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Scott Tremelling of Marlborough, Massachusetts

Summary: In a sacrament meeting talk, Scott described being teased by classmates for his size and appearance. He wanted to fight back but chose to practice self-control and ignore the comments. Over time, as classmates got to know him, the teasing stopped, and remembering he is a child of God helped him.
In a sacrament meeting talk last fall, Scott said, “Everyone is a child of God. That means that we are all brothers and sisters. Being a child of God means that God is the Father of our spirits and that we can become like Him.

“Learning about our Father in Heaven and obeying His commandments in this life is like going to school for the job of becoming a God. I’ve found that my parents have rules similar to Heavenly Father’s: One—Thou shalt not steal. Two—Thou shalt not lie about what thou did to thy brother. Three—Thou shalt obey thy father and thy mother or thou shalt get a time-out.

“All of us have trials in our lives. Some are permanent and some are temporary. We can learn from our trials if we have a positive attitude. My disease is a permanent trial. I am learning to practice self-control because when kids make fun of me, I want to pound their faces in. The kids in my class used to call me names because I am short for my age and my belly sticks out. I had to learn to ignore their comments because they did not understand. Now that I am in sixth grade, the kids who know me don’t make fun of me anymore. Being a child of God helps me understand the things that happen in my life.”
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👤 Children
Adversity Children Commandments Disabilities Sacrament Meeting

Integrity to the Cause of Christ

Summary: Near the end of his college studies, Elder Rasband was offered a job by Jon Huntsman but was told he had to begin immediately rather than finish school first. After counseling with loved ones and praying with his wife, they felt inspired to accept the opportunity in Ohio. That decision shaped his life and taught him that integrity would define his marriage, work, relationships, and service.
When I was nearing the end of my college studies in marketing and business, I met Jon Huntsman, a giant of a man by every standard; businessman, Church leader, faithful husband, father of nine, a visionary, and a benefactor. Jon became my loyal and beloved friend and mentor.

I was the elder’s quorum president of my campus ward and he was the high council advisor. You can picture the setting because of your experience here at BYU–Hawaii.

One day Jon asked me to come to his office. There I was in plush, professional business surroundings! Me, the son of a truck driver, when Jon invited me to join his company working in marketing and sales. I was honored.

Jon was not interested in my academic credentials, which were not stellar, but he had seen what he considered my strengths of leadership and character that were a good fit for his business.

I immediately responded I would love to join his company after graduation in the spring. I had just two semesters to finish. My college degree was so important to me, my wife, and my parents. Yet, his offer was an answer to our prayers about the next step in our lives.

He smiled and then said, “I need you now.” The next week, he explained, he would be in Troy, Ohio, at one of his packaging plants, to negotiate with a major customer. If I wanted the job, I needed to be with him as the new account manager. That was it. The job was next week in Troy, Ohio or no job at all.

That night after seeking counsel from loved ones and friends, Sister Rasband and I prayed earnestly for direction. My dear wife, Melanie, whom I met at an Institute activity, was inspired with our answer. “Isn’t this what people go to college for, to find an opportunity like this one?” We took the job in Ohio. Eventually Jon appointed me president of his global corporation with thousands of employees and billions in revenues.

What did I learn from those beginnings and associations in the years that followed?

Jon Huntsman gave me opportunity, but I had to make more of it than a job. I had to make myself a man of integrity. I realized then and now that my personal integrity is what has defined me in my marriage, business, relationships, and service.

In marriage, I learned that husband and wife face life together; you make decisions together, and take them to the Lord. Then you lock arms and go forward. Joining Huntsman was a beginning for us but since then we have gone to our knees many times seeking the Lord’s guidance. Our spiritual bond and our trust in the Lord, has seen us through many challenges.
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👤 General Authorities (Modern) 👤 Parents 👤 Friends 👤 Other

A Blessed and Happy State

Summary: The speaker recounts a childhood experience in Montana when his family drove into the mountains to gather firewood in an unreliable truck. After the loaded truck became stuck in mud during a snowstorm and the family could not move it, they knelt together in prayer. They pushed again, the truck suddenly moved, and they offered thanks to God before driving home.
One such instructive testimony-building experience from my childhood occurred as we went as a family to get firewood up in the mountains behind our house. Firewood was key to survival since it was our only source of heat in the cold winters of western Montana:

Allow me to set the stage a little bit. Our family had an old beat-up 1956 International pickup truck we called "Tessie"—my mom loved to name things. It had seen plenty of action in its time, so it was very temperamental when it came to starting. More often than not, it wouldn't turn over, so we would have to push this heavy truck to get it to start by getting it rolling, and then my dad would hop in and pop the clutch. Tessie would reluctantly chug to life, and everyone would quickly pile into the cab or into the bed of the old truck. It's not what you'd first think of as a family car, but despite its flaws, it was, at the time, our most reliable option. That cold morning, we were all packed in the front of 'ole Tessie likesardines as we headed up Mulkey Gulch to get a load of firewood.

