One sister writes: “At age 21 I was stricken with a mental illness that, I learned, would be a lifelong problem. Through priesthood blessings, I was promised I would be healed according to my faith. Maintaining faith became my greatest challenge. During a particularly troubling time, my mother gave me the personal history of my great-grandmother.
Those words spoke powerfully to this sister. “My faith was strengthened,” she says, “and I knew in the Lord’s time I, too, would be healed.”
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Building Family Unity through Temple and Family History Work
A 21-year-old sister struggled with lifelong mental illness and the challenge of maintaining faith despite priesthood promises of healing. During a difficult period, her mother gave her the personal history of her great-grandmother. After reading it, the sister felt her faith strengthen and trusted she would be healed in the Lord’s time.
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👤 Young Adults
👤 Parents
👤 Church Members (General)
Adversity
Faith
Family History
Hope
Mental Health
Patience
Priesthood Blessing
Navigating Difficulties in Relationships
Tom and Joan, widowed and divorced respectively, prepared to blend their families and sought counseling for communication help. They implemented family councils with a clear agenda and learned one-on-one communication techniques, time-outs, and united parenting. As they worked together and followed these practices, they saw growth in their children and themselves.
Tom and Joan (names have been changed) had both lost their spouses. Tom’s wife had passed away from cancer, and Joan’s husband, because of addiction, had left for other relationships. Tom and Joan met at a singles conference and were looking forward to marriage.
Each of them had children, age 15 and under. Their families had been on several outings together, and both Tom and Joan could see potential problems in blending the families. They came to counseling for some ideas on how to communicate in healthy ways to navigate this new chapter of their lives.
I suggested they review the message on family councils by President M. Russell Ballard, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. “Children desperately need parents willing to listen to them,” he taught, “and the family council can provide a time during which family members can learn to understand and love one another.”1
For their family councils, they decided on the following agenda:
Define the problem.
Brainstorm solutions.
Choose a plan.
Put it into action.
Evaluate the success of the plan the next week and renegotiate the plan if necessary.
In addition to counseling together as a family, Tom and Joan learned that when relationship stress is high, there can be a need to learn how to improve one-on-one communication as well.
Tom and Joan learned several techniques that helped them improve their communication and their relationships with their children.
The parents stood together in finding solutions to problems with the children.
If a child had difficulty completing their daily tasks, one of the parents would spend time with them, discussing the day while they worked to complete the tasks.
They spent time each week deepening their relationship with every child.
They established ahead of time that they would take time-outs when the “emotional” brain (yelling) took over from the “rational,” solution-focused brain (discussion).
Whenever there was a power struggle between parent and child, the parent, when impressed to do so, withdrew and came back later to brainstorm a new solution.
As the family did their best to approach challenging relationship issues in faithful, healthy ways—communicating about their challenges and working through them together—Tom and Joan recognized important growth in their children as well as themselves.
Each of them had children, age 15 and under. Their families had been on several outings together, and both Tom and Joan could see potential problems in blending the families. They came to counseling for some ideas on how to communicate in healthy ways to navigate this new chapter of their lives.
I suggested they review the message on family councils by President M. Russell Ballard, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. “Children desperately need parents willing to listen to them,” he taught, “and the family council can provide a time during which family members can learn to understand and love one another.”1
For their family councils, they decided on the following agenda:
Define the problem.
Brainstorm solutions.
Choose a plan.
Put it into action.
Evaluate the success of the plan the next week and renegotiate the plan if necessary.
In addition to counseling together as a family, Tom and Joan learned that when relationship stress is high, there can be a need to learn how to improve one-on-one communication as well.
Tom and Joan learned several techniques that helped them improve their communication and their relationships with their children.
The parents stood together in finding solutions to problems with the children.
If a child had difficulty completing their daily tasks, one of the parents would spend time with them, discussing the day while they worked to complete the tasks.
They spent time each week deepening their relationship with every child.
They established ahead of time that they would take time-outs when the “emotional” brain (yelling) took over from the “rational,” solution-focused brain (discussion).
Whenever there was a power struggle between parent and child, the parent, when impressed to do so, withdrew and came back later to brainstorm a new solution.
As the family did their best to approach challenging relationship issues in faithful, healthy ways—communicating about their challenges and working through them together—Tom and Joan recognized important growth in their children as well as themselves.
