When Peter Lauritzen of Eugene, Oregon, had to choose between attending early morning seminary or high school swim team practice, which met each morning at 6 A.M., he had to get up early to find a solution. In fact, he got up at 4:30 AM, each weekday so he could attend his own swim practice at 5 A.M. (with his coach’s approval), then make it to seminary. He was soon joined by three other seminary goers, Karen and Gary Orth, and DeWayne Colombe.
Karen and Peter were soon setting swim records for their high school, and doing well at state meets, too.
“I seem to be wider awake during the day than when I didn’t get up early,” said Pete. “It wasn’t that much of a decision really. Church comes first and then swimming.”
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FYI:For Your Information
High school swimmer Peter Lauritzen faced a conflict between early morning seminary and swim practice. He began waking at 4:30 a.m. to practice at 5 a.m., then attend seminary, soon joined by three friends. Peter and Karen Orth set school records, and Peter affirmed that Church comes first.
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👤 Youth
Education
Faith
Obedience
Sacrifice
Young Men
Jesse and Krysta Chelstrom of Biloxi, Mississippi
Krysta and Jesse regularly mow the lawn and pull weeds to keep their family's yard looking nice. Their efforts were recognized when their yard received a 'yard of the month' honor in their housing unit. They also maintain household chores like cleaning the bathroom and doing the dishes.
Although the Chelstroms live on base, their neighborhood looks like any other, except that the streets are named for famous military leaders. Krysta and Jesse help keep the area looking good by mowing their lawn and pulling weeds. They do such a good job that their yard was recently honored as the yard of the month in their housing unit. They do their share of the work inside the house too. In addition to keeping their own rooms tidy, they clean the bathroom each Saturday. On weekdays they trade off doing the morning and afternoon dishes.
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👤 Parents
👤 Children
Children
Family
Self-Reliance
Service
Stewardship
Solemn Assembly
Mark Newman experiences a memorable day centered on sustaining a new prophet in a solemn assembly. He studies over breakfast, prays about his role in the assembly, participates, and then hurries to his university math class. The sacred experience is set within the normal demands of his Friday routine, making the day special.
This was a special day in the life of Mark Newman. The sacred opportunity of sustaining a new prophet in last October’s solemn assembly was a special privilege for him. This great experience was framed by the other things that Mark’s Fridays have a way of requiring.
He had breakfast while catching a few more moments of study, then uttered a prayer about his part in the great assembly, and later, after the solemn assembly, he hurried to his math class at the University of Utah. All in a day’s experience, but a very special day after all.
He had breakfast while catching a few more moments of study, then uttered a prayer about his part in the great assembly, and later, after the solemn assembly, he hurried to his math class at the University of Utah. All in a day’s experience, but a very special day after all.
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👤 Young Adults
👤 Church Members (General)
Education
Prayer
Reverence
Are You Wondering If You Should Get Your Patriarchal Blessing?
After a Young Women lesson, a 16-year-old felt prompted to receive her patriarchal blessing and prayed and studied for months. A Sunday School teacher later encouraged her, which inspired her to proceed. She is grateful she acted and now feels known by Heavenly Father.
After a Young Women lesson about patriarchal blessings, I had this feeling that I needed to receive mine to know the guidance that Heavenly Father has in store for me. I prayed a lot and studied for months.
Then, one day in Sunday School, my teacher told me, “If you’re thinking about your patriarchal blessing, it’s probably time for you to get it.” That inspired me to go for it, and I’m so grateful I did. Because of my patriarchal blessing, I know that Heavenly Father knows who I am.
Acadia L., age 16, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
Then, one day in Sunday School, my teacher told me, “If you’re thinking about your patriarchal blessing, it’s probably time for you to get it.” That inspired me to go for it, and I’m so grateful I did. Because of my patriarchal blessing, I know that Heavenly Father knows who I am.
