On the morning of June 28, the bodies of Joseph and Hyrum were gently placed on two different wagons, covered with branches to shade them from the hot summer sun. William Hamilton and his father Artois accompanied Samuel Smith and Willard Richards to Nauvoo with the bodies of the slain Church leaders.
They left Carthage about 8:00 A.M. and arrived in Nauvoo about 3:00 P.M., where they were met by a great assemblage. When the bodies were returned to Nauvoo, they were washed and dressed. Then family and friends were ushered in to see them.
Through Teenage Eyes
On June 28, William Hamilton and his father Artois accompanied Samuel Smith and Willard Richards as they transported Joseph and Hyrum’s bodies from Carthage to Nauvoo. They arrived to a large gathering, and the bodies were prepared for viewing by family and friends.
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👤 Joseph Smith
👤 Early Saints
👤 Youth
Death
Family
Grief
Joseph Smith
Being Taught by the Spirit
A few weeks later, the narrator struggled with school, relationships, and faith. While reading scriptures, he felt prompted to keep going and found verses about prayer. Remembering counsel in his patriarchal blessing, he realized he had neglected prayer and was missing blessings.
A few weeks later I started to struggle with school, friends, family, and even my faith. I was reading my scriptures one night, and as I was about to stop, I felt the urge to keep reading. I followed the prompting and read several scriptures that mentioned prayer. I then recalled my patriarchal blessing and how it said that I need to pray often and have a close relationship with my Heavenly Father and the Holy Ghost. I had not been the best at saying my prayers. I realized that I was missing out on one of the blessings I would have been getting.
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👤 Youth
👤 Other
Adversity
Doubt
Faith
Holy Ghost
Patriarchal Blessings
Prayer
Revelation
Scriptures
Purify Our Minds and Spirits
The speaker recalls attending a business meeting with well-educated, professional men whose conversation was filled with profanity. Despite their competence and friendliness, their language exemplified society’s acceptance of vulgarity. The anecdote underscores the need to reject crude speech.
Vulgarity appears in many ways. We live in a society where profanity and vulgarity are accepted means of conduct and expression—even a way of life for some. I remember being in a business meeting some years ago with a group of men who were well educated, competent in their professions, and friendly to all—but their language was a dialogue in profanity.
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👤 Other
Reverence
Sin
Virtue
People and Places
After a breakup, Marilyn sought a fresh start by applying widely for teaching positions. Her qualifications and Latter-day Saint background helped her secure a job at a state school for delinquent girls. She moved to Lakeside for the job and because of strong Church young adult activity.
Lakeside, California—Marilyn Olsen is the head teacher at a state school for delinquent girls near San Diego, California, which is about the same as being vice-principal, because the principal is head of three schools.
““I got the job about a year ago when I broke up with a fellow and wanted a total change in my life. So I sent applications everywhere, and my qualifications as a business education graduate and my long list of school activities, as well as being a Mormon, seemed to be what they were looking for,” explained Marilyn. She moved to Lakeside because the job was right and the “M Men and Gleaner activity was lively, and this was important to me too.”
““I got the job about a year ago when I broke up with a fellow and wanted a total change in my life. So I sent applications everywhere, and my qualifications as a business education graduate and my long list of school activities, as well as being a Mormon, seemed to be what they were looking for,” explained Marilyn. She moved to Lakeside because the job was right and the “M Men and Gleaner activity was lively, and this was important to me too.”
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👤 Church Members (General)
Dating and Courtship
Education
Employment
Women in the Church
Young Women
The Temple Is a Sacred Place
As a boy in Whitney, Idaho, the speaker returned from the fields and heard his mother singing while ironing long strips of white cloth. When he asked, she explained they were temple robes and taught him about the importance of temple ordinances. She expressed a fervent hope that her posterity would enjoy temple blessings.
I am grateful to the Lord that my temple memories extend back even to young boyhood. I remember so well, as a little boy, coming in from the field and approaching the old farm house in Whitney, Idaho. I could hear my mother singing “Have I done any good in the world today?” (Hymns, 1985, no. 223).
