Gospel Story Finder

A month ago, a personal friend of mine from the People's Republic of China sent me an email regarding his only daughter. Mr. Wang Fei, the former head coach of the Chinese Men's National Basketball Team, and I spend a great deal of time in China together training and instructing young Chinese athletes. Coach Wang Fei currently coaches a professional team in the Chinese Basketball Association and hopes to represent his country as the Head Coach for the Men's National Basketball Team in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China. I met Coach Wang Fei several years ago when he brought his National Team to train in Dallas, Texas. Through my conduct he learned at the onset of our relationship that I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You see, Coach Wang Fei is not a member of the church and prior to our meeting had no previous knowledge of our religious beliefs. Coach Wang Fei once asked me why I didn't smoke or drink as it is customary for his coaching staff to smoke and drink during meals. At that time a brief discussion of the word of wisdom ensued and interestingly enough, he now shelters me from inappropriate offers by other individuals and immediately steps in to introduce me to others as a "mormon" and explains to them our beliefs in the word of wisdom. He also out of the utmost respect for me and my beliefs no longer personally smokes and drinks.

For the purpose of this presentation, I would now like to share parts of Coach Wang Fei's email to me with you:

"My daughter graduates from high school this spring. My wife and I are looking at different universities in Europe and America for her to attend. Many of these universities are very well-known and interested in her attending. Being that she is my only child, I really want the best situation for her. I know BYU-Hawaii is a special university in a special place. I respect BYU-Hawaii, the people, your religion, and university rules and guidelines. BYU-Hawaii is a great environment for students from all over the world who wish to learn and be educated. My wife and I want her to be surrounded by good people. I feel that BYU-Hawaii will be the perfect fit for my daughter."

Isn't it interesting brothers and sisters, that through our conduct a person like Wang Fei, who has never stepped foot onto our campus and knows very little about the gospel, has a desire to send his only daughter to be apart of our special university?
Brothers and sisters, "go out and teach the gospel, when necessary use words."

