Nourishing Our Testimonies

Sacrament Talk
Inspired by Elder S. Mark Palmer, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, and President Russell M. Nelson
Date: August 31, 2025
Ward: Sugarmill Ward

My Brothers and Sisters,

As I prayed, studied, and pondered Elder S. Mark Palmer’s General Conference talk, “Return Unto Me…That I May Be Healed,” I found myself wrestling with what message Heavenly Father wanted me to share. Speaking to my ward family about the invitation to return to church left me—well—stumped. No pun intended, as you’ll soon hear the story of the willow tree.

But I sensed there was more. So I turned to the footnotes. Through the Spirit, it became clear: this message wasn’t just for those who’ve stepped away. It’s for their loved ones. For our “friends” learning about the gospel. For new converts. For those quietly struggling. And for the rest of us, wherever we are on the path of discipleship. We all need deeper nourishment at the roots of our testimonies.

Elder Palmer begins his message with a story about a willow tree in his yard that was nearly destroyed by a storm. It lay toppled, its roots torn and exposed. He was ready to cut it up for firewood when his neighbor rushed over and stopped him. Pointing to a single root still anchored in the ground, the neighbor urged him to give the tree a chance: “Prop it up, trim the branches, nourish it—and the roots will take hold again.”

Skeptical but moved by his neighbor’s faith in the tree’s future, Elder Palmer followed the advice. And in time, signs of life returned—the tree began to take root once more.

Brothers and Sisters, I believe many of us know someone whose testimony was once strong and vibrant, like that willow tree. Then, through personal trials or quiet drift, their spiritual roots weakened, and faith was lost. Others still cling to the gospel with the slimmest of roots—barely holding on, yet still drawing life from the soil of truth.

Elder Palmer shared several poignant stories of individuals who confided in him about why they had left the Church—and how they found their way back. What stood out most to me wasn’t the reasons they left, but the way they returned. The common thread in each story was the quiet power of love. Their families and ward members created an environment rich in spiritual nutrients: love, acceptance, and patience.

Just like the willow tree, these individuals didn’t need judgment or pruning from others—they needed nourishment. And when they received it, their roots began to take hold again.

Elder Palmer speaks directly to those who once felt the Spirit but now wonder if there’s a way back—or even a place for them—in the restored Church of Jesus Christ. He also reaches out to those barely hanging on or tempted to step away.

“This message,” he says, “is not a challenge, and it is not a condemnation. It is an invitation—extended with love and a sincere desire to welcome you back to your spiritual home.”

He offers five gentle pieces of counsel, each one echoing the healing of the willow tree:

1. Focus your faith on Jesus Christ and His gospel—the trunk and the roots that anchor everything.
2. Be patient as your faith and testimony begin to grow again.
3. Nourish your testimony with spiritual sunlight—scripture, prayer, and connection.
4. Stay sensitive to the Spirit, just as the willow needed sunshine to regrow its branches and leaves.
5. Trust in the Savior’s healing power—because the Lord knows your divine potential and will never give up on you. Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, all that is broken can be healed.

In his October 2024 General Conference address, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf offered a powerful reminder: “Nourish the roots, and the branches will grow.” He taught that “Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice are the root of our testimony. All other things are branches. Without a connection to the Savior, to the nourishment found in the roots, a branch withers and dies.”

If we want our testimonies to grow and bear fruit, we must nourish the roots—our relationship with Jesus Christ. That means seeking clarity through faith, striving to understand, and following Him with humility. As our faith deepens, the branches of our testimony will draw strength and begin to flourish.

Elder Uchtdorf reminds us that strong faith doesn’t happen overnight. In this mortal world, it’s the thorns and thistles of doubt that grow effortlessly. A healthy, fruitful tree of faith requires intentional effort—and that effort begins with being firmly rooted in Christ.

He also invites us to reflect on what our testimonies are built upon. Are they rooted in Jesus Christ, or are they dependent on the actions and attitudes of others? Are they steady in all circumstances, or do they sway with the winds of disappointment?

Elder Uchtdorf gives two examples that struck me deeply:

First, we may be initially drawn to the gospel because of the warmth of the missionaries, the kindness of the members and the bishop, or the beauty of the chapel. But, if our testimony never grows deeper than those surface impressions, what happens when the missionaries are transferred, a member or the bishop says something that offends us, or the building isn’t quite as welcoming?


Second, it’s natural to hope that keeping the commandments and being sealed in the temple will lead to a picture-perfect life—a large, happy family, obedient children, and joyful service in the Church. But what if it doesn’t happen that way? Will we remain bound to the Savior, trusting His timing and His plan, even when life unfolds differently than we expected?

To those who feel spiritually uprooted or weary, Elder Palmer and Elder Uchtdorf offer reassurance: “Our testimony will be tested and tried. Faith is not faith if never tested. Faith is not strong if never opposed.” So if you’re facing trials of faith or wrestling with unanswered questions—don’t despair. That struggle is part of the growing process.

A testimony isn’t something we build once and expect to stand untouched. It’s more like a living tree—one that must be nourished constantly. Planting the word of God in our hearts is only the beginning. As Alma teaches, once our testimony begins to grow, “then ye must nourish it with great care, that it may get root, that it may grow up, and bring forth fruit.” That takes “great diligence” and “patience.”

Storms will come. Branches may break. But if even one root remains—anchored in Christ—there is hope. And with love, light, and spiritual nourishment, life can return.

President Russell M. Nelson, in his April 2022 General Conference address “The Power of Spiritual Momentum,” reminds us: “Momentum is a powerful concept. We all have experienced it in one form or another.”

He warns that “we have never needed positive spiritual momentum more than we do now,” as the speed and intensity of evil in the world continue to escalate. Amid pandemics, natural disasters, and armed conflict, spiritual momentum is what keeps us moving forward—what helps us withstand the adversary’s relentless efforts to erode our foundation of faith.

