Gospel Story Finder

The Taylors heard the restored gospel as a result of some unusual circumstances. In 1836, Parley P. Pratt was sent to Toronto by revelation to preach the gospel. Concerning Elder Pratt’s mission to Canada, Elder Heber C. Kimball had prophesied, “From the things growing out of this mission, shall the fullness of the gospel spread into England.” (See Roberts, page 35.) Elder Pratt received from a stranger a letter of introduction to a John Taylor in Toronto. But when he called at the Taylors’ home, his reception there was polite but not exactly cordial. Later, after presenting his message to the ministers in the city, Elder Pratt prepared to leave. Valise in hand, he was saying good-bye to John Taylor when a neighbor—a member of the Taylors’ religious study group—came in, offered her home for Elder Pratt to preach in, and proposed to lodge and feed him. As a result, John and Leonora Taylor heard Elder Pratt preach. This was John’s response to his group of friends:

“We are here, ostensibly in search of the truth. Hitherto we have fully investigated other creeds and doctrines and proven them false. Why should we fear to investigate Mormonism? This gentleman, Mr. Pratt, has brought to us many doctrines that correspond with our own views. … We have prayed to God to send us a messenger, if He has a true Church on earth. … I desire to investigate his doctrines and claims to authority, and shall be very glad if some of my friends will unite with me in this investigation. But if no one will unite with me, be assured I shall make the investigation alone. If I find his religion true, I shall accept it, no matter what the consequences may be; but if false, then I shall expose it.” (See Roberts, pages 38–39.)

For three weeks, John Taylor followed Elder Pratt from place to place, copying down sermons as Elder Pratt delivered them—and then privately comparing them with the scriptures. Satisfied that the missionary was teaching the truth, John and Leonora Taylor joined the Church. Twenty-eight-year-old John was ordained an elder and was placed in charge of the Church in Canada when the missionaries returned to their homes.

“Come on, Fynn. It’s time to go!” Johan said.
Fynn’s brother, Johan, was waiting impatiently at the front door. He didn’t want to be late for school.
Fynn frowned. He didn’t want to go to school. His family had just moved to a new house. It was his first year at school, and he hadn’t made any friends here yet. He missed his old friends.
“I’m scared!” Fynn said, running to his mom. “Why do I have to go to school?”
Mom gave Fynn a hug. “It’s going to be OK. Let’s say a prayer,” she said. “There’s always time to pray.”
They knelt down and asked Heavenly Father to help Fynn. Then Fynn and his brother went to school. The day went a little better.
Every morning after that, Fynn knelt down and said a prayer asking Heavenly Father for help.
Slowly, things got better. Fynn made a friend, and he wasn’t scared anymore. After a while, Fynn started liking school.
One day Fynn and his brother were walking to school, and Fynn felt happy. He noticed the sun shining. He thought about all the fun things he was learning. Suddenly he stopped walking.
“I forgot something!” he told Johan. Fynn ran back to their house.
Mom looked worried when he ran inside.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“I forgot to pray!” Fynn said. He knelt down. He wanted to thank Heavenly Father for helping him.
After ending his prayer, he gave Mom a hug. “There’s always time to pray!” he said.
Fynn smiled. Mom smiled. And as Fynn ran to catch up with his brother, he thought maybe Heavenly Father was smiling too.

About one year ago my wife, Alessandra, got a text message on her phone from a sister in our home ward in Brazil. It had been more than two years since they had last met. This sister wrote: “On one of the worst days of my life, I don’t know how I got to church. When I did, you saw me. You held my arm and told me to sit by you. I talked to you. You listened and counseled me.”
This seemed to be a simple conversation at the time. But it turned out to be an opportunity for my wife to be an instrument in the hands of the Lord. She ministered to that dear sister who was going through a challenging time. Alessandra didn’t really think about it. She simply felt prompted to listen and to offer comfort, and she acted on the prompting. Now, more than two years later, she received this text message from that sister, expressing her gratitude.

Twelve years ago, our twenty-four-year-old daughter was in the MBA program here at BYU. Sister Palmer and I were serving as mission leaders in Spokane, Washington, when she called with the shocking news that doctors had discovered a brain tumor. The personal sorrow of seeing a child face such an uncertain future was profound and deep. As a father, I felt an overwhelming desire to protect her, to fix the problem, or even to take her place as she went in for surgery. I realized I would give up any amount of wealth to somehow purchase her health. But none of those things were an option, and it was very humbling to recognize that it was all out of our control.

My journal describes a sleepless night following her surgery. I was tossing for hours with thoughts that were a real test of my faith. The surgeon had just told us that he had been unable to fully remove the tumor, so the future looked dark and uncertain. Even as I tried to look for bright spots, it felt so easy to question God’s seeming lack of response. What about the priesthood blessing I had given her two nights earlier, in which I had felt prompted to make assurances based on promises made in her patriarchal blessing? What about the many prayers and much fasting on her behalf from literally all around the world?