Until last month, Heath Edwards had one killer of a schedule. Each weekday morning during the school year Heath’s alarm would go off at 4:30 A.M. That’s 4:30 in the morning. The sun isn’t even close to being up at 4:30, school isn’t for another three hours, and the temptation to push the snooze bar is a real one. That is unless you happen to be a world-class swimmer with designs on making the 1996 United States Olympic team. If you want to swim in the Olympics, you don’t stay under the covers.
So Heath, a 17-year-old from Columbia, South Carolina, would leap—okay, he’d roll—out of bed and get ready for another trip to the pool. Harbison Recreation Center, located about a mile from the Edwards’s home, has been kind of Heath’s home away from home for the last five years. If he wasn’t at his parents’ house, the first place you’d want to check is at Harbison, where there is a better-than-average chance you’d find Heath either in the swimming pool or in the weight room.
Thirty minutes after getting up to another dark morning, Heath, his close friend Elizabeth Peake, and the rest of the Harbison Aquatic Team members would jump in the pool, and that’s how each weekday would begin.
After the 90-minute workout, Heath and Elizabeth would go to the Dutch Fork Ward building for their 6:45 seminary class. There’s no need to call it early-morning seminary. If 6:45 is early morning, what does that make 4:30? Brother James Daves’s class would end around 7:30, and Heath and Elizabeth would go their separate ways. Heath would hop in the family’s Plymouth Horizon, run home, knock down some breakfast, and then head to Irmo High. Meanwhile, Elizabeth would go across town to Lexington High. The just-completed 1993–94 school year was the fourth year Heath had this schedule. It was Elizabeth’s first.
“I used to go to the pool and then go home before going to school,” Elizabeth remembers. Of course that was before she became a member of the Church. And it’s Heath’s, uh, fault Elizabeth added an extra hour to her already-busy schedule.
“You know how a lot of guys cuss?” Elizabeth asks. “Well, Heath wasn’t like that. And he was really nice to everyone. He was just different from any guy I’d ever met. But I didn’t know he was a Mormon at first.”
She soon found out. And before long, Heath was inviting Elizabeth to ward parties and dances. Then one Sunday Heath took Elizabeth to the Dutch Fork Ward sacrament meeting because his mother was singing. “I liked church a lot. I liked how members would bear their testimonies, and how the congregation would give the sermons. I eventually started going with him every Sunday,” Elizabeth says.
The more she heard and saw, the more interested she became. Eventually, Elizabeth requested that Heath arrange for her to be taught by the missionaries. After listening to the missionary discussions for several weeks, Elizabeth asked Heath, who had just been ordained a priest, if he would baptize her.
“When Elizabeth got baptized, it was probably the most spiritually uplifting experience I’ve ever had,” Heath says. “It was too great to describe when I baptized her. And I know Elizabeth knows this Church is true. It’s a great feeling to know I introduced her to the Church because of the way I acted.”
That’s how Elizabeth came to add an extra hour to her morning routine, a routine that ended for Heath last month when he graduated from both Irmo High and from seminary.
Next month, Elizabeth will begin her senior year of high school, but it will be different. She’ll have her usual 4:30-in-the-morning routine. She just won’t have Heath there with her. In August, Heath will leave Columbia for his freshman year at the University of Georgia. He’s accepted a swimming scholarship at the Athens, Georgia, school, and is a prized addition to the Bulldog swimming program. How valuable is this guy? Last year, Heath had the fastest 200-yard butterfly time in the United States for his age group (17–18), and he also recorded the third fastest 100-yard butterfly time.
He was the 200 butterfly national champion in 1993, and finished second in 1992. He’s competed in the United States Olympic Festival, and he was recruited by several different universities. A lot of college swimming coaches wanted Heath to swim at their schools, and he had a huge decision to make when it came to choosing a college to attend. In the next two years, he’ll be making a few more decisions.
In November of 1993, Heath signed his letter of intent to attend Georgia, and he’s already committed to swimming for the Bulldogs through the 1995–96 season—his sophomore year. If things work out according to plan, he’ll be competing in the 1996 Summer Olympics in nearby Atlanta, Georgia. After that, he wants to go on a mission, whether he makes the Olympics or not.
“I’m definitely planning on going on a mission. Right after my sophomore year, depending on how close or how far I am from making the Olympic team, I’ll talk to my parents about what I’m going to do about a mission,” Heath explains.
Although a full-time mission is still a few years away, Heath’s current timetable hasn’t stopped him from sharing the gospel anyway. Elizabeth is an example of that, and so is Elizabeth’s mother, Sandy. Fourteen months after Elizabeth’s September 1992 baptism, Heath baptized Sandy.
“I knew Sister Peake felt the Spirit. She would always come to church with Elizabeth or when my mom invited her. Then she came to me one day and told me she wanted to get baptized. Nobody else knew,” Heath says. “She wanted to surprise Elizabeth and everybody else.”

Gage stared at the empty old bottle and turned it over in his hands. It was small and misty green, with a cork stopper in the top. Grandpa Russell had given it to him after his baptism.
“What is it?” Gage asked. “I know it’s a bottle—but there’s nothing in it.”
“Oh, it’s full,” Grandpa said.
Gage shook the bottle. “Well, it looks empty to me.”
Grandpa laughed. He pulled out the cork and held the little bottle near Gage’s ear. “Can you hear it?” he whispered.
“Hear what?” Gage whispered back.
Grandpa smiled. “Silence,” he said. Then he put the cork back in the bottle. “In today’s world, silence is pretty hard to find. It’s like medicine, and each drop is as precious as gold.”
Gage said thank you and took Grandpa’s strange gift home. But he didn’t think about it much.
A few weeks later, Gage’s uncle Vince passed away. After the funeral, lots of relatives crowded into the front room at Gage’s house to visit. Gage escaped to his bedroom and closed the door. He could hear the muffled voices of his parents and relatives down the hall.
Gage saw the old green bottle sitting on his desk and picked it up. He turned it over in his hands. Grandpa had said silence was like medicine. Gage needed to find some peace and comfort after Uncle Vince’s funeral.
Gage pulled the cork loose from the bottle and tipped it over his head, pretending to let a little silence pour out. He knew the bottle wasn’t really full of silence. But he knew he needed some quiet time to feel close to God.
He felt tears build up in his eyes. Uncle Vince wouldn’t be there anymore—no more silly jokes, no more wrestling with him. Gage’s heart hurt from missing him.
Then in the silence, Gage felt something warm grow in his heart and soften the pain. He remembered that Uncle Vince wasn’t gone forever; he had just moved on to the next world. Because of Jesus Christ and the plan of salvation, everyone would live forever. Gage was still sad, but he knew that someday he could see Uncle Vince again.
As he held the bottle in his hands, Gage felt peaceful inside. He knew it was because of the Holy Ghost and not the bottle. The bottle had just reminded him to be quiet so he could feel the Holy Ghost. He corked the bottle and set it down.
Go to “Family Night Fun” for an activity to go with this story.
Then he went back to the front room to be with his family. He could carry the peace and comfort of the Holy Ghost inside of him even outside his quiet room.