President Nelson teaches that spiritual momentum is not accidental—it’s built through intentional choices. Obedience, love, humility, service, and gratitude are just a few of the actions that ignite it. He offers five specific ways to maintain and build that momentum:

1. Get on the covenant path—and stay there.
2. Discover the joy of daily repentance.
3. Learn about God and how He works.
4. Seek and expect miracles. Few things accelerate spiritual momentum more than recognizing that the Lord is helping you move a mountain in your life.
5. End conflict in your personal life.

These actions nourish our spiritual roots. They help us grow strong, resilient branches—capable of bearing fruit even in stormy seasons.

In closing, I’d like to speak directly to the parents—especially those whose hearts ache for children who have wandered. There is a quote that has given me deep hope, understanding, and faith. In his April 1929 Conference Report, Elder Orson F. Whitney said:

“You parents of the willful and the wayward! Don’t give them up. Don’t cast them off. They are not utterly lost. The Shepherd will find His sheep. They were His before they were yours—long before He entrusted them to your care; and you cannot begin to love them as He loves them… Though some of the sheep may wander, the eye of the Shepherd is upon them… Either in this life or the life to come, they will return… Pray for your careless and disobedient children; hold on to them with your faith. Hope on, trust on, till you see the salvation of God.”

This is the promise of the gospel. This is the power of spiritual momentum. Whether we are nourishing our own roots or praying over the roots of someone we love, the Savior is near. His grace is sufficient. His timing is perfect. And His love is deeper than we can comprehend.

My Brothers and Sisters, may we be diligent in nourishing the roots of our testimonies. May we move forward with momentum—anchored in Christ, guided by our Prophet, and strengthened by the Spirit. As we do, we will be able to withstand the fiery darts of the adversary and help others find their way back to the fold.
 

I leave this with you with love and in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Never Give Up and Opportunity to Testify of Christ

President Bonnie H. Cordon, Young Women General President

Sacrament Talk by Marcie Molnar

May 28, 2023

“14 Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the God of Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world.

15 And it came to pass that the multitude went forth, and thrust their hands into his side, and did feel the prints of the nails in his hands and in his feet; and this they did do, going forth one by one until they had all gone forth, and did see with their eyes and did feel with their hands, and did know of a surety and did bear record, that it was he, of whom it was written by the prophets, that should come.”

In her April 2023 General Conference talk, Sister Bonnie H. Cardon, shared:

“We live in a fallen world, with distractions coaxing our eyes and hearts downward instead of heavenward. Much like the Nephites in 3 Nephi 11, we need Jesus Christ. Can you imagine yourself there, among people who had experienced so much chaos and destruction?”

I might add Brothers and Sisters, are we not ourselves witnessing chaos and destruction in our world today?

She goes on to say: “What would it be like to hear the Lord’s personal invitation…” to ARISE AND COME FORTH UNTO ME.”

“These Nephites eagerly went forward to thrust their hands into His side and feel the prints of the nails in His hands and feet so they could witness for themselves that this was the Christ…”

Twenty-three years ago, our youngest son Peter had the opportunity to play the very small role of “Fish Boy” in the Church production of “Finding Faith in Christ.” Since he was just a young 7-year-old, I had the opportunity to escort him while on the set. We were handed his costume from a large circular clothing rack, and directed to the trailer for make-up. There we were in the company of the actors who played the twelve apostles. The only makeup Peter required with his already very tanned summer body, was to dirty up his fingernails and parts of his recently showered face and extremities. We then all loaded up into a cargo van, and were shuttled to the site on the far side of Utah Lake. When we arrived, the extras were already dressed and in their places, sitting on the boulders and rocks waiting for the arrival of the actor, Thomas Kofod, who played the Savior in the Church production of The Testaments: Of One Fold and One Shepherd. 

It was exceptionally quiet on the set and I was immediately touched by the Spirit. Peter was directed to his spot in the midst of the crowd. Unannounced, at least within my earshot, Thomas Kofod ascended from the other side of the boulders and proceeded down the hill until he approached my son. My tears flowed freely as I realized what a sacred experience this was for me. There was my small child being asked by the Lord if he would share his basket of bread and fish with him. Peter responded with a simple, “Yes!”

Brothers and Sisters, I did not have the opportunity to touch the Savior or feel the prints on his hands or his feet, but with this experience, I felt perhaps an inkling of what it must have been like for those who had been in the physical presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Sister Cardon asked, “Are WE as anxious to witness for ourselves as the multitudes did in the scriptures? Are the blessings we seek less needful than theirs?”

“When Christ physically visited the Nephites at their temple, His invitation was not to stand at a distance and look upon Him,” as I had to on the set, “but to touch Him, to feel for themselves the reality of the Savior of humankind. How can WE draw close enough to gain a personal witness of Jesus Christ? While we may not enjoy the same physical proximity as those who walked with Christ during His earthly ministry, through the Holy Ghost we can experience His power every day! As much as we need!”

Sister Cardon shared with us the story of her father who once counseled her with urgency, “Bonnie, never give up an opportunity to testify of Christ.”

She said, “It seemed as though he was saying, “Bonnie, don’t let the world overtake you! Stay true to your covenants with the Savior. Seek to experience His blessings every day, and be able to testify through the Holy Ghost of His power and presence in your life!”

“Through President Russell M. Nelson, we have received countless invitations and have been promised glorious blessings if we will center our lives on our Savior, Jesus Christ.”

“As we choose to seek Christ, the Spirit will witness of Him in many different situations. These witnesses of the Spirit occur as we fast, pray, wait, and continue forward. Our closeness to Christ grows through worshipping frequently in the temple, repenting daily, studying scriptures, attending church and seminary, pondering our patriarchal blessings, worthily receiving ordinances, and honoring sacred covenants. All of these invite the Spirit to enlighten our minds, and they bring added peace and protection. But do we honor them as sacred opportunities to testify of Christ?”

Sister Cardon resumes: “ Feast on the Spirit with purpose. There is power in making these holy habits less of a checklist and more of a witness. The process will be gradual but will grow with daily, active participation and purposeful experiences with Christ. As we consistently act on His teaching, we gain a testimony of Him; we build a relationship with Him and our Heavenly Father. We begin to become like Them.”

