Looking Back
The arriving group expected a dusty, desolate ghost town like in movies. Instead, they found a lush, green valley with alfalfa fields. The unexpected beauty reframed their view of the work ahead.
As the caravan of cars and vans pulled into the valley, loaded with youth and leaders ready to work, the group was a little surprised by what they saw. Somehow they imagined a ghost town like they saw in the movies with swirling dust blowing tumbleweeds down the streets. On this day, the valley was lush and green with alfalfa to feed the cattle that are still grazed in the area. More than one person described it as looking like a big, green golf course.
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👤 Youth
Creation
Service
“The Power of God Was with Us”
Hans Jensen Hals wrote in his journal that he and his family attended the dedication and that angels were seen entering, sitting, and moving across the hall. Two angels crossed over the people and exited the north window.
Hans Jensen Hals viewed a similar heavenly manifestation and recorded it in his journal. “I and [my] family and two hundred members of the ward had the privilege to be at the dedication services and had a splendid time. Rich instructions [came] from the authorities [of the Church]. Angels of God were seen coming in the south-east window and sitting on the corners. Two of them moved across the large hall over the people and went out the north window.”
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👤 Church Members (General)
👤 Angels
Miracles
Revelation
Temples
Spiritual Ecology
A Latter-day Saint friend in Washington, D.C., surprised a burglar in his home, was shot, and became paralyzed from the waist down. During a hospital visit, he shared through tears and gratitude that, after prayer and deep reflection, he had forgiven the unknown assailant. The account illustrates forgiveness grounded in the gospel’s view of true brotherhood.
Several years ago a good friend in Washington, D.C., a member of the Church, came home and found his house being burglarized and ended up tussling with the burglar. The burglar shot him, almost completely severed his spinal cord, and he is now paralyzed from the waist down. As I visited with him in a hospital in Washington, D.C., he told me movingly and tearfully, and with a sense of gratitude, how he had now, as a matter of prayer and great reflection, been able to forgive this man, his unknown assailant, for the great tragedy that he had inflicted upon him.
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👤 Friends
👤 Church Members (General)
👤 Other
Adversity
Disabilities
Forgiveness
Gratitude
Prayer
The Richards Family of Fairbanks, Alaska
On a previous vacation to St. George, the family could see only the temple’s white glow through thick fog, inspiring them to return and be sealed there. In April 1993, on Mom and Dad’s tenth anniversary, they were sealed in the St. George Temple and felt peace and togetherness. They visited four other temple grounds on the trip and later received free dessert at a hotel because the children were so polite.
A crafted red and pink paper heart frame holds a picture of the entire family dressed in white. In April 1993, the Richards family was sealed in the St. George temple. It was Mom and Dad’s tenth wedding anniversary. “It made for a special day,” Mom said. Emily says she remembers that everything in the temple was white and that she felt nice inside. “The children didn’t want to leave,” Mom said. They loved the beautiful chandeliers and the pictures of Jesus Christ inside the temple.
The family had driven for five days to get to St. George. Why did they travel so far to be sealed? On a previous vacation they had driven into St. George, and the city was covered with a thick layer of gray fog. They couldn’t see anything except the white glow of the temple. This experience made them want to return to St. George to be sealed there.
They stopped at four other temples on that trip. “Each time we visited a temple grounds, we felt a family togetherness,” Mom said. On the way home, they stopped and ate at a hotel. The hotel employees were so impressed with the children’s polite behavior and kind manner that they gave the entire family free dessert.
The family had driven for five days to get to St. George. Why did they travel so far to be sealed? On a previous vacation they had driven into St. George, and the city was covered with a thick layer of gray fog. They couldn’t see anything except the white glow of the temple. This experience made them want to return to St. George to be sealed there.
They stopped at four other temples on that trip. “Each time we visited a temple grounds, we felt a family togetherness,” Mom said. On the way home, they stopped and ate at a hotel. The hotel employees were so impressed with the children’s polite behavior and kind manner that they gave the entire family free dessert.
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👤 Parents
👤 Children
👤 Other
Children
Family
Marriage
Sealing
Temples
And Who Is My Neighbor?
