Magpad
Friday, September 6, 2013
Something to Think About.....
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Monrovia/Duarte Seminary 2013
There is no better way to start the day
than with this great group of kids.
than with this great group of kids.
This year in seminary we'll be studying the Book of Mormon.
You don't know what seminary is? Check it out here
Mormon.org explains what seminary is:
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Humanitarian Efforts Around the World
I appreciate my church's humanitarian efforts along with other churches such as the Catholics and other charitable organizations, such as the Red Cross working together to help our borthers and sisters around the world.
You can watch many more videos that show a brief overview of the history, doctrine, organization and practices of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, told through unscripted interviews with members and others familiar with the Church by clicking here.
You can also see the above video by clicking here
You can watch many more videos that show a brief overview of the history, doctrine, organization and practices of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, told through unscripted interviews with members and others familiar with the Church by clicking here.
Monday, August 19, 2013
Elder Aidukaitis
We enjoyed a wonderful weekend with a visit from Elder Aidukaitis. He is a member of the Quorum of the Seventy in our church. His assignment as a Seventy is to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ and build up the Church.
Elder Aidukaitis attended our Arcadia Stake Conference Saturday and Sunday. I learned a lot from him. He has a delightful personality and is a very jovial person.
On Saturday night I learned that I must choose what direction I want my life to go. If I have celestial goals, it with help me with my everyday decisions.
On Sunday I learned that as a family, can have a happy life as we live the gospel and are obedient Christ's teachings.
I was introduced to Elder Aidukaitis when he gave a General Conference talk in October 2008 entitled Because My Father Read the Book of Mormon. He has a delightful accent that you can hear as you listen to the video. I think his accent is from his unusual background. His father was the son of Lithuanians, but was born in Scotland. He moved to Brazil when he was still young. His father also had the ability to speak English. Elder Aidukaitis can speak Portuguese, English and Spanish.
Good morning, dear brothers and sisters. I feel a profound joy and honor in speaking to you today. I pray that God may guide my words and that His Spirit may be with us so that “he that preacheth and he that receiveth, [may] understand one another, and both [may be] edified and rejoice together” (D&C 50:22).
I consider June 2, 1940, to be a very important day in the history of my family. On this day my father was baptized into this Church.
Writing to his father, Elder Jack McDonald, one of the missionaries who baptized my father, described the day with these words:
“Last Sunday was an especially beautiful day. We missionaries went out to a secluded spot on the river’s edge, out in the country, and there Elder Jones and I [Elder McDonald] made our first baptism. Antony Aidukaitis entered into the icy waters and became a member of the Church. … Everything was perfect. The sky so blue, the countryside so still, so green, so lovely that none of us could help feeling the presence of some great influence.
“[As we walked] with our new member, he said that he just couldn’t explain how wonderful this day had been for him, how he actually felt like a new man. … That was our first baptism—no credit to me or anybody. He converted himself.”
This event changed the history of my life. I am not sure my father was able to foresee the wisdom of his act, but I love him for what he did that day. He passed away more than 30 years ago, but I will honor and bless his name forever.
My father was the son of Lithuanians, but he was born in Scotland. He moved to Brazil when he was still young. His ability to speak English facilitated his conversion since he could read the Book of Mormon in English, and there was not yet a reliable translation into Portuguese. This language barrier prevented my mother from joining the Church until a few years later, but when she did, she became a powerful example of dedication to others and love of God in our family. She is now 92 years old, and she is here today. It gives me great joy to say that I love her for her great faithfulness. I will also honor and bless her name forever.
I admire the courage my father had to be baptized into the Church in spite of the circumstances he faced at the time. It was not easy for him. His wife did not get baptized with him. The vices of drinking alcohol and smoking were strong temptations for him. He was poor. His mother was against his joining the Church, and she told him that if he were baptized, she would no longer consider him her son. With fewer than 300 members in Brazil, the Church did not have a single chapel there. I am truly astonished by my father’s determination and courage.
How could he make such a decision in the face of so many unfavorable circumstances? The answer is simple: it was because my father read the Book of Mormon. When he read it, he came to know of the truthfulness of the message of the Restoration. The Book of Mormon is a proof that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true. Preach My Gospel teaches that “the Book of Mormon, combined with the Spirit, is [the] most powerful resource in conversion” ([2004], 104).
President Gordon B. Hinckley declared: “Those who have read [the Book of Mormon] prayerfully, be they rich or poor, learned or unlearned, have grown under its power. …
“… Without reservation I promise you that if you will prayerfully read the Book of Mormon, regardless of how many times you previously have read it, there will come into your hearts … the Spirit of the Lord. There will come a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to his commandments, and there will come a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God” (“The Power of the Book of Mormon,” Ensign, June 1988, 6; see also “The Book of Mormon,” Tambuli, Oct. 1988, 7).
These promises came true for my father and for my family. In accordance with what we have been taught, we read the scriptures as a family every day. We have done so for many years. We have read the Book of Mormon several times in our home, and we will continue to do so. As promised, the Spirit of the Lord has come into the heart of our family, and we have felt a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to His commandments and a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God.
When you know that the Book of Mormon is true, you know that Joseph Smith was called by God to restore the Church of Jesus Christ to the earth. You know that Joseph Smith saw the Father and the Son. You know that there is only one faith and one valid baptism. You know that a prophet of God lives on the earth today and that he has all the keys of the priesthood and the right to exercise them, as Peter did anciently. You know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the only name whereby you can receive salvation. You know that God the Father lives and that He loves us. You know that His plan of salvation is perfect, and you have the desire to perform ordinances, live the commandments, and endure to the end.
I feel sad when someone who has been given the Book of Mormon and had these things explained to him still refuses to read it. I feel sad that some people allow themselves to be influenced by others, refuse to investigate the book, and set it aside as something without worth, never participating in the spiritual banquet it offers. To me, this is incomprehensible. It is as if a son or a daughter, separated from a loving father, refused to read a letter from him without even opening the envelope. Those who make such a choice are like spoiled children who refuse to even taste the meal tenderly prepared for them by their loving mother.
God reveals His truth when people follow Moroni’s exhortation in Moroni 10:3–5. Preach My Gospel summarizes Moroni’s instructions as follows:
One, “read the Book of Mormon and ponder its message concerning Jesus Christ.”
Two, “pray to God with faith in Jesus Christ to receive a testimony that the Book of Mormon is true and that Joseph Smith is the prophet of the Restoration.”
Three, “pray sincerely and have real intent, which means that they intend to act on the answer they receive from God” (111).
To those who may argue that we cannot know these things, I testify that we can, when we are humble enough to do as God has instructed us through His prophets on this earth. To believe otherwise would be to accept the absurd notion that God also does not know where truth can be found or does not have the power to show it to us. Just because someone has not acted on the promise of this book does not mean that others have not done so.
Why do I love and honor the name of my father? Because my father read and acted on the promise of the Book of Mormon. Why do I love and honor the name of my father? Because he did not recoil from the answer he received, even while facing great challenges. Why do I love and honor the name of my father? Because he blessed my life, even before I was born, by having the courage to do what God expected him to do.
I invite all who hear me today to read the Book of Mormon and to apply the promise it contains. Those who do will know that the book is true.
I bear my testimony that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. Because of this, I know that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God. I know that he did not write the Book of Mormon but translated it by the power of God. I know that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God on the earth today, the only man on the earth who holds all the keys of the priesthood and has the right to exercise them. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and that He lives. I know that God lives and loves us. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
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I feel blessed for the opportunity to have Elder Aidukaitis touch my life.