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👤 Parents
👤 Children
👤 Church Members (General)
👤 Other
Addiction
Apostle
Children
Family
Grief
Marriage
Mental Health
Parenting
Single-Parent Families
Jesus Was a Peacemaker
Avalyn created a 'get-along bucket' with activities and Primary songs for her and her siblings. While making it, she felt the Holy Ghost and grew grateful for her family.
I made a “get-along bucket.” I filled it with slips of paper that said things that me, my sister, and my brother can do together. On the back of the papers, I wrote Primary songs that we know. I felt the Holy Ghost while I was making the get-along bucket. I felt grateful for my family.
Avalyn G., age 7, Michigan, USA
Avalyn G., age 7, Michigan, USA
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👤 Children
Children
Family
Gratitude
Holy Ghost
Kindness
Music
“Have You Done Everything?”
A father asked the speaker, a public speaking merit badge examiner, to sign his son's card without meeting him because a board of review was imminent. The examiner offered multiple meeting times, but the boy did not show. Days later, the boy received his Eagle Scout award, prompting the examiner to wonder who had signed off despite the missed requirement.
I had a father come to me one day and say, “Brother Buckner, you are a merit badge examiner for public speaking.”
I said, “Yes, that’s right.”
He said, “I’ve got a son who’s got all of his merit badges for his Eagle Scout rank except one, and I’d like to have you sign his card for public speaking.”
I said, “Well, I’d love to pass your boy on public speaking, but I want to meet your son. You wouldn’t deprive me of that, would you?”
“No,” he said, “but there’s a board of review this Thursday, and we’ve got to have it done by then.”
I said, “Well, I’ll set aside any time you wish—today, Sunday, tomorrow, Monday. How about Tuesday night at 4:00?”
“That’ll be fine,” he said reluctantly.
Tuesday night at four the boy didn’t show up. But a few days later I saw his picture in our local paper getting his Eagle Scout award. I wondered which merit badge examiner the father talked into signing his card.
I said, “Yes, that’s right.”
He said, “I’ve got a son who’s got all of his merit badges for his Eagle Scout rank except one, and I’d like to have you sign his card for public speaking.”
I said, “Well, I’d love to pass your boy on public speaking, but I want to meet your son. You wouldn’t deprive me of that, would you?”
“No,” he said, “but there’s a board of review this Thursday, and we’ve got to have it done by then.”
I said, “Well, I’ll set aside any time you wish—today, Sunday, tomorrow, Monday. How about Tuesday night at 4:00?”
“That’ll be fine,” he said reluctantly.
Tuesday night at four the boy didn’t show up. But a few days later I saw his picture in our local paper getting his Eagle Scout award. I wondered which merit badge examiner the father talked into signing his card.
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👤 Parents
👤 Youth
👤 Other
Honesty
Parenting
Young Men
The Right Thing at the Right Time
Anson Call led the first 10 wagons west from Council Bluffs in 1846 under Brigham Young's direction. After traveling over 130 miles, they received new instructions to stop, wintered, and returned to rejoin the main body before finally heading west two years later. Call later helped establish new settlements, illustrating the necessity of adjusting to the Lord's timetable.
Anson Call was in the initial exodus from Nauvoo. He and his family crossed Iowa in the spring of 1846 and reached Council Bluffs, Iowa, that summer. There Brigham Young was organizing wagon companies. He appointed Anson Call captain of the first 10 wagons. The Twelve ordered his wagon train to move west. It left the Missouri River for the West on July 22, 1846. Organized by priesthood authority, they were directed toward the Rocky Mountains, and they went westward with great energy.
After traveling more than 130 miles through what is now Nebraska, this first wagon train was overtaken by new instructions directing them not to proceed further that season. They found a place to winter and then, in the spring of 1847, returned east and rejoined the main body of the Church on the Iowa side of the Missouri. There Anson Call and his family remained for a year, making further preparations and helping others prepare for the trip west. It was two years after their initial start westward in 1846 that Anson Call and his family finally journeyed to the valleys of the mountains. There the obedient and resourceful Anson Call was frequently used by Brigham Young to begin new settlements in the Intermountain West.3
What is the meaning of this pioneer experience? It is not enough that we are under call, or even that we are going in the right direction. The timing must be right, and if the time is not right, our actions should be adjusted to the Lord’s timetable as revealed by His servants.