At 4:00 a.m., I knelt in our hotel and poured out my heart to God on behalf of our precious daughter, who was full of faith and living a life centered on Jesus Christ. After that long and sleepless wrestle, I felt an answer that, no matter the outcome, I must go forward with faith and trust in Jesus Christ. All I could do was surrender my will to His. Eventually a sense of peace came, and my pleading prayer changed to a prayer of thanks. I thanked God for His love and for the blessings of the gospel in our lives. As I left my knees, I knew that we would be able to face whatever lay ahead, whether she was healed—or not.

Everyone’s story will be different. In our ­daughter Jasmine’s case, what lay ahead were years of continued uncertainty that included ­radiation and chemotherapy but also beautiful miracles of marriage and children. Through it all, she has continued to center her life on Jesus Christ, and she inspires all with her boundless optimism and with her faith. For she too shares in the assurance that no matter what happens in the future, nothing will ever go permanently wrong, thanks to eternal covenants made with a loving God.

In October 1988, as my plane droned onward to Berlin, my thoughts were upon these nations and my heart felt concern for their people, particularly our own members who had unflinchingly borne their burdens and suffered in silence. I sat back somewhat in reverie, contemplating my lengthy assignment to the German Democratic Republic. For twenty years this had been a vital part of my ministry. My mind filled with memories. My heart overflowed with gratitude to God. I reflected on the history of the Church in the land to which I was going.
Such was the dilemma uppermost on my mind as my plane landed in Berlin that October afternoon. We went forward with the vital assignment to visit with the leaders of the German Democratic Republic. Our ultimate goal was to seek permission for the doorway of missionary work to open. Elder Russell M. Nelson, Elder Hans B. Ringger, and I, along with our local German Democratic Republic Church leaders, headed by President Henry Burkhardt, President Frank Apel, and President Manfred Schutze, initially met with State Secretary for Religious Affairs Kurt Löffler as he hosted a lovely luncheon in our honor. He addressed our group by saying, “We want to be helpful to you. We’ve observed you and your people for twenty years. We know you are what you profess to be: honest men and women.”
Government leaders and their wives attended the dedication of a stake center at Dresden and a chapel at Zwickau. As the Saints sang “God be with you till we meet again”—“Auf Wiedersehen, Auf Wiedersehen”—we remembered Him, the Prince of Peace, who died on the cross at Calvary. I contemplated our Lord and Savior, when He walked the path of pain, the trail of tears, even the road of righteousness. His penetrating declaration came to mind: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27.)
Then it was back to Berlin for the crucial meetings with the head of the nation, even Chairman Erich Honecker.
That special morning the sunlight bathed the city of Berlin. It had been raining all night, but now beauty prevailed. We were driven to the chambers of the chief representatives of the government.
Beyond the exquisite entry to the building, we were greeted by Chairman Honecker. We presented to him the statuette First Step, depicting a mother helping her child take its first step toward its father. He was highly pleased with the gift. He then escorted us into his private council room. There, around a large round table, we were seated. Others at the table included Chairman Honecker and his deputies of government.
Chairman Honecker began, “We know members of your Church believe in work; you’ve proven that. We know you believe in the family; you’ve demonstrated that. We know you are good citizens in whatever country you claim as home; we have observed that. The floor is yours. Make your desires known.”
I began, “Chairman Honecker, at the dedication and open house for the temple in Freiberg, 89,890 of your countrymen stood in line, at times up to four hours, frequently in the rain, that they might see a house of God. In the city of Leipzig, at the dedication of the stake center, 12,000 people attended the open house. In the city of Dresden there were 29,000 visitors; in the city of Zwickau, 5,300. And every week of the year 1,500 to 1,800 people visit the temple grounds in the city of Freiberg. They want to know what we believe. We would like to tell them that we believe in honoring and obeying and sustaining the law of the land. We would like to explain our desire to achieve strong family units. These are but two of our beliefs. We cannot answer questions, and we cannot convey our feelings, because we have no missionary representatives here as we do in other countries. The young men and young women whom we would like to have come to your country as missionary representatives would love your nation and your people. More particularly, they would leave an influence with your people which would be ennobling. Then we would like to see young men and young women from your nation who are members of our Church serve as missionary representatives in many nations, such as in America, in Canada, and in a host of others. They will return better prepared to assume positions of responsibility in your land.”
Chairman Honecker then spoke for perhaps thirty minutes, describing his objectives and viewpoints and detailing the progress made by his nation. At length, he smiled and addressed me and the group, saying, “We know you. We trust you. We have had experience with you. Your missionary request is approved.”
My spirit literally soared out of the room. The meeting was concluded. As we left the beautiful government chambers, Elder Russell Nelson turned to me and said, “Notice how the sunshine is penetrating this hall. It’s almost as though our Heavenly Father is saying, ‘I am pleased.’”
The black darkness of night had ended. The bright light of day had dawned. The gospel of Jesus Christ would now be carried to the millions of people in that nation. Their questions concerning the Church will be answered, and the Kingdom of God will go forth.