Acadia L., age 16, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
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👤 Youth
👤 Church Leaders (Local)
Patriarchal Blessings
Prayer
Revelation
Testimony
Young Women
“However Faint the Light May Glow”
A minister read the parable of the prodigal son on the radio and concluded that the younger son stood justified while the older son fell under greater condemnation. The speaker, hearing this, wept and disagreed, believing the conclusion misunderstood the Lord’s teachings. He asserts that while the older son lacked compassion, his fault did not compare to the younger son’s riotous living.
A minister recently read the parable of the prodigal son over the radio. He concluded with: “The younger brother stood justified before the Lord due to his repentance, and the older brother fell under the greater condemnation.” When I heard this, I wept and I thought, “Oh, you foolish man. You do not understand the Lord’s teachings.” The older son had been hurt and neglected and, true, had not exercised love and compassion to his wayward brother; but no thinking man could ever suppose that his transgression compared to the wasteful, extravagant, riotous living with harlots of the younger brother.
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👤 Other
Bible
Charity
Forgiveness
Judging Others
Repentance
Feedback
A woman who had stopped subscribing to the magazine after thinking she had outgrown it sees her roommate’s copy. She picks up the September 1998 issue because an article title catches her eye. After reading it, she realizes it describes her feelings and reminds her to keep a spiritual charge.
I would like to tell you how much I appreciate this magazine. I had a subscription to it as a teenager, but I thought I had outgrown it so I no longer subscribed. But my roommate does, and I picked up the September 1998 issue because the article “Out of Power” caught my eye. After reading the article, I realized this is exactly how I feel and have felt at different times in my life. We all need to remember to keep the spiritual charge to be a whole person. Thank you for all you do.
Shannon MastenDeWitt, Michigan
Shannon MastenDeWitt, Michigan
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👤 Young Adults
👤 Friends
Faith
Gratitude
TTS:Things They’re Saying
Referencing Charlotte’s Web, Wilber the pig is destined for slaughter until friends use words to save him. A rat brings newsprint, and Charlotte weaves words into her web while the barn animals encourage Wilber to act accordingly. The vignette illustrates how words can change outcomes.
If you have read E. B. White’s book, Charlotte’s Web, perhaps you remember Wilber, the county-famous pig, who was destined, as all pigs are, for breakfast bacon and pineapple-baked ham Until his friends used words to save him. The rat brought pieces of newsprint to Charlotte, the spider, who wove words she read from the paper into the web she spun across the doorway of the barn. Encouraged by the ducks, and chickens, and lambs, Wilber managed to look radiant, humble, or divine, as Charlotte announced in her web.
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👤 Other
Friendship
Kindness
Service
“These Are Not Men to Be Conquered”
After attending his wife's funeral on a Monday, President Marion G. Romney spoke at the Logan Temple dedication the next day. His devotion to duty despite grief exemplified unconquerable commitment.
President Marion G. Romney sat through the funeral service of his wife on Monday, March 12, 1979. On Tuesday this great soul attended and spoke at the Logan Temple dedication. These are not men to be conquered.
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👤 General Authorities (Modern)
Apostle
Courage
Death
Grief
Temples
Friend to Friend
Hard work strengthened the brothers, who then excelled in multiple sports. As they became skilled, their classmates accepted them more readily, and sports remained a family bond.
“Because we had to work hard, we developed strength. My brother and I participated in basketball, baseball, football, tennis, table tennis, and swimming and became quite good. Our classmates began to accept us more readily. Our family still enjoys sports together.
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👤 Children
👤 Other
Adversity
Family
Friendship
Health
Judging Others
Feedback
Yvonne describes drifting from the Lord, including using bad language and loving money. Reading the “Harley-Davidson” article helped her recognize her missteps, and she now re-reads it whenever she feels distant from the Lord.
I can’t thank you enough for “Harley-Davidson” in the August 1985 New Era. I was starting to go away from the Lord. I used bad language and loved money. That article really helped me realize what I was doing. Now every time I feel away from the Lord, I just read that story.