After traveling more than 130 miles through what is now Nebraska, this first wagon train was overtaken by new instructions directing them not to proceed further that season. They found a place to winter and then, in the spring of 1847, returned east and rejoined the main body of the Church on the Iowa side of the Missouri. There Anson Call and his family remained for a year, making further preparations and helping others prepare for the trip west. It was two years after their initial start westward in 1846 that Anson Call and his family finally journeyed to the valleys of the mountains. There the obedient and resourceful Anson Call was frequently used by Brigham Young to begin new settlements in the Intermountain West.3
What is the meaning of this pioneer experience? It is not enough that we are under call, or even that we are going in the right direction. The timing must be right, and if the time is not right, our actions should be adjusted to the Lord’s timetable as revealed by His servants.
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👤 Pioneers
👤 Early Saints
Apostle
Obedience
Patience
Priesthood
Revelation
Frisbee Fever
Another apocryphal origin story tells of a nineteenth-century Yale scholar, Elihu Frisbee, who rebelled during chapel by flinging the collection plate. The story humorously suggests this act inspired the Frisbee’s name.
Another version holds that a nineteenth century Yale scholar, one Elihu Frisbee, revolted against the passing of the collection plate in Episcopal chapel by seizing the platter and sailing it mightily in the general direction of the university quad.
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👤 Other
Education
Reverence
The New Kid
A family moves to a warmer place at Christmastime and is welcomed. They notice a service wishing tree and see Manuel and Maria’s wish to build the world’s largest sand castle. Deciding to help, they act on the wish, culminating in a moment of satisfaction and declaring it the best Christmas ever.
I guess no snowmen this Christmas …
True, but no thick coats either.
What a time to move.
A big welcome to the Parker family.
Also, please check out the service wishing tree in the hall.
Manuel and Maria want to build the world’s largest sand castle.
Hey, I could do that.
Whoa! I’ve never built a snowman before!
Perfect! Just how I imagined.
Where’d the superhero wrapping paper go?
Best, Christmas, Ever!
True, but no thick coats either.
What a time to move.
A big welcome to the Parker family.
Also, please check out the service wishing tree in the hall.
Manuel and Maria want to build the world’s largest sand castle.
Hey, I could do that.
Whoa! I’ve never built a snowman before!
Perfect! Just how I imagined.
Where’d the superhero wrapping paper go?
Best, Christmas, Ever!
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👤 Other
Children
Christmas
Family
Ministering
Service
Why Memorize Scriptures?
A missionary accepted his mission president’s challenge to memorize Alma 5:45–46. Days later, when college students questioned his beliefs, he shared Alma’s testimony from memory. The Spirit confirmed his words, and the students’ hearts softened. He continued to find comfort in those memorized words afterward.
Memorizing had never come easy for me, but when my mission president challenged all of us to memorize Alma’s testimony in Alma 5:45–46, I exercised a little faith and began to commit Alma’s words to memory. It took a couple of weeks and some effort in my morning study, but I did it.
A few days later my companion and I were teaching a group of college students, who began to ask us some pointed questions. One young man looked at me and asked, “Do you really believe all this?” Alma’s testimony flashed into my mind, and I began sharing my testimony, using many of his words: “I do know that these things whereof [we] have spoken are true. And how do [you] suppose that I know of their surety? … They are made known unto me by the Holy Spirit of God. … I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit; and this is the spirit of revelation which is in me.”
Alma’s words had become my words too. The Spirit softly confirmed them in my heart as I spoke them. The words also had an immediate effect on the people we were teaching. Their hearts softened. In that moment I experienced the blessings of memorizing a scripture passage. Alma’s words have continued to be a friend and comfort to me when I need them.
A few days later my companion and I were teaching a group of college students, who began to ask us some pointed questions. One young man looked at me and asked, “Do you really believe all this?” Alma’s testimony flashed into my mind, and I began sharing my testimony, using many of his words: “I do know that these things whereof [we] have spoken are true. And how do [you] suppose that I know of their surety? … They are made known unto me by the Holy Spirit of God. … I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit; and this is the spirit of revelation which is in me.”
Alma’s words had become my words too. The Spirit softly confirmed them in my heart as I spoke them. The words also had an immediate effect on the people we were teaching. Their hearts softened. In that moment I experienced the blessings of memorizing a scripture passage. Alma’s words have continued to be a friend and comfort to me when I need them.
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👤 Missionaries
👤 Church Leaders (Local)
👤 Other
Book of Mormon
Faith
Holy Ghost
Missionary Work
Scriptures
Teaching the Gospel
Testimony
Liam’s mother lost her ring, and the family decided to pray together for help. After they prayed, she found the ring.