A fresh skiff of wet snow made everything muddy as the truck crawled up the canyon. On one steep grade, the truck died and wouldn't start. Tessie slid in the mud backward and was not following the road very well, seeming to favor the steep drop-off on one side. It finally slid to a stop, and Tessie, just sitting there, decided to do us a favor and miraculously started right up with the key. We got our wits about us and continued up to higher ground. We found a few old dead trees that'd make for some good firewood, and my dad backed the truck into a nearby skid trail pullout and turned off the truck.

My dad started the chainsaw, falls one, two, three trees, and bucked them up as we carried the pieces to the truck. The mud from the fresh snow was thick; it would stick to your shoes and feet and get heavier with every step. We finally got the wood piled high and were ready to get out of the cold and into the truck. We all climbed into the cab and got situated, and once more, as my dad turned the key, Tessie decided not to start... R-R-R, no luck. My dad thought he parked it on enough of a slope just in case we'd need to do the customary rolling start, but the ground was so wet that the heavy load made the wheels sink into the mud. Everyone was tired and frustrated with our predicament. My mom knew we were doomed as we looked at the blowing snow that was now making our hands freeze and our noses numb. We all piled out of the truck and tried pushing—no luck! We might as well have been pushing on a 747; it wouldn't budge.

With the dire prospect of being stuck in the woods in a snowstorm with a young family, the only thing heating up was the discussion between my parents; my mom was angry at my dad for dragging us up there in a truck that wasn't reliable (as if there was another option), my dad was upset that she was upset and more so that the new battery they had just replaced didn't seem to be working. The snow was starting to pile up. We kids, aged 7, 9, and 10, weren't going to be much help as we looked back and forth at each other and our parents. There was only one thing my dad could think of that would be worth a shot. He suggested that we kneel as a family behind the old truck and ask our Heavenly Father for help, as he recognized that we wouldn't be able to do this ourselves. My mom was a little reluctant at first, but she also understood we needed help, and no one else would even know where we were, much less be able to get to us. So, united as a family, we knelt in the mud, and my brother offered a simple child's prayer; a testimony-building image was created that none of us will forget.

This AI-created image captured fairly accurately the memory of that day (except that my dad only wishes he had as much hair).

After the prayer, we all got behind the truck and, on the count of three, pushed as hard as we could, and... no go—same as before. Our faith seemed to waver, but we didn't give up. My dad said, "Again." And we pushed with all our might—none of us could believe it; Tessie lurched forward a couple of feet! My mom was shocked and went around feeling our little muscles. We tried again, and Tessie moved enough that it started down the hill and my dad was able to jump in and pop the clutch—never did the roar of the engine sound so good. We all quickly climbed in—but before we moved too far, my dad said, "We better thank God for helping us." And, with the truck running this time, we prayed a prayer of gratitude and headed home.
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👤 Parents 👤 Children 👤 Other

