Gospel Story Finder

With that intricate process in mind, imagine the work that goes into creating a massive stained glass mural depicting Christ’s mortal ministry, because that is exactly what Tom and Gayle Holdman of Provo, Utah, USA, and a team of artists, designers, and models miraculously accomplished in less than a year. The finished product is displayed in the Rome Italy Temple Visitors’ Center and is absolutely breathtaking.
In the beginning, plans for the Rome Temple Visitors’ Center included a video wall, but the idea was canceled, which made an opening for the stained glass window to be placed there. A scene was drafted for the window; then actors in costumes were brought in to pose for it, allowing artists to create concept art for the window.
“We kept feeling more and more impressed to go with a certain concept design,” Brother Holdman says. “We ended up doing an intricate sketch of the whole picture so we could capture the emotion of the actors.” After the final sketch was created, Tom was able to begin working with the glass.
The window depicts the Savior and His Twelve Apostles during His earthly ministry. It is placed strategically at the center of the visitors’ center so it will be the first thing visitors see as they walk in the building. Then as visitors walk around to the other side of the window, they can see the marble statues of the Christus and the original Twelve Apostles.
One of the many beauties this stained glass window contains is that it does not depict just one scene from the Lord’s earthly ministry. In what appears to be a single scene at first glance, Jesus Christ and the Twelve Apostles are in the midst of characters and symbols that represent events and people from the Lord’s earthly ministry as well as each parable He taught. The Holdmans are excited for visitors to see the piece and to find and point out their favorite stories about Christ.
The depiction of the woman by the well is especially intricate. She represents more accounts than just the woman at the well; she is reaching out to the Savior as the woman with the issue of blood did, and the stones next to her symbolize the woman accused of committing adultery who was brought to be stoned.
“The woman at the well is one of my favorite parts of this window because she represents so many different women from the New Testament,” says Sister Holdman. “Each of those women had a different outward need, but ultimately they all just needed to be healed. Their stories and faith truly testify to me, and hopefully to many visitors, of the Savior’s healing power.”
One of the Holdmans’ highest hopes is that their stained glass will be a useful missionary tool at the visitors’ center. “This whole piece was created to be a visual testimony of Christ,” Sister Holdman explains. The artwork includes symbols and elements of Christ’s birth, Crucifixion, Atonement, Resurrection, and many more symbols of Him.
“We included imagery that exists within other Christian religions like the cross and the crown of thorns so it can possibly create a spark of recognition and allow investigators and missionaries to build on common beliefs,” says Brother Holdman. “This whole window shows that what is important to them is important to us. It shows that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a Christian church. I hope this will help people fully understand that.”
After working tirelessly to complete this miraculous project in less than a year, Brother and Sister Holdman have been humbled and overjoyed in seeing this beautiful piece of artwork come together. “The artwork really allows you to see how all the stories of Christ’s ministry overlay and interweave and also relate to us today,” says Sister Holdman. “We’re not much different from those who lived in Christ’s day because we need Him and His teachings just as much as they did.”
“We specifically crafted and designed this piece so that all of the lines of glass point to the heart of the Savior at the center of the piece,” Brother Holdman explains. “From the buildings to the height of the people, everything in this artwork points back to Him.”

One day some boys at my school were teasing my friend because she looks different than the other children. I told the boys to stop teasing her. I knew it was the right thing to do. My friend thanked me for helping her. I want to follow Jesus and help others.

1. When I am twelve, a father’s hands rest gently on my head,
And I receive through him the right to serve and help and give.
Although I may not fully understand or always feel its power and its strength,
I know that God has chosen me to join his priesthood ranks!

Now, in 2018, after four years, Heavenly Father blessed us to enter His house, this time it was Taipei Taiwan Temple.
I was doing the temple work for my uncle who had died of cancer. When I was doing the baptism for him, I was listening to the blessings which he would receive through this temple ordinance. I was so happy and I recognized what the temple president told me in 2014.
I got my answer. It has taken me four years to understand by visiting the temple for the second time.