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| Scott, Sam and Elder Aidukaitis |
On Saturday night I learned that I must choose what direction I want my life to go. If I have celestial goals, it with help me with my everyday decisions.
On Sunday I learned that as a family, can have a happy life as we live the gospel and are obedient Christ's teachings.
I was introduced to Elder Aidukaitis when he gave a General Conference talk in October 2008 entitled Because My Father Read the Book of Mormon. He has a delightful accent that you can hear as you listen to the video. I think his accent is from his unusual background. His father was the son of Lithuanians, but was born in Scotland. He moved to Brazil when he was still young. His father also had the ability to speak English. Elder Aidukaitis can speak Portuguese, English and Spanish.
If you can't view the video, you can get to it
by clicking here.
Good morning, dear brothers and sisters. I feel a profound joy and honor in speaking to you today. I pray that God may guide my words and that His Spirit may be with us so that “he that preacheth and he that receiveth, [may] understand one another, and both [may be] edified and rejoice together” (D&C 50:22).
I consider June 2, 1940, to be a very important day in the history of my family. On this day my father was baptized into this Church.
Writing to his father, Elder Jack McDonald, one of the missionaries who baptized my father, described the day with these words:
“Last Sunday was an especially beautiful day. We missionaries went out to a secluded spot on the river’s edge, out in the country, and there Elder Jones and I [Elder McDonald] made our first baptism. Antony Aidukaitis entered into the icy waters and became a member of the Church. … Everything was perfect. The sky so blue, the countryside so still, so green, so lovely that none of us could help feeling the presence of some great influence.
“[As we walked] with our new member, he said that he just couldn’t explain how wonderful this day had been for him, how he actually felt like a new man. … That was our first baptism—no credit to me or anybody. He converted himself.”
This event changed the history of my life. I am not sure my father was able to foresee the wisdom of his act, but I love him for what he did that day. He passed away more than 30 years ago, but I will honor and bless his name forever.
My father was the son of Lithuanians, but he was born in Scotland. He moved to Brazil when he was still young. His ability to speak English facilitated his conversion since he could read the Book of Mormon in English, and there was not yet a reliable translation into Portuguese. This language barrier prevented my mother from joining the Church until a few years later, but when she did, she became a powerful example of dedication to others and love of God in our family. She is now 92 years old, and she is here today. It gives me great joy to say that I love her for her great faithfulness. I will also honor and bless her name forever.
I admire the courage my father had to be baptized into the Church in spite of the circumstances he faced at the time. It was not easy for him. His wife did not get baptized with him. The vices of drinking alcohol and smoking were strong temptations for him. He was poor. His mother was against his joining the Church, and she told him that if he were baptized, she would no longer consider him her son. With fewer than 300 members in Brazil, the Church did not have a single chapel there. I am truly astonished by my father’s determination and courage.
How could he make such a decision in the face of so many unfavorable circumstances? The answer is simple: it was because my father read the Book of Mormon. When he read it, he came to know of the truthfulness of the message of the Restoration. The Book of Mormon is a proof that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true. Preach My Gospel teaches that “the Book of Mormon, combined with the Spirit, is [the] most powerful resource in conversion” ([2004], 104).
President Gordon B. Hinckley declared: “Those who have read [the Book of Mormon] prayerfully, be they rich or poor, learned or unlearned, have grown under its power. …
“… Without reservation I promise you that if you will prayerfully read the Book of Mormon, regardless of how many times you previously have read it, there will come into your hearts … the Spirit of the Lord. There will come a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to his commandments, and there will come a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God” (“The Power of the Book of Mormon,” Ensign, June 1988, 6; see also “The Book of Mormon,” Tambuli, Oct. 1988, 7).
These promises came true for my father and for my family. In accordance with what we have been taught, we read the scriptures as a family every day. We have done so for many years. We have read the Book of Mormon several times in our home, and we will continue to do so. As promised, the Spirit of the Lord has come into the heart of our family, and we have felt a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to His commandments and a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God.
When you know that the Book of Mormon is true, you know that Joseph Smith was called by God to restore the Church of Jesus Christ to the earth. You know that Joseph Smith saw the Father and the Son. You know that there is only one faith and one valid baptism. You know that a prophet of God lives on the earth today and that he has all the keys of the priesthood and the right to exercise them, as Peter did anciently. You know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the only name whereby you can receive salvation. You know that God the Father lives and that He loves us. You know that His plan of salvation is perfect, and you have the desire to perform ordinances, live the commandments, and endure to the end.
I feel sad when someone who has been given the Book of Mormon and had these things explained to him still refuses to read it. I feel sad that some people allow themselves to be influenced by others, refuse to investigate the book, and set it aside as something without worth, never participating in the spiritual banquet it offers. To me, this is incomprehensible. It is as if a son or a daughter, separated from a loving father, refused to read a letter from him without even opening the envelope. Those who make such a choice are like spoiled children who refuse to even taste the meal tenderly prepared for them by their loving mother.
God reveals His truth when people follow Moroni’s exhortation in Moroni 10:3–5. Preach My Gospel summarizes Moroni’s instructions as follows:
One, “read the Book of Mormon and ponder its message concerning Jesus Christ.”
Two, “pray to God with faith in Jesus Christ to receive a testimony that the Book of Mormon is true and that Joseph Smith is the prophet of the Restoration.”
Three, “pray sincerely and have real intent, which means that they intend to act on the answer they receive from God” (111).
To those who may argue that we cannot know these things, I testify that we can, when we are humble enough to do as God has instructed us through His prophets on this earth. To believe otherwise would be to accept the absurd notion that God also does not know where truth can be found or does not have the power to show it to us. Just because someone has not acted on the promise of this book does not mean that others have not done so.
Why do I love and honor the name of my father? Because my father read and acted on the promise of the Book of Mormon. Why do I love and honor the name of my father? Because he did not recoil from the answer he received, even while facing great challenges. Why do I love and honor the name of my father? Because he blessed my life, even before I was born, by having the courage to do what God expected him to do.
I invite all who hear me today to read the Book of Mormon and to apply the promise it contains. Those who do will know that the book is true.
I bear my testimony that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. Because of this, I know that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God. I know that he did not write the Book of Mormon but translated it by the power of God. I know that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God on the earth today, the only man on the earth who holds all the keys of the priesthood and has the right to exercise them. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and that He lives. I know that God lives and loves us. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Elder Aidukaitis also wrote an article for the New Era magazine entitled: Caught in a Cumbuca. He talks about how not to fall into Satan's traps and uses the analogy of being caught in a monkey trap . You can click onto the pictures below to read the article or click here to go the the link where the article is found.
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Monday, August 12, 2013
Eight Words to Change Your Life...by Mary Hunt
Amen to Mary Hunt's words about financial responsibility. I really liked what she said about building your strength against the temptation to spend beyond your ability to pay. She suggests that you ask yourself these questions:
Eight words to change your life....by Mary Hunt
You hear it all the time, but do you know what it means to live below your means? Have you figured out how to do that? To live below your means is to choose a lifestyle you can pay for with the money you have and still have some money left over.
Living below your means in this high-pressure, credit-based, gotta-have-it-all-right-now society is not exactly easy. It takes skill and determination to go against the tide and buck a system that encourages spending all we have now plus what we hope we’ll get in the future. It takes strength of character to protest against the message that insists that as long as you can get away with it, it’s okay to have what you want now and pay for it later.
