December 15, 2024
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With the Christmas season approaching, I’ve chosen to focus on a message of hope. The holidays are such a joyous time, but for some, they can also be a truly difficult time. Our Heavenly Father, in His infinite love and understanding, knew the challenges we would face. He knew how lonely and troubled we would sometimes feel. So, in times of special need, He sent angels to bless us, reassure us, and remind us that His help is always near.
Mary was sent an angel when she found out she was to be the mother of the Son of God. An Angel appeared to Joseph in a dream to tell him of his divine mission. Angels brought the good news of the Savior's birth to shepherds in the field, and we read in the
scriptures that angels even rejoiced and sang with joy over the Savior's birth. These heavenly messengers were sent to guide, uplift, and encourage those who needed strength in their time of uncertainty.
The scriptures tell of numerous stories of angels that over heavenly help. But Elder Holland reminds us that there are other angels to assist us when he says,
“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.”
One of the highlights of our year is when the youth of our ward come together to serve the children of the Special Needs Primary in a special Christmas activity. We set up various games and activities for the children to enjoy. Each child is paired with a youth buddy for the activity. I’ve watched in awe as our youth serve these precious children. I see them act as ministering angels, showing love and compassion, doing their best to make their Christmas brighter. But I’ve also witnessed how these special children, in their pure, innocent ways, become angels to our youth. There is a beautiful exchange of unconditional love and service that is a testimony to me that our Heavenly Father never leaves us alone.
Like the scriptures say,
“I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, ... my spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you to bear you up.” (D&C 84:88)
This season, I challenge each of you to be earthly angels. Pray to know who to reach out to, and how to serve. I promise you that as you do, you will experience the miracles of both heavenly and earthly angels in your life. I have seen firsthand through the amazing example of the youth, how the smallest acts of love, the smallest gestures of kindness, can have a profound and lasting impact.
May we all find ways to be angels to those around us this holiday season, bringing light, hope, and comfort to those who need it most.
This week's message provided by: Sister Andrea Rose (Young Women's Presidency)
December 8, 2024
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A “Cadence of Regularity” and The Transformative Power of Gratitude
Recently, in a council of “Teaching in the Savior’s Way - Home Centered” led by Brother and Sister Mark and Michelle Lalli, we were taught a very important foundational gospel principle regarding the consistency of our faith in action. The phrase that Brother Lalli used that caught my attention was, “cadence of regularity.” In business terms, “cadence describes how often something happens on a regular schedule. It can apply to many work-related activities, including team meetings, performance reviews, and project updates.” Brother Lalli continued by applying this vital phrase in describing the importance of our spiritual cadence in our daily routines to include faith, prayer, scripture study, living our covenant path, and showing gratitude that leads to the Holy Ghost being our constant companion. President Russell M. Nelson made this statement: “In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.”
Tis the season, Gratitude holds a sacred place in The Church of Jesus Christ, where it is deeply intertwined with principles of faith, humility, and eternal perspective. The scriptures, particularly in the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants, frequently emphasize the importance of giving thanks to God in all circumstances. This focus on gratitude is not simply a moral directive but a pathway to joy and a means of drawing closer to Heavenly Father. By cultivating gratitude, members of the Church align their hearts with divine will, allowing the Holy Ghost to guide their lives more effectively.
In the teachings of Jesus Christ, gratitude is often framed as an antidote to pride and discouragement. President Thomas S. Monson once taught, “A grateful heart… comes through expressing gratitude to our Heavenly Father for His blessings and to those around us for all that they bring into our lives.” This principle resonates deeply in a culture that values humility and acknowledges reliance on God. For example, the tradition of family prayers and blessings before meals reflects a conscious effort to remember the Giver of all good things. Gratitude becomes a means of resisting entitlement and focusing instead on the abundance already present in one’s life, even amidst trials.
The theme of gratitude is also pivotal when we participate in service and community. The doctrine of eternal families fosters a culture of appreciation for loved ones, while service opportunities, such as humanitarian efforts and ministering assignments, remind members to count their blessings by helping others. Acts of service often lead to increased gratitude, creating a cycle where giving and receiving build spiritual strength. In this context, gratitude extends beyond personal reflection—it is a communal practice that strengthens Zion by fostering unity and compassion.
Finally, our spiritual culture encourages an eternal perspective, which transforms the way members view gratitude. Trials and challenges, rather than being sources of despair, are seen as opportunities for growth and refinement. The promise of the resurrection and eternal life, made possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, serves as the ultimate source of gratitude. Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf taught, “Being grateful in our circumstances is an act of faith in God.” For Latter-day Saints, gratitude is more than a fleeting emotion; it is a covenantal practice that shapes their relationship with God and their fellow beings, grounding them in hope and divine love.
The process of harnessing the quintessential and eternal love of our heavenly father through his only begotten son, Jesus Christ requires each of us to experience the transformational power of gratitude. I hope and pray that we all can engage our lives into a “cadence of regularity” to be able to genuinely feel of the divine goodness and warmth of our Savior’s love this holiday season by accepting the opportunity to serve and be served through gratitude. I testify that I know our Savior Jesus Christ, lives and loves each one of us personally, for which I am eternally grateful for, and write this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
This week's message provided by: Brother Clark Stringfellow (Sunday School Presidency)
December 1, 2024
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For a really fun, long-running family event, go to https://www.familysearch.org/discovery/ and scroll down to “Ancestors Calendar.” If you click on the picture, you can sign up to receive daily reminders of ancestors’ births, weddings and deaths, and where the events took place. If it were not for them, you would not be and it is great to remember them!
