Another bishop, who had been counseled that bishops need to allow other ward leaders to step up and do their duty, relates this experience: “A widow in our ward wanted to be visited by the bishop at least once a week. In her mind, only a visit from the bishop would do. I tried to see her as often as possible, but I had many responsibilities, including a young family. Finally, with one of my counselors, I went to see her again.
“As we talked, I felt prompted to say, ‘Dear sister, you know that as your bishop I love you. And because I love you so much, I have asked two of our faithful Melchizedek Priesthood holders and two of our wonderful Relief Society sisters to each check on you at least once a month, more often if needed. They will report back if you have any needs or concerns. Would that be all right?’ ‘Oh yes, bishop,’ she said. I asked if she would like to know their names, and she said yes. When I told her, she said, ‘Those are my home teachers and visiting teachers!’ And I said, ‘Now you understand the way the Lord has established for us to watch over you.’”
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The Leader’s Road to Revelation
A bishop with many responsibilities struggled to visit a widow who wanted weekly visits from him personally. Visiting with a counselor, he lovingly explained that assigned priesthood holders and Relief Society sisters would check on her frequently and report needs. She realized these were her home and visiting teachers, learning how the Lord’s system watches over members.
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👤 Church Leaders (Local)
👤 Church Members (General)
Bishop
Love
Ministering
Priesthood
Relief Society
Service
Stewardship
Finding and Being True Friends
After moving, Calvin hadn’t met anyone at school and mostly knew people from church. During youth activities, the church youth were kind to him. Their friendliness helped him feel welcomed.
Calvin B.: Since I moved, I haven’t really met anyone at school. So all I know are people at church. When we’re all at a youth activity, they’re nice to me.
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👤 Youth
👤 Friends
👤 Church Members (General)
Friendship
Young Men
How Can I Be Empathetic without Becoming Overwhelmed?
A loved one shared her faith struggles with the author, who wanted to resolve all her doubts. After praying, the author felt prompted by the Spirit to “Just listen.” She listened and testified of love, and while the person’s faith wasn’t immediately restored, she felt a renewed sense of Heavenly Father’s love.
For example, a few months ago, a loved one was struggling with her faith. One night she tearfully explained her feelings to me. I wanted her to believe in the gospel so badly and to fix every doubt she had.
In my preferred reality, I would answer every question perfectly, and we would both leave the conversation with a sense of renewed faith and joy, complete with sunshine and rainbows!
But I knew that wasn’t likely.
So I said a prayer in my heart to know how to help her. And I felt a distinct impression from the Spirit:
Just listen.
Through listening, I let go of my instinct to fix and instead saw that she simply needed to know that she is loved. I testified of the love I and Heavenly Father have for her. And although that conversation didn’t end with her renewed faith, it did end with a renewed sense of Heavenly Father’s perfect love—which is often the greatest help we can offer those who are struggling.
In my preferred reality, I would answer every question perfectly, and we would both leave the conversation with a sense of renewed faith and joy, complete with sunshine and rainbows!
But I knew that wasn’t likely.
So I said a prayer in my heart to know how to help her. And I felt a distinct impression from the Spirit:
Just listen.
Through listening, I let go of my instinct to fix and instead saw that she simply needed to know that she is loved. I testified of the love I and Heavenly Father have for her. And although that conversation didn’t end with her renewed faith, it did end with a renewed sense of Heavenly Father’s perfect love—which is often the greatest help we can offer those who are struggling.
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👤 Friends
👤 Church Members (General)
Doubt
Holy Ghost
Love
Ministering
Prayer
Testimony
Cherishing Life
While interviewing a man seeking restoration of priesthood and temple blessings, the speaker learned the man had been unfaithful and a single woman became pregnant. The wife pleaded with the woman to have the baby and promised to raise him with her own children. Ten years later, the wife loved the boy as her own, and the family was working to heal through Christ.
Through the years, I have had the privilege of meeting with men and women who have humbly sought to return to the covenant path and to their priesthood and temple blessings many years after a loss of their membership.
