Book Review - Upheld: Ordinary Women Discovering an Extraordinary God

If you want to feel uplifted and hopeful, I have the book for you....

Upheld: Ordinary Women Discovering an Extraordinary God

Grace Lane is a pen name. This book was actually written by five women with the common goal of sharing their experiences and hopefully uplifting others. One of the authors is my dear friend who I have known since elementary school. I witnessed her trials from an outsider's perspective. Reading this book helped me to learn how she truly felt and what she learned. I admire how she relied on the Lord and had such strong faith throughout her experiences. I can only hope I would have been that strong had I been in her place.

Rebekah: 

Writing about motherhood and her husband’s health struggles, Rebekah lives true to the meaning of her name—to bind. Life’s experiences have shaped her into a wise, steadfast daughter of God who has the beautiful ability to make others laugh through her clever wit.

Jeni: 

Jeni’s stories revolve around the loving care of her son with special needs. Knowing that he will not live out his childhood, she’s armed with strength and determination to give him the best life possible. The bright hope Jeni finds through the Savior will encourage the lowest of hearts.

Elizabeth:

Elizabeth is passionate about sharing the Light of Christ. You’ll feel this in reading about the challenges she faces with her spouse’s addiction and divorce. Through sophistication, uplifting words, and a touch of spunk, she’s a modern-day disciple “gathering in the fold” and feeding His sheep.

Faith:

A woman of intuition, Faith has a distinctive gift for understanding people. Her personal goal in life is to help women recognize their potential in whatever role they fill. She writes about her battle in overcoming abuse as a child and her fight with low self-esteem.

Dawn:

A single mom for ten years, Dawn not only believes the motto “Light trumps darkness”, but she lives it every day. Her short stories are about finding God after a heart-crushing divorce. Dawn touches many lives through her unwavering testimony and simple ways.

I love that they use the grapefruit as a symbol for their common project and goals.  Of course grapefruits smell wonderful and are good for you but that wasn't the reason they were selected. Grapefruits don't grow alone. They grow together clustered on trees. This was symbolic to the Grace Lane Authors because it represents the power of women working together. Their challenges differ but they share the fact that they are women of God doing the best they can. I know I have drawn strength and encouragement from my tribe of women. By reading this book you will join their cluster.

They also have a Grace Lane Authors Blog that has wonderful posts.

Click HERE if you want to buy a copy of their book and/or sign up for their newsletter.  You'll be happy you did.

The Atonement - Lesson Idea

My friend Melissa gave a wonderful lesson in Relief Society last Sunday.  To prepare, she read through all of the General Conference talks from April 2016.  As she studied the talks, she pulled out various quotes and concepts about the Atonement.  We discussed each theme and quote as she asked questions in class and we had an awesome, heartfelt discussion.  We all desperately need the Atonement so I appreciated that she chose to give a lesson on it.

Because of the Atonement, there will be no unfairness

I can emphatically state that because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, ultimately, in the eternal scheme of things, there will be no unfairness. “All that is unfair about life can be made right”. Our present circumstances may not change, but through God’s compassion, kindness, and love, we will all receive more that we deserve, more than we can ever earn, and more than we can ever hope for.

Dale G. Renlund, April Conference 2016

How can knowing that everything will be made right help us now?

 (That is the essence of faith)

Forgiveness through the Atonement sets us free

There is not a soul alive who will not, at one time or another, be the victim to someone else’s careless actions, hurtful conduct, or even sinful behavior. That is one thing we all have in common. Gratefully, God, in His love and mercy for His children, has prepared a way to help us navigate these sometimes turbulent experiences of life. He has provided an escape for all who fall victim to the misdeeds of others. He has taught us that we can forgive! Even though we may be a victim once, we need not be a victim twice by carrying the burden of hate, bitterness, pain, resentment, or even revenge. We can forgive, and we can be free!

            Kevin R. Duncan, April Conference 2016

What is the connection between being forgiven and offering forgiveness to others?

How does forgiving others free us?

