Gospel Story Finder

Soon after their sixth anniversary, . . . Angi and David’s home burned to the ground. Angi’s first act, when they were allowed to hunt through the blackened remains, was to search for their very precious photograph albums. And when she went to tell David the news that the pictures indeed had survived, she found him kneeling in ashes to rescue, and carefully place in a box, some charred, folded pieces of paper—their courtship love letters.

“As I watched David there in the ashes,” she [says], “I was overcome with the certainty that we were meant for one another. There, in the face of our greatest tragedy, our first thoughts were not of our material loss but of the potential loss of these precious parts of ourselves and of our life together. As I knelt to help him with the letters, I was certain that we hadn’t lost anything that mattered after all.” [Judith Viorst, “True Love Stories,” Redbook, February 1982, p. 38]

When President Nelson invited the women of the Church in October 2018 general conference to read the Book of Mormon before the end of the year, Matthew, Andrew, and Isaac, along with their father and younger brothers, decided to offer Mom their support. “We’ll read it with you!” they said. Every morning before seminary, they woke up to read together.
Matthew, Andrew, and Isaac are amazed that their family finished the Book of Mormon in just two months. “It usually takes us a year,” Isaac says. Together, they discovered the blessings of following the prophet’s invitation.
“If you do what you’re supposed to do,” Andrew says, “like building a relationship with Heavenly Father through prayer, scripture study, and staying fully active in the Church, life is so much better.”

Many children, and some adults, may for personal reasons find a 24-hour fast difficult. It can be, in the words of Isaiah, felt that the fast has “afflicted [their] soul.” Wise parents recognize that possibility and so are careful to follow the counsel of President Joseph F. Smith: “Better to teach them the principle, and let them observe it when they are old enough to choose intelligently.”12
I saw the blessing in that counsel recently. One of my grandsons had found a 24-hour fast beyond his powers of endurance. But his wise parents still placed the principle in his heart. One of his school friends recently lost a young cousin to accidental death. My grandson asked his mother on fast day, at about the time he had always felt the fast was too hard to continue, whether it would make his grieving friend feel better if he continued his fast.
His question was the confirmation of President Joseph F. Smith’s counsel. My grandson had come to the point where he not only understood the principle of the fast, but it had also been planted in his heart. He had come to feel that his fasting and prayers would lead to a blessing from God for someone in need. If he lives the principle often enough, it will bring the wonderful effects in his own life, as promised by the Lord. He will have the spiritual blessing of power to receive inspiration and greater capacity to resist temptation.

For Cathy Antonsson of Helsingborig, Sweden, saying no was not always easy or pleasant.
“It was rough. It’s not easy, but you have to pay the price for who you are. Sometimes I cried my eyes out because I had to stay home. It was difficult because many people here just aren’t religious.
“I went to Rome for two weeks on a school trip. In Italy, they always offered us wine. They have wine with most of their meals, so my friends kept offering me wine, and I kept saying, ‘No, I don’t drink that.’
“My friends spent so much money on drinks. Everytime we went out, I would put the same amount of money in my purse that they spent on their drinks. Before we left, I went to an exclusive dress shop and bought a very expensive designer dress. All my friends were really surprised when they saw it and said, ‘Hey, how could you afford that?’ I told them what I had done and that that was one of the advantages of not drinking.”

When we moved to Florida twelve years ago, our bishop was President of a multi-billion dollar company that was a major division of a larger conglomerate. He had spent twenty-nine years, almost his entire career, progressing through this organization to the top.

He had been a bishop and stake president, and was again serving as bishop. Having achieved great financial success, he and his wife lived, and still live in a beautiful home with every comfort imaginable. They were loved and respected by all with whom they came in contact.

Then the roof fell in, so to speak. The CEO and senior executives of the parent conglomerate were indicted for fraud and convicted in a major corporate scandal. A new board brought in a new CEO who replaced all of the subsidiary executives, including our bishop. Through no fault of his own, his admired career suddenly ended in a cloud of ignominy.

At first, he seemed a bit lost, like a great warhorse suddenly taken out of the battle. In conversations with him, you could detect some bewilderment and disappointment.

