The time for music lessons seems to come along when there are so many other expenses for the family with little children. But we encourage parents to include musical training in the lives of their children.
Somehow Andrew and Olive Kimball did, and Spencer learned to play. Somehow Samuel and Louisa Lee managed to do it, and Harold learned to play. And now, as the leaders of the Church assemble for our sacred meetings in the upper room of the temple, we always sing a hymn. At the organ is President Spencer W. Kimball or President Harold B. Lee.
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Inspiring MusicβWorthy Thoughts
Despite financial pressures, the parents of Spencer W. Kimball and Harold B. Lee provided music training for their sons. As adults and Church leaders, they could play the organ for sacred temple meetings. The account underscores the long-term blessings of investing in childrenβs musical education.
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π€ General Authorities (Modern)
π€ Parents
Apostle
Education
Family
Music
Parenting
Temples
Welfare Services
After President Heber J. Grant announced the Church's welfare plan in 1936, the speaker, then a bishop, acted immediately on the counsel. His ward built storage closets in the meetinghouse basement and gathered clothing and basic food. This illustrates immediate, practical response to prophetic direction.
I was, at that time, a bishop, and I was in attendance at that conference, thirty-nine years ago, when this message was read. I well remember that immediately thereafterβpursuant to this counselβwe built, in the basement of our ward meetinghouse, some storage closets and gathered clothing and basic food needs.
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π€ Church Leaders (Local)
π€ Church Members (General)
Bishop
Charity
Emergency Preparedness
Service
Saying No to Tea
A girl attends her friend's birthday party where tea is served with cupcakes. Although all the other girls drink tea, she politely refuses because she believes it is wrong. She feels good inside for keeping the commandments.
My school friend invited me to her birthday party. It was fun. We played games and dressed up like princesses. When it was time for dessert, we all gathered around the table for beautifully decorated cupcakes. As I was eating my cupcake, I was offered tea to drink. All the other girls were drinking tea in fancy little cups, but I knew it was wrong to drink it. I said, βNo, thank you. I do not drink tea.β I felt good inside for keeping the commandments.
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π€ Children
π€ Friends
Children
Commandments
Courage
Obedience
Word of Wisdom
Learning Our Fatherβs Will
A friend asked why many Church members were facing problems. The speaker cited the last days, but the friend suggested the real issue was neglecting prophetic counsel to study scriptures and attend classes. The speaker reflected on this conversation many times.
A friend asked me several months ago why so many problems have been plaguing a number of the members of the Church recently. I hesitatingly answered, βWell, the last days are surely approaching when even the elect shall be deceived.β (See Matt. 24:24.) He looked at me momentarily and said, βWell, perhaps that might be a little of it, but I believe the real reason that so many are wandering on strange paths is because they do not follow prophetic counsel to study the scriptures and attend the classes in Church.β
I have thought of that conversation many times.
I have thought of that conversation many times.
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π€ General Authorities (Modern)
π€ Friends
Apostasy
Obedience
Revelation
Scriptures
Teaching the Gospel
Show and Tell
A child joined a Helping Hands service project to paint a wall at a school. They also share that they like attending church on Sundays.
I participated in a Helping Hands project and helped paint a wall at a school. I like to go to church on Sundays.
Jarede R., age 6, ParanagΓ‘, Brazil
Jarede R., age 6, ParanagΓ‘, Brazil
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π€ Children
π€ Church Members (General)
Children
Sabbath Day
Service
I Will Not Burn the Book
In 1932 Elder Widtsoe came to baptize the narrator, but political unrest prevented him from leaving Sicily. The next year, his Italian translation of a Joseph Smith pamphlet was suppressed by a Catholic bishop through a printer, and a lawsuit recovered only the original booklet. Despite these obstacles, he continued forward.
On June 5, 1932, Elder Widtsoe came to Naples to baptize me, but a revolution had started in Sicily, and the police at Palermo refused to let me leave the island. The following year, Elder Widtsoe asked me to translate the Joseph Smith pamphlet into Italian and to have 1,000 copies published. I took my translation to a printer, Joseph Gussio, who took the material to a Catholic bishop. The bishop ordered the printer to destroy the material. I sued the printer, but all I received from the court was an order to him to return the original booklet.