The Atonement brings us peace

Peace of mind, peace of conscience, and peace of heart are not determined by our ability to avoid trials, sorrow, or heartache. Despite our sincere pleas, not every storm will change course, not every infirmity will be healed, and we may not fully understand every doctrine, principle, or practice taught by prophets, seers, and revelators. Nevertheless, we have been promised peace-with a condition attached. Faith in Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice is, and forever will be, the first principle of the gospel and the foundation upon which our hope for “peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come” is built.

            W. Christopher Waddell, April Conference 2016

Would anyone like to share a time when they have felt peace, even through a trial?

The Atonement can help us discern what it right for us

When trust is betrayed, dreams shattered, hearts broken and broken again, when we want justice and need mercy, when our fists clench and our tears flow, when we need to know what to hold onto and what to let go of, we can always remember Him. His infinite compassion can help us find our way, truth, and life.

            Gerrit W. Gong, April Conference 2016

When you think about the burdens that you are carrying, what could it mean when he says “know what to hold onto and what to let go of”? 

Relying on the Atonement can ease our burdens

God rarely infringes on the agency of any of His children by intervening against some for the relief of others. But He does ease the burdens of our afflictions and strengthen us to bear them, as He did with Alma’s people in the land of Helam. He does not prevent all disasters, but He does answer our prayers to turn them aside…He does blunt their effects.

            Dallin H. Oaks, April Conference 2016

What are some strategies for turning our burdens over to the Lord so he can help us bear them?

(Prayer, fasting, finding a support system)

The Atonement gives us strength to keep trying

With the gift of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the strength of heaven to help us, we can improve, and the great thing about the gospel is we get credit for trying, even if we don’t always succeed.

            Jeffrey R. Holland, April Conference 2016

Would anyone like to share a time when you just kept trying, even though you felt like you weren’t succeeding?

HOPE HAS COME - Cason Smithson, Jacob Packham

Talk - Christ's Birth, Life, Example and Purpose

This is a talk that my friend gave at church on the Sunday before Christmas.  I am thankful that she agreed to let me post it on my blog.

Like most of you, I love the Christmas season. It gives me the chance to reflect on the birth of Christ, his ministry here on Earth, and the atoning sacrifice he made for all of us.

Some of the most beautiful scriptures written relate to the birth of Christ.

Gethsemane Song

This is my new favorite song.  It brings tears to my eyes when I hear my Primary kids sing this at church.

Gethsemane

Jesus climbed the hill
To the garden still
His steps were heavy and slow
Love and a prayer
Took Him there
To the place only He could go

Gethsemane
Jesus loves me
So He went willingly
To Gethsemane

He felt all that was sad, wicked or bad
All the pain we would ever know
While His friends were asleep
He fought to keep
His promise made long ago

Gethsemane
Jesus loves me
So He went willingly
To Gethsemane

The hardest thing That ever was done
The greatest pain that ever was known
The biggest battle that ever was won
This was done by Jesus.
The fight was won by Jesus.

Gethsemane
Jesus loves me
So he gave His gift to me
In Gethsemane

Gethsemane
Jesus loves me
So he gives His gift to me
From Gethsemane

Click HERE to hear the song on YouTube.

Talk - Our Own Personal 9/11 Experiences - "Face the Future with Faith"

When I realized that we’d be speaking on 9/11, at first I felt a little worried. But upon reflection, I saw how perfectly it related to our assigned topic.

I still remember that fateful Tuesday, September 11, 2001 when we first learned about the terrorist attacks. We lived in Northern California and our oldest child, Zach, was in kindergarten. Our alarm clock went off, in radio mode, and as I half consciously went to hit snooze, I heard something about a plane hitting the WTC. I jolted up in bed and turned on the TV. I called my parents and said, “Turn on the news.” My dad asked me what channel and I replied, “Any channel.” My heart sank even further as we learned more and more details about the tragedy and saw the second plane hit. At the time, Thane commuted to work in San Francisco on the BART public transit system, but he stayed home that day because we were afraid the bustling city of San Francisco could be a terrorist target too. When we took Zach to school, all us kindergarten parents stood around and talked about the horror of this event. We were all scared of what might come next. We were in mourning for all those who were suffering, dying, or losing loved ones. We were bound by a collective grief and fear. But I remember the unity I felt with my family, friends, neighbors, and fellow Americans.

