None Were With Him....An Easter Message

 This 4 minute message given by Elder Jeffery R. Holland  

is an inspiring Easter message that we can all benefit from watching.

Watch the entire talk below

Elder Holland spoke in the April 2009 General Conference  

Everything Janice Kapp Perry

Songwriter Janice Kapp Perry, sits at her piano in her home in Provo, Utah, on Oct. 20, 2004   

Photo credit:  Keith Johnson, Deseret News

I listened to Janice Kapp Perry this week as she was interviewed for The Church New Podcast.   As I listened, I was reminded how much I love Sister Perry and how much she has touched my life.  The Church News webpage says this about the podcast.  

Janice Kapp Perry joins this episode of the Church News podcast to discuss the power of music, sharing her testimony of the Savior and the profound lessons she has learned during her remarkable and varied life.   

Sarah Jane Weaver introduces Janice Kapp Perry for the  interview with this monologue:

Janice Kapp Perry has composed 3,000 songs and hymns beloved by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her well-known repertoire includes Primary hymns, “A Child’s Prayer,” “I Love To See the Temple” and “I’m Trying To Be Like Jesus.”  She started her music career later in life after two lucky breaks — a broken TV and an injury — took her from the sports court to roadshow music writing.

Her work has been featured in the Church hymnbook and Primary songbook and translated and sung around the world. From 1993 to 1999 she performed with The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, often singing her own music. In 2020, Brigham Young University conferred upon her an honorary degree, a Doctor of Christian Service in Music. Her acceptance speech, “Filling the World With Music of Faith,” was posted online due to the pandemic.

Janice Kapp Perry joins this episode of the Church News podcast to discuss the power of music, sharing her testimony of the Savior and the profound lessons she has learned during her remarkable and varied life.

You can listen to The Church News Podcast that I listened to this week by clicking here. (Be sure to click onto the 49 minute interview) 

I first learned about Sis. Perry's life experiences by listening to an interview that was aired April 10, 2014 by the LDS radio program called Everything Creative.   The website says this about the interview: 

Janice Kapp Perry is our special guest for this episode of  Everything Creative.  She shares stories about how her music service began with helping those around her.  The music spread to other wards and stakes and eventually was published in songbooks such as the Children's Songbook and even our LDS hymnal.    

Click here to listen to the  Everything Creative interview.

Through these two interviews and the videos below, I learned that Sister Perry is a very humble, inspired, and talented songwriter.  

The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square Youtube webpage featured the history of three songs Sis. Parry wrote:  

History of A Child's Prayer

You can also view it by clicking here 

A Child's Prayer

1. Heavenly Father, are you really there?

And do you hear and answer ev’ry child’s prayer?

Some say that heaven is far away,

But I feel it close around me as I pray.

Heavenly Father, I remember now

Something that Jesus told disciples long ago:

“Suffer the children to come to me.”

Father, in prayer I’m coming now to thee.

2. Pray, he is there;

Speak, he is list’ning.

You are his child;

His love now surrounds you.

He hears your prayer;

He loves the children.

Of such is the kingdom, the kingdom of heav’n.

History of Love is Spoken Here

You can also view the video by clicking here 

Love is Spoken Here 

1. I see my mother kneeling with our family each day.

I hear the words she whispers as she bows her head to pray.

Her plea to the Father quiets all my fears,

And I am thankful love is spoken here.

2. Mine is a home where ev’ry hour is blessed by the strength of priesthood pow’r,

With father and mother leading the way,

Teaching me how to trust and obey;

And the things they teach are crystal clear,

For love is spoken here.

3. (ending) I can often feel the Savior near

When love is spoken here.

The History of I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus

You can also view the video by clicking here 

I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus

1. I’m trying to be like Jesus;

I’m following in his ways.

I’m trying to love as he did, in all that I do and say.

At times I am tempted to make a wrong choice,

But I try to listen as the still small voice whispers,

[Chorus]

“Love one another as Jesus loves you.

Try to show kindness in all that you do.

Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought,

For these are the things Jesus taught.”

2. I’m trying to love my neighbor;

I’m learning to serve my friends.

I watch for the day of gladness when Jesus will come again.

I try to remember the lessons he taught.