This story happened in the USA.
Ryan closed the last envelope and grinned. His birthday was almost here, and he couldn’t wait to invite his friends to his party! Mom had helped him make invitations with rocket ships and stars. He was sure it would be the best birthday ever.
The first friend Ryan wanted to invite was Chad. Chad was really nice, and Ryan always had fun with him. Sometimes Chad stumbled over his words, and he wasn’t very good at sports. But Ryan didn’t mind. Chad was good at other things. He liked to make tiny origami animals by folding paper. One time he made Ryan a little bear. Ryan kept it on the dresser in his room.
Ryan walked to Chad’s house and gave him an invitation. “It’s for my birthday party on Saturday,” he said. “I hope you can come!”
Chad smiled big. “Thank you. I’ll b-be there.”
Before Ryan left, Chad showed him his new origami. He had deer, chipmunks, squirrels, and owls—a whole forest of tiny paper animals. It was so cool!
Next, Ryan found Ty and Braden at Ty’s house. He gave them each an invitation.
“Who else is coming?” Ty asked.
“I’m inviting Alex, Matt, Jacob, and Chad.”
“Ugh,” Braden said. “Why are you inviting Chad? He’s weird.”
Ryan froze. “Because he’s my friend.”
“Well, he’s not our friend,” Ty said. “If Chad’s coming, I’m not.”
“Me neither,” Braden said.
Ryan walked back home. He didn’t know what to do. He wanted Ty and Braden to come to his party, but he also wanted Chad to come.
When he got home, he told Mom what happened.
“I’m sorry they feel that way,” Mom said. “It sounds like they haven’t given themselves a chance to get to know Chad. What do you think you should do?”
Ryan was quiet for a minute. Mom and Dad had taught him that when he needed help, the Holy Ghost could guide him. They said it was like a quiet voice you could feel in your heart.
Ryan said a silent prayer. Heavenly Father, what should I do?
When he thought about Ty and Braden, he felt nervous and a little sad. But when he thought about inviting Chad, he felt calm and happy. He knew the Holy Ghost was telling him that inviting Chad was a good choice.
On Saturday, Ryan helped Dad set up games to play in the backyard. Mom set out Ryan’s favorite snacks, popcorn and pretzels. One by one, Ryan’s friends arrived.
Ty and Braden didn’t come. But Ryan had lots of fun with his other friends. Chad even showed them how to make origami. They all went home with their own paper animal.
It really was the best birthday ever! Ryan felt happy and grateful.
Ryan gave Chad a high-five. “Thanks for coming!” he said. “I’m glad we’re friends.”
Chad smiled back. “Me too.”
How did the Holy Ghost help Ryan?
Illustrations by Colleen Madden

Sara had an embarrassing sports experience as well. She was a pretty good basketball player, and right in the middle of an exciting game she got her directions confused and scored in the wrong team’s basket.
Sara wanted to crawl under the bleachers, until she saw how nice the other girls on the team were being about it. When she realized that this one little mistake would not be the end of her high school career, she was able to laugh the whole thing off and be a lot more empathetic when others made embarrassing mistakes.

This story happened in Kenya.
How was Primary?
It was good. And I got my Friend magazine!
That’s great! Ready to go home?
Yep!
Hello!
Hello!
Reading the Friend makes me happy. Maybe it will make her happy too.
This is for you! It’s a magazine about Jesus Christ.
Thank you!
That was nice of you.
Thanks. I just wanted her to feel the happiness I feel when I learn about Jesus!
“Share the gospel. Be you and hold up the light.”
Elder Marcus B. Nash of the Seventy, “Hold Up Your Light,” Liahona, Nov. 2021, 72.
Thanks to Sasha O. for sharing her story!
How can you share the gospel with others?
Illustrations by Kelly Light