As I was preparing for this talk, a realization came to me. Every one of us have “9/11 experiences” in our own lives. Some of us may have health challenges. Some deal with wayward children. Others deal with divorce, death, unemployment, addictions. The point is, we all have challenges.

When dealing with these personal 9/11 experiences, there is a difference from the day the world stood still for all of us together as we faced a common tragedy. In our personal 9/11 moments, we may feel very alone in our fear and sadness, we may feel embarrassed, abandoned, downtrodden, worried, and scared.

Talk - Applying the Atonement

My mom gave this talk on Easter Sunday in Sacrament Meeting.  She wanted to share it on my blog... 

            Brothers and sisters, it is a great honor to have the privilege of sharing with you this morning my testimony of the Atonement of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  What a joy it has been these last two weeks studying and contemplating this transcendent gift of love.

            In 1998, President Gordon B. Hinckley declared:  “I believe our problems, almost every one, arise out of the homes of the people...if there is to be a change or return to old sacred values, it must begin in the home.  It is in the home where truth is learned, that integrity is cultivated, that self-discipline is instilled, and that love is nurtured.”  The sacred values he referred to are the first principles of the gospel.  The power that makes it possible for these values to be incorporated into our lives comes from the atoning sacrifice of our Redeemer and Savior, Jesus Christ.  In our world where evil is called good and good evil, the words declared by Mormon (found in Moroni 7) give us hope and confidence as they teach us that “Jesus Christ claimeth all those who have faith in him; and they who have faith in him will cleave unto every good thing.”  There is no better place to build faith than in the home, where the lessons and practical applications are realized and lived day to day.

        

Easter Story Cookies

Here's an Easter object lesson involving baking. These are also called "Resurrection Cookies" by some people. You can click on the jpg picture below to print it out on one page or read the rest of this post to see how to do this at home.

Ingredients and Props
1 cup whole pecans
1 teaspoon vinegar
3 egg whites
Pinch of salt
1 cup sugar
1 zipper baggie
1 wooden spoon Bible

Directions and Activity

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

Place pecans in a zipper baggies and let children beat them with a wooden spoon to break them into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus’ arrest, he was beaten by Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3, “Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him. And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head. And they put on him a purples robe, and said, Hail, King of the Jews! And they smote him with their hands.”

Easter Egg Scriptures

Easter Egg Scriptures:

Cut the the following scriptures and put each one with the item indicated into a plastic Easter egg. Write the number of the egg on the outside of the egg so you can open them in order. You can hide them as part of an Easter egg hunt or just take turns opening the eggs, showing the items and reading the scriptures.

1. And he went a little further, and fell on his face and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will but as thou wilt. (Matt. 26:39) (Sacrament cup)

2. Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, and said unto them, what will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. (Matthew 26: 14-15) (3 dimes)

Quote - Cease and Desist

“There is something in us, at least in too many of us, that particularly fails to forgive and forget earlier mistakes in life—either mistakes we ourselves have made or the mistakes of others. That is not good. It is not Christian. It stands in terrible opposition to the grandeur and majesty of the Atonement of Christ. To be tied to earlier mistakes—our own or other people’s—is the worst kind of wallowing in the past from which we are called to cease and desist.”

- Jeffrey R. Holland, BYU Devotional, January 13, 2009

 

Remember—“Do not judge past behavior with present knowledge.”

Time Out for Women - Atonement

Brad Wilcox gave a great talk about the Atonement at Time Out for Women.  Here are my notes and thoughts on his talk.

God has a plan.  When you wonder about your future, look back and see how God has guided you in your life.  He gives you opportunities to grow.  He puts people in our lives that we need at that time.  He knows the big picture.

The miracle of the Atonement is that we can all be transformed.  This is more than just saying we are saved by grace, but rather learning to apply the Atonement in our lives and becoming perfected through Christ.

Brad Wilcox was asked by a "born again" Christian, "Have you been saved by grace?"  His response?  "Have you been CHANGED by grace?"

Ready to Change?

We all have hurts, habits and hang-ups that we need to deal with.  Lots of times it is easier to ignore the problem, but eventually we reach the point where we are ready to change.

I love this saying....

"When the pain of the problem gets worse than the pain of the solution, we'll be ready to change."