We are a covenant people brothers and sisters, and we are admonished to stay on the covenant path. But it’s more than that. We need to understand that this is a covenant RELATIONSHIP with our Savior and we need to build and strengthen that relationship with him and with our Father in Heaven and with the Holy Ghost.

Many of you are aware of the great excitement we felt as we prepared ourselves to join our Lecanto Ward family in the summer of 2021. I especially felt great joy to be back in what is often referred to as “The Mission Field”. Having joined the church in California, but living in Utah for 22 years, I was ready to share the gospel with the people in Florida. Life however often throws a curve ball. Like most of you, we are no strangers to adversity and within a month of being here, our trials hit us hard. Then as a typical reaction, one began to doubt:

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland once shared, “Beware the temptation to retreat from a good thing. If it was right when you prayed about it and trusted in it, it is right now. At times there is nothing more we can do but muster up enough faith, strength, and courage to forge ahead.”

Then I was once again reminded of the following scripture:

“And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.” Ether 12:6

As Sister Cardon said, “The adversary creates so much noise that it can be difficult to hear the Lord’s voice. Our world, our challenges, and our circumstances will not get quieter, but we can and must hunger and thirst after the things of Christ to “hear Him” with clarity. We want to create muscle memory of discipleship and testimony that will bring into focus our reliance on our Savior each day.”

Let me repeat that, “We want to create muscle memory of discipleship and testimony that will bring into focus our reliance on our Savior each day.”

Ironically, in January of 2022, our dear Bishop called us to be ward missionaries. Because of our individual medical situations, I wasn’t certain how well we would be able to perform our responsibilities. I do know however, that when the Lord calls you, he qualifies you and provides you with that mantle and the abilities and tools to do all that he desires for you to accomplish IF you have the faith, roll up your sleeves, and get to work.

Over these past 16-plus months, I have worked hard to focus on HIM and not on my challenges. They are still there and at times often raging, but just as Sister Cardon’s father counseled her to never give up an opportunity to testify of Christ,” I have found that by sharing my testimony as a Ward Missionary with our new friends, neighbors and even strangers on the street, that I have been blessed with incredible relief, strength, tender mercies, and even miracles.

I take comfort in the words of President Russell M Nelson as he has warned us that “In the coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.”

Sister Cardon has invited us to “look for Christ everywhere–I promise He is there. True joy rests on our willingness to come closer to Christ and witness for ourselves.”

She goes on to say, “We know that in the last days, “every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess” that Jesus is the Christ. I pray this witness will become a normal and natural experience for us now—that we will take every opportunity to joyfully testify: Jesus Christ lives!

During the October 2022 General Conference, our dear prophet Russell M. Nelson shared the following words:

“I assure you that our Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, love you. They are intimately aware of your circumstances, your goodness, your needs, and your prayers for help. Again and again, I pray for you to feel Their love for you.

Experiencing Their love is vital, as it seems that we are accosted daily by an onslaught of sobering news. You may have had days when you wished you could don your pajamas, curl up in a ball, and ask someone to awaken you when the turmoil is over.

But, my dear brothers and sisters, so many wonderful things are ahead. In the coming days, we will see the greatest manifestations of the Savior’s power that the world has ever seen. Between now and the time He returns “with power and great glory,” He will bestow countless privileges, blessings, and miracles upon the faithful.”

What incredible blessings we have as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. People often say, “I don’t know where I would be without the Church and the Gospel in my life. My brothers and sisters, I do. I was there, but there are so many who are in need of what we have. They need to hear from us. So again, Never Give Up an Opportunity to Testify of Christ, to share what you have, your story, your knowledge, your testimony. Do not be reluctant to be bold and invite others to attend Game Night, come to church, meet with the missionaries, and join our family and the Lord’s true Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The blessings are there for ALL.

This I say in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Why Marriage, Why Family

 

Elder D. Todd Christopherson, 

General Conference, April 2015

Sacrament Talk, February 27, 2022

One Christmas from the pulpit, a dear childless sister in our ward sang a beautiful musical number, from Michael McLean’s The Forgotten Carols. My tears flowed freely as I heard the familiar words:

Mary let me hold her baby

Her newborn son

Though I'd never be a mother

I felt like one

After sacrament, I approached this dear sister to offer a hug and express my sincere appreciation. Her words were sharp as she coldly gazed into my eyes and asked how I could possibly relate since I had my boys. My response was simple, at least it was to me, as I replied, “Because there was a time I thought I would never have children of my own.”

The topic of marriage and family can be painful to many brothers and sisters in the church. I want YOU to know that I am sensitive to this. Like many of you, I am a convert. I did not come from pioneer heritage. I did not have parents who were members of the church; the priesthood blessings were therefore not in my home growing up. I had no experience in Primary or Young Women’s, and for ten years of marriage, five of those being a member of the Church, I did not believe that I would ever have children of my own. Although Paul and I have been married now for 42 years, we admit that we do not have the perfect marriage or family.

So, as I share with you words of wisdom from the talk by Elder D. Todd Christofferson on “Why Marriage, Why Family”, I do so knowing that this topic may be difficult for many in this congregation. So I want to begin by sharing the following words that are embedded within the body of this talk with the hopes that you will understand what is said here today with an open heart and with an understanding of how great the love our Heavenly Father has for each one of his children.

Elder Christofferson says, “To declare the fundamental truths relative to marriage and family is not to overlook or diminish the sacrifices and successes of those for whom the ideal is not a present reality. Some of you are denied the blessing of marriage for reasons including a lack of viable prospects, same-sex attraction, physical or mental impairments, or simply a fear of failure that, for the moment at least, overshadows faith. Or you may have married, but that marriage ended, and you are left to manage alone what two together can barely sustain. Some of you who are married cannot bear children despite overwhelming desires and pleading prayers.

Even so, everyone has gifts; everyone has talents; everyone can contribute to the unfolding of the divine plan in each generation. Much that is good, much that is essential—even sometimes all that is necessary for now—can be achieved in less than ideal circumstances. So many of you are doing your very best. And when you who bear the heaviest burdens of mortality stand up in defense of God’s plan to exalt His children, we are all ready to march. With confidence, we testify that the Atonement of Jesus Christ has anticipated and, in the end, will compensate all deprivation and loss for those who turn to Him. No one is predestined to receive less than all that the Father has for His children.”