On one occasion, I was to interview a man on behalf of the First Presidency for the restoration of his priesthood and temple blessings.
After his marriage in the holy temple, and after having three wonderful children, the man was unfaithful to his wife and his sacred covenants. A single woman became pregnant and wanted an abortion.
The husband’s saintly wife pleaded with the woman to have the baby and promised that she would raise the child, once he was born, with her own children.
The single woman thoughtfully agreed not to end the pregnancy.
It had now been 10 years. The humble sister sitting in front of me loved the boy as her own and told me of her husband’s efforts to make amends and to love and care for her and the family. The father wept as she spoke.
How could this noble woman of God take a child as her own who could be a daily reminder of the unfaithfulness of her husband? How? Because she found strength through Jesus Christ and she believed in the sacredness of life, the holiness of life. She knew the unborn child was a child of God, innocent and pure.
On one occasion, I was to interview a man on behalf of the First Presidency for the restoration of his priesthood and temple blessings.
After his marriage in the holy temple, and after having three wonderful children, the man was unfaithful to his wife and his sacred covenants. A single woman became pregnant and wanted an abortion.
The husband’s saintly wife pleaded with the woman to have the baby and promised that she would raise the child, once he was born, with her own children.
The single woman thoughtfully agreed not to end the pregnancy.
It had now been 10 years. The humble sister sitting in front of me loved the boy as her own and told me of her husband’s efforts to make amends and to love and care for her and the family. The father wept as she spoke.
How could this noble woman of God take a child as her own who could be a daily reminder of the unfaithfulness of her husband? How? Because she found strength through Jesus Christ and she believed in the sacredness of life, the holiness of life. She knew the unborn child was a child of God, innocent and pure.
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👤 General Authorities (Modern)
👤 Parents
👤 Children
Abortion
Charity
Chastity
Children
Covenant
Family
Forgiveness
Humility
Jesus Christ
Love
Marriage
Parenting
Priesthood
Repentance
Sealing
Temples
No, Thank You
An article recounts President David O. McKay visiting the queen of the Netherlands. When offered tea, he courteously declined. His example teaches adherence to the Word of Wisdom with polite firmness.
I remembered an article in the Friend about President David O. McKay.* Once when he was visiting the queen of the Netherlands, she offered him tea. He politely refused it.
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👤 General Authorities (Modern)
👤 Other
Apostle
Word of Wisdom
Meet Alice from Fiji
Alice and her family formed a youth volunteer team to help people in their area. They trained over 100 teenagers and parents in first aid and collected more than 3,000 clothing items and many shoes for those in need. Impressed by their efforts, local police gave them a market table to support their ongoing service, and Alice says they serve because they believe in God.
Alice’s mom is a doctor, and her father trains people in first aid. Alice and her family started a youth volunteer team to help people in their area.
First, her parents trained more than 100 teenagers and their parents in first aid. Alice helped too. Next the team gathered more than 3,000 items of clothing for people in need. They also gathered lots of shoes.
The local police were very impressed with their work. They gave the team a table at the market to help them do more good work.
“We believe in God,” Alice says. “So we serve everyone!”
First, her parents trained more than 100 teenagers and their parents in first aid. Alice helped too. Next the team gathered more than 3,000 items of clothing for people in need. They also gathered lots of shoes.
The local police were very impressed with their work. They gave the team a table at the market to help them do more good work.
“We believe in God,” Alice says. “So we serve everyone!”
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👤 Children
👤 Parents
👤 Youth
👤 Other
Charity
Emergency Preparedness
Faith
Family
Service
Making Friends of Many Faiths
Stephanie’s mother learned about the Church and invited her family to learn with her. Soon her parents and oldest sister were baptized. The family arrived early each Sunday to help set up meetings at the senior missionaries’ home, and now the branch meets in its own building.
Stephanie’s mother first learned about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and invited her family to learn with her. Soon Stephanie’s father; mother; and oldest sister, Stella, were baptized. Each Sunday her family arrived early at the senior missionaries’ home where church was held to help set up for the meeting. Thanks to the growth of the Church in Delhi, the branch now meets in its own building.
