the forest to hide.
They listened. There were many horses! It was foolish to greet such a large group with weapons. Black Elk and the boy laid them aside and stood stiffly, waiting. The first Indians entered the clearing. Then Black Elk relaxed as the woman uttered a joyful cry and ran forward to greet her kinsmen!
The youth would have preferred to slip away unnoticed and return to his people, but the children’s uncle refused to permit it. Black Elk had taken the place of a dead brave and preserved his family from certain death. There must be a feast and dance in his honor.
The next morning Black Elk turned for a last look at the village of tepees that had sprouted like mushrooms. There was a haze of smoke from the cooking fires. He was leaving many new friends and the family he had nourished and cared for. When he said a sad farewell to the old woman and the children his eyes stung and his throat seemed strangely choked as the baby clung to him and cried. He would miss them.
Now he had long miles to travel. Miles that would go fast on the back of the beautiful spotted pony the uncle had given him. Other relatives had placed fine necklaces around his neck and a new skinning knife in his sheath.
But the most treasured gift was for his mother, from the old one. It was a magnificent woven rug of many colors. “To turn her tears of sorrow into tears of joy and pride in her son, who has proven he is a brave, returning to her in honor and high regard,” the grandmother said, clasping his hand for a moment.
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👤 Youth
👤 Children
👤 Other
Adversity
Charity
Children
Courage
Family
Gratitude
Kindness
Sacrifice
Self-Reliance
Service
Single-Parent Families
Young Men
Feedback
Summary: While vacationing in Australia, a member met two 17-year-old girls who had attended church for nine months despite strong family opposition. They also loved reading Church magazines. Seeing their devotion strengthened the member’s testimony of the magazines’ positive influence.
I have been a member of the Church all my life, and I feel that the New Era and other Church magazines have been of great help in keeping me informed of the activities of the Saints in other parts of the world. While holidaying in Australia I met two 17-year-old girls who have been attending church for nine months in spite of strong family opposition. I discovered that they too love reading the magazines. I had not realized before how much of an influence these wonderful magazines could have on the lives of people who are still nonmembers. It strengthens my testimony to know that these two girls have accepted the gospel and receive the benefits of reading Church publications—benefits that I have received all my life.
Kiri NodaHuntly, New Zealand
Kiri NodaHuntly, New Zealand
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👤 Youth
👤 Church Members (General)
Adversity
Conversion
Missionary Work
Testimony
Young Women
The Best Worst Christmas Ever!
Summary: During her first Christmas as a missionary in the Dominican Republic, the author’s dinner and computer plans fell through, leaving her hungry and unable to contact family. After praying and following a prompting to go to the mission office, she and her companion met a snack vendor and shared a brief testimony, which restored her peace. Office elders then arrived, secured permission from the mission president, and let them use the computers to call home. She spoke with her family and opened a package, realizing that focusing on the Savior brought true Christmas joy.
Every Christmas Eve, my mother reads us the Nativity account in the New Testament. Each family member dresses up and plays a character. I’m always the angel who proclaims the “good tidings of great joy” (Luke 2:10). Christmas has always been a special time to remember the Savior’s birth and spend time with my family.
That’s why my first Christmas as a missionary was really difficult. I’m not sure what I expected, but it definitely wasn’t walking the streets in search of a place to eat and a way to call home.
I had been serving in the Dominican Republic for about five months. I loved everything about my mission. And I was so excited to video call my family and see their faces. But the light and joy of Christmas faded fast after our dinner plans fell through. Then the family who had offered to let us use their computer suddenly had to leave town. My companion and I were left with no food, no computer, and no idea what to do.
We didn’t want to intrude on anyone else’s Christmas, so we walked. And walked. I began to lose hope. Why was everything going wrong? I assumed that since we were missionaries, everything would work out. Weren’t we sacrificing so much to be here? Shouldn’t we at least have a decent Christmas?
I tried to hold on to the true meaning of Christmas. But it was getting harder. Heartbroken and humbled, we returned home only an hour before the time to call our families. Together, we prayed that we would find a way to contact our families in time.
The thought came to my mind to go to the mission office. Maybe someone there could help us. Trusting the Spirit, we got on a bus heading into the city. When we arrived, the gates were locked and the office was deserted. I slumped to the cement, my back against the gate’s bars, exhausted and hungry.
Just then, a man passed by us with a snack stand. Food! My companion and I quickly jumped up and bought some snacks. We asked the man about his Christmas and shared a small message about the miracle of Christ’s birth and the love Heavenly Father has for us to send His Only Begotten Son.
As I bore my testimony, I could feel a weight being lifted from my heart. The stress of the day had kept me from feeling the peace of Christmas—of Christ. As I testified of the Savior, I slowly felt that peace seep back into me.
After the man left, we sat back down, feeling much happier with a little food in our stomachs and the spirit of Christmas in our hearts. About 10 minutes later, the office gates opened and the office elders drove up in their white minivan.
When they saw us, they knew something was wrong. We told them about our long day, and they called the mission president, who gave us permission to use the office computers to call our families!
Soon I was inside calling my family. Tears came to my eyes at the joy of seeing their faces. The awfulness of the day faded away as we talked. Even better, the Christmas package my mom sent me was at the office, so I was able to open it with my family right there! The treats my mom sent became one of the best Christmas dinners I’ve ever had.
Cancelled dinner plans and hopeless street wanderings weren’t what made me sad that Christmas—it was being away from my family and losing sight of the Savior. Acting on faith and sharing my testimony brought the peace of Christ back into my heart. And brought me closer to my family. None of the disappointments that day mattered when I finally got to see their smiling faces and feel their overwhelming love for me. It reminded me that our Savior made it possible for families to be together forever, and that’s what truly matters.
That’s why my first Christmas as a missionary was really difficult. I’m not sure what I expected, but it definitely wasn’t walking the streets in search of a place to eat and a way to call home.
I had been serving in the Dominican Republic for about five months. I loved everything about my mission. And I was so excited to video call my family and see their faces. But the light and joy of Christmas faded fast after our dinner plans fell through. Then the family who had offered to let us use their computer suddenly had to leave town. My companion and I were left with no food, no computer, and no idea what to do.
We didn’t want to intrude on anyone else’s Christmas, so we walked. And walked. I began to lose hope. Why was everything going wrong? I assumed that since we were missionaries, everything would work out. Weren’t we sacrificing so much to be here? Shouldn’t we at least have a decent Christmas?
I tried to hold on to the true meaning of Christmas. But it was getting harder. Heartbroken and humbled, we returned home only an hour before the time to call our families. Together, we prayed that we would find a way to contact our families in time.
The thought came to my mind to go to the mission office. Maybe someone there could help us. Trusting the Spirit, we got on a bus heading into the city. When we arrived, the gates were locked and the office was deserted. I slumped to the cement, my back against the gate’s bars, exhausted and hungry.
Just then, a man passed by us with a snack stand. Food! My companion and I quickly jumped up and bought some snacks. We asked the man about his Christmas and shared a small message about the miracle of Christ’s birth and the love Heavenly Father has for us to send His Only Begotten Son.