Then he and his wife turned their enormous talents to service. They went to Romania as service missionaries, serving two years in the most humble circumstances imaginable. They lived without conveniences, often went without electricity or heat, and shared the primitive conditions of the people they served.

A year after returning home they again answered the call, this time to Nigeria. The conditions they lived in there made Romania look like a first world country but, as their emails to us revealed, their thoughts were only on the people. They labored to share the gospel while elevating the lives of the native people through water purification and other infrastructure projects.

A year into their mission, he was called to be President of the Enugu Nigeria Mission. When they returned home three years later, they were transformed.

Before they left they were the role models we all wanted to emulate. Yet, when they returned there was a halo around them that eclipsed even that which we admired before. Their love for the Savior and their willingness to give unstintingly of their time and service to anyone at any time is a breathtaking example that continually motivates everyone around them.

Though they could be enjoying a leisurely retirement, their time and resources are devoted to bringing forth God’s kingdom. They seem to have achieved the final step Peter describes, charity, the pure love of Christ.

I’m four years old! It’s my birthday, and I’m four years old!” said Jennifer, hopping four times around the kitchen.
“Happy birthday, four-year-old,” said Mother, smiling as she put four plates on the table.
“It takes all my fingers on one hand to count to four,” said Jennifer.
“That’s right, birthday girl,” said Daddy, laughing as he came into the kitchen to eat breakfast. “There are a lot of things that are four.”
On the table Jennifer saw four plates, four spoons, four forks, and four knives. There were also four napkins and four glasses.
“Happy birthday!” Stevie called as he came to eat breakfast. Now there were four people in the room. When Stevie smiled, Jennifer saw he had four teeth missing in front.
After breakfast, Jennifer skipped into the family room to feed her goldfish. “One, two, three, four fish,” Jennifer counted. “I’m four years old today!” Jennifer told the fish.
“Let’s go look for a lucky four-leaf clover, Jenny, before Daddy mows the lawn,” said Stevie. “But you better wear your sweater because it’s cold outside.”
Big brothers are fun and nice, Jennifer thought as she buttoned up her sweater—one, two, three, four buttons.
They looked in the clover patch near the flower bed for a four-leaf clover. But all they could find were clovers with three leaves. However, Jennifer did count four pretty finches eating at the bird feeder.
Later, she saw a white cat with four black feet creeping up on a mouse.
David who lived next door was pulling his red wagon with its four squeaky wheels. The milkman came to the door after breakfast and brought four bottles of milk. His milk truck had four wheels too.
Jennifer and Stevie finally gave up looking for four-leaf clovers and went back into the house.
“Surprise!” called four of Jennifer’s friends who had come to help celebrate her birthday.
After the children played games and ate ice cream, Mother brought in a birthday cake with candles flickering on it. The children sang “Happy Birthday to You” and then Jennifer blew out all the candles.
Can you guess how many candles were on Jennifer’s birthday cake?

Months later, I was experiencing turmoil in my own life. Pressures at work, a baby on the way, and an upcoming move overwhelmed me. I found myself frustrated, anxious, and afraid.
I prayed earnestly about my worries, sins, and frustrations. As I prayed, the Spirit testified of the Savior’s importance in my life. It was as if He said to me:
“Don’t worry about all the things that could happen. That’s my job! It’s what I’m here for. I suffered all things to know what to do about this. Have faith in me, and we’ll get through this together. If you’ll follow my instructions, you can again be whole. Trust me and let me take those spiritual burdens. Then you can focus all your efforts on becoming your best self.”
With this realization, my worry, guilt, and frustration were lifted. Faith in Him removed unproductive feelings that blocked my progress. I could focus on the things in my control. I could live the gospel and turn to the Savior in my challenges.

When I was sixteen in Billings, I went with a group to repel off the rim rocks rising up north of the Montana city. I had never done anything like this and was scared spit less. Now, I warn all of you: Do not do what we did. The guys parked their car close to the edge, blocked up the wheels with rock, and tied off ropes on the bumper. Those of us who can remember, back in the ancient days, car bumpers were made of steel instead of plastic. They strapped on me a homemade harness with a Karabiner and serpentine the rope through it; and then they placed a safety rope around my waist--just in case. The guys showed me what to do and lined me up at the rims ledge. My knees were shaking, I thought, "What have I got myself into and why did I let them talk me into this."

