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Ammonโs Example: How Do I Show That I am Keeping My Baptismal Covenant?
Eleven-year-old Katrina Dalton noticed classmates saying unkind things to a partially deaf boy during a basketball game at school. She chose to be kind to him and privately informed the teacher about the problem. The teacher stopped the behavior and later thanked Katrina.
Like Ammon, eleven-year-old Katrina Dalton of Allen, Texas, has learned how to be a good example to those around her. One day while playing basketball at school, Katrina noticed that some of the kids in her class were saying mean things to a boy who is partially deaf. Katrina made sure that she was kind to him, and she became so concerned about him that she talked privately to the teacher to make her aware of the problem. The teacher was able to stop the bad behavior and later thanked Katrina.
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๐ค Children
๐ค Other
Children
Disabilities
Kindness
Service
Confirming Witnesses of the First Vision
John Taylor, who knew Joseph Smith closely in public and private settings and was present at his death, bore strong witness of Josephโs character. He recounted what Joseph told him about praying after reading James and seeing the Father and the Son, being told to hear the Son, and learning that none of the religions was right. Taylor also affirmed the accuracy of Josephโs 1838 history.
President John Taylor was another contemporary โintimately acquaintedโ with Joseph who described the First Vision as it was related to him by the Prophet. โI have travelled with him [Joseph Smith],โ he wrote. โI have been with him in private and in public; I have associated with him in councils of all kinds; I have listened hundreds of times to his public teachings, and his advice to his friends and associates of a more private nature. I have been at his house and seen his deportment in his family. โฆ I was with him โฆ when he died, when he was murdered in Carthage. โฆ I testify before God, angels, and men that he was a good, honourable, virtuous man โฆ that his private and public character was unimpeachableโand that he lived and died as a man of God.โ13
Recalling that which Joseph told him, Elder Taylor said: โI can tell you what he told me about it. He said that he was very ignorant of the ways, designs and purposes of God, and knew nothing about them; he was a youth unacquainted with religious matters or the systems and theories of the day. He went to the Lord, having read Jamesโ statement. โฆ He believed that statement and went to the Lord and asked him, and the Lord revealed himself to him together with his Son Jesus, and, pointing to the latter, said: โThis is my beloved Son, hear him.โ He then asked in regard to the various religions with which he was surrounded. He enquired which of them was right, for he wanted to know the right way and to walk in it. He was told that none of them was right, that they had all departed from the right way.โ14
Elder Taylor not only declared that he personally learned from Joseph Smith the basic truths unfolded during the First Vision, but proclaimed that Joseph Smithโs 1838 history discussing events preceding the organization of the Church was accurate.
Recalling that which Joseph told him, Elder Taylor said: โI can tell you what he told me about it. He said that he was very ignorant of the ways, designs and purposes of God, and knew nothing about them; he was a youth unacquainted with religious matters or the systems and theories of the day. He went to the Lord, having read Jamesโ statement. โฆ He believed that statement and went to the Lord and asked him, and the Lord revealed himself to him together with his Son Jesus, and, pointing to the latter, said: โThis is my beloved Son, hear him.โ He then asked in regard to the various religions with which he was surrounded. He enquired which of them was right, for he wanted to know the right way and to walk in it. He was told that none of them was right, that they had all departed from the right way.โ14
Elder Taylor not only declared that he personally learned from Joseph Smith the basic truths unfolded during the First Vision, but proclaimed that Joseph Smithโs 1838 history discussing events preceding the organization of the Church was accurate.
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๐ค Joseph Smith
๐ค General Authorities (Modern)
Apostle
Jesus Christ
Joseph Smith
Revelation
Testimony
The Restoration
The Time Trap
Kittyโs father shows her a tiny white dress she wore at a Primary Easter program when she was three. He recalls her singing every word of 'I Am a Child of God' and becoming emotional, as were other men nearby. The memory highlights their familyโs affection and the power of simple gospel truths.
โCome here, over by the light.โ Kitty joined him by the window. โDo you remember this?โ
He held out to her a piece of white cloth. When she took it in her hand, she saw it was a dress, a tiny frothy dress, all white, with many tucks and flounces; and across the yoke in front were red and blue marching figures. It was beautiful, and somehow, she knew it had been hers.
โYou looked like an angel,โ her father said softly. โYour hair was blonde then, and you were all dolled up in this dress and little white shoes and white socks withโIโm almost certainโred and blue stripes matching the whatsit on the dress. It was a Primary thing, Easter, I think, and you stood right in the front row and sang every song without missing a wordโthree years old and you didnโt miss a wordโand me sitting on the back row blubbering when you sang that one about โI Am a Child of God.โ I was embarrassed like the dickens until I noticed that both of the men beside me were sniffing and honking too. Oh, your mother was so proud of you, and that dress! I guess she took a whole roll of film of you in that dress. Still has โem someplace.โ
He held out to her a piece of white cloth. When she took it in her hand, she saw it was a dress, a tiny frothy dress, all white, with many tucks and flounces; and across the yoke in front were red and blue marching figures. It was beautiful, and somehow, she knew it had been hers.
โYou looked like an angel,โ her father said softly. โYour hair was blonde then, and you were all dolled up in this dress and little white shoes and white socks withโIโm almost certainโred and blue stripes matching the whatsit on the dress. It was a Primary thing, Easter, I think, and you stood right in the front row and sang every song without missing a wordโthree years old and you didnโt miss a wordโand me sitting on the back row blubbering when you sang that one about โI Am a Child of God.โ I was embarrassed like the dickens until I noticed that both of the men beside me were sniffing and honking too. Oh, your mother was so proud of you, and that dress! I guess she took a whole roll of film of you in that dress. Still has โem someplace.โ
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๐ค Parents
๐ค Children
๐ค Church Members (General)
Children
Easter
Family
Music
Youth in Greece
At age 12, Loukia was the only young woman her age at church. Two years later, there were enough young women to hold the first Young Women camp in Greece, where she felt a stronger identity as a Latter-day Saint. She bore her testimony for the first time at camp and was later baptized.