Protected from the Unexpected

Summary: A youth group from Davao traveled to the Manila Philippines Temple after months of preparation to perform baptisms for the dead. On their return, their bus was used by police as a shield during a nearby hostage situation. Though terrified, they followed instructions, evacuated, and later learned that several people had been killed, but none of their group was harmed. They recognized the Lord’s protecting hand and connected it to their faithful temple service.
After a 61-hour bus ride, our youth group arrived at the Manila Philippines Temple. In celebration of the temple’s 20th anniversary, the Davao stake youth had spent nine months preparing for the trip, attending family history classes, being actively involved in Church activities, researching and preparing family names, and helping to raise funds for the trip. There was excitement in the air as the 63 of us got off the bus that Monday night. At the temple patron housing, we held a very large family home evening, with musical performances and spiritual messages, and then tried to sleep.
During the next two days the youth were baptized and confirmed for over 2,000 of their ancestors, giving those ancestors the chance to accept the restored gospel. We didn’t feel hungry or tired as we worked hour after hour in the temple. The Spirit was very strong. Some youth had glowing countenances; others had tears of joy on their cheeks.
All too soon it was time to go home. A few minutes into our journey, the peaceful quiet of the bus was interrupted by police sirens. Outside, we were surrounded by patrol cars, which forced us to a stop. Then we could see police snipers around us, aiming forward. In those tense moments, we learned that the passengers of a bus a few feet in front of us were being held hostage, and the police were using our bus as a shield!
We leaders did our best to keep everyone calm, but some began to panic. In the confusion the police ordered us all to drop to the floor. After several terrifying minutes, we heard a man yelling for us to evacuate the bus. Following orders, we hurriedly got off the bus and went to a nearby vacant building.
For over an hour, we sat in the dark building, praying and listening for gunfire. Then finally we were told we could go back to our bus. The shootout had ended; two hostages and two hijackers had been killed.
We were badly shaken as we resumed our journey. As the shock lessened, however, we realized we had been protected. Not one of us had been injured, and we knew the hand of the Lord had been over us. We felt a divine presence and wondered if perhaps some of those for whom we had been baptized were close by.
I thought of the scripture that says, “I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say” (D&C 82:10), and I was glad the Lord keeps His promises. As we keep the commandments and continue faithfully in our duties, including temple and family history work, we will be worthy of the Lord’s blessings—including His protection when we need it most.
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👤 Youth 👤 Church Leaders (Local) 👤 Church Members (General) 👤 Other
Adversity Baptisms for the Dead Commandments Faith Family History Family Home Evening Holy Ghost Miracles Obedience Ordinances Prayer Temples Testimony

High Mountain Magic

Summary: After a full day, the girls gathered for a testimony meeting. They shared scriptures, expressed love for nature and the Lord, and reflected on lessons learned during the trip. Sandy Kay testified that such experiences help set priorities and remind them of their purpose.
The various activities of the day left the girls tired, but not too worn out to express their feelings during a testimony meeting. They read their favorite scriptures to each other, spoke again of their love for nature, for the gospel, and for the Lord, and talked about the lessons they had learned on their trip: lessons of perseverance, sacrifice, relaxation, and sharing the load.
“It’s unbelievable the feeling you get on top of a mountain,” said Sandy Kay, 17. “If you have an open mind and a humble heart, it can really help straighten out your priorities and help you see the reason why we’re here.”
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👤 Youth
Creation Endure to the End Faith Friendship Humility Jesus Christ Sacrifice Scriptures Service Testimony Young Women

One New Temple, Three New Opportunities

Summary: Inactive member Belbin CalderĂłn felt prompted to return to church and quit his Sunday job, which brought more unity to his home. His wife, Ana Victoria, discovered Church history and the Book of Mormon, then attended church and the temple open house. Touched by eternal family teachings, she took missionary lessons, was baptized in December 2011, attended the dedication, and the family was sealed in 2012.
When Ana Victoria Hernández, who was not a member of the Church, married Belbin Calderón, he was a member but wasn’t attending because he worked on Sundays. Belbin says a strong feeling brought him back. He recalls, “I gave up my job because I wanted to go back to church.” After he became active again, his wife noticed that he was becoming more humble, and there was more unity in their home.
Belbin hoped his wife might gain an interest in the gospel, but he never tried to push her. One Sunday while dusting the bookcase, Ana Victoria discovered one of Belbin’s books about the history of the Church. Curious, she began to read. The stories of the sacrifices of the pioneers touched her deeply.
A few weeks later, the October 2011 Liahona came, a special issue about the Book of Mormon. Again out of curiosity, Ana Victoria began to read the Book of Mormon. She soon realized it contained not just a history but also the words of prophets. She began to attend sacrament meeting with her husband and children.
Then she and her family visited the Quetzaltenango Temple open house. Ana Victoria was touched when she learned that her family could be sealed for eternity. “That had a great impact on me. I felt the need to be sealed to them,” she recalls. She began taking the missionary lessons and was baptized on December 7, 2011. She attended the temple dedication four days later.
Brother and Sister Calderón were sealed in the temple with their children in December 2012. Ana Victoria says she cannot describe her happiness at “knowing I can be with my family forever.” Belbin calls the certainty of their sealing “the greatest blessing I could possibly imagine.”
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👤 Missionaries 👤 Parents 👤 Children 👤 Church Members (General)
Baptism Book of Mormon Conversion Family Holy Ghost Missionary Work Sabbath Day Sacrament Meeting Sacrifice Sealing Temples Testimony