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👤 Missionaries
👤 Parents
👤 Children
👤 Church Members (General)
Baptism
Conversion
Family
Missionary Work
Service
Courageous Parenting
A father felt uneasy about his 17-year-old son’s weekend trip and, supported by his wife, denied permission. He explained he didn’t know why, only that he didn’t feel good about it. The son accepted the decision, illustrating that youth can understand and value spiritual promptings when parents model them.
Years ago our 17-year-old son wanted to go on a weekend trip with his friends, who were all good boys. He asked for permission to go. I wanted to say yes, but for some reason I felt uncomfortable about the trip. I shared my feelings with my wife, who was very supportive. “We need to listen to that warning voice,” she said.
Of course, our son was disappointed and asked why we didn’t want him to go. I answered honestly that I didn’t know why. “I just don’t feel good about it,” I explained, “and I love you too much to ignore these feelings inside.” I was quite surprised when he said, “That’s OK, Dad. I understand.”
Of course, our son was disappointed and asked why we didn’t want him to go. I answered honestly that I didn’t know why. “I just don’t feel good about it,” I explained, “and I love you too much to ignore these feelings inside.” I was quite surprised when he said, “That’s OK, Dad. I understand.”
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👤 General Authorities (Modern)
👤 Parents
👤 Youth
Family
Holy Ghost
Light of Christ
Love
Parenting
Revelation
3 Insights into Building a Firm Foundation in Marriage
The author describes feeling hurt when her husband doesn’t take out the trash and interpreting it as lack of appreciation. By choosing a different thought—that he likely just forgot or that it wasn’t bothering him—she avoids hurt, stays connected, and takes action herself if needed.
When my husband fails to take out the trash, I can choose to believe it’s because he doesn’t appreciate me. After all, he knows that I hate when the trash in the kitchen gets too full.
But what is the result of that thought? I feel bad. And maybe it even makes me feel disconnected from him. What if, instead, my thought was that he simply forgot? Or even better, what if I chose to believe that his failure to take out the trash had nothing to do with his appreciation for me at all? It’s more likely that the trash wasn’t bothering him, and that’s why he forgot to take it out. If it’s bothering me, I’m the best one for the job!
But what is the result of that thought? I feel bad. And maybe it even makes me feel disconnected from him. What if, instead, my thought was that he simply forgot? Or even better, what if I chose to believe that his failure to take out the trash had nothing to do with his appreciation for me at all? It’s more likely that the trash wasn’t bothering him, and that’s why he forgot to take it out. If it’s bothering me, I’m the best one for the job!
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👤 Church Members (General)
Agency and Accountability
Charity
Family
Judging Others
Marriage
Blind Spots
A driver education teacher struggled to help a student remember to check his blind spot during lane changes. He used a passing 18-wheeler to demonstrate how a vehicle can disappear from the mirrors. The student was shocked to find the truck hidden beside them and nearly lost control, but the teacher steadied the wheel. The experience taught the student to always check his blind spot and taught the teacher about life's spiritual blind spots.
One of the first skills we taught was lane changing. In order to make it simple, we reduced the proper procedure to a four-step code word, SMOG. The letters stood for the steps the beginning driver needs to take—signal, mirrors, over-the-shoulder glance, and go. When done in proper sequence, these steps lead to a safe lane change. When any of the four is left out, an accident can happen.
One morning I was with a group of new drivers. On a relatively quiet four-lane road we were practicing lane changes. A young man persistently failed to look over his shoulder before making the maneuver. After reminding him several times, I was growing impatient.
“Jim,” I said, “you’re not checking your blind spot. Now try it again.” The result was the same—signal, mirror, and go. He again neglected to glance over his shoulder.
This time I was more insistent. “Check your blind spot!” I roared.
“I did,” he answered.
“You did NOT. And you’re going to get us killed if you aren’t careful.”