Liam S., 7, Manitoba, Canada, enjoys basketball, football, family home evening, praying, and singing. He wants to be a basketball or football player when he grows up. He has fun with his family. When his mom lost her ring, the family prayed, and she found it.
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👤 Parents
👤 Children
Children
Family
Family Home Evening
Miracles
Prayer
“Feed My Sheep”
The speaker traveled along the coast of Chile with the mission president and his wife, meeting many new members and admiring their faith. The experience prompted concern about helping converts avoid feeling like strangers and to stay strong in the gospel. They reflected that mature, well-prepared couples could be sent to strengthen these growing areas and nurture the new Saints.
A few months ago we drove along the coast of Chile with President Lester Haymore—then president of the Chile Osorno Mission—and Sister Haymore. As we visited cities and drove from village to village, we saw the fruits of our missionary proselyting efforts. We met with many new members, and we were deeply impressed with their faith and humble desire to learn more about the gospel they have accepted. As we continued the journey, our concern centered on ways we could help prevent this growing number of new members from feeling like strangers or foreigners, and help them become fellow citizens with the Saints. How can we help in strengthening their faith so that they can hold on to the iron rod and continue to grow in knowledge?
We reflected on the many priesthood, Relief Society, and Sunday School classes where husbands and wives who have been trained in the gospel—many with unusual talents—were not now being fully used. Some stakes are crowded with mature couples fully prepared to accept a mission call, who could not only enthusiastically help in spreading the gospel but strengthen new members in areas of the world where we are growing so rapidly. The thousands of newly baptized members now in the Church, with its somewhat strange, unfamiliar ways, could be encouraged and trained by someone who today is sitting comfortably at home. We thought, if we could only transplant hundreds of our faithful, well-prepared couples out into one of the greatest chapters of their lives!
We reflected on the many priesthood, Relief Society, and Sunday School classes where husbands and wives who have been trained in the gospel—many with unusual talents—were not now being fully used. Some stakes are crowded with mature couples fully prepared to accept a mission call, who could not only enthusiastically help in spreading the gospel but strengthen new members in areas of the world where we are growing so rapidly. The thousands of newly baptized members now in the Church, with its somewhat strange, unfamiliar ways, could be encouraged and trained by someone who today is sitting comfortably at home. We thought, if we could only transplant hundreds of our faithful, well-prepared couples out into one of the greatest chapters of their lives!
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👤 Church Leaders (Local)
👤 Church Members (General)
👤 Other
Baptism
Conversion
Diversity and Unity in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Faith
Missionary Work
Priesthood
Relief Society
Service
Teaching the Gospel
Unity
Chain Reaction
Christine’s cousins Sharon and Shailani notice her friendship with Bernard and Richard and are baptized. They then help reactivate Margie Paragoso, which leads to the baptism of Margie’s mother, sister-in-law, and cousin.
The link also created new twists. Two of Christine’s cousins, Sharon and Shailani Realigue, noticed the special kind of friendship between their cousin and her two friends. Christine introduced the Church to them, they were baptized, and the two cousins started to help reactivate less-active young women. They visited with Margie Paragoso, and that led the way for the baptism of Margie’s mother, sister-in-law, and cousin. “I really think this wouldn’t be possible were it not for my cousin’s example,” Sharon says.
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👤 Youth
👤 Church Members (General)
Baptism
Conversion
Family
Friendship
Ministering
Missionary Work
Young Women
Becoming a Member-Missionary
The author felt uncomfortable during a member-missionary Sunday School class despite believing the teachings. After examining her fears, studying scriptures and prophetic counsel, and praying, her fear turned into confidence. By the end of a six-week class, she had given away multiple copies of the Book of Mormon, shared her testimony, and invited neighbors to meet the missionaries.
I became more and more uncomfortable during our first member-missionary Sunday School class while the teacher talked about the importance of the work.
“Every member a missionary,” he reminded us, and then he continued: “Eighty percent of the convert baptisms in our mission come from member referrals. One part of the threefold mission of the Church is to proclaim the gospel to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. Brothers and sisters, we need to learn to open our mouths and share the gospel!”