Getting up the courage, I jumped off the edge and before I knew it I was hanging upside down, screaming at the top of my lungs, about thirty feet below the edge, knowing any minute my life would be over. The guys from above, kept calling out to me, over and over again, "Turn around so we can pull you up."

After many attempts, I finally was able to pull myself around and then immediately they were all able to pull me up. I was never so thankful to be back to the top. Just a note, I did get the courage to do it again and was quite successful. I later loved it so much I got my own gear, and my friends and I would drive up to the top of the rims and foolishly tie off on my old 60 Chevy Bumper. Again, I caution you: Do not do this! Always and I stress always, have the right equipment and proper training.

In December 1837 Joseph Smith cut off from the Church approximately 40 dissenters in a “high and mighty pruning.”5 This action brought persecution, hatred, and threats of bodily harm and death to Brigham, who had vigorously testified against the malcontents and defended the Prophet. His life in peril, Brigham fled Kirtland on 22 December. Shortly thereafter, Joseph and other faithful members left Kirtland as well.

During that winter, Mary Ann and her five children had to fend for themselves while apostates terrorized them, ransacking their home in the pretended belief that Brigham was hiding there. The tormentors “used ‘threats and vile language’ that undid [Mary Ann’s] emotions until her health became frail. This was, she later told her biographer, ‘undoubtedly the severest trial of my life.’”6

In February 1838, Mary Ann, now suffering from tuberculosis, gathered her children and what few possessions the mob had not taken and undertook the long, difficult journey from Kirtland, Ohio, to Richmond, Missouri, to rejoin her husband. “He was so … shocked at the change in her appearance that his first exclamation was, ‘You look as if you were almost in your grave.’”7

Brigham could now devote himself to nursing Mary Ann to good health. The Lord also knew of her desperate need for relief and care. On 17 April 1838, Joseph Smith received a revelation temporarily relieving Brigham from his heavy Church responsibilities, thus allowing him to care primarily for his family and ailing wife.8

The ward Primary presidency were deep in thought as they contemplated the organization’s needs for the coming year. “What shall we do about Jenny?” one of them asked. “She is the only eleven-year-old in the whole ward. Don’t you think we should just combine the classes? You know how difficult it is to get teachers, especially to teach just one child.”
The Primary president nodded. “Yes, that’s true,” she said. “But I just don’t feel right about that solution. The Anderson family is having some problems with Jenny’s older sister right now, and I don’t think that Jenny is getting all the attention she needs. I think we should be particularly prayerful about this decision.”
At that time, Primary was held on a week-day afternoon, and it was difficult to find people who could teach Primary during the week. And to find someone who would be willing to teach only one child seemed an impossible task.
The next day, the Primary president studied the ward membership list. It seemed that all those who might be suitable already had more than one calling. So she took the problem to Heavenly Father—and prayed again about finding a teacher for Jenny.
The next time she looked at the ward list, she felt drawn to Sister Conner’s name—an unlikely choice, she thought, because Sister Conner said she was not a good teacher. In fact, Sister Conner had said many times, “I’m just not a teacher. I makes me nervous to stand in front of people.” Sister Conner had said it so often that everyone in the ward believed her. But there was no mistaking the Spirit’s promptings, so the Primary president took her request to the bishopric.
Sister Conner was surprised to receive the call. “Are you sure?” she asked the bishop. “You know I can’t teach.”
“Yes, I’m sure,” came the answer. “The Lord needs you in this calling, Sister Conner. We suggest that you pray about what you can do to help Jenny.”
Sister Conner was so nervous about her new calling that she was actually relieved that there was only one child in her class. Jenny was delighted when she found out that she was really going to have a teacher all to herself. Her parents were relieved and impressed that Sister Conner had accepted such an unusual calling.
The Primary year began. Every Primary day Sister Conner and Jenny could be found in the same small classroom. Sister Conner gave the lessons, and they planned projects and had fun together.
One winter day, Jenny came home from school looking as if she was getting sick from a cold. When her mother said that she had better stay home from Primary, Jenny burst into tears. “Mom, you don’t understand. I have to go. Sister Conner needs me. If I don’t go, she won’t have anyone to teach, and that would make her feel very sad!”
As the year progressed, friendship and love grew between Sister Conner and Jenny. Sister Conner taught Jenny to sew, and Jenny taught Sister Conner how much it meant to her to have a teacher of “her very own.” Jenny learned many new skills that year, and Sister Conner learned that she could indeed teach—and that she loved teaching!
As the time for Primary graduation grew closer, Sister Conner and Jenny decided that they wanted Jenny’s graduation to be a special time. Jenny’s mother bought fabric for a new dress, and Jenny and Sister Conner sewed it together.
At last, graduation day arrived. The program was a beautiful, spiritual ending to a unique year, and Jenny looked lovely in the dress she and Sister Conner had worked on together.
Jennifer is a grown woman now—beautiful and self-confident. After nine years of marriage, she has been blessed with only one child. But she learned long ago the value of “just one child”—from Sister Conner.
Meanwhile, Sister Conner has become a great Primary teacher. She still prefers teaching small classes, and when questioned about the year she taught Jenny, she says, “I didn’t do much. It wasn’t a sacrifice for me at all; it was really fun. I just loved Jenny. I enjoyed that year more than almost anything I have ever done. Even after all these years, I still miss her.”