Here’s the secret for living below your means in just eight little words: Buy what you need, want what you have. That’s it. Simple, profound and lifechanging once that truth worms its way into your mind and soul.
So how can we truly embrace those eight words and live well in a culture where everywhere we turn we’re tempted to live beyond our incomes? The principle has to become part of the fabric of your belief system. That is the way to choose contentment—to choose joy regardless your situation right this moment. You choose to want what you have. Here are three ways to make that that attitude a reality:
Insulate. Choosing to be grateful for what you have is the way to build a layer of insulation around your life that will protect you from focusing on what you don’t have. Taking the time to add up the real cost of that new car you have your eye on, for example, can make your older, albeit paid for, vehicle look a lot better.
Isolate. If you are easily dissatisfied or prone to impulsive behaviors, identify your weak spots then remove yourself from them. Turn off the television. Skip past the magazine ads. Limit your exposure to websites like Pinterest. Isolate yourself from mindless shopping. Toss mail order catalogs in the trash unopened. Put distance between you and temptation. Avoid places you are most likely to slip back into your old ways of spending beyond your means.
Self talk. Confronting yourself is a great way to build your strength against the strong current of temptation to spend beyond your ability to pay. Ask yourself these kinds of questions and then expect honest answers:
- Do I need this?
- Don’t I have something already that will do just as well?
- Am I sure this is a good value?
- Do I have the cash to pay for it?
- Could I delay the purchase for a few weeks?
- Am I willing to sit on my decision for 24 hours before acting?
Never feel you must apologize for choosing the high road when it comes to managing well the money that flows into your life. If you’re embarrassed to say, “I can’t afford it,” don’t say it. Instead respond, “I just don’t choose to spend my money that way.”
Living below your means creates margin between you and the financial edge. It is the way to build wealth, reduce stress and improve your options and that leads to peace of mind.
Living below your means is an honorable way to conduct your life.
Question: Do you see spending less than you earn as a way of life? Can you do it?
I got these words from Mary Hunts’ web page. I suggest you go on her link and look around at her words of wisdom:
http://www.everydaycheapskate.com/marys-perspective/eight-words-to-change-your-life/
I WANT an iPhone. I have a flip phone. I think I'll read her Self talk section again.
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- Do I need this?
- Don't I have something already that will do just as well?
- Am I sure this is a good value?
- Do I have the cash to pay for It?
- Could I delay the purchase for a few weeks?
- Am I willing to sit on my decision for 24 hours before acting?
Eight words to change your life....by Mary Hunt
You hear it all the time, but do you know what it means to live below your means? Have you figured out how to do that? To live below your means is to choose a lifestyle you can pay for with the money you have and still have some money left over.
Living below your means in this high-pressure, credit-based, gotta-have-it-all-right-now society is not exactly easy. It takes skill and determination to go against the tide and buck a system that encourages spending all we have now plus what we hope we’ll get in the future. It takes strength of character to protest against the message that insists that as long as you can get away with it, it’s okay to have what you want now and pay for it later.
Here’s the secret for living below your means in just eight little words: Buy what you need, want what you have. That’s it. Simple, profound and lifechanging once that truth worms its way into your mind and soul.
So how can we truly embrace those eight words and live well in a culture where everywhere we turn we’re tempted to live beyond our incomes? The principle has to become part of the fabric of your belief system. That is the way to choose contentment—to choose joy regardless your situation right this moment. You choose to want what you have. Here are three ways to make that that attitude a reality:
Insulate. Choosing to be grateful for what you have is the way to build a layer of insulation around your life that will protect you from focusing on what you don’t have. Taking the time to add up the real cost of that new car you have your eye on, for example, can make your older, albeit paid for, vehicle look a lot better.
Isolate. If you are easily dissatisfied or prone to impulsive behaviors, identify your weak spots then remove yourself from them. Turn off the television. Skip past the magazine ads. Limit your exposure to websites like Pinterest. Isolate yourself from mindless shopping. Toss mail order catalogs in the trash unopened. Put distance between you and temptation. Avoid places you are most likely to slip back into your old ways of spending beyond your means.
Self talk. Confronting yourself is a great way to build your strength against the strong current of temptation to spend beyond your ability to pay. Ask yourself these kinds of questions and then expect honest answers:
- Do I need this?
- Don’t I have something already that will do just as well?
- Am I sure this is a good value?
- Do I have the cash to pay for it?
- Could I delay the purchase for a few weeks?
- Am I willing to sit on my decision for 24 hours before acting?
Never feel you must apologize for choosing the high road when it comes to managing well the money that flows into your life. If you’re embarrassed to say, “I can’t afford it,” don’t say it. Instead respond, “I just don’t choose to spend my money that way.”
Living below your means creates margin between you and the financial edge. It is the way to build wealth, reduce stress and improve your options and that leads to peace of mind.
Living below your means is an honorable way to conduct your life.
Question: Do you see spending less than you earn as a way of life? Can you do it?
I got these words from Mary Hunts’ web page. I suggest you go on her link and look around at her words of wisdom:
http://www.everydaycheapskate.com/marys-perspective/eight-words-to-change-your-life/
I WANT an iPhone. I have a flip phone. I think I'll read her Self talk section again.
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Friday, August 9, 2013
Missionary Service
We are getting excited as Kristine prepares to leave for her mission to Portland, Oregon soon.
We are happy that Lisa has returned from her missionary service in Argentina. Lisa reminded me that she left for her mission exactly 2 years ago this month.
As you watch the following video, you'll learn about the life of a Mormon Missionary.
We are happy that Lisa has returned from her missionary service in Argentina. Lisa reminded me that she left for her mission exactly 2 years ago this month.
As you watch the following video, you'll learn about the life of a Mormon Missionary.
You can also see the video by clicking here
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Ministry Of Angels
Today my friend and I had a discussion about angels. From our discussion, I was reminded of a talk given by Elder Holland in the October 2008 General Conference about the ministry of angels. Here are some of his thoughts on the topic:
... My beloved brothers and sisters, I testify of angels, both the heavenly and the mortal kind. In doing so I am testifying that God never leaves us alone, never leaves us unaided in the challenges that we face. “[N]or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man [or woman or child] upon the face thereof to be saved.” (Moroni 7:36)....
... I testify that angels are still sent to help us, even as they were sent to help the Savior of the world Himself. Matthew records in his gospel that after Satan had tempted Christ in the wilderness “angels came and ministered unto him" (Matt 4:11). Even the Son of God, had need for heavenly comfort during His sojourn in mortality. And so such ministrations will be to the righteous until the end of time. As Mormon said to his son Moroni:
“Has the day of miracles ceased? Or have angels ceased to appear unto the children of men? Or has he withheld the power of the Holy Ghost from them? Or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man upon the face thereof to be saved?
“Behold I say unto you, Nay; for … it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men. …For behold, they are subject unto [Christ], to minister according to the word of his command, showing themselves unto them of strong faith and a firm mind in every form of godliness"...
...I have spoken here of heavenly help, of angels dispatched to bless us in time of need. But when we speak of those who are instruments in the hand of God, we are reminded that not all angels are from the other side of the veil. Some of them we walk with and talk with—here, now, every day. Some of them reside in our own neighborhoods....Indeed heaven never seems closer than when we see the love of God manifested in the kindness and devotion of people so good and so pure that angelic is the only word that comes to mind....