After wells and storage tanks were installed in Ethiopia, communities needed to trench long distances for water lines. One school suspended classes so 1,500 students could help dig, inspiring others to join until a mile-long line of people worked together.
In Ethiopia, communities helped to access clean drinking water. The Church drilled wells and constructed storage tanks. Communities organized a water committee and dug the trenches needed to pipe the water from the storage tanks to each village. In some cases this was a distance of over three miles (5 km).
Some communities struggled to meet their commitments for trenching. The soil was hard, dry, and full of clay, making digging very difficult. In one community a school of 1,500 students suspended normal school activities for a period of time, and everyone participated in digging the remaining sections of the trench. As they worked, other members of the community joined in. At one point there was over a mile-long line of people digging.
Some communities struggled to meet their commitments for trenching. The soil was hard, dry, and full of clay, making digging very difficult. In one community a school of 1,500 students suspended normal school activities for a period of time, and everyone participated in digging the remaining sections of the trench. As they worked, other members of the community joined in. At one point there was over a mile-long line of people digging.
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👤 Children
👤 Other
👤 Church Members (General)
Adversity
Charity
Emergency Response
Self-Reliance
Service
Unity
Come unto Christ
Shortly after baptism, a family showed the missionaries a former daughter’s bedroom they had converted into an emergency supply room. They had read in a Church magazine about preparedness and immediately acted, saying, “Isn’t that what Latter-day Saints do?” Their desire to follow the Savior lasted and deepened their charity.
That leads to the third thing I have seen in the lives of those who have truly come unto Him. They strive to become like Him. They begin to try to do unto others as they know He would do. You and I have seen that in faithful people soon after their baptism and receiving of the Holy Ghost. Once, I went with my missionary companion to visit a family we had taught and baptized just a few weeks previously. The parents took us down into their basement to show us a room. It had been the bedroom of one of their two daughters. But she had now moved in with her sister. The bedroom she vacated was filled with everything the family would need in an emergency.
We had not taught them anything about emergency preparedness. When we asked why they had done something so difficult so quickly, the reply was that they had read in a Church magazine that the Lord would like families to be prepared to take care of themselves and others. They said, “Isn’t that what Latter-day Saints do?”
That simple faith extended to everything they felt the Savior would have them do. And their desire to follow Him lasted. And it changed them. They had always been kind, trying to help others. But that ability to show charity grew. And that has been the pattern in all those I have known who continued to come unto Him over a lifetime.
We had not taught them anything about emergency preparedness. When we asked why they had done something so difficult so quickly, the reply was that they had read in a Church magazine that the Lord would like families to be prepared to take care of themselves and others. They said, “Isn’t that what Latter-day Saints do?”
That simple faith extended to everything they felt the Savior would have them do. And their desire to follow Him lasted. And it changed them. They had always been kind, trying to help others. But that ability to show charity grew. And that has been the pattern in all those I have known who continued to come unto Him over a lifetime.
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👤 Missionaries
👤 Parents
👤 Children
👤 Church Members (General)
Baptism
Charity
Conversion
Emergency Preparedness
Faith
Holy Ghost
Jesus Christ
Kindness
Self-Reliance
Service
Prepare, Covenant, and Serve
At camp, young men were invited to sign a banner indicating commitment to serve missions. Dahlin L. felt increased excitement to serve after discussing missionary work with peers.
At the camp, each young man was invited to sign his name on a banner if he felt that he could commit to serving a mission. “Being around other young men and discussing missionary work made me even more excited to serve the Lord on a mission,” said Dahlin L.
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👤 Youth
Missionary Work
Young Men
Alana shares that whenever she visits the temple with her family, she feels the Spirit strongly, as if the Savior were with them. She expresses her love for going to the temple.
Every time I visit the temple with my family, I feel the Spirit very strongly, as if the Savior were with us. I love going to the temple.
Alana L., age 8, Brazil
Alana L., age 8, Brazil
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👤 Children
Children
Family
Holy Ghost
Jesus Christ
Temples
Testimony
Since turning eight, Alicia has steadily worked on her Faith in God award. Through this effort, her testimony has grown. She enjoys Primary and looks forward to joining Young Women.