In my mind’s eye, I can still see her bending over the ironing board with newspapers on the floor, ironing long strips of white cloth, with beads or perspiration on her forehead. When I asked her what she was doing, she said, “These are temple robes, my son.”
Then she put the old flatiron on the stove, drew a chair close to mine, and told me about temple work—how important it is to be able to go to the temple and participate in the sacred ordinances performed there. She also expressed her fervent hope that someday her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren would have the opportunity to enjoy these priceless blessings.
In my mind’s eye, I can still see her bending over the ironing board with newspapers on the floor, ironing long strips of white cloth, with beads or perspiration on her forehead. When I asked her what she was doing, she said, “These are temple robes, my son.”
Then she put the old flatiron on the stove, drew a chair close to mine, and told me about temple work—how important it is to be able to go to the temple and participate in the sacred ordinances performed there. She also expressed her fervent hope that someday her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren would have the opportunity to enjoy these priceless blessings.
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👤 Parents
👤 Children
Family
Garments
Ordinances
Sealing
Temples
Your Celestial Guide
In a tiny branch in British Columbia, a Young Women meeting had only one young woman, Hawley, along with local leaders and a visiting general Young Women officer. The Spirit was present, and the speaker learned that the Lord is as concerned about one young woman as He is about thousands.
Young women, you are loved, and you are worth everything, even the life of your Savior. I saw evidence of this love in a small branch in British Columbia, Canada. We met in a little house for branch conference and in the basement for Young Women. The poster of the theme was on the wall. A doily and flowers were on a small table surrounded by four chairs. Attending were the branch Young Women president, the stake Young Women president, a general Young Women officer, and one young woman named Hawley. Also present were the influence and power of the Holy Ghost. I learned a lesson at that very moment—that the Lord was as concerned about one precious young woman as He is about the thousands of you.
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👤 Church Leaders (Local)
👤 Youth
👤 Church Members (General)
Holy Ghost
Jesus Christ
Love
Young Women
Gospel Pioneers in Africa
In rural Chyulu, Saints built a simple bowery for worship and prepared it weekly, with children helping clean. Creative measures enabled baptisms using a water tank font and community effort to fill it. Many were taught and baptized, and by 1993 two branches totaled about 350 members.
In order to hold worship services, the members in Chyulu built a small bowery that would accommodate about forty people. The sides were made from tree branches woven together, and the roof was corrugated tin and palm branches. Each Sunday morning, little children used tree branches to sweep out the building.
Due to the area’s isolation and primitive conditions, special arrangements had to be made for the baptisms. A water tank was brought from Nairobi to serve as a baptismal font. It took five hours to pump enough water from a well and haul it six kilometers to the new font. Then ten adults stood inside the font to raise the water level high enough so the candidates could be immersed. In preparation for the first service, forty people were taught the discussions and interviewed. When they were baptized and confirmed, the branch nearly doubled in membership. By August 1993, there were two branches in Chyulu, with a combined membership of three hundred and fifty.
Due to the area’s isolation and primitive conditions, special arrangements had to be made for the baptisms. A water tank was brought from Nairobi to serve as a baptismal font. It took five hours to pump enough water from a well and haul it six kilometers to the new font. Then ten adults stood inside the font to raise the water level high enough so the candidates could be immersed. In preparation for the first service, forty people were taught the discussions and interviewed. When they were baptized and confirmed, the branch nearly doubled in membership. By August 1993, there were two branches in Chyulu, with a combined membership of three hundred and fifty.
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👤 Missionaries
👤 Church Members (General)
👤 Children
Adversity
Baptism
Conversion
Missionary Work
Service
Fleeing for Faith and Freedom
For years, secret police interrogated the author's grandmother and other members about their faith, even threatening imprisonment. She remained peaceful and resolute, noting that true churches are persecuted. Members met quietly in their branch president’s apartment for 18 years, whispering hymns and hoping someday to reach Salt Lake City.