A few weeks ago while I was in Southern California visiting our daughter and her family, I was picked up at their home by an airport van. Usually there are several passengers traveling, but on this day I was alone with the driver for an hour and a half as we drove up the beautiful California coast. The driver was friendly and asked where I was going. I explained I was going to meet my husband who was speaking at a conference for religious educators.

The driver seemed interested so I asked him if he had ever heard of the Mormon Church. I have to admit that my heart started beating a little faster as I thought about being a missionary and sharing my testimony. The driver explained that he didn't really know much about Mormons except that his older sister had married a man who professed to be one, but now they were divorced. I gulped, hoping this would not be "strike one!" I learned that the driver had grown up in Peru in a Catholic family, but now he attended the Presbyterian Church with his wife. He acknowledged that he really didn't know much about any religion.

I explained that in the Mormon Church there were religion classes for college-age people to help them understand our doctrine and I added that my husband taught such classes at a university. And on this very day we would be attending a conference for such teachers in Southern California.

He finally asked the question I was hoping he would ask. "What do Mormons believe?"

I ask you my friends. . .What would you have answered?

I knew the driver wasn't looking for a long explanation of doctrine--my response needed to be short and yet meaningful.

I remembered that as a young Primary girl I had used the fingers on my hand to remind me of the things I wanted to say when I bore my testimony. Five simple things that would be easy to understand and would explain what I believed. As we rode along in the van I looked down at my fingers in my lap to help me remember.

As I answered the driver's sincere question by sharing those five truths, I felt that warm confirming feeling of the Holy Ghost whisper, "It is true, it is true."

I could tell that the driver sensed how strongly I believed what I shared, because he asked, "Do all Mormons believe as you do?"

I struggled to answer his question because in my mind I saw many people who are dear to me, who once believed those truths but who have let the light of their testimony die. I thought of my college roommate who many years ago was baptized and received the gift of the Holy Ghost when we were living together in the dorm. But recently I learned that she has drifted into inactivity and lost the light she once enjoyed. I even know returned missionaries who once were filled with the Holy Ghost and with conviction bore their testimony every day for 2 years. But after returning home they neglected to nourish that precious testimony. And what inevitably follows? Little by little, the light that once illuminated their souls has grown dim.

... (addressing how to keep testimony alive in the remainder of the talk) ...

Someday you may find yourself riding along with someone who wants to know what you believe. I have sent more material to the van driver but I do not know the end of his story. But this I do know. Whenever we share our testimony and bear our witness of the Savior, the light within us shines brighter than before.

The Lord said, “My sheep hear my voice” (John 10:27). Likewise, your children respond to your voice. No one can effectively take your place as father and mother. The story is told of “the six-year-old who got lost from his mother in a large supermarket [and] began to call frantically, ‘Martha, Martha.’ When the mother was found and they were reunited, she said, ‘Honey, you should not call me Martha; I am “Mother” to you,’ to which the little fellow rejoined, ‘Yes, I know, but the store was full of mothers and I wanted mine’” (Spencer W. Kimball, Faith Precedes the Miracle [1972], 117).