Alicia B., 11, California, has been working on her Faith in God award since she turned eight. Working on it has helped her testimony to grow. She enjoys Primary and is grateful for the Church, her family, her friends, and blessings from Heavenly Father. She looks forward to attending Young Women.
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👤 Children
Children
Faith
Family
Friendship
Gratitude
Testimony
Young Women
Lessons from the Old Testament:
Later, as the author started his own family, he reflected on his father's parting counsel. He concluded that the same guidance—to always pay tithing—would be his own final counsel to his children.
With the passage of time, as I began my own family and watched my children grow up, this experience with my father came to my mind. As I pondered the significance of life and death, I thought, “What last words of counsel would I leave my children if I knew the time had come to leave this world?” I could not think of anything better than the counsel I had received from my father: “Even if you don’t have anything to eat, always pay your tithing.”
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👤 Parents
👤 Children
Death
Family
Parenting
Sacrifice
Tithing
FYI:For Your Info
Young women from the Unity First Ward reenacted a four-day pioneer trek along the Oregon Trail. They wore pioneer clothing, performed pioneer tasks, and on the final day met Elder David B. Haight at his ancestral home in Oakley, Idaho. He shared local history and bore testimony, leaving the youth with a deeper sense of hope.
Last year marked the Oregon Trail’s 150th anniversary, and to celebrate, young women from the Unity First Ward, Burley Idaho Stake, decided to try a four-day, authentic pioneer trek along the trail that runs close to their homes.
They donned pioneer skirts and bonnets and ditched modern conveniences like makeup for the 32-mile trek. They camped out, pressed their own fresh cider, made “johnny cakes,” and listened to numerous stories about pioneer experiences along the way. Every night two girls kept watch over the horses, camp, and fire.
On the last day, as they tromped into Oakley, Idaho, they noticed a man standing on the balcony of one of the original pioneer homes. As they got closer, they realized it was Elder David B. Haight. He greeted the tired group and invited them into his ancestral home, recounting the history of the area, and bearing his testimony that “the gospel is the hope of the world.” By the time the trek was through, the young women had learned more about hope than they’d ever dreamed.
They donned pioneer skirts and bonnets and ditched modern conveniences like makeup for the 32-mile trek. They camped out, pressed their own fresh cider, made “johnny cakes,” and listened to numerous stories about pioneer experiences along the way. Every night two girls kept watch over the horses, camp, and fire.
On the last day, as they tromped into Oakley, Idaho, they noticed a man standing on the balcony of one of the original pioneer homes. As they got closer, they realized it was Elder David B. Haight. He greeted the tired group and invited them into his ancestral home, recounting the history of the area, and bearing his testimony that “the gospel is the hope of the world.” By the time the trek was through, the young women had learned more about hope than they’d ever dreamed.
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👤 Youth
👤 General Authorities (Modern)
👤 Church Members (General)
Apostle
Family History
Hope
Testimony
Young Women
A Dream Comes True
On the day of baptism, Hans feels an intense, frightening opposition and wants to flee. He resists with all his strength, the influence leaves, and he proceeds into the water with calm assurance and happiness.
Margrit continued to seek her own witness, and within a few weeks she also knew the truth. We set our baptismal date.
On the day of our baptism, just as I was about to go into the water, I experienced the power of Satan stronger than I had ever imagined possible. I wanted to run away and escape. For a moment my breathing stopped, and I thought my heart would also. I was tempted to give in, but I realized that I could never look at myself in the mirror again if I denied the truth that I now knew. I fought against the evil influence with all my strength and it left me as quickly as it came. Knowing my decision was the right one, I entered the water with a calm assurance and a happy feeling in my heart.
On the day of our baptism, just as I was about to go into the water, I experienced the power of Satan stronger than I had ever imagined possible. I wanted to run away and escape. For a moment my breathing stopped, and I thought my heart would also. I was tempted to give in, but I realized that I could never look at myself in the mirror again if I denied the truth that I now knew. I fought against the evil influence with all my strength and it left me as quickly as it came. Knowing my decision was the right one, I entered the water with a calm assurance and a happy feeling in my heart.