Elder Holland then tells a wonderful story of an earthly angel that you can watch and/or read about below:
You can also see the above video by clicking here.
May I share with you an account by my friend and BYU colleague, the late Clyn D. Barrus. I do so with the permission of his wife, Marilyn, and their family.
Referring to his childhood on a large Idaho farm, Brother Barrus spoke of his nightly assignment to round up the cows at milking time. Because the cows pastured in a field bordered by the occasionally treacherous Teton River, the strict rule in the Barrus household was that during the spring flood season the children were never to go after any cows who ventured across the river. They were always to return home and seek mature help.
One Saturday just after his seventh birthday, Brother Barrus’s parents promised the family a night at the movies if the chores were done on time. But when young Clyn arrived at the pasture, the cows he sought had crossed the river, even though it was running at high flood stage. Knowing his rare night at the movies was in jeopardy, he decided to go after the cows himself, even though he had been warned many times never to do so.
As the seven-year-old urged his old horse, Banner, down into the cold, swift stream, the horse’s head barely cleared the water. An adult sitting on the horse would have been safe, but at Brother Barrus’s tender age, the current completely covered him except when the horse lunged forward several times, bringing Clyn’s head above water just enough to gasp for air.
Here I turn to Brother Barrus’s own words:
“When Banner finally climbed the other bank, I realized that my life had been in grave danger and that I had done a terrible thing—I had knowingly disobeyed my father. I felt that I could redeem myself only by bringing the cows home safely. Maybe then my father would forgive me. But it was already dusk, and I didn’t know for sure where I was. Despair overwhelmed me. I was wet and cold, lost and afraid.
“I climbed down from old Banner, fell to the ground by his feet, and began to cry. Between thick sobs, I tried to offer a prayer, repeating over and over to my Father in Heaven, ‘I’m sorry. Forgive me! I’m sorry. Forgive me!’
“I prayed for a long time. When I finally looked up, I saw through my tears a figure dressed in white walking toward me. In the dark, I felt certain it must be an angel sent in answer to my prayers. I did not move or make a sound as the figure approached, so overwhelmed was I by what I saw. Would the Lord really send an angel to me, who had been so disobedient?
“Then a familiar voice said, ‘Son, I’ve been looking for you.’ In the darkness I recognized the voice of my father and ran to his outstretched arms. He held me tightly, then said gently, ‘I was worried. I’m glad I found you.’
“I tried to tell him how sorry I was, but only disjointed words came out of my trembling lips—‘Thank you … darkness … afraid … river … alone.’ Later that night I learned that when I had not returned from the pasture, my father had come looking for me. When neither I nor the cows were to be found, he knew I had crossed the river and was in danger. Because it was dark and time was of the essence, he removed his clothes down to his long white thermal underwear, tied his shoes around his neck, and swam a treacherous river to rescue a wayward son.”
My beloved brothers and sisters, I testify of angels, both the heavenly and the mortal kind. In doing so I am testifying that God never leaves us alone, never leaves us unaided in the challenges that we face. “[N]or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man [or woman or child] upon the face thereof to be saved.” (Moroni 7:36) On occasions, global or personal, we may feel we are distanced from God, shut out from heaven, lost, alone in dark and dreary places. Often enough that distress can be of our own making, but even then the Father of us all is watching and assisting. And always there are those angels who come and go all around us, seen and unseen, known and unknown, mortal and immortal.
May we all believe more readily in, and have more gratitude for, the Lord’s promise as contained in one of President Monson’s favorite scriptures: “I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, … my Spirit shall be in your [heart], and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.” In the process of praying for those angels to attend us, may we all try to be a little more angelic ourselves—with a kind word, a strong arm, a declaration of faith and “the covenant wherewith [we] have covenanted.” Perhaps then we can be emissaries sent from God when someone, perhaps a Primary child, is crying, “Darkness … afraid … river … alone.” To this end I pray in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.
You can read/watch the whole talk by Elder Holland by clicking here....and remember the words of Elder Holland: "May we all try to be a little more angelic ourselves..."
I did another blogpost about the ministry of angels. You can read it by clicking here.
... My beloved brothers and sisters, I testify of angels, both the heavenly and the mortal kind. In doing so I am testifying that God never leaves us alone, never leaves us unaided in the challenges that we face. “[N]or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man [or woman or child] upon the face thereof to be saved.” (Moroni 7:36)....
... I testify that angels are still sent to help us, even as they were sent to help the Savior of the world Himself. Matthew records in his gospel that after Satan had tempted Christ in the wilderness “angels came and ministered unto him" (Matt 4:11). Even the Son of God, had need for heavenly comfort during His sojourn in mortality. And so such ministrations will be to the righteous until the end of time. As Mormon said to his son Moroni:
“Has the day of miracles ceased? Or have angels ceased to appear unto the children of men? Or has he withheld the power of the Holy Ghost from them? Or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man upon the face thereof to be saved?
“Behold I say unto you, Nay; for … it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men. …For behold, they are subject unto [Christ], to minister according to the word of his command, showing themselves unto them of strong faith and a firm mind in every form of godliness"...
...I have spoken here of heavenly help, of angels dispatched to bless us in time of need. But when we speak of those who are instruments in the hand of God, we are reminded that not all angels are from the other side of the veil. Some of them we walk with and talk with—here, now, every day. Some of them reside in our own neighborhoods....Indeed heaven never seems closer than when we see the love of God manifested in the kindness and devotion of people so good and so pure that angelic is the only word that comes to mind....
Elder Holland then tells a wonderful story of an earthly angel that you can watch and/or read about below:
May I share with you an account by my friend and BYU colleague, the late Clyn D. Barrus. I do so with the permission of his wife, Marilyn, and their family.
Referring to his childhood on a large Idaho farm, Brother Barrus spoke of his nightly assignment to round up the cows at milking time. Because the cows pastured in a field bordered by the occasionally treacherous Teton River, the strict rule in the Barrus household was that during the spring flood season the children were never to go after any cows who ventured across the river. They were always to return home and seek mature help.
One Saturday just after his seventh birthday, Brother Barrus’s parents promised the family a night at the movies if the chores were done on time. But when young Clyn arrived at the pasture, the cows he sought had crossed the river, even though it was running at high flood stage. Knowing his rare night at the movies was in jeopardy, he decided to go after the cows himself, even though he had been warned many times never to do so.
As the seven-year-old urged his old horse, Banner, down into the cold, swift stream, the horse’s head barely cleared the water. An adult sitting on the horse would have been safe, but at Brother Barrus’s tender age, the current completely covered him except when the horse lunged forward several times, bringing Clyn’s head above water just enough to gasp for air.
Here I turn to Brother Barrus’s own words:
“When Banner finally climbed the other bank, I realized that my life had been in grave danger and that I had done a terrible thing—I had knowingly disobeyed my father. I felt that I could redeem myself only by bringing the cows home safely. Maybe then my father would forgive me. But it was already dusk, and I didn’t know for sure where I was. Despair overwhelmed me. I was wet and cold, lost and afraid.
“I climbed down from old Banner, fell to the ground by his feet, and began to cry. Between thick sobs, I tried to offer a prayer, repeating over and over to my Father in Heaven, ‘I’m sorry. Forgive me! I’m sorry. Forgive me!’