“Yes, I did. I looked in my mirrors to check the blind spot.”
I realized then that he didn’t understand the principle of blind spots. We were in the right lane, and I called his attention to an 18-wheeler approaching from the rear.
“See that truck in your mirror?”
“Yes.”
“I want you to keep watching it as it approaches. Slow down a little so he has to pass. Now keep glancing in your mirrors and tell me what happens.”
As the truck approached, my student driver suddenly exclaimed, “He’s gone!”
“Look over your shoulder,” I instructed.
Sure enough, there was the truck hidden in our blind spot. A lane change at that moment would have most likely been fatal. Suddenly I had a believer. The young driver was so startled by the nearness of the truck that I had to grab the wheel and help him steer until he could calm down.
My student learned a lot that morning. Never again did he fail to check his blind spot before making a lane change. I also learned a lot with that experience. I began to realize that life itself is full of blind spots, and we all too often make lane changes without looking very carefully at the consequences.
One morning I was with a group of new drivers. On a relatively quiet four-lane road we were practicing lane changes. A young man persistently failed to look over his shoulder before making the maneuver. After reminding him several times, I was growing impatient.
“Jim,” I said, “you’re not checking your blind spot. Now try it again.” The result was the same—signal, mirror, and go. He again neglected to glance over his shoulder.
This time I was more insistent. “Check your blind spot!” I roared.
“I did,” he answered.
“You did NOT. And you’re going to get us killed if you aren’t careful.”
“Yes, I did. I looked in my mirrors to check the blind spot.”
I realized then that he didn’t understand the principle of blind spots. We were in the right lane, and I called his attention to an 18-wheeler approaching from the rear.
“See that truck in your mirror?”
“Yes.”
“I want you to keep watching it as it approaches. Slow down a little so he has to pass. Now keep glancing in your mirrors and tell me what happens.”
As the truck approached, my student driver suddenly exclaimed, “He’s gone!”
“Look over your shoulder,” I instructed.
Sure enough, there was the truck hidden in our blind spot. A lane change at that moment would have most likely been fatal. Suddenly I had a believer. The young driver was so startled by the nearness of the truck that I had to grab the wheel and help him steer until he could calm down.
My student learned a lot that morning. Never again did he fail to check his blind spot before making a lane change. I also learned a lot with that experience. I began to realize that life itself is full of blind spots, and we all too often make lane changes without looking very carefully at the consequences.
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👤 Youth
👤 Other
Agency and Accountability
Education
“Be Honest in Your Own Faith and Live Together”- Holocaust Memorial Day 2024
John Fieldsend and his brother were ostracized as children in Germany due to antisemitism. Their parents sent them to England on the Kindertransport, where they were fostered and never saw their parents again. He later attended university and eventually became a Church of England vicar.
“I am 92. I was born in Germany. I am a Jew.”
So began John Fieldsend BEM at an invitation only meeting held in Manchester Central Library. The theme was ‘Fragility of Freedom’. Three members of Manchester Stake attended along with a mainly Jewish audience.
John Fieldsend and his brother enjoyed their early childhood until local children no longer wanted to play with them because they were ‘dirty jews’, no doubt resulting from the brainwashing of their parents. Later, as things in Germany became worse, his parents decided their children should go to England. They left on the kinder transport and were fostered in the north of England. They were never to see their parents again.
John Fieldsend attended university and then, to the surprise of the audience, told us that years later he had become a Church of England vicar!
So began John Fieldsend BEM at an invitation only meeting held in Manchester Central Library. The theme was ‘Fragility of Freedom’. Three members of Manchester Stake attended along with a mainly Jewish audience.
John Fieldsend and his brother enjoyed their early childhood until local children no longer wanted to play with them because they were ‘dirty jews’, no doubt resulting from the brainwashing of their parents. Later, as things in Germany became worse, his parents decided their children should go to England. They left on the kinder transport and were fostered in the north of England. They were never to see their parents again.
John Fieldsend attended university and then, to the surprise of the audience, told us that years later he had become a Church of England vicar!