His words weren’t new to me; I had heard them many times and believed them to be true. So why was I feeling uncomfortable? Why was I too nervous to give a nonmember a copy of the Book of Mormon, share my testimony with someone, or invite someone to meet the missionaries? Feeling discouraged after that first class, I tried to understand why I felt afraid to give a copy of the Book of Mormon to a nonmember, to share my testimony of the gospel, and to the invite nonmember friends and neighbors to meet with the missionaries. In examining my fears I took the first step toward a remarkable change in my life. As I studied the scriptures and words of living prophets and prayed to the Lord, my fear turned to confidence. By the end of that six-week class, I had given away seven copies of the Book of Mormon, shared my testimony with two nonmembers, and invited neighbors into our home to meet the missionaries. Here’s how I faced my fears and dealt with them.
“Every member a missionary,” he reminded us, and then he continued: “Eighty percent of the convert baptisms in our mission come from member referrals. One part of the threefold mission of the Church is to proclaim the gospel to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. Brothers and sisters, we need to learn to open our mouths and share the gospel!”
His words weren’t new to me; I had heard them many times and believed them to be true. So why was I feeling uncomfortable? Why was I too nervous to give a nonmember a copy of the Book of Mormon, share my testimony with someone, or invite someone to meet the missionaries? Feeling discouraged after that first class, I tried to understand why I felt afraid to give a copy of the Book of Mormon to a nonmember, to share my testimony of the gospel, and to the invite nonmember friends and neighbors to meet with the missionaries. In examining my fears I took the first step toward a remarkable change in my life. As I studied the scriptures and words of living prophets and prayed to the Lord, my fear turned to confidence. By the end of that six-week class, I had given away seven copies of the Book of Mormon, shared my testimony with two nonmembers, and invited neighbors into our home to meet the missionaries. Here’s how I faced my fears and dealt with them.
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👤 Church Members (General)
👤 Church Leaders (Local)
Book of Mormon
Courage
Missionary Work
Prayer
Scriptures
Teaching the Gospel
Testimony
An Honest Snack
A child found a bag of fruit snacks in the vending machine chute at a store and didn't want to steal it. They gave it to a worker, who told them they could keep it. The child shared the snacks with their family and felt good for choosing the right.
Once when I was at a store, I looked inside the vending machine where the candy falls down and found a bag of fruit snacks. I didn’t want to steal it, and I didn’t want someone else to steal it. I decided to give it to a worker. When I explained what happened, she said I could keep it and take it home to share with my family. While we ate the fruit snacks, I felt good inside for choosing the right.
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👤 Children
👤 Other
Agency and Accountability
Honesty
Kindness
Temptation
Success Stories
John Bunyan tells of a man who spent his life raking up earthly muck while an angel stood above him offering a celestial crown in exchange for the muckrake. Because the man only looked downward, he ignored the angel’s offer and continued collecting dust and chaff. The story warns against focusing exclusively on worldly things.
Success story number two comes from John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress. He gives an account of the man with the muckrake who had spent his lifetime raking unto himself the chaff and muck of the earth. However, there was an angel standing over his head with a celestial crown in his hand, offering to exchange the crown for the muckrake. But because this man had trained himself to look in no direction but down, he disregarded the offer of the angel as he continued to rake unto himself the chaff and dust of the earth.
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👤 Other
Agency and Accountability
Consecration
Sin
Temptation
I Experience Same-Sex Attraction—Would Church Members Welcome Me Back?
After his partner Jay died, the author was overwhelmed with grief. While driving home from funeral arrangements, he powerfully felt the Spirit calling him back to God and church despite his resistance and fears. Remembering his unwavering testimony, he finally called the local ward for meeting times.
On July 27, 2013, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease, my life partner of 25 years passed away. Jay Eldredge was a world-renowned cardiologist. We had both served missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when we were younger but then distanced ourselves from the Church because of same-sex attraction.
Jay’s death, although not unexpected, was devastating. I felt heartbroken and lost and alone.
While driving home after making the funeral arrangements, I felt the influence of the Spirit overwhelm me so strongly that I had to pull over to the side of the road. I knew that God was speaking to me, calling me back to Him, but I was resistant. “Can’t you see that I’m suffering?” I said aloud. “I can’t face going back to church right now.”
But the more I protested, the more the Spirit pulled at me, inviting me back to church.
I was deeply worried about returning to church. I hadn’t been to a sacrament meeting in 25 years. Would they even accept me? Would I accept them? What would the bishop say? I felt anxious and unsettled and still heavy with grief.
But my testimony of the gospel had never wavered in all those years. Jay and I loved the Church and its guiding principles—namely, charity, mercy, and forgiveness. I knew that Christ was my Savior and that His Church was The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I had known that since my conversion and baptism at the age of 14. I wasn’t about to deny that now.