“I prayed for a long time. When I finally looked up, I saw through my tears a figure dressed in white walking toward me. In the dark, I felt certain it must be an angel sent in answer to my prayers. I did not move or make a sound as the figure approached, so overwhelmed was I by what I saw. Would the Lord really send an angel to me, who had been so disobedient?
“Then a familiar voice said, ‘Son, I’ve been looking for you.’ In the darkness I recognized the voice of my father and ran to his outstretched arms. He held me tightly, then said gently, ‘I was worried. I’m glad I found you.’
“I tried to tell him how sorry I was, but only disjointed words came out of my trembling lips—‘Thank you … darkness … afraid … river … alone.’ Later that night I learned that when I had not returned from the pasture, my father had come looking for me. When neither I nor the cows were to be found, he knew I had crossed the river and was in danger. Because it was dark and time was of the essence, he removed his clothes down to his long white thermal underwear, tied his shoes around his neck, and swam a treacherous river to rescue a wayward son.”
My beloved brothers and sisters, I testify of angels, both the heavenly and the mortal kind. In doing so I am testifying that God never leaves us alone, never leaves us unaided in the challenges that we face. “[N]or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man [or woman or child] upon the face thereof to be saved.” (Moroni 7:36) On occasions, global or personal, we may feel we are distanced from God, shut out from heaven, lost, alone in dark and dreary places. Often enough that distress can be of our own making, but even then the Father of us all is watching and assisting. And always there are those angels who come and go all around us, seen and unseen, known and unknown, mortal and immortal.
May we all believe more readily in, and have more gratitude for, the Lord’s promise as contained in one of President Monson’s favorite scriptures: “I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, … my Spirit shall be in your [heart], and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.” In the process of praying for those angels to attend us, may we all try to be a little more angelic ourselves—with a kind word, a strong arm, a declaration of faith and “the covenant wherewith [we] have covenanted.” Perhaps then we can be emissaries sent from God when someone, perhaps a Primary child, is crying, “Darkness … afraid … river … alone.” To this end I pray in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.
You can read/watch the whole talk by Elder Holland by clicking here....and remember the words of Elder Holland: "May we all try to be a little more angelic ourselves..."
I did another blogpost about the ministry of angels. You can read it by clicking here.
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Wake Up, Parents!
My friend shared the blog post listed below on her facebook page. The blog title is called Blood Sweat and Cheers and it is written by Kristine Thompson. This is the link to the blog that I am posting:
http://bloodsweatcheers13.blogspot.com/2013/07/wake-up-and-smell-sexting-parents.html?m=0
Way to parent Kristine Thompson! Thanks for the informative article.
http://bloodsweatcheers13.blogspot.com/2013/07/wake-up-and-smell-sexting-parents.html?m=0
Way to parent Kristine Thompson! Thanks for the informative article.
Blood Sweat and Cheers
Monday, July 8, 2013
Wake Up and Smell the Sexting, Parents!
I will get some criticism for
writing about this, but it’s important for all parents to hear. And when
I say “All”, I mean ALL, even those with babies and younger children.
You need to know what is in store for you, because it’s only going to
get worse.
Sorry in advance, kids. To parents, you’re welcome. Listen up!
My boys would probably say I’m a bit
crazy when it comes to their phones and iPods. Maybe not even “a bit”,
but just downright crazy. I have reason. I have multiple reasons. I have
4 reasons ranging in the ages of 10 to 19. While I try not to invade
privacy, these are my children and I have the right to invade. Anytime.
Anywhere. Anyhow. When they turn 18, I stop invading. Yes, my 19 year
old is now breathing a massive sigh of relief, but it doesn’t mean he
can act-a-fool without getting feedback.
Cell phones are a blessing and a curse. I grew up without one. My kids have a hard time believing that I made it until I was 20 before I had a cell phone. And then it was their dad’s bag phone. My first official cell phone was the monster that had a 20lb battery attached and looked like a VCR with an antenna stuck to the side of your face. I carried that sucker proudly around in my purse (leaving no room in my purse for anything else, mind you). And when I’d get a call, I’d excitedly heave it out of my bag, screw on the antenna, press on the green button 15 times to answer it and stand against a window for reception. Once the call started, I knew I only had a select few minutes to chat because cellular phone charges were highway robbery. I think my first plan was in-state only and it charged me per minute during the day, but it was free nights and weekends. By the evening or weekend, I was so tired from carrying it around, I’d just tell people to call me on my house phone anyway.
Cell phones are a blessing and a curse. I grew up without one. My kids have a hard time believing that I made it until I was 20 before I had a cell phone. And then it was their dad’s bag phone. My first official cell phone was the monster that had a 20lb battery attached and looked like a VCR with an antenna stuck to the side of your face. I carried that sucker proudly around in my purse (leaving no room in my purse for anything else, mind you). And when I’d get a call, I’d excitedly heave it out of my bag, screw on the antenna, press on the green button 15 times to answer it and stand against a window for reception. Once the call started, I knew I only had a select few minutes to chat because cellular phone charges were highway robbery. I think my first plan was in-state only and it charged me per minute during the day, but it was free nights and weekends. By the evening or weekend, I was so tired from carrying it around, I’d just tell people to call me on my house phone anyway.
I’m almost 40 and have been active
in the last 20 years of cell phone evolution. The plans are more
reasonable, and the phones are small and lightweight, so one would say
that it’s improved since 1993.
This “one” would say No, it hasn’t….
I’d like to rewind cell phone
technology back about 10 years with, still, the better plans, but the
simple flip phone. No texting, no apps, just calls. Remember that time
where you actually used a phone to call people? There’s a concept, kids!
I could go on a tangent about how much more personal and important it
is to actually speak to a person, but this is not my rant today. My rant
is focused elsewhere. I’m here to enlighten my fellow moms and dads on
apps – these little things our kids say “Hey, Mom can I buy such-n-such
for 99 cents?” And the parent busy with something else acknowledges and
may or may not make a mental note of “Junior just downloaded the game,
SnapChat”. Guess what, mom. SnapChat is NOT a game. And, guess what
else? Most of the "dangerous" apps are FREE!
I had a MySpace page before my kids
even knew what it was. When my eldest turned 12, he asked to have one.
His dad and I reluctantly agreed under several stipulations: We
set it up with kid controls. We knew the password at all times. And we
would be checking it. Weekly. Daily. Whenever we damn well pleased. Then
Facebook came along and Myspace disintegrated into cyber air. Like the
rest of the world, he migrated over to Facebook, as did I. Same rules
applied. Then Twitter came along. Kids left FB in their dust. This mom
opened a Twitter account. Instagram followed. Mom followed. Notice the
trend? But then things got tricky. Some of the open forum format changed
to apps that you’d have to be invited to, to apps that were just
between two people, to apps that take a quick photo and within seconds
it disappears in cyber space to never be traced. That app? Snapchat.
While I could somewhat regulate social networks (and sometimes not
successfully. Mom-stalking isn’t fool proof), these other apps had this
mom stumped. While investigating on what I could see, I was dumbfounded
by some of things kids were posting for the world to see. Where are
these kids’ parents? Do they know? Do they care? Am I breaking a Mom to
Mom unsaid law by not informing them? I WANT to know. You better tell
me, fellow parents! I will knock a Mann kid out. Look, I’ve seen things
my kids have posted that have made me go “Woah! Oh no he didn’t!!”. They
have had posts removed, comments removed, pictures removed, accounts
deactivated, phones taken, iPods taken, phone service disconnected. Yes,
we went there. They know what is acceptable and what is not. Simply
put:
If you post something that you’d be
embarrassed for your Mom to see, don’t post it.” THAT’s my rule. Like or
not, you break it, we’re going to rumble.
