Gospel Story Finder

The comforting bear was the result of a project organized by Micki Adams, West Point Stake Young Women president, and Annice Nixon, her second counselor. After reading in a newspaper of a similar project in another community, they talked with Captain K. D. Simpson of their local sheriff’s department with the idea of placing teddy bears with the sheriff’s paramedic and patrol units.
The bears would be helpful, Captain Simpson told them, because children are involved in approximately 45 percent of all the calls for services by his department.
Knowing how anxious children are when confronting a policeman or a paramedic, the young women of the stake decided, “to give the children something to focus on beside their pain,” Sister Adams said. “We wanted to give them something to hold on to and to love.”
Consequently, at a stake Young Women meeting, work began on cutting out, sewing, stuffing, and hand finishing more than 200 bears.
Lori Ellsworth, a Beehive said, “The first bear I did was hard to make until I got used to doing it. But it was worth it because it might help someone forget their pain.”
Ninety bears were actually completed that evening. The girls took home the unfinished bears to complete in their own time.
The bears are twenty centimeters tall and made from scraps of fabric donated by some stake members. Other members donated the stuffing for the bears.
The sheriff’s department received 100 of the teddy bears. Another 100 were donated to the local hospital where they were hung on a Christmas tree so young patients could choose one for themselves.
When the paramedics or sheriffs respond to a call involving anyone under the age of ten years, they give the child a teddy bear. That’s become department policy.
Captain Simpson said, “It took two or three times for the paramedics to hand out the bears before they realized how effective they were in calming the children. Now the paramedics and sheriffs rely on the bears whenever they work with children.”

I took the New Era magazine with me to work to read during my break time. At one point during my shift, I went to the back to get some things from the freezer and found one of my friends flipping through my magazine while she was on break.
“This must be yours,” she said as I smiled at her.
“Yeah,” I replied. “It’s the New Era magazine I receive each month through my church.”
Later that evening, she asked if she could borrow the magazine for the night and read through it. Ever since then I have brought the New Era with me to work each month and have had quite a few friends ask me questions about my beliefs and about different principles of the gospel. I have also been able to give the friend I mentioned earlier a copy of the Book of Mormon.
I’m grateful for the chance to share the gospel in such a simple way. It has brought joy into my life.

Narcisso Garay, 17, of the Barriada Kuna Ward decided to set a goal to read the Book of Mormon every day. “My parents suggested that I read the other scriptures too. Now I’ve almost finished the New Testament. At first I thought it was boring, but now I’ve seen what Jesus suffered for us, and I know that we can return to Him.”

One day as Annie neared the open-air market, she heard a strange commotion. Two young men were speaking to a crowd gathered near the vegetable market. Annie was curious and stopped to listen. They spoke about a prophet and the Book of Mormon.
Their message stirred Annie’s heart. On 2 March 1857 she was baptized as one of the first converts in Norway.

As a radio reporter Richard worked under considerable pressure covering a wide variety of topics on short deadlines. He soon learned that social drinking was an important way many reporters obtained information. Work became increasingly difficult because he refused to participate in the drinking.
The thought of finding a new job eased his conscience but not his challenges. His radio job had helped pacify his parents after he joined the Church. So when he left the high-paying, prestigious, full-time job for part-time contract work as a guide, his parents were disappointed for a time.
It was another difficult path to choose, but he doesn’t regret taking it because he knows that to be “exalted on high” (see D&C 121:7–8), we must first experience the lows (see D&C 122:5–7).
“We sometimes limit what God can make of us because we don’t want to experience the bad with the good,” he says.
Following the Lord led him to a job he enjoyed. It led him to serve a mission. It introduced him to his future wife, with whom he now has four beautiful children. Despite the trials, there has been no end to the blessings.

In 2011, I went to our stake conference and heard Elder Gérald Caussé of the Seventy speak. I listened to his talk and felt the Spirit. I got to shake his hand after the conference. I had a good, warm feeling in my heart.
Kevin N., age 9, West Yorkshire, England

I came across a Personal Progress goal that motivated me to get started on my family tree. Whenever I went to my grandparents’ for lunch, they told me stories from their lives and from those of my other relatives. I began going to the family history center and gathering information about my family.
I remember when I found information about my great-great-grandmother. While pregnant, she came to Argentina on a ship. During the voyage, she buried her son at sea. She was just a story until I found her name in a record. I became even closer to my grandparents, and I came to know my ancestors as if I had lived with them. I found information about my ancestors, shared the glad tidings of eternal sealing, and helped bless many generations.
I continue to discover hidden treasures thanks to FamilySearch. I love what President Thomas S. Monson said: “I testify that when we do all we can to accomplish the work that is before us, the Lord will make available to us the sacred key needed to unlock the treasure which we so much seek.”1 Through our efforts, we will discover the keys to our eternal treasure, and one day we will be able to meet our ancestors in person.

When I hear my friends say bad words, I tell them that they don’t need to say those words. I tell them in my own words a scripture I have learned, and it makes them happy.
Brooke B., age 12, London, England

Thank you for printing President Gordon B. Hinckley’s message, “Be Not Afraid, Only Believe,” in the May 1996 Liahona (Spanish). I have been reading 2 Timothy 1:8, “Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord,” [2 Tim. 1:8] and I am seeing miracles take place, just as our prophet promised.
Margarita Salmerón Garrido,Granada Second Branch, Jaen Spain District

Recent events in the nation of Chile illustrate the need for both lines. Chile suffered a devastating earthquake. Many of our members lost homes; some lost family members. Many lost confidence. Quickly—because our Church is prepared to respond to such disasters—food, shelter, and other material aid was provided. The Saints of Chile heard the voice of the Lord through His Church and its leaders responding to their material needs. But however sufficient the priesthood line, it was not enough. Each member needed to seek the Lord in prayer and receive the direct message of comfort and guidance that comes through the Holy Spirit to those who seek and listen.