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👤 Other
Adoption
Adversity
Conversion
Racial and Cultural Prejudice
Religious Freedom
War
The Mantle of a Bishop
After a significant discussion among General Authorities in the temple, Elder LeGrand Richards taught that nothing would happen until bishops acted. He emphasized that everything above the bishop is just talk without local implementation. The account stresses the decisive role of bishops in Church work.
There are many priesthood leaders here from all over the world. These stake presidents, Regional Representatives, and General Authorities know the truth of the counsel once given us by one of the Presiding Bishops of this dispensation, Elder LeGrand Richards. After a weighty discussion in the temple with all the General Authorities, he said, “Now, Brethren, I understand all that we discussed, but until the bishops move, nothing will happen. Everything above the bishop is all talk.” He taught a great lesson.
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👤 General Authorities (Modern)
Bishop
Priesthood
Stewardship
Faith
The narrator goes to sleep at night confident they will awaken. Although the night is dark and long, their faith remains firm, demonstrating steady trust through uncertainty.
When I go to sleep at night,
I know that I shall waken;
Although the night is dark and long,
My faith is never shaken.
I know that I shall waken;
Although the night is dark and long,
My faith is never shaken.
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👤 Other
Endure to the End
Faith
Hope
FYI:For Your Information
Margaret Blake, a Church member from Seattle, conducted a master’s thesis on rope-jumping. Through her research she discovered that rope-jumping benefits people of varying abilities by improving coordination, endurance, and strength. She learned it also increases stamina and cardiac-respiratory endurance, with positive side effects like better posture and healthier skin.
Margaret Blake of the University Ward, Seattle (Washington) East Stake, has the answer. Margaret did her master’s thesis on rope-jumping—or rope-skipping, depending on what part of the English-speaking world you are from.
She discovered that rope-jumping is excellent exercise for both men and women. Regardless of athletic prowess, rope-jumping can be a challenging and fun exercise for everyone. In addition, it is an excellent way for one to release nervous energy and frustration.
Research showed that rope-jumping is as helpful to the college football player and boxer as it is to the person—guy or gal—who is trying to master a dance routine, primarily because rope-jumping aids in the development of grace, agility, balance, rhythm, general coordination, endurance, and strength. That’s a lot of extras from one simple little activity!
Margaret learned that rope-jumping contributes to overall health and physical development by increasing stamina, cardiac-respiratory endurance, and muscle strength. Gains in these areas have amazing side effects, such as better posture without even trying, or healthier skin.
She discovered that rope-jumping is excellent exercise for both men and women. Regardless of athletic prowess, rope-jumping can be a challenging and fun exercise for everyone. In addition, it is an excellent way for one to release nervous energy and frustration.
Research showed that rope-jumping is as helpful to the college football player and boxer as it is to the person—guy or gal—who is trying to master a dance routine, primarily because rope-jumping aids in the development of grace, agility, balance, rhythm, general coordination, endurance, and strength. That’s a lot of extras from one simple little activity!
Margaret learned that rope-jumping contributes to overall health and physical development by increasing stamina, cardiac-respiratory endurance, and muscle strength. Gains in these areas have amazing side effects, such as better posture without even trying, or healthier skin.
Read more →
👤 Church Members (General)
Education
Health
Women in the Church
Unlocking the Door to Personal Revelation
The author felt constantly busy and overwhelmed, realizing she was living like Martha instead of Mary. After reading conference counsel to create a regular place and time to listen to the Spirit, she changed her routine to do morning scripture study at a desk and use paper scriptures to avoid phone distractions.
Being still is tricky for me. I always have a never-ending to-do list. While I do get a lot done, I am often stressed and overwhelmed by everything I’ve committed myself to. When I was looking for ways to become more receptive to personal revelation, I realized that I was living my life like Martha instead of Mary.1 I wasn’t giving myself time to just be still. After reading conference talks that counsel us to create a place and time to regularly listen to the Spirit, I knew I needed to do that.2 I now do my morning scripture study at a desk (instead of in bed), and I use my paper scriptures so I won’t be distracted by my phone.