Finally, after mustering the necessary courage, I called the Linwood Ward in New Jersey, USA, to find out what time sacrament meeting started.
Jay’s death, although not unexpected, was devastating. I felt heartbroken and lost and alone.
While driving home after making the funeral arrangements, I felt the influence of the Spirit overwhelm me so strongly that I had to pull over to the side of the road. I knew that God was speaking to me, calling me back to Him, but I was resistant. “Can’t you see that I’m suffering?” I said aloud. “I can’t face going back to church right now.”
But the more I protested, the more the Spirit pulled at me, inviting me back to church.
I was deeply worried about returning to church. I hadn’t been to a sacrament meeting in 25 years. Would they even accept me? Would I accept them? What would the bishop say? I felt anxious and unsettled and still heavy with grief.
But my testimony of the gospel had never wavered in all those years. Jay and I loved the Church and its guiding principles—namely, charity, mercy, and forgiveness. I knew that Christ was my Savior and that His Church was The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I had known that since my conversion and baptism at the age of 14. I wasn’t about to deny that now.
Finally, after mustering the necessary courage, I called the Linwood Ward in New Jersey, USA, to find out what time sacrament meeting started.
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👤 Other
Apostasy
Baptism
Bishop
Charity
Conversion
Death
Disabilities
Faith
Forgiveness
Grief
Holy Ghost
Love
Mental Health
Mercy
Revelation
Sacrament Meeting
Same-Sex Attraction
Testimony
A Missionary Christmas
A ward organized a Christmas donation effort, gathering clothing, toys, furniture, and food, with additional support from the Cub Scouts. Missionaries and members spent hours sorting and delivered 48 boxes to members and 30 more to other families. The service brightened homes and hearts and became the missionary’s favorite Christmas memory.
This past Christmas was one of the most selfless Christmases I’ve ever experienced. One week before Christmas at the ward Christmas party, the members were invited to bring clothes, toys, furniture, and other items to donate to needy families. And if that wasn’t enough, the Cub Scouts offered to give us all the food from their food drive.
Boy, did we get a response! Three classrooms were packed full. It was a beautiful and overwhelming sight! During that week, we probably spent 7 to 10 hours just sorting and separating all that had been donated. In the end, home teachers delivered 48 boxes as Christmas presents the night of December 23rd.
This experience reminded me of Jacob 2:19: “After ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good—to clothe the naked, to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted.”
We not only had the opportunity to help Church members, but we were involved in helping the community as well. Another 30 boxes of food were distributed to other families in need. What a way to spend Christmas! No gifts or decorated tree can ever compare to the feeling of giving.
As we continued to visit the families who received these gifts of love, we saw the homes brighten and hearts open. These are my most prized memories—giving all that I have and am to the service of my Lord.
Nicole Cox served in the Washington Spokane Mission; she is a member of the El Segundo Ward, Inglewood California Stake.
Boy, did we get a response! Three classrooms were packed full. It was a beautiful and overwhelming sight! During that week, we probably spent 7 to 10 hours just sorting and separating all that had been donated. In the end, home teachers delivered 48 boxes as Christmas presents the night of December 23rd.
This experience reminded me of Jacob 2:19: “After ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good—to clothe the naked, to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted.”
We not only had the opportunity to help Church members, but we were involved in helping the community as well. Another 30 boxes of food were distributed to other families in need. What a way to spend Christmas! No gifts or decorated tree can ever compare to the feeling of giving.
As we continued to visit the families who received these gifts of love, we saw the homes brighten and hearts open. These are my most prized memories—giving all that I have and am to the service of my Lord.
Nicole Cox served in the Washington Spokane Mission; she is a member of the El Segundo Ward, Inglewood California Stake.
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👤 Missionaries
👤 Church Members (General)
👤 Children
Book of Mormon
Charity
Christmas
Love
Ministering
Service
Conference Story Index
In South Africa, Moses Mahlangu and others sit outside a church. They listen to services through a window. Their desire leads them to worship despite barriers.
Ulisses Soares
(9) Moses Mahlangu and others in South Africa sit outside a church and listen to services through a window.
(9) Moses Mahlangu and others in South Africa sit outside a church and listen to services through a window.
