Other traditions I grew up with that have continued in my own family today are family prayer and scripture study. Although we were not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when I was a boy, my parents had strong Christian roots and taught us good values.
Our regular prayer and scripture study prepared us for when the missionaries knocked on our door. I was 20 years old at the time. We immediately recognized the truths the missionaries were teaching as we learned about modern prophets, the Book of Mormon, and the Restoration of the gospel. As I read the Book of Mormon, from the very first verse I knew it was true. Our entire family was soon baptized.
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Family Traditions
Although not Latter-day Saints, the speaker’s family maintained strong Christian practices of prayer and scripture study. When missionaries knocked on their door as he turned 20, they immediately recognized the truth of the gospel. As he read the Book of Mormon, he knew from the first verse it was true, and the entire family was soon baptized.
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👤 Missionaries
👤 Parents
👤 Church Members (General)
Baptism
Book of Mormon
Conversion
Faith
Family
Missionary Work
Prayer
Revelation
Scriptures
Testimony
The Restoration
The Caretaker
Neighborhood boys who love David’s dog Lobo befriend him and invite him to church. David prays, gains a testimony, and joins the Church. After the boys move away, he continues attending on his own.
Lobo is the reason David started going to church in the first place. He was out one morning when some boys from the neighborhood ran up and asked if they could pet his dog. They were three brothers, all younger than David, and they weren’t allowed to have a dog themselves. So David let them pet his dog. After that, the boys started coming around all the time to see Lobo, and eventually they told him they were LDS. Did David want to come to church with them some time?
That’s how it happened. The rest was simple. David prayed about it, and he gained a testimony of the gospel. Unfortunately, those three boys moved away.
Now David goes to church by himself. He takes the 7:45 one train to Lincoln Center, then walks across the street, skirting the construction at the corner of 65th and Columbus. It’s the seven-story building with the gold lettering above the door that says “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” “Visitors Welcome” is the sign on the corner, but David is not a visitor.
That’s how it happened. The rest was simple. David prayed about it, and he gained a testimony of the gospel. Unfortunately, those three boys moved away.
Now David goes to church by himself. He takes the 7:45 one train to Lincoln Center, then walks across the street, skirting the construction at the corner of 65th and Columbus. It’s the seven-story building with the gold lettering above the door that says “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” “Visitors Welcome” is the sign on the corner, but David is not a visitor.
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👤 Youth
👤 Children
👤 Church Members (General)
Conversion
Friendship
Missionary Work
Prayer
Testimony
Church Gives Digitized Family History Records to American Samoan Government and People
On April 5, Dr. Kalilimoku Hunt presented digitized family history records to Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga in American Samoa. An archivist explained that the original microfilms had been damaged and were saved only through digitization, which was led by Michael Higgins and his team. The governor expressed gratitude for the preservation work and the Church’s broader service in the territory.
Representing The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Dr. Kalilimoku Hunt, American Samoa’s Church communication director, presented digital copies of family history records to Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga on 5 April.
The governor received with gratitude the records on behalf of the people of American Samoa. He also thanked the Church for helping the territory in many ways?in emergency situations, service projects, and donations to institutions such as LBJ Medical Center, Fatu-o-aiga, ASDOE schools, and emergency preparedness.
Also at the meeting was Mr. James Himphill, an esteemed American Samoan archivist and territorial historian who described the significance of preserving these invaluable records.
“These records date from 1900–1974 and were copied to microfilm many years ago,” he said. “The films were damaged and could only be saved by digitization to a computer format. They could have been permanently lost were it not for this work by the Church.”
Michael Higgins, the area manager for the Church’s FamilySearch program in the Pacific, led the team that did the record digitization. “We see these digital images as being much more than data. We see them as a crucial part of American Samoa’s history and culture. For this reason, we are especially grateful for the opportunity to be of service in this way,” he said.
The governor received with gratitude the records on behalf of the people of American Samoa. He also thanked the Church for helping the territory in many ways?in emergency situations, service projects, and donations to institutions such as LBJ Medical Center, Fatu-o-aiga, ASDOE schools, and emergency preparedness.
Also at the meeting was Mr. James Himphill, an esteemed American Samoan archivist and territorial historian who described the significance of preserving these invaluable records.
“These records date from 1900–1974 and were copied to microfilm many years ago,” he said. “The films were damaged and could only be saved by digitization to a computer format. They could have been permanently lost were it not for this work by the Church.”