During the late winter, 13-year-old Travis Hurst, a deacon from Indianapolis, Indiana, and his dad, Kent, came up with a plan. Because several of their ancestors had made the trek west to Utah, they decided they would build a handcart and participate in a re-enactment of the pioneers’ journey through Iowa. Lots of people were coming from many locations to walk for a day or two, or even a week during the event, but Travis and his dad decided to go the whole way, so they could really understand what their ancestors had gone through. They would walk from Montrose, Iowa, to Winter Quarters, covering the entire state from east to west. It’s a long walk—about 300 miles—which takes about three weeks to complete, but Travis felt that it would be a good experience and a lot of fun. His older brother wasn’t so sure.

“At first I thought it was kind of a crazy idea,” says Travis’s 17-year-old brother, Taylor. “But I watched Travis and my dad build the handcart, and Travis kept telling me what an awesome vacation it was going to be. He was right.”

And so, when the trek started, Taylor was right next to Travis and Brother Hurst, taking his turn pushing their handcart. Janell Seely, a Mia Maid from Castle Dale, Utah, was pushing a handcart the whole way with some of her family members, too. And Danny Wilkins, a deacon from Willcox, Arizona, was just up ahead with his dad, Dean, driving a wagon.

“Some people think Iowa is flat,” says Janell. “But they’re wrong! It’s all hills.”

And hills weren’t the only challenge. Just like the pioneers 150 years ago, the trekkers encountered searing heat, fierce wind, and pouring rain.

“When we left from Keokuk, it was very rainy and wet,” says Travis. “We were supposed to travel across a bridge, but it had been washed out, so we crossed through the stream. It did feel good, though, to get our feet wet.”

Unfortunately, not long after that stream crossing, Travis was unable to continue because of illness. He went home to Indiana to recover, leaving Taylor and his dad to finish the trek alone.

“I feel bad that my little brother didn’t get to continue,” Taylor says. “Without him, I wouldn’t even be here. Lots of pioneers didn’t make it to the end of the trek because of illness, but they didn’t get to go home. It makes you feel grateful for medicine and all the other blessings we enjoy.”

Air conditioning, soft beds, and their mom’s cooking are some other blessings Danny, Taylor, and Janell all say they missed. But despite the spartan conditions, all of them said they see real advantages to living a pioneer lifestyle.

“It seems like there’s more time to talk out here,” says Danny. “Day after day, I just sit here talkin’ with my dad and the other people riding in the wagon, and it’s been fun. I feel like I know my dad better now.”

Janell agrees. “Sometimes I am walking along, and I think about how the pioneers were in this very same place so long ago. It’s pretty quiet, and I can really feel the Spirit. This is an experience I won’t ever forget.”

“I’m 18, too, and had been inactive for several years. Recently this changed. My branch president began visiting me, and he gained my trust to the point that I talked with him about my problems. This greatly relieved the burden I was carrying.

“The missionaries also began visiting me. I began reading the Book of Mormon and praying again. Much of this was because of a long period of fasting, praying, and fellowshipping by members of the Church. Because these people would consistently show their love for me, I gradually came around. They also showed me how the Church could help me with personal goals.

“If you truly want to reconvert your friend, try doing with him what my friends did with me. And pray for the Lord to soften his heart. With God’s help, he’ll come around. I know I did. But it may take a while.”
Braun ThompsonAustin, Minnesota