As I bore my testimony, I could feel a weight being lifted from my heart. The stress of the day had kept me from feeling the peace of Christmas—of Christ. As I testified of the Savior, I slowly felt that peace seep back into me.
After the man left, we sat back down, feeling much happier with a little food in our stomachs and the spirit of Christmas in our hearts. About 10 minutes later, the office gates opened and the office elders drove up in their white minivan.
When they saw us, they knew something was wrong. We told them about our long day, and they called the mission president, who gave us permission to use the office computers to call our families!
Soon I was inside calling my family. Tears came to my eyes at the joy of seeing their faces. The awfulness of the day faded away as we talked. Even better, the Christmas package my mom sent me was at the office, so I was able to open it with my family right there! The treats my mom sent became one of the best Christmas dinners I’ve ever had.
Cancelled dinner plans and hopeless street wanderings weren’t what made me sad that Christmas—it was being away from my family and losing sight of the Savior. Acting on faith and sharing my testimony brought the peace of Christ back into my heart. And brought me closer to my family. None of the disappointments that day mattered when I finally got to see their smiling faces and feel their overwhelming love for me. It reminded me that our Savior made it possible for families to be together forever, and that’s what truly matters.
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👤 Missionaries
👤 Parents
👤 Church Leaders (Local)
👤 Other
Adversity
Christmas
Faith
Family
Holy Ghost
Love
Missionary Work
Peace
Prayer
Sacrifice
Testimony
FYI:For Your Info
Summary: Featured in a Mormonad about not selling yourself short, Ty Church excelled in high school basketball despite his height. He set records and helped his team to a strong state finish. After graduating, he became Elder Church and is now serving in the Czech Republic Prague Mission.
Remember the May 1992 Mormonad? It depicted a basketball player, quite a bit shorter than his teammates, holding the MVP trophy. The coverline read, “Don’t Sell Yourself Short.”
Well, Ty Church hasn’t.
At about the time he posed for that Mormonad, Ty, at only five-feet-two inches tall, broke into the starting lineup as a sophomore on the Olympus High School varsity basketball team in Salt Lake City. During his three years as a starter, Ty never missed a game, and was instrumental in the Titans’s successful 1993–94 hoop season. As a senior, Ty was the second leading scorer in the state tournament, he broke a Utah high school record by scoring 21 points in the first quarter of a game, and he helped Olympus to a second-place state finish. But now the basketball heroics have been put aside for a couple of years.
These days, Ty is known as Elder Church. After graduating from both high school and seminary, he became a full-time missionary last September. With an eight-week stay in the MTC behind him, Elder Church, 19, is now serving in the Czech Republic Prague Mission.
Well, Ty Church hasn’t.
At about the time he posed for that Mormonad, Ty, at only five-feet-two inches tall, broke into the starting lineup as a sophomore on the Olympus High School varsity basketball team in Salt Lake City. During his three years as a starter, Ty never missed a game, and was instrumental in the Titans’s successful 1993–94 hoop season. As a senior, Ty was the second leading scorer in the state tournament, he broke a Utah high school record by scoring 21 points in the first quarter of a game, and he helped Olympus to a second-place state finish. But now the basketball heroics have been put aside for a couple of years.
These days, Ty is known as Elder Church. After graduating from both high school and seminary, he became a full-time missionary last September. With an eight-week stay in the MTC behind him, Elder Church, 19, is now serving in the Czech Republic Prague Mission.
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👤 Young Adults
👤 Missionaries
👤 Youth
Missionary Work
Young Men
He Hears and Answers Us
Summary: As a boy, the speaker and his brother secretly searched for hidden Christmas presents and accidentally damaged the garage ceiling. A few days later they also misbehaved at a family party, confessed everything to their father, and expected a miserable Christmas. Instead, on Christmas morning his mother welcomed him with outstretched arms, teaching him that Heavenly Father likewise receives His children with love.
When I was 10 or 11 years old, I had an experience that helped me see the reality of Elder Holland's statement that God truly is there to receive us with open arms if we will come unto Him. It was nearing Christmas time and my older brother Matt and I were trying to find the Christmas presents that our parents had hidden. It had become a kind of unwritten challenge to find the presents and see what we were getting before Christmas morning. Whenever our parents were gone or otherwise occupied, we would search the house, but this particular year, Mom and Dad had done a great job of hiding the gifts and they were nowhere to be found.
One afternoon, however, I was in our garage and I happened to look up. There in the ceiling was an access hole to the attic space above the garage and as I peered into that hole, I could see some boxes. I realized that Mom and Dad had hidden the presents up there. I ran into the house and told Matt what I had discovered. We checked to make sure Mom was busy in the kitchen and then we snuck into the upstairs bedroom of our house where there was an attic access. We crawled into the attic making sure to step on the wooden joists so we wouldn't fall through the ceiling. We worked our way over to the space above the garage and there we found all of the Christmas presents carefully stacked on a piece of plywood that spanned across several joists.
As we were looking at the presents, Matt stepped to the other side of the gifts and missed stepping on a joist. Instead he stepped directly onto the sheetrock that made up the ceiling of the garage.As he stepped down, the sheetrock gave way and Matt fell through the ceiling. Luckily, he caught himself on the joists and I was able to help pull him back up. We hurriedly worked our way out of the attic and ran outside. We grabbed a ladder, a hammer, and some nails, and between the two of us, we were able to put the sheetrock back up before anyone saw what had happened. We convinced ourselves that our Dad wouldn't notice that the sheetrock was broken and we promised one another that we wouldn't say anything about what had happened.
A few days after the ceiling incident, it was Christmas Eve and our entire family was over at my Aunt's house here in Rexburg for a family Christmas party. Toward the end of the party, Santa Claus showed up and he gave every one of us kids a bag of treats. The treat bags had one or two pieces of candy, an orange, and a whole bunch of unshelled peanuts. Matt and I weren't terribly thrilled with the peanuts so we, along with a couple of our cousins, went outside and we started throwing the peanuts at the cars driving by, an activity that I would not recommend! This was great fun until one of the cars stopped. We all ran and hid, but a woman got out of the car just as my mom came out of the house. From our hiding spot we could hear the woman give our mom an earful about what was taking place and how dangerous it was and how irresponsible those boys were and she went on and on. Our Mom apologized profusely and said she would take care of the situation.
After the woman left, my mom started crying. She had been yelled at, was deeply embarrassed, and now she had to deal with her delinquent sons. When we finally came out of our hiding spot, all Mom said was, "Get in the car." We knew we were in serious trouble. That short drive home of just a few miles was the longest drive of my life. Mom didn't say a word. When we finally got home, we were sent directly to our room and mom told us that Dad would be coming to talk to us because she was too upset to deal with us. Dad came in and calmly talked to us about what we had done and why it was wrong. When he finished talking, Matt looked over at me and said, "We had better tell him everything." I wanted to scream "No," but we told him everything about looking at Christmas presents and falling through the ceiling in the garage. When we finished our confession, Dad just slowly shook his head and told us to go bed. It was the first Christmas Eve where I went straight to bed because I figured there was no point in getting up the next morning because surely, there wouldn't be anything to celebrate.