โWhen I was 12,โ says Loukia, โI went to church for the first time and was so happy, but then I realized that I was the only one my age. Now, two years later, we have so many young women that for the first time we were able to have Young Women Camp.โ As they met together, she says, โI realized what it means to be a Latter-day Saint. When we live the gospel, a light surrounds us.โ
...
โLoukia C., 15, bore her testimony for the first time at Young Women camp and was later baptized.โ
...
โLoukia C., 15, bore her testimony for the first time at Young Women camp and was later baptized.โ
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๐ค Youth
Baptism
Conversion
Testimony
Young Women
Missionary Mail
A missionary in a large, sparsely populated state finds it challenging to locate people to teach. Church members assist by providing referrals, and the missionary expresses gratitude for the freedom to share the gospel in a place known for a national symbol of freedom.
Hi,The work is going great here. One of the hardest things about finding people is that this is a big state, so the people who live here are spread out. Fortunately, the members of the Church are helping us find people to teach. Iโm grateful we have the freedom to teach the gospel to everyone who wants to hear it. In fact, one of the countryโs symbols of freedom is located in my mission.
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๐ค Missionaries
๐ค Church Members (General)
Gratitude
Missionary Work
Religious Freedom
Service
Teaching the Gospel
Time for the Gospel
Angelโs classmates often found her religious commitment unusual. She invited one classmate to attend church, and the friend enjoyed the experience but decided to delay pursuing religion until after university due to time constraints.
Scripture study was a welcome break for Angel, even if her friends didnโt understand why she would take time away from her school classes to bother with religion. โA lot of them think itโs strange that I spend time with my church. Most of my classmates donโt have any religious beliefs,โ says Angel, who was the only Church member in the Taipei First Girlsโ School student body of 4,000-plus. โSome students will discuss religion with me, but most of the time they just think being LDS is strange because it takes me away from my schoolwork.โ
One of those classmates is a friend Angel invited to church one Sunday. Angel says her friend had a generally positive experience at church. She even told Angel afterward that she felt religion was good and that she might think about becoming religious herselfโafter she graduates from the university. โShe just didnโt think she had the time for church,โ Angel adds.
One of those classmates is a friend Angel invited to church one Sunday. Angel says her friend had a generally positive experience at church. She even told Angel afterward that she felt religion was good and that she might think about becoming religious herselfโafter she graduates from the university. โShe just didnโt think she had the time for church,โ Angel adds.
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๐ค Youth
๐ค Friends
Conversion
Diversity and Unity in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Education
Friendship
Missionary Work
Scriptures
10 Weeks of Total Fitness
At a meeting with their camp director, the YCLs were introduced to a new 'Fit Challenge' for their stake's Young Women camp. Over 100 young women, leaders, and high councilors pledged to complete weekly goals for 10 weeks, reporting progress by email. The camp theme was 'Fit for the Kingdom,' and the capstone activity was a 5K run with YCLs helping along the course.
The Laurel youth camp leaders (YCLs) gathered around their camp director, some with an excited gleam in their eye, others exchanging concerned glances. While they had come to this meeting to talk about the theme for this yearโs Young Women camp, none of them had expected the โFit Challenge.โ
And while they might have been intimidated when they got the challenge, close to a year later these young women are still grateful for their experience in service, life balance, and spiritual and physical fitness.
The Fit Challenge was extended to the 100+ young women in their stake in Washington, USA. The young women, leaders, and even the high councilors pledged that every week for the 10 weeks before camp they would:โข
Read their scriptures every day.
Exercise for 20 minutes three days a week.
Complete a service activity once a week.
Go eight hours straight without using their electronic devices once a week.
At the end of every week, they emailed the camp director some thoughts about their experiences that week and reported on the goals they completed.
The theme for the camp was โFit for the Kingdom,โ a line taken from the hymn โMore Holiness Give Meโ (Hymns, no. 131). The activities before and during camp taught the young women that we should all be spiritually and physically healthy in order to return to Heavenly Father. In addition to the Fit Challenge, everyone was going to run a 5K at camp, instead of the traditional hike, with the YCLs helping to give out water and direct people along the trail.
And while they might have been intimidated when they got the challenge, close to a year later these young women are still grateful for their experience in service, life balance, and spiritual and physical fitness.
The Fit Challenge was extended to the 100+ young women in their stake in Washington, USA. The young women, leaders, and even the high councilors pledged that every week for the 10 weeks before camp they would:โข
Read their scriptures every day.
Exercise for 20 minutes three days a week.
Complete a service activity once a week.
Go eight hours straight without using their electronic devices once a week.
At the end of every week, they emailed the camp director some thoughts about their experiences that week and reported on the goals they completed.
The theme for the camp was โFit for the Kingdom,โ a line taken from the hymn โMore Holiness Give Meโ (Hymns, no. 131). The activities before and during camp taught the young women that we should all be spiritually and physically healthy in order to return to Heavenly Father. In addition to the Fit Challenge, everyone was going to run a 5K at camp, instead of the traditional hike, with the YCLs helping to give out water and direct people along the trail.
Read more โ
๐ค Youth
๐ค Church Leaders (Local)
๐ค Church Members (General)
Health
Music
Plan of Salvation
Scriptures
Service
Young Women
Rain Boots and Muddy Water
Josie happily splashes in puddles with her new rain boots and soaks her older sister Lucy, who becomes upset. After lying to her mom about doing it on purpose, Josie feels terrible and eventually admits the truth. Encouraged by her mom, she prays, apologizes to Lucy, and offers to help clean the jacket. Lucy forgives her, and Josie feels the yucky guilt go away.
Josie loved her new rain boots. They were bright pink, and when she walked they said squinch, squinch. She especially liked to jump into puddles because they made a big splash all over the sidewalk.