Michael Higgins, the area manager for the Church’s FamilySearch program in the Pacific, led the team that did the record digitization. “We see these digital images as being much more than data. We see them as a crucial part of American Samoa’s history and culture. For this reason, we are especially grateful for the opportunity to be of service in this way,” he said.
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👤 Church Leaders (Local)
👤 Other
Charity
Diversity and Unity in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Education
Emergency Preparedness
Emergency Response
Family History
Gratitude
Health
Service
During indoor recess, Mackenzie offered her friends the Friend magazine and explained what it was. After reading three issues together, her friends asked for more, and she hopes for more chances to teach others about the gospel.
On an indoor recess day at school, I offered my friends the Friend magazine to look at. I told them it was a religious magazine that had stories, projects, and games. After we read three issues together, they asked if I had any more I could bring. I hope I have more chances to teach others about the gospel.
Mackenzie K., age 10, Colorado, USA
Mackenzie K., age 10, Colorado, USA
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👤 Children
👤 Friends
Children
Friendship
Missionary Work
Teaching the Gospel
Comment
An unnamed writer describes a girl who was recently baptized and then shunned by some of her friends. The writer tries to befriend her but faces questions from others about why they are kind to her. After reading “The Miracle of Jenni,” the writer feels better prepared to respond and be a better friend. The experience leads to a commitment to stand by the girl in the future.
I really enjoyed the story “The Miracle of Jenni” in the November 1996 issue. I know a girl similar to Jenni who doesn’t have very many good friends. She was recently baptized, and some of her friends didn’t want her to be around them anymore. I’ve tried to be her friend, but often some of my friends ask me why I’m nice to her. I really didn’t know what to say. The story made me think of ways to be a better friend to her. Next time I’m faced with that question, I’ll know what to say.
Name Withheld
Name Withheld
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👤 Church Members (General)
👤 Friends
Adversity
Baptism
Friendship
Judging Others
Kindness
Using Brad Language
A teammate reports that on several occasions, coaches began swearing and then immediately apologized. They did this even without seeing Brad, simply knowing he was nearby. Their reaction shows the respect his standards inspired.
Mike nods his head in agreement. “There were even a couple of times when the coaches were swearing and just started apologizing right away. They weren’t even looking at Brad; they just knew he was around somewhere!”
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👤 Youth
👤 Other
Reverence
The T-E-S-T
As a child, the narrator read Bible stories with her father on Sundays. One day after reading about Daniel, he traced the letters T-E-S-T on her forehead and taught that life would bring tests but she should remember to follow Heavenly Father rather than fear. This counsel became a lasting reminder for her.
My parents were baptized when they were grownups. They loved learning about the prophets and Heavenly Father and then teaching our family.
On Sundays, my father would sit in a comfy chair and put me on his lap. Then we would read Bible stories together.
One day, my father read this story to me. Then he did something I’ll never forget. He traced four letters on my forehead with his finger: T-E-S-T.
“Sharon,” he said, “you will have tests in your life, just like Daniel did. But remember these letters on your forehead. They will remind you to always follow Heavenly Father and not give in to fear.” And they always have.
On Sundays, my father would sit in a comfy chair and put me on his lap. Then we would read Bible stories together.
One day, my father read this story to me. Then he did something I’ll never forget. He traced four letters on my forehead with his finger: T-E-S-T.
“Sharon,” he said, “you will have tests in your life, just like Daniel did. But remember these letters on your forehead. They will remind you to always follow Heavenly Father and not give in to fear.” And they always have.
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👤 Parents
👤 Children
Baptism
Bible
Children
Conversion
Courage
Family
Parenting
Teaching the Gospel
President Kimball Speaks Out on Administration to the Sick
Before surgery, the author told the specialist that many faithful people were praying for him, and the doctor welcomed their prayers. The author believed those prayers steadied and guided the doctor’s hand, leading to healing and the return of his voice.
As I went into surgery a few years ago, I was still conscious when the doctors and nurses were standing around me waiting. I said to the specialist, “There are numerous people full of faith who are praying for you this morning.” He quietly replied, “I’ll need their prayers.” It is my firm conviction that the numerous prayers were heard, that his hand was steadied and guided, that his judgment increased, and that as a result of the blessings of the Lord, healing followed and voice returned to a satisfactory extent. The skeptic might have other answers.