As missionaries we have only so much spare time during our days, so I am gladly foregoing my dinner this evening to have enough time to write and thank you for the December New Era. Many times a missionary tends to feel that he is left out in right field while all the excitement and activities go on without him, even though he understands his special calling and is working to magnify it. These times often come during special family events, the changing of the seasons, and especially during the winter holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve. With Christmas coming I found myself in such a state. When I received the December New Era and glanced through it, I felt more left out than even at first. But then I read the articles “The Spirit of Christmas” by Elder Thomas S. Monson and “Give Yourself Away” by Laurie Sowby. These special articles truly brought a great uplifting surge of enthusiasm to my spirit. It was sort of like getting into a spiritual elevator. At once all those negative feelings left, and I realized that I could really participate in the spirit of Christmas by giving myself away more and giving to people the best gift of all, the gospel of Jesus Christ. After that things really started to happen. Each day brought a special Christmas spirit. We are now helping a wonderful family to prepare for baptism as one of their Christmas presents. This has turned out to be one of the most wonderful Christmases that I have ever experienced. I’m sure that you were inspired to put those two very special articles in the December issue.
Elder Julius C. Blackwelder, IICalifornia Oakland Mission

In the 1960s, a professor at Stanford University began a modest experiment testing the willpower of four-year-old children. He placed before them a large marshmallow and then told them they could eat it right away or, if they waited for 15 minutes, they could have two marshmallows.
He then left the children alone and watched what happened behind a two-way mirror. Some of the children ate the marshmallow immediately; some could wait only a few minutes before giving in to temptation. Only 30 percent were able to wait.
It was a mildly interesting experiment, and the professor moved on to other areas of research, for, in his own words, “there are only so many things you can do with kids trying not to eat marshmallows.” But as time went on, he kept track of the children and began to notice an interesting correlation: the children who could not wait struggled later in life and had more behavioral problems, while those who waited tended to be more positive and better motivated, have higher grades and incomes, and have healthier relationships.
What started as a simple experiment with children and marshmallows became a landmark study suggesting that the ability to wait—to be patient—was a key character trait that might predict later success in life.

When he was President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, many people brought their problems to President John Taylor. He listened to the Holy Ghost and used his talents to help them. Once, two faithful brethren called on him. The two men were angry with each other.
Brother 1: President Taylor, we have had an argument and would like for you to hear our case.
Brother 2: Whatever you decide we will follow.
President Taylor: Brethren, before I hear your case, I would like to sing one of the songs of Zion.
The men agreed. President Taylor was a very talented singer. After singing the first hymn, President Taylor asked permission to sing another.
President Taylor: Brethren, I have never heard just one of the hymns of Zion without wanting to hear another.
Brother 1: All right, President Taylor.
After the second song, President Taylor wanted to sing a third hymn.
President Taylor: I heard there was luck in odd numbers.
Brothers 1 and 2: Yes, President, we’d like to hear another.
President Taylor: Now, brethren, I do not want to wear you out, but if you will forgive me and listen to one more hymn, I promise to stop singing and will hear your case.
After the fourth and final hymn, the two brethren were in tears.
President Taylor: Now, brothers, what is troubling you?
Brother 2: President, please excuse us. We are sorry to have taken your time.
President Taylor’s singing had helped them to reconcile their feelings. He later served as President of the Church from 1880 to 1887. His leadership and his ability to listen to the Holy Ghost and do as he was directed helped the Church progress.