But morning came, and when I went out into our living room, there sat my Mom with outstretched arms. I walked over to her and told her I was sorry. She gave me a hug and told me that she still loved me. For all the mistakes I had made over the past few days, my Mom was still there waiting with outstretched arms. Just as my mom was there waiting for me to come to her, our Heavenly Father is waiting to do the same thing. He is patiently waiting for us to come to Him where He can embrace us and tell us that He loves us.
One afternoon, however, I was in our garage and I happened to look up. There in the ceiling was an access hole to the attic space above the garage and as I peered into that hole, I could see some boxes. I realized that Mom and Dad had hidden the presents up there. I ran into the house and told Matt what I had discovered. We checked to make sure Mom was busy in the kitchen and then we snuck into the upstairs bedroom of our house where there was an attic access. We crawled into the attic making sure to step on the wooden joists so we wouldn't fall through the ceiling. We worked our way over to the space above the garage and there we found all of the Christmas presents carefully stacked on a piece of plywood that spanned across several joists.
As we were looking at the presents, Matt stepped to the other side of the gifts and missed stepping on a joist. Instead he stepped directly onto the sheetrock that made up the ceiling of the garage.As he stepped down, the sheetrock gave way and Matt fell through the ceiling. Luckily, he caught himself on the joists and I was able to help pull him back up. We hurriedly worked our way out of the attic and ran outside. We grabbed a ladder, a hammer, and some nails, and between the two of us, we were able to put the sheetrock back up before anyone saw what had happened. We convinced ourselves that our Dad wouldn't notice that the sheetrock was broken and we promised one another that we wouldn't say anything about what had happened.
A few days after the ceiling incident, it was Christmas Eve and our entire family was over at my Aunt's house here in Rexburg for a family Christmas party. Toward the end of the party, Santa Claus showed up and he gave every one of us kids a bag of treats. The treat bags had one or two pieces of candy, an orange, and a whole bunch of unshelled peanuts. Matt and I weren't terribly thrilled with the peanuts so we, along with a couple of our cousins, went outside and we started throwing the peanuts at the cars driving by, an activity that I would not recommend! This was great fun until one of the cars stopped. We all ran and hid, but a woman got out of the car just as my mom came out of the house. From our hiding spot we could hear the woman give our mom an earful about what was taking place and how dangerous it was and how irresponsible those boys were and she went on and on. Our Mom apologized profusely and said she would take care of the situation.
After the woman left, my mom started crying. She had been yelled at, was deeply embarrassed, and now she had to deal with her delinquent sons. When we finally came out of our hiding spot, all Mom said was, "Get in the car." We knew we were in serious trouble. That short drive home of just a few miles was the longest drive of my life. Mom didn't say a word. When we finally got home, we were sent directly to our room and mom told us that Dad would be coming to talk to us because she was too upset to deal with us. Dad came in and calmly talked to us about what we had done and why it was wrong. When he finished talking, Matt looked over at me and said, "We had better tell him everything." I wanted to scream "No," but we told him everything about looking at Christmas presents and falling through the ceiling in the garage. When we finished our confession, Dad just slowly shook his head and told us to go bed. It was the first Christmas Eve where I went straight to bed because I figured there was no point in getting up the next morning because surely, there wouldn't be anything to celebrate.
But morning came, and when I went out into our living room, there sat my Mom with outstretched arms. I walked over to her and told her I was sorry. She gave me a hug and told me that she still loved me. For all the mistakes I had made over the past few days, my Mom was still there waiting with outstretched arms. Just as my mom was there waiting for me to come to her, our Heavenly Father is waiting to do the same thing. He is patiently waiting for us to come to Him where He can embrace us and tell us that He loves us.
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👤 Parents
👤 Children
👤 Other
There Was Bread
Summary: During a Sunday layover on an international trip, the speaker attended a local sacrament meeting and shared a brief message. Afterward, an enthusiastic deacon asked if he knew President Nelson and was thrilled to learn that he did, exclaiming it was the greatest day of his life. The experience highlighted the speaker's deep gratitude for a living prophet.
Prior to travel restrictions caused by the current pandemic, I was returning home from an international assignment which, due to scheduling issues, created a Sunday layover. I had time between flights to attend a local sacrament meeting, where I was also able to share a brief message. Following the meeting, an enthusiastic deacon approached me and asked if I knew President Nelson and if I had ever had a chance to shake his hand. I answered that I did know him, that I had shaken his hand, and that, as a member of the Presiding Bishopric, I had the opportunity to meet with President Nelson and his counselors a couple of times each week.
The young deacon then sat down on a chair, threw his hands in the air, and shouted, “This is the greatest day of my life!” Brothers and sisters, I may not throw my hands in the air and shout, but I am eternally grateful for a living prophet and for the direction we receive from prophets, seers, and revelators, especially during these times of challenge.
The young deacon then sat down on a chair, threw his hands in the air, and shouted, “This is the greatest day of my life!” Brothers and sisters, I may not throw my hands in the air and shout, but I am eternally grateful for a living prophet and for the direction we receive from prophets, seers, and revelators, especially during these times of challenge.
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👤 General Authorities (Modern)
👤 Youth
Apostle
Gratitude
Priesthood
Revelation
Sacrament Meeting
Testimony
Young Men
National Service 1954–1956
Summary: At 18, the author was called to national service, trained in London, and ultimately deployed with the Queen’s Royal Regiment to Malaya. He served as a signaller in jungle operations protecting civilians, facing harsh conditions and the loss of comrades, before being demobilized in 1956. Returning home, his mother organized a party, and he resumed civilian life, building a long career shaped by the discipline learned in the army.
I was 18 when I received my national service call-up papers. They instructed me to report for my medical. At the time, I was working as an apprentice cooper, had a great group of friends and was surrounded by a close-knit, loving family.
Although I had known that it was only a matter of time before I was called up, when it came, I was very apprehensive, being concerned about the expectations of army life, and sad about leaving my family and friends. However, it gave way to excitement at the thought of going abroad, making new friends, and learning new skills.
After being found medically fit, I was immediately required to report to the Royal Fusiliers barracks at the Tower of London, where their training unit was based. A four-month military training course followed, with about 80 other recruits, to prepare us for active service, anywhere in the world. We were then transferred to a transit camp in Kent to await our orders to be shipped to the battalion located in Khartoum, Sudan. This was subsequently changed and instead a group of us were transferred to the Queen’s Royal Regiment. They were serving in Malaya (now Malaysia) assisting the Malayan Police in combatting raids by insurgent groups. These groups were carrying out attacks on the local civilian population, including farmers, rubber plantation workers, and others.
At the end of World War II several British colonies were seeking for independence. In the case of Malaya, the Communist-influenced Malayan National Liberation Army initiated armed guerrilla insurgencies. As a result, Britain, along with other Western allies, sent military personnel to Malaya to act as an anti-insurgency force. Hence our deployment to Malaya. On 13 December 1954 we set sail aboard HMTS Asturias, heading for Singapore. We arrived on 1 January 1955 after a wonderful three-week journey, though military training continued throughout.