Then the Holy Spirit enters into my thoughts, saying:

We All Need the Savior: A Lesson from The Prodigal Son

In Sunday School recently we discussed Jesus's parable of the prodigal son.  (Luke 15:11-32) We were reminded of a modern-day depiction produced by the Church in 1990. This video was a family favorite as we watched it over and over again on our VHS player. 

Usually when we think of this parable, we correctly celebrate the without-conditions, compassionate welcome of father to wayward son. However, there's another part in this parable Jesus taught--what of the other, "good" son? How do we all need the Savior? 

The Prodigal Son is worth watching...and pondering. Enjoy!

You can also see the video by clicking here

Elder Holland's Devotional Speech

Youtube describes this BYU devotional speech given on January 18, 2022 in these words:   Elder Jeffrey R. Holland explains how, throughout life’s adversities, we can keep the faith and become “a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord.” 

Elder Holland is one of my favorite speakers, and this devotional talk really touched my heart.  It is well worth your time to listen to it.  

#GiveThanks

 A week ago today, President Nelson shared a message to the world.  This is what the church's Youtube channel said about his message: 

“Gratitude provides us with a greater perspective on the very purpose and joy of life.”​

In his 96 years of life, President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has seen almost everything—a Great Depression, a world war, and a global pandemic, to name a few. And he would like to propose one remedy that can help us find joy in hard times: gratitude. #GiveThanks ​

Practicing gratitude may not prevent us from experiencing sorrow, anger, or pain, but it can help us look forward with hope. We can give thanks for our loved ones, for our bodies and minds, for music and literature, for the beauty of the natural world.​

President Nelson suggests three ways you can #GiveThanks in your own life:​
1) Turn social media into your own gratitude journal.​
2) Say a prayer of gratitude.​
3) Build your relationship with Jesus Christ.​

By counting our blessings, we can more fully appreciate and enjoy our lives as we work toward greater unity, kindness, honesty, and tolerance.​

____________________

By following his counsel this past week, my life was blessed.  Here are my social media gratitude journal posts for the past 7 days:

Day 1 of the #GiveThanks challenge: 

I am grateful for Scott and his eternal love for me.  #GiveThanks  #HeTreatsMeLikeAQueen

Day #2 of the #GiveThanks challenge”: 

I am thankful for my children. They each hold a special place in my heart. 

Day 3 of the #GiveThanks challenge: 

On this sabbath day, I am thankful for the message about the Atonement of Jesus Christ in the song, “The Miracle” by Shawna Belt Edwards.  

The Miracle

By Shawna Belt Edwards

Jesus walked upon the water

He stilled the storm and calmed the angry sea

With His hands He healed the leper

He made the lame to walk, the blind to see

He fed a thousand people with a loaf or two of bread

And when the ruler's daughter died

He raised her from the dead

Jesus is a God of miracles

Nothing is at all impossible to Him

But I know this

Of all His miracles, the most incredible must be

The miracle that rescues me

Jesus bled and died to save me

A price that I could never pay alone

When He rose again, He gave me

The greatest gift the world has ever known

Yes, I can be forgiven every time that I repent

And someday He will lift me up to live with Him again

Jesus is a God of miracles

Nothing is at all impossible to Him

But I know this:

Of all His miracles the most incredible must be

The miracle that rescues me

The miracle that rescues you and me

Day 4 of the #GiveThanks challenge: 

I’m thankful for the opportunity that Scott and I had to serve a mission to Belize. These two photos hang in our home and they are a daily reminder of our choice experiences we had while we were there. You can read about our mission experiences by clicking here or onto:  ourmissiontobelize.blogspot.com    

Day 5 of the #GiveThanks challenge: 

I’m thankful for all the members on my family tree.  They have all personally touched my life from my grandparents down to my grandchildren. I have the best family ever!! 

Family tree photo credit goes to Shabby Chic

Day 6 of the #GiveThanks challenge: 

I would be remiss if I didn’t give thanks to the medical community for all they have done for our family this past year. Heaven only knows all the blessings our family has received from caring doctors, nurses, delivery rooms, surgical rooms, NICUs, medical personnel, clinical trials, and urgent care. I will start with #GivingThanks to my daughter, Rachel, as she works at Huntsman Cancer Center here in Salt City.