Brothers and sisters, we likely all know someone who is struggling in their marriage or with their children. Families are falling apart and members are finding themselves attending church alone with their children, while their spouse is home claiming to have no more desire to be a part of the fold. We know who the enemy is!

Elder Christofferson says,

“In the premortal world, Lucifer rebelled against God and His plan, and his opposition only grows in intensity. He fights to discourage marriage and the formation of families, and where marriages and families are formed, he does what he can to disrupt them. He attacks everything that is sacred about human sexuality, tearing it from the context of marriage with a seemingly infinite array of immoral thoughts and acts. He seeks to convince men and women that marriage and family priorities can be ignored or abandoned, or at least made subservient to careers, other achievements, and the quest for self-fulfillment and individual autonomy. Certainly, the adversary is pleased when parents neglect to teach and train their children to have faith in Christ and be spiritually born again. Brothers and sisters, many things are good, many are important, but only a few are essential.”

The Prophet Joseph Smith stated that “Satan cannot seduce us by his enticements unless we in our hearts consent and yield. Our organization is such that we can resist the devil; if we were not organized so, we would not be free agents.”

Elder Christofferson refers to an article In the Wall Street Journal, The Global Flight from the Family by Nicholas Eberstadt, which reads: “People may be loyal to one another in nonmarital relationships, and children can be born and raised, sometimes quite successfully, in other than a married two-parent family environment. But on average and in the majority of cases, evidence of the social benefits of marriage and of the comparatively superior outcomes for children in families headed by a married man and woman is extensive.

Eberstadt catalogs the worldwide declines in marriage and childbearing and the trends regarding fatherless homes and divorce and observes: “The deleterious impact on the hardly inconsequential numbers of children disadvantaged by the flight from the family is already plain enough. So too the damaging role of divorce and out-of-wedlock childbearing in exacerbating income disparities and wealth gaps—for society as a whole, but especially for children. Yes, children are resilient and all that. But the flight from family most assuredly comes at the expense of the vulnerable young. That same flight also has unforgiving implications for the vulnerable old.”

The Family: A Proclamation to the World reads:

“...we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.”

It also states in The Proclamation that “The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.”

In an article written by me in 2018 on The Wisdom of Grandparents, it reads: “Traditions can play a huge role in nurturing a healthy family. The experience of growing up with generations can be vital to a child’s well-being. It provides a sense of security in an often confusing and tumultuous world our little ones have to endure. Grandparents provide a child with a trusting resource in times of questions and concerns. The more pillars of strength in a family unit, the more stable one may feel.

The Proclamation blesses us with the knowledge that “The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.”

The final paragraph in The Proclamation reads: “We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.”

And in my personal experiences might I be specific by adding to that list, lawyers, judges, therapists, clergymen, social workers, guardian ad litems, and the like. How wonderful it would be if all involved worked together in the best interest of the children and the family unit.

Elder Christofferson ends his talk with this, “May we each find approval in His sight. May marriages flourish and families prosper, and whether our lot is a fulness of these blessings in mortality or not, may the Lord’s grace bring happiness now.”

Brothers and sisters, whether you are part of a family, have a family of your own, have a circle of individuals who are a family by choice, remember that you are a member of this great ward family and worldwide church.

I would like to leave you with the words of the sweet primary song, “The Family is of God,”:

Our Father has a family. It’s me!
It’s you, all others too: we are His children.
He sent each one of us to earth, through birth,
To live and learn here in fam’lies.

God gave us families
to help us become what He wants us to be—
This is how He shares His love,
for the fam’ly is of God.

I leave these words with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Ice Cream

Christmas 2012

There are two little angels,
That are a part of me;
Two little angels,
Sitting near the tree.
Innocent and precious,
Filled with Christmas joy;
One little girl,
And one little boy.
Seven long years and waiting,
So hard to be apart;
But memories are forever,
And always in the heart.
The future holds the blessings,
Counting down the days;
God only, has the answers,
Trusting in His ways.
"Patience is a virtue",
Not always learned by choice;
To be endured in solitude,
Outwardly, with poise.
I wish you Merry Christmas,
From here upon the hill;
Looking down and forward,
I LOVE you --
ALWAYS will...
--YiaYia 12/18/19

Life Happens - The Importance of Self-Reliance

Sacrament Talk – August 12, 2018

South Pass Ward - Eagle Mountain

The Best Laid Plans

“The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” - Robert Burns

According to legend, Robert Burns was plowing in the fields when he accidentally

destroyed a mouse's nest, which it needed to survive the winter. In fact, Burns's brother claimed that the poet composed the poem “To A Mouse” in 1785 while still holding on to his plow. 

In the early morning hours of mid-January, 1999, I received a powerful message from Heavenly Father to move to Utah. He then added a simple command, “and hurry!”

Fast forward. Nine months later, we unloaded our moving van in Orem, Utah. Two days later, Paul returned to California. That next morning the Lord spoke to me again, letting me know that “many great and marvelous blessings” were in store.

After 19 months of being separated as a family with Paul struggling to sell our business in California, he was finally able to join us in Orem. We knew that the Lord wanted us in Utah and with a leap of faith, followed his direction. Once here however, smooth sailing was not part of our experience.

The economy in Utah was struggling and finding employment was difficult for Paul. A few years later, we found ourselves in a financial crisis and my family began doubting that the prompting I had received was of God.

Angels Among Us

In addition to requiring assistance from the Church for a time, we found ourselves being recipients of homemade goodies, bags of food at Thanksgiving, and a jar of coins at Christmas-time, all anonymously left on our doorstep.

One evening our sons attended a combined youth activity. It was advertised as an International Dinner.  John and Peter complained about the theme, but I encouraged them to attend stating that at least they would get a good meal!  Sadly, that was not the case. The youth were divided up and our sons by the luck of the draw, ended up in second and third world countries.  While eating mush, rice and beans, those sitting right next to them were served steak and potatoes. Through tears, I had shared with my close friend in the ward what had happened.  Understanding why this was hard for me, she later showed up on our doorstep with a package of steaks and a bag of potatoes.