Over the next several years, members of the branch, including my grandma and my mother (now in her teens), were sometimes taken in by the secret police for questioning about their religious practices. One time my grandmother was questioned aggressively for five hours. Her questioners told her they would put her in prison for five years if they learned she was teaching religion to her children.
She recorded, “I stayed peaceful and said, ‘If you think that I do something wrong teaching my children religion, then you can lock me up.’ They didn’t answer. From that time on they called me in repeatedly. They talked against the Church, and they tried to get us off our faith. The more they tried the more I clung to the Church, [for] the true Church was always persecuted.”
My mother wrote in her journal, “In these most difficult years, members met on Sunday in our branch president’s apartment. We couldn’t sing loud so we whispered. We didn’t want our branch president in jail. For 18 years we were gathering like that and we were dreaming of the time when we all would be able to go to the Rocky Mountains and settle in [Salt Lake City].” They had hope even though at the time families were seldom granted paperwork that would allow them to leave the country.
She recorded, “I stayed peaceful and said, ‘If you think that I do something wrong teaching my children religion, then you can lock me up.’ They didn’t answer. From that time on they called me in repeatedly. They talked against the Church, and they tried to get us off our faith. The more they tried the more I clung to the Church, [for] the true Church was always persecuted.”
My mother wrote in her journal, “In these most difficult years, members met on Sunday in our branch president’s apartment. We couldn’t sing loud so we whispered. We didn’t want our branch president in jail. For 18 years we were gathering like that and we were dreaming of the time when we all would be able to go to the Rocky Mountains and settle in [Salt Lake City].” They had hope even though at the time families were seldom granted paperwork that would allow them to leave the country.
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👤 Church Members (General)
👤 Church Leaders (Local)
👤 Youth
👤 Other
Adversity
Courage
Endure to the End
Faith
Family
Hope
Religious Freedom
Teaching the Gospel
Jesus Christ: The Caregiver of Our Soul
A faithful couple, Mario and Regina Emerick, died four days apart from COVID-19. Their son, a bishop in Brazil, shared that despite the heartbreak, he felt divine strength and peace through faith in Jesus Christ. He was enabled to comfort his family and witnessed other miracles, feeling deep assurance of the Savior’s love.
Near the end of last year, I learned of the passing of a dear couple, Mario and Regina Emerick, who were very faithful to the Lord and passed away four days apart from one another due to complications from COVID-19.
One of their sons, who is currently serving as a bishop in Brazil, related the following to me: “It was so difficult to see my parents depart from this world in that condition, but I could clearly feel the hand of the Lord in my life amidst that tragedy, because I received strength and peace that transcended my understanding. Through my faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, I received divine help to strengthen and comfort my family members and all those who helped us during this trying experience. Even though the miracle that everyone hoped for did not occur, personally I am a witness of many other miracles that have occurred in my own life and in the lives of my family members. I felt an inexplicable peace that penetrated the depths of my heart, giving me hope and confidence in the love of the Savior for me and in the plan of happiness of God for His children. I learned that on the very most grief-filled days, the loving arms of the Savior are always extended when we seek Him with all our heart, power, mind, and strength.”
One of their sons, who is currently serving as a bishop in Brazil, related the following to me: “It was so difficult to see my parents depart from this world in that condition, but I could clearly feel the hand of the Lord in my life amidst that tragedy, because I received strength and peace that transcended my understanding. Through my faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, I received divine help to strengthen and comfort my family members and all those who helped us during this trying experience. Even though the miracle that everyone hoped for did not occur, personally I am a witness of many other miracles that have occurred in my own life and in the lives of my family members. I felt an inexplicable peace that penetrated the depths of my heart, giving me hope and confidence in the love of the Savior for me and in the plan of happiness of God for His children. I learned that on the very most grief-filled days, the loving arms of the Savior are always extended when we seek Him with all our heart, power, mind, and strength.”
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👤 Church Leaders (Local)
👤 Parents
👤 Church Members (General)
Atonement of Jesus Christ
Bishop
Death
Faith
Family
Grief
Hope
Ministering
Miracles
Peace
Testimony
Sharing the Gospel Using the Internet
Church Public Affairs interviewed Elder Dallin H. Oaks and Elder Lance B. Wickman about same-gender attraction. Instead of relying on traditional media, the full interview was posted on the Church's website. This demonstrates using digital tools to communicate the Church's position clearly and completely.