Josieโs sister Lucy didnโt like Josieโs boots quite so much. โStop splashing me, Josie!โ she said as they walked home from school. Lucy was two years older, and she had forgotten how much fun it was to splash.
Josie wanted Lucy to have fun too. โYou try it, Lucy,โ she said. โSee how big I can splash?โ And Josie stomped extra hard into the nearest puddle. The water splashed all over them. Josie was glad she had her raincoat on.
โJosie!โ Lucy yelled. Lucy was not wearing a raincoat. She was very wet. And very angry. โLook what you did! This is my new jacket! Why do you always act like such a baby!โ
Lucy was no fun. Why was she always so grumpy? It served her right that she got all wet. She was silly to wear her new jacket today when she should have worn her raincoat. Suddenly, Josie was angry at Lucy.
Josie ran ahead to the next big puddle and waited by it until her sister caught up to her. Then she jumped into the puddle as hard as she could.
โJosie!โ This time Lucy was really, really wet.
Josie ran the rest of the way home and went right to her bedroom. A few minutes later, Mom knocked on the door and came in.
โJosie?โ she said. โLucy says you splashed muddy water all over her new clothes on purpose. Do you want to tell me about it?โ
There was a hard, cold lump in Josieโs tummy. She didnโt want to tell Mom what had happened. โI didnโt do it on purpose,โ Josie said, but she didnโt look at Mom. The lump in her tummy was getting bigger.
โAre you sure?โ Mom asked. โBecause I donโt think Lucy would lie about this.โ
โWell, she must be lying,โ Josie said. But her voice was a little shaky.
Mom was quiet for a few minutes. Then she said, โWell, even if it was an accident, you should apologize. Lucyโs new jacket is very dirty now, and Iโm not sure Iโll be able to get it clean. Sheโs sad about that.โ
Josie kept her head down, picking at the little knots on her quilt. โOK, Mom,โ she said.
Mom left Josie alone in her room.
Josie wandered around her room feeling yucky inside. Her new boots were in a corner, still wet. She tried to look at a book but she couldnโt keep her eyes on the pictures. She got out her paper dolls, but they werenโt any fun.
The yucky feeling inside was getting worse.
Finally, Josie sat down on her bed and cried. She knew she had told a lie. She knew she shouldnโt have splashed Lucy. She had been naughty and she felt terrible about it. But how could she fix things now?
Just then, Mom knocked on the door again. โJosie?โ
โCome in,โ Josie said.
โJosie, I can see you are very sad.โ
โOh, Mom,โ Josie sobbed. โI did splash Lucy on purpose. I did it because I was mad. But I shouldnโt have. And I shouldnโt have lied. Iโm sorry, Mom.โ
Mom held Josie tight and patted her back. โYou must feel pretty terrible right now,โ she said.
Josie nodded. She felt muddy inside, like Lucyโs jacket.
โI know a way to make that awful feeling go away. And you do too. In fact, youโve already started by telling me what happened. Now what should you do?โ
โBut, Mom, I donโt want to talk to Lucy.โ
โYou donโt want that yucky feeling to be with you forever, do you?โ
โMaybe sheโll forget about it,โ Josie said.
โShe might, but I donโt think you will,โ Mom said. โIf you donโt repent of the things you do wrong, they stay inside you, and they change you into a different kind of person than you want to be. But if you take care of them as soon as you can, they donโt stay with you. They disappear so that you can be your real self.โ
Josie thought about it. She didnโt want to become a mean person. Even though she had been mean to her sister, she could erase that and be her better self. That sounded pretty good, but it didnโt sound easy.
โBut itโs hard,โ she said.
โYouโre right,โ Mom agreed. โAdmitting you did something wrong and asking for forgiveness is one of the hardest things youโll ever do. But I know you can do it, Josie. Itโs worth it.โ Then Mom went out.
Josie looked at her poster of My Gospel Standards. It said: โI will choose the right. I know I can repent when I make a mistake.โ She knew she had to talk to Lucy. She knelt to ask Heavenly Father for both forgiveness and courage.
Lucy was in the kitchen eating popcorn.
โLucy?โ
โYes.โ Lucy didnโt even look at Josie. This was going to be even harder than Josie had thought.
โLucy, Iโm sorry I splashed your new jacket.โ
Lucy didnโt say anything. She just looked down.
Josie took a deep breath. โIโm going to help Mom clean it. And Iโm sorry that I told Mom I didnโt do it on purpose. I told her a lie. Will you forgive me?โ
Lucy sat still for a few seconds. Then she took a deep breath and looked at Josie. โYes, Iโll forgive you.โ
All at once the yucky, heavy feeling in Josieโs tummy went away. She felt as clean as her new rain boots had been. She felt hungry too. โCan I have some popcorn?โ she asked.
โSure, Sis,โ Lucy said. She smiled as she handed Josie the bowl.
Josieโs sister Lucy didnโt like Josieโs boots quite so much. โStop splashing me, Josie!โ she said as they walked home from school. Lucy was two years older, and she had forgotten how much fun it was to splash.
Josie wanted Lucy to have fun too. โYou try it, Lucy,โ she said. โSee how big I can splash?โ And Josie stomped extra hard into the nearest puddle. The water splashed all over them. Josie was glad she had her raincoat on.
โJosie!โ Lucy yelled. Lucy was not wearing a raincoat. She was very wet. And very angry. โLook what you did! This is my new jacket! Why do you always act like such a baby!โ
Lucy was no fun. Why was she always so grumpy? It served her right that she got all wet. She was silly to wear her new jacket today when she should have worn her raincoat. Suddenly, Josie was angry at Lucy.
Josie ran ahead to the next big puddle and waited by it until her sister caught up to her. Then she jumped into the puddle as hard as she could.
โJosie!โ This time Lucy was really, really wet.