Abby had big blue eyes and a great smile, and she loved to sing. When she bought a candy bar, she always gave Derrick half. When Derrick accidentally broke Josh’s CD player, Abby defended him against their angry brother. She always seemed to be happy. That was why it was hard for Derrick to think of her as being sad.
And she was sad. Daddy had read a letter from Abby, who was far away on a mission. She was in a country that was very, very hot. And the language the people spoke was hard for her to understand and speak. She said that she wanted to come home.
Mother had wiped her eyes on her hand. Daddy had said, “She’s just homesick. Every missionary goes through hard times.”
Derrick wanted to help Abby. But how? If she were at home, he would climb onto her lap and say something to make her laugh. But he couldn’t even write her a letter. All he could write was his name in crooked letters.
Suddenly Derrick had an idea. He grabbed his box of crayons and a piece of paper. He dashed into Abby’s bedroom and opened the curtains. It was a beautiful fall day. Outside the window he could see the bright red leaves on the maple tree. Derrick took his red crayon and began to draw what he saw.
When he finished his picture, he wrote, “Derrick” at the bottom. Then he went outside and picked up two beautiful, red leaves from beneath the maple tree.
He took the leaves and the picture to his mother. “These are for Abby,” he said.
Mother smiled and said, “She’ll love them.”
The next time a letter came from Abby, Daddy stopped reading it right in the middle, came over to Derrick, and gave him a big hug. “That was from Abby,” he said.
When winter came and snow fell soft and thick from the sky, Derrick cut out white-paper snowflakes. “These are for Abby,” he told his mother.
At Christmastime, he pulled some needles from the Christmas tree. “Please send these to Abby,” he said to his dad.
In the spring, Derrick picked blossoms from the lilac bush in the front yard. Then he carefully put them between two sheets of waxed paper and placed a big fat book on top to press them. When they were dry and flat, off they went in the mail to Abby.
Soon after that, he helped his mother bake a cake and hang balloons in the living room. He helped color a big sign that they taped to the garage door that said, “Welcome home, Abby!” Abby had completed her mission!
At the airport, Derrick waited impatiently with his family. He watched all the people coming through the doorway. Where was Abby? It had been a long time. Would he still know her when he saw her?
There she was! She was his own Abby, and she hadn’t changed. Derrick ran and threw his arms around her.
Abby knelt down beside him. “My loving little brother,” she said. “How did you think of those wonderful presents you sent to me? Do you know how happy they made me?”
Derrick smiled and said, “I just wanted to send you pieces of home.”

“On fast Sunday, Íngrid is the first in our family to get up and bear her testimony in sacrament meeting, and she bears her testimony like an adult,” says her dad. “Sometimes she’ll ask me, ‘Are you going to bear your testimony today?’ I’ll usually tell her I’m not sure, because it’s hard for me to speak in public. And she’ll tease me by saying, ‘If you don’t, I’ll call you from the pulpit to come up and do it.’ I’ll say, ‘Don’t you dare!’ She smiles happily if I do go up.”

Reaching the city in September 1855, Barnard found work in Apostle John Taylor’s office, helping publish an LDS newspaper, the Mormon. He received board and room but no pay. Within weeks he saw his English suit become threadbare and too small for his growing teenage body. He needed money. “What shall I do?” he asked Elder Taylor. The Apostle thanked him for his labors, wished him well, and then gave him a special blessing. “You will find work and make more money than you ever have earned before,” he promised the boy, and then added: “In life you will always succeed financially.”
The promise proved true but slow. Barnard’s first job was low-paying, menial, and smelly. How his mother would have pained to see Barnard, his landlady’s laundry basket in hand, walk to the fish market, fill the basket, and then peddle fish throughout the city. But it was a living. Slowly, day by day, his fish turned into American coins that added up.
Just when Barnard calculated he had enough money, 60 dollars, to buy a cart and horse to expand his business, a local Mormon leader called him aside. “The Lord wants you to be a missionary,” Barnard was informed. Loyally the teenager gave up his fish business to be a fisher of men. “Priest White,” as locals called the 15-year-old, filled a good mission during the six months his fish money lasted.

Another successful project has been to take a family home evening to the home of less-active youth on Wednesday evenings. “Some of the parents aren’t members,” says Jackelin. “In fact, many of these youth are the only Church members in their families. But usually their parents let us come in. When the kids see us, they’re surprised. But they can see the interest we have in them. One of us gives the lesson, and we encourage questions and comments. You can really feel the Spirit. Usually the things of the world are what keep them from returning to church. Many of them say they’re happy we’ve come and that they still have testimonies.”
But expressions of friendship must be genuine, Jackelin says. “Sometimes when they see us, youth who are not active try to hide because they think we’re always going to talk to them about the Church. But we try to be aware of their lives and talk to them about other things too. We want them to see we’re interested in them and happy to be their friends.”

In 2013 we were living in Manhattan, New York, USA. We loved our ward. Because we were expecting our first child, we began looking for a larger apartment in the ward. We found one that seemed perfect, but it didn’t feel right.
That spring, Laura started to feel that maybe we should move to Brooklyn. Wil wasn’t so sure. We didn’t know anything about Brooklyn, and Wil wanted to be close to his investment-banking job so that, given his long work hours, he had a short commute. We decided to pray about it and listen for an answer during general conference.
As we watched the talks on a laptop computer in our studio apartment, Elder Stanley G. Ellis of the Seventy shared an experience he had as a member of a stake presidency. He said that families moving into his stake in Texas, USA, would often ask which ward was best. Only once in 16 years did a family ask which ward needed help.1
We were touched by his story. It answered our prayers. So, instead of staying in a ward we loved, that we felt comfortable in, and that had a great nursery and Primary, we took Elder Ellis’s advice to heart and prayed about where we should move.
At the time, we were serving as ordinance workers in the Manhattan New York Temple. One of the workers there knew New York City well. He suggested two wards where he thought we could help—both in Brooklyn.
The first ward was too far from Wil’s work. The second one was closer, and we felt we had found the right place when we visited the ward’s sacrament meeting. Many of the members were Haitian immigrants. Because Wil is from Gabon and speaks French, we thought the ward would be a great home for us.
A few weeks later we found an apartment and moved in. Wil was soon called to serve in various meaningful ways. Understanding the language took some time, but he felt blessed to quickly become proficient enough in Haitian Creole to help interpret for members during meetings and interviews. Laura was also blessed to serve in various capacities, and we became involved in missionary work.
We learned that when we serve the Lord and His children, He takes care of us. Our experiences in Brooklyn helped keep us grounded. They especially helped Wil care less about the fanfare of Wall Street and remember what matters most. In investment banking, almost everyone works on Sundays. Wil occasionally had to do catch-up work from home, but the Lord blessed us so that he never had to go into the office on Sundays.
When we moved to Brooklyn, we thought we were going to be one of only two families with young children in the ward. But the ward’s boundaries changed two weeks after we moved in, and several other young families also moved in.
Eventually, we intend to move to Gabon. We feel that our experiences in Brooklyn have helped prepare us to better serve the Church and people of Africa. We’re thankful we followed the prompting to move. The Lord blessed us—and continues to bless us—in ways we never could have imagined.