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👤 Young Adults
👤 General Authorities (Modern)
Holy Ghost
Revelation
Scriptures
“Thou Shalt Give Heed unto All His Words”
Before the final meeting of the First Presidency and the Twelve in 1999, President Hinckley asked them to come to the temple fasting and hold a fast and testimony meeting, setting aside business. The apostles partook of the sacrament and each bore witness, followed by the First Presidency and President Hinckley. President Hinckley then expressed concerns that Church growth would make personal apostolic contact harder, foreseeing greater reliance on technology to reach members.
Before the final meeting of the First Presidency and the Twelve last year, President Hinckley, sensing the forthcoming changes about to occur, proposed that we come to the temple fasting and conclude our year, the century, and a millennium with a fast and testimony meeting. So not to detract from the spirit of testimony, he requested that we dispense with any business items at this special meeting and save them for the new year.
The meeting was a spiritual feast filled with the witness and testimony of our Lord and Savior. After partaking of the sacrament, each member of the Twelve stood and bore his witness to the mission of Jesus the Christ, the Savior of the world. The concluding three testimonies were given by members of the First Presidency, the final witness being given by President Hinckley. It was a sobering yet joyous occasion as we strengthened each other with strong testimonies.
President Hinckley added to his powerful, emotional witness a list of concerns for the future. One of his concerns particularly stuck in my mind. His worry was with the great growth of the Church throughout the world, it would become increasingly difficult for the Apostles to reach all the members of the Church and personally admonish them to live the gospel. Thus, the future would bring greater reliance on technology to carry the gospel message to the worldwide Church.
The meeting was a spiritual feast filled with the witness and testimony of our Lord and Savior. After partaking of the sacrament, each member of the Twelve stood and bore his witness to the mission of Jesus the Christ, the Savior of the world. The concluding three testimonies were given by members of the First Presidency, the final witness being given by President Hinckley. It was a sobering yet joyous occasion as we strengthened each other with strong testimonies.
President Hinckley added to his powerful, emotional witness a list of concerns for the future. One of his concerns particularly stuck in my mind. His worry was with the great growth of the Church throughout the world, it would become increasingly difficult for the Apostles to reach all the members of the Church and personally admonish them to live the gospel. Thus, the future would bring greater reliance on technology to carry the gospel message to the worldwide Church.
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👤 General Authorities (Modern)
Apostle
Diversity and Unity in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Fasting and Fast Offerings
Jesus Christ
Missionary Work
Sacrament
Temples
Testimony
That Mehitabel!
Mr. Loomis plays a tune and sings a riddle song about gifts with seemingly impossible qualities. Although Mehitabel already knows the song, she pretends to ponder before singing the clever answers. The friends are pleased, and Grandpa is delighted.
On another day when Mehitabel and Grandpa arrived at the park, everyone was eating doughnuts that Mrs. Gray had brought. “I saved some for you two!” she told Mehitabel and Grandpa, passing the doughnuts to them.
Mehitabel was just about to take a bite when Mr. Loomis challenged her. “Hitty, I have a riddle song for you. Listen and riddle me this.”
He took a mouth organ from his pocket and played a short, sweet tune. Then he began to sing:
“I gave my love a cherry
That had no stone.
I gave my love a chicken
That had no bone.
I gave my love a story
That had no end.
I gave my love a garden
That no one needs to tend.”
Mehitabel really didn’t need to ponder this one. She had learned the old folk song in school. But she didn’t want Mr. Loomis to feel cheated, so she pretended to consider the problem. She wrinkled her brow. She scratched her head. She bit her lip. Then she looked up, smiled, and began to sing:
“A cherry in the blossom,
That has no stone.
A chicken in the egg still,
That has no bone.
The story that ‘I love you,’
That had no end.
A garden in a seed pack,
That no one needs to tend.”
The listeners nodded and smiled. They would have liked to stump Mehitabel and get those ice-cream cones, but they were proud that she could riddle the riddle song. Grandpa, of course, was delighted.