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👤 General Authorities (Modern)
👤 Other
Faith
Health
Miracles
Prayer
“And the Waters Prevailed”:Some Andean Indian Versions of the Flood
Pedro de Cieza de Leon records an Andean account that a worldwide flood covered even the highest mountains and killed all people. Only six individuals survived in a small boat and became the ancestors of later inhabitants.
One version of the flood comes to us from the highly respected chronicler Pedro de Cieza de Leon. He spent many years traveling throughout the Andean area, familiarizing himself with the native languages and customs, and his books are among the very best we have, giving an eye witness account of the Inca empire. In 1550, summarizing the widespread belief in an ancient deluge held by most Indian nations he had visited, Cieza left the following account of their story:
“These nations say that anciently, many years before there were Incas, the earth being heavily populated with people, there came such a great storm and flood that the ocean overflowed its boundaries and natural course, and that water filled the earth in such a manner that all the people died, because the water rose enough to cover the highest peaks in all the mountain ranges. … Other people from the mountains and even those from the lowlands say that no one escaped drowning, except six people who escaped in a small boat or bark, who gave birth to all the people who have lived and are since that time. … Don’t you doubt this reader, because all of the people in general affirm this and tell this that I have written about it.”6
“These nations say that anciently, many years before there were Incas, the earth being heavily populated with people, there came such a great storm and flood that the ocean overflowed its boundaries and natural course, and that water filled the earth in such a manner that all the people died, because the water rose enough to cover the highest peaks in all the mountain ranges. … Other people from the mountains and even those from the lowlands say that no one escaped drowning, except six people who escaped in a small boat or bark, who gave birth to all the people who have lived and are since that time. … Don’t you doubt this reader, because all of the people in general affirm this and tell this that I have written about it.”6
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👤 Other
Diversity and Unity in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Faith
Ghana:
Businessman Kweku Anno notes the high demand for work and training. He designed simple, durable block- and brick-making machines that create jobs for multiple people per machine, and his enterprises support dozens of workers.
Latter-day Saint businessman Kweku Anno of Accra gestures toward the men working under the metal sheds of his manufacturing enterprise. “Every one of them has a cousin or a brother who needs to be trained.” If he sent out word that he wanted 10 workers, Brother Anno says, there would be 100 outside his gate before the day ended.
A mechanical engineer, he designed the simple, sturdy concrete block- and brick-making machines built in his shop. Brother Anno estimates that each machine will provide jobs for four people. His own business enterprises support 52 people.
A mechanical engineer, he designed the simple, sturdy concrete block- and brick-making machines built in his shop. Brother Anno estimates that each machine will provide jobs for four people. His own business enterprises support 52 people.
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👤 Church Members (General)
Education
Employment
Self-Reliance
Tithing
As a boy during World War II, the speaker noticed his widowed mother paid substantial tithing despite their limited means. He asked why she did so, and she explained they could not get along without the Lord’s blessings, which came through honest tithing. Her testimony set his lifelong attitude toward tithing.
I am grateful to President Grant and other prophets for teaching the principle of tithing to my parents and to them for teaching it to me. My attitude toward the law of tithing was set in place by the example and words of my mother, illustrated in a conversation I remember from my youth.
During World War II, my widowed mother supported her three young children on a schoolteacher’s salary that was meager. When I became conscious that we went without some desirable things because we didn’t have enough money, I asked my mother why she paid so much of her salary as tithing. I have never forgotten her explanation: “Dallin, there might be some people who can get along without paying tithing, but we can’t. The Lord has chosen to take your father and leave me to raise you children. I cannot do that without the blessings of the Lord, and I obtain those blessings by paying an honest tithing. When I pay my tithing, I have the Lord’s promise that he will bless us, and we must have those blessings if we are to get along.”
During World War II, my widowed mother supported her three young children on a schoolteacher’s salary that was meager. When I became conscious that we went without some desirable things because we didn’t have enough money, I asked my mother why she paid so much of her salary as tithing. I have never forgotten her explanation: “Dallin, there might be some people who can get along without paying tithing, but we can’t. The Lord has chosen to take your father and leave me to raise you children. I cannot do that without the blessings of the Lord, and I obtain those blessings by paying an honest tithing. When I pay my tithing, I have the Lord’s promise that he will bless us, and we must have those blessings if we are to get along.”
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👤 Parents
👤 Children
Adversity
Faith
Obedience
Parenting
Sacrifice
Single-Parent Families
Tithing
Three from N.Z.
Trained by her father in self-defense, Apii entered serious competition for the first time. She won the junior women’s national Tae Kwon Do championship, surprising herself with the result. She often trains with boys due to the lack of female competitors at her level.