This is not an aristocracy of the haughty, the snobbish, and the arrogant, but of the humble and strong. They live lives of productivity and usefulness. Approximately 18,000 of them presently perform a matchless service as missionaries at considerable monetary sacrifice to themselves and/or their loved ones. In the last fortnight I have been privileged to meet with some 200 of them laboring in a foreign country. One of them, a tall, smiling young American with his plastic raincoat folded in his coat pocket, approached.

“Elder,” I queried, “how long have you been on your mission?”

“Since March,” he responded.

For no apparent reason I asked, “How long since you heard from your mother?”

He smiled broadly. “I got my second letter from her last week,” he said.

“How long since you’ve heard from your father?” I inquired.

He said, “I have not heard from him. I don’t know where he is. My parents are not members of this Church, and I come from a broken home. I had a paper route in my home town in the Midwest, and a family on my paper route, whom I hardly knew, felt sorry for me and invited me to live with them. The missionaries found this family, and they joined the Church and I joined with them. I began to save my money so that if called on a mission, I might be able to go. I worked hard and was able to save much faster than I thought I could. Two years after my conversion, I am serving as a missionary.”

The great oak tree reached its arms to the sky—higher, higher, higher. Lissa lay on a quilt at its foot and gazed through spring-green leaves to the gray sky beyond. It made her feel dizzy. She closed her eyes.
“Lissa, will you help me get up the tree?”
Her eyes opened. It took her a moment to focus on her little brother, Spencer, looming above her. “Uh-uh,” she said. “The wind’s too wild. You’d be scared.”
“I wouldn’t be scared.”
“Then I would be.” Even as she spoke, thunder rumbled in the distance. The wind became a mad thing, suddenly swirling and tearing in all directions. The giant pines in their yard swayed and bent as if they would snap in two. The oak was a churning green sea, its leafy whisper changed to a roar.
Spencer drew in a frightened breath. Lissa laughed and leapt to her feet. She caught his hands and whirled him around and around until he was laughing, too. “Will the wind blow us away?” he asked.
“No,” Lissa said. But it felt like it might.
“Come inside now,” Dad called from the house.
Lissa and Spencer hesitated and whirled around again.
“Now!” Dad yelled. “Before the storm hits.”
Even as Lissa snatched up her quilt and dashed for the door, fat raindrops struck her skin. By the time they were inside, the rain was pouring down in silver sheets.
While Dad made them hot chocolate, Lissa and Spencer dried themselves off. They slipped beneath blankets on the couch and sipped their drinks. How cozy and safe it felt in the house, although the walls seemed to tremble and the windows rattled.
Dad huddled with them. “When I call you,” he said, “you need to come right away. Don’t stop to think about it. Just come. There’s always a good reason.”
Lissa and Spencer nodded.
The room grew dim. Dad switched on the lamp. He brought a book of stories to read aloud and drew them close.
It was hard to listen.
Boom! shouted the thunder.
Spencer jumped. Lissa shivered. White lightning flashed. Then B-O-O-M! It was explosive!
Dad sprang to his feet and ran to the window. Lissa and Spencer followed. “What was that?” Lissa asked, her heart thudding in her chest.
Dad peered through the gloom. “Looks like the oak tree’s down. Good thing it missed the house.”
“Oh, no!” Lissa cried. “I love that tree.”
The storm passed on.
A few days later, Dad took his chain saw out to the fallen tree. “We can use it for firewood,” he told Lissa and Spencer.
Lissa said nothing. She still wanted to cry when she saw the oak stretched out in their yard. Its branches were tangled, and its great clump of dirt-choked roots lay exposed. She watched from the porch step, her chin in her hands, as Dad worked.
Spencer scrambled over the trunk like a squirrel. He ignored scratched knees and sap-sticky hands. After a while he disappeared. “I’m down in this big hole where the roots were,” he called. “There are all kinds of bugs and worms poking their heads out.”
“Don’t get too dirty,” Dad called back.
Lissa could hardly hear them over the chain saw’s buzz. Dad was making good progress. He had the branches off and was starting to cut the trunk into sections. Lissa sucked in a breath of the fresh-cut wood smell.
Dad put the saw down for a moment. He reached his arms above his head to stretch his back. He flashed a smile at Lissa. Her return smile fled when his expression changed to a look of horror. “No!” he yelled.
It happened too fast to even think. Without the weight of its limbs to hold it down, the trunk of the tree had risen from the ground and its heavy ball of dirt and roots smashed back into the hole with a thud that shook the earth. The trunk quivered for a moment. No movement or sound came from the hole.
“Spencer!” Dad and Lissa screamed at the same time. They raced for the hole. Tears streamed down Lissa’s cheeks as she and Dad shoved at the trunk. It didn’t budge. They kept trying.
“What’s the matter?” Spencer’s voice came from behind them. “How’d the tree stand up again?”
Lissa and Dad whirled around. Spencer watched them calmly from beside a clump of azaleas.
Dad’s face collapsed with emotion as he grabbed Spencer to him.
“Where were you?” Lissa asked. Her voice sounded strange.
“Behind the bushes,” Spencer said into Dad’s shirt.
“We thought—we thought you were down in the hole!” Lissa put her arms around both Dad and her brother.
“You thought I got squished?” Spencer asked, pulling away from them.
They nodded.
“I was down there,” Spencer said, “but Dad told me to get out.”
Dad looked at him. “I didn’t.”
“Yes you did,” Spencer insisted. “You said, ‘Get out of the hole right now.’”
Dad shook his head. “It wasn’t me. Was it you, Lissa?”
“No.”
Spencer’s eyes grew wide.
“I’m glad you listened,” Lissa whispered.
“And obeyed,” Dad added.
Spencer gave a shaky grin. “I guess I always will from now on.”
“Me, too,” Lissa said. And she meant it with all her heart.

Enter Mary Mormon and Norman Nonmormon.