This week's message provided by: Brother Dean Becker (Ward Temple & Family History Consultants)
November 24, 2024
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Knowing that missionary work includes both sides of the veil, and having more successful experiences with the other side in helping people come unto Christ than on this side, I will share what works for me.
I have mentioned before that during our mission to China, I began to dream about babies. In the dreams, babies would be surrounding me and I was responsible for feeding them and getting them to sleep. I couldn't understand what it meant but knew it was a message--more than a dream. When we returned from serving in Africa, I finally got involved in Familysearch.org. I learned that since census records were only taken every 10 yrs, then children who were born and died during that 10 yr period were never recorded. I began searching cemetery records where my ancestors were buried and found a number of children that way and also in obituaries. I finally realized what those dreams had meant.
Recently I have been submitting names of ancestors for temple work by searching descendants of all the ends of my ancestry lines. I have found hundreds of names of babies and children who need only to be sealed to their parents. So many died in the 1700 and 1800's. I have dreams only once in a while now about babies and I know it means I better do more submissions. So I turn on the computer and start where I left off and sure enough I find at least a dozen more names of babies. The Lord cares about every single person!
This week's message provided by: Sister Connie Rose (Ward Missionaries)
November 17, 2024
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Elder Uchtdorf has taught us that “Never before has it been more important to learn how to correctly discern between truth and error.”
The scriptures are full of stories of men and women who misinterpreted truth. The apostate Korihor, after leading many away from the truth, confessed that the devil had deceived him to the point where he actually believed that what he was saying was the truth.
In the Book of Mormon, both the Nephites as well as the Lamanites created their own “truths” about each other. The Nephites “truth” about the Lamanites was that they “were a wild and ferocious, and a blood-thirsty people, never able to accept the gospel. The Lamanites “truth” about the Nephites was that Nephi had stolen his brother’s birthright and that Nephi’s descendants were liars who continued to rob the Lamanites of what was rightfully theirs. These “truths” fed their hatred one for another until it finally consumed them all.
So often the truths we tell ourselves are merely fragments of the truth and sometimes they are not really the truth at all.
Because of a humble heart and seeking for truth, Joseph Smith discovered if a man lacked wisdom, he could ask of God and that truth really will be given to him. As we accept the responsibility to seek after truth with an open mind and humble heart, we will become more tolerant of others, more open to listen, more prepared to understand, more inclined to build up instead of tearing down, and more willing to go where the Lord wants us to go.
President Monson said, “Our Heavenly Father will never leave you alone to wander in the dark. You need not be deceived.”
This week's message provided by: Sister Jane Aird (Relief Society President)
November 10, 2024
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This year as we study the Book of Mormon we are studying words of Prophets who testify of Christ. What is a testimony?
Elder Richard G Scott shares:
In this uncertain world, there are some things that never change: the perfect love of our Heavenly Father for each of us; the assurance that He is there and will always hear us; the existence of absolute, unchanging truths; the fact that there is a plan of happiness; the assurance that success in life is attained through faith in Jesus Christ and obedience to His teachings because of the redemptive power of His Atonement; the certainty of life after death; the reality that our condition there is set by how we live here. Whether one does or does not accept these truths does not alter their reality. They are the fundamental building blocks of a living testimony. A strong testimony is the unshakable foundation of a secure, meaningful life where peace, confidence, happiness, and love can flourish. It is anchored in a conviction that an all-knowing God is in command of His work. He will not fail. He will keep His promises.
He further states “Your personal security and happiness depend upon the strength of your testimony, for it will guide your actions in times of trial or uncertainty.”
In Primary we are focusing on “I can testify of Jesus of Christ”. Each child will be sharing part of their testimony as they follow the instructions of Pres. Nelson as he sounded the the clarion call…”I call upon you to talk of Christ, testify of Christ, have faith in Christ, and rejoice in Christ!”
This week's message provided by: Sister Shara Mills (Primary President)
November 3, 2024
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Some of you might recall a story I told in a Sacrament meeting talk last Year- About my older Aaronic Priesthood advisor- Bro Peterson- giving a lesson about Temples. In the new addition to the ward house- we added a 2nd floor with a nice southeast view right at the Logan Temple. Bro. Peterson- pointed at the Temple & said - ,"Young men- in your lifetimes- there will be hundreds of temples that will dot all corners of the earth! " (Now this was 1968- & I think we had 14 temples!) My buddy nudged me & said Brother Peterson is starting to lose it! The idea of HUNDREDS of Temples were beyond our imagination!
Now as of the recent General conference, we are well beyond 300+ operating- under construction or announced Temples! And, Pres Nelson has announced more than half of them in a relatively short time frame!
Up until her death a few years ago, my dear Mother - seemed to say the same quote after each Gen. Conference..." Now that was the best Gen Conference...ever!" After the conference a few weeks ago, I kept hearing comments similar to what Mom would say. No doubt- it was a wonderful/ inspiring & memorable conference!
Brother Dave Smith- summarized his takeaways from the conference in his recent testimony, "Hope, Joy, & Strength!" I agree & would add a few more, Love, Fidelity, Embrace, Holiness, Serve, Invite & Happiness!
A few others, Quotes:- Elder Soares," Align Yourself w God!" Sister Browning, Resisting obedience to God's commandments-May prolong or delay spiritual growth!"
And my Logan friend, Elder Stevenson, the next 10 years will be memorable & historic! We'll witness hundreds of temple open houses, The Olympics in Utah & our Bi- centennial!
So much going on in the church right now- & we are blessed to live it and witness it!
Yes- there is much Joy- Hope & Happiness, our future is bright!
This week's message provided by: Brother Scott Thompson (Ward Temple & Family History Consultants)