During this period, I gained a greater realisation of what it meant to be on active service, namely carrying a rifle and possibly being engaged in gun battles. That made it a little scary, but I was mindful that my personal safety and that of my comrades was paramount. Overnight we travelled by military train from Singapore to an area called Negri Sembilan in the west of Malaya. We were required to take anti-malarial medication daily, failing to do so being a disciplinary offence. Carrying our rifles was also compulsory.
At base we commenced the next part of our intensive training. This included four weeks of acclimatisation to the Malayan weather and jungle training, where the heat averaged 90-95F at midday. This was essential given the hostile environment in which we would be working. I was also detailed to begin training as a signaller, responsible for military communications, which meant carrying a military 68T radio wireless set on all operations.
During the remainder of my service in Malaya, approximately 18 months, I worked as part of a 200/300-man ambush unit. Our role was to protect the civilian population from insurgents who got into their kampongs (traditional villages), often to steal food. On other occasions, for about ten days each time, our duties involved patrolling specified areas deep in the jungle. In hot, humid, and wet conditions, while carrying our rifles, ammunition and ration packs of food, a path had to be cleared by chopping down trees and bushes as we walked. My load was heavier due to the 68T wireless set, to send situation reports back to headquarters.
There were many highs and lows, especially when two members of our unit were killed, but we had to remain strong and focussed. These activities continued until I was demobbed in 1956. I returned home with mixed emotions, sorry to be leaving fellow soldiers behind, but very elated to be reunited with my family and friends.
Within a week of my return, my mother organised a party. It was wonderful. I eventually settled back into civilian life. I worked as a labourer until I was employed as a wood worker; I continued doing this for the next 46 years, until I retired. Undoubtedly, the dedication, loyalty, and discipline I had learnt in the army influenced my work ethic.
Although I had known that it was only a matter of time before I was called up, when it came, I was very apprehensive, being concerned about the expectations of army life, and sad about leaving my family and friends. However, it gave way to excitement at the thought of going abroad, making new friends, and learning new skills.
After being found medically fit, I was immediately required to report to the Royal Fusiliers barracks at the Tower of London, where their training unit was based. A four-month military training course followed, with about 80 other recruits, to prepare us for active service, anywhere in the world. We were then transferred to a transit camp in Kent to await our orders to be shipped to the battalion located in Khartoum, Sudan. This was subsequently changed and instead a group of us were transferred to the Queen’s Royal Regiment. They were serving in Malaya (now Malaysia) assisting the Malayan Police in combatting raids by insurgent groups. These groups were carrying out attacks on the local civilian population, including farmers, rubber plantation workers, and others.
At the end of World War II several British colonies were seeking for independence. In the case of Malaya, the Communist-influenced Malayan National Liberation Army initiated armed guerrilla insurgencies. As a result, Britain, along with other Western allies, sent military personnel to Malaya to act as an anti-insurgency force. Hence our deployment to Malaya. On 13 December 1954 we set sail aboard HMTS Asturias, heading for Singapore. We arrived on 1 January 1955 after a wonderful three-week journey, though military training continued throughout.
During this period, I gained a greater realisation of what it meant to be on active service, namely carrying a rifle and possibly being engaged in gun battles. That made it a little scary, but I was mindful that my personal safety and that of my comrades was paramount. Overnight we travelled by military train from Singapore to an area called Negri Sembilan in the west of Malaya. We were required to take anti-malarial medication daily, failing to do so being a disciplinary offence. Carrying our rifles was also compulsory.
At base we commenced the next part of our intensive training. This included four weeks of acclimatisation to the Malayan weather and jungle training, where the heat averaged 90-95F at midday. This was essential given the hostile environment in which we would be working. I was also detailed to begin training as a signaller, responsible for military communications, which meant carrying a military 68T radio wireless set on all operations.
During the remainder of my service in Malaya, approximately 18 months, I worked as part of a 200/300-man ambush unit. Our role was to protect the civilian population from insurgents who got into their kampongs (traditional villages), often to steal food. On other occasions, for about ten days each time, our duties involved patrolling specified areas deep in the jungle. In hot, humid, and wet conditions, while carrying our rifles, ammunition and ration packs of food, a path had to be cleared by chopping down trees and bushes as we walked. My load was heavier due to the 68T wireless set, to send situation reports back to headquarters.
There were many highs and lows, especially when two members of our unit were killed, but we had to remain strong and focussed. These activities continued until I was demobbed in 1956. I returned home with mixed emotions, sorry to be leaving fellow soldiers behind, but very elated to be reunited with my family and friends.
Within a week of my return, my mother organised a party. It was wonderful. I eventually settled back into civilian life. I worked as a labourer until I was employed as a wood worker; I continued doing this for the next 46 years, until I retired. Undoubtedly, the dedication, loyalty, and discipline I had learnt in the army influenced my work ethic.
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👤 Parents
👤 Friends
👤 Other
Adversity
Courage
Employment
Family
Friendship
Grief
Sacrifice
Self-Reliance
Service
War
Some Advice for Facing a Scary and Uncertain Future
Summary: As a professional athlete traveling to big cities, the author faced invitations from teammates to engage in activities against gospel standards. He firmly declined, citing his temple covenants and marriage, and his teammates came to protect and respect his standards. He emphasizes the courage required to stand up for cherished beliefs.
You might not face a career path that is filled with so much pressure and temptation, but in my case, being a professional athlete exposed me to a very different lifestyle than I was used to. For example, when we arrived in big cities and traveled in the beginning, my teammates immediately wanted to go out and participate in different activities that were not aligned with gospel standards, and I knew right then that I couldn’t straddle Zion and Babylon. I couldn’t answer “let me think about it” in order to appease them. Instead, I needed to be firm in my faith and explain why I couldn’t join them.
Vai with his wife, Keala, on their wedding day
Family photographs courtesy of the author
I was fortunate that I was married while I was in college. When I went to the NFL, my wife and our six-month-old baby were with me. We were married in the temple, and I knew what those covenants meant to me and what they required of me. So I would tell my teammates, “No, I don’t do that.” And when they pressed, I’d say, “My wife and I were married in the house of the Lord where we made sacred covenants. Those covenants are more important to me than anything else.”
And the odd thing is when they asked me those questions and were absolutely certain about what kind of person I was, those same teammates began to protect me and respect my standards and covenants. It requires courage to stand up for what you believe and cherish.
Vai with his wife, Keala, on their wedding day
Family photographs courtesy of the author
I was fortunate that I was married while I was in college. When I went to the NFL, my wife and our six-month-old baby were with me. We were married in the temple, and I knew what those covenants meant to me and what they required of me. So I would tell my teammates, “No, I don’t do that.” And when they pressed, I’d say, “My wife and I were married in the house of the Lord where we made sacred covenants. Those covenants are more important to me than anything else.”