Being in a position where you are forced to put aside your pride is not easy. Paul and I have always enjoyed being able to be “givers”. Accepting help from the church and our neighbors was very difficult. There is a difference between eating hot dogs because you want to, as opposed to eating them because that’s all you can afford.

One of the changes we had to make with our finances was to eliminate car debt. Since I was a stay-at-home mom at the time, we decided to become a one-car family. Later, I started a pre-school in our home to help out while still being able to be there for our sons. To keep some sense of normalcy in our lives for the boys’ sake, we continued with their martial arts program trading my help at the dojo for a discount in their tuition. I grew up without a car in our home and we walked everywhere, so walking three-quarters of a mile to karate was not a huge sacrifice to me. With bags and equipment in tow, we were fortunate that at this point in time, that the weather was not an issue.  Paul was able to pick us up after work and we would worry about winter when the time came.

One day a neighbor approached Paul with keys and title to a used Nissan pick-up. The truck was rusty, had no power steering and no air-conditioning. He simply stated, “I should have done this a long time ago.” Paul then drove the truck to work and the boys and I were able to use the car.

The question is often asked, “do bad things always happen because of our choices or does God place experiences before us”? I believe both are true. While the prompting to move was real and every step of the way in the process was nothing short of a miracle, life happens. Like the little mouse who built his nest to survive the winter, things don’t always go as planned.  To be fair however, we made some poor choices leading up to this time in our lives and through this experience, we were forced to take a good hard look at them.

The State of Self-Reliance

Our family has been blessed with more in our lives than our parents had. As an uneducated immigrant, my father struggled to provide for our family. We never owned our own home or a car, but never had to reach out for assistance. While I have considered myself blessed to have more than my parents did, I have also found that we were not self-reliant. When met with financial challenges, one of the first things that we realized was our bondage to debt. Soon our ability to only make minimum payments on our credit cards, gave way to increased balances, due to accumulated interests.

While Paul and I both have some college under our belts, we have come to realize that one’s limitations are magnified when searching for employment without college experience beyond an Associate’s Degree. Not continuing my education is one of my biggest regrets. Each time I have committed to returning to school, life presented situations that prevented me from doing so.

Last January I signed up to take the Self-Reliance course offered through the Church, on Education for Better Work. I truly felt that it was going to happen this time. Shortly after the course started however, I learned that the company I was working for was in the middle of an acquisition. There was so much up in the air with my job that I knew once again that I could not make that commitment.

In May, as I had expected, my nearly 10 year employment with the company ended shortly after the acquisition was finalized. Again, life happens! Fortunately we had learned from our experience and are basically debt free. Although it feels virtually impossible to be 100% self-reliant unless your home is paid for and you are living off the land, doing your best is critical. While the course I selected for Self-Reliance, did not lend itself to obtaining my delayed degree, there was much gained by completing the course during the critical time.

Temporal and Spiritual

Some well meaning individuals will often say to one struggling financially, “It’s not about money.” Brothers and sisters, if you have not experienced this yet for yourself, I testify to you that when you are having to account for every penny that slips through your fingers and are doing without, especially when you have children to consider, it’s all about money.

President Dallin H Oaks said, “Whatever causes us to be dependent on someone else for decisions or resources we could provide for ourselves, weakens us spiritually and retards our growth toward what the gospel plan intends for us to be.”

In President Dieter F Uchtdorf’s talk, Providing in the Lords Way, he said, “The two great commandments—to love God and our neighbor—are a joining of the temporal and the spiritual. It is important to note that these two commandments are called “great” because every other commandment hangs upon them. In other words, our personal, family, and Church priorities must begin here. All other goals and actions should spring from the fountain of these two great commandments—from our love for God and for our neighbor.”

“Like two sides of a coin, the temporal and spiritual are inseparable.”

“... our spiritual progress is inseparably bound together with the temporal service we give to others.”

“The one complements the other. The one without the other is a counterfeit of God’s plan of happiness."

The Lord’s Way

President Uchtdorf goes on to say, “…the Lord’s way of caring for the needy is different from the world’s way. The Lord has said, “It must needs be done in mine own way.” He is not only interested in our immediate needs; He is also concerned about our eternal progression. For this reason, the Lord’s way has always included self-reliance and service to our neighbor in addition to caring for the poor.”

By following the Lord’s way, not only are our immediate needs met, but we also develop self-reliance, alleviate suffering, and grow in love and unity as we serve each other.

One of our first experiences of service in the church was to assist a ward family whose paint business had just burned to the ground. We all met at the site, were organized into several lines where we handed off buckets of paint with the last person dumping the contents into a large drum for removal.

Several years ago, a brother in our ward needed a new roof on his home.  Our Relief Society President had previously had the vision of putting together a booklet which included each member and their individual skills and areas of expertise. A group was then rounded up and the roof was installed in a day.

We Are All Enlisted

A former Bishop of ours once said from the pulpit, “What happens to one happens to all.”

President Uchtdorf said:“This very hour there are many members of the Church who are suffering. They are hungry, stretched financially, and struggling with all manner of physical, emotional, and spiritual distress. They pray with all the energy of their souls for succor, for relief.”

He goes on to say, “Brethren, please do not think that this is someone else’s responsibility. It is mine, and it is yours. We are all enlisted. “All” means all—every Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthood holder, rich and poor, in every nation. In the Lord’s plan, there is something everyone can contribute.

The lesson we learn generation after generation is that rich and poor are all under the same sacred obligation to help their neighbor. It will take all of us working together to successfully apply the principles of welfare and self-reliance.

Too often we notice the needs around us, hoping that someone from far away will magically appear to meet those needs. Perhaps we wait for experts with specialized knowledge to solve specific problems. When we do this, we deprive our neighbor of the service we could render, and we deprive ourselves of the opportunity to serve…The Lord has placed His priesthood and its organization at our doorsteps in every nation where the Church is established. And, right by its side, He has placed the Relief Society.