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π€ General Authorities (Modern)
π€ Church Leaders (Local)
π€ Other
Adversity
Apostle
Baptism
Joseph Smith
Missionary Work
Religious Freedom
Kim Ho Jik:
Before leaving Korea for the United States, Kim Ho Jik felt prompted to sell his home, cars, and possessions and give the cash to his family, despite critics. Months later, war destroyed his home and the government seized automobiles, but his family remained financially secure because he had followed the Spirit.
Long before he came to America, he believed in the Spirit of God and sought its guidance. His faith served him well just before he left his homeland, when he felt compelled to sell his beautiful home, his cars, and his other possessions. He gave the cash raised from these sales to his wife and children to live on. To critics of this apparently purposeless act, Kim Ho Jik replied only that the Spirit had instructed him to do so.
A few months after he arrived in America, the reason became clear. War broke out with the North Korean invasion of June 1950. Bombs destroyed his former home, and the South Korean government confiscated all automobiles for use by the military. But Kim Ho Jikβs family remained financially secure in his absence.
A few months after he arrived in America, the reason became clear. War broke out with the North Korean invasion of June 1950. Bombs destroyed his former home, and the South Korean government confiscated all automobiles for use by the military. But Kim Ho Jikβs family remained financially secure in his absence.
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π€ Parents
π€ Other
Faith
Family
Holy Ghost
Miracles
Revelation
Sacrifice
War
Priesthood Responsibilities
A young man told the speaker how his parents regularly prepared for and discussed their temple worship. Their enthusiasm and reverence for the temple deeply influenced him. As a result, he eagerly looked forward to qualifying to receive his own endowment and committed to live worthily.
As an example of good teaching, I remember a young man telling me one day about his parents and how they taught him the importance of going to the temple and preparing himself to be worthy to go into the house of the Lord by going to the temple regularly. As they were preparing to go to the temple, they would talk about it, and the experiences they would have, and what a great privilege it was to go to the temple, and to go regularly. When they would return from the temple, they would talk about it, and how lovely it was to see a young couple married in the temple, realizing that they could then be parents of spirit children of God, and what a great privilege it was for them to be there in the temple. This boy could hardly wait then for the time to come when he could go in and receive his own endowments, and he knew how important it was to prepare himself to be clean and pure and to go there knowing that the Lord would accept him.
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π€ Parents
π€ Youth
Covenant
Family
Marriage
Ordinances
Parenting
Sealing
Teaching the Gospel
Temples
Young Men
Measuring Up
As a discouraged teenager wanting to grow taller, the narrator asked his tallest brother how to increase his height. His brother advised him to obey their mother immediately in all things. After a summer of diligent obedience and service, he found he hadn't grown physically, but his brother asked how he felt inside, leading him to realize that real growth is measured in willing service and the heart.
One summer when I was a teenager, I became very discouraged. It seemed that all my friends were taller and better at sports than I. I thought that growing taller would solve my problems, naively thinking being bigger would somehow make me better at whatever I wanted to do.
Worried about my lack of height, I went to my tallest brother and asked him what I could do to grow taller. I figured he would know the answer to my question. What he said surprised me: βObey your mother. Whatever she asks you to do, do it without waiting.β
My confidence in my brother was so strong that I went to a storage room, stood against the wall, and made a pencil mark to record my height.
For the remainder of the summer days, my motherβs wish or slightest hint was my command. Almost immediately the feelings of growth began to fill me with satisfaction. I wondered why I hadnβt thought of this before. My mother may have spent the summer in shock, but it didnβt matter. I was growing. Anticipation of the results that awaited me at the conclusion of my vacation brought me happiness all summer long.
When fall came I returned to my measuring spot near the storage room. Quickly I located the mark on the wall. Standing next to it, pencil in hand, I made a second mark, turned and looked to see how much I had grown. You can imagine my disappointment when only one slightly darker mark could be found.
I went to my brother to get an explanation about what had happened. After hearing my concern, he asked me an important question: βHow do you feel inside?β My inward feelings of growth were undeniable. This I explained to him. He then reminded me that Heavenly Father looks on the heart, not the outward appearance (see 1 Sam. 16:7).
It was really true; I had grown. The willing and obedient service rendered had increased my ability to understand that the true measure of our success or growth becomes apparent to us when we do our best to willingly serve others.
Worried about my lack of height, I went to my tallest brother and asked him what I could do to grow taller. I figured he would know the answer to my question. What he said surprised me: βObey your mother. Whatever she asks you to do, do it without waiting.β
My confidence in my brother was so strong that I went to a storage room, stood against the wall, and made a pencil mark to record my height.