It had been two years since my first visit to the temple, and I was looking forward to attending again with a group of young adults. My focus was to strengthen myself, make friends, and experience the privilege of performing sacred ordinances.
While in the temple baptistry, I was a bit lost in thought because of nerves. It was only my second time going to the temple, and I was afraid of doing something wrong as I performed ordinances. But then a member of the temple presidency, who was assisting with the baptisms, said to those of us waiting in line that if we could just lift the veil for a second, we could see how many people were in the spirit world waiting to be helped.
That thought pierced my heart, and suddenly I realized how important these ordinances were.
As I reflected on what he said, I remembered a technique that I had learned in a theater class where actors put themselves in the situation of the characters they play in order to portray them more effectively. I wondered if Heavenly Father could help me as I tried to put myself in the shoes of the people I was performing temple ordinances for.
How would I feel if, after decades or even centuries of waiting, I could finally receive the saving ordinances that I had so longed for?
As I tried to think more about those I was doing work for, the Holy Ghost helped me feel a sense of overwhelming joy. I couldn’t hold back my tears. I could sense the happiness of those I had just been baptized for. I felt a strong impression of how they had waited so long for their saving ordinances.
I had been anxious about going to the temple, but I realized that if I forgot about my own worries and feelings and instead focused on fully representing every person I was baptized for, I could feel their joy through the veil.
I was so grateful to be able to serve all day in the temple and help those who needed me to support them so that they could be ready to return to the presence of the Father. I better understood the revelation God gave to the Prophet Joseph Smith in the Kirtland Temple: “All who have died without a knowledge of this gospel, who would have received it if they had been permitted to tarry, shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God” (Doctrine and Covenants 137:7).
Before returning home from the temple, all the young adults gathered around to share their testimonies and experiences. The Holy Ghost touched everyone’s heart, and we knew that we were different than we had been when we first arrived at the temple because of our new focus on doing temple and family history work.

Three years after our baptism, I was the only member of our family who still went to Church. My parents and siblings stopped going. Every Sunday my responsibility was to extend the invitation for them to come with me to Church, but I always received the same response: “Just pray for us.”
I set a goal to bring everyone back to Church, so I did my best to be a good example to them and to never be weary of reminding them and extending the invitation to come back. My prayers as a 13-year-old were answered by the Lord and everyone eventually went back to Church activity. Our family was sealed in the Manila Temple in 1992, but sadly my father passed away before he could be sealed with us.

My senior year in high school was filled with student body responsibilities, classes, activities, and planning for next year at BYU. I felt my senior year was a time for me to evaluate and take stock, to plan for big changes in my life. And all my friends were getting contact lenses.
“It’s a whole new world!” Cheryl confided as we huddled in our band uniforms at the opening football game. “I can see things I never saw before!” I had to admit she looked much prettier, too. Her small Japanese features no longer hid behind the thick glasses she had worn for years.
I pushed my own glasses back up on my nose and considered the possibilities. If Cheryl and Carolyn and Ron and Celia could make the change, why couldn’t I? It couldn’t be all that big a deal.
Or could it? I pondered some more as my regular checkup with the ophthalmologist approached.
“Of course!” he reassured me. He could fit me with contacts. I would have them within two weeks, for a mere $200, including eye exam and fittings during the breaking-in period.
That, of course, was another problem. Two hundred dollars was a lot of money for my family in 1970. I didn’t want to waste it. What if I couldn’t get used to the contacts?
I thought some more as I bicycled home. Daddy’s business hadn’t been going well. On the other hand, I had a good part-time job. Maybe I could offer to pay part of the bill. Maybe I would have to pay for the whole thing. Would it be worth it? I decided it would.
“Absolutely not,” said Daddy. “No daughter of mine is going to wear contact lenses.” I argued that everyone was getting them. I argued that I would pay part of the cost. I argued that I would pay all of it. I argued that I had $200, and more, sitting in the bank at that very minute. I argued that the doctor thought he could correct my vision more accurately with contacts. I argued that my glasses pinched behind my ears. I argued that contacts would give me better grades in school. Daddy was adamant, totally unreasonable. He finally put his foot down and refused to listen any more. “I don’t want you to go through all that,” he said flatly. “No. Don’t ask again.”
I stormed to my room in tears. The fight had bolstered my resolve. Anger had replaced any squeamish fears I had entertained. I would show him! I was 17 years old. I had my own life to live! Nobody was going to have control over me, not while I had $200 of my own money in the bank. I fantasized that I would be beautiful, independent. I would even lose weight, maybe streak my hair. Boys would take me out. I would show that mean, old-fashioned man a thing or two!
The next day I made an appointment for another eye examination.
I felt very shy and embarrassed the day I returned home wearing my new contacts. My eyes seemed different and foreign. The feeling was not unlike the strange tingle I had in my fingertips on the rare occasions when I used nail polish. I felt naked without my glasses, but I was astounded at the clarity of my vision. And in my heart a lurking fear was beginning to grow.
Lois had had her ears pierced against her father’s wishes. I remembered Paulette with the cork and needle at the slumber party, the alcohol-soaked strings, the infection. Lois had been grounded for a month. I pushed these thoughts aside and stiffened as I opened the front door. After all was said and done, the price had been paid and Lois had her pierced ears. I was a contact lens wearer now!
My father was more surprised and curious than shocked and angry. “Please let me see them,” he said. I held out the tiny green disk on the tip of a finger. He stared at it almost reverently. “Is this all there is to it? It’s so tiny. Are you sure you can see with it?”
I felt smug, superior, vindicated.
His next question surprised me. “Didn’t it hurt your eyes when they poured the latex in?” What on earth was he talking about? Nothing of that sort had gone on at all.
“I want to show you something,” he said, beckoning. I followed him upstairs to his room. From the back of his sock drawer, he pulled out a hinged leather case and opened it. On the white velvet lining were two glass balls. No, not balls. I picked one up. Doll teacups, of clear glass, an inch in diameter and an eighth inch thick.
“These are my contact lenses,” Daddy said sadly.
I was horrified. “How could anyone wear those? Why they must cover the whole eyeball!”
“That’s right,” he replied. “I wore them three times.”
My mother peered over my shoulder. “One of the times was on his second date with me,” she said. “His poor eyes watered so much and he was so miserable I made him take them off.”
“They made them by propping my eyelids open with a metal brace and pouring liquid latex over my eyes,” he explained. “The molds were then used for the glass lenses, which fit tightly over the entire eye. It took all my courage to put them in. I didn’t want that to happen to my little girl,” he finished lamely.
Remorse filled my heart. Daddy had only been trying to protect me from the pain he had suffered himself, while I had thought he was being mean and unreasonable. I shuddered as I remembered my misery when the orthodontist had made latex molds of my teeth. Then I thought of the young man, 20 years earlier, who had endured incredible agony for the hope of being freed from the burden of thick, heavy glasses.
Daddy hadn’t realized that times had changed. His actions toward me had been motivated by memories of his earlier experiences. I understood better now the reasons for other restrictions he imposed upon his children. He had once been a young man. Events during those years had shaped his relationship with his family; and the family rules, fair or unfair, were influenced by those experiences.
I knew the remaining months I would spend in Daddy’s household were limited. I would soon begin a new life that would lead me away from home. Very shortly, my parents would not be responsible for my welfare, and I was sorry my new understanding of them had come so late. I wished I had been more considerate and teachable.
Three years later, my mother called my Provo apartment with the news. “Your father got his new contact lenses today. Aunt Jeuney and I picked him up at the train station and asked him how he was doing. He really was excited! ‘When I got back to the office, I didn’t have to pick up a single thing on my desk to see what it was,’ he said.”
Tears filled my eyes as I thought of the man who had groped for so many years and had now found a fuller measure of vision. I prayed that in future relationships I would realize that people, especially parents, act according to their past experiences. It is impossible to understand all the reasons why people do the things they do. I hope I can remember that lesson all my life.