The Lord’s way is not to sit at the side of the stream and wait for the water to pass before we cross. It is to come together, roll up our sleeves, go to work, and build a bridge or a boat to cross the waters of our challenges. You men of Zion, you priesthood holders, are the ones who can lead out and bring relief to the Saints by applying the inspired principles of the welfare program! It is your mission to open your eyes, use your priesthood, and go to work in the Lord’s way.”

Through our own personal trials, we have seen what financial bondage can do to a family and how it can rob you not only of temporal peace, but of your spiritual well being, for they are inseparable. I testify to you that I have seen the blessings that come from being independent and self-reliant, especially in the face of life’s storms. It may be extremely difficult, but we have the Lord on our side. “President Henry B. Eyring said, “When you do your part, the Lord adds His Power.”

John 10:10 reads, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

Through the scriptures there are countless verses that express the Lord’s desires to bless us, both spiritually and temporally. It is important that we understand the purpose however. The importance of being independent and self-reliant is not just for our own sake but so that we can be strong and stable enough to provide help and resources to others when needed.

We know that Enoch built a Zion society through the spiritual process of creating a people of one heart and one mind and the temporal work of ensuring that there were “no poor among them.”

Remember the Sabbath Day

Sacrament Talk - September 25, 2016
Southpass Ward - Eagle Mountain, UT

On May 12th, 1985, Paul and I entered the waters of baptism. On this sacred day, we made a covenant with God. We promised to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ, always remember Him, keep His commandments, and serve Him to the end.

We soon learned that there were many sacrifices to be made as members of the Church. Exodus 20:8 reads: Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. With both of us working full-time outside of the home and Paul’s typical 12-14 hour work days, our weekends were filled with family chores, including yardwork in a state where there is no winter reprieve. This pretty much took two days to accomplish. In addition, the nearest temple at the time was the Los Angeles Temple which was two hours away.

1 Nephi 3:7 reads: “And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.”

This was the first scripture that I memorized and it soon became my motto. If I was going to be a member of the church, I knew I had to evaluate my life and not only make changes, but do it with enthusiasm. (A bit of a side note. Enthusiasm comes from the Greek word “entheos” which translates into “with God”.) I knew that we had to sit down as a family, and come up with a plan on how we were going to fit all this into one day, even sacrificing certain chores on the Saturdays that we attended the temple. Then I began to consider all the things I no longer HAD to do, instead of what I didn’t get to do.

Elder Holland said of the Sabbath, “I plead with you not to see Sunday as a day of negative rules and stifling restrictions or a day of tedious duty or a day devoid of any pleasure or joy. Any such view could not be farther from the truth.”

In the revelation from the Lord given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, in Doctrine and Covenants 59, we are told that by keeping the Lord’s day holy, the saints will be blessed both temporally and spiritually, that our joy may be full. That we must do so with a glad heart and a cheerful countenance.

In Elder Holland’s plea to the youth which can apply to us all, he counsels: “The Sabbath is for our physical rest and renewal. This earthly experience gives us a mortal body that becomes tired, fatigued and weary. It does require respite from our weekday work, but it is more than that.”

He goes on to say, “This brings us to our second reason for Sabbath observance. The Sabbath is for the regeneration and strengthening of our spiritual being as well as for our physical bodies. The Sabbath focuses us on eternal things. The sacrament is a weekly reminder that directs our

thoughts to the Savior, toward that one great source of our salvation and our need to repent so that we might qualify for the full blessings of His Atonement and Resurrection. Although we should be repenting all the time, the Sabbath and the sacrament give us the opportunity to really set aside worldly cares and to concentrate on our spiritual improvement.

The Sabbath provides a day, uninterrupted from worldly cares, to concentrate on heaven, on all
that our Father in Heaven is and has done for us. In worshipping Him, we come to know Him and love Him, and we develop a greater resolve to follow Him. For at least one day a week, we’re not tarnished by the world because we’re hardly even in it. For at least one day, we’re into scriptures, prayer, faith, family, friends, service, repentance, and the sacrament.

Elder Russell M. Nelson said, “I learned from the scriptures that my conduct and my attitude on the Sabbath constituted a sign between me and my Heavenly Father. With that understanding, I no longer needed lists of dos and don’ts. When I had to make a decision whether or not an activity was appropriate for the Sabbath, I simply asked myself, ‘What sign do I want to give to God?’ That question made my choices about the Sabbath day crystal clear”.

Brigham Young speaking of the saints who take the Sabbath day lightly said that they are “weak in the faith. Gradually, little by little, little by little, the spirit of their religion leaks out of their hearts and their affections, and by and by they begin to see faults in their brethren, faults in the doctrines of the Church, faults in the organization…”

President Hinckley said that one of his concerns was “our tendency to take on the ways of the world.” He added: “We don’t adopt them immediately, but we slowly take them on, unfortunately. I know our people would be more richly blessed of the Lord if they would walk in faithfulness in the observance of the Sabbath”

In the words of Sheri Dew, one of my personal favorites, “Helaman’s stripling warriors performed “every word of command with exactness” and “were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted” In other words, they kept their covenants with precision. They clearly understood that a half-hearted effort to keep the Sabbath day holy or to be morally clean or to tell the truth is no effort at all. Joseph Smith didn’t declare that we usually believe in being “honest, true, chaste, benevolent, [and] virtuous” On Mount Sinai the Lord didn’t say, “Thou shalt rarely covet”; or “Thou shalt not steal very often”.” He said “Thou shalt not,” clearly delineating the line between integrity and infidelity, a line that when we cross we risk losing control of our thoughts, motives, and actions.”

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, in his conference talk in October of 2012, "Of Regrets and Resolutions,” said this, speaking of laying up for ourselves treasure in Heaven, “How do we do this? By following the example of the Savior, by incorporating His teachings in our daily lives, by truly loving God and our fellowman.

“We certainly cannot do this with a dragging-our-feet, staring-at-our-watch, complaining-as-we-go approach to discipleship.”