Josie ran the rest of the way home and went right to her bedroom. A few minutes later, Mom knocked on the door and came in.
โJosie?โ she said. โLucy says you splashed muddy water all over her new clothes on purpose. Do you want to tell me about it?โ
There was a hard, cold lump in Josieโs tummy. She didnโt want to tell Mom what had happened. โI didnโt do it on purpose,โ Josie said, but she didnโt look at Mom. The lump in her tummy was getting bigger.
โAre you sure?โ Mom asked. โBecause I donโt think Lucy would lie about this.โ
โWell, she must be lying,โ Josie said. But her voice was a little shaky.
Mom was quiet for a few minutes. Then she said, โWell, even if it was an accident, you should apologize. Lucyโs new jacket is very dirty now, and Iโm not sure Iโll be able to get it clean. Sheโs sad about that.โ
Josie kept her head down, picking at the little knots on her quilt. โOK, Mom,โ she said.
Mom left Josie alone in her room.
Josie wandered around her room feeling yucky inside. Her new boots were in a corner, still wet. She tried to look at a book but she couldnโt keep her eyes on the pictures. She got out her paper dolls, but they werenโt any fun.
The yucky feeling inside was getting worse.
Finally, Josie sat down on her bed and cried. She knew she had told a lie. She knew she shouldnโt have splashed Lucy. She had been naughty and she felt terrible about it. But how could she fix things now?
Just then, Mom knocked on the door again. โJosie?โ
โCome in,โ Josie said.
โJosie, I can see you are very sad.โ
โOh, Mom,โ Josie sobbed. โI did splash Lucy on purpose. I did it because I was mad. But I shouldnโt have. And I shouldnโt have lied. Iโm sorry, Mom.โ
Mom held Josie tight and patted her back. โYou must feel pretty terrible right now,โ she said.
Josie nodded. She felt muddy inside, like Lucyโs jacket.
โI know a way to make that awful feeling go away. And you do too. In fact, youโve already started by telling me what happened. Now what should you do?โ
โBut, Mom, I donโt want to talk to Lucy.โ
โYou donโt want that yucky feeling to be with you forever, do you?โ
โMaybe sheโll forget about it,โ Josie said.
โShe might, but I donโt think you will,โ Mom said. โIf you donโt repent of the things you do wrong, they stay inside you, and they change you into a different kind of person than you want to be. But if you take care of them as soon as you can, they donโt stay with you. They disappear so that you can be your real self.โ
Josie thought about it. She didnโt want to become a mean person. Even though she had been mean to her sister, she could erase that and be her better self. That sounded pretty good, but it didnโt sound easy.
โBut itโs hard,โ she said.
โYouโre right,โ Mom agreed. โAdmitting you did something wrong and asking for forgiveness is one of the hardest things youโll ever do. But I know you can do it, Josie. Itโs worth it.โ Then Mom went out.
Josie looked at her poster of My Gospel Standards. It said: โI will choose the right. I know I can repent when I make a mistake.โ She knew she had to talk to Lucy. She knelt to ask Heavenly Father for both forgiveness and courage.
Lucy was in the kitchen eating popcorn.
โLucy?โ
โYes.โ Lucy didnโt even look at Josie. This was going to be even harder than Josie had thought.
โLucy, Iโm sorry I splashed your new jacket.โ
Lucy didnโt say anything. She just looked down.
Josie took a deep breath. โIโm going to help Mom clean it. And Iโm sorry that I told Mom I didnโt do it on purpose. I told her a lie. Will you forgive me?โ
Lucy sat still for a few seconds. Then she took a deep breath and looked at Josie. โYes, Iโll forgive you.โ
All at once the yucky, heavy feeling in Josieโs tummy went away. She felt as clean as her new rain boots had been. She felt hungry too. โCan I have some popcorn?โ she asked.
โSure, Sis,โ Lucy said. She smiled as she handed Josie the bowl.
Read more โ
๐ค Children
๐ค Parents
Agency and Accountability
Children
Family
Forgiveness
Honesty
Parenting
Prayer
Repentance
The Power of Prayer
After returning from Korea, the narratorโs family went to a friendโs cabin for rest but were swarmed by mosquitoes and found their key didnโt work. As they searched in desperation, six-year-old Steven announced he had opened the door. He explained he had prayed, felt prompted to look under a nearby rock, and found another key.
My wife and I have taught our children about the importance of prayer. They learned at a very young age that they could turn to Heavenly Father for help and guidance. I remember one experience when our family had just returned from Korea. I had served as a mission president there for three years. Although the experience was wonderful, our family was exhausted. A friend offered to let us use his cabin for a much-needed vacation.
We were excited! We headed up to the mountain and found the cabin. As we got out of the car, we were attacked by mosquitoes. It felt as if they were thick enough to carry us away.
We ran to the door, only to discover that the key we had been given didnโt fit in the lock! We were desperate. We ran around the cabin, trying to find another way to get in. We even considered trying to break in through a window, but we didnโt want to damage the building.
After only a few minutes, I heard my six-year-old son, Steven, yell out, โIโve opened the door. Come on in, everybody!โ
I couldnโt believe it, but as I rounded the corner of the cabin, I saw Steven standing at the door, waving everyone inside. After weโd escaped the mosquitoes, I asked, โSteven, how did you find the key? What happened?โ
His answer was simple: โI closed my eyes and told Heavenly Father that we needed to find another key. I opened my eyes and saw a rock lying nearby. I had the feeling that a key was under the rock. And there was!โ
We were excited! We headed up to the mountain and found the cabin. As we got out of the car, we were attacked by mosquitoes. It felt as if they were thick enough to carry us away.
We ran to the door, only to discover that the key we had been given didnโt fit in the lock! We were desperate. We ran around the cabin, trying to find another way to get in. We even considered trying to break in through a window, but we didnโt want to damage the building.