This leads me to alerting parents
who are unaware of the unsaid convenience of, not only texting, but
sharing pics, videos, etc.. I’m not aiming usage of these at just teens,
but sadly preteens and children under the age of 10 as well. Many times
they stumble upon something innocently, whether it’s their peer
cursing, borderline inappropriate content, and even outright TRASH. My
10 year old has a texting app on his iPod. He is not allowed to have a
phone, but we agreed to let him have an app to text me, his dad, his
brothers, and his stepparents. If he wants to call a friend, he can use
my phone. He also has an Instagram account where photos and now videos
are shared. I can see who he follows and what they post. I’ve unfollowed
a dozen or more of his older brothers friends unbeknownst to him,
because of their inappropriate posting and language. I am THISCLOSE to
deleting everyone but family and his 10 year old friends. My 13, 15, and
19 year olds have/had KIK, vine, snapchat, ooVoo and the usual suspects
– Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. At least if you’re going to let
your children have these apps, be informed:
Facebook and Twitter are social
networks. If you don’t know what they are, you need to be hit on the
head with a hammer. Both social networks have Inboxes. Check them
regularly, parents. Don’t assume your kid is making great decisions if
you don’t see anything on their “Wall”. Word to the wise, have them
access Twitter from your iPhone and now ALL notifications come to you
automatically, even inbox messages. Know their passwords. Always.
Instagram: Pros – fun place to share videos and photos. No inbox feature, so everything is “out there”.
Cons – if you don’t keep up with who
your kid is following, you’re being naïve. My 10 year old has 13, 15,
19 year old brothers who all have friends with Instagram accounts. The
chances of him seeing or reading something above his 10 year old sweet,
innocent brain are great. Know their passwords and check Followers and
what they post. Regularly. Unfollow, delete, block, unfollow, delete,
block. Repeat.
Vine: Don’t let the description “The
best way to share life in motion. Create short, beautiful looping
videos in a simple and fun way” mislead you. These looping videos can
actually be a lot of fun to share. My oldest son has made some hilarious
ones, but vine does not regulate Rated G vs Rated X. If your kid has a
vine account or follows someone who posts vine videos, WATCH THEM. Vine
doesn’t know or care if it’s a 21 year old adult or an 8 year old kid on
the receiving end. And remember, even if they don’t have the Vine app,
if the person posts them to Twitter and your kid follows them from their
Twitter account, they can watch them there.
KIK: Instant Messenger. Basically if
you don’t know a person well enough to know their phone number to text
or call them, you can KIK them. My mindset, if you don’t know them “that
well”, you don’t need to chat with them about anything. Ever.
User Reviews on Google for KIK:
“This app is awesome and cool my kik is ________. Kik me no guys jst girls from Detroit. I’m 15. Hit me up.” -
I purposely did not post this person’s KIK name, but I can tell you if I
see my 15 year old’s KIK name on FREAKING GOOGLE for someone to “hit
him up”, he’s going to get “hit up” alright. Hit right upside the head
with his iPhone before I crush it into 10000 pieces. And who’s to say
this is a 15 year old kid and not some 42 year old creep living in his
mother’s basement preying on young girls? Yes, I may have watched one
too many episodes of 20/20, but that shit is real, folks!
“Definitely a great app if you don’t
like giving people your number. It’s just like texting someone. 27 year
old woman looking for friends. KIK is _____________.”
What if that 27 year old woman “looking for friends” is KIKing your 11 year old son?
I will say KIK isn’t horrible if you manage it and know who they’re talking to.
ooVoo: “ooVoo video chat gives you
two things no one else can” (now THERE’s a wide open statement) “Free
multistream video calls with up to 12 people at a time along with
unsurpassed stability and quality.” This is the equivalent to FaceTime
for iPhone users, and Skype. Be the mom or dad peeping over from behind
the dresser to make sure there’s a recognized person on the other end.
And they are age appropriate. And clothed. Better yet, pop a squat
beside your kid and say “What up, home dog?” While
it may deduct a few parental cool points, it’ll start to deter the
caller to have these ooVoo conversations for fear she’ll have to speak
to your super embarrassing mother.
And last, but certainly not least,
SnapChat. Don't let that cute little ghost fool you. The official
description says “The fastest way to share a moment on iPhone”.
Pictures/videos are created, an alert is sent to the receiver, they
watch it and within 10 seconds it’s gone. No record, no trace. Parents,
THINK ABOUT IT.
Snapchat is bad news folks. My
advice is to delete the app if you see it. Period. If they have an
iPhone and want to make a video, they can with the iPhone camera or now
they can do it on Instagram, which has supposedly regulated their site
not to post inappropriate videos. We shall see….
A new app is released quicker than
you can blink. And I find that if weren’t for my parental stalking, I’d
be completely clueless to all the new ways kids are connecting and
sharing information. There are tons I did not cover, but these are the
teen faves. The fiancé and I have 4 teens with smartphones, and 2 ten
year olds with iPod touches. 6 multiplied by these apps equals A LOT to
keep up with. (Ok, 5 since my oldest has graduated to a non-stalking
mom. My eyes are still open in the public forum). In this day and age,
we, as parents, have to look out for our kids and for each other. I
seriously long for the day that my biggest parental concern was cars
coming down the street while they rode bikes. I could see in clear view
the danger. Technology blinds us to danger, a danger of kids growing up a
little fast, knowing more than they should at a young age, and
exchanging inappropriate information for it to only *POOF* disappear
within a 10 second window and we are none the wiser. Don't be the parent
who thinks "My kid would never do that."
Get wise.
I’m the unpopular mom who takes her
kids phone and iPod at bedtime (even during the summer) and plugs them
in my room. As recently as last night, I got the big SIGH when I asked
my 13 year old for his phone. When he’s 18, he can vine, snapchat,
tweet, and kik until hell freezes over. He just better hope it doesn’t
cross a public forum that I see it. Just because they are bigger,
doesn’t mean I still won’t knock a Mann kid out.
I now stand to be on the Most Hated
list by kids because of this blog, but as I’ve seen many post on Twitter
after saying something painful, but true:
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
"Go Ye Into All the World, and Preach The Gospel to Every Creature" (Mark 16:15).
Kristine has taken the scripture from Mark to heart
and has decided to serve a mission for
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Kristine writes: I am
going on a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Not because it's suddenly become the thing to do for young, single, LDS
females, not because I am a college graduate that can't get full time
job, and not because I am seeking for a next adventure in my life. No, I
am going on a mission because I love the Lord. I have a desire to share
with others what has made me so happy.
Krisitne opened her mission call at the bishop's house of our home ward
with some of her friends from Duarte.
We (Scott, Kathleen, Renee, and Sam) were in Idaho visiting Janelle and
Co.
Rachel and Lisa were in Provo. Thank goodness for Google+.
This is Rachel and Lisa watching Kristine as she reads about her mission call.
Kristine is showing her Duarte friends a picture of
her new Mission President, Pres. C. Jeffery Morby
This was our view in Idaho of Kristine as she read her letter from Pres. Monson
with her assignment to serve in Oregon, Portland Mission.
Her report date is October 9, 2013
Her report date is October 9, 2013
Click here to learn how missionaries are assigned to their area of service.
We are very proud of Kristine and her desire to bring
The Gospel of
Jesus Christ
to her brothers and sisters in Oregon.