If you are puzzled over the meaning of that statement and need an example of what it means, just think how desperately ready to face labor and delivery the ninth month of pregnancy makes most women.
(from "He Did Deliver Me from Bondage" by Colleen Harrison)

I highly recommend Colleen Harrison's book.  Under the title on the cover of her book it says "using the Book of Mormon and the Principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as They Correlate with the 12-Step Program to Overcome Compulsive/Addictive Behavior and Other Problems."

So for those of you dealing with problems, addictions, habits and hurts, I wish you luck in finding your personal solution.  While there are many individual solutions to problems, they all come from the same source - Our Savior, Jesus Christ and His Atonement.

Cock-a-doodle-doo Moments in Life

I attended a field trip with my son to the Renaissance Festival a few months ago as a chaperone. I told him he could have a little money to buy a fun snack or a souvenir. Most of his friends bought things like whistles, crafts or junky fair food. What did my son choose? A live chicken!

I'd secretly wanted to raise chickens so I agreed to let him buy it. We gave the guy at the petting zoo area $5.00 and he in turn handed us a small chicken in a box. Since we'd taken the school bus to the festival, I was forced to smuggle our new fowl home. After all, the school district had simply said, "No weapons" on the bus. They hadn't mentioned anything about livestock. The students and teachers all knew about our little chicken smuggling escapade, but they kept quiet as we rode home with me sitting directly behind the innocent bus driver. My theory is that the students were happy to be in on a secret mission which involved an adult pushing the limits in regards to school rules.

He Restoreth My Soul - Breaking the Chains of Pornography Addiction

Understanding And Breaking The Chemical And Spiritual Chains of Pornography Addiction Through The Atonement Of Jesus Christ


This work is for all who have become entangled in this devastating neurochemical web, who have lost their ability to resist temptation, and who feel abandoned by all that is good. Family members and loved ones of those who struggle with pornography addiction will also find understanding and hope. Know that there is, as Jeremiah said, “a balm in Gilead.” A physician is there. The Savior said, “They that are whole have no need of the physician. He told the Children of Israel through Moses, “I am the Lord that healeth thee.” In the end, there must be a connection with the Divine Presence to completely heal the body and the spirit, or the soul of man. And when the Lord heals, it is without reservation or limit.


Recording of Don directed to youth and parents. Click HERE


Don on Out in the light by KSL speaking about Why is Pornography so Addicting. Click HERE


Full length version of the Out in the Light Documentary that featured the Croshaw's. Click HERE

Steven and Rhyll's personal response to the Out in the Light documentary. Click HERE

Safeguarding Teens and Young Adults from Pornography

Safeguarding Teens and

Young Adults from Pornography
Jason S. Carroll Ph.D.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
7 p m at Dinosaur Museum Amber Room,

Thanksgiving Point, Lehi, UT

Click HERE for more information

Talk - Agency

We had wonderful talks in our Sacrament Meeting this past Sunday and I asked my friend, Thomas, for a copy of his talk to share on my blog. Enjoy!

Agency(direct comments or questions to: thwicke@gmail.com)

Introduction
Social Scientists should probably not be allowed to have children. To us children are a readily available source of subjects and the material for perpetual experiments:
-FHE Lesson: put ice cream on two tables, tie children together (Thomas explained that when his kids were younger, he was trying to teach them a lesson on cooperation. He placed a bowl of ice cream on two tables. He put the kids between the two tables, and he tied a rope around each of their waists so that they would, in theory, need to cooperate to move to either table. He told the kids that if they could reach both bowls of ice cream, they could each eat a bowl, but if they only reached one bowl, no one could have ice cream. Needless to say, the social experiment was a complete flop... the younger son ended up with the rope around his neck... the older daughter was in pain from the weight of her brother tightening the rope on her waist as she dragged him. Thomas' wife was laughing hysterically... Everyone at church was laughing as they heard the tale and my kids are still talking about the story).

Primary Talk - I love my Savior, Jesus Christ, and His restored Gospel

“I LOVE MY SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST, AND HIS RESTORED GOSPEL.”


At Christmas time it is fun to give and receive gifts. (Picture of gift)


The best Christmas gift of all was the birth of Jesus Christ. (Picture of nativity)


Jesus came to earth to show us the right way to live.