For the remainder of the summer days, my motherβs wish or slightest hint was my command. Almost immediately the feelings of growth began to fill me with satisfaction. I wondered why I hadnβt thought of this before. My mother may have spent the summer in shock, but it didnβt matter. I was growing. Anticipation of the results that awaited me at the conclusion of my vacation brought me happiness all summer long.
When fall came I returned to my measuring spot near the storage room. Quickly I located the mark on the wall. Standing next to it, pencil in hand, I made a second mark, turned and looked to see how much I had grown. You can imagine my disappointment when only one slightly darker mark could be found.
I went to my brother to get an explanation about what had happened. After hearing my concern, he asked me an important question: βHow do you feel inside?β My inward feelings of growth were undeniable. This I explained to him. He then reminded me that Heavenly Father looks on the heart, not the outward appearance (see 1 Sam. 16:7).
It was really true; I had grown. The willing and obedient service rendered had increased my ability to understand that the true measure of our success or growth becomes apparent to us when we do our best to willingly serve others.
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π€ Youth
π€ Parents
π€ Other
Bible
Family
Happiness
Obedience
Service
Try to Remember
At a gathering near the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, the cold did not diminish the unity the Young Women felt. Laurel Jennifer Geigle spoke about rejecting arbitrary βcoolβ rules at school and church. She affirmed following standards from a loving Heavenly Father through a prophet.
The temperature was not warm in Philadelphia either, but it didnβt detract from the warmth of the sisterhood Young Women felt as they collected near the Liberty Bell. They could really relate with Laurel Jennifer Geigle, as she spoke to them, saying:
βWhen I see girls at school, and sometimes at church, snubbing others because they donβt meet the specified rules for being βcool,β it makes me really upset. Who set these βcoolβ rules, and who says we have to abide by them? Church standards are different from the βcoolβ rules because we know they come straight from a Heavenly Father who loves us, to a prophet, and then to us. I see no point in following rules that we donβt even know who set, but I see many reasons for following standards given to us by someone who loves us and knows how to help us with our own happiness.β
βWhen I see girls at school, and sometimes at church, snubbing others because they donβt meet the specified rules for being βcool,β it makes me really upset. Who set these βcoolβ rules, and who says we have to abide by them? Church standards are different from the βcoolβ rules because we know they come straight from a Heavenly Father who loves us, to a prophet, and then to us. I see no point in following rules that we donβt even know who set, but I see many reasons for following standards given to us by someone who loves us and knows how to help us with our own happiness.β
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π€ Youth
Commandments
Happiness
Judging Others
Young Women
Charity: One Family, One Home at a Time
An elderly widow, Sister Knell, determined to teach her disabled adult son Keith to read despite doctors saying he could not. Through daily, persistent effort over seven years, he learned and ultimately finished reading the Book of Mormon. She testified that miracles happen when we trust in the Lord.
In our times, Sister Knell is a covenant woman who makes a difference. She is a widow in her 80s with a 47-year-old son, mentally and physically disabled from birth. A few years ago this dear sister set out to do what seemed impossible to everyone elseβto teach her son Keith to read. Learning to read was his greatest desire, but doctors had said Keith was incapable of reading. With faith in her heart and a desire to bless her sonβs life, this humble widow said to her son, βI know Heavenly Father will bless you so you can read the Book of Mormon.β
Sister Knell wrote the following: βIt was hard work for Keith, and it wasnβt easy for me, either. At first there were some bad days, because I got upset. It has been a time-consuming, word-by-word struggle. I sit by his side each morning. I point to each word with a pencil to help him stay on track. After seven long years and one month, Keith finally finished reading the Book of Mormon.β His mother said, βHearing him read a verse without help is a thrill I just cannot put into words.β She testifies, βI know miracles do happen when we put our trust in the Lord.β
Sister Knell wrote the following: βIt was hard work for Keith, and it wasnβt easy for me, either. At first there were some bad days, because I got upset. It has been a time-consuming, word-by-word struggle. I sit by his side each morning. I point to each word with a pencil to help him stay on track. After seven long years and one month, Keith finally finished reading the Book of Mormon.β His mother said, βHearing him read a verse without help is a thrill I just cannot put into words.β She testifies, βI know miracles do happen when we put our trust in the Lord.β
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π€ Parents
π€ Church Members (General)
Book of Mormon
Disabilities
Faith
Family
Miracles
Parenting
Patience
Scriptures
Testimony
Friend to Friend
Elder Wirthlinβs father, serving a mission in Germany, was reassigned due to World War I. He finished his mission in Missouri, working with Elder Spencer W. Kimball to build a meetinghouse. This family story was shared during Sunday dinners and exemplified devotion despite disrupted plans.