1. It’s a Wednesday evening. For three days it has been raining. I am getting tired of the gray, overcast skies. The telephone rings. “Hi! This is Norman Nonmormon. Would you be interested in a movie with me Friday night?” I say:
A. “I’m sorry, Norman. I’d like to, but I think I’d better stick to dating fellows who are members of the same church that I am. It’s really the best way to have no hurt feelings later on. Thanks, anyway. It’s sweet of you to ask.” (go to 20)
B. “Hey, that sounds fun. What time will we go?” (go to 5)
C. “I’m sorry, Norman, but I promised to tend my little brothers and sisters that night.” (go to 4)

3. from 5, 10, 18
The water skiing is great. The water is warm and calm. Norman is fun. I think he sort of likes me. He puts his arms around me and gives me a little squeeze. I react:
A. “No, Norman. Let’s just have a nice time.” (go to 11)
B. I move away from him and say nothing. (go to 8)
C. I like it and show him by cooperating and smiling. He has such nice eyes. (go to 6)

4. from 1, 5
Norman is an honest fellow and trusts that I am honest too, being a Mormon and all. Why do I think I have to lie? He thought my excuse was genuine, so he asked for another date. If I don’t want to go out, I can just politely say no. My choice now is:
A. “Okay. What shall I wear?” (go to 5)
B. Oh, oh, he’s trying again. I’d better get to the point this time. “No, I have made it a policy not to date fellows who are not of my religion. It’s really the best way to have no hurt feelings later on. I do think you are a fine person though, Norman. Say, maybe you’d like to meet some of us—we’re really a neat group.” (go to 19)
C. It will hurt his feelings if I tell him the real reason for not dating him. Better think of an excuse: “No, I’m sorry, Norman, but I have to milk the cows that night.” (go to 7)

5. from 1, 4, 7, 10, 18, 19, 20
Norman is fun. He has a good sense of humor, is outgoing, and I feel at ease with him. We both like music, water skiing, and the same foods. I think he enjoyed the date too, because he wants to take me water skiing next weekend. I say:
A. “No, thank you. We have had a good time, but I think it would be better if we didn’t go out anymore.” (go to 10)
B. “Yes. That would be great fun.” (go to 3)
C. “Sorry, Norman, but I have to go shopping with my mother.” (go to 4)

6. from 3, 8, 11
After we finish skiing, we dock and lock the boat. Norman opens the car door for me and I slide in. He is polite, and I’d like him to know that I appreciate his courtesy, so I:
A. Slide over near him. (go to 13)
B. Stay on my side and smile back at him. (go to 12)

7. from 4
I can’t fool Norman. He knows that I am just making up an excuse. Everyone knows that my mother milks the family cows. He doesn’t take the hint, so he asks me again, “How about next weekend?”
A. I guess it won’t hurt to go with him. “Okay. What will I need to wear?” (go to 5)
B. I might as well be honest with him. “No. I have always felt I would be better off not to date out of my church—nothing personal. Say, maybe you’d like to meet some of us—we’re really a neat group.” (go to 19)
C. What would be a good excuse that would be an obvious hint to him that I don’t want to go? “No, I’m sorry, Norman, but I have to trap flies that night.” (go to 19)

8. from 3
I hope actions speak louder than words. But did I move away because I didn’t like him or because I didn’t want to get involved in that kind of relationship? At any rate, I hope I have let him know that there are certain limits to our friendship. I wonder what would have happened if I had encouraged him. (go to 6)

10. from 5, 20
Norman was hurt when I said I would not accept. He asks me if the real reason is because he is not a Mormon.
A. I’d better get to the point. “Yes. You’re really a nice person, Norman, but I have just felt that if I date only fellows who are members of the same church as I am, I’ll have fewer regrets later on.”
(It is easy to see that if you choose this response, Norman probably will not continue to ask you out. You will have avoided having to make any possible difficult decisions later on, if it turns out that Norman isn’t interested in the Church. To learn what could have happened if you had dated Norman, go to 5—or 3, if you’ve already dated him once.)
B. I can see he is easily hurt; I’d better not be too blunt. “No. Not really I just have to babysit a lot and don’t have a chance to go out much.” (go to 18)

11. from 3
Well, I’m letting him know how I feel about advances at this point. Anyway, we are still on the date. (go to 6)

12. from 6
That was a safe move, I think. I haven’t encouraged him. I hope he realizes that I know what I am doing. I hope he respects me for my standards.
Suppose I were to slide over next to him. (go to 13)

13. from 6, 12
Norman takes me to the door. We are holding hands. He tells me what a nice time he had. Then he asks me if I would like to do something next weekend. He’ll call later and let me know what we will do. If I accept, it will mean the third date with Norman Nonmormon. My response is:
A. I think two dates are enough, but three are too many, so—“Thanks, but let me pass this one by.” (go to 14)
B. “Sure, I would be happy to go somewhere. But let me know what we are going to do a little ahead of time.” (go to 16)

14. from 13
Well, now I’ve done it! I know, of course, that I never have to give reasons for refusing a date. I realize that I have to break off the relationship with Norman Nonmormon early if I am going to break it off at all. Should I have tried to explain to him that I do not want to develop a relationship with a non-Mormon fellow? How could I do it without hurting his feelings? But if I were going to follow this approach, I wonder if it would have been better to have told him this on the first date. Haven’t I been a little dishonest? I’ve accepted his dates and am breaking off now because he is not a Mormon. Yet I don’t even know what he thinks about the Church. I haven’t tried to introduce him to it or to other young Mormons.
Suppose I had encouraged him to call again. It might be interesting to see what would have developed. (go to 21)

16. from 13
I really do enjoy him and we get along so well together. I guess he must feel the same way. Am I prepared for what might be developing? (go to 21)

18. from 10
Boy, that situation was uncomfortable, but I didn’t want to hurt his feelings. But why do I have to lie? If I don’t want to face the issue or be honest with Norman, I don’t have to explain my feelings. I can just politely say no.
Anyway, this is two no’s for him, and I’ll be relieved if he doesn’t call again. (It is easy to see that if you choose not to explain, Norman probably will not continue to ask you out. You will have avoided having to make any possible difficult decisions later on, if it turns out that Norman isn’t interested in the Church. to learn what could have happened if you had dated Norman, go to 5—or to 3, if you’ve already dated him once.)