These tools allow organizations and individuals to completely bypass the news media and publish or broadcast their messages in their entirety to the intended audiences. For instance, last year the Church Public Affairs Department conducted an interview with Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Elder Lance B. Wickman of the Seventy regarding the Church’s position on same-gender attraction. In the old days, to communicate our message to the public on an issue like this we would have had to rely on the news media. But this probing interview was conducted by Church Public Affairs staff and posted in its entirety on the Church’s Web site, unfiltered by the news media.
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👤 General Authorities (Modern)
👤 Other
Apostle
Same-Sex Attraction
From the Isles of the Sea
Carys is the only Latter-day Saint at her school but feels respected. She invites friends to ward youth activities, and they respond positively, complimenting the people and atmosphere.
Back in Devon, Carys Anne Irwin of Exeter adds, “I’m the only Latter-day Saint at St. Margaret’s School, but everyone treats me with respect. Our ward has lots of good youth activities, so I invite friends to join in. They make comments like, ‘I really enjoyed that. Your people have such nice smiles.’”
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👤 Youth
👤 Friends
Diversity and Unity in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Friendship
Kindness
Missionary Work
Young Women
Lukás Kroutil of Prague, Czech Republic
While playing softball with missionaries, an elder accidentally hit Lukás in the head with a metal bat. The missionaries wanted to take him to the hospital, but he chose to go home and pray. After praying, his head stopped hurting, and he felt God had answered his prayer.
He loves being around the full-time missionaries. One day he was playing softball with them, and an elder accidentally hit him in the head with a big metal baseball bat. The elders wanted to take Lukás to the hospital, but he refused and said he just wanted to go home. He felt certain that if he prayed, Heavenly Father would make him better. As soon as he prayed for help, his head stopped hurting. He knew Heavenly Father had answered his prayer.
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👤 Children
👤 Missionaries
Faith
Health
Miracles
Missionary Work
Prayer
Testimony
A Helper Like You
Jaylen watches his brother Anthony deliver bread to Mr. Bergman and then shovel the Potters’ driveway. Inspired by Anthony’s example of service, Jaylen says he wants to be a helper like him.
Where is my brother taking that bread? Jaylen wonders.
“This is for you, Mr. Bergman.”
“Thank you, Anthony!”
Where is he going now? Jaylen wonders.
He’s shoveling the Potters’ driveway!
“Here, let me help you!” Anthony says.
“I want to be a helper like you!” Jaylen says.
“This is for you, Mr. Bergman.”
“Thank you, Anthony!”
Where is he going now? Jaylen wonders.
He’s shoveling the Potters’ driveway!
“Here, let me help you!” Anthony says.
“I want to be a helper like you!” Jaylen says.
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👤 Children
👤 Other
Charity
Children
Kindness
Ministering
Service
Book Reviews
Mr. and Mrs. Mallard search for a place to live and consider the Boston Public Garden. Because there is also danger there, Mrs. Mallard nests by a river while the ducklings are young. Later, they journey back to the Public Garden.
Make Way for Ducklings, by Robert McCloskey. Mr. and Mrs. Mallard need to find a place to live. The Boston Public Garden seems like the right place. There are peanuts and water and friendly people, but there is danger too. So Mrs. Mallard decides to nest on a river while her ducklings are young. Follow their journey as they make their way back to the Public Garden.
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👤 Parents
👤 Children
Adversity
Children
Family
Kindness
Parenting
Be a Strong Link
The speaker recalls being sealed to Ruby in the Salt Lake Temple in 1930, with their widowed mothers present. He reflects that after 70 years of marriage, life has grown sweeter through living the gospel and keeping covenants.