Day 7 of the #GiveThanks challenge: 

Amos 3:7 “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.” I am thankful that there is a prophet on the earth today. As I follow his counsel, I am blessed beyond measure. I invite you to take a few minutes to listen to his message given a week ago.  As you do and heed his advice, you too will be blessed. 💕  

It Is Well with My Soul

On Oct 14, 2018, I wrote this on our mission blog:

A highlight of watching General Conference last week was listening to the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square sing the hymn, "It Is Well with My Soul".  We had never heard the hymn before.   As we sat listening to it in the Belize City chapel, it was obvious that it is a beloved hymn of the Belizean saints as several in the congregation sang like angels along with the choir.  We have listened to the hymn several times this past week and, truly, "it is well, it is well, with my soul."   

Enjoy watching the ASL version of this song that was preformed in the April 2022 General Conference.

(Be sure to click the enlarge button in the bottom right hand corner as you watch it)

It Is Well with My Soul

Text:  Horatio Spafford/Music:  Philip Bliss   

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll

Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say

It is well, it is well, with my soul

It is well

With my soul

It is well, it is well with my soul

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,

Let this blest assurance control,

That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,

And hath shed His own blood for my soul

It is well (it is well)

With my soul (with my soul)

It is well, it is well with my soul

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought

My sin, not in part but the whole,

Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, o my soul

It is well (it is well)

With my soul (with my soul)

It is well, it is well with my soul

And Lord, haste the day when thy faith shall be sight,

The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;

The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,

Even so, it is well with my soul

It is well (it is well)

With my soul (with my soul)

It is well, it is well with my soul

This afternoon a friend posted the song on her facebook page along with the background on why the song was written.  It brought back a tender memory as I saw her Facebook post.  As I was researching more about this song today, I found this video explaining the background as it is explained by Lloyd  Newell on the program, Music and the Spoken Word.  

The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square's YouTube page explains the background to the song:

Life can be so unpredictable—joys and sorrows, beautiful blessings and distressing difficulties, can come unexpectedly. Our life’s dreams and plans can change in an instant. We all know this to be true. So how can we find peace amid such turbulence? 

Horatio Spafford knew something about life’s unexpected challenges. He was a successful attorney and real estate investor who lost a fortune in the great Chicago fire of 1871. Around the same time, his beloved four-year-old son died of scarlet fever. 

Thinking a vacation would do his family some good, he sent his wife and four daughters on a ship to England, planning to join them after he finished some pressing business at home. However, while crossing the Atlantic Ocean, the ship was involved in a terrible collision and sunk. More than 200 people lost their lives, including all four of Horatio Spafford’s precious daughters. His wife, Anna, survived the tragedy. Upon arriving in England, she sent a telegram to her husband that began: “Saved alone. What shall I do?” 

Horatio immediately set sail for England. At one point during his voyage, the captain of the ship, aware of the tragedy that had struck the Spafford family, summoned Horatio to tell him that they were now passing over the spot where the shipwreck had occurred. 

As Horatio thought about his daughters, words of comfort and hope filled his heart and mind. He wrote them down, and they have since become a well-beloved hymn: 

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll—

Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to know

It is well, it is well with my soul.

Perhaps we cannot always say that everything is well in all aspects of our lives. There will always be storms to face, and sometimes there will be tragedies. But with faith in a loving God and with trust in His divine help, we can confidently say, “It is well, it is well with my soul.”

Episode 4580. Aired June 25, 2017.

Christlike Attributes

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints posted this wonderful video that shows the attributes of Christ that are depicted in scenes from His life.  Jesus Christ was:

Humble

Obedient

A healer

Kind

A teacher

Courageous

A servent

Submissive

Selfless

and

Full of love

You can also see the video by clicking here

This video reminds me of the Primary hymn by Janice Kapp Perry, "I'm Trying To Be Like Jesus".  

I’m trying to be like Jesus;

I’m following in his ways.

I’m trying to love as he did, in all that I do and say.

At times I am tempted to make a wrong choice,

But I try to listen as the still small voice whispers,

[Chorus]

“Love one another as Jesus loves you.

Try to show kindness in all that you do.

Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought,

For these are the things Jesus taught.”