19. from 4, 7
The course I have chosen may or may not be a difficult one, depending upon where I live. If I have few opportunities to meet other Mormons, it certainly will affect the number of dates I have. Of course, many good people would join the Church if someone were to introduce them to it. Maybe the important thing here is that I remember that at some point in my life, dating can lead to marriage—and for me, there is only one kind of marriage. But what if I didn’t want to break off at this point? What would have happened had I accepted Norman’s date? (go to 5)

20. from 1
The next day I tell my best friend about my chance to go with Norman. She thinks I was crazy for not accepting the date. She says, “After all, he’s nice, well-liked, and a lot more active in his church than a lot of Mormon boys are in ours. And anyway, how do you know he wouldn’t be interested in the Church?”
The next day I see Norman in a biology class. He smiles and in a half-kidding, half-earnest way asks me for another date. I decide:
A. I’ve got to be firm. And I realize, of course, that I never have to give reasons for refusing a date. Some things are best left unsaid. “I’m sorry, Norman. But it really is nice of you to ask.” (go to 10)
B. He really does seem to be a fine person. And if I don’t let him meet a Mormon, maybe he’ll never know what we’re like. “I’d be glad to go if you’d still like to.” (go to 5)

21. from 14, 16
Everyday Norman waits for me and we go to class together. Sometimes it is a little hard to concentrate in class.
Wednesday he asks me if I would like to go over to his house Saturday night to watch television.
A. I’ve really got to stop this. “No, thanks, Norman. I don’t think we should see one another anymore.” (go to 23)
B. “Sure! Should I bring some popcorn?” (go to 25)
C. “I’ve got a better idea. Why don’t you come to my place?” (go to 22)

22. from 21
I’m right in inviting him to my house. Who knows what it would have been like at his house? Would his parents be home? It could have been uncomfortable. (go to 29)

23. from 21
Was I saying no to that type of date, or did I say no because I did not want the relationship to develop further?
At any rate, I have given him a stop signal. (go to 24)

24. from 23
I can’t help but wonder what that date might have been like. I wonder where such a decision could possibly lead? (go to 25)

25. from 21, 24
Norman picks me up at my house, and we drive to his house. His parents seem very nice and welcome me warmly to their home. Then they excuse themselves. They are going out and don’t expect to be back until late. I didn’t count on this.
After Norman and I pop some corn, we watch a movie on television. He tries to kiss me. A little surprised,
A. I say, “Please don’t, Norman!” (go to 31)
B. I turn my head away. (go to 32)
C. I kiss him. (go to 30)

29. from 22
Norman and I are sitting on the couch watching the late movie. My parents have retired for the night, and it is getting late. They rap on the adjoining wall. Norman gets the picture, but before leaving he tries to kiss me. I was expecting this, so:
A. I say, “Please don’t, Norman!” (go to 31)
B. I turn my head away. (go to 32)
C. I kiss him. (go to 30)

30. from 25, 29, 31, 32
I realize that Norman is getting serious, and I am a little anxious. He asks me to the big school dance. I have heard that an LDS boy is thinking of asking me, so I think about it a minute, then say:
A. “No, thanks, Norman, I have plans for that night.” (go to 33)
B. “That sounds great! It’s a formal dance, isn’t it?” (go to 35)

31. from 25, 29
He gets the message, and nothing happens. But at the doorstep when he holds my hand, and looks so nice, and has such deep blue eyes … I’m going to assume that before I know it, he has kissed me good night. I’m even surprised myself because I hadn’t planned on it and really didn’t do anything to discourage him. (go to 30)

32. from 25, 29
Later, Norman tries again. I guess he likes me, and I guess I’m not really discouraging him.
I wonder what would happen if he didn’t get the message and I gave in. (go to 30)

33. from 30
It was wrong to lie. But then, I do have plans for the night—I plan to not date Norman. Of course, since I kissed him, Norman’s probably doing what he expects should normally follow the present pattern of our relationship. (go to 36)

35. from 30, 36
So now I have accepted another date with Norman Nonmormon. Norman puts his arm around me and leans forward to kiss me. My response is:
A. A “no” and a smile. (go to 37)
B. A kiss that means I really like Norman Nonmormon. (go to 38)

36. from 33
My turning down the date to the big school dance may have said “Stop!” to Norman. He wanted to know why I wouldn’t go to the dance, and I said I thought he was a swell person but that we were moving too fast in our relationship. He probably won’t ask me out again, and this is what I want—to get off the “marry-go-round” romance between Mary Mormon and Norman Nonmormon. But suppose I had accepted the dance date? Or another date later? Now that a relationship would be beginning, when would I start to introduce for consideration the Church and other factors upon which decisions could be based that would be mutually understandable and honest to both him and me?
Let’s see what would happen if I were to choose all of the answers that would encourage Norman. (go to 35)

37. from 35
Some boys are funny. They think that just because girls accept dates with them, they will eventually give them good night kisses. This is what Norman thinks, and I guess I have him going around in circles wondering why I continue to accept dates with him. As a matter of fact, I wonder myself. Isn’t it time for me to really get this whole thing on a more intelligent basis?
I’ll see what kind of encouragement a kiss might have given. (go to 38)

38. from 35, 37
The big school dance is very special. And Norman is so very thoughtful. Several people told us they thought we were a fine-looking couple. After the dance, Norman asks me to go steady. I say:
A. “No, Norman. I don’t think going steady would be wise.” (go to 39)
B. “Let me talk it over with my parents before I give you an answer.” (go to 42)
C. “Oh, Norman, I’d like to, very much.” (go to 45)

39. from 38
Norman is hurt. He says that the difference between regular dating and steady dating is not clear to him. Of course, to me it is—going steady is really like saying to others, “We’ve found in each other all that we want. We’re now off-limits to everyone else.” Maybe I should have broken off the relationship earlier.
But let’s assume that I accepted. (go to 45)

41. from 42
My parents said, “Just because a fellow is baptized, it doesn’t mean that he will be a model of perfection. If a Latter-day Saint doesn’t follow the Church’s high standards, don’t date him, either.” Should I accept my parents’ advice or not?
A. Well, whom can I date? (go to 44)
B. No. I’m telling Norman I’ll go steady with him. (go to 45)

42. from 38
After a long discussion with my parents, I am nearly exhausted. They keep bringing up the fact that because Norman is not a Latter-day Saint, he couldn’t take me to the temple if we decided to marry after school is finished. My argument stresses how much I like him and how nice a person he is. I finally say:
A. “Okay. I’ll accept your advice and not go steady.” (go to 43)
B. “But he is so much more a gentleman than any Church member I have ever dated.” (go to 41)
C. “I don’t want to follow you advice. I’ll tell Norman I’ll go steady.” (go to 45)

43. from 42
After the talk, my married sister came by. She said I am to be congratulated for agreeing not to date Norman steadily. She said, “You may think that Mom and Dad are ruining your social life; but if you will have a little faith in their wisdom, things will work out for you. Then, too, we don’t always consider the difficulty of being a parent. Have you ever tried to explain to Johnny why it is not good to put paper clips into an electrical outlet? Parents sometimes feel that same frustration in trying to explain some things.”
Had I not made this decision, where would steady dating with Norman Nonmormon have led? (go to 45)