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👤 Church Members (General)
👤 Other
Adversity
Faith
Race and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Racial and Cultural Prejudice
Sarah Walked and Walked
Sarah and her family hike around Silver Lake until they find the bridge is closed, forcing them to go back the long way when she is already tired. Mom reminds them of the pioneers who kept going despite hardship. Encouraged, Sarah decides to keep walking and invites her brother to continue with her.
Illustrations by Julie Young
Sarah hopped and skipped. She was ready to hike around Silver Lake with her family. Her brother, Josh, ran ahead.
Soon the sun began to feel hot on Sarah’s arms. Her legs began to feel tired.
“Don’t worry,” Mom said. “We’re almost back to our car.”
Bridge Closed
Then Sarah saw a big orange rope blocking the path. “The bridge is broken,” Dad said. “We’ll have to walk back around the lake.”
“But I’m so tired!” Sarah said. Josh sat down in the dirt and frowned.
“Do you remember the story of the pioneers?” Mom asked.
Sarah nodded. She liked the pioneers.
“They had to walk a very long way,” Mom said. “Sometimes it was really hot, and sometimes it was really cold. But they kept walking. When they got to their new home, they built houses and temples.”
Sarah was glad the pioneers kept walking. She would keep walking too. She held her hand out to Josh. “Come on,” she said. “We have some more walking to do.”
Sarah hopped and skipped. She was ready to hike around Silver Lake with her family. Her brother, Josh, ran ahead.
Soon the sun began to feel hot on Sarah’s arms. Her legs began to feel tired.
“Don’t worry,” Mom said. “We’re almost back to our car.”
Bridge Closed
Then Sarah saw a big orange rope blocking the path. “The bridge is broken,” Dad said. “We’ll have to walk back around the lake.”
“But I’m so tired!” Sarah said. Josh sat down in the dirt and frowned.
“Do you remember the story of the pioneers?” Mom asked.
Sarah nodded. She liked the pioneers.
“They had to walk a very long way,” Mom said. “Sometimes it was really hot, and sometimes it was really cold. But they kept walking. When they got to their new home, they built houses and temples.”
Sarah was glad the pioneers kept walking. She would keep walking too. She held her hand out to Josh. “Come on,” she said. “We have some more walking to do.”
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👤 Parents
👤 Children
Adversity
Children
Endure to the End
Family
Temples
Projecting Values
On September 26, 1998, ward members surprised Patti Zenger, who is partially blind, by organizing a large group to walk in a 10K fundraiser under the banner 'Walk for Patti Z.' Everyone wore red and displayed supportive signs. Laura Schulthies recalled the joy of Patti realizing the ward’s love, noting theirs was the largest group present.
Patti Zenger, a member of the Beacon Hill Ward, Beaverton Oregon West Stake, will never forget September 26, 1998.
Patti, partially blind from diabetes, had no idea that Laura Schulthies had organized their ward to “Walk for Patti Z.” in the Vancouver, Washington, 10K fund-raiser.
When Patti got to the church, everyone was wearing red, her favorite color, and had “Patti, We All Love You” signs pinned on them.
“It was so exciting to watch Patti realize how many ward members supported her. Ours was the largest group there,” Laura recalls.
Patti, partially blind from diabetes, had no idea that Laura Schulthies had organized their ward to “Walk for Patti Z.” in the Vancouver, Washington, 10K fund-raiser.
When Patti got to the church, everyone was wearing red, her favorite color, and had “Patti, We All Love You” signs pinned on them.
“It was so exciting to watch Patti realize how many ward members supported her. Ours was the largest group there,” Laura recalls.
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👤 Church Members (General)
Disabilities
Health
Kindness
Love
Ministering
Service
Unity
Treat Everyone As If He Were a Mormon
A young man wanted to be baptized but his father wouldn't even listen about the gospel. Friends encouraged him to pray and keep his spirits up. Over time the father's attitude changed, and about a year later the young man was baptized.
WYNN: If she really wants to join the Church, the Lord will help prepare a way. One of my best friends was a nonmember. At first his dad wouldn’t even listen to him talk about the gospel. He wanted to be baptized, and we told him to pray about it and keep his spirits up, and the Lord would find a way. It was interesting to see how his dad changed his attitude toward the Church when he was given a little time to think about it. In about a year my friend was baptized. Just a year before, his dad had said, “There’s no way you are going to be baptized!”
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👤 Youth
👤 Parents
👤 Church Members (General)
Baptism
Conversion
Faith
Family
Friendship
Missionary Work
Patience
Prayer