And the odd thing is when they asked me those questions and were absolutely certain about what kind of person I was, those same teammates began to protect me and respect my standards and covenants. It requires courage to stand up for what you believe and cherish.
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👤 Church Members (General)
👤 Other
Agency and Accountability
Courage
Covenant
Employment
Faith
Family
Friendship
Marriage
Sealing
Temples
Temptation
Mountains in Montreal
Summary: In a home economics class, Melissa explains to her teacher that she cannot drink tea because of her religious standards. The teacher grants special permission for her to make herbal tea, giving Melissa an opportunity to share the Word of Wisdom with classmates.
Melissa tells of an experience at school. “In my home economics class we were learning how to make tea. I had to explain to the teacher that it’s part of our religion to keep our bodies healthy, and that I couldn’t drink that kind of tea because there are bad things in it. Everyone was surprised when she gave me special permission to make herbal tea separately from the rest of the class, and I got to tell a lot of people about the Word of Wisdom.”
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👤 Youth
👤 Other
👤 Friends
Courage
Health
Missionary Work
Religious Freedom
Word of Wisdom
Understanding the Importance of Marriage and Family
Summary: At the speaker's first university job, colleagues mocked him for being married and having several children. Years later, one of those former colleagues called after falling in love and asked if marriage and fatherhood could bring happiness. The speaker encouraged him, and the man later married, had three children, and proudly showed pictures of his first child.
What can you do to strengthen marriage and family? One thing is be a good example and don’t apologize for valuing marriage and family. In my first teaching job at a university back East some colleagues routinely teased me about being married and especially having multiple children. I tried to take the teasing in stride. Then, years later after taking a position at BYU, one of those who used to ridicule me, called. He said that he had fallen in love and was thinking of getting married. I told him that I thought marriage was a wonderful institution and that he should take the leap. He said, “you don’t understand, she will want children.” I said that I also find children a great joy. He then asked a telling question, “Do you think I can be happily married and be happy as a father?” I told him that marriage helps people grow and change for the better and that so do children. He got married, he and his wife have three children and I will never forget how proud he was to show photos of his first child soon after her birth.
What lessons can we learn from my colleague’s phone call. People will often not tell you they respect you for your commitment to marriage and family. But they are watching and as in this case, modeling.
What lessons can we learn from my colleague’s phone call. People will often not tell you they respect you for your commitment to marriage and family. But they are watching and as in this case, modeling.
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👤 Other
👤 Parents
Children
Dating and Courtship
Family
Marriage
Parenting
My Epiphany about Discipleship in a Family That Isn’t Active in the Church
Summary: After returning from her mission, the author felt responsible to help her inactive father and sisters regain their faith, but her efforts led to tension and self-doubt. She experienced an epiphany that discipleship is more about strengthening relationships and showing Christlike love than compelling church participation. She chose to focus on loving her family and found comfort by trusting God's plan and timing, even amid unanswered questions.
Growing up, my family dynamic was complex. By the time I left on my mission, my mom and I were the only active members of the Church.
When my mission concluded, I felt like it was my responsibility to help my dad and two sisters find their faith again. I thought it would be just like teaching the strangers that had crossed my path when I was a missionary.
More than ever, I hoped to help my family feel the joy I felt from living the gospel. And most of all, I hoped we could finally be sealed as a family in the temple, something I had wished for since I was a little girl.
Instead, relationships in my family were tense. Contention filled my home as my expectations remained unmet and the comparisons I made to other families fueled feelings of guilt. I encountered overwhelming feelings of inadequacy, and both friends and family members were quick to point out my mistakes as a returned missionary.
I couldn’t see how my faithful service was helping my family at all. Was I doing something wrong?
After a while of wrestling with this issue, I had an epiphany about discipleship. I realized that the gospel is about much more than getting people to attend church; it’s about strengthening relationships and showing Christlike love. This change in perspective did not mean I had given up—instead, I was choosing to focus on love.
Sister Tamara W. Runia, First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency, said, “While our families aren’t perfect, we can perfect our love for others until it becomes a constant, unchanging, no-matter-what kind of love—the type of love that supports change and allows for growth and return.”
I knew something needed to change. Instead of trying to make my family live the gospel, I focused on loving and strengthening my bond with them. I decided to love them not because of what they did or didn’t do but because I simply wanted to show charity for those I love most in this world.
Even with this shift in mindset, I have a lot of unanswered questions about how eternity will look for my family. I’m a planner, and it feels scary not to know what the future holds.
One thing that’s brought me comfort is my testimony of the plan of salvation. Even though I can’t see the future, God—who is perfectly wise, loving, and merciful—can. Although I still have questions about exactly how things will work out, I know that things will work out.
Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles counseled, “We can try to hold our questions about how and when for later and focus on developing faith in Jesus Christ, that He has both the power to make everything right and yearns to do so.” I can’t describe the relief that comes from giving all my uncertainty and sorrows to the Savior.
I know that “all that is unfair in life can be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.” I believe God’s plan is perfect, and because we are His children, He wants us to be happy. Nothing has brought me more joy and security than living the gospel of Jesus Christ.
And nothing has allowed me to fill my heart with more genuine love for my family and friends than following Him.
When my mission concluded, I felt like it was my responsibility to help my dad and two sisters find their faith again. I thought it would be just like teaching the strangers that had crossed my path when I was a missionary.
More than ever, I hoped to help my family feel the joy I felt from living the gospel. And most of all, I hoped we could finally be sealed as a family in the temple, something I had wished for since I was a little girl.
Instead, relationships in my family were tense. Contention filled my home as my expectations remained unmet and the comparisons I made to other families fueled feelings of guilt. I encountered overwhelming feelings of inadequacy, and both friends and family members were quick to point out my mistakes as a returned missionary.
I couldn’t see how my faithful service was helping my family at all. Was I doing something wrong?
After a while of wrestling with this issue, I had an epiphany about discipleship. I realized that the gospel is about much more than getting people to attend church; it’s about strengthening relationships and showing Christlike love. This change in perspective did not mean I had given up—instead, I was choosing to focus on love.
Sister Tamara W. Runia, First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency, said, “While our families aren’t perfect, we can perfect our love for others until it becomes a constant, unchanging, no-matter-what kind of love—the type of love that supports change and allows for growth and return.”
I knew something needed to change. Instead of trying to make my family live the gospel, I focused on loving and strengthening my bond with them. I decided to love them not because of what they did or didn’t do but because I simply wanted to show charity for those I love most in this world.
Even with this shift in mindset, I have a lot of unanswered questions about how eternity will look for my family. I’m a planner, and it feels scary not to know what the future holds.
One thing that’s brought me comfort is my testimony of the plan of salvation. Even though I can’t see the future, God—who is perfectly wise, loving, and merciful—can. Although I still have questions about exactly how things will work out, I know that things will work out.
Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles counseled, “We can try to hold our questions about how and when for later and focus on developing faith in Jesus Christ, that He has both the power to make everything right and yearns to do so.” I can’t describe the relief that comes from giving all my uncertainty and sorrows to the Savior.