Yvonne WoodburyLongmont, Colorado
Yvonne WoodburyLongmont, Colorado
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👤 Youth
👤 Church Members (General)
Apostasy
Faith
Repentance
Sin
A Picture Tour—
While staying at the John Johnson home in Hiram, Joseph Smith directed the Church, worked on the Inspired Version of the Bible, and prepared to publish the Book of Commandments. In March 1832, a mob seized Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon, tarring and feathering them and treating them brutally.
From the fall of 1831 to April 1832 the Prophet Joseph was a guest at the John Johnson home in Hiram. The Prophet directed the Church from here, received numerous revelations, worked on the Inspired Version of the Bible. Conferences were held here, and the members assembled voted to publish the Book of Commandments, now the Doctrine and Covenants.
In March 1832 at Hiram, the Prophet Joseph and Sidney Rigdon were taken by a mob, tarred and feathered and otherwise brutally treated.
In March 1832 at Hiram, the Prophet Joseph and Sidney Rigdon were taken by a mob, tarred and feathered and otherwise brutally treated.
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👤 Joseph Smith
👤 Early Saints
👤 Other
Abuse
Adversity
Bible
Joseph Smith
Religious Freedom
Revelation
Scriptures
The Restoration
Showing Our Love for Jesus
Jenay and her family celebrate Christmas Eve by baking a white cake for Jesus’s birthday, reading scripture accounts of His birth, and sharing personal 'presents to Jesus'—commitments to live better. Jenay’s gift is to be more reverent at church. After bearing testimonies and eating the cake, she feels a peaceful assurance of Jesus’s love.
Jenay watched as Mommy set the freshly baked white cake on the kitchen table. Tonight was Christmas Eve, when her family would celebrate Jesus’s birth.
Jenay liked going caroling with her family, baking gingerbread men, and decorating the tree. But remembering Jesus’s birthday was her favorite thing to do at Christmas.
Can I help you put the icing on the cake?
We need to let it cool first.
Jenay helped Mommy clean off the counters and wash the dishes.
Do you think the cake is cool now?
I think it’s just about right.
Mommy and Jenay spread fluffy white icing on the cake.
After dinner Daddy asked the family to gather in the living room.
Even though we know that Jesus was born in the spring, we like to celebrate His birthday at this time of year.
Mommy read the story of Jesus’s birth from the Bible and the Book of Mormon. Then Daddy bore his testimony of Jesus’s Atonement and Resurrection.
One by one, the family members opened their presents to Jesus and read what they had written on a slip of paper. With Mommy’s help, Jenay had written, “Be more reverent at church.”
I’m proud of each of you. All of your gifts show your love for Jesus Christ.
Mommy cut the cake and served it on fancy dishes. Jenay took a bite of cake and smiled.
I love Jesus, and I know He loves me.
A sweet feeling of peace settled over her like a cozy warm quilt.
Jenay liked going caroling with her family, baking gingerbread men, and decorating the tree. But remembering Jesus’s birthday was her favorite thing to do at Christmas.
Can I help you put the icing on the cake?
We need to let it cool first.
Jenay helped Mommy clean off the counters and wash the dishes.
Do you think the cake is cool now?
I think it’s just about right.
Mommy and Jenay spread fluffy white icing on the cake.
After dinner Daddy asked the family to gather in the living room.
Even though we know that Jesus was born in the spring, we like to celebrate His birthday at this time of year.
Mommy read the story of Jesus’s birth from the Bible and the Book of Mormon. Then Daddy bore his testimony of Jesus’s Atonement and Resurrection.
One by one, the family members opened their presents to Jesus and read what they had written on a slip of paper. With Mommy’s help, Jenay had written, “Be more reverent at church.”
I’m proud of each of you. All of your gifts show your love for Jesus Christ.
Mommy cut the cake and served it on fancy dishes. Jenay took a bite of cake and smiled.
I love Jesus, and I know He loves me.
A sweet feeling of peace settled over her like a cozy warm quilt.