Many young children look forward to the day they’ll be able to serve a mission. However, some young men and women must come to terms with disappointment when they find that a teaching mission is not possible due to their health. Others face the same challenges when they fall ill during their missions and have to return home early.
Recent changes to the missionary program now make it possible for all worthy young men (18–25 years old) and young women (19–29) to serve a mission regardless of their physical, emotional or mental health.
Under the direction of The First Presidency, the Melbourne and Brisbane missions in Australia are part of a pilot program that integrates service missions for young people with teaching missions. This allows them to join around 180 other missionaries under the same mission president.
In their daily work, service missionaries work with charitable organisations, Church operations, and within the community.
Paul Thomas, president of the Australia Melbourne Mission also implements the same key measures with his service missionaries as he does with the teaching missionaries:
Regular interviews with the mission president
Personal scripture study challenges, Zoom meetings for Preach My Gospel, and prayer meetings
Accompanying the teaching missionaries as they teach the gospel
Sharing meals with other missionaries in someone’s home
Joining in preparation day activities with other elders and sisters in their district
Attending zone conferences
“When service missionaries are included and know how to be involved in the mission, that is the most powerful message,” President Thomas says. “This approach can be a huge blessing to families who know that their prospective missionaries can serve in many of the same ways that teaching missionaries do.”
Elder Domonic McKendry, a 23-year-old Melbourne missionary, has loved these experiences. He is excited about these changes and is grateful to be included. It has given him a greater sense of purpose. “I have learnt there are always new skills to learn and new outcomes to come.”
Some of his daily service includes weeding, planting, and beautifying the grounds at the Melbourne Australia Temple. Elder McKendry also works at a local charity, serving meals to individuals going through hard times, including some experiencing homelessness.
“It’s a very good mission to learn a lot about yourself and know your true potential.”

When our family first moved to Rexburg 20 years ago, our yard had very few trees. We made a plan to start beautifying the yard.

The professional at the nursery told us that a new tree needed five things to grow in Rexburg: water, water, water, water . . . and, you guessed it, water! I realized he was trying to impress on me the importance of constant irrigation in our dry, high desert climate. We did pretty well at first, watering on a daily basis. However, as the summer progressed, I got busy with work responsibilities, family travel, and other distractions, and the trees were occasionally forgotten. By the time fall arrived, one tree in particular was looking a little stressed. I gave it more water and fertilizer in an attempt to make up for my neglect, but by spring, the tree had died. It wasn’t that the “seed was bad.” The tree was heathy when we bought it, and the professional confirmed the species was suitable for our climate. It’s just that the “ground was barren.” I failed to nurture the new tree with simple, consistent care.

Eight-year-old Alicia-anne and her parents have had some very special spiritual experiences. In 1997, three sister missionaries knocked on their door. The missionaries taught them the discussions, and the family immediately knew that the gospel was true. On August 10, 1997, Alicia-anne saw her father, Gordon, and mother, Myrna, baptized members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Alicia-anne, who often goes by the nickname Ali, looked forward to her own baptism in three years.
On November 20, 1999, another important event happened. The Attridges were the first family sealed together in the newly dedicated Halifax Nova Scotia Temple. “I felt very happy and warm inside after I was sealed to my parents,” Ali said. “Now I know I can be with my mom and dad forever.”
“Looking in the mirrors in the sealing room, we saw our family going on forever,” Mother added. “Since Ali is adopted, this was the most wonderful day in our lives because we will be a family forever.”
When Ali’s eighth birthday drew near, she asked her parents if she could be baptized on her birthday—she was too excited to wait a day longer! They were able to schedule it, so on July 11, 2000, she was baptized a member of the Church. She was delighted to have her Grandma and Grandpa Balsor in attendance. “My grandparents were so touched by the Spirit that they cried,” she said. After the baptism, her mother felt inspired to give them a copy of the Book of Mormon.
Ali is a CTR in the Greenwood Branch Primary of the Dartmouth Nova Scotia Stake. A good missionary, she often invites her friends to Primary and its activity days so that they can learn about the Church. She also tries to set a good example at school by being kind, generous, and honest.
Some of her best missionary tools are her cats, Lehi, Nephi, and Fluffy. When she tells someone their names, she is often asked to explain where the names Lehi and Nephi come from. A discussion about the Book of Mormon and the Church soon follows.
Whether at church or at home, Ali enjoys singing. Her lovely voice often accompanies whatever activity she is doing at home. She likes to sing songs from Primary, movies, and operas. Someday, she would like to be a professional singer or dancer.
She is very active and likes to get her work done quickly in school so that she has plenty of time at recess. Swinging very high on the swings and playing on the monkey bars are what she likes best. “I can hang upside down, skip one or two bars, or do an ‘apple-turnover’ flip on the monkey bars. Once my hands were too slick, though, and I fell flat on my face and scratched it!”
Ali also enjoys doing activities with her family. “I like to go swimming at anytime, in any weather, in shallow or deep water—but if I see a fish, I scream. I don’t like fish; they scare me!”
Beachcombing is another enjoyable family activity. The Attridges like to collect ropes, buoys, driftwood, shells, and rocks. At home, Ali and her mom wash the rocks and then paint them. Ali is proud of the Noah’s Ark rock she designed and painted. “The rainbow I painted on it represents God’s promise to Noah.”
At family home evening, she is happy to read or listen to scripture stories. She has read the Book of Mormon Reader twice and also likes to read from a book of children’s Bible stories. The great faith shown by the brother of Jared is her favorite scripture story. She also enjoys learning about the Jaredites traveling to the promised land.
For a family home evening activity, she is always eager to go to the Kingston Family Fitness Trail. Walking along the trail, the family enjoys the beautiful forested scenery. Ali likes them to stop and participate in each of the fitness activities along the way. She enjoys climbing the fishnet, jumping like a frog over the short poles, balancing on the beam, running through the tire maze, and finally stopping at the end to watch the ducks in the pond.
Prayer is an important part of Ali’s life. She remembers to say her personal prayers, and she suggested that the family pray together both morning and night. A prayer before each meal is important, too. She reminds them if they forget.
Ali loves her family very much. She is grateful that they are members of the Church and have been able to enjoy the many blessings of the gospel.