I’m trying to love my neighbor;

I’m learning to serve my friends.

I watch for the day of gladness when Jesus will come again.

I try to remember the lessons he taught.

Then the Holy Spirit enters into my thoughts, saying:  

[Chorus]

May we all try to be like Jesus by showing Christlike attributes....

Wise Words from Elder Holland

This great advice from Elder Jeffery Holland was posted on his Facebook page this morning.  I have highlighted the parts of his message that stood out to me.

During this COVID-19 pandemic, it has been interesting for me to have so many meetings, trips, and public speaking assignments canceled and to spend more time with myself. That is something that I don’t get a lot of opportunity to do.

For any of us, it’s an interesting experience to be the only person in the room and ask yourself whether you like the company. Personally, I’d say that there are some things I like about Jeff Holland, but some other things need work and improvement. I like to call this time alone with yourself “character time.” It’s a good exercise to ask hard questions and hope you like what you’re able to answer.

In my normal life, I would have a few moments each day to pray and be in the scriptures. Now, I’ve had day after day where I can spend hours praying and being in the scriptures. That is a luxury that I didn’t know I’d ever have again. I hope when things go back to normal—whatever normal is going to be—that I don’t forget the feelings and experiences I’ve had during these months of reflection and solitude.

The scriptures testify of God’s hope that we will turn to him voluntarily—His hope that we will choose to be reflective, righteous, and contemplative in a way that will all lead to His grand purpose and to our improvement. There are many ways that we can learn to be more careful, more thoughtful, more grateful, more spiritual—and I believe that for many of us, the COVID-19 pandemic is one of those ways. We would be foolish to miss out on this sacred opportunity to search our souls, do a little repenting, and look for how we can be better and kinder.

This picture with Elder Holland was taken in 2006 during the Arcadia Stake Conference

Love Is Spoken Here

I was listening to the Tabernacle Choir Channel the other day when the song, Love Is Spoken Here was played.  A feeling of peace came over me as I listened.  My mind went back to my childhood.  I am grateful I was raised in a home where love was spoken.

With all this craziness going on in the world today with the COVID-19 pandemic and civil unrest, I was happy to be reminded that we can have peace during this time as we live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and put Him first in our lives. 

You can listen to the song by clicking onto the video 

I thought of my mother as I heard these words: 

"Her plea to the Father quiets all my fears, 

And I am thankful love is spoken here."

Love is Spoken Here 

by Janice Kapp Perry

I see my mother kneeling with our family each day.

I hear the words she whispers as she bows her head to pray.

Her plea to the Father quiets all my fears,

And I am thankful love is spoken here.

Mine is a home where ev'ry hour is blessed by

The strength of priesthood pow'r,

With father and mother leading the way,

Teaching me how to trust and obey;

And the things they teach are crystal clear,

For love is spoken here.

I can often feel the Savior near

When love is spoken here.

I enjoyed learning the background of how Janice Kapp Perry came to write the song.

Adversity

"Adversity will be a constant or occasional companion for each of us throughout our lives. We cannot avoid it. The only question is how we will react to it. Will our adversities be stumbling blocks or stepping stones?"  Dallin H. Oaks

This morning after watching Music and the Spoken Word on TV, a past BYU Devotional given by Dallin H. Oaks came on.  The speech was titled "Adversity" and it was given on January 17, 1995.  I agree with Elder Oaks when he said that "adversity will come to all." Then he asked, "how we will we react to it?"  I'm hoping that I'm using my adversities as stepping stones and that my adversities are making me stronger.

You can listen to the whole devotional below.  You can skip past the introductions and start listening to the meat of his devotional starting at 4:35.

You can read the speech by clicking here.  

Sabbath Day Worship With a 2-Year Old

On March 12, 2020 our church made this announcement:

As the rapid spread of COVID-19 continues across the globe, the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles announced Thursday afternoon that all Church gatherings—including public worship services and sacrament meetings,......will be suspended immediately. The announcement included no end date. 

A week and a half later I found myself in Idaho welcoming home our twin grandbabies from the hospital.

Saturday was the first day all five Jeppsons were home together.  On Sunday morning I found myself with my two-year old granddaughter while her parents and newborn siblings slept in.  We had a special time listening to songs about Jesus.  The songs brought tears to my eyes as we both learned about the special mission of Jesus Christ.