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👤 Parents
Baptism
Conversion
Faith
Temptation
Testimony
Learning How the Church Works and Finding Your Place in It
While preparing to become a Presbyterian minister in 1991, Jana Riess met with missionaries and learned about Sabbath observance after inviting them to a restaurant. Fifteen years later, she still viewed conversion as ongoing. She cherishes those who nurtured her and now helps other converts while serving as a Primary chorister.
Like all new members, Jana Riess has found learning about the Church to be a “line upon line” experience (see Isaiah 28:10). She was preparing to become a Presbyterian minister in 1991 when she began listening to the missionary lessons. To express her appreciation, one Sunday she invited the sister missionaries to join her for lunch at a restaurant. They kindly explained that they would prefer not to eat out on the Sabbath. Fifteen years and many Church callings later, Sister Riess still sees her own conversion as ongoing. “Discipleship is a lifelong process that doesn’t end when someone rises from the waters of baptism,” she says. “I’m still ‘converting.’”
Looking back, Sister Riess counts among her greatest blessings as a new Church member those who reached out to her and took an interest in her spiritual development. Today she prizes the blessing of being able to help other converts along the path of discipleship by talking to them about their concerns, praying for and with them, and passing along helpful materials to read. She knows that the transition is often more painful and costly than many people realize. So, while her current official Church calling is Primary chorister, she also considers it a personal calling to reach out to other converts and help them become more committed disciples of Christ through the Church’s teachings and programs.
Looking back, Sister Riess counts among her greatest blessings as a new Church member those who reached out to her and took an interest in her spiritual development. Today she prizes the blessing of being able to help other converts along the path of discipleship by talking to them about their concerns, praying for and with them, and passing along helpful materials to read. She knows that the transition is often more painful and costly than many people realize. So, while her current official Church calling is Primary chorister, she also considers it a personal calling to reach out to other converts and help them become more committed disciples of Christ through the Church’s teachings and programs.
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👤 Missionaries
👤 Church Members (General)
👤 Other
Baptism
Conversion
Ministering
Missionary Work
Prayer
Sabbath Day
Teaching the Gospel
Primary children in the Sioux Falls Stake organized an art show for stake conference with the theme “Tell Me the Stories of Jesus.” The event brought a special spirit to the conference.
For stake conference, the Primary children in Sioux Falls Stake, South Dakota, USA, put on an art show. The theme was “Tell Me the Stories of Jesus.” It brought a special spirit to stake conference.
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👤 Children
Children
Jesus Christ
Teaching the Gospel
The Needs before Us
A stake Relief Society president and her daughter collected quilts and drove them from London to Kosovo during the 1990s. On the way home she received a spiritual impression affirming her efforts and directing her to also serve her neighbor across the street.
Sister Linda K. Burton told the story of a stake Relief Society president who, working with others, collected quilts for people in need during the 1990s. “She and her daughter drove a truck filled with those quilts from London to Kosovo. On her journey home she received an unmistakable spiritual impression that sank deep into her heart. The impression was this: ‘What you have done is a very good thing. Now go home, walk across the street, and serve your neighbor!’”3
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👤 Church Leaders (Local)
👤 Church Members (General)
Charity
Emergency Response
Holy Ghost
Relief Society
Revelation
Service
Women in the Church
When He Comes Again
The speaker wonders if they will be ready to meet Jesus when He comes again. They resolve to do His will each day and let their light shine to help others seek divine light. When that day arrives, they envision the Savior lovingly welcoming them and commending their service.
I wonder, when he comes again,
Will I be ready there
To look upon his loving face
And join with him in prayer?
Each day I’ll try to do his will
And let my light so shine
That others seeing me may seek
For greater light divine.
Then, when that blessed day is here,
He’ll love me and he’ll say,
“You’ve served me well, my little child;
Come unto my arms to stay.”
Will I be ready there
To look upon his loving face
And join with him in prayer?
Each day I’ll try to do his will
And let my light so shine
That others seeing me may seek
For greater light divine.
Then, when that blessed day is here,
He’ll love me and he’ll say,
“You’ve served me well, my little child;
Come unto my arms to stay.”