He taught us that loving and helping others will make us happy. (Picture of service)


By sending Jesus to earth, Heavenly Father gave us a gift that will help us find happiness not

just at Christmas but always.


Heavenly Father wanted everyone to know about his gift to us, so he placed a beautiful new star in the sky. (Picture of Wise Men and star)


The Wise Men brought gifts to baby Jesus. They brought the nicest gifts they could find because they wanted to show their love for Him. They knew Jesus was the Savior. We give gifts to others to show our love for them, just like the wise men did.


The greatest gift of all is the Atonement of Jesus Christ.


Jesus suffered for our sins in the Garden of Gethsemane so that we could repent when we make mistakes. (Picture of Gethsemane)


Jesus died for us and was resurrected so that we could all live again after we die. (Picture of Jesus on cross)


Because of Jesus Christ, we can return to live with Heavenly Father again someday.


I can show my gratitude and love for the Savior by:


Following His commandments. (Picture of CTR)


Reading the scriptures. (Picture of reading scriptures)


Praying. (Picture of someone praying)


Being a missionary. (Picture of missionaries)


Getting baptized. (Picture of someone being baptized)


Going to church. (Picture of people going to church)


Being kind to others. (Picture of kind children)


I know that this Church is true and that Jesus and Heavenly Father love me and I love them. I know President Monson is a true prophet. I know the Book of Mormon is true.


I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

Quote on Atonement

The other day we had the most amazing thunder and lightening storm. The power that I saw unleashed reminded me that we really aren't in control. It made me realize how powerless we truly are and caused me to reflect on the love and patience that our Heavenly Father has for us. He allows us the agency to make mistakes and doesn't interfere and take away those learning moments and growth. He is patient with us when we think we have all the answers ourselves and we forget how much we fall short and how much we need our Savior. He watches us do stupid things and loves us still the same. I want to keep an eternal perspective and I want to be a parent like that.

As I read this quote this morning, I thought about my gratitude for a loving Heavenly Father who allowed His Son to suffer and die for each of us. I am grateful that our Savior, Jesus Christ, was willing and able to make this sacrifice and save us from sin and death.

“In that hour I think I can see our dear Father behind the veil looking upon these dying struggles until even he could not endure it any longer; and, like the mother who bids farewell to her dying child, has to be taken out of the room, so as not to look upon the last struggles, so he bowed his head, and hid in some part of his universe, his great heart almost breaking for the love that he had for his Son. Oh, in that moment when he might have saved his Son, I thank him and praise him that he did not fail us, for he had not only the love of his Son in mind, but he also had love for us. I rejoice that he did not interfere, and that his love for us made it possible for him to endure to look upon the sufferings of his Son and give him finally to us, our Savior and our Redeemer. Without him, without his sacrifice, we would have remained, and we would never have come glorified into his presence. And so this is what it cost, in part, for our Father in Heaven to give the gift of his Son unto men” (Melvin J. Ballard, Sermons and Missionary Services of Melvin Joseph Ballard, comp. Bryant S. Hinckley [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1949], pp. 153-55).

Sunday School - Book of Mormon Lesson 31

Book of Mormon Lesson #31: “Firm in the Faith of Christ”
Alma 43-52

1. H. Dean Garrett: In Alma 1-42, Mormon emphasized priestcraft, materialism, socio-economic inequality and other social problems. This period is followed in Alma 43-63 by a period of war and civil disruptions. This dissention led to a corruption of civil government and to the eventual collapse of the government. At this point, the Savior visited the people. A similar pattern of social problems, priestcrafts, materialism, wars, government corruption, and disrupted life is prophesied for the last days leading to the Savior’s second coming. As indicated, Mormon and his successor, Moroni, saw our day and took from the history and prophecies of the Nephites those events that would best help the readers of their record in the day in which it would come forth. Quoted in Studies in Scripture, p. 70.

2. Marion G. Romney: Latter-day Saints know this earth will never again during its Telestial existence, be free from civil disturbance and war. Improvement Era, June 1967.

3. Spencer W. Kimball: Victory and defeat alike leave countries devastated and the conqueror and the conquered reduced. Wickedness brings war, and war vomits destruction and suffering, hate and bloodshed upon the guilty and the innocent. This impressive book [the Book of Mormon] should convince all living souls of the futility of war and the hazards of unrighteousness. Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p. 414.