After only a few minutes, I heard my six-year-old son, Steven, yell out, โIโve opened the door. Come on in, everybody!โ
I couldnโt believe it, but as I rounded the corner of the cabin, I saw Steven standing at the door, waving everyone inside. After weโd escaped the mosquitoes, I asked, โSteven, how did you find the key? What happened?โ
His answer was simple: โI closed my eyes and told Heavenly Father that we needed to find another key. I opened my eyes and saw a rock lying nearby. I had the feeling that a key was under the rock. And there was!โ
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๐ค Parents
๐ค Children
๐ค Friends
Children
Faith
Family
Holy Ghost
Miracles
Parenting
Prayer
Revelation
Teaching the Gospel
Learning to Serve
During a Hong Kong youth service project, Sister Lee Vashti initially felt reluctant about cleaning an elderly person's apartment in hot, humid weather and with unfamiliar youth. As she cleaned and visited, she realized the activity was about helping others, not her own comfort. She finished feeling happy, having served someone and made new friends.
Sister Lee Vashti, Ma On Shan Ward, Hong Kong Tolo Harbour Stake, learned a similar lesson when the young men and young women in the Hong Kong stakes and their parents gathered to assemble gift packages for elderly single residents of the city. Then they separated into small groups to clean the apartments of the elderly and to spend some time talking with those who live alone and typically have few, if any, visitors.
Lee says, โI felt slightly put off when I first realized that I was assigned to clean someoneโs apartment in the unbearably hot and humid Hong Kong weather. Whatโs more, I was working with another wardโs youth who were almost total strangers to me. Only now do I realize that this service activity was about helping others and not about spending a morning with friends.โ
As she helped clean the apartment and spent some time visiting, she gained firsthand knowledge of how important it is to give time and attention to someone who appreciates the chance to visit.
She says, โThe seniorโs house was well organized, and everything had its own place in the small apartment: a long bench off to the side of the wall with a small TV right across from it and a bunk bed in the corner of the room. There wasnโt much for my group to do, but we still wiped the top of the walls and the lights, and visited with our senior friend. I gained a valuable lesson about my attitude. This was not about me. This was about forgetting my wants and going to help another. Once I understood this simple concept, I realized that I had had funโeven without my friends. Not only had I given service to someone, but I also had made new friends.โ
Lee says, โI felt slightly put off when I first realized that I was assigned to clean someoneโs apartment in the unbearably hot and humid Hong Kong weather. Whatโs more, I was working with another wardโs youth who were almost total strangers to me. Only now do I realize that this service activity was about helping others and not about spending a morning with friends.โ
As she helped clean the apartment and spent some time visiting, she gained firsthand knowledge of how important it is to give time and attention to someone who appreciates the chance to visit.
She says, โThe seniorโs house was well organized, and everything had its own place in the small apartment: a long bench off to the side of the wall with a small TV right across from it and a bunk bed in the corner of the room. There wasnโt much for my group to do, but we still wiped the top of the walls and the lights, and visited with our senior friend. I gained a valuable lesson about my attitude. This was not about me. This was about forgetting my wants and going to help another. Once I understood this simple concept, I realized that I had had funโeven without my friends. Not only had I given service to someone, but I also had made new friends.โ
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๐ค Youth
๐ค Parents
๐ค Other
Charity
Friendship
Humility
Kindness
Ministering
Service
Young Men
Young Women
FYI:For Your Information
Gavin Riddle, the only Latter-day Saint at his school, led his basketball team in a two-game tournament. He scored 44 points, grabbed 31 rebounds, and played tough defense, holding his opponents to nine points total. He was honored as the tournament's most valuable player.
Gavin Riddle, a priest in the Griffith Ward, Chicago Heights Illinois Stake, was honored as the most valuable player in the Winter Classic, a school basketball tournament held annually.
As the co-captain of the team, Gavin scored 44 points and had 31 rebounds in the two-game tournament. He played tough defense, holding the men he guarded to a combined 9 points in two games.
Gavin, a five-foot, ten-inch guard/forward was a three-year starter with the team. He is the only LDS student in his school.
As the co-captain of the team, Gavin scored 44 points and had 31 rebounds in the two-game tournament. He played tough defense, holding the men he guarded to a combined 9 points in two games.
Gavin, a five-foot, ten-inch guard/forward was a three-year starter with the team. He is the only LDS student in his school.
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๐ค Youth
Education
Priesthood
Young Men
My Journey Back
After marriage, the narrator looks into her newbornโs eyes and feels compelled to fully return to the gospel that promises eternal families. Her husband, though not yet active, supports her decision, and she commits to full Church activity, deepening her relationship with Heavenly Father and the Book of Mormon.
Several years later, after I was married, I gazed into the eyes of my firstborn child and knew I had to take the next step toward participating fully in the gospel that had taught me parents can be with their children forever. My husband, not yet an active member, understood and supported my decision to return to the Church. I finally committed myself to full activity, and with that has come a deepened relationship with our Heavenly Father and an appreciation for the Book of Mormon.
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๐ค Parents
๐ค Children
๐ค Church Members (General)
Book of Mormon
Conversion
Faith
Family
Marriage
Parenting
Sealing
Testimony
Murilo Vicente Leite Ribeiro
Years after not serving a mission, Murilo met Elder Jairo Mazzagardi, expressed his guilt, and was told not to look back because he was clean. Feeling a great burden lifted, he was called as stake president and was told his mission would be to help youth prepare to serve, which he now actively does.
Years later I met with Elder Jairo Mazzagardi of the Seventy when he came to reorganize our stake. He asked me about my mission.
Elder Mazzagardi said, โBrother Murilo, I see that you were baptized when you were 16, but you did not serve a mission.โ
โI did not serve a mission,โ I said, starting to cry.