Watch out for Apii’s feet!
With one well-placed kick, she could knock you over.
But Apii’s feet are only dangerous when she’s competing. In everyday life, Tereapii Rota, 16, of Tokorua, New Zealand, is a bright girl who serves her school as the representative to the board of trustees. But in her free time, she and her brother are trained by their father in the fine art of defense. She is so good at it that she won the junior women’s national championship in Tae Kwon Do. She was surprised by her success since it was the first time she had seriously competed.
Apii is the oldest of six children, and she and her ten-year-old brother are the most serious about training with their father. They belong to a sports club, but Apii often trains with the boys because there aren’t many women good enough to challenge her.
With one well-placed kick, she could knock you over.
But Apii’s feet are only dangerous when she’s competing. In everyday life, Tereapii Rota, 16, of Tokorua, New Zealand, is a bright girl who serves her school as the representative to the board of trustees. But in her free time, she and her brother are trained by their father in the fine art of defense. She is so good at it that she won the junior women’s national championship in Tae Kwon Do. She was surprised by her success since it was the first time she had seriously competed.
Apii is the oldest of six children, and she and her ten-year-old brother are the most serious about training with their father. They belong to a sports club, but Apii often trains with the boys because there aren’t many women good enough to challenge her.
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👤 Youth
👤 Parents
Education
Family
Young Women
“And out of Small Things Proceedeth That which is Great”
During a business setback, the speaker’s bishop visited his home and promised that all would be well. He testified that as faithful tithe payers they need not worry because the Lord keeps His promises. The speaker’s anxiety was replaced by hope.
There are so many people that come to mind. When I was worried sick about a business setback, our bishop at that time visited our home. He promised us that all would be fine. Emphatically, he declared that as faithful tithe payers we shouldn’t be so worried. The Lord would keep His promises. Hope immediately replaced anxiousness.
I am grateful for that inspired bishop and for the law of tithing.
I am grateful for that inspired bishop and for the law of tithing.
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👤 Church Leaders (Local)
👤 Church Members (General)
Adversity
Bishop
Faith
Gratitude
Hope
Ministering
Tithing
Going the Extra Mile
A child read an article in the Friend magazine titled “Going the Extra Mile.” Motivated by the message, the child cleaned their room and then played with their sister. The child felt good, and their mother was happy as well.
I read “Going the Extra Mile” in the January 2011 Friend. It made me want to be a better helper at home. I cleaned my room and then played with my sister. It made me feel good inside. My mom was happy too.
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👤 Children
👤 Parents
Children
Family
Happiness
Kindness
Service
Friend to Friend
The author’s mother was born with a congenital heart defect and was warned that having children could endanger her life. She waited eight years before choosing to have him, her only child. Despite ongoing health complications, she lived life fully until passing away at age fifty.
A convert to the Church, I grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Although my parents were not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I look back with gratitude upon how they have influenced my life. My mother was born with a congenital heart defect and was told that having children would endanger her life. She waited eight years to have me; I am the only child in the family. Mother was a loving and compassionate person. She always spoke good of everyone and ingrained that teaching in me. In spite of health complications, she lived life to the fullest before she passed away at age fifty.
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👤 Parents
👤 Children
Conversion
Death
Family
Gratitude
Health
Kindness
Love
Parenting
Tumble to Thimble
A narrator recalls youthful days full of bright, varied colors and feelings. With age, life becomes dominated by grays and ambiguity, before later years bring renewed clarity and ownership of experience. Observing the young at play, the narrator wonders if they will make it through the confusing gray to a steadier, mature place.
When I was young and tumble
my life was greens and pinks,
with rounds and squares
and shorts and talls
and any kind of feel at all,
with promises in winks.
The holidays were orange,
with brown, creased grocery sacks,
or greens and reds
or reds and whites
or red, white, blue against the night
and sometimes blues and blacks.
Then I grew older
colors didn’t feel the same to me;
blacks and whites
but also grays
would dominate my times and days;
they weren’t as clear to see.
Now I am old and thimble,
the colors clear and bright,
the squares and rounds
and talls and shorts
and almost any feel, of sorts,
I’ve earned, they’re mine by right.
Yet I will always wonder
as I see the tumble play
If all of them will make it
to the thimble
past the
gray.
my life was greens and pinks,
with rounds and squares
and shorts and talls
and any kind of feel at all,
with promises in winks.
