Words can...

"Words" from Christian rock band Hawk Nelson. 

The lyrics read, 

"Words can build us up. Words can break us down. 

 Start a fire in our hearts or put it out."

What do our words say to others.  Well a youth group in Pleasant Grove Utah Mount Mahogany Stake 4th Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints wanted to see if positive words could have an impact on people. They were surprised at how quickly they found out. 

This unexpected youth activity taught a group of young men and women the power of positive words and is now reaching beyond the small group to thousands.

The young men wrote words and phrases about each young woman while the girls were in another room. They then had each girl come into the room to be surprised with the positive words from the boys. 

The girl's reactions were more enthusiastic than Johnson or the young men had anticipated.  The girls enjoyed their experience so much, they all stayed in the room to watch as the rest of the girls came in and read the kind words written about them.

Watch the video here:

Tim Johnson, art director at KSL Television, was one of the leaders

 in charge of the combined teen activity. 

The Saratov Approach

The Saratov Approach 
 

 

Larry King said, “It was a wonderful film."

DVD & BluRay

The Saratov Approach is the extraordinary, untold story of Elders Travis Tuttle and Andrew Propst and their week-long abduction in Saratov, Russia.

On an ordinary day during their two-year LDS missions, these two missionaries are approached by Nikolai to meet a friend. But what followed took them into an unimaginable experience--kidnapped, beaten, and held for ransom for nearly a week--on the other side of the world.

While their families, friends and the world pray for their safe return, Tuttle and Propst are tested physically, emotionally and—most of all—spiritually.

In just two weeks, the indie has grossed nearly

$500K on only 23 screens.

Andrew Stewart

Film Reporter

@Variety_Stewart

Read Meridian Magazine's article now

Like a Broken Vessel

Gentle frowny face man

So I received the dreaded phone call from our Ward Clerk on Tuesday night.  Yep, I have to get to talk in church this Sunday. 

I was assigned to speak on the talk from October 2013 General Conference by Elder Jeffery R. Holland--Like a Broken Vessel.  

I recalled the talk in my head and thought, how can I do this with justice--to the topic, and his amazing ability to teach through his words.  I feel very inadequate to stand without just reading the entire talk and I must say, I don't like to listen to a speaker "just read" the talk, and I'm pretty sure Bro. Reynolds didn't say, "Will you read the talk by Elder Holland in church this Sunday?"  He asked me to speak, and my subject was to be the talk by Elder Holland.  

So, I came home and listened, again and again, to the talk and hoping thoughts and ideas would come to me.  Well, I'm printing out the scary frowny face man from my primary days, along with a new, more gentle frowny face and hoping for inspiration through study and prayer. 

For those of you who may be interested in listening again or for the first time, here is the talk.

( I do love to listen to him.  I feel very lucky to have known him through our ward in Provo

 when Greg and I were attending BYU and he was the president.  His home was in our ward boundaries

 and we got to know him, his wife Pat and their children.  What a blessing.)

I know too many who have succumb to discouragement and the feelings of depression.  I have lost dear friends and family of dear friends to this powerful tool of Satan as he tries to discourage us and make us feel incapable of success or love or value or hope.

Creepy frowny face man from
my childhood days in primary.

So my talk begins with:  1 Peter 3:8
and then:

If you chance to meet a frown, (pull corners of mouth down to a frown)

Do not let it stay. (shake head from side to side)
Quickly turn it upside down
And smile that frown away. (push corners of mouth into a smile) 

No one likes a frowning face. (pull corners of mouth down to a frown)
Change it for a smile. (push corners of mouth into a smile)
Make the world a better place
By smiling all the while. (nod head up and down)

and we'll see where I go from there.

Prayers are welcomed.  :)


(Please don't think I'm making light of a very serious topic with my little frowny faced men.  They are used to teach us at a very young age to smile and it is real that it is very hard to feel down when you put a smile on your face.  It has a very positive affect on your psyche to smile.)

I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go

 Members and Missionaries

 

Members and missionaries can see themselves in the work as they live the gospel joyfully and as they invite others to participate in activities, Church services, and other occasions.

 

 

 

See Yourself in the Work

Pioneer Heritage

Your ancestors didn't have to walk across the plains for you to feel a part of the Pioneer Legacy.

 

Church leaders have called on us to carry on their legacy of faith.

“We are all needed to finish the work that was begun by those pioneering Saints,” said Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in the October 2008 general conference.

“The Lord isn’t asking us to load up a handcart; He’s asking us to fortify our faith. He isn’t asking us to walk across a continent; He’s asking us to walk across the street to visit our neighbor. He isn’t asking us to give all of our worldly possessions to build a temple; He’s asking us to … attend regularly the temples already built. He isn’t asking us to die a martyr’s death; He’s asking us to live a disciple’s life.”