βSunday dinner was a highlight of the week. After our church meetings, we children took turns making homemade ice cream, setting the table, and helping Mother. It was not, however, the delicious food that we liked most but the opportunity we had at an early age to feast upon Fatherβs, as well as Motherβs, spirituality. He told stories of his childhood, such as how he herded sheep as a boy of seven and how he became an expert horseman. And he told stories about his mission to Germany and how he learned to love the German people. Then, because of World War I, he was reassigned and finished his mission in Missouri, where he worked with Elder Spencer W. Kimball to build a meetinghouse.
βDinnertime at home was what you would call an ideal family home evening. Personal stories shared there helped build beautiful relationships. The gospel was taught to us and so was a love for our Church leaders. When Father prayed, you knew he was talking to God.β
βDinnertime at home was what you would call an ideal family home evening. Personal stories shared there helped build beautiful relationships. The gospel was taught to us and so was a love for our Church leaders. When Father prayed, you knew he was talking to God.β
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π€ General Authorities (Modern)
π€ Parents
Apostle
Children
Family
Family Home Evening
Missionary Work
Prayer
Teaching the Gospel
How the Lord Is Hastening His Workβthrough Social Media
Sister Emily Webber initially felt unqualified to create content for her mission. By relying on the Lord, she saw her abilities magnified and recognized His hand in their content creation.
Sister Emily Webber in the Temple Square Mission didnβt feel qualified to create content for her mission, but she has learned if we rely on the Lord, He will help us use our abilities to fulfill His work. βI know that God helped magnify every ability that Iβve ever had to be able to do this. Iβve been able to see the Lordβs hand more as we create this content.β
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π€ Missionaries
Faith
Grace
Humility
Missionary Work
Service
Stewardship
Danna L.
A stake organized a missionary-themed youth activity that simulated an MTC and then sent the youth out to help missionaries in Chimaltenango. Some people rejected or avoided them, while others were receptive to the message. Although they may not have changed others' lives, the youth narrator's testimony grew through the experience.
Our stake held a missionary-themed youth activity. The stake center was set up like a mini Missionary Training Center. We were trained, and then we went out to help the missionaries share the gospel with people in Chimaltenango.
Some people received us well, but others got upset, lied about their phone number and address, or hid. Sometimes we got discouraged, but then we met people who did want to hear and who were maybe even touched by our message. Even if I didnβt change their lives, my testimony grew.
Some people received us well, but others got upset, lied about their phone number and address, or hid. Sometimes we got discouraged, but then we met people who did want to hear and who were maybe even touched by our message. Even if I didnβt change their lives, my testimony grew.
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π€ Missionaries
π€ Youth
π€ Other
Adversity
Conversion
Courage
Missionary Work
Testimony
Power in Covenants
McKenna frequently attended the temple to perform baptisms for the dead during the summer. When she felt stressed about final exams, she went to the temple and felt that everything became better, noting that keeping covenants made life easier and happier.
βThis past summer I went to the temple often to do baptisms for the dead. By keeping my covenants by going to the temple and doing whatβs right, I was blessed. I was really stressed with final exams. I went to the temple, and it just made everything better. Keeping my covenants makes life so much easier and a lot happier.β
McKenna M., age 18, California, USA
McKenna M., age 18, California, USA
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π€ Youth
Baptisms for the Dead
Covenant
Education
Happiness
Obedience
Temples
Preaching without Being Preachy
After moving to an area with few Church members, Sierra's friends asked about her beliefs. When a U.S. history lesson sparked curiosity, she asked her friends about their beliefs and focused on similarities and differences. She then explained the plan of salvation to her volleyball team, and some realized Latter-day Saints are faithful and good people.
When Sierra P., 17, moved to an area where few members of the Church live, her new friends wanted to know about her beliefs. This scenario isnβt new, and sometimes we may wonder how we can share the gospel with our friends without being overbearing. During a recent conversation with the New Era, youth in Arkansas shared what they have learned.