When Ruby and I knelt at the Salt Lake Temple at the altar on September the fourth, 1930, holding hands and looking at one another, little did we ever realize what would lie ahead for us. We were two young people. I had come out of the country in southern Idaho, and Ruby had come out of Sanpete County, Utah. Our fathers were dead, but we had two wonderful widowed mothers, and they were with us in the temple. As we knelt and made covenants and promises, I knew that that was for real.
Now, after we have been married 70 years, I can say to all of you that it gets better, that it gets better year after year, with the preciousness and the tenderness and the realization of some of the eternal blessings that lie ahead for us. And so to all of you I would say, and Ruby would join with me if she could be standing here, that life can be wonderful and so meaningful, but we have to live it in a simple way. We must live the principles of the gospel. For it is the gospel in our lives that makes the difference as we wend our way through life.
Now, after we have been married 70 years, I can say to all of you that it gets better, that it gets better year after year, with the preciousness and the tenderness and the realization of some of the eternal blessings that lie ahead for us. And so to all of you I would say, and Ruby would join with me if she could be standing here, that life can be wonderful and so meaningful, but we have to live it in a simple way. We must live the principles of the gospel. For it is the gospel in our lives that makes the difference as we wend our way through life.
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👤 General Authorities (Modern)
👤 Parents
👤 Church Members (General)
Covenant
Faith
Family
Happiness
Marriage
Obedience
Sealing
Temples
Testimony
Caregiver? Take Care of Yourself Too
The author’s wife’s parents aged, prompting their children to collaborate on a plan to support them. An older daughter invited the parents to move near her in Osaka and became the primary caregiver, while all siblings helped with housing and respecting the parents’ independence. The father with dementia began attending a local day-care center, and the author’s wife supports from afar through weekly doctrinal discussions and checking on her sister. The family’s coordinated efforts improved care and preserved joy.
Caregivers need support in the efforts they make to help others. Many families have learned how to support a caregiver in marvelous ways. For example, my wife’s parents lived near the ocean in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. However, as they got older, their children started to be concerned about their health.
One of their older daughters invited them to move closer to her home, in Osaka, where she would be a primary caregiver to them. But all the children joined together to support their parents and their sister—finding and remodeling a house, understanding the parents’ needs, and respecting their independence so that they could fully receive joy and happiness in their new life at the new location.
My wife’s father, who has dementia, started attending a day-care center nearby, where he enjoys the company of other seniors rather than randomly wandering around his neighborhood. Even though we are far away, my wife enjoys having a doctrinal discussion with her parents every Sunday via the internet, where they encourage one another and share love. And she often checks on her sister to see how the caregiving is going.
One of their older daughters invited them to move closer to her home, in Osaka, where she would be a primary caregiver to them. But all the children joined together to support their parents and their sister—finding and remodeling a house, understanding the parents’ needs, and respecting their independence so that they could fully receive joy and happiness in their new life at the new location.
My wife’s father, who has dementia, started attending a day-care center nearby, where he enjoys the company of other seniors rather than randomly wandering around his neighborhood. Even though we are far away, my wife enjoys having a doctrinal discussion with her parents every Sunday via the internet, where they encourage one another and share love. And she often checks on her sister to see how the caregiving is going.
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👤 Parents
👤 Children
Charity
Disabilities
Family
Health
Kindness
Love
Ministering
Service
Unity
Creating and Sharing God’s Love through Art
On November 8, 2018, the author visited the Church History Museum to see President Henry B. Eyring’s watercolor exhibit. A statement from President Eyring about creating from love profoundly affected the author, inspiring a renewed desire to help others feel Heavenly Father’s love through creative efforts. The experience reframed the author's purpose in creation and brought joy.
November 8, 2018, started out like any ordinary morning. Yet an hour I spent at an art exhibit that day made a significant impact in my life.
The Church History Museum in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, had just opened an exhibit with paintings by President Henry B. Eyring, Second Counselor in the First Presidency. While strolling through the exhibit, A Visual Journal: Artwork of Henry B. Eyring , I was in awe of President Eyring’s watercolor skills, and his collection was a great reminder of this message from Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “As you take the normal opportunities of your daily life and create something of beauty and helpfulness, you improve not only the world around you but also the world within you.” 1 The process of creation is worth our time.