"When it comes to living the gospel, we should not be like the boy who dipped his toe in the water and then claimed he went swimming. As sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father, we are capable of so much more. For that, good intentions are not enough. We must do. Even more important, we must become what Heavenly Father wants us to be."

Elder Holland also counseled the saints on our Sunday attire: “…from ancient times to modern we have always been invited to present our best selves inside and out when entering the house of the Lord—and a dedicated LDS chapel is a “house of the Lord.” Our clothing or footwear need never be expensive, indeed should not be expensive, but neither should it appear that we are on our way to the beach. When we come to worship the God and Father of us all and to partake of the sacrament symbolizing the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we should be as comely and respectful, as dignified and appropriate as we can be. We should be recognizable in appearance as well as in behavior that we truly are disciples of Christ.

In Sheri Dew’s book, God Wants a Powerful People, she states: Today’s casual society has produced an informality that has now crept into nearly every aspect of our culture, including sadly even Sabbath day worship. Particularly among women, there is a regrettable tendency to wear into the chapel and then partake of the emblems of the sacrament in the same clothing one might wear to the mall or the park, or even as Elder Holland suggested, to the beach.

What is wrong with this? Isn’t it enough just to show up at church.

The chapel is an ordinance room. What takes place there every Sabbath day is an ordinance in which we have the privilege of presenting ourselves before the Lord and committing once again to follow and serve Him. The Sabbath day is a holy day, set aside to worship the Risen Lord. Do we reverence that day, and would our reverence be apparent to others?”

President Henry B. Eyring counsels, “As the challenges around us increase, we must commit to do more to qualify for the companionship of the Holy Ghost. Casual prayer won’t be enough. Reading a few verses of the scripture won’t be enough. Doing the minimum of what the Lord asks of us won’t be enough. Hoping that we will have the Atonement work in our lives and that we will perhaps sometimes feel the influence of the Holy Ghost won’t be enough. And one great burst of effort won’t be enough. Only a steady, ever-increasing effort will allow the Lord to take us to higher ground.”

Brothers and sisters, we need to be true to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to the commandments. Ask yourself, “What sign do I want to give to God?” Therein we will feel good about ourselves. We will find joy, blessings and strength, even as the challenges around us increase with great speed. We need to encourage and uplift our family members, friends and neighbors to do the same, in a kind, loving, patient nature or if nothing else, by example. I pray that we can all recommit ourselves to keeping the Sabbath Day holy with a power that will make the adversary cower in our presence. This is my prayer, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Sacrament Talk – February 21, 2016

It was the summer of 1993. Debra and Howard took their five children on vacation to Arizona to visit their grandparents. One morning while they were still in bed, Debra suffered a seizure which necessitated a call to 911, and a trip to the local hospital. After several tests, it was determined that Debra had a tumor on her brain stem. It was inoperable. Medication was prescribed and instructions were given for Debra to see her family doctor as soon as they returned back home to California.

While back at his parent’s home, Howard made sure that Debra was comfortable in bed before rushing off to the local pharmacy. The oldest daughter was instructed to watch over her younger siblings. At this point, not much was shared with the children. Grandma stayed with Debra until she needed to leave for a moment to retrieve a bed pan. When she returned, Debra had suffered another seizure. Paramedics arrived and worked hard to resuscitate her. She was rushed back to the hospital where she was placed on life support.

At home in Fallbrook, California, our phone rang. I was quietly nursing Peter, then just four months old. Paul answered the phone and his silence told me that something was wrong. As he hung up the receiver, I stated, “It’s Debra, isn’t it?” The Spirit had told me during a conversation with her weeks before, that something was not right.

In an effort to protect the children, Tom 15, Michelle 12, John 10, Michael 5 and Rachael just 5 months old, it was decided that they would not be permitted to see their mother in this condition.

Just two days later, Debra was taken off life-support. It was a very difficult decision for Howard to make, but as a project scientist specializing in cancer research UCSD, he understood his options. The entire stake grieved greatly for this family.

Debra was just a year older than I was when she passed away. Rachel was just one month older than my youngest, Peter. It hit very close to home for me, but In addition to my grief, I was confused.

Sometime after our first son was born, we invited Debra and Howard over for dinner. Paul had served in a Bishopric with Howard before the ward had split and Howard was called as the Bishop of the newly organized 4th ward. Although we were no longer in the same ward, we remained close friends. During our dinner conversation, we had asked Debra and Howard if they would consider raising our children if something were to happen to both of us. They had agreed. Why then, I wondered, would I feel so strongly about asking them when the Lord knew that Debra’s life would be cut short?

Howard hired a nanny to help care for the children. On many levels, this did not work out well for the family and eventually the nanny was let go. When Rachel was about two –and-a-half, Howard asked me if I would watch her while he was at work. He also requested that I be available as an emergency contact for the other children while they were at school. Having lost my father at 16, I had also made a special effort to become a close aunt-like figure to his daughter Michelle. It was at this point that I saw Heavenly Father’s plan clearly. The inspiration to ask the question of Debra and Howard, was so that I would feel a deep connection to them and a great desire to be there for my sister in the gospel and her family, in their time of need. There were many great challenges for Howard and his family, but during the time that I served them, I had the opportunity to feel Debra close by and experienced great support, even blessings from above.

Michelle now 34, lives in Eagle Mountain with her own little family, and we remain close friends. Like all of us who experience the loss of a loved one, she will always miss her mother and forever feel that void. She once told me that she was sad that she never really felt her mother nearby like she knew that I often had. I told her that I had no doubt that she was near and aware of Michelle, but that perhaps it was that way so that she would continue to have a connection with me so that she had someone close by to reach out to in time of need. I believe strongly, that this was Heavenly Father’s plan all along.

Sadly, in 2011 Michelle (and her husband Ben) suffered another loss. Michelle was at her sister’s BYU orientation, and instantly knew something was wrong with her baby. At 25 weeks into the pregnancy, Mailia was still born.

I don’t believe that any of us are immune from experiencing adversity in our lives. I know that I personally have had my own share. I also know that whatever trial I am currently experiencing, will not be my last and the lessons learned are not usually made clear until the trial is behind me. I feel like the Lord gives me just enough of a reprieve to gather strength, before the next one comes along.