Enjoy a couple of the songs we watched:

The Miracle is a song written by Shawna Belt Edwards to teach children and youth about the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

I Will Walk with Jesus is written by Stephen P. Schank.  We can be assured that Jesus Christ will walk with us along the way. When we choose to walk with Him, we find safety,  purpose and salvation.

"Holding On and Letting Go"

I am an auditory learner and enjoy listening to past devotionals given at the different BYU campus devotionals.  I enjoyed listening to Elder L. Todd Budge's address given at a BYU-Hawaii devotional on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2019

Here are some summary thoughts taken from thechurchnews.com webpage about Elder Budge's address  (click onto this link to read the whole article)

Elder Budge shared with BYU-Hawaii students four things to let go:

Let go of sin. 
Let go of guilt. 
Let go of grudges.
Let go of your own will. 

Elder Budge encouraged students to not let go of their righteous expectations or desires, such as finding a companion to marry, having children or being free of sickness. “But do let go of your attachment to them as a condition of your happiness,”

“Life is much more joyful when we choose to trust God and His plan for us,” 

Elder Budge also shared four things to hold on to that will increase joy and the power to let go:

Hold on to the Holy Ghost.
Hold on to your faith.
Hold on to the word of God.
Hold on to your covenants.

You can also see the video by clicking here

One more quote from the Church News article:

Elder Budge encouraged students to find joy by holding fast to that which is of God and letting go that which is not. Letting go of grudges is one of several ways to increase joy, Elder Budge told the students. 

“If there is anyone you have not forgiven, I invite you to let go of your judgement of that person, leave that to God, and allow yourself to love them instead,” Elder Budge said. “I testify that you will be much happier when you do.”

Don't take my word for it about what a great devotional this was.  Take 30 minutes and listen to it yourself.  It will brighten your day.   

BYU's "Favorite Catholic"

I ran across this BYU graduation speech on the BYU Facebook page.  I enjoyed the message and wanted to share it here.  And remember:  No eye rolling.  (listen to talk to see what I mean)

From BYU’s webpage:

April 25

"We don't need to disagree less. We need to disagree better."

Musician, social scientist, best-selling author and the president of the American Enterprise Institute Arthur Brooks received an honorary doctorate at today's commencement exercises and delivered a remarkable address that everyone's been talking about since.

He included a great story about a BYU briefcase he carries, thoughts from President Nelson and Helaman 5, fascinating social science research and important insight into major current issues.

All of this from BYU's "favorite Catholic."

How Do I Love Thee? A Great Valentine's Message by Elder Holland

On this Valentine's Day, Elder Holland's BYU Devotional speech was posted on my Facebook feed.  As I clicked onto the link this morning, I was riveted by his message.

After his introductory remarks, he gets into the meat of his message at 5:11 where he says:

"I wish to speak to you this morning about Christlike love and what I think it can and should mean in your friendships, in your dating, in serious courtship, and, ultimately, in your marriage."

When he said that, I knew this is a message for everyone.

You can see and read the message by clicking here.

Here are a few more snippets from his talk:

"....I have taken for a title to my remarks Mrs. Browning’s wonderful line “How do I love thee?”... I am not going to “count the ways” this morning, but I am impressed with her choice of adverb—not when do I love thee nor where do I love thee nor why do I love thee nor why don’t you love me, but, rather, how. How do I demonstrate it, how do I reveal my true love for you? Mrs. Browning was correct. Real love is best shown in the “how,” and it is with the how that...Paul helps us the most...."

"...I like..Paul’s language that says one who truly loves is not “puffed up.” Puffed up! Isn’t that a great image? Haven’t you ever been with someone who was so conceited, so full of themselves that they seemed like the Pillsbury Doughboy? Fred Allen said once that he saw such a fellow walking down Lovers’ Lane holding his own hand. True love blooms when we care more about another person than we care about ourselves. That is Christ’s great atoning example for us, and it ought to be more evident in the kindness we show, the respect we give, and the selflessness and courtesy we employ in our personal relationships..."