But what affected me most that day was this statement from President Eyring:
“My motivation in all of my varied creative work seems to have been a feeling of love. … I felt the love of a Creator who expects His children to become like Him—to create and to build. In addition, I have always had a feeling of love for my family, friends, and others who might gain some satisfaction and joy from my efforts. So, my hope … is that those who see this exhibit might feel both the Savior’s and my own love for them.” 2
Isn’t that so powerful? It reminded me to see opportunities to help others feel Heavenly Father’s and my love for them in all that I create and do. And that is a life-changing perspective that brings so much joy!
President Eyring added: “I have feelings while I paint certain kinds of things. … I can’t do it unless I have something I care about. So I pray to know; I can’t just go do a picture to do a nice picture.” 3 For him, painting is all about the purpose behind the art.
The Church History Museum in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, had just opened an exhibit with paintings by President Henry B. Eyring, Second Counselor in the First Presidency. While strolling through the exhibit, A Visual Journal: Artwork of Henry B. Eyring , I was in awe of President Eyring’s watercolor skills, and his collection was a great reminder of this message from Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “As you take the normal opportunities of your daily life and create something of beauty and helpfulness, you improve not only the world around you but also the world within you.” 1 The process of creation is worth our time.
But what affected me most that day was this statement from President Eyring:
“My motivation in all of my varied creative work seems to have been a feeling of love. … I felt the love of a Creator who expects His children to become like Him—to create and to build. In addition, I have always had a feeling of love for my family, friends, and others who might gain some satisfaction and joy from my efforts. So, my hope … is that those who see this exhibit might feel both the Savior’s and my own love for them.” 2
Isn’t that so powerful? It reminded me to see opportunities to help others feel Heavenly Father’s and my love for them in all that I create and do. And that is a life-changing perspective that brings so much joy!
President Eyring added: “I have feelings while I paint certain kinds of things. … I can’t do it unless I have something I care about. So I pray to know; I can’t just go do a picture to do a nice picture.” 3 For him, painting is all about the purpose behind the art.
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👤 General Authorities (Modern)
👤 Other
Apostle
Creation
Jesus Christ
Love
Prayer
The Kingdom Progresses in Africa
A Church leader presided at a stake conference in Benin City, Nigeria, a year after the stake was created and had grown significantly. Despite political turmoil and public transportation disruptions, many members walked long distances to attend, resulting in robust participation. A well-trained choir sang joyfully, reflecting the dedication and strength of the local Saints.
A few days earlier I had presided at a stake conference in Benin City, Nigeria. The stake had been created a year earlier and had grown by over 260 members, mostly families, during that period. The percentage of member families receiving home teaching visits in this large, sprawling city is well within the range of established stakes in developed countries, even though few families in Benin City own cars or telephones. Attendance at sacrament meeting in the new stake is high in spite of ongoing political turmoil and frequent public transportation disruptions. Nearly 50 percent of stake members were present at the Sunday morning session of stake conference; many families walked considerable distances to attend. A well-trained choir sang with joy the hymns of Zion. Comparable levels of participation and dedicated, competent leadership are evident wherever the Church is established in sub-Saharan Africa. Africa is truly seeing the dawning of a brighter day.
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👤 Church Members (General)
👤 General Authorities (Modern)
👤 Church Leaders (Local)
Adversity
Diversity and Unity in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Family
Ministering
Missionary Work
Music
Sacrament Meeting
Answers to My Questions
Elder Neil L. Andersen addresses ongoing questions about Joseph Smith and counsels patience and perspective. He urges considering Joseph’s life: despite poverty and little education, he translated the Book of Mormon rapidly, many embraced the Restoration, and he sealed his testimony with his blood at age 38. He testifies that Joseph was a prophet and encourages moving forward in faith.