At a Young Women leadership meeting in Eugene, Oregon, I had the privilege of meeting and talking with Sister Cammy Wilberger. The story Sister Wilberger shared with me was a witness of the power and blessing of one young woman’s knowing, living, and loving the gospel.
Sister Wilberger’s 19-year-old daughter, Brooke, was tragically killed several years ago while on summer break after her first year at university. Sister Wilberger recalled, “It was a difficult and dark time for our family. However, Brooke had given us a great gift. We didn’t recognize this as she was growing up, but every single year and moment of her brief life, Brooke had given us the greatest gift a daughter could give her parents. Brooke was a righteous daughter of God. … Because of this gift and especially because of the enabling power of the Atonement, I have had strength, comfort, and the Savior’s promised peace. I have no question where Brooke is now and look forward to our loving reunion.”

Right before I graduated from college, my wife and I were pondering two questions: when we should begin having children and where to go after graduation. We spent many hours talking about these intimidating issues but hadn’t come to any conclusions.
One particular Sunday, our conversation slowly turned into a debate, which then escalated into an argument. At that moment, the doorbell rang. We were surprised to find our home teachers standing in the doorway.
We invited them in and listened to their message. One of our home teachers began talking about Moses and the children of Israel making their escape from Egypt. When the children of Israel got to the shores of the Red Sea, they could go no further, and the Egyptians were quickly approaching. The scriptures say that the children of Israel “were sore afraid” (Exodus 14:10). When Moses prayed for guidance, the Lord responded, “Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward” (Exodus 14:15).
As soon as our home teacher read that scripture, the feelings of frustration and fear melted away. My wife and I realized that we had been sitting on the banks of the Red Sea wondering what to do but that in order to “see the salvation of the Lord” (Exodus 14:13), we would have to go forward.
In our case, going forward meant making an informed decision, working diligently, and trusting in the Lord. We had to stop debating and start acting in faith. As we followed the Lord’s guidance, the sea of choices before us parted, and we were able to walk through unscathed. We are grateful for the blessings we received from moving forward in faith and for home teachers who inspired us to take the first steps.

For an example, may I refer to an experience which I heard a friend relate to me and to a public audience some years ago. He was talking about his boyhood. “My,” he said, “my twin brother and I had a boyhood filled with difficulty. We had a lovely mother and we had a fine father, but he had become addicted to drink. It was frequently our task to go to the saloon on Saturday night, at mother’s bidding, and bring father home. It was sad.” My friend continued: “On one occasion, my twin brother and I were celebrating our thirteenth birthday. We had invited our playmates to our home for a party and were playing games and enjoying the day when in stumbled father, dead drunk. He looked at us. Our embarrassed friends fled from the room. Mother had a pained expression upon her face. We said some unkind things to our father. ‘Can’t you stay sober, Dad? Even on our birthday?’” That young man stated, “My father turned to me and to my twin brother and said, ‘Boys, I’m sorry. I promise you I shall never touch another drop of liquor.’”
The same old story, the same old tune, and into the bedroom he went. The boys complained to their mother. They were harsh in their attitude toward Dad. But that wonderful mother said to them, “Boys, your father holds the priesthood, and one day he will honor it. So I ask that you honor him.”
The young man declared, “My father was true to his word. Never again did he touch liquor. He became the kindest and most considerate father twin boys could ever have. And oh the joy this change in Dad brought to our mother!” That father passed away some time ago, but that mother, who had the ability to inspire within her twin sons that a man’s word can be his bond when he really means it, had the privilege to see each of those twin sons called to serve as a mission president in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