Not long ago I was given a copy of the July 1973 New Era (my first), and I was really taken back when I turned the first page and saw a letter in Feedback from the missionary who baptized me last September. In the letter he said that the New Era feeds us the gospel with a spoonful of sugar, and I agree. I found it very hard to put down once I started reading it, and it’s surprising how many new things I learned from that one magazine. I’m looking forward to having regular copies, because I know that they will give me a better knowledge of the gospel in a simpler form. They will also be of great use when I have to give talks, not just because of the interesting articles, but also because I will be able to forget my nervousness a little beforehand by sitting down and browsing through them for a couple of hours!
Maureen Joy Patterson

When I was young, my grandfather Martin taught me that in the latter days, temples would literally dot the earth. At the time my grandfather expressed this thought to me, I could hardly imagine it. But I was raised with this knowledge and feeling in my heart. Recently I looked on the Church’s Web site under “temples,” and I could plainly see that temples, designated by red dots, are starting to spread over much of the earth.

A radiant bride and handsome groom are being sealed in the house of the Lord. She is 70 years old, as is he. A beautiful bride, she has worthily waited for this day. She shyly swishes her bridal dress this way, then that way. We shed joyful tears. God’s promises are fulfilled. His covenants bring blessings.

Eleventh, endurance. When George A. Smith was very ill, he was visited by his cousin, the Prophet Joseph Smith. The afflicted man reported: “He [the Prophet] told me I should never get discouraged, whatever difficulties might surround me. If I were sunk into the lowest pit of Nova Scotia and all the Rocky Mountains piled on top of me, I ought not to be discouraged, but hang on, exercise faith, and keep up good courage, and I should come out on the top of the heap.” (George A. Smith Family, comp. Zora Smith Jarvis, Provo, Utah: Brigham Young University Press, 1962, p. 54.)

He told me that recently his wife had started feeling ill. “She knew what was happening,” he said, “but she didn’t tell me because she was scared to go to the hospital.”

Within several days, she was spending all of her time in bed. She became confused and didn’t make sense when she talked. My patient had serious health problems himself, and soon their conditions both deteriorated. They could no longer care for each other. When my patient’s sister-in-law visited them, she was alarmed. She called for two ambulances to take them to the hospital. Doctors soon discovered that his wife had advanced breast cancer.

“I never spoke with my wife again,” the man said.

His wife suffered a heart attack and was put on life support. My patient described being wheeled from his own hospital room to the intensive care unit to see his wife one last time. Then he told the doctors to withdraw life support.

For me personally, my life changed by President Thomas S. Monson (1927–2018) in 2012 when he announced that sisters could serve missions at age 19. I felt so much love and trust from God in that moment, and because of that announcement I was able to leave on my mission six days after my 19th birthday. My decision to serve at that time has shaped the course of my whole life.

Valeri (9) lives in the country near Hannon, Ontario, Canada, twenty minutes from Hamilton and an hour from Niagara Falls. Behind her house are wildflowers and a small woods. Squirrels run up and down the trees and sometimes watch while Valeri and two of her brothers, Chris (11) and Kyle (3), ride their bikes in the driveway. Chris and Valeri gathered a pile of woodchips there, then placed a board on top of it, making a ramp to ride their bikes over.

A young lad stood at the pulpit in Sunday School trying to give an assigned talk, but he could not get the words out. His giant of a father walked from the congregation to stand beside his son, put his arm around him, and said, “I know Larry has prepared his talk and that he’ll be able to give it. He is a little frightened, so I’ll just speak to you for a moment and then I know he’ll be ready.” The father stood by his boy with his arm around him, and in a moment the lad gave his talk. And many wept.

Tom Holdman had so many things to say, but his words just wouldn’t come out. The more he tried, the more he stuttered, so Tom began to dream of becoming a children’s book illustrator. He couldn’t have known at the time how his disability would bless his life.
“My stuttering actually helped me,” he recalls, “because it kept me humble enough to spend hours developing my artistic talent.” Tom drew on everything: books, notebooks, math and English papers.