Mehitabel was just about to take a bite when Mr. Loomis challenged her. “Hitty, I have a riddle song for you. Listen and riddle me this.”
He took a mouth organ from his pocket and played a short, sweet tune. Then he began to sing:
“I gave my love a cherry
That had no stone.
I gave my love a chicken
That had no bone.
I gave my love a story
That had no end.
I gave my love a garden
That no one needs to tend.”
Mehitabel really didn’t need to ponder this one. She had learned the old folk song in school. But she didn’t want Mr. Loomis to feel cheated, so she pretended to consider the problem. She wrinkled her brow. She scratched her head. She bit her lip. Then she looked up, smiled, and began to sing:
“A cherry in the blossom,
That has no stone.
A chicken in the egg still,
That has no bone.
The story that ‘I love you,’
That had no end.
A garden in a seed pack,
That no one needs to tend.”
The listeners nodded and smiled. They would have liked to stump Mehitabel and get those ice-cream cones, but they were proud that she could riddle the riddle song. Grandpa, of course, was delighted.
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👤 Children
👤 Friends
👤 Other
Children
Family
Friendship
Kindness
Music
Talk It Over
As a junior high schooler in Tucson, the author siphoned gas from his dad’s pickup for his motorcycle, but accidentally dropped the hose into the truck’s gas tank. Afraid of his strict father, he kept silent for months before finally confessing. His dad responded kindly with advice instead of punishment, and the experience made future conversations easier. The pickup was not damaged by the hose.
When I was in junior high school, I used money from a paper route to buy a small motorcycle. It wasn’t new or very powerful, but it was fast enough to kick up desert dust from the trails that snaked through the cactus east of our home in Tucson, Arizona, USA.
When my motorcycle ran out of gas, I would grab our gas can. When the can was empty, I would arrange a ride to fill it up at a gas station. One day my older brother had what I thought was a great idea.
“Just borrow some gas from Dad’s pickup,” he said.
He showed me how, with a small section of rubber garden hose, I could syphon gas from the pickup directly into my motorcycle. That solution worked great—until I got careless a few weeks later.
While I was syphoning gas, the hose slipped from my hand and slid into the pickup’s gas tank! I couldn’t see it or reach it. In a few weeks, I feared, the gasoline would dissolve the rubber, which would likely clog the pickup’s carburetor.
It was bad enough that I’d been taking gas without permission, but now I’d probably ruined Dad’s pickup. How could I tell him? He was kind of strict, and I was afraid of what he’d say.
I didn’t write my dad a note about the hose in the gas tank. In fact, since I’d probably be grounded for life, I decided not to tell him. A few months later, however, my conscience got the best of me and I prayed up enough courage to admit what had happened. Instead of grounding me, he shrugged his shoulders, gave me some fatherly advice, and said, “Be more careful next time.”
After that conversation, it was easier to talk to my dad—especially when I messed up. Those chats helped prepare me for bishop’s interviews.
As for our pickup truck, I’m happy to report that that hose didn’t ruin it. It still runs just fine.
When my motorcycle ran out of gas, I would grab our gas can. When the can was empty, I would arrange a ride to fill it up at a gas station. One day my older brother had what I thought was a great idea.
“Just borrow some gas from Dad’s pickup,” he said.
He showed me how, with a small section of rubber garden hose, I could syphon gas from the pickup directly into my motorcycle. That solution worked great—until I got careless a few weeks later.
While I was syphoning gas, the hose slipped from my hand and slid into the pickup’s gas tank! I couldn’t see it or reach it. In a few weeks, I feared, the gasoline would dissolve the rubber, which would likely clog the pickup’s carburetor.
It was bad enough that I’d been taking gas without permission, but now I’d probably ruined Dad’s pickup. How could I tell him? He was kind of strict, and I was afraid of what he’d say.