As Remembrance Day 2022 approached, a young missionary serving in England Manchester Mission expressed honour at being able to attend Remembrance Day services, in memory of his great-grandfather.
William Inkley (pictured left), who served in the 91st division, U.S. Army, during World War I, witnessed the signing of the armistice. 19-year-old Taylor Inkley (pictured right) told his ancestors story.
“Great-grandad Bill, having spent the voyage on deck due to seasickness, arrived in Liverpool, England, July 17, 1918, with his regiment of mainly Utah boys. He was receiving training in France by July 29 and quickly saw action on September 29, in the Meuse-Argonne offensive. Recording the terror of the trenches, barbed wire and thick French forest undergrowth, the operation degraded Germany’s war efforts. William described being a sniper, hiding in trees to fire at the enemy, then spending hours up to his neck in mud, camouflaged, with only his head visible to breathe. He wondered if he would ever get out alive.”
William was born in 1890 in Salt Lake City. His patriarchal blessing said, “Be ye careful and wise and the missiles of death will pass you by and you will be able to return to your mountain home.” Taylor retells how this was fulfilled.
“While on guard patrol, William stopped to talk to soldiers at their post. They could hear the roar of battle from the front line. My great-grandfather felt a distinct impression to continue on his route. He heeded the prompting and immediately a shell flew overhead, exploding nearby, killing his two comrades. On Nov. 11, 1918, on duty in Belgium, he witnessed the signing of the armistice. In America, Nov. 11 is Veterans Day, but poppies aren’t worn, so I feel honoured to wear one at a service, for those who gave their lives so we could be free.”

Wendell M. Smoot, president of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, was in his office that day, April 29, 1991, talking about the upcoming June 8 Tabernacle Choir tour to middle Europe and Russia.
He was basking in the assurance that though the tour had not yet begun, he knew everything was going to be all right, that the tour was going to be a success.
“Let me tell a remarkable story,” he said. “As in any such tour, you have to sign ahead of time your contracts for the airlines that will fly you to your destination, the halls where you are going to perform, the hotels where you are going to house and feed 510 people. It is customary to have certain payment dates at stated intervals, with some contracts requiring very heavy payments. The date of February 7, 1991, became a very important date, because on that day we had to put down a substantial amount of money. Late in January, I began to be very concerned.
“Do people remember what was going on in the world at that time?” he asked. “The air campaign against Iraq had started on January 16, a projected ground war was imminent, and fear of terrorism and hostage-taking was prevalent all over Europe. Individuals and organizations were canceling various plans and events due to the fear associated with the war. The people abroad with whom we were making arrangements feared that we, too, might cancel out.
“So, on Friday, February 1, I called President Gordon B. Hinckley of the First Presidency, the man I report to. ‘President, I need to see you,’ I said. ‘All right,’ he said. ‘Come on over.’
“I went over and laid it all out to him. I then said, ‘President, the reputation of the Church is at stake if we cancel and this war stops soon. You can imagine what will be thought of us if we default on all our obligations, after pleading and begging to get into these prestigious concert halls and getting the promoters behind us. On the other hand, how tragic it would be to blindly go and put at risk all these people, their lives and their families. President, if there is any possibility whatsoever that the First Presidency would think of canceling this trip, I need to know now because of the big amount of money we need to put down Thursday, February 7. President, I’m here to get counsel.’
“The weekend passed, and on Monday morning I called and said, ‘President, I wonder if you have made a decision with the First Presidency concerning the matter I discussed with you last Friday.’
“President Hinckley said, ‘Wendell, I have thought about little else since you were here.’ There was a moment of silence. Then he said, ‘I will say this. The choir will go to Europe this coming summer. The war will be over.’
“I said, ‘President, that’s all I needed to hear.’ At the conclusion of our conversation, I took steps to fulfill our financial commitment, and we moved ahead.
“That day was February 4. The ground campaign of that tragic war didn’t start until February 24! And after it did start, the fighting ended with a cease-fire on February 28.
“But from those two conversations, I learned that this tour that we are about to go on is ordained of the Lord, that the Lord wants this tour. He wants us to go, and we will go and be preserved and be successful because this is a call from the Lord.”
The day was April 29—still forty days before the Tabernacle Choir’s scheduled departure.