I'll have to say that listening to this Valentine message with Scott this afternoon is100 x's better than receiving a dozen roses.  (and cheaper too!)  

"Adversity Often Opens the Door of Opportunity"

While I was washing the dishes yesterday, I was listening to the program Music and the Spoken Word.  Lloyd Newell told this story about Captain John Barry, a officer in the Continental Navy during the American Revolutionary War and later in the United States Navy.

The Door of Opportunity

Delivered By: Lloyd D. Newell

(Music and the Spoken Word)

In the early years of the Revolutionary War, things did not look good for the fledgling American navy. In a period of three months, they had lost seven ships, including their two largest. In the midst of the gloom, however, was a shining light: Captain John Barry.

He was so successful with his first military command that he was promoted to captain a frigate still under construction. While waiting, he volunteered to serve in the army during a bitterly cold winter. But his frigate was never completed, leaving Barry a captain without a ship.

Meanwhile, enemy transports were sailing unchallenged along the Delaware River resupplying their forces. Not content to wait for another ship to command, Captain Barry proposed a daring plan—to take a few of the rowboats from some of the larger ships, mount small cannons in their bows, and challenge the enemy transports.

Many thought the idea of outfitting what they called “washtubs” and sending them against armed ships was foolish. But Barry felt confident he could do it, and he was right.

Because Barry’s boats were small, they were able to escape enemy fire. The cannons on the rowboats hit their mark, and Captain Barry’s brave little fleet forced three British ships to surrender.

By the end of the war, Barry had captured more than 20 ships. As a consequence of his bravery and leadership, he was later named chief naval commander and is widely recognized as the father of the American navy.

It’s easy to become discouraged when the storms of life bring misfortune or distress. But Captain John Barry knew that adversity often opens the door of opportunity. He recognized it, acted on it, and, as a result, became a national hero.

From him and many others like him we learn an important lesson: Often the very adversity that plagues our lives is, in disguise, an opportunity for greatness.

I found this story on the Personal Success and Leadership Institute webpage.

Wikipedia said this about John Barry:  John Barry was an officer in the Continental Navy during the American Revolutionary War and later in the United States Navy. He came to be widely credited as "The Father of the American Navy" and was appointed a captain in the Continental Navy on December 7, 1775.

In Praise of Those Who Save

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf  gave an inspiring talk in the April 2016 General Priesthood meeting titled "In Praise of Those Who Save."  I went through his talk and highlighted my favorite parts below.  

As we emulate the Savior’s love, He will surely bless and prosper our righteous efforts to save our marriages and strengthen our families. 

The great enemy of charity is pride. Pride is one of the biggest reasons marriages and families struggle. Pride is short-tempered, unkind, and envious. Pride exaggerates its own strength and ignores the virtues of others. Pride is selfish and easily provoked. Pride assumes evil intent where there is none and hides its own weaknesses behind clever excuses. Pride is cynical, pessimistic, angry, and impatient. Indeed, if charity is the pure love of Christ, then pride is the defining characteristic of Satan....

...The way you treat your wife or children or parents or siblings may influence generations to come. What legacy do you want to leave your posterity? One of harshness, vengeance, anger, fear, or isolation? Or one of love, humility, forgiveness, compassion, spiritual growth, and unity?...

...Set aside pride.

Sincerely apologizing to your children, your wife, your family, or your friends is not a sign of weakness but of strength. Is being right more important than fostering an environment of nurturing, healing, and love?

Build bridges; don’t destroy them.

Even when you are not at fault—perhaps especially when you are not at fault—let love conquer pride.

If you do this, whatever adversity you are facing will pass, and because of the love of God in your hearts, contention will fade. These principles of saving relationships apply to all of us, regardless of whether we are married, divorced, widowed, or single. We all can be saviors of strong families.

Dieter F. Uctdorf

April 2016 General Priesthood Meeting

Here is a clip from his talk

You can watch and read the full talk titled "In Praise of Those Who Save" by clicking here

Heavenly Father's Plan Gives Comfort

Even though we are far away from our home, we keep up to-date with the stories from the United States.  We were sadden to hear about the school shooting that left 17 dead and several others injured in Florida.

 The content for this post is from an article from LDSLiving.com.  The article and more pictures can be found by clicking here.