โBut I do everything possible so the Lord will forgive me. I have served as a branch president for seven months, and I try to be a missionary and give my best. I work hard to help others. I want the Lord to forgive me. I do not want this blemish at the last day.โ
โBrother Murilo,โ he said, โdo not look back; look forward. Whoever looks back walks backwards, and whoever looks forward walks forward. You are clean.โ
I was happy to hear this! I felt light, happy, and peaceful.
It felt like a six-ton backpack was lifted off my back.
He told me to return with my wife and called me to serve as stake president.
Elder Mazzagardi then said, โYour experiences will help you be stake president. You will be able to help young people who have difficulties or who do not have the support of their parents. You did not have the opportunity to serve a mission, but this is your mission now. You will help send young people on missions.โ
As stake president one of my main goals is to help young men and young women prepare to serve missions. The Lord has given me the right words at the right time to talk to these young people. I am grateful the Lord has given me the opportunity to help others choose to serve missions.
Elder Mazzagardi said, โBrother Murilo, I see that you were baptized when you were 16, but you did not serve a mission.โ
โI did not serve a mission,โ I said, starting to cry.
โBut I do everything possible so the Lord will forgive me. I have served as a branch president for seven months, and I try to be a missionary and give my best. I work hard to help others. I want the Lord to forgive me. I do not want this blemish at the last day.โ
โBrother Murilo,โ he said, โdo not look back; look forward. Whoever looks back walks backwards, and whoever looks forward walks forward. You are clean.โ
I was happy to hear this! I felt light, happy, and peaceful.
It felt like a six-ton backpack was lifted off my back.
He told me to return with my wife and called me to serve as stake president.
Elder Mazzagardi then said, โYour experiences will help you be stake president. You will be able to help young people who have difficulties or who do not have the support of their parents. You did not have the opportunity to serve a mission, but this is your mission now. You will help send young people on missions.โ
As stake president one of my main goals is to help young men and young women prepare to serve missions. The Lord has given me the right words at the right time to talk to these young people. I am grateful the Lord has given me the opportunity to help others choose to serve missions.
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๐ค General Authorities (Modern)
๐ค Church Leaders (Local)
๐ค Church Members (General)
Baptism
Forgiveness
Missionary Work
Peace
Priesthood
Repentance
Service
Young Men
Young Women
Becoming a True Champion
Felipe describes losing in the first round of a competition despite feeling prepared. Later, while injured and discouraged, he chose to get up early and train anyway. He concludes that being a champion means overcoming daily failures and trials.
Felipe knows that choosing the right doesnโt mean heโll always win or have things go his way. โI remember going to a competition thinking I was prepared, and I lost in the first round. Another time I was at home injured. I remember waking up early, looking at the ceiling, wondering if it was all worth it. Sometimes I just wanted to turn around and go back to sleep, but I stood up and went to training. To be a champion goes beyond the moment of winning. It is someone who overcomes every day, overcomes failure, overcomes trials.โ
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๐ค Youth
Adversity
Agency and Accountability
Courage
Endure to the End
Sacrifice
Sir, We Would Like to See Jesus
In 1945, a young man survived a gunshot wound and awoke in a military hospital. The injury left him face-blind, unable to recognize his wife, his mother, or even himself, so he relied on rules to identify people. The account illustrates how not truly seeing a person can lead to substituting rules for real recognition.
One day in the spring of 1945, a young man awoke in a military hospital. He was fortunate to be aliveโheโd been shot just behind the ear, but doctors had operated, and he could now walk and talk normally.
Tragically, the bullet had damaged the part of his brain that recognized faces. He now looked at his wife without a spark of recognition; he couldnโt recognize his own mother. Even the face in the mirror was foreign to himโhe couldnโt tell if it was a man or a woman.
Heโd become face-blindโa condition that affects millions of people.
People who are severely face-blind try to identify others by memorizing rulesโa rule for recognizing a daughter by the pattern of her freckles or a friend by her shuffling gait.
Tragically, the bullet had damaged the part of his brain that recognized faces. He now looked at his wife without a spark of recognition; he couldnโt recognize his own mother. Even the face in the mirror was foreign to himโhe couldnโt tell if it was a man or a woman.
Heโd become face-blindโa condition that affects millions of people.
People who are severely face-blind try to identify others by memorizing rulesโa rule for recognizing a daughter by the pattern of her freckles or a friend by her shuffling gait.
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๐ค Other
Adversity
Disabilities
Health
War
Isaac and the Temple
Isaac and his family travel to visit his grandparents and attend a temple open house. Inside the temple, Isaac sees paintings and is especially touched by one of Jesus with open arms. His dad reminds him that Jesus always has His arms open for him, and Isaac feels Jesusโs love. Isaac imagines walking with and being hugged by Jesus.
Isaac bounced up and down in his seat. He looked out the car window. They were going to visit Grandma and Grandpa. They were going to see something else special too.
โWhen will we see the new temple?โ Isaac asked Mom.
โTomorrow,โ she said.
Isaac smiled.
Finally Isaac and his family got to Grandma and Grandpaโs house.
The next morning, Isaac got dressed in his Sunday clothes. It felt funny to wear his tie in the middle of the week. Isaac ate breakfast with his family. Then they drove to the temple open house. They were going to see inside the new temple before it was dedicated.
โI see the temple!โ Isaac said. He pointed to the white building with the angel Moroni on top.
There was a Church building next to the temple. Isaac and his family went there first. They watched a video. Someone helped put white covers over their shoes.
Finally it was time to go inside the temple! Isaac walked through the temple doors. His heart felt happy.
Isaac saw lots of paintings on the walls. Some paintings showed people praying. Some paintings showed beautiful plants and animals.
Then Isaac saw a painting he liked best of all. It was a painting of Jesus! Jesus was standing with His arms stretched out.
โIt looks like Jesus is opening His arms to me,โ Isaac whispered to Dad.
โJesus always has His arms open for you,โ Dad whispered back. โHe loves each of us.โ
Isaac had a good feeling in his heart. He imagined walking next to Jesus in the temple. He imagined Jesus giving him a hug.