House Build C:
In this family are Roberto (father), Micaela (mother), Gloria (daughter, 13), Esther (daughter, 10), and Abraham (son, 8). Roberto works as a cook six days a week. Micaela raises her children and makes foam flowers to sell to stores and schools.
Two years ago, Roberto started going back to church with his family. He felt God’s love and felt the need to serve and love others, so each Friday he would bring hundreds of burritos and flavored water to migrant groups from Central America. He feels that God always blesses him for his service and that his new home is one such blessing. But he was even more excited about the incredible gratitude, love, and unity he felt among the youth.

And so it was. A year or so later, I stood at Joyce's bedside. She had spent a very painful night bringing our first son into the world. I held him in my arms and gazed in wonder at his perfect fingers, nose and tiny hands. He was magnificent. I looked at Joyce in amazement and said, "YOU HAVE DONE A MIRICLE!" And indeed she had. She was a daughter of God just as I had learned at girl's camp and He made her a partner with Him in creation. She gave a body to a spirit child fresh from God's presence. A body! A body that would one day be resurrected because of the great sacrifice of our Savior, "spirit and element, inseparably connected, receive a fullness of joy." She gave our son a sacred body, a temple that would bring him the possibility of great joy.

The Holy Ghost guided me when I had to decide whether or not to go on a mission. When I became old enough to serve a mission, no one suggested that I go. In fact, I didn’t really know much about what a mission was or what it required. But my patriarchal blessing had mentioned something about a mission, and that had stuck in my mind. And the Holy Ghost whispered to me, urging me to tell my bishop that I wanted to serve a mission. I knew what I should do. As a missionary in Uruguay, I really enjoyed going from door to door to tell people about the gospel.

A Scout council was accustomed to arranging its summer camp schedule so that the Scouts were moving to the camp on one Sabbath and returning home from camp on the next Sabbath. Latter-day Saint youth were being deprived of religious activities for two successive Sundays. A friendly suggestion to the council authorities brought about a change, so that the camp period ran from Friday to Friday. The Sunday in between was planned so that there were religious services offered for the boys who were in the camp.

Elder Lund leaves soon for his mission. He told us, “I worked at a dry cleaner for two years. I found the position when I took a buddy to his interview. He told the lady he couldn’t take the job because of the hours but that I could. I did. I worked the cash register, took in dirty clothes, and gave out the clean ones. I also cleaned up after closing. When I started the job I was very shy. I learned to speak up and explain things to people. I gained a lot of confidence. Now I don’t have trouble communicating with people.
“My brother and I bought broken lawn mowers, repaired them, and sold them for a profit. We didn’t have to spend money for parts. They just needed our mechanical knowledge.
“I put my money into a savings account. I recommend everyone use a savings account. But give the bankbook to your mom so you can’t take the money out again. You need to start early in life to save because you can’t cram in the last few months like you might for a test.”

What better place to first observe and then serve than in the home? An example from the life of Elder Richard G. Scott illustrates:
“One night our little son Richard, who had a heart problem, awoke crying. … Normally my wife always got up to take care of a crying baby, but this time I said, ‘I’ll take care of him.’
“Because of his problem, when he began to cry, his little heart would pound very rapidly. He would throw up and soil the bed clothing. That night I held him very close to try to calm his racing heart and stop his crying as I changed his clothes and put on new bedsheets. I held him until he went to sleep. I didn’t know then that just a few months later he would pass away. I will always remember holding him in my arms in the middle of that night.”

My MTC experience testified to me the power of prayer. The night before I left for MTC I prayed, asking God to guide good people who would prepare me to serve as a good missionary. I received that blessing at the MTC in the Caribbean area office. Wise words were given to me from leaders, people in the offices, and in the temple where I learned more about our Savior, Jesus Christ. Answers to my prayer came through others that gave me confidence and knowledge to be a good missionary. This is my testimony that I enjoy sharing with people.