Sister Simon’s Saints

Summary: Ramón plans to skip helping Brother Hollister because his uncle invited him to a ball game. His friends reassure him that it’s fine to go, but Ramón changes his mind and decides to help after all. At the end, he jokes that his friends really pressured him into it, and they act confused, implying they were simply encouraging him to do the right thing.
Illustrated by Dilleen Marsh
WELCOME!I’m Sister Simon.Hi! I’m Ramón.Hello. I’m Cathlyn.I’m Mei Lin.Hi! I’m David.And I’m Joshua.
Hey, Ramón, let’s get going. We’ll be late for the project to help Brother Hollister.
I’m afraid I can’t make it. Brother Hollister’s a great guy, and I really want to help him, but my uncle just invited me to go to the ball game.
OK. See you later.
I mean, I can help Brother Hollister some other time, right?
Of course. Don’t worry about it.
Look, I know he’s helped others all his life, and times are tough for him right now, but a guy needs to have some fun, too, doesn’t he?
Absolutely. Enjoy the game.
Sure, I always feel great after one of these projects, and there’ll be other ball games, but … Oh, all right then, you’ve talked me into it. I’ll call my uncle and get a rain check on the ball game.
Boy, you really know how to pressure a guy.
What?
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👤 Youth 👤 Church Members (General) 👤 Other
Agency and Accountability Charity Friendship Ministering Service

Anyone but Him!

Summary: The author felt prompted during the Light the World initiative to serve a man who had deeply hurt her. After praying for strength and enlisting sister missionaries, she visited his apartment and helped clean. Following the service, she realized her pain and bitterness were gone. She felt freed by forgiveness and grateful for the spiritual prompting.
When I heard about the Church’s “Light the World” Christmas initiative and the worldwide day of service, I thought, “What a nice idea. I’m going to do it.”
A couple of days before the worldwide day of service on December 1, a thought popped into my mind of whom I needed to help. Immediately, I thought, “Anyone but him!” This person had hurt me deeply for many years, but the more his name nagged at me, the more I knew that the thought had come from the Spirit.
I told my husband what I was thinking, and he said that serving this man would be good for me. Still, I felt extremely nervous at the thought of helping him. I knew I couldn’t do this on my own, so I prayed for strength and for someone to go with me. Eventually, I called the sister missionaries, and they agreed to go with me.
December 1 came, and I was so nervous that I felt shaky while I drove. We prayed together when we got to the apartment. I took a few deep breaths and knocked on the door. The man opened the door, but he didn’t seem to recognize me. I asked if he knew who I was. He thought I was just one of the sister missionaries. When I told him who I was, he was surprised but pleased that I had come to see him. An awkward moment arose when I told him that it was a worldwide day of service, and we wanted to help him in any way we could.
I delegated jobs to the missionaries, and we went to work cleaning his apartment. After a couple of hours, we finished and left. It wasn’t until I was driving home that I realized I was laughing and happy. Then it hit me like a ton of bricks: Heavenly Father had taken away all of my hurt, pain, bitterness, and grief. It was gone! And I was free from all the anguish I had carried for so many years. Heavenly Father had blessed me with the strength to finally forgive this person. It was marvelous how light my heart felt.
I am so grateful that I followed the prompting to help this man. My loving Heavenly Father knew I needed to have this experience so I could grow and become more of the person He wants me to be.
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👤 Missionaries 👤 Church Members (General) 👤 Other
Christmas Forgiveness Gratitude Holy Ghost Prayer Service

Now Is the Time to Arise and Shine!