Christopher found his job using another technique he learned in the workshops at the fair. He applied for a job, but at the time there were no openings. When he followed up a few days later he said, “I know that it costs you something to train new employees. I will volunteer to come in and learn whatever you would like me to learn on my own time and then if you think I can do the job to your satisfaction I will be trained and ready to go to work when you have an opening.” This initiative impressed his employer enough that he interviewed him and hired him on the spot. Although the restaurant is open on Sunday, Christopher’s employer respects his beliefs and has not required that he come in and work on that day.

On another occasion, I was in New Zealand visiting the home of a single mother with three teenage children. The oldest son was 18 and had received the Melchizedek Priesthood just the previous Sunday. I asked if he had been able to exercise this priesthood yet. He said, “I’m not sure what that means.”
I told him he now had the authority to give a priesthood blessing of comfort or healing. I looked at his mother, who had not had a Melchizedek Priesthood holder by her side for many years. “I think it would be wonderful,” I said, “if you would give your mom a blessing.”
He replied, “I don’t know how.”
I explained that he could put his hands on his mother’s head, state her name, state that he is giving her a blessing by the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood, say whatever the Spirit puts in his mind and heart, and close in the name of Jesus Christ.
The next day, I received an email from him. It read in part: “Tonight I blessed my mum. … I felt very, very nervous and inadequate, so I prayed continually to ensure I had the Spirit with me, because I could not give a blessing without it. As I started, I completely forgot myself and my weaknesses. … I [did not expect] the immense spiritual and emotional power I felt. … Afterwards the spirit of love hit me so hard I could not contain my emotions, so I hugged my mum and wept like a baby. … Even now as I write this, [I feel] the Spirit [so much that] I never want to sin again. … I love this gospel.”
Isn’t it inspiring to see how a seemingly ordinary young man can accomplish great things through priesthood service, even when he feels inadequate? I recently learned that this young elder has received a mission call and will enter the missionary training center next month. I believe he will lead many souls to Christ because he has learned how to follow Christ in his priesthood service—beginning in his own home, where his example is having a profound influence on his 14-year-old brother.