Jesus loves Isaac. And Isaac loves Jesus too!
โWhen will we see the new temple?โ Isaac asked Mom.
โTomorrow,โ she said.
Isaac smiled.
Finally Isaac and his family got to Grandma and Grandpaโs house.
The next morning, Isaac got dressed in his Sunday clothes. It felt funny to wear his tie in the middle of the week. Isaac ate breakfast with his family. Then they drove to the temple open house. They were going to see inside the new temple before it was dedicated.
โI see the temple!โ Isaac said. He pointed to the white building with the angel Moroni on top.
There was a Church building next to the temple. Isaac and his family went there first. They watched a video. Someone helped put white covers over their shoes.
Finally it was time to go inside the temple! Isaac walked through the temple doors. His heart felt happy.
Isaac saw lots of paintings on the walls. Some paintings showed people praying. Some paintings showed beautiful plants and animals.
Then Isaac saw a painting he liked best of all. It was a painting of Jesus! Jesus was standing with His arms stretched out.
โIt looks like Jesus is opening His arms to me,โ Isaac whispered to Dad.
โJesus always has His arms open for you,โ Dad whispered back. โHe loves each of us.โ
Isaac had a good feeling in his heart. He imagined walking next to Jesus in the temple. He imagined Jesus giving him a hug.
Jesus loves Isaac. And Isaac loves Jesus too!
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๐ค Jesus Christ
๐ค Parents
๐ค Children
Children
Family
Happiness
Jesus Christ
Love
Reverence
Temples
President Spencer W. Kimball
At age ten, while Spencer milked a cow and sang a hymn, his father Andrew Kimball told a neighbor he had dedicated Spencer to be a mouthpiece of the Lord. He prophesied the boy would become a great leader and a mighty man in the Church.
And now President Spencer W. Kimball comes, by the divine purposes and calling of the Lord, to the highest calling the Lord can bestow upon one of his sons on this earth. When President Kimball was ten years old, his father made a prophecy about him. Young Spencer was milking a cow, singing a Church hymn. Andrew Kimball, watching him, remarked to a neighbor: โThat boy, Spencer, is an exceptional boy. He always tries to mind me, whatever I ask him to do. I have dedicated him to be one of the mouthpieces of the Lordโthe Lord willing. You will see him some day as a great leader. I have dedicated him to the service of God, and he will become a mighty man in the Church.โ (Improvement Era, November 1943, p. 702.)
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๐ค General Authorities (Modern)
๐ค Youth
๐ค Church Leaders (Local)
Apostle
Children
Foreordination
Parenting
Revelation
San Diego Sixth Ward Primary children attended an activity focused on temples. They viewed temple pictures and discussed why temples are important today. They also learned steps they can take to have an eternal family.
San Diego Sixth Ward
The Primary children in the San Diego Sixth Ward, San Diego California Stake, learned about temples at an activity. They saw pictures of temples and learned why it is important to have temples today. They also learned what they can do to have an eternal family.
The Primary children in the San Diego Sixth Ward, San Diego California Stake, learned about temples at an activity. They saw pictures of temples and learned why it is important to have temples today. They also learned what they can do to have an eternal family.
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๐ค Children
Children
Family
Sealing
Teaching the Gospel
Temples
โThe Peaceable Followers of Christโ
Elder Packer spoke to faculty and students at Harvard, hoping for unity, but felt impressed beforehand that such harmony would not come. He resolved to teach true doctrine calmly, regardless of othersโ reactions. Some listeners were incredulous, yet he felt peace knowing he had borne witness and left acceptance or rejection to them.
Some years ago I was invited to speak to a group of faculty and students at Harvard University. I, of course, hoped that the gospel message would be accepted and that our meeting would end in a harmony of views. As I prayed that this might result, there came to me a strong impression that this petition would not be granted.
I determined that, however preposterous the talk about angels and golden plates and restoration might be to my audience, I would teach the truth with quiet confidence, for I have a testimony of the truth. If some must come from the meeting unsettled and disturbed, it would not be me. Let them be disturbed, if they would.
It was as the Spirit foretold. Some in the group shook their heads in amazement that anyone could believe such things. But I was at peace. I had taught the truth, and they could accept it or reject it as they pleased.
I determined that, however preposterous the talk about angels and golden plates and restoration might be to my audience, I would teach the truth with quiet confidence, for I have a testimony of the truth. If some must come from the meeting unsettled and disturbed, it would not be me. Let them be disturbed, if they would.
It was as the Spirit foretold. Some in the group shook their heads in amazement that anyone could believe such things. But I was at peace. I had taught the truth, and they could accept it or reject it as they pleased.
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๐ค General Authorities (Modern)
๐ค Young Adults
๐ค Other
Courage
Faith
Holy Ghost
Peace
Prayer
Revelation
Teaching the Gospel
Testimony
The Restoration
Truth
Ministering to Carl
A ministering brother repeatedly visited Carl, who initially rejected him while struggling with alcohol, but eventually welcomed him and formed a friendship. Over years of monthly visits, Carl shared his testimony, hosted missionaries, and watched sacrament meeting broadcasts but hesitated to attend church. After a joint visit with the stake president revealed shared connections, Carl happily attended church and later, upon moving, contacted his new bishop and supported the missionaries. He eventually passed away, leaving the ministering brother grateful for their friendship.
About 10 years ago, I was assigned to minister to a man living in our ward by the name of Carl (name has been changed). Carlโs name had been on our ward list for many years, but nobody seemed to know anything about him. I vividly remember the first time I knocked on his front door. Carl answered my knock but was not at all happy to see me. I told him I was a member of his ward and had stopped by to see him. His response was a very stern and angry, โGet out of here!โ
I could tell by the way Carl slurred his speech that he had been drinking alcohol. As I departed from his doorstep with my knees somewhat shaking, a thought came to me: โI wonder if Carl was so drunk that he wonโt even remember this visit if I knock on his door again next month.โ Several weeks later, I did knock on his door and received a similar response, again with the smell of alcohol on his breath. He was not happy to see me and once again shouted at me to leave. Nevertheless, I was determined to befriend him and was committed to trying again.