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👤 Parents
👤 Children
Atonement of Jesus Christ
Bible
Book of Mormon
Children
Christmas
Family
Jesus Christ
Love
Parenting
Peace
Reverence
Scriptures
Testimony
Elder Keith Crockett
After his mission and graduation, Elder Crockett began teaching high school music. Seeing the football coach needed help, he offered to teach fundamentals if the coach would send the boys to chorus. The arrangement succeeded, benefiting both the football team and the chorus.
Following his mission to Uruguay and graduation from the University of Arizona, he began teaching high school music. When he saw that the football coach needed help, he offered to help teach the players some football fundamentals if the coach would send all the boys to chorus. The deal worked, and the football team and chorus enjoyed much success. “I loved working with those kids,” Elder Crockett says.
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👤 General Authorities (Modern)
👤 Youth
👤 Other
Education
Employment
Missionary Work
Music
Service
Young Men
Friend to Friend
On his first day at school in Utah, classmates gawked and asked stereotypical questions about war paint and moccasins. Shy with his foster family, he spoke only yes or no for three months. At Christmas, after receiving several clothing items, he came downstairs wearing every item at once, illustrating the challenges of learning new customs.
The General Authority’s wife continued: “On the first day at his new school in Utah the children all gathered round my husband. They had never seen an Indian before. ‘Where’s your war paint?’ they asked. ‘Where are your moccasins?’
“The new foster parents were concerned because their Indian son was so shy. In fact, the only words he spoke to them during the first three months were yes and no. At Christmastime they gave him some new clothes—two pairs of pants, four shirts, two pairs of stockings, etc. The mother asked him to go upstairs and try them on. After quite a while he came downstairs with all of the shirts, pants, and socks on at the same time. It was difficult to get used to a new language and customs.
“The new foster parents were concerned because their Indian son was so shy. In fact, the only words he spoke to them during the first three months were yes and no. At Christmastime they gave him some new clothes—two pairs of pants, four shirts, two pairs of stockings, etc. The mother asked him to go upstairs and try them on. After quite a while he came downstairs with all of the shirts, pants, and socks on at the same time. It was difficult to get used to a new language and customs.
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👤 General Authorities (Modern)
👤 Parents
👤 Children
Adoption
Children
Diversity and Unity in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Parenting
Racial and Cultural Prejudice
Friend to Friend
As a small boy walking with his brother to their father's ranch, the narrator prayed to find saddled horses around the next bend. The prayer was never answered as he hoped. Later, he realized the answer had been no, teaching him about God's will.
When I was a small boy, my brother and I often walked five miles to the ranch where my father worked. In the summer it was hot and dusty. As we trudged along, sweat dripping from our faces, I prayed that around the next bend we would find two horses with saddles and bridles so that we could ride swiftly to the ranch. My prayers were never answered—or so I thought. Now I realize that they were always answered, but the answer was no.
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👤 Children
👤 Parents
Adversity
Faith
Patience
Prayer
How Can We “Be One” in the Lord’s Way?
Feeling lonely, the author repeatedly listened to modern prophets' messages while doing daily tasks. Over time, their voices became familiar companions. Even when the counsel was challenging, it helped the author place the Savior at the center and feel greater unity with the Godhead.
Because of the gift of technology, prophets have been great companions to me—especially in my loneliness. I have listened to their messages repeatedly as I’ve mowed my lawn, cleaned my house, shoveled snow, and gone for walks. Their hearts and voices are familiar to me.
And even when their counsel has been hard for me, they have helped me place the Savior at the center of my life. I have greater unity with the Godhead because of those Christ has commissioned to lead me.
And even when their counsel has been hard for me, they have helped me place the Savior at the center of my life. I have greater unity with the Godhead because of those Christ has commissioned to lead me.
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👤 General Authorities (Modern)
👤 Church Members (General)
Adversity
Jesus Christ
Revelation
Testimony
Unity
Friend to Friend
As a boy gathering eggs under a granary, the author's father was told by his mother to exit the opposite way. Though reluctant, he obeyed and then saw a rattlesnake where he would have come out. The experience taught him, and later the author, the importance and protective power of obedience.