It appears to me that everyone in my circle of family and friends is enduring great challenges right now. Some would say that it’s my age and because most of my family and friends are older and it’s just expected that it’s nearing their time to pass on from this life. But I am seeing young children, teenagers and even many in their 30’s and 40’s being taken home at an increasing rate. My dear cousin Andrea was recently placed on hospice. She is in her mid-forties.

At my age, I have seen many great changes in the world and in our nation. I often think that our kids are immune because they haven’t seen the world any other way. It’s not my parent’s world anymore. Truthfully, it’s not even my world!

In 1776, Thomas Paine wrote in The American Crisis:

THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives everything its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods…

In Sheri Dew’s book, “If Life Were Easy, it Wouldn’t be Hard – And Other Reassuring Truths”, she writes:

“While we have been assigned to take the test of mortality during the most spiritually rigorous and demanding time in the world’s history, we have not been left alone.”

We all know the basic answers to how we can find strength. I have put together my top 8 tools that I feel our Father has given us to help us on our journey. I share them with you with the hope that they will if needed, rekindle the fire within us to stand tall, to be brave, valiant, and to endure the challenges that we face.


1. Our Savior Jesus Christ:

In Matthew 11: 28, the Lord lovingly offers help. He promises to be there for us as we covenant with him:

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

In Doctrine and Covenants 84:88, he also promises:

“And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.”

2. A Living Prophet:

As members of the Lord’s church, we are so blessed to have a living prophet. What especially comforts me is that he is not a prophet of doom. We may be counseled and warned, but HOPE is always the message. We may not understand his message, but the Lord tells us in Doctrine and Covenants 1: 38

“What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.”

We have to exercise FAITH that our Father in Heaven has the bigger picture. Our understanding is so limited by our experiences and perspectives.

3. The Holy Spirit:

There is a reason that the Holy Ghost is called a GIFT and the COMFORTER. He works in PERFECT unity with the Savior and our Heavenly Father to help us live righteously and receive the blessings of the gospel. If we keep ourselves clean, he is there by our side.

He “witnesses of the Father and the Son” and reveals and teaches “the truth of all things”. We can receive a sure testimony of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ only by the power of the Holy Ghost. His communication to our spirit carries far more certainty than any communication we can receive through our natural senses.

As we strive to stay on the path that leads to eternal life, the Holy Ghost can guide us in our decisions and protect us from physical and spiritual danger.

4. Prayer:

“When we pray, God hears more than we say, answers more than we ask, gives more than we imagine in his own time and in his own way.” – author unknown

Brigham Young said: “Were I to draw a distinction in all the duties that are required of the children of men, from first to last, I would place first and foremost the duty of seeking unto the Lord our God until we open the path of communication from heaven to earth – from God to our own souls. Keep every avenue of your hearts clean and pure before him”

5. The Scriptures

Wouldn’t it have been wonderful to actually hear the Savior’s words as He spoke them? The scriptures tell us how we can still hear his voice today:

“Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart” (D&C 8:2)

If I Listen with My Heart, is one of the Primary songs for this year’s program. The first verse like this:

If I had been a little child when Jesus lived on earth,

I would have liked to walk with Him and listen to His words,

But as I search the scriptures I can hear His words of peace,

And if I listen with my heart I hear the Savior’s voice.

6. Seek for Spiritual Gifts:

Elder Bruce R. McConkie said: “Is it proper to seek for spiritual gifts? Should we plead with the Lord for the gift of prophecy, or of revelation, or of tongues? Is it fitting and right to pray for the soul-sanctifying privilege of seeing the face of the Lord Jesus while we yet dwell as mortals in a sin-filled world? Does the Lord expect us to desire and seek for spiritual experiences, or do the divine proprieties call for us simply to love the Lord and keep his commandments, knowing that if and when he deems it proper he will grant special gifts and privileges to us?

By way of answer, it almost suffices to ask such questions as these: Are we not expected to seek salvation, the greatest of all the gifts of God? Why, then, should we not prepare ourselves for the greatest of all boons by seeking the enjoyment of the lesser ones?”

Through the Holy Ghost, we can receive gifts of the Spirit for our benefit and for the benefit of those we love and serve

7. Charity

Sheri Dew writes:

“Charity is not an emotion or an action. It is not something we feel or do. Charity is who the Savior is. It is His most defining and dominant attribute. It is what enabled Him to endure the Garden and the cross for you and me. It is one of the things that makes Him God. Thus when we plead for the gift of charity, we aren’t asking for lovely feelings toward someone who bugs us or someone who has injured or wounded us. We are actually pleading for our very natures to be changed, for our character and disposition to become more and more like the Savior’s, so that we literally feel as He would feel and thus do what He would do. That explains why Mormon said that when the Savior appears, those who have been gifted with charity “shall be like him,” for they shall “see him as he is” (Moroni 7:48)”

8. Miracles

Look for miracles! This has become a motto of mine. Look for them, acknowledge them, give thanks, and remember them and from where they came…

One of my favorite quotes by Elder Holland begins with 2 Kings 6:16-17:

“Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha"

“In the gospel of Jesus Christ you have help from both sides of the veil, and you must never forget that. When disappointment and discouragement strike--and they will--you remember and never forget that if our eyes could be opened we would see horses and chariots of fire as far as the eye can see riding at reckless speed to come to our protection. They will always be there, these armies of heaven, in defense of Abraham's seed.”

My brothers and sisters, as we go through our often rocky life here on this earth, how blessed we are to know that we are not alone. Our beloved Father in Heaven loves us enough to have sent us his only begotten son to provide the way for us to return home. Our Savior simply asks that we come unto him, place our burdens at his feet and he will give us rest. It is through him, our living prophets, the gift of the Holy Spirit, the power of Prayer, the ability to hear his voice through the scriptures, the blessing of spiritual gifts, the understanding of charity, and marvelous miracles that we can and will feel hope, comfort and peace during tumultuous times. This is my prayer for us all, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.