Summary: Youth in Queen Creek, Arizona decided to lead by living the standards of For the Strength of Youth. They each wrote down things holding them back, dug a hole, and buried those pages as a symbol of repentance. They committed to change and 'arise.'
A group of youth in Queen Creek, Arizona, determined to “arise and shine forth” and to lead the youth in their community in living the standards in For the Strength of Youth. They each wrote something that they felt was holding them back or something they wanted to change in their lives in their journals, and then they literally dug a hole. They came together, tore out the journal page, and threw it into the hole in the earth, just like the people of Ammon did in the Book of Mormon with their weapons of war. Then they buried those pages, and that day they each made a commitment to change. They repented. They determined to arise!
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👤 Youth 👤 Church Members (General)
Agency and Accountability Book of Mormon Conversion Obedience Repentance

Benjamin, Isaac, and Abraham Lopez of Guatemala City, Guatemala

Summary: Sister Lopez and several children were in a serious car accident in Guatemala, leaving her with a broken neck. After months of illness, doctors warned she would need surgery and likely use a wheelchair, but the family prayed and contacted former missionaries; one arranged for surgery in Provo. The family prayed during the operation, and she retained the use of her legs. She recovered in Utah for three months, her family drove five days to visit, and she returned home grateful to Heavenly Father.
Life is not always easy for the three boys. Sometimes bad things do happen, and the boys have learned to depend on Heavenly Father to help them.
One morning a few years ago, Sister Lopez was taking her children and four of their cousins to school. On the way, they were in a very serious accident. The children weren’t hurt, but Sister Lopez broke her neck.
The doctors in Guatemala City did what they could for her, but eight months later she became very ill. The doctors said that she needed neck surgery and that afterward she would be in a wheelchair the rest of her life. The family prayed, and Sister Lopez decided to call some of the young men in the United States who had lived in their home as missionaries. One of them was studying to become an orthopedic surgeon! He said, “Come to Provo, and let us do the surgery here.” One of his teachers agreed to perform the surgery, and a family offered to care for Sister Lopez until she was well enough to return to Guatemala.
On the day of the surgery, it was hard for the rest of the family to not know how the surgery was going. They all prayed a lot on that day. Benjamin in particular prayed that his mother would feel good again and would still be able to walk. When they called her that night, she said that the operation had gone well and that she still had the use of her legs!
“I was recovering in Utah for three months,” Sister Lopez said. “Everyone helped me a lot, but it was hard to be so far away from my family.”
Isaac remembers well the one time the family got to see her before she came home. “We drove for five days to get to Provo to see Mommy. It was a very long drive, but it was worth it!” Sister Lopez recovered and returned home. The family is grateful to Heavenly Father for taking care of her and making it so she could walk.
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👤 Parents 👤 Children 👤 Missionaries 👤 Other
Adversity Children Faith Family Gratitude Health Ministering Miracles Prayer

Successful Family Home Evenings

Summary: Seeking to engage her small children in family home evening, Kathryn Marrett prayed for inspiration and decided to focus on one value per month, starting with honesty. Together they invented recurring imaginary children and created stories exploring choices and consequences. They now use these stories to address real-life issues, grounded in the scriptures and Church materials.
Kathryn Marrett of the Camp Hill Ward, Brisbane Australia Stake, discovered the power of storytelling. “As a mum with small children, I found it a challenge to keep them interested in family home evening,” writes Sister Marrett. “After praying for inspiration, I decided to focus on a different value every month. I chose honesty as the first topic. Soon ideas began to flow, and the children and I began making up stories together about honesty. We made up imaginary children and used them in every story. It was fun to create different situations and explore the results of good and bad choices.
“Now when something needs to be dealt with, such as a bike left in the rain or bad language, we talk about the appropriate value and make up stories featuring the same imaginary children. Of course, these stories are only one way we teach good values. The scriptures and other Church materials provide the foundation for our gospel teachings.”
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👤 Parents 👤 Children
Children Family Family Home Evening Honesty Parenting Prayer Scriptures Teaching the Gospel

Friend to Friend

Summary: As a boy, the narrator's father found a lost lamb and brought it home for him to care for. He lovingly raised the lamb, but one stormy night he failed to lock it in the barn despite hearing its frightened bleating. By morning, dogs had killed the lamb, and his father's disappointment taught him to respond immediately when someone needs help.
One day when I was young, my father happened upon a little lost lamb in the desert. The lamb’s flock had moved on, and if we had left him, the coyotes might have found him. And if the coyotes didn’t kill him, he would have starved. So my father brought him home and gave him to me to care for.
I fed my lamb with a bottle, and soon he grew strong and healthy. He and I became great friends; I could call him and he would come running. We liked to play on the grass together. Sometimes I would lie down with my head on his fleece and gaze up at the clouds floating by in the blue sky overhead.
One night there came a terrible storm. I usually locked my lamb in the barn each night, but that night I forgot to do it until after I had gone to bed. As I lay there, I could hear the fierce wind howling and I could hear my little lamb bleating, frightened and fearful. But I just didn’t want to leave that warm, comfortable bed to take care of him.
The next morning I awoke to find I was not the only one who had heard my lamb bleating. Some dogs had heard him and had killed him. My heart was broken. My father looked at me with disappointment on his face. “Son,” he said, “couldn’t I trust you to take care of just one lamb?”
The lesson I learned that day was one I will never forget. I resolved that when a lamb needed to be cared for or when anyone needed my help, I would respond right away rather than wait for a more “convenient” time.
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👤 Parents 👤 Children 👤 Other
Agency and Accountability Ministering Parenting Service Stewardship