Beth skipped up the sidewalk to her house. She could see Dad in the driveway, loading the car with suitcases. “Is it time to go?” she called out.
“Just about,” Dad said. “Run inside and grab a snack. And make sure you have everything you want to take in your backpack.”
This vacation was going to be extra special. Beth’s older cousin Katy was coming along, and Beth had everything all planned out. On the car ride, Katy could teach her some new camp songs. When they stopped for a picnic, Katy could push her on the swings. And she and Katy could swim in the motel pool and play games. Beth had packed her favorite movie about dogs so they could watch it together.
Katy was so funny and nice. When Beth got older, she wanted to be just like Katy.
Beth ran inside and found Mom sitting at the computer. She was just hanging up the phone.
“Was that Katy?” Beth asked excitedly. “Will she be here soon?”
Mom shook her head. “I’m sorry, honey. Katy isn’t going to be able to go with us after all. Next Saturday she is going to have her patriarchal blessing.”
Beth felt the excitement drain out of her. “Why does Katy need a blessing?” Beth asked. “She was already baptized, and she isn’t a new baby!” Beth almost laughed at that thought.
“Certainly not!” Mom said, smiling.
Then Beth thought of something that made her throat feel tight. “Is Katy sick?” she asked quietly.
“Katy’s just fine,” Mom said. “Blessings aren’t just for baptisms or new babies or sickness. A patriarchal blessing is a very special kind of blessing, and Katy is really excited to have it.”
“But what is it for?” Beth asked.
Mom thought for a moment. “Do you remember when we went to visit Grandma on our last vacation? We made a wrong turn, and it took us a long time to get to her house.”
Beth nodded. “I was really hungry when we got there!”
“Well, what do you think we should do to keep from getting lost this time?” Mom asked.
Beth looked at the computer screen. It showed a map and a blue squiggly line leading from their house all the way to the motel. “Bring a map!” she said.
“Good idea,” Mom agreed. “Katy’s patriarchal blessing will be like a map that shows Katy how to get back to Heavenly Father. It will tell her about good choices she should make and warn her about things that might be harmful. It will tell her about wonderful blessings she will receive when she follows Heavenly Father’s commandments. It will guide Katy through her whole life.”
Beth began to feel a little happier. “Will I get a blessing like that too?” she asked.
“Yes,” Mom said. “When you get older, you can have your own blessing to help you stay on the path back to Heavenly Father.”
Beth turned to the computer. She looked at the map and the bright blue line that told her family just where they needed to go. She looked back at Mom and smiled. “Just like Katy?”
“Yes,” Mom said. “Just like Katy.”

Many Christians partake of the Lord’s Supper, or the sacrament. The more I learned about how symbolic the sacrament is and how important it is to so many religions, especially in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the more I realized I’ve often taken that weekly gift for granted.
Many Christians focus on preparing for the sacrament mentally and spiritually before they partake. I was struck by the power that the sacrament holds for these believers because of their preparation. Their example made me consider my own preparation for the sacrament. I’ve now thought of many ways I can prepare spiritually for the sacrament every week, making the ordinance meaningful in my life as I focus on what it truly symbolizes.

That was it. I received my papers; it was all on. It was around Christmas 1996 when I thought I’d better let the family know what was happening. I decided I’d tell everyone over Sunday dinner. As we were sitting at the table my sister said she had something to tell everyone: she’d been thinking of changing careers from a hairdresser to a beauty therapist, thus needing to give up her job and go to college. Everyone was happy about her decision. Then it was my turn. I told them I also had something to say. I told them that I was planning to go on a mission. A look of disbelief and surprise appeared on every face. I told them, “No one is more surprised than me.” Then between Christmas and New Years, a quiet holiday period, I managed to get all my medical and dental appointments arranged. Within three days my papers were ready.

When I was a little boy my father was not a member of the Church. He was born and raised in Iowa, then traveled to Idaho on a freight train to work on his uncle’s farm. There he met and married my mother, who was a member of the Church.
Later, my father decided that the Church was good for our family. He was baptized the same day I was, when I was eight years old.