At least a dozen Latter-day Saints were at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School when a gunman opened fire on February 14, killing 17 and injuring another 14.

Among them was 14-year-old Alaina Petty, who was killed when 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz allegedly opened fire on students in Parkland, Florida.

After the passing of their daughter and sister, the Petty family released the following statement:

We are heartbroken by the loss we feel in the tragedy that unfolded yesterday at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Our hearts go out to the families of all impacted by this tragedy, and our prayers are for their comfort and healing. We wish to thank our family, friends, and the community for the love and support demonstrated to our family.

It is important to sum up all that Alaina was and meant to her family and friends. Alaina was a vibrant and determined young woman, loved by all who knew her. Alaina loved to serve. She served her community through her participation in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas JROTC program and her countless hours of service as a volunteer for the "Helping Hands" program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Alaina was part of hundreds of volunteers that rushed to the most heavily impacted areas of Florida to clean up and help rebuild the lives of those devastated by Hurricane Irma. Her selfless service brought peace and joy to those that had lost everything during the storm. While we will not have the opportunity to watch her grow up and become the amazing woman we know she would become, we are keeping an eternal perspective. We are grateful for the knowledge that Alaina is a part of our eternal family and that we will reunite with her. This knowledge and unabiding faith in our Heavenly Father's plan gives us comfort during this difficult time.

Over the past 24 hours, our family has been touched by hundreds of acts of service. Words cannot convey the gratitude we have in our hearts for each of those acts. We wish to thank the staff at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School for the bravery that we understand they showed in protecting and ultimately saving many lives. We would also like to especially thank the first responders for their courage and bravery by running toward harm's way and for bringing an end to yesterday's violence.

____________________

Other comforting words at a time like this  comes from a talk Elder Cook gave a talk in the October 2011 General Conference titled, "The Songs they Can Not Sing".  Among other things he said:

...Sometimes tragedies are very personal. A son or daughter dies early in life or falls victim to a devastating disease. A loving parent’s life is taken because of a thoughtless act or accident. Whenever tragedy occurs, we mourn....We lament the things that will not be accomplished and the songs that will not be sung.

Among the most frequently asked questions of Church leaders are, Why does a just God allow bad things to happen, especially to good people? Why are those who are righteous and in the Lord’s service not immune from such tragedies?...

...While we do not know all the answers, we do know important principles that allow us to face tragedies with faith and confidence...

His talk continues as he teaches the principle of eternal life which brings  me comfort and peace.

Click here to read the whole message or watch it below.

You Can Do Hard Things

I saw this video on Elder Quentin Cook's Facebook page. Elder Cook said:

I want to assure you that you can do hard things.

Elder John B. Dickson, a marvelous Seventy, now emeritus, who served with distinction all over the world, demonstrated this in a fun and unusual way. Elder Dickson was called to serve as an LDS missionary in Mexico in 1962. Before he departed, he was diagnosed with bone cancer in his right arm. He was not expected to live more than a month. However, 10 months later he left to serve his assigned mission, having had his arm amputated.

I will never forget how he taught missionaries at the MTC that they could do hard things. He invited four missionaries to come up to the stand and compete with him in a tie-tying contest. Dickson defeated all four of the missionaries using his teeth, his shoulders, and his chest in a marvelous way.

Please know that you can overcome adversity and do hard things.

You can also see the video by clicking here

In the October 1992 General Conference Elder Dickson talks about his experience of loosing his arm just as he was called to be a missionary.  You can  view and read his talk by clicking here.  

Elder Cook gave a Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults on the same topic on September 11, 2016 -- “Fear Not … in Me Your Joy Is Full” (D&C 101:36)   You can read and view his talk by clicking here.  

I Need Thee Every Hour

This past Sunday we were able to watch the Face to Face program with Elder Oaks and Elder Ballard.  This beautiful closing hymn performed by a men's a cappella  group comprised of students from the Logan Institute of Religion.  Enjoy

You can also see the video by clicking here

Dr. Laura's Wisdom

For years I listened to Dr. Laura on the radio.  She has had a big influence on my life.

As I scroll through my Facebook feed, occasionally I see quotes from her.  Here are some of my favorite gems.  Thank you Dr. Laura for your words of wisdom.