In 2018, I was privileged to be assigned by President M. Russell Ballard to visit a stake in Utah. The time I spent in that stake president’s home, and being with him and his wife, truly inspired me.

I was able to hear the life story of Ruth and Lee Hall.

Ruth grew up in the Sugar House area of Salt Lake City. Her parents grew up in Chihuahua, Mexico . . . and came to the United States when they were in their late-teens and early twenties.

Lee lived mainly in Murray, Utah. They met in 1998 when both attended more than two years of Institute at the Salt Lake Community College. They also participated in the Institute Choir. In fact, Ruth didn’t know Lee was in the choir until she met him.

Ruth started to get to know Lee at an activity for a choir group that they both sang in. She asked Lee to a dance that weekend, about five minutes after meeting him. (Lee is convinced that she had a bet with her friends to see who could ask out the biggest loser at the party… and she won for sure. She denies that to this day.) They hit it off quickly and were engaged to be married by the end of July of that year. They were married on December 3, 1998, eight months after they first met.

So yes, for those who are prayerfully seeking an eternal companion, you may get an eternal dividend when you faithfully enroll and attend Institute and all organized activities, just like these two young single adults did. Their love for learning about the Lord brought them together and they were happily married.

Sickness
Less than one year after they were married, Ruth started feeling extremely sick, passing out for no apparent reason. She also had pain in her abdomen. Her gallbladder was removed, and they thought that was the end of her troubles. For the next year or so, they went to dozens of doctor appointments, and had many tests done – but no one could figure out what was wrong with her. The couple recalls that it was a very frustrating experience, and scary at the same time. Finally, they found a particularly good doctor who wasn’t going to give up his search for her diagnosis until he had figured it out.

In 2001, Ruth was diagnosed with a very rare, chronic condition known as gastroparesis, otherwise known as paralyzed stomach.

This condition affects the stomach by preventing it from emptying properly. Food goes in but doesn’t want to move anywhere else through the digestive tract. It’s like a broken garbage disposal.

There is currently no cure for this condition. Ruth must be nourished via IV. In 2003 she had a G-tube placed in her stomach to help drain it. Ruth is nauseous 99.9% of her life . . . She has a hole in her side where a tube drains her stomach and helps to relieve some of the symptoms. She carries a drainage bag with her 100% of the time. It’s about the size of a small messenger bag.

Ruth’s lifestyle changed dramatically. She was homebound and bedridden. She could not cook, she could not drive, she could not do much of anything. She felt like a burden. There were times she felt her faith was not strong enough because she wasn’t healing.

One of the biggest issues with this illness is that Ruth’s immune system is very weak because she doesn’t get proper nutrition. Her body picks up many illnesses that are going around . . . and every year she can count on contracting the flu, bronchitis, pneumonia, sinus infections, and other sicknesses.

Lessons They Learnt Thus Far
Yet, throughout the years, Ruth and Lee have personally witnessed the Lord’s tender mercies. Their hearts have been changed, healed, and the words of faith in the Atonement of Jesus Christ have been written DEEPLY into their hearts. They have received the marvelous gift of the Savior’s Atonement. A gift that has no expiration date.

The Savior of all humanity suffered and experienced every infirmity, every heartbreak, and the pain of every sin that each person will experience while here on earth. He has felt EVERYTHING that we all feel. And because of that He has perfect empathy.

Ruth testifies: “I know He sent His Only Begotten and perfect Son to Atone for me; to Atone for all of us . . . and I am grateful to know I am not my illness. I am a daughter of God. [We] are all sons and daughters of God. And He loves us.”

Knowing that Ruth and Lee can choose to be happy is empowering.

Ruth stated: “Heavenly Father has blessed me in the best way. He knows I need a husband who is both compassionate and challenges me. Lee married a healthy woman, and he is so patient with a wife who is now chronically ill.”

Lee has taught Ruth through his actions and words that they can still be happy, even through trials and challenges, because he follows the Savior. He has chosen to be happy rather than feel sorry for himself, and recognizes life is a blessing. They laugh a lot together and appreciate the small and simple things. They learnt from one of Sister Linda K. Burton’s talks, “Being thankful is a much more gratifying way to live – “Thee Lift Me and I’ll Lift Thee, and We’ll Ascend Together”[1]

Lee says: “Ruth is an amazing woman! Despite all that she goes through, she has a fantastic attitude. You will rarely see her down or feeling sorry for herself. She is always thinking about what she can do for others. She brightens up the room with her contagious good attitude. People love being around her. We have been married for almost 23 years now, and we have dealt with this illness for nearly 22 of those years. We have tried to make it so this experience makes us stronger together, versus tearing us apart . . . and it has worked! We have worked very hard as a couple to not let it get us down or define us.”