Feeling a little melancholy today.  Thinking of some of the great people I have in my life that have impacted where I am and who I am.  These people are a small portion of my pioneer legacy.  I'm a grateful to them every day for the sacrifices they made and the examples they set for me.

 I can't look at these pictures without a flood of memories coming to my mind.  I am so grateful for my knowledge of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and that my family can be together forever.

                     

Walking in Circles

By President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Second Counselor in the First Presidency

The Landmark of the Scriptures

Without spiritual landmarks, mankind wanders as well. Without the word of God, we walk in circles.

Both as individuals and as societies, we see this pattern repeated over and over in every dispensation since the beginning of time. When we lose sight of the word of God, we tend to get lost.

This is undoubtedly the reason the Lord commanded Lehi to send his sons back to Jerusalem for the brass plates. God knew that the descendants of Lehi would need reliable landmarks—points of reference—that would provide a guide they could use to determine if they were on course.

The scriptures are the word of God. They are God’s landmarks that show the way we should travel in order to draw closer to our Savior and reach worthy goals.

The Landmark of General Conference

The instructions given at general conference are another landmark that can help us know if we are on course.

Occasionally I ask myself, “Did I listen to the words given by the men and women who spoke at the most recent general conference of the Church? Have I read and reread their words? Have I pondered them and applied them to my life? Or have I just enjoyed the fine talks and neglected to apply their inspired messages in my personal life?”

Maybe while you were listening or reading, you jotted down a note or two. Perhaps you made a commitment to do some things better or differently. Just think about the messages of last general conference. Many encouraged us to strengthen our families and improve our marriages. This issue of the Liahona also focuses on these eternal values, with many practical recommendations to bless our lives.

Are we noting and applying this worthwhile counsel? Are we recognizing and walking toward these real and valuable landmarks?

The Antidote to Wandering

Spiritual landmarks are indispensable for keeping us on the straight and narrow path. They give clear direction as to the way we should travel—but only if we recognize them and walk toward them.

If we refuse to be guided by these landmarks, they become meaningless, decorative masses that have no purpose but to break up the flatness of the horizon.

    It’s not enough to go solely by our instincts.

    It’s not enough to have the best of intentions.

    It won’t do to rely only on our natural senses.

Even when we think we are following a straight spiritual path, without true landmarks to guide us—without the guidance of the Spirit—we will tend to wander.

Let us, therefore, open our eyes and see the landmarks our benevolent God has provided to His children. Let us read, hear, and apply the word of God. Let us pray with real intent and listen to and follow the promptings of the Spirit. Once we have recognized the supernal landmarks offered by our loving Heavenly Father, we should set our course by them. We should also make regular course corrections as we orient ourselves toward spiritual landmarks.

In this way, we will not wander in circles but walk with confidence and certainty toward that great heavenly blessing that is the birthright of all who walk in the straight and narrow way of Christ’s discipleship.

Lamb to the Slaughter

Today marks the 169th anniversary of the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith.  His brother Hyrum was also killed.  John Taylor was injured, but survived, and Willard Richards escaped without harm.

Music from Joseph, A Tribute to the Prophet--Nashville Tribute Band

At 3:15 p. m., John Taylor sang "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief" and the Prophet asked him to sing it again. Hyrum read extracts from Josephus. At 4:00 p. m. there was a change of guard and eight men were left to guard the jail. The main body of the Carthage Greys camped about a quarter mile from the jail at the public square. At 5:00 p.m., the jailer, Mr. Stigall, returned to the jail and told them Stephen Markham had been driven from Carthage and had fled to Nauvoo. He suggested that the men move to the cell as they would be safer there. Joseph replied that they would after dinner. Joseph asked Willard Richards if he would go into the cell with him. Dr. Richards replied that not only would he do that, but "'if you are condemned to be hung for treason, I will be hung in your stead, and you shall go free.' Joseph said, 'You cannot.' The doctor replied, 'I will.'" (History of the Church, 6:616). 

A few moments later the attack on the jail began. Hyrum was killed first. John Taylor was shot and he fell under the bed, but survived. Willard Richards was not injured. The Prophet Joseph sprang to the window and was shot. Falling out the window he said, "O Lord, my God!" The mob dispersed almost immediately when a call went up that "the Mormons are coming." 

A message was sent to Nauvoo written by Willard Richards that stated, "Joseph and Hyrum are dead. Taylor wounded, not very badly. I am well. Our guard was forced, as we believe, by a hand of Missourians from 100 to 200. The job was done in an instant, and the party fled towards Nauvoo instantly. This is as I believe it. The citizens here are afraid of the Mormons attacking them. I promise them no!" (History of the Church, 6:621-622).