The second story happened this year with our present quarterback, Robbie Bosco. We were playing the University of Pittsburgh. They were preseason ranked third in the country. We were leading 3–0 in the third quarter and had a good drive going. Robbie threw a bad pass. It was intercepted and returned for a seventy-yard touchdown. Pittsburgh led 7–3. They kicked off to us, and on our second play, Robbie threw a pass that ricocheted off the shoulder of one of our receivers. It was caught by a Pittsburgh defensive back and returned to our 15-yard line. Four plays later, Pittsburgh scored and went ahead 14-3. I thought to myself, “This will be a good chance to see what Robbie is made of.” In fact, with the next possession of the ball we drove down the field and scored. And then, with three or four minutes remaining in the game, Robbie moved our team the length of the field and threw the winning touchdown pass to Adam Haysbert. Right then, I knew there was no question that Robbie was going to be a great quarterback.

I really enjoy school and the time I get to spend with my friends. Sometimes I think it would be nice to have even more friends to play with.
I got an invitation to a friend’s birthday party. The only bad thing about that was that it was on a Sunday. I told my friend that I go to church on that day. I decided to take him his birthday present on Monday.
I know that Heavenly Father wants me to spend the Sabbath Day with my family, doing activities that are going to help me know more about the gospel and that will teach me how to be a better example to my little brother.
I am trying to be like Jesus Christ.

These types of conversations are not too unusual for young people in Boston. Rose Marie Knighton, Weston Ward, said her friends at school noticed that she didn’t use bad language. “One of my friends came up to me and said, ‘I’ve never heard you swear.’
“I said, ‘That’s because I don’t.’
“‘You mean you’ve never sworn once in your whole life?’
“‘No.’
“‘Well, swear now.’
“‘No.’
“‘That’s neat.’
“The fact that she reacted like that made me feel pretty good. Not using bad language is hard, especially on the playing field. I play soccer. Sometimes the refs will make a bad call or a player will just make me mad and everyone around me is swearing, and I just have to concentrate on not doing it too.”

“Oh, boy! Does this situation sound familiar. This last year one of my close friends fell into this same situation. It was hurting me and her and everyone else involved, and it seemed that we had tried everything to help her. Then one night as I was praying for her, the idea came to hold a special fast for her. We contacted everyone who knew her and informed them of this special fast. Then after the fast we set a goal to be especially kind and loving to this girl (but not in an over-obvious way). Eventually, with the help of all these people and her family, this girl came back into the Church.
“The only advice I can give is to try what we tried. Pray and fast for her and constantly, by your actions, reassure her that she is loved. Don’t condemn her but follow the advice in 3 Nephi 18:23–24.” [3 Ne. 18:23–24]
Sherry StottBynum, Montana

Elder Mark E. Petersen taught me another penetrating lesson about delegating when he was the supervisor of the missions on the East Coast in the late 1960s. He toured the North Carolina Virginia Mission over which we were presiding in order to give instruction and help.
Knowing of his very distinguished service as president of the European missions, I knew he would be able to give me the answers to all my mission supervision problems. So when we had a few spare minutes together, I would ask about a problem and invite his recommendation. In response he would most often say something like this: “I know one mission president who solved that problem in this way. Another in a more distant area solved it this way.” Always he outlined possible solutions but left the selection of the solution to me. After six days he left on the plane, having responded to my every request for help but leaving to me the responsibility to choose the solutions and accept the consequences of my decisions. That was one of many helpful lessons taught by an outstanding leader in the Lord’s work.

Here I recall a pioneer example of faith, commitment, and courage by some young men just about the age of our missionaries. A few months before the Prophet Joseph Smith was murdered at Carthage, some of his enemies plotted to kill him. As part of their plan, they sought to enlist others in their conspiracy. Among those they invited to a meeting in Nauvoo were two young men still in their teens, Robert Scott and Dennison L. Harris. Dennison’s father, Emer, was the older brother of Martin Harris, one of the Three Witnesses to the Book of Mormon. Being loyal to the Prophet, these young men immediately reported the invitation to Dennison’s father, who advised the Prophet Joseph and sought his advice. Joseph asked Emer Harris to request that the young men attend the meeting, pay strict attention to what was said, make no commitments, and report the entire matter to the Prophet.