I know that “all that is unfair in life can be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.” I believe God’s plan is perfect, and because we are His children, He wants us to be happy. Nothing has brought me more joy and security than living the gospel of Jesus Christ.
And nothing has allowed me to fill my heart with more genuine love for my family and friends than following Him.
Read more →
👤 Young Adults
👤 Missionaries
👤 Parents
👤 Church Members (General)
Adversity
Atonement of Jesus Christ
Charity
Doubt
Faith
Family
Love
Missionary Work
Plan of Salvation
Sealing
Temples
Testimony
Speaking Today
Summary: Elder Glenn L. Pace recounted a near-death experience following a sudden heart attack, surgery with six bypasses, and a second heart attack that stopped his heart for three minutes. Despite severe complications and life support, his heart began to beat on its own five days later, and he recovered. He felt impressed with the words, “Your work is not yet finished,” shaping his perspective on life’s divine purposes.
Elder Pace, who spoke at a devotional in the Marriott Center on January 11, recounted a near-death experience he had last year that reemphasized to him the importance of using this life to understand our divine roles in the gospel plan.
After a sudden heart attack, Elder Pace underwent an operation that required six bypasses. During a second heart attack one hour later, his heart stopped beating for three minutes, and he went into shock. Much of his heart muscle was lost, and he was put on life support. Despite the doctors’ worries, Elder Pace’s heart began to beat on its own five days later, and his body recovered from the trauma.
After the ordeal, Elder Pace said a single phrase has affected his thoughts and actions enormously. “To this day, etched indelibly on my soul are the words: ‘Your work is not yet finished,’” Elder Pace said. “There’s a challenge and a blessing with not knowing either why you got sent back or how much time you’ve got left.”
After a sudden heart attack, Elder Pace underwent an operation that required six bypasses. During a second heart attack one hour later, his heart stopped beating for three minutes, and he went into shock. Much of his heart muscle was lost, and he was put on life support. Despite the doctors’ worries, Elder Pace’s heart began to beat on its own five days later, and his body recovered from the trauma.
After the ordeal, Elder Pace said a single phrase has affected his thoughts and actions enormously. “To this day, etched indelibly on my soul are the words: ‘Your work is not yet finished,’” Elder Pace said. “There’s a challenge and a blessing with not knowing either why you got sent back or how much time you’ve got left.”
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👤 General Authorities (Modern)
👤 Other
Death
Health
Miracles
Plan of Salvation
Revelation
Stewardship
Preparing to Receive the Ordinances of the Temple
Summary: The speaker urges youth to prepare to enter the temple by living worthy lives and “standing in holy places.” He gives practical suggestions, including avoiding unholy places, strengthening family relationships, studying the scriptures, attending seminary, filling the mind with uplifting thoughts, and keeping a picture of a temple in the home. He shares that his children selected meaningful temples for their rooms, which helped them remember to stay worthy to enter the temple.
Today we have temples throughout the world to bless the Saints. Although you may not be old enough to participate in all the ordinances of the temple, you can participate in the blessings of the temple by doing baptisms for the dead when you become 12 years of age. And whether we live next door to a temple or thousands of miles away, we can live worthy each day of enjoying the blessings of temple attendance. The Lord tells us in the Doctrine and Covenants, “My disciples shall stand in holy places, and shall not be moved” (45:32). This means that we must live lives of worthiness in order to enter and enjoy the blessings of the temple. May I recommend a few ways that we can “stand in holy places” now wherever we are:
1 Always live the standards in the For the Strength of Youth pamphlet, and avoid “unholy places.” To enter the temple, we must be worthy. It helps when we stand in holy places now. That means avoiding places and times when we would be tempted to make wrong choices. I recall a story by President J. Reuben Clark Jr. (1871–1961), a counselor in the First Presidency, about his teenage daughter. She was leaving for a dance, and he said, “Have fun, my dear. Be back by midnight.” She replied, “Daddy, this is the night of the prom. We go to the dance and are not back until early morning.” President Clark responded, “Yes, I know that is what many will be doing. But you must be back before midnight.” She, then, in desperation said, “Daddy, you just don’t trust me!” To which he replied, “My dear, in the wrong place, at the wrong time, I don’t even trust myself. Be back by midnight.”
You make similar decisions everywhere you go. Wherever you are, ask yourself, “Is this a place where the Spirit can dwell?” If not, have the courage to leave. If your room (including the pictures on the wall) is not someplace the Spirit can dwell, change it so it is. Learn early to stand in holy places, to associate with good friends, so that you will be supported in your quest to always be worthy to enter the Lord’s house.
2 Stay close to and help strengthen your family. The message of the temple is a message about families—eternal families. Our homes can be places of holiness and strength. The For the Strength of Youth pamphlet teaches:
“Being part of a family is a great blessing. Your family can provide you with companionship and happiness, help you learn correct principles in a loving atmosphere, and help you prepare for eternal life. Not all families are the same, but each is important in Heavenly Father’s plan.
“Do your part to build a happy home. Be cheerful, helpful, and considerate of others. … Seek to be a peacemaker rather than to tease, fight, and quarrel. Remember that the family is the most sacred unit of the Church.”
3 Make scripture study a part of your life—not only by reading regularly but also by relying on the scriptures to help you make important decisions.
When I was a mission president in northern Germany, I had a very difficult problem. I had searched in vain for an answer for many weeks. One morning I was reading in the Book of Mormon where Nephi was commanded to build a ship: “And I, Nephi, did go into the mount oft, and I did pray oft unto the Lord; wherefore the Lord showed unto me great things” (1 Nephi 18:3). As I read that small passage, the impression came to me, “That is what I need to do.” I pondered and prayed, and finally the answer came, and I knew what I needed to do. I am grateful for that little window of inspiration that came—as I was searching the scriptures. As I received my answer, I felt that I was “standing in a holy place.” I know that you too can have similar experiences as you search, ponder, and pray about the scriptures.
4 Attend seminary when you are old enough. I have found that regular attendance in seminary helps youth remember that they are indeed sons and daughters of God, that they can always ask Him for help in making choices, and that He answers their prayers. It is also a place where they are reminded that they are not alone and that there are many others around the world who are striving to stand in holy places and live worthy lives.
5 Fill your mind with positive, clean, and uplifting thoughts. My patriarchal blessing promises, “Look to the light above, and those who go with you will know that you seek for something higher.” I have found that the best way to keep my sights on the light above is to control my thoughts by memorizing scriptures, poetry, hymns, and other uplifting material. Then when we are tempted by unclean or negative thoughts, we can substitute those positive thoughts and drive out the unclean and impure ones.
6 Have a picture of a temple in your room. When our children were young, we asked each of them to select a temple that had particular meaning to them. We then purchased pictures of the selected temples for their rooms to help them remember the importance of the temple and of always being worthy to enter the temple. There is something powerful about seeing a picture of the temple day after day and using that to recommit ourselves to remain worthy to attend the temple. You might even want to put your own picture next to the temple to remind yourself that you belong in the temple!