Click here to learn about why Mormons send missionaries around the world.
Monday, June 10, 2013
Missionaries Are Called by God
Have you ever wondered how missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are assigned to the area where they serve? Elder Rasband explains the process.
You can also see the above video by clicking here
Missionary work is a subject very close to my heart, as it is to every member of the eight Quorums of the Seventy, whom the Lord has appointed to go “before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.” Luke 10:1 Missionary work is the lifeblood of the Church and the lifesaving blessing to all who accept its message.
When the Master ministered among men, He called fishermen at Galilee to leave their nets and follow Him, declaring, “I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19 The Lord extended those calls to humble men so that through them others would hear the truths of His gospel and come unto Him....
...Part of my early training as a new General Authority included an opportunity to sit with members of the Twelve as they assigned missionaries to serve in one of the 300-plus missions of this great Church.
With the encouragement and permission of President Henry B. Eyring, I would like to relate to you an experience, very special to me, which I had with him several years ago when he was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve. Each Apostle holds the keys of the kingdom and exercises them at the direction and assignment of the President of the Church. Elder Eyring was assigning missionaries to their fields of labor, and as part of my training, I was invited to observe.
I joined Elder Eyring early one morning in a room where several large computer screens had been prepared for the session. There was also a staff member from the Missionary Department who had been assigned to assist us that day.
First, we knelt together in prayer. I remember Elder Eyring using very sincere words, asking the Lord to bless him to know “perfectly” where the missionaries should be assigned. The word “perfectly” said much about the faith that Elder Eyring exhibited that day.
As the process began, a picture of the missionary to be assigned would come up on one of the computer screens. As each picture appeared, to me it was as if the missionary were in the room with us. Elder Eyring would then greet the missionary with his kind and endearing voice: “Good morning, Elder Reier or Sister Yang. How are you today?”
He told me that in his own mind he liked to think of where the missionaries would conclude their mission. This would aid him to know where they were to be assigned. Elder Eyring would then study the comments from the bishops and stake presidents, medical notes, and other issues relating to each missionary.
He then referred to another screen which displayed areas and missions across the world. Finally, as he was prompted by the Spirit, he would assign the missionary to his or her field of labor.
From others of the Twelve, I have learned that this general method is typical each week as Apostles of the Lord assign scores of missionaries to serve throughout the world.
Having served as a missionary in my own country in the Eastern States Mission a number of years ago, I was deeply moved by this experience. Also, having served as a mission president, I was grateful for a further witness in my heart that the missionaries I had received in New York City were sent to me by revelation.
After assigning a few missionaries, Elder Eyring turned to me as he pondered one particular missionary and said, “So, Brother Rasband, where do you think this missionary should go?” I was startled! I quietly suggested to Elder Eyring that I did not know and that I did not know I could know! He looked at me directly and simply said, “Brother Rasband, pay closer attention and you too can know!” With that, I pulled my chair a little closer to Elder Eyring and the computer screen, and I did pay much closer attention!
A couple of other times as the process moved along, Elder Eyring would turn to me and say, “Well, Brother Rasband, where do you feel this missionary should go?” I would name a particular mission, and Elder Eyring would look at me thoughtfully and say, “No, that’s not it!” He would then continue to assign the missionaries where he had felt prompted.
As we were nearing the completion of that assignment meeting, a picture of a certain missionary appeared on the screen. I had the strongest prompting, the strongest of the morning, that the missionary we had before us was to be assigned to Japan. I did not know that Elder Eyring was going to ask me on this one, but amazingly he did. I rather tentatively and humbly said to him, “Japan?” Elder Eyring responded immediately, “Yes, let’s go there.” And up on the computer screen the missions of Japan appeared. I instantly knew that the missionary was to go to the Japan Sapporo Mission.
Elder Eyring did not ask me the exact name of the mission, but he did assign that missionary to the Japan Sapporo Mission.
Privately in my heart I was deeply touched and sincerely grateful to the Lord for allowing me to experience the prompting to know where that missionary should go.
At the end of the meeting Elder Eyring bore his witness to me of the love of the Savior, which He has for each missionary assigned to go out into the world and preach the restored gospel. He said that it is by the great love of the Savior that His servants know where these wonderful young men and women, senior missionaries, and senior couple missionaries are to serve. I had a further witness that morning that every missionary called in this Church, and assigned or reassigned to a particular mission, is called by revelation from the Lord God Almighty through one of these, His servants.
Here is a list of the areas in the world where our, parents, siblings, nieces, and nephews have served:
George Magnusson: Tahiti Mission
George and Marian Andrew Magnusson: Utah Provo Mission President
David Magnusson: Chile Mission
Aliece Harms Magnusson: California Los Angeles Mission
Matthew Magnusson: Ecuador Guayaquil North Mission
Julina Magnusson Fernandez: Slovenia Ljubljana Mission (assigned to Croatia)
Enrique Fernandez: Massachusetts Boston Mission (Cambodian-speaking)
Andrew Magnusson : Michigan Detroit Mission
Scott Magnusson: Mexico Mexico City Mission
Scott and Kathleen Harris Magnusson: El Salvador San Salvador West/Belize Mission
Dave Meanea: California San Jose Mission
You can also see the above video by clicking here
Missionary work is a subject very close to my heart, as it is to every member of the eight Quorums of the Seventy, whom the Lord has appointed to go “before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.” Luke 10:1 Missionary work is the lifeblood of the Church and the lifesaving blessing to all who accept its message.
When the Master ministered among men, He called fishermen at Galilee to leave their nets and follow Him, declaring, “I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19 The Lord extended those calls to humble men so that through them others would hear the truths of His gospel and come unto Him....
...Part of my early training as a new General Authority included an opportunity to sit with members of the Twelve as they assigned missionaries to serve in one of the 300-plus missions of this great Church.
With the encouragement and permission of President Henry B. Eyring, I would like to relate to you an experience, very special to me, which I had with him several years ago when he was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve. Each Apostle holds the keys of the kingdom and exercises them at the direction and assignment of the President of the Church. Elder Eyring was assigning missionaries to their fields of labor, and as part of my training, I was invited to observe.
I joined Elder Eyring early one morning in a room where several large computer screens had been prepared for the session. There was also a staff member from the Missionary Department who had been assigned to assist us that day.
First, we knelt together in prayer. I remember Elder Eyring using very sincere words, asking the Lord to bless him to know “perfectly” where the missionaries should be assigned. The word “perfectly” said much about the faith that Elder Eyring exhibited that day.
As the process began, a picture of the missionary to be assigned would come up on one of the computer screens. As each picture appeared, to me it was as if the missionary were in the room with us. Elder Eyring would then greet the missionary with his kind and endearing voice: “Good morning, Elder Reier or Sister Yang. How are you today?”
He told me that in his own mind he liked to think of where the missionaries would conclude their mission. This would aid him to know where they were to be assigned. Elder Eyring would then study the comments from the bishops and stake presidents, medical notes, and other issues relating to each missionary.
He then referred to another screen which displayed areas and missions across the world. Finally, as he was prompted by the Spirit, he would assign the missionary to his or her field of labor.
From others of the Twelve, I have learned that this general method is typical each week as Apostles of the Lord assign scores of missionaries to serve throughout the world.
Having served as a missionary in my own country in the Eastern States Mission a number of years ago, I was deeply moved by this experience. Also, having served as a mission president, I was grateful for a further witness in my heart that the missionaries I had received in New York City were sent to me by revelation.