44. from 41, 51, 52, 65, 66
My folks, Church leaders, and friends have always said that I should use the programs of the Church to get acquainted with other young Latter-day Saints. I know that my chances of finding happiness with a good Latter-day Saint man are much greater when one considers the importance of temple marriage, family customs, children, and our basic gospel values.
Going to Church socials and going to meetings are ways to get acquainted with members of the Church who believe as I do. And I should turn any future dates with any non-Mormon Norman into group affairs and introduce him to the Church and other Mormons. A non-Mormon needs to know a lot more about me and I need to know his response to the gospel before any decision on a close relationship can be made. Right from the start, Church socials and meetings should be my strength—to receive dates from these sources or introduce non-Mormons into them quickly.
(If you arrived here from 41, go to 45 and see what might have happened if you had gone steady. If you arrived here from 51 or 52, go to 54 and see what would have happened if you had accepted the ring.)

45. from 38, 39, 41, 42, 43, 44
I am now going steady with Norman Nonmormon. Since we are going steady, we decide to spend Sunday afternoons together. Norman wants me to go to his church, but I would rather he go to mine. Finally we decide to:
A. Go to mine, and he agrees to accompany me. (go to 47)
B. Go to his church. This pleases Norman. (go to 46)
C. Compromise, rather than quarrel, and go to neither. We decide that watching television is a good way to avoid quarrels like this. (go to 48)

46. from 45
On Sunday Norman directs me to what would be similar to an investigator class in our church. I am invited to begin studying Norman’s faith. My reaction is:
A. “Not now; maybe later. I would like to know more about your church sometime in the future.” (go to 48)
B. “No, thank you.” (go to 49)

47. from 45
I thought getting Norman to go to my church might be a good way for him to meet the Mormons and for me to introduce him to the missionaries. After meeting Norman, the missionaries offer to explain more about the Church to him. If Norman refuses to listen to them:
A. I will quit dating him. (go to 50)
B. I will say nothing but will try to convert him later. (go to 48)

48. from 45, 46, 47, 49, 50, 65
Time passes, and a holiday arrives. I expect a small gift from Norman, because he has hinted that he has something for me. But I am taken completely by surprise when he shows me a diamond ring and asks me to marry him. I say:
A. “Norman, I couldn’t possibly marry a non-Latter-day Saint.” (go to 51)
B. “Oh, Norman, you’re wonderful! You know I’ll marry you!” (go to 54)
C. “Norman, if you’d join the Church, I’d consider it.” (go to 53)

49. from 46
I realize now that Norman’s faith is very important to him. He seriously wants me to come his way regarding religious issues. So:
A. I decide not to date him any longer. (go to 65)
B. I decide it does make a difference that he feels strongly about his religion, but I’m sure our love can solve these problems. Everything will work out. (go to 48)

50. from 47
This is the right decision! But haven’t I been unfair to Norman? Bam! All of a sudden, the Church! I should have been discussing this with him all along; then this decision would be understandable to him. He’d know why I couldn’t continue a serious relationship with a non-Mormon.
I should have learned from him a long time back whether he was interested in the Church; and if he didn’t wish to hear or know more about us, the signal to break off our dating would have been clear.
What would happen had I kept dating Norman after he knew how I felt about the Church? (go to 48)

51. from 48
Well, I got out of that! But my friend Peggy wants to know how I justify that refusal in light of all the steady dating during school and in light of my not seriously trying to let Norman know about me and what I want out of my marriage. But I’ve never been honest enough with Norman to tell him of our differences. Peggy says Norman would not have asked me if I hadn’t encouraged him all along. Norman is probably hurt and bitter. What should I do now?
A. Meet some good Latter-day Saints. (go to 44)
B. See what would have happened if I had accepted the ring. (go to 54)
C. Turn down the ring but continue to date Norman. After all, he takes me out to fun places, and even though I could never marry him, I enjoy going places with him and he has nice friends. (go to 52)

52. from 51
My older sister thinks I’m self-centered and dishonest. She says, “Don’t you think Norman has feelings? Don’t lead him along when you don’t have any serious intentions. You’re not being honest. Come on, sister, get with it! Let him know that you could never marry him. Then go out and find yourself some nice Church member who is eligible.” (If this interests you, go to 44)

53. from 48
I guess I underestimated Norman. I thought he would become discouraged when I refused to become engaged until he joined the Church. Consequently, he has studied with the missionaries and has agreed to be baptized. I’m so happy I can hardly stand it. Earlier this evening we attended his baptism, and I saw him become a member of the Church. Afterwards he again asked me to marry him. I accepted his proposal. Now he wants to know when we can get married. My answer is:
A. “Let’s wait a year until you can hold the Melchizedek Priesthood so that we can go to the temple.” (go to 58)
B. “Okay. It will have to be a civil marriage, but we can go to the temple in a year or so when you can get a recommend.” (go to 57)
C. “Let’s have a civil marriage.” (go to 59)

54. from 44, 48, 51, 63, 66
I agree to marry Norman Nonmormon. We will be married in two months. That gives us plenty of time to plan the wedding and to work out some problems such as where we will live, what church we will be married in, and so forth. I wonder which church we will be married in:
A. My chapel? (go to 68)
B. His church? (go to 55)
C. A compromise. We’ll marry civilly. Then no one in his family can say that our marriage was overly influenced by my religion. (go to 68)

55. from 54
My sister Lucy is at it again. She says, “What in the world ever prompted you to make that decision? To be married in his church is the same as saying that in all future decisions, your marriage will follow his faith. The blessing (or baptizing) of your children, their confirmation, and the general attitudes and values to be found in your home will follow his faith. You have said—almost—that the Church is not a part of your life. You would have been smarter to marry civilly. At least that would be neutral ground. Better still, it would have been much smarter of you to have gotten off this ‘marry-go-round’ much earlier.”
Well, it’s too late now. The invitations have already been sent out. (Or can you change your mind even after invitations have been sent? You most certainly can! Better to suffer a little embarrassment than get things off on the wrong foot. Let’s assume you realize that marrying in his church could never work, and that you’ve convinced Norman to marry civilly.) (go to 68)