7 Spend time developing your talents and becoming what our Heavenly Father expects you to become. We are blessed to have the Young Women Personal Progress program and the Aaronic Priesthood Duty to God program. The purpose of each is to help us become like the Savior by setting and accomplishing worthy goals, developing character and life skills, strengthening our families, and helping us develop faith in Jesus Christ.
8 When you become 12 years of age, attend the temple to do baptisms for the dead whenever you can. We live in a blessed day when 124 temples dot the earth. Many of you can attend the temple as youth groups and as families. But even if you do not have a temple near you, you can enjoy the blessings of the temple by learning more about the temple and always being worthy to hold a temple recommend. When I was a mission president, our mission did not have a temple, so our missionaries were not able to attend the temple during their missions. At first I did not think to encourage them to keep a current temple recommend. Then in late 1994 President Howard W. Hunter (1907–95) counseled adult members of the Church to have a current temple recommend—even if they did not live near a temple. During the next interviews with our missionaries, I taught this principle and conducted a temple recommend interview for each of our missionaries. What a blessing that was for our mission and our missionaries!
1 Always live the standards in the For the Strength of Youth pamphlet, and avoid “unholy places.” To enter the temple, we must be worthy. It helps when we stand in holy places now. That means avoiding places and times when we would be tempted to make wrong choices. I recall a story by President J. Reuben Clark Jr. (1871–1961), a counselor in the First Presidency, about his teenage daughter. She was leaving for a dance, and he said, “Have fun, my dear. Be back by midnight.” She replied, “Daddy, this is the night of the prom. We go to the dance and are not back until early morning.” President Clark responded, “Yes, I know that is what many will be doing. But you must be back before midnight.” She, then, in desperation said, “Daddy, you just don’t trust me!” To which he replied, “My dear, in the wrong place, at the wrong time, I don’t even trust myself. Be back by midnight.”
You make similar decisions everywhere you go. Wherever you are, ask yourself, “Is this a place where the Spirit can dwell?” If not, have the courage to leave. If your room (including the pictures on the wall) is not someplace the Spirit can dwell, change it so it is. Learn early to stand in holy places, to associate with good friends, so that you will be supported in your quest to always be worthy to enter the Lord’s house.
2 Stay close to and help strengthen your family. The message of the temple is a message about families—eternal families. Our homes can be places of holiness and strength. The For the Strength of Youth pamphlet teaches:
“Being part of a family is a great blessing. Your family can provide you with companionship and happiness, help you learn correct principles in a loving atmosphere, and help you prepare for eternal life. Not all families are the same, but each is important in Heavenly Father’s plan.
“Do your part to build a happy home. Be cheerful, helpful, and considerate of others. … Seek to be a peacemaker rather than to tease, fight, and quarrel. Remember that the family is the most sacred unit of the Church.”
3 Make scripture study a part of your life—not only by reading regularly but also by relying on the scriptures to help you make important decisions.
When I was a mission president in northern Germany, I had a very difficult problem. I had searched in vain for an answer for many weeks. One morning I was reading in the Book of Mormon where Nephi was commanded to build a ship: “And I, Nephi, did go into the mount oft, and I did pray oft unto the Lord; wherefore the Lord showed unto me great things” (1 Nephi 18:3). As I read that small passage, the impression came to me, “That is what I need to do.” I pondered and prayed, and finally the answer came, and I knew what I needed to do. I am grateful for that little window of inspiration that came—as I was searching the scriptures. As I received my answer, I felt that I was “standing in a holy place.” I know that you too can have similar experiences as you search, ponder, and pray about the scriptures.
4 Attend seminary when you are old enough. I have found that regular attendance in seminary helps youth remember that they are indeed sons and daughters of God, that they can always ask Him for help in making choices, and that He answers their prayers. It is also a place where they are reminded that they are not alone and that there are many others around the world who are striving to stand in holy places and live worthy lives.
5 Fill your mind with positive, clean, and uplifting thoughts. My patriarchal blessing promises, “Look to the light above, and those who go with you will know that you seek for something higher.” I have found that the best way to keep my sights on the light above is to control my thoughts by memorizing scriptures, poetry, hymns, and other uplifting material. Then when we are tempted by unclean or negative thoughts, we can substitute those positive thoughts and drive out the unclean and impure ones.
6 Have a picture of a temple in your room. When our children were young, we asked each of them to select a temple that had particular meaning to them. We then purchased pictures of the selected temples for their rooms to help them remember the importance of the temple and of always being worthy to enter the temple. There is something powerful about seeing a picture of the temple day after day and using that to recommit ourselves to remain worthy to attend the temple. You might even want to put your own picture next to the temple to remind yourself that you belong in the temple!
7 Spend time developing your talents and becoming what our Heavenly Father expects you to become. We are blessed to have the Young Women Personal Progress program and the Aaronic Priesthood Duty to God program. The purpose of each is to help us become like the Savior by setting and accomplishing worthy goals, developing character and life skills, strengthening our families, and helping us develop faith in Jesus Christ.
8 When you become 12 years of age, attend the temple to do baptisms for the dead whenever you can. We live in a blessed day when 124 temples dot the earth. Many of you can attend the temple as youth groups and as families. But even if you do not have a temple near you, you can enjoy the blessings of the temple by learning more about the temple and always being worthy to hold a temple recommend. When I was a mission president, our mission did not have a temple, so our missionaries were not able to attend the temple during their missions. At first I did not think to encourage them to keep a current temple recommend. Then in late 1994 President Howard W. Hunter (1907–95) counseled adult members of the Church to have a current temple recommend—even if they did not live near a temple. During the next interviews with our missionaries, I taught this principle and conducted a temple recommend interview for each of our missionaries. What a blessing that was for our mission and our missionaries!
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👤 Parents
👤 Children
Children
Covenant
Parenting
Reverence
Temples
To Returned Missionaries
Summary: On a cool fall day in Ohio, he performed his first baptism in the cold Scioto River. Despite the shock of the cold water, he carried out the ordinance and saw the convert’s radiant face, a memory that stayed with him.
Do you remember the joy that comes from teaching the gospel to someone who has been deprived of these teachings throughout his or her life, the excitement that comes when you teach the law of the Lord, and the blessings that are received from following Him? Could you ever forget the joy of your first baptism in the mission field?
In my day the chapels were not equipped with baptismal fonts. My first baptism was in the Scioto River in the state of Ohio, USA. It was on a cool fall day, and the water seemed even colder than the air. I remember the shock of wading into the cold river while encouraging my investigator to follow me. The coldness of the air and the water, however, soon vanished as I administered the ordinance of baptism. Seeing the radiant face of the individual who came up out of the waters of baptism is an image I will never forget.
In my day the chapels were not equipped with baptismal fonts. My first baptism was in the Scioto River in the state of Ohio, USA. It was on a cool fall day, and the water seemed even colder than the air. I remember the shock of wading into the cold river while encouraging my investigator to follow me. The coldness of the air and the water, however, soon vanished as I administered the ordinance of baptism. Seeing the radiant face of the individual who came up out of the waters of baptism is an image I will never forget.