The holidays were orange,
with brown, creased grocery sacks,
or greens and reds
or reds and whites
or red, white, blue against the night
and sometimes blues and blacks.
Then I grew older
colors didn’t feel the same to me;
blacks and whites
but also grays
would dominate my times and days;
they weren’t as clear to see.
Now I am old and thimble,
the colors clear and bright,
the squares and rounds
and talls and shorts
and almost any feel, of sorts,
I’ve earned, they’re mine by right.
Yet I will always wonder
as I see the tumble play
If all of them will make it
to the thimble
past the
gray.
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👤 Other
Death
Endure to the End
Trying to Be Like Jesus
In Chile, Max and his mom are out shopping while Max hums a Primary song about helping like Jesus did. Max notices some ladies who seem to need help and offers assistance. The women accept, and Max feels good for helping like Jesus.
This story happened in Chile.
Thanks for the ice cream!
Thanks for shopping with me.
I’m trying to be like Jesus . . .
What are you humming?
A song we learned in Primary. It’s about helping people, like Jesus did.
Mamá, it looks like those ladies need help.
Hi, ma’am. Can we help you?
Oh, thank you. That would be wonderful.
Max: It feels good to help like Jesus did!
Thanks for the ice cream!
Thanks for shopping with me.
I’m trying to be like Jesus . . .
What are you humming?
A song we learned in Primary. It’s about helping people, like Jesus did.
Mamá, it looks like those ladies need help.
Hi, ma’am. Can we help you?
Oh, thank you. That would be wonderful.
Max: It feels good to help like Jesus did!
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👤 Children
👤 Parents
👤 Other
Charity
Children
Jesus Christ
Kindness
Service
Puerto Rico’s Joyful Saints
Humacao Branch leaders sought to improve their branch and followed the handbook. Members created an open house with nine gospel booths, and although only one visitor came, they felt strengthened and later used the booths at a branch picnic where many people saw them.
Renewed commitment is evident everywhere. In Humacao, branch president Angel Rodríquez-Negrón says, “We want to make the Humacao Branch as close to heaven as possible. This desire to succeed is in the hearts and minds of the people. We need to follow the handbook. It’s all there.”
Members of this small but enthusiastic branch planned an open house featuring nine booths, each showing a different facet of the gospel. Only one visitor came, but members were not discouraged.
“We grew so much by reviewing the basic doctrine and we had so much fun that it really drew us together,” says Maritza Reyes. “We kept our good attitude, and we used our booths later at our branch picnic, where many people saw them.”
Members of this small but enthusiastic branch planned an open house featuring nine booths, each showing a different facet of the gospel. Only one visitor came, but members were not discouraged.
“We grew so much by reviewing the basic doctrine and we had so much fun that it really drew us together,” says Maritza Reyes. “We kept our good attitude, and we used our booths later at our branch picnic, where many people saw them.”
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👤 Church Leaders (Local)
👤 Church Members (General)
Faith
Missionary Work
Obedience
Teaching the Gospel
Unity
The Golden Years
After retiring, Royce Flandro and his wife served a mission in Spain. Missing that experience upon returning, they asked where they could help most and were encouraged to learn Hungarian, which they did, leading to a call to Hungary. They served with distinction and later prepared to go to Mongolia.
I think of Royce Flandro and his wife, who after retirement served a mission in Spain, performing valuable service. Upon returning home, they missed that beautiful experience, so they came to the Missionary Department to ask where they could help the most. It was suggested to them that they might learn Hungarian, which they did. A few months later they were called to Hungary, once again serving with distinction. Now they are headed for Mongolia.
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👤 Missionaries
👤 Church Members (General)
Diversity and Unity in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Education
Missionary Work
Service
11 Really Short Stories about Sharing the Gospel
A youth and her father asked the bishop for permission to bring the sacrament weekly to an older, homebound sister. The woman's less-active husband began partaking as well. She reflects that ministering is key to gathering Israel.
We had an older woman in our ward who could not come in person to sacrament meeting because of health concerns. My father and I asked the bishop if we could take the sacrament to her house every week. Her husband, who was less active, started to take the sacrament too. Gathering Israel means we need to invite others to come closer to Jesus Christ. Ministering is a big part of it.
Shion, Utah, USA
Shion, Utah, USA
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👤 Youth
👤 Parents
👤 Church Leaders (Local)
👤 Church Members (General)
Bishop
Ministering
Missionary Work
Sacrament
Sacrament Meeting