My third attempt was dramatically different from my first two attempts. When I knocked, Carl quickly answered the door. This time, he had not been drinking. I was prepared for the worst, but before I could say anything, Carl offered me a warm greeting. He invited me to come into his home and have a seat. He was very friendly and so happy to see me.
Our regular visits continued for the next six years until he moved to another state. We had a standing appointment to meet on the first Sunday of each month. He never forgot when I was coming and was always eager to meet with me.
Carl, his wife, and their children had joined the Church about 35 years earlier. He was in his young 30s at the time. After being a member of the Church for only one and a half years, he was called to the stake high council, where he happily served for a couple of years. Carl loved to tell me stories about his life and how grateful he was to have joined the Church. One of his sons had served a mission. Several grandchildren had attended Brigham Young University. Unfortunately, his relationship with his wife soured, and they eventually went their separate ways. Carl was so embarrassed about his marriage that he did not feel worthy to continue attending church. He still maintained contact with the full-time missionaries who taught his family the gospel, but he hadnโt had a visit from another Church member in his home in over 30 years.
The more I got to know Carl, the more I enjoyed getting to know him. He had so many stories about life and the gospel that he wanted to share. He shared his testimony with me time and again. I could tell that Carl had a strong testimony of the restored gospel. He began to regularly invite the full-time missionaries to dinner in his home. In spite of our growing friendship, he was still unwilling to attend church, though he did watch sacrament meeting every Sunday on BYUtv. During our visits, he would relate what he had learned from the broadcast that day.
Carl had a deep respect for his Church leaders. The thought came to me that I should invite our stake president to attend a ministering visit with me so that I could introduce him to Carl. When I told Carl that our stake president would be joining our next visit, he was overjoyed! I will never forget the visit. Carl and our stake president chatted nonstop for 30 minutes. It turns out that our stake presidentโs mission president was Carlโs first bishop. The ward Carl belonged to when he first joined the Church was the ward that our stake president grew up in. I counted over 20 people who were members of the Church that they both knew, loved, and respected. It was truly a marvelous visit. Prior to our departure, we invited Carl to attend church. Carl accepted our invitation and was beaming from ear to ear when he attended church the following Sunday.
Sadly, Carl moved to another state two weeks later. When I called him at his new home, he told me that the first person he called when he arrived was his new bishop. He requested a home teacher (now ministering brother) and asked if he could feed the missionaries. Carl recently passed away, but I am so grateful that I was able to become his friend. My life is richer and fuller because of him.
I could tell by the way Carl slurred his speech that he had been drinking alcohol. As I departed from his doorstep with my knees somewhat shaking, a thought came to me: โI wonder if Carl was so drunk that he wonโt even remember this visit if I knock on his door again next month.โ Several weeks later, I did knock on his door and received a similar response, again with the smell of alcohol on his breath. He was not happy to see me and once again shouted at me to leave. Nevertheless, I was determined to befriend him and was committed to trying again.
My third attempt was dramatically different from my first two attempts. When I knocked, Carl quickly answered the door. This time, he had not been drinking. I was prepared for the worst, but before I could say anything, Carl offered me a warm greeting. He invited me to come into his home and have a seat. He was very friendly and so happy to see me.
Our regular visits continued for the next six years until he moved to another state. We had a standing appointment to meet on the first Sunday of each month. He never forgot when I was coming and was always eager to meet with me.
Carl, his wife, and their children had joined the Church about 35 years earlier. He was in his young 30s at the time. After being a member of the Church for only one and a half years, he was called to the stake high council, where he happily served for a couple of years. Carl loved to tell me stories about his life and how grateful he was to have joined the Church. One of his sons had served a mission. Several grandchildren had attended Brigham Young University. Unfortunately, his relationship with his wife soured, and they eventually went their separate ways. Carl was so embarrassed about his marriage that he did not feel worthy to continue attending church. He still maintained contact with the full-time missionaries who taught his family the gospel, but he hadnโt had a visit from another Church member in his home in over 30 years.
The more I got to know Carl, the more I enjoyed getting to know him. He had so many stories about life and the gospel that he wanted to share. He shared his testimony with me time and again. I could tell that Carl had a strong testimony of the restored gospel. He began to regularly invite the full-time missionaries to dinner in his home. In spite of our growing friendship, he was still unwilling to attend church, though he did watch sacrament meeting every Sunday on BYUtv. During our visits, he would relate what he had learned from the broadcast that day.
Carl had a deep respect for his Church leaders. The thought came to me that I should invite our stake president to attend a ministering visit with me so that I could introduce him to Carl. When I told Carl that our stake president would be joining our next visit, he was overjoyed! I will never forget the visit. Carl and our stake president chatted nonstop for 30 minutes. It turns out that our stake presidentโs mission president was Carlโs first bishop. The ward Carl belonged to when he first joined the Church was the ward that our stake president grew up in. I counted over 20 people who were members of the Church that they both knew, loved, and respected. It was truly a marvelous visit. Prior to our departure, we invited Carl to attend church. Carl accepted our invitation and was beaming from ear to ear when he attended church the following Sunday.
Sadly, Carl moved to another state two weeks later. When I called him at his new home, he told me that the first person he called when he arrived was his new bishop. He requested a home teacher (now ministering brother) and asked if he could feed the missionaries. Carl recently passed away, but I am so grateful that I was able to become his friend. My life is richer and fuller because of him.
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๐ค Church Members (General)
๐ค Missionaries
๐ค Church Leaders (Local)
Addiction
Divorce
Friendship
Ministering
Revelation
Sacrament Meeting
Service
Testimony