“To Me He Doth Not Stink”: Advocacy and Love

Summary: The speaker, unmarried at age forty-six, was introduced by close friends to Ferril Sorenson, a widower. Their friends actively advocated for each of them, and the two fell deeply in love and married. The story then continues into the challenges of newly blended family life, setting up a later example of parental advocacy.
In closing, I want to share a poignant example of advocacy from my own life. I did not get married until I was forty-six years old. I had reached the age when I thought that if I ever did get married, it would be a marriage of convenience—to someone I was comfortable with, nothing more, nothing less. Some close friends—Lois Jean Spencer, who is here today, and Marcie Lenio—introduced me to one of their other close friends who was a widower: Ferril Sorenson, a kind, faithful, wonderful man. They advocated for him with me and for me with him, and they were very effective advocates! We fell in love with each other—an all-encompassing love, nothing “convenient” about it.

We got married, and, as I continue to say, life became much better, but it did not become easier. I was working outside Philadelphia and Ferril was working outside San Francisco. Commuting coast to coast; merging two households; realizing I was no longer the only one whose opinion mattered with respect to setting the thermostat; figuring out my roles as wife, mother, and grandmother; and so forth was fun but demanding.
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👤 Friends 👤 Young Adults 👤 Parents 👤 Other

My Impressions and Testimony about the Prophet’s Visit to Africa

Summary: For a month, the narrator and her husband Alex struggled with unanswered questions and even asked their home teachers without success. During conference, President Russell M. Nelson and Elder Jeffrey R. Holland spoke on the very topics they had been pondering, including the Jaredites, confirming to them that God hears and answers prayers. They felt the Spirit deeply and expressed gratitude, including to Sister Holland for her encouraging words.
In the Church we sure do get more than we bargain for. (We heard Elder Jeffrey R. Holland tell us that.) I got way more this past conference with President Nelson. For a month my husband, Alex, and I had questions weighing that we had no answers to. We even asked our home teachers, but they too had no specific answers. You have no idea how I felt—and worse, when I saw Alex with tears in his eyes as well.
YES, big men cry too when they feel the Spirit. OUR QUESTIONS were answered.
The prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, spoke and told us that with God, nothing is impossible. He loves making the IMPOSSIBLE, POSSIBLE. President Nelson went on to talk about the Jaredites and so did Elder Holland. And guess what, it was as if they both knew that every day for a month, Alex and I had been going on and on—questioning about the Jaredites and the brother of Jared.
Right there we knew that Heavenly Father hears and answers prayers. These powerful men of God answered our QUESTIONS.
Sister Holland, thank you for your wise words when you said, “Those who see angels do because they want to.” Thank you for blessing my life with a portion of your spirit and inspiration. Someday I’ll thank you all personally for strengthening our testimonies in such a miraculous way. We still are all smiles and await your next visit for more questions to be answered.
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👤 General Authorities (Modern) 👤 Church Members (General) 👤 Other
Apostle Book of Mormon Faith Holy Ghost Miracles Prayer Revelation Testimony

Boys Need Men

Summary: A young boy named Larry struggled to begin his Sunday School talk. His large father came to the pulpit, put his arm around him, and spoke briefly to calm the congregation and bolster his son. Supported by his father, Larry delivered his talk, moving many to tears.
A young lad stood at the pulpit in Sunday School trying to give an assigned talk, but he could not get the words out. His giant of a father walked from the congregation to stand beside his son, put his arm around him, and said, “I know Larry has prepared his talk and that he’ll be able to give it. He is a little frightened, so I’ll just speak to you for a moment and then I know he’ll be ready.” The father stood by his boy with his arm around him, and in a moment the lad gave his talk. And many wept.
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👤 Parents 👤 Children
Children Courage Family Parenting Sacrament Meeting

General Women Leaders Minister in The Caribbean

Summary: In Trinidad and Tobago, the visiting sisters made home visits to comfort families. One member recalled their warm interactions with children and an unforgettable prayer. Another member said the sisters’ welcoming spirit taught her what ministering truly is.
The next stop was in Trinidad and Tobago, where both sisters comforted families in their homes and also trained the leaders of that country.