After assigning a few missionaries, Elder Eyring turned to me as he pondered one particular missionary and said, “So, Brother Rasband, where do you think this missionary should go?” I was startled! I quietly suggested to Elder Eyring that I did not know and that I did not know I could know! He looked at me directly and simply said, “Brother Rasband, pay closer attention and you too can know!” With that, I pulled my chair a little closer to Elder Eyring and the computer screen, and I did pay much closer attention!
A couple of other times as the process moved along, Elder Eyring would turn to me and say, “Well, Brother Rasband, where do you feel this missionary should go?” I would name a particular mission, and Elder Eyring would look at me thoughtfully and say, “No, that’s not it!” He would then continue to assign the missionaries where he had felt prompted.
As we were nearing the completion of that assignment meeting, a picture of a certain missionary appeared on the screen. I had the strongest prompting, the strongest of the morning, that the missionary we had before us was to be assigned to Japan. I did not know that Elder Eyring was going to ask me on this one, but amazingly he did. I rather tentatively and humbly said to him, “Japan?” Elder Eyring responded immediately, “Yes, let’s go there.” And up on the computer screen the missions of Japan appeared. I instantly knew that the missionary was to go to the Japan Sapporo Mission.
Elder Eyring did not ask me the exact name of the mission, but he did assign that missionary to the Japan Sapporo Mission.
Privately in my heart I was deeply touched and sincerely grateful to the Lord for allowing me to experience the prompting to know where that missionary should go.
At the end of the meeting Elder Eyring bore his witness to me of the love of the Savior, which He has for each missionary assigned to go out into the world and preach the restored gospel. He said that it is by the great love of the Savior that His servants know where these wonderful young men and women, senior missionaries, and senior couple missionaries are to serve. I had a further witness that morning that every missionary called in this Church, and assigned or reassigned to a particular mission, is called by revelation from the Lord God Almighty through one of these, His servants.
George Magnusson: Tahiti Mission
George and Marian Andrew Magnusson: Utah Provo Mission President
David Magnusson: Chile Mission
Aliece Harms Magnusson: California Los Angeles Mission
Matthew Magnusson: Ecuador Guayaquil North Mission
Julina Magnusson Fernandez: Slovenia Ljubljana Mission (assigned to Croatia)
Enrique Fernandez: Massachusetts Boston Mission (Cambodian-speaking)
Andrew Magnusson : Michigan Detroit Mission
Scott Magnusson: Mexico Mexico City Mission
Scott and Kathleen Harris Magnusson: El Salvador San Salvador West/Belize Mission
Dave Meanea: California San Jose Mission
David Wood: Dominican Republic Santiago Mission
Lisa Magnusson Warren: Argentina Salta Mission
Ryan Warren: Portugal Porto Mission
David Anderson: North Carolina Charlotte Mission
Kristine Magnusson Jeppson: Oregon Portland Mission
Bryce Jeppson: Spain Madrid Mission
Samuel Magnusson: Chile Rancagua Mission
Makelle Worthington Magnusson: Spain Barcelona Mission
Stan Albrecht: Argentina Córdoba Mission
Stan and Karen Magnusson Albrecht: Tijuana México Temple
Stan and Karen Magnusson Albrecht: Seattle Washington Temple Presidency
Mark Johnson: Santo Domingo East Dominican Republic Mission
Jon Walker: Australia Brisbane Mission
Bryce Albrecht: Mexico Culiacán Mission
Mallory Rhead Albrecht: New Jersey Morristown Mission (Spanish-speaking)
Jay Albrecht: Chile Viña del Mar Mission
Marissa Albrecht: Florida Fort Lauderdale Mission
Dane Albrecht: Colombia Bogotá North Mission
Alec Albrecht: Ecuador Guayaquil North Mission
Tiffany Nielson Albrecht: Nicaragua Managua Mission
Laurel Albrecht: New Mexico Albuquerque Mission
Eric Magnusson: Ohio Columbus Mission
Evan Magnusson: Italy Milan Mission
Jared Magnusson: Portugal Lisbon Mission
Spencer Magnusson: Florida Tallahassee Mission
Craig Harris: Mexico Veracruz Mission
Craig and Lynn Peterson Harris: Church Service Missionaries–Hosting Conference Center
Alan Harris: Argentina Córdoba Mission
Shane Harris: Mexico Veracruz Mission
Douglas Harris: Uruguay Montevideo Mission
Trenton Adams: Argentina Neuquen Mission
David Landry: Argentina Neuquen Mission
Brennan Shaffer: Kentucky Louisville Mission
Jason Harris: Bolivia Cochabamba Mission
Russell Harris: Spain Madrid Mission
Christy Beckstrom Harris: Costa Rica San Jose Mission
Spencer Harris: Armenia Yerevan Mission
Trenton Harris: Uruguay Montevideo West Mission
Taylor Howard: Mexico Tijuana Mission
Alexander Stewart : Mexico Pachuca Mission
Lisa Magnusson Warren: Argentina Salta Mission
Ryan Warren: Portugal Porto Mission
David Anderson: North Carolina Charlotte Mission
Kristine Magnusson Jeppson: Oregon Portland Mission
Bryce Jeppson: Spain Madrid Mission
Samuel Magnusson: Chile Rancagua Mission
Makelle Worthington Magnusson: Spain Barcelona Mission
Stan Albrecht: Argentina Córdoba Mission
Stan and Karen Magnusson Albrecht: Tijuana México Temple
Stan and Karen Magnusson Albrecht: Seattle Washington Temple Presidency
Mark Johnson: Santo Domingo East Dominican Republic Mission
Jon Walker: Australia Brisbane Mission
Bryce Albrecht: Mexico Culiacán Mission
Mallory Rhead Albrecht: New Jersey Morristown Mission (Spanish-speaking)
Jay Albrecht: Chile Viña del Mar Mission
Marissa Albrecht: Florida Fort Lauderdale Mission
Dane Albrecht: Colombia Bogotá North Mission
Alec Albrecht: Ecuador Guayaquil North Mission
Tiffany Nielson Albrecht: Nicaragua Managua Mission
Laurel Albrecht: New Mexico Albuquerque Mission
Eric Magnusson: Ohio Columbus Mission
Evan Magnusson: Italy Milan Mission
Jared Magnusson: Portugal Lisbon Mission
Spencer Magnusson: Florida Tallahassee Mission
Craig Harris: Mexico Veracruz Mission
Craig and Lynn Peterson Harris: Church Service Missionaries–Hosting Conference Center
Alan Harris: Argentina Córdoba Mission
Shane Harris: Mexico Veracruz Mission
Douglas Harris: Uruguay Montevideo Mission
Trenton Adams: Argentina Neuquen Mission
David Landry: Argentina Neuquen Mission
Brennan Shaffer: Kentucky Louisville Mission
Jason Harris: Bolivia Cochabamba Mission
Russell Harris: Spain Madrid Mission
Christy Beckstrom Harris: Costa Rica San Jose Mission
Spencer Harris: Armenia Yerevan Mission
Trenton Harris: Uruguay Montevideo West Mission
Taylor Howard: Mexico Tijuana Mission
Alexander Stewart : Mexico Pachuca Mission
This display in our home is a daily reminder of blessings that have come to family members through missionary service. Each flag represents the state or country where Magnussons have served including ourselves, our children, and their spouses.
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