When my father, Elwood Allred, was young, he helped his mother gather eggs. He would crawl under the granary to retrieve some of them—the hens loved to lay their eggs in that dark, tight area. One day after he’d gathered the eggs there and was starting to squeeze out, he heard his mother say, “Elwood, don’t come out the way you went in. Please come out the other side.”
“But Mom,” he protested. “Do I have to?”
“Please do it for me,” his mother replied. “I’ll meet you on the other side.”
My father wasn’t happy about it, but he obediently crawled through the spider webs and dark to the other side of the granary, where his mother swept him in her arms. “Thank you for being obedient,” she said. She took my father’s hand. “I want to show you something.”
Father and his mother walked to the spot where he would have crawled out, and Father was frightened to see a rattlesnake coiled up. Listening to his mother had most likely saved his life!
My father often shared that story with me, and I learned early in life the importance of being obedient! I always tried hard to listen to my parents because I knew that they understood and knew things that I didn’t. I knew, too, that they loved me and wanted only the best for me. I also recognized early that Heavenly Father loved me and wanted only what was best for me.
“But Mom,” he protested. “Do I have to?”
“Please do it for me,” his mother replied. “I’ll meet you on the other side.”
My father wasn’t happy about it, but he obediently crawled through the spider webs and dark to the other side of the granary, where his mother swept him in her arms. “Thank you for being obedient,” she said. She took my father’s hand. “I want to show you something.”
Father and his mother walked to the spot where he would have crawled out, and Father was frightened to see a rattlesnake coiled up. Listening to his mother had most likely saved his life!
My father often shared that story with me, and I learned early in life the importance of being obedient! I always tried hard to listen to my parents because I knew that they understood and knew things that I didn’t. I knew, too, that they loved me and wanted only the best for me. I also recognized early that Heavenly Father loved me and wanted only what was best for me.
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👤 Parents
👤 Children
Children
Family
Love
Obedience
Parenting
Symbol of Liberty and Friendship
Emma Lazarus, who helped persecuted Jews immigrate from Russia to the United States, was inspired to write a sonnet about the Statue of Liberty. The poem reminded immigrants of their newfound freedom and was inscribed in the statue’s pedestal in 1903.
For many years there was essentially limitless immigration to the United States; all peoples were welcome. Emma Lazarus, who worked to help persecuted Jews immigrate to the United States from Russia, was inspired to write a sonnet about the statue, a stirring reminder to such immigrants that they had at last and indeed achieved their freedom. Printed here in full, the sonnet was inscribed on a tablet in the pedestal of the statue in 1903.
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👤 Other
Charity
Racial and Cultural Prejudice
Religious Freedom
Service
Letters from Grandma Whittle
As a boy, Richard G. Scott was not baptized at age eight because his father was not a member and his mother seldom attended church. After Grandma Whittle visited and taught the importance of baptism and church attendance, Richard and his older brother were baptized.
When Elder Richard G. Scott was young, his father was not a member of the Church. His mother was a member, but she didn’t go to church very often. When Richard turned eight years old, he didn’t get baptized. Then his Grandma Whittle came to visit.
Grandma Whittle was a very good example. She helped Richard and his brothers learn how important it is to be baptized and go to church. Soon Richard and his older brother were baptized.
Grandma Whittle was a very good example. She helped Richard and his brothers learn how important it is to be baptized and go to church. Soon Richard and his older brother were baptized.
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👤 General Authorities (Modern)
👤 Other
Apostle
Baptism
Children
Conversion
Family
Teaching the Gospel
Conference Notes
Elder Tai and his family camped under the stars, and his children wondered why stars weren’t visible at home. He explained that pollution can block the view, likening it to spiritual distractions and temptations that cloud our vision, and testified that faith helps us know God is always there.
Elder Tai and his family once camped under the stars. His children asked why they couldn’t see stars back home. He explained that pollution made it hard to see the stars. Distractions and temptations can cloud our spiritual vision. But with faith, we can know Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are always there.
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👤 General Authorities (Modern)
👤 Parents
👤 Children
Children
Faith
Family
Jesus Christ
Parenting
Temptation