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👤 Missionaries
👤 Other
Baptism
Conversion
Happiness
Missionary Work
Ordinances
Teaching the Gospel
Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives
Summary: Facing the daunting task of selecting two counselors from among twelve Apostles, he met individually with each of them for information and insight. He then sought the Lord’s will in the temple and received instruction to call Dallin H. Oaks and Henry B. Eyring as his counselors.
When I recently faced the daunting task of choosing two counselors, I wondered how I could possibly choose just two from twelve men whom I love and respect.
Because I know that good inspiration is based upon good information, I prayerfully met one-on-one with each Apostle.6 I then sequestered myself in a private room in the temple and sought the Lord’s will. I testify that the Lord instructed me to select President Dallin H. Oaks and President Henry B. Eyring to serve as my counselors in the First Presidency.
Because I know that good inspiration is based upon good information, I prayerfully met one-on-one with each Apostle.6 I then sequestered myself in a private room in the temple and sought the Lord’s will. I testify that the Lord instructed me to select President Dallin H. Oaks and President Henry B. Eyring to serve as my counselors in the First Presidency.
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👤 General Authorities (Modern)
Apostle
Prayer
Revelation
Temples
Testimony
Come, Let Us Adore Him
Summary: In December 1987, the author visited Israel during riots and tension but felt peace walking in Jerusalem. Returning home just before Christmas, he awoke on Sunday to the hymn “O Holy Night,” which pierced his heart. He felt a profound, personal witness of the Redeemer’s love and friendship that he never forgot.
In December 1987, about two weeks before Christmas, I had to go to Israel on business. Unfortunately, it was not a peaceful time in the Holy Land. There were riots in the West Bank, the streets of Old Jerusalem were deserted, and the shops were boarded up. Political tension filled the air, and to make matters worse, a cold rain drizzled most of the week. Fearful of violence, tourists stayed away in droves. Yet as I walked through Jerusalem, peace filled my heart to know that this was the city the Redeemer loved so much.
I returned to the United States late on the Friday before Christmas. When the Sabbath dawned two days later, my alarm woke me to the music of “O Holy Night”:
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials born to be our friend.6
The music and message pierced me deeply, and tears flowed as I contemplated the glorious sacrifice and perfect life of the Redeemer of Israel—He who was born to be the friend of the lowly and the hope of the meek. I thought of my experience in Jerusalem, and love flooded through my whole being for Him who had come to earth and taken upon Himself the burdens of us all. I was overwhelmed to think that He might regard me as a friend. I have never forgotten the tender feelings of that early Sunday morning, which were as pure a witness as I have ever received.
I returned to the United States late on the Friday before Christmas. When the Sabbath dawned two days later, my alarm woke me to the music of “O Holy Night”:
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials born to be our friend.6
The music and message pierced me deeply, and tears flowed as I contemplated the glorious sacrifice and perfect life of the Redeemer of Israel—He who was born to be the friend of the lowly and the hope of the meek. I thought of my experience in Jerusalem, and love flooded through my whole being for Him who had come to earth and taken upon Himself the burdens of us all. I was overwhelmed to think that He might regard me as a friend. I have never forgotten the tender feelings of that early Sunday morning, which were as pure a witness as I have ever received.
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👤 General Authorities (Modern)
Adversity
Atonement of Jesus Christ
Christmas
Friendship
Holy Ghost
Jesus Christ
Love
Music
Peace
Sabbath Day
Testimony
ElderGary E. Stevenson: An Understanding Heart
Summary: After counsel to learn, earn, and serve, Stevenson and his business partner were called as mission presidents in 2004. They visited stakeholders to explain they would serve for three years without compensation. Their decision was respected, and the business prospered under a trusted team.
A respected business leader once encouraged Elder Stevenson to “learn, earn, and serve.” In 2004 the “serve” part of that equation was tested when Elder Stevenson and longtime business partner Scott Watterson were both called to serve as mission presidents. They felt they needed to explain to various stakeholders and customers why they were temporarily leaving their company. One by one they visited them.
“When we described our call and that we would serve for three years without compensation from the Church, they respected the goodness of that,” he says. They left the business in the hands of a trusted executive team, and it prospered.
“When we described our call and that we would serve for three years without compensation from the Church, they respected the goodness of that,” he says. They left the business in the hands of a trusted executive team, and it prospered.
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👤 Church Members (General)
👤 Other
Employment
Missionary Work
Sacrifice
Service
Stewardship
A Voice from the Mist
Summary: Grieving parents mourned a son who drowned en route to his mission. In the Alberta Temple, the father heard his son's voice explaining that their grief hindered his heavenly mission and promising the father would be asked to speak in a special meeting that day. Unexpectedly, the temple president called a testimony meeting and, prompted by a voice, sent for the father to speak. The father returned, bore testimony of his experience, and found comfort.
Many great spiritual experiences have taken place in the Alberta Temple. Among them was one that resulted from the fervent prayers of the parents of a young elder who was drowned while on his way to a mission in South America. His grieving father and mother could not be comforted.
One evening while the father was in the Alberta Temple, he heard his son’s voice, although he did not see him. The young elder told his father that the grieving of his parents was making it impossible for their son to fill the heavenly mission to which he had been called. Then the boy promised that as a witness to the importance of the work he had been called to do, the father would be asked to speak at a special meeting that day in the temple.
Unexpectedly that afternoon the temple president stopped the work of those in the temple and announced that there would be a testimony meeting and asked several people to participate. The father anxiously waited. When another man was announced as the concluding speaker, the sorrowing father left the meeting, fearful that the visit with his son had been only his imagination.
Before the man had left the building, however, the temple president arose and announced that he had heard a voice directing him to ask this man whose son had been drowned to speak to the group. Those in the room reported that the father had left. “Then go and find him,” the president urged.
When the father returned to the meeting, he told the group of his strange experience while tears of comfort and joy glistened in his peace-filled eyes.
One evening while the father was in the Alberta Temple, he heard his son’s voice, although he did not see him. The young elder told his father that the grieving of his parents was making it impossible for their son to fill the heavenly mission to which he had been called. Then the boy promised that as a witness to the importance of the work he had been called to do, the father would be asked to speak at a special meeting that day in the temple.
Unexpectedly that afternoon the temple president stopped the work of those in the temple and announced that there would be a testimony meeting and asked several people to participate. The father anxiously waited. When another man was announced as the concluding speaker, the sorrowing father left the meeting, fearful that the visit with his son had been only his imagination.
Before the man had left the building, however, the temple president arose and announced that he had heard a voice directing him to ask this man whose son had been drowned to speak to the group. Those in the room reported that the father had left. “Then go and find him,” the president urged.
When the father returned to the meeting, he told the group of his strange experience while tears of comfort and joy glistened in his peace-filled eyes.
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👤 Parents
👤 Missionaries
👤 Church Leaders (Local)
Death
Family
Grief
Miracles
Missionary Work
Peace
Prayer
Revelation
Temples
Testimony