Ruth is still sick and limited. She’s since had other medical procedures. She still wakes up almost every day feeling nauseated. Ruth gets tired very easily, but they don’t let that get them down. A few years ago, they bought a wheelchair, and Lee rolls her around all over when they travel so they can experience more together. They adapt and make the best of any situation.

Ruth still has bad days. She still can’t eat very much. They still don’t have children, but they have 29 nieces and nephews. They try to be the best aunt and uncle they can. About every other year, they take two of them to Orlando and let them experience the theme parks.

Lee and Ruth feel in no other way could they have received some of their blessings had it not been for this illness, recognizing the tender mercies along the way, never feeling alone, trusting, and knowing that God has a plan. They constantly rely on the Lord because they cannot do this alone. They know if they obey the Lord, He will strengthen them, and everything will work for their good. This brings them peace and comfort.

They are so grateful to know Heavenly Father has provided them with a strong support group, a loving and patient family; and for Ruth, an eternal companion who sees her worth in times when she cannot. They are blessed with friends who are not only pillars of strength, but who are also wonderful examples.

They strive to live as directed in Doctrine and Covenants 123:17.

“Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.” [2]

Called To Serve As Bishop
Lee was called to be second counselor in their ward’s bishopric in 2005, two years after the G-tube was placed in Ruth’s stomach.

Ruth was weak and very ill. An infection had also spread throughout Ruth’s blood stream caused by a PICC line. (It is a catheter that enters the body through the skin at the bend of the elbow, extends to the larger vein, and stays in place – it dwells within the veins).

A friend visited Ruth one day while she was listening to the hymn, “Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd”[3] and gave her a cute wood block with Elder Neal A. Maxwell’s quote inscribed on it: “Faith in God includes Faith in His timing.”[4] This quote changed her thinking to an ‘exaltation’ perspective.

Around the same time, Lee was interviewed by his stake president to be the bishop. Accepting the call, he was reminded, that as an under shepherd, you are dear to the Heart of the Good Shepherd.

Lee was a little worried because he had never heard of someone being called as a bishop who didn’t have children of his own. However, those worries were quickly put to rest as he and Ruth jumped in and served with all their hearts. Not having children helped them relate to members in all kinds of family situations . . . including singles and couples without children. It has turned out to be a tremendous blessing being able to serve as a priesthood leader with his unique circumstances, experiences, and gifts. He is finding ways to “father” the members of their ward, by listening, counseling, and encouraging, one by one, in the Savior’s way.

Ruth wrote in her journal on Sunday June 27, 2010, quote: “I stumbled upon Mosiah 24:14 ‘And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.’ After reading this verse, I knew we were going to be fine. I know that He will ease my burdens and He only asks that I stand as a witness. The Lord does visit His people in their afflictions.”

Sure enough, Christ was there to help ease their burdens through a loving support group, and Ruth was blessed with better health as Lee ministered and served.

Called To Serve As Stake President
In March 2014; 16 years into marriage, Lee and Ruth felt something was about to change in their lives . . . again. On a Saturday morning, Lee had an appointment with two visiting authorities. A little later, that day, Lee was called to be stake president. He was again reminded, as an under-shepherd you are dear to the heart of the Good Shepherd. With her current medical condition, Ruth read a message from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, which perfectly describes her feelings of Lee being called to be stake president.

"I believe we have all been created for greater things than we can comprehend . . . The past is to be learned from but not lived in. We look back to claim the embers from glowing experiences but not the ashes. And when we have learned what we need to learn and have brought with us the best that we have experienced, then we look ahead; we remember that faith is always pointed toward the future."[5]

Lee verbalized his thoughts, “We are all enlisted ‘til the conflict is o’er. Happy are we.” Lee also expressed his enthusiasm of hastening the work of the Lord, together.

Both Lee and Ruth felt gratitude and love, knowing that this is where the Lord wants them to be at this time in their lives, and they move forward with faith and feel blessed to take this journey together.

This story of Ruth and Lee depicts their knowledge and understanding, that despite their circumstances, they are “Dear to the Heart of the [Good] Shepherd”

Near the Gulf of Mexico, you can find seashells, alligators, seagulls, turtles, miles of beaches, and ten-year-old Travis Trahan. The young athlete wrestled his way to take second place in the Louisiana State Wrestling Tournament. He didn’t start out so successfully, though—the first year he wrestled, he didn’t win a single match! But he always wore a smile.
“Whether he was on the top or the bottom, he’d smile. He’d look over at the audience to see who was smiling back at him,” Sister Trahan says. “It hasn’t been until this year that he has gotten into the competitive nature of wrestling.” In the five years since he started wrestling, he has won 18 medals.

Taylor’s 18-year-old sister, Kirsten, says that living the gospel makes people curious about you.