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👤 Jesus Christ
👤 Church Members (General)
Endure to the End
Faith
Jesus Christ
Light of Christ
Obedience
Prayer
Service
Holding On to Truth
A neighbor invited the author to attend church and solved a bus fare obstacle by offering a ride. The author visited a Church building for the first time, loved the experience, and was taught by sister missionaries. She chose to be baptized.
The first time I saw a Church building, I thought it was a hospital. It was so clean and quiet. I loved the gospel of Jesus Christ the moment I attended church services.
Sister missionaries began teaching me, and I decided to be baptized. It was the best day!
I was introduced to the gospel by my neighbor, who is a returned missionary. She called me one Sunday morning and asked me to go to church with her and her family. At first, my mother told me I couldn’t go because we didn’t have money for the bus fare. When I told my neighbor about it, she said she would take me, and my mother allowed me to go.
Sister missionaries began teaching me, and I decided to be baptized. It was the best day!
I was introduced to the gospel by my neighbor, who is a returned missionary. She called me one Sunday morning and asked me to go to church with her and her family. At first, my mother told me I couldn’t go because we didn’t have money for the bus fare. When I told my neighbor about it, she said she would take me, and my mother allowed me to go.
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👤 Missionaries
👤 Parents
👤 Friends
👤 Youth
Baptism
Conversion
Kindness
Missionary Work
Testimony
Strength of the Spirit
The speaker, along with President Heber J. Grant and others, visited the Hoover Dam during its construction. Some, including President Grant, rode a makeshift elevator and climbed a ladder to where concrete was being poured. Observing how cement bound rocks into a strong structure capable of controlling water and generating power, the speaker draws a parallel to how spiritual strength holds life together.
Many years ago with President Heber J. Grant and others it was my privilege to witness work that was being carried forward in the construction of the Hoover Dam near Las Vegas, Nevada. Some of those present at that time, including President Grant, went to the top of the dam on a makeshift elevator as far as it was completed at that time, and they then climbed a ladder still higher where the concrete was being poured. This concrete, which consisted of boulders and rocks, was held together by cement. Without the cement, which held the rocks together, the dam could not have been made effective in holding back that great stream of water. There would be just a pile or mass of boulders which would have been washed away when the flood waters came against it. But with the cement, a dam curving between the deep sides of the canyon was built in accordance with mathematical principles, one that now holds back the water and brings it into control and provides water for the thirsty land and makes possible, through the great turbines that were built, the creation of electricity to bring light and blessing to peoples far and wide.
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👤 General Authorities (Modern)
👤 Other
Apostle
Religion and Science
Looking Back … I Knew My Mama Loved Me
A Primary teacher surprised her class with tiny Easter baskets that felt like love to the narrator. Years later, the teacher gifted her an angel figurine at seminary graduation, a cherished symbol of the affection she needed.
One time just before Easter, my Primary teacher brought a large box to class. We were only eight, and we were very curious to see its contents. When class was over, the teacher reached into the box and gave each of us a tiny Easter basket filled with jelly beans and candy eggs. In my eyes, the beautiful basket was also filled with love. This same kind teacher gave me an angel figurine when I graduated from seminary. I still get a warm feeling whenever I see that little angel inside my china closet. It represented to me the hugs that I so desperately needed but seldom received.
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👤 Church Leaders (Local)
👤 Children
Charity
Children
Easter
Kindness
Love
Ministering
Service
Teaching the Gospel
Each month when the New Era arrives, a reader immediately reads it cover to cover. This consistent habit has helped her through many challenges. Through reading, she has better understood gospel principles and recognized blessings from living the gospel.
Every month, as soon as the New Era arrives in the mail, I begin to read it. I read it all the way through and try to get as much out of it as I possibly can. This habit has helped me a great deal through a lot of challenges. By reading the New Era, I’ve come to understand gospel principles more clearly, and I’ve been able to better recognize the great blessings and happiness that come from living the gospel. I would like to express my appreciation for the hard work that you have put into making this magazine.
Amberly R., Maine
Amberly R., Maine
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👤 Church Members (General)
Adversity
Faith
Gratitude
Happiness
Testimony