I didn’t write my dad a note about the hose in the gas tank. In fact, since I’d probably be grounded for life, I decided not to tell him. A few months later, however, my conscience got the best of me and I prayed up enough courage to admit what had happened. Instead of grounding me, he shrugged his shoulders, gave me some fatherly advice, and said, “Be more careful next time.”
After that conversation, it was easier to talk to my dad—especially when I messed up. Those chats helped prepare me for bishop’s interviews.
As for our pickup truck, I’m happy to report that that hose didn’t ruin it. It still runs just fine.
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👤 Youth
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Bishop
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Family
Forgiveness
Honesty
Light of Christ
Parenting
Prayer
Repentance
Dear Are the Sheep That Have Wandered
As a youth, the speaker damaged the family car and expected discipline. His father responded with gentleness and forgiveness, while maintaining firm standards against dishonesty and disrespect. The experience deepened the speaker’s love for and trust in his father.
We learn much of parenting from our own parents. My love for my father deepened profoundly when he was kind, patient, and understanding. When I damaged the family car, he was gentle and forgiving. But his sons could expect strong discipline if there was any shading of the truth or continued breaking of the rules, particularly showing disrespect for our mother. My father has been gone for almost half a century, but I still sorely miss being able to go to him for wise and loving counsel. I admit I questioned his counsel at times, but I could never question his love for me. I never wanted to disappoint him.
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👤 General Authorities (Modern)
👤 Parents
👤 Children
Family
Forgiveness
Grief
Honesty
Love
Parenting
Patience
My Brother’s Keeper
In 1967, while visiting a stake conference with Paul C. Child, the speaker witnessed a lesson on the worth of souls. President Child asked an elders quorum president what a human soul is worth. After a long pause, the man answered that a soul's worth is its capacity to become as God, leaving a profound impression on all present.
In March of 1967, early in my service as a member of the Council of the Twelve, I was attending a conference of the Monument Park West Stake in Salt Lake City. My companion for the conference was a member of the General Church Welfare Committee, Paul C. Child. President Child was a student of the scriptures. He had been my stake president during my Aaronic Priesthood years. Now we were together as conference visitors.
When it was his opportunity to participate, President Child took in hand the Doctrine and Covenants and left the pulpit to stand among the priesthood brethren to whom he was directing his message. He turned to section 18 and began to read:
“Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God. …
“And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!”
President Child then raised his eyes from the scriptures and asked the brethren, “What is the worth of a human soul?” He avoided calling on a bishop, a stake president, or a high councilor for a response. Instead he selected the president of an elders quorum, a brother who had been a bit drowsy and had missed the significance of the question.
The startled man responded, “Brother Child, could you please repeat the question?”
The question was repeated: “What is the worth of a human soul?”
I knew President Child’s style. I prayed fervently for that quorum president. He remained silent for what seemed like an eternity and then declared, “Brother Child, the worth of a human soul is its capacity to become as God.”
All present pondered that reply. Brother Child returned to the stand, leaned over to me, and said, “A profound reply; a profound reply!” He proceeded with his message, but I continued to reflect on that inspired response.
When it was his opportunity to participate, President Child took in hand the Doctrine and Covenants and left the pulpit to stand among the priesthood brethren to whom he was directing his message. He turned to section 18 and began to read:
“Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God. …
“And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!”
President Child then raised his eyes from the scriptures and asked the brethren, “What is the worth of a human soul?” He avoided calling on a bishop, a stake president, or a high councilor for a response. Instead he selected the president of an elders quorum, a brother who had been a bit drowsy and had missed the significance of the question.
The startled man responded, “Brother Child, could you please repeat the question?”
The question was repeated: “What is the worth of a human soul?”
I knew President Child’s style. I prayed fervently for that quorum president. He remained silent for what seemed like an eternity and then declared, “Brother Child, the worth of a human soul is its capacity to become as God.”
All present pondered that reply. Brother Child returned to the stand, leaned over to me, and said, “A profound reply; a profound reply!” He proceeded with his message, but I continued to reflect on that inspired response.
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👤 General Authorities (Modern)
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Apostle
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