Sierra discovered that she could best answer questions when she asked her friends about their beliefs first and then focused on similarities and differences. βWe studied a little about the Church in U.S. history, and that made everyone curious, so they came to me with their questions,β she says. βI had an opportunity to explain the entire plan of salvation to my volleyball team. Some of them realized that we have a lot of faith and are good people.β
Sierra discovered that she could best answer questions when she asked her friends about their beliefs first and then focused on similarities and differences. βWe studied a little about the Church in U.S. history, and that made everyone curious, so they came to me with their questions,β she says. βI had an opportunity to explain the entire plan of salvation to my volleyball team. Some of them realized that we have a lot of faith and are good people.β
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π€ Youth
π€ Friends
Friendship
Missionary Work
Plan of Salvation
Teaching the Gospel
Young Women
Conference Story Index
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf references a well-known experiment. A professor uses marshmallows to test the patience of four-year-olds.
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
(56) A professor uses marshmallows to test the patience of four-year-olds.
(56) A professor uses marshmallows to test the patience of four-year-olds.
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π€ Other
π€ Children
Children
Education
Patience
Pioneer Faith and FortitudeβThen and Now
While retracing the footsteps of the Willie handcart company, the speaker and family read pioneer journals at the Sweetwater and reflected on their trials and rescue. Standing on the hill called the Eminence, he bore testimony that Christβs Atonement is a greater rescue than any earthly relief. He reminded the group that Jesus Christ gives hope now and assurance in eternity.
As you remember, the Willie and Martin companies ran into early snows in Wyoming, and many of the Saints perished in the cold. While on a trek a few years ago retracing their footsteps, my family and I stood looking down at the Sweetwater area where the Willie company had been stranded, cold and starving. We read from their journals of their severe trials and the joy of their rescue. John Chislett wrote:
As we stood on the hill now called βthe Eminence,β I was impressed to bear my testimony to my family and the others who were with us. I said, βAs grateful as these faithful pioneers were to see the rescue party, how much greater is the rescue through the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ.β I reminded our group that regardless of religious affiliation, the Lord Jesus Christβthe Savior of the worldβis the center of all Christian belief, and He rescued all mankind. Through His Atonement, He gives to all of us hope for today and assurance in eternity.
As we stood on the hill now called βthe Eminence,β I was impressed to bear my testimony to my family and the others who were with us. I said, βAs grateful as these faithful pioneers were to see the rescue party, how much greater is the rescue through the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ.β I reminded our group that regardless of religious affiliation, the Lord Jesus Christβthe Savior of the worldβis the center of all Christian belief, and He rescued all mankind. Through His Atonement, He gives to all of us hope for today and assurance in eternity.
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π€ Parents
π€ Children
π€ Church Members (General)
π€ Jesus Christ
Adversity
Atonement of Jesus Christ
Hope
Jesus Christ
Testimony
Love Takes Time
A mother, suddenly widowed, raised three sons from early teens to near missionary age. Through example and hard work, she provided finances, encouragement, and unity, leading to her sons becoming strong missionaries, students, husbands, and fathers. She continues to show love and support as they pursue education and family life.
Let me share with you two examples, not too uncommon, of people who, hour by hour, day by day, and month by month, have taken the time to love one another. I say these examples are not too uncommon because, gratefully, all around on a daily and continuing basis, we see true love in action. Iβm thinking first of a mother who, through death, suddenly was left without a husband. With her were three sons ranging in age from early teens to almost missionary age. Through the years by example and hard work she has independently provided finances, encouragement, and unity. The feeding and keeping processes have resulted in the development of three great missionaries, students, husbands, and fathers. One recently remarked, βMother has always taken the time to show her love.β This mother continues the true processes of love today as her sons pursue higher education and the opportunities of their own families.
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π€ Parents
π€ Children
π€ Missionaries
Education
Family
Love
Missionary Work
Parenting
Self-Reliance
Single-Parent Families
Debbie, My Friend
Debbie has recently learned to ride a bike and is now teaching her younger brother. When he falls, she helps him up and makes sure he is OK. He plans to teach her how to draw an airplane in return.
Debbie just learned how to ride a bike, and now sheβs teaching me. When I fall, she helps me up and makes sure that Iβm OK. After she teaches me to ride the bike, Iβll teach her to draw an airplane. Iβm good at drawing airplanes.
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π€ Children
Children
Education
Friendship
Kindness
Service