Questions concerning the Prophet Joseph Smith are not new. They have been hurled by his critics since this work began. To those of faith who, looking through the colored glasses of the 21st century, honestly question events or statements of the Prophet Joseph from nearly 200 years ago, may I share some friendly advice: For now, give Brother Joseph a break! In a future day, you will have 100 times more information than all of today’s search engines combined, and it will come from our all-knowing Father in Heaven. Consider the totality of Joseph’s life—born in poverty and given little formal education, he translated the Book of Mormon in less than 90 days. Tens of thousands of honest, devoted men and women embraced the cause of the Restoration. At age 38, Joseph sealed his witness with his blood. I testify that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. Settle this in your mind, and move forward!
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👤 Joseph Smith
Adversity
Book of Mormon
Death
Doubt
Faith
Joseph Smith
Testimony
The Restoration
Faith Is Not by Chance, but by Choice
After baptism, Aroldo’s mother died, leaving him responsible for his younger siblings and seeming to end his mission plans. While preparing a talk, he felt impressed to obey the prophet’s call to serve and entered the MTC despite financial shortfalls. Miracles followed, including unexpected income from his former employer that sustained both his mission and his family. Years later, he reflected that living righteously brought the Savior’s guidance and growing faith.
A month ago in Brazil, I met Aroldo Cavalcante. He was baptized at age 21, the first member of the Church in his family. His faith burned brightly, and he immediately began preparing to serve a mission. Sadly, Aroldo’s mother was diagnosed with cancer. Three months later, only days before she died, she spoke to Aroldo of her greatest concern: There were no relatives to help. Aroldo would need to take full responsibility for his two younger sisters and his younger brother. He solemnly made this promise to his dying mother.
By day he worked in a bank, and at night he attended the university. He continued to keep his baptismal covenants, but his hopes for a full-time mission were gone. His mission would be caring for his family.
Months later while preparing a sacrament meeting talk, Aroldo studied the words that Samuel reprovingly spoke to King Saul: “To obey,” he read, “is better than [to] sacrifice.”10 Aroldo received the seemingly impossible impression that he needed to obey the prophet’s call to serve a mission. Undaunted by the obstacles before him, he moved forward with enormous faith.
Aroldo saved every Brazilian cruzeiro he could. At age 23, he received his mission call. He told his brother how much to withdraw each month from his account for the family. Aroldo still did not have enough money to pay the full cost of his mission and the living expenses for his brother and sisters, but with faith he entered the MTC. A week later he received the first of many blessings. The bank that had employed Elder Cavalcante unexpectedly doubled the money he was to receive as he concluded his work. This miracle, along with others, provided the needed income for his mission and his family during his absence.
Twenty years later, Brother Cavalcante is now serving as the president of the Recife Brazil Boa Viagem Stake. Looking back, he said of those days, “As I tried to live righteously, I felt the Savior’s love and guidance. My faith grew, allowing me to overcome many challenges.”11 Aroldo’s faith did not come by chance, but by choice.
By day he worked in a bank, and at night he attended the university. He continued to keep his baptismal covenants, but his hopes for a full-time mission were gone. His mission would be caring for his family.
Months later while preparing a sacrament meeting talk, Aroldo studied the words that Samuel reprovingly spoke to King Saul: “To obey,” he read, “is better than [to] sacrifice.”10 Aroldo received the seemingly impossible impression that he needed to obey the prophet’s call to serve a mission. Undaunted by the obstacles before him, he moved forward with enormous faith.
Aroldo saved every Brazilian cruzeiro he could. At age 23, he received his mission call. He told his brother how much to withdraw each month from his account for the family. Aroldo still did not have enough money to pay the full cost of his mission and the living expenses for his brother and sisters, but with faith he entered the MTC. A week later he received the first of many blessings. The bank that had employed Elder Cavalcante unexpectedly doubled the money he was to receive as he concluded his work. This miracle, along with others, provided the needed income for his mission and his family during his absence.
Twenty years later, Brother Cavalcante is now serving as the president of the Recife Brazil Boa Viagem Stake. Looking back, he said of those days, “As I tried to live righteously, I felt the Savior’s love and guidance. My faith grew, allowing me to overcome many challenges.”11 Aroldo’s faith did not come by chance, but by choice.
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👤 Missionaries
👤 Parents
👤 Church Members (General)
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