Devrani Barrios, a Church member from Trinidad and Tobago, remarked: “It was good, I enjoyed it. Their sense of humor and their interactions with the kids was amazing. The prayer they left with my family is unforgettable.”

Taramatie Kotiah, another sister from Trinidad manifested: “I truly enjoyed the home visits. The sisters were very friendly with us all, as if we knew each other. They have such a welcoming spirit. They taught me what ministering truly is.”
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👤 General Authorities (Modern) 👤 Church Members (General) 👤 Children
Children Friendship Kindness Love Ministering Prayer Service

Prayer and Promptings

Summary: A girl was upset that her brother built a trap to catch sparrows. She prayed, then confidently told her mother the trap would not catch any birds. When asked how she knew, she explained she had gone out and kicked the trap to pieces after praying.
That principle is illustrated by the story of a little girl. She was upset with her brother, who built a trap to catch sparrows.
Unable to get help, she said to herself, “Well, I’ll pray about it.”
After her prayer, the little girl told her mother, “I know he is not going to catch any sparrows in his trap because I prayed about it. I’m positive he won’t catch any sparrows!”
Her mother said, “How can you be so sure?”
She said, “After I prayed about it, I went out and kicked that old trap all to pieces!”
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👤 Children 👤 Parents
Children Faith Prayer

Friendship Feud

Summary: A child’s friends exclude Sadra from a soccer game and pressure the child to stop being her friend. After praying, the child decides to befriend Sadra and tells a supportive parent. The child brings cookies to Sadra and asks to learn her soccer moves, hoping their other friends will come around.
Illustrations by Scott Peck
I’m open! Pass it to me!
Quit trying to play with us, Sadra. The game is full.
But she always plays soccer with us … What’s going on?
Why did you do that? Sadra’s our friend.
We decided she’s not our friend anymore.
You shouldn’t play with her, either. Not if you wanna hang out with us.
That night …
The next morning …
You’re up early. Have you decided what to do about your friends?
Yes. I’ve been praying about it. I want to be a friend to Sadra.
I’m proud of you.
Later …
Hey, Sadra, I made cookies this morning. Want some?
Sure, thanks!
So, any chance you could teach me some of your awesome soccer moves later?
Sure!
Maybe our other friends will come around too!
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👤 Children 👤 Parents 👤 Friends
Charity Children Friendship Kindness Prayer