As events proceeded, there were three meetings. They began by denouncing Joseph as a fallen prophet, proceeded to considering how Joseph could be overthrown, and concluded with specific planning to kill him. All of this the two young men reported to the Prophet Joseph after each meeting.

Before the third meeting, the Prophet foresaw what would happen and told the young men this would be the last meeting. He warned them that the conspirators might kill them when they refused the required oath to participate in the murderous scheme. He said he did not think the conspirators would shed their blood because they were so young, but he called upon their loyalty and courage in these words: “Don’t flinch. If you have to die, die like men, you will be martyrs to the cause, and your crowns can be no greater.” He renewed his original caution that they should not make any promises or enter into any covenants with the conspirators. Then he blessed them and expressed his love for their willingness to risk their lives for him.

As Joseph had foreseen, the third and final meeting required all present to unite in a solemn oath to destroy Joseph Smith. When the two boys refused, explaining that Joseph had never harmed them and they were unwilling to participate in his destruction, the leaders declared that since the boys knew the group’s plans, they must agree to join them or they must die on the spot. Knives were drawn.

Some protested killing the boys, especially since their parents knew of their presence, so their failure to return would cast suspicion on some of the conspirators. By the barest margin, the cautious course was chosen, and those who opposed killing prevailed. The boys were threatened with certain death if they ever revealed what had transpired in the meetings or who had participated, and they were then allowed to leave unharmed.

As the boys passed beyond the view of the guards, they were met by the Prophet, who was anxiously watching and praying for their safe return. They reported everything to him. He thanked and praised them, and then, for their safety, counseled them not to speak of this to anyone for 20 years or more.

Years ago, I was driving home when I received a phone call that changed everything for my life. My mother, who had been diagnosed with breast cancer in her late 50s and had battled it courageously, had been rushed to the hospital. What we initially feared was the return of her breast cancer. It turned out to be something even more devastating. She had developed a second cancer, colorectal cancer—an aggressive disease that ultimately took her life.

As I drove, my heart was heavy with worry. I found myself praying—pleading, really—for her comfort and healing. What struck me wasn't just the urgency of that prayer, but something else entirely. Before I had even finished speaking the words, I felt peace. Not the kind of peace that comes after receiving good news, but deep, settling peace that whispers, "I am here, and I hear you."

Despite this immediate comfort, my mother did not recover; she passed away just a few weeks later from that colorectal cancer that had developed so rapidly. Yet through that experience, I came to know without doubt that God was fully aware of her suffering, her faith, and her eternal well-being. She is okay now, safely in His light, and that assurance has strengthened my testimony of His infinite care.

The peace I felt in that moment wasn't God's response traveling to me from some distant heaven. It was the resonance of His Spirit within my own, a reminder that He was already there, he was already aware, and already caring.

I want to return to when I was driving to the hospital, worried about my mother. The peace that I felt in that moment of prayer wasn't wishful thinking or emotional self-comfort. It was evidence of a connection that existed long before that crisis and it continues long after. Though my mother passed away far too young, she left behind a legacy of faith, love, and quiet strength. Through it all, I felt that same resonant peace. Not because the pain was gone, but because I knew she had moved from one realm of God's light to another, and our family's connection with the divine continued. Through this trial, I learned that God was intimately aware of her every moment, her courage in the face of suffering, and her eternal progression. She is okay—more than okay—in His loving embrace, and that knowledge has deepened my faith in His plan.

Long ago, King invited all the animals to a party. Cat forgot when it was and asked his neighbor, Mouse, who wasn’t feeling well, just when the party was to be held. Mouse accidentally gave Cat the wrong date.
All the animals except Cat went to the party, and King decided to name the years after his twelve animal friends who were there. Since Cat was left out, he was very angry, and that is “why Cat and Mouse do not get along well to this day.”