56. from 57
I wonder how I can be sure. A converted person is a changed person. Has Norman really changed? Does he attend all of his meetings, carry his priesthood assignments, and pay his tithing and offerings? Do we hold family prayer and home evening, and does Norman seem to enjoy these and understand why we do what we do? The choice now is Norman’s. I can’t go without him, and I can’t go alone. I’ve certainly put myself in a risky position. The thing I want more than anything else—a temple marriage—is now out of my control. I’ll just have to wait and see what happens. (go to 59)

57. from 53, 63, 64
We have been married for over a year now. I have been looking forward to our going to the temple to be married for eternity. But whenever I bring up the issue, he avoids it. I am becoming worried. I’m beginning to wonder whether we will make it. I’ll ask him again. He says:
A. “Yes.” (go to 56)
B. “No.” (go to 59)

58. from 53
Congratulations to myself! I have let my head rule my heart. The year has passed. It’s been a busy year for both of us, and now we love each other even more. We are waiting and working for a temple recommend. Of course, this matter is up to the two of us and our bishop. We know that moral and religious laws of the Church. As a result of the interview with the bishop:
A. Norman is worthy to obtain a recommend. (go to 63)
B. Norman is not worthy to obtain a recommend. (go to 64)

59. from 53, 56, 57
As time passes, Norman gradually expressed disinterest in attending Church with me. First he has one excuse, then another. Now he doesn’t even bother to give an excuse—he just doesn’t go to church. For a while he didn’t say anything about my going alone, but now he seems to resent the time I spend working in the Church. My position as MIA teacher doesn’t take as much time as he says it does. He seems to think that one hour on Sunday is all the time anyone should spend in church. That’s all he ever did. How will I solve this problem?
A. To help get better feelings in my marriage, maybe I will quit my job as MIA teacher and go to church just once in a while. (go to 61)
B. I will continue going to church and teaching MIA in spite of Norman’s nagging. He’s been baptized. He knows how important Church service is in keeping ourselves spiritually in tune—doesn’t he? (go to 60)

60. from 59
In spite of Norman’s resentment, I continue to be active in the Church. I try to help him feel good about it, but he has started bowling and playing cards with his friends three or four nights a week. It seems to me he does this just to get even with me for spending my time in church. I’m afraid we are starting to drift far apart even though we still live together. What am I going to do now?
A. To help get better feelings in my marriage, maybe I will quit my church job and attend meetings only once in a while. (go to 61)
B. I will continue my Church activities, in spite of Norman’s feelings. I’m sure he will come to see that he’s wrong. (go to 62)

61. from 59, 60
Quitting my church job and going to church once in a while may stop Norman from nagging me about spending so much time in church, but it won’t solve my problem. It will lead to more and more inactivity on my part. What about my children? If Norman resents my spending so much time in church, he will feel the same way about them. Will they be able to attend church regularly and participate in its activities? Even if he permits them, will he cooperate with me as I attempt to teach them to fast and pray, pay tithing, keep the Word of Wisdom, and hold family home evening regularly? I’m afraid I have placed myself in a very risky and potentially very unhappy situation, and all because I didn’t know enough to make the right decisions at the right time. Anyone can see what my future holds. It will be a miracle if my dreams about my family can ever come to pass.
I’m glad this has been just an imaginary experience and that I didn’t really have to live it. (end of this route)

62. from 60
As time goes on, it is becoming clear that persisting in my church activities causes more and more conflict. Even though I am active in the Church, I am miserable. Choosing the other alternative and participating in church activities only once in a while will not make me happy either. Neither of these choices is bringing me happiness at home, but what other alternatives are there for me?
I chose this risky possibility when I chose to get married civilly and not wait until Norman held the Melchizedek Priesthood. During that year, if Norman were not converted or had joined the Church just for me, it would have become obvious to both of us. Of course, this present situation of Norman’s inactivity in the Church could have happened even if we had waited and gone to the temple, but the possibility of its occurring would have been greatly reduced.
I am glad this is not a real experience. By making the right decisions at earlier stages of this sad situation. (end of this route)

63. from 58
I’m very happy. Norman is a member of the Church and we are soon going to be married in the temple. Some say I am lucky. They say that my case represents the small percentage that gets this end result—a truly converted fiancé. But when they say I am lucky, they are wrong. This wasn’t a matter of luck. It was based on intelligent decision-making. I made two wise decisions that set me on the right path. First, I discussed marriage and my church with Norman and chose not to marry him because I would marry only a member of the Church. Next, I chose to wait a year until he could hold the Melchizedek Priesthood so we could be married in the temple. These are the two major decisions that have greatly influenced my future life and happiness.
Suppose I had not made these decisions?
A. What if I had said, “Let’s get married now,” instead of “Let’s wait until you join the Church,” when Norman first proposed to me? (go to 54)
B. What if I had waited until Norman was baptized and then said, “Let’s get married now and go to the temple later”? (go to 57)

64. from 58
What am I going to do now? If the bishop has told me that I’m worthy, morally and in every other way, then it only means that Norman has failed to keep the commandments, isn’t fully converted, or has some other problem. I decided to:
A. Marry him anyway. (go to 57)
B. Break off our relationship and not see him anymore. This is too risky for marriage. (go to 66)

65. from 49
Well, I have finally realized that it is necessary to get off the romance boat when the oars don’t work. I wonder what took me so long. This relationship could never work. We’d both be very unhappy, quarrel over which church our children should join, and I’d always hope he’d come my way. Our basic philosophies would disagree at so many points that only such a superficial relationship as dating could have hidden them this long. I want to get off the “marry-go-round” with Norman Nonmormon. I now want to:
A. Meet some boys who are Church members. (go to 44)
B. See what would have happened if I had continued to date Norman. (go to 48)

66. from 64
Congratulations! When a bishop cannot give a temple recommend to a person, it means that there are some problems that need serious attention. I’ll ask the bishop to see that Norman’s bishop and ward members work hard to keep Norman in the Church. But this is too risky right now. I must have been pretty foolish or must have been going around with my eyes half closed not to notice Norman’s growth—or lack of it—during this past year. Anyway, there is no question but that this is the right decision. If I want to know how to meet some other LDS fellows, I can go to 44.
Had I not made this decision, however, and decided to marry Norman, what might have happened? (go to 54)

67. from 70
Well, I’ve really blown it! Don’t I realize that my children, their children, and their children’s children will likely all be raised outside the gospel? If my children were not members of another church, at least there might be a chance that Norman would let them be baptized into the restored Church in time, but it is extremely unlikely that this will happen if my children are in another church. Didn’t I remember Lucy’s talk to me? Don’t I understand what the Church is—or what it can mean to me throughout all time? I am denying my son the fulness of joy reserved for those who accept the Lord’s Church. With this pattern of behavior, what will our future hold? (go to 72)