From Slavery to Salvation

Summary: Augustina Constantie Doorson was born on the day slavery was abolished in Dutch Guiana, and her descendants later lived in Suriname. Her descendant Imro Wehl spent years researching his family tree and felt prompted to do temple work for his ancestors, including Augustina, Molly, Eva, and even their former slave master. In September 2024, Imro and members of the Paramaribo Suriname District traveled to the Belém Brazil Temple, where they completed ordinances for more than 90 family members. Sister Lusanne Libretto repeatedly received the name of Eva Doorson during baptisms, which she took as a spiritual prompting and a powerful personal experience. The trip ended with the group returning home grateful, and Imro testified of the joy of temple worship and family connections across generations.
Augustina Constantie Doorson was born on July 1, 1863, on the Sarah Plantation in the district of Coronie, west of Paramaribo, in the country currently known as Suriname. She was born the day slavery was officially abolished in the country that was then known as Dutch Guiana, located in the northeast part of South America. Augustina’s mother, Molly Doorson, and Molly’s sister, Eva Doorson, were slaves on that plantation. Life for the slaves was hard and did not change for 10 years after slavery was abolished because the government had to repay each plantation owner for each person freed. The family eventually moved to Paramaribo, a larger town in Dutch Guiana, to find work.
Augustina, Molly, and Eva were ancestors of Imro Wehl, who lives in Suriname. Imro, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, is an enthusiast of family history and spends hours finding names to add to his family tree. He started to have dreams of his great-grandmother, Augustina, who appeared to be asking for help. He remembered that his mother, Sieglien Wehl-Biezen, had also dreamed of her mother, Augustina, years before requesting her to free her but didn’t understand what the dream meant. Imro realized he was the answer to his great-grandmother’s plea for help. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, through the sealing power of the temple covenants for the dead, he could help her find the peace she had been waiting to receive.
Imro worked for years, gathering names of family members to add to his family tree. He strongly felt he was receiving help from ancestors on the other side of the veil. He received impressions that helped him eventually find over 90 individuals. Imro said it felt like miracles were happening repeatedly as he continued to find additional family members. Surprisingly, he even felt impressed to include the names of Augustina, Sieglien, Molly, and Eva’s former slave master, Edmund Desse, and his family. Imro said this showed him how deeply Augustina had forgiven him despite the suffering her family endured.
In September 2024, Imro and the Paramaribo Suriname District planned a 10-day temple trip to the Belém Brazil Temple. Over 20 members flew from their home country to Brazil with the names of family members ready to have their temple work done. They worked in the temple every day, all day long, except Sunday and Monday, to complete their work. They started with baptisms for the dead and finished by invoking the power of the sealing of couples to one another and the sealing of the sons and daughters to their parents. Imro enlisted the help of his fellow district members to complete the temple work for his family. Even the temple workers stayed late, after 10:00 p.m. at night, to help Imro and the group complete his work.
Sister Lusanne Libretto, a member of the group traveling to Brazil, had an unforgettable experience at the temple. She recalls, “This was my most profound moment since I joined the Church.”
Early in the morning on September 13, 2024, the group attended the temple to do baptisms for their ancestors. Lusanne was given five names to be baptized for. She sat quietly in the chapel, waiting for her husband to change his clothes while the rest of the group entered the baptistry. As she waited, she felt strangely restless, as if she was being urged to go inside and start the baptisms immediately. She said, “I literally felt that I was being pushed forward. I passed the entire group, and to the surprise of my fellow brothers and sisters, I was helped first. They wondered why I was in such a rush to pass them to the first row, and rightly so. Once I started the baptisms, the first name I was given was that of Eva Doorson [Imro Wehl’s great-aunt].”
Later that evening, when Lusanne returned for another ordinance session, she received Eva Doorson’s name again. She was amazed and felt a strong bond with the deceased woman as if Eva had chosen Lusanne to help her.
At the end of another ordinance session, Lusanne said, “I was tired, but a temple worker handed me one more name to complete in addition to the five I had already done. To my surprise, it was Eva Doorson again. With tears in my eyes, I knew with certainty that she wanted and had chosen me to do all her work at the temple. I never asked for her name, but I kept getting it pressed into my hands. Even though I was exhausted, I felt grateful that I had listened to the gentle promptings of the Spirit.”
On September 21, 2024, Imro, Lusanne, and others from the Paramaribo Suriname District returned home with gratitude for the opportunity to attend the temple and for their shared memories. Imro witnessed ordinances completed for over 90 family members, including his great-grandmother, Augustina, his grandmother, Molly, his mother, Sieglien, and his great-aunt, Eva, as well as his father, brother, and son. It was a deeply emotional experience that strengthened his bond with his family, both past and present. In his testimony, Imro said, “The best time we can spend here on earth is in the temple with our Heavenly Father.”
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👤 Other
Adversity Employment Family Racial and Cultural Prejudice

2020 Youth Theme: You Went and Did!

Summary: A teen was invited to join a student-led mental health group but would need to drop his favorite weights class. After initial hesitation, he felt guided by the Spirit that it was about helping others become better. He joined, came to love the group, and felt the Lord’s guidance throughout.
This year I was invited to take part in a student-led group that looks out for the well-being and mental health of the students at our high school. As soon as I received the invitation, I felt as if the Lord was directly telling me to join this class. But in order to take this class, I would need to drop my favorite class, weights. At first, I thought, “That doesn’t seem as fun as weights. What do I get out of this?”

But as I thought about it, the Spirit guided me and told me, “Nick, it’s not about what you can become. It is about what you can help others become.”

I now absolutely love this group at school, and I feel as if the Lord has led me every step of the way. I am so grateful for Him and His guidance. I testify that His guidance always leads us down the right paths!

Nick S., 17, Idaho, USA
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👤 Youth
Gratitude Holy Ghost Mental Health Revelation Service Testimony Young Men