“At the beginning of the year I decided to read my Book of Mormon during study hall,” she explains. “Pretty soon people were asking questions and borrowing the book to look at it. Some days the whole study hall would be talking about Mormons and what we believe. I gave a couple of people their own copy, and I think it helped them understand where I got my testimony.”

The nearest LDS chapel to the mission home was less than five minutes from the mission home. Mostly we attended Sacrament Meetings at one of the four chapels in the immediate area around Tampa. However, at least five times I felt prompted to attend Sacrament Meeting in some far away place as much as 200 miles away. In each instance we were greeted by one of the Elders or Sisters assigned to that ward with the familiar words, "President Munson, I have been praying that you would attend here today!" I would meet privately with that missionary and find that there was some serious situation requiring my immediate attention.

Recently I received a letter from a young member of the Church whom I met three years ago at the Provo MTC. His words moved me to tears, and I would like to summarize them for you.

Spencer describes himself as being a proud and stubborn young man during his youth. He didn't always live according to the gospel principles and often neglected attending church. Unfortunately, when he was 17, a serious accident left him with a fracture in his spinal column. The accident also fractured his dream of enlisting in the army, a dream for which he had prepared himself many long years.

Spencer began to build a feeling of resentment toward God; how could He have done this to him? One day Spencer's bishop invited him to serve a mission. That inspired him to pray for the first time in a very long time. While he was praying, a thought came to his mind; military service had been his excuse for not serving a mission, but now he no longer had an excuse. He had to go on a mission.

With the help of his bishop, he diligently prepared himself to serve and was called to the Argentina Mendoza Mission. He entered the MTC with great excitement and anticipation in his heart. However, one morning just a week later, Spencer woke up and couldn't move his legs. He was taken to the emergency room in a panic. A couple of days later, even though he was back on his feet, he learned that at the recommendation of his doctors, he had to leave his mission and return home.

Spencer wrote: "I had never been so depressed in my life. I remember going back to the cafeteria and my zone all being there. ... I broke down in tears. I was hurt and shattered to the point where I didn't know if I would ever recover."

Back home, he didn't speak to anyone for three or four days. He sank deeper and deeper into depression and despair. He was bitter toward the Church. He didn't feel comfortable attending meetings in his young adult ward. He felt despised and rejected for not having finished his mission.

But one day he met a wonderful young woman by the name of Elizabeth. They began dating, and she convinced him to return to the Church. One year later they got married, and they are now expecting their first child in August. Spencer started his career selling shoes, but he was able to improve his employment situation to become a personal trainer. Today he and his wife work together and manage their own business that provides wedding services.

Spencer concluded his letter with these words: "I could not be more blessed... Recently, I went through a box of old things and found my missionary journal. Only six pages were filled, and four of those six were thoughts about love and impressions on how a man should love his family. I have now become aware that my mission was a short yet special moment to get my life in order and realize the man I should be. My only regret is not seeing that sooner."

Taking to heart the theme of their youth conference, Be Thou an Example—Strength through Service, youth from the Reno Nevada North Stake showed a lot of strength. One day of the conference was spent on a spring cleanup project at the Rancho San Rafael Regional Park. More than 134 youth were grouped in “families” and worked a total of 670 hours and filled 225 large garden bags with leaves and debris.
That evening youth-conference “families” performed cultural presentations from various countries or regions around the world to reflect the theme of being an example to all the world. The conference concluded with a testimony meeting.

A few years ago, Elder Javier Misiego, from Madrid, Spain, was serving a full-time mission in Arizona. At that time, his mission call to the United States appeared somewhat unusual, as most young men from Spain were being called to serve in their own country.
At the conclusion of a stake fireside where he and his companion had been invited to participate, Elder Misiego was approached by a less-active member of the Church who had been brought by a friend. It was the first time this man had been inside a chapel in years. Elder Misiego was asked if he might know a José Misiego in Madrid. When Elder Misiego responded that his father’s name was José Misiego, the man excitedly asked a few more questions to confirm that this was the José Misiego. When it was determined that they were speaking about the same man, this less-active member began to weep. “Your father was the only person I baptized during my entire mission,” he explained and described how his mission had been, in his mind, a failure. He attributed his years of inactivity to some feelings of inadequacy and concern, believing that he had somehow let the Lord down.
Elder Misiego then described what this supposed failure of a missionary meant to his family. He told him that his father, baptized as a young single adult, had married in the temple, that Elder Misiego was the fourth of six children, that all three boys and a sister had served full-time missions, that all were active in the Church, and that all who were married had been sealed in the temple.
The less-active returned missionary began to sob. Through his efforts, he now learned, scores of lives had been blessed, and the Lord had sent an elder from Madrid, Spain, all the way to a fireside in Arizona to let him know that he had not been a failure. The Lord knows where He wants each missionary to serve.