68. from 54, 55
We have been married for one year. The honeymoon is over. Our first conflict was when the bishop asked me to teach a Primary class. I really wanted the job, but Norman didn’t like the idea of my being away from home. He likes his meals prepared and waiting when he gets home from work. I say:
A. “I will not accept the job.” (go to 69)
B. I tell Norman that Church activity would mean a great deal to me and I’m asking him to fix his own meals the nights I have to teach Primary. (go to 70)

69. from 68
I have come to miss the spiritual growth and opportunity for service that I had when I was active in the Church. My spiritual life will continue to decay and nothing in my future suggests that it will get better. Did I consider this reality when I first started dating Norman Nonmormon? (go to 70)

70. from 68, 69
It is some months later, and Norman and I are blessed with our first child. He weighs seven pounds, eight ounces, and is twenty-one inches long. I can’t wait to get out of the hospital and take him home. When I get home, Norman is anxious to have him baptized. I say:
A. “Are you kidding? Little children don’t need baptism. Let’s wait until he is eight years old. That’s when we baptize children in my church.” (go to 71)
B. “Okay, you’re the father of our household. I guess it’s okay for the firstborn son to be baptized into his father’s church.” (go to 67)

71. from 70
Those are nice words, but how am I going to persuade Norman? He is convinced that his church is best for the children. Before we were married, I never thought how deeply we could feel about these kinds of problems. (go to 72)

72. from 67, 71
Years pass, and several children have come into our home. Life has had its happy and sad days. We have had joy together, but I know that we have missed so much. Our main conflicts have been religion-oriented, because our philosophies about life are so different. I didn’t know that the gospel is such a total part of my life. Each time one of our children is faced with a religious decision, I say:
A. “Your father is the head of the family. We’d better do as he says.” (go to 74)
B. “Norman, my church is really the true church. Can’t you see that? This time, do as I say, please.” (go to 73)
C. “Let’s not baptize them in either church and then our kids can decided what they want to do.” (go to 75)

73. from 72
I wonder why I think Norman will agree to this idea. Our dating relationship certainly couldn’t have shown him how I felt. Norman might—or might not—compromise his thoughts. But did I ever consider that it is impossible to compromise with the truth? Either something is true or it isn’t. Even if Norman agreed for half of our children to be baptized in my church, I can see the conflict and hard feelings that would arise in our family. Misunderstanding, no common bond, arguing all the time—what have I gotten myself into? (go to 76)

74. from 72
But when Norman answers life’s important questions, our children get a distorted view of the purpose of life and the eternal values that are most important. Norman’s answers aren’t bad answers. They just won’t help our children get into the celestial kingdom. My narrow-minded sister Lucy says I don’t think enough of my children to provide them with the very best kind of family. Well, she can just go to church. We’re as good as she is any day. (go to 76)

75. from 72
At first I thought this was a sensible solution, but as the years go by, I see that not baptizing our children into the Church means that they grow up without the gospel. I’m heartsick. Maybe if Norman and I really communicate and if he’ll let someone whom he trusts in my church talk to him, we can solve this problem. But it will be hard, and maybe I’ll never be able to solve this problem. (go to 76)

76. from 73, 74, 75
I finally realize that it is impossible to ignore the truth of the gospel and still find happiness. The minute I compromise, like getting romantically involved with a person who does not believe as I do, I immediately set myself on a course that will lead to unhappiness. The amount of unhappiness I experience will depend on how far I go along that romantic path. I can see now that when one chooses a path he also chooses the place where the path leads.
I’m relieved that this is only an imaginary romance. I’m glad that the conflicts and problems encountered here can be avoided if I make proper decisions early in my dating career. The steps that can lead me to eternal happiness or to sorrow are obvious. Anyone can see how important it is for one to recognize the steps that lead to increased involvement with a person and then, most of all, to make up one’s mind ahead of time about how far he’ll go on the Norman Nonmormon “marry-go-round.”

“Oh no! Why did it have to snow?” five-year-old Carl said as he looked out the front window. He frowned as he watched the snowflakes fall. “Mom, does that mean our picnic at the park is canceled?”
“Until another day, I guess,” Mom said from the kitchen. “We can’t really have a picnic in the snow.”
“I wish the sun would come out and melt the snow,” Carl said.
Carl’s frown got bigger when his little brother came into the room holding Carl’s favorite toy car.
“That’s my car, Jared!” Carl said as he grabbed the toy.
Jared started to cry. Carl felt his stomach turn into a knot, and he frowned even more.
He walked into the kitchen, taking his car with him. “Not oatmeal again, Mom. Can’t we have pancakes instead?”
“Not today, Carl. Dad has to hurry or he’ll be late for work,” Mom said.
Carl sat down. His frown sank deeper and deeper.
“Where’s my happy lunch maker?” Dad asked as he walked into the room.
Carl looked up at Dad and frowned.
Dad started singing, “If you chance to meet a frown, do not let it stay. Quickly turn it upside down and smile that frown away.”*
All of a sudden, Carl felt Dad’s strong arms lift him off the chair and gently turn him upside down. Carl felt his frown melt away as he looked at Dad’s upside-down smiling face. He started smiling, and then laughed. Dad started laughing too, and then Mom and Jared did. Before long the whole family was laughing.
“Let’s turn the day right side up again. OK, everybody?” Dad sat Carl back down in the chair.
“OK, Dad,” Carl said.
Dad went to finish getting ready for work. Carl hurried and got an apple and carrots and put them in Dad’s lunch bag. Then he found another toy car in his room and gave it to Jared. He quickly set the table for breakfast and then sat down with a big smile on his face.
Just then Dad walked back into the kitchen. “Looks like everything is right side up again!” he said.
“Mom, can we have a picnic for lunch today inside the house?” Carl asked.
Mom smiled. “Sure. Just as long as we don’t have to eat upside down!”

Today we have modern Ruths and Josephs all over the world. When Brother Jimmy Olvera from Guayaquil, Ecuador, received his mission call, his family was struggling greatly. The day he was leaving, he was told that if he walked out the door, he would lose his family. With a broken heart he walked out that door. While he was on his mission, his mother asked him to stay longer in the field because they were receiving so many blessings. Today Brother Olvera serves as a stake patriarch.