4. Dwight D. Eisenhower: Every gun made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed. This world in arms is not spending money alone. It is spending the sweat of its laborers, the genius of its scientists, the hopes of its children. Quoted in Studies in Scripture, vol. 8, p. 78.

5. Hugh Nibley: The so-called “Battle Scroll” from Qumran throws a flood of light on peculiar military practices described in the Book of Mormon especially those of Moroni. … His consultation with a prophet before the battle [was] to learn by divine revelation the enemy’s disposition and what his own movements should be. This is a standard practice in the Book of Mormon and we now learn … especially of the Battle Scroll that it was the regular practice in ancient Israel. Since Cumorah, pp. 273-74.

6. David O. McKay: There are, however, two conditions which may justify a truly Christian man to enter – mind you, I say enter, not begin – a war: (1) An attempt to dominate and to deprive another of his free agency, and (2) loyalty to his country. Possibly there is a third, viz., Defense of a weak nation that is being unjustly crushed by a strong, ruthless one. Gen. Conference, April 1942.

7. Clyde J. Williams: The Book of Mormon provides a classic example of one who in large part bound Satan in his life. In Alma 48:11-13 we read: “And Moroni was a [1] strong and mighty man; he was a man of [2] a perfect understanding; yea, a man that [3] did not delight in bloodshed; a man whose soul did [4] joy in the liberty and freedom of his country, and his brethren from bondage and slavery; yea, a man whose [5] heart did swell with thanksgiving to his God for the many privileges and blessings which he bestowed upon his people; a man who did [6] labor exceedingly for the welfare and safety of his people. Yea, and he was a man who was [7] firm in the faith of Christ, and he had sworn with an [8] oath to defend his people, his rights, and his country, and his religion, even to the loss of his blood.” The qualities of Captain Moroni … all contributed to his ability to bind Satan in his life. Doctrines of the Book of Mormon, 1991 Sperry Symposium.

8. Hugh Nibley: The idea of total victory was alien to him – no revenge, no punishment, no reprisals, no reparations, even for an aggressor who had ravaged his country. He would send the beaten enemy home after the battle, accepting their word for good behavior or inviting them to settle on Nephite lands, even when he knew he was taking a risk. Even his countrymen who fought against him lost their lives only while opposing him on the field of battle: there were no firing squads, and the conspirators and traitors had only to agree to support his popular army to be reinstated. … By all means, let us take Captain Moroni for our model and never forget what he fought for – the poor, outcast and despised; and what he fought against – pride, power, wealth and ambition. BYU Today, Feb. 1984, p. 16.

9. Jack R. Christensen and K. Douglas Bassett: Here [Alma 48:17-18] Mormon likens Captain Moroni to Ammon and the sons of Mosiah, as well as to Alma and his sons. … Well, what do we know about Ammon? In the Book of Mosiah, we learn that he was of the “vilest of sinners” (Mosiah 28:4), but now he’s being compared to Captain Moroni! Mormon continues, “… yea, and even the other sons of Mosiah.” What do we know about them? Again, “they were the very vilest of sinners” (Mosiah 28:4). “… Yea, and also Alma and his sons.” And what do we know about Alma the younger? He was the worst of the lot! What about Corianton, the immoral missionary? He too is included with the group described by Mormon as being “all men of God” (Alma 48:18). How could that be? When the atoning blood of Christ, the blood of the Lamb, cleanses us, we are no longer, as Elder Scott says, “second class citizens in the kingdom of God” (Ensign, Nov. 2000). We are cleansed and made whole through the holy blood of the Lamb. This is one of the greatest passages in all of holy writ about the atonement of Christ. … It is easy to understand why Satan doesn’t want a young man who is involved with drugs to read the Book of Mormon, because he’ll realize that if Alma and the sons of Mosiah could be forgiven, then so can he. We can see why Satan doesn’t want a young woman who has had a baby out of wedlock to read the Book of Mormon, because then she too will learn that she’s not “cast off forever” (Mosiah 28:4); if Corianton can be forgiven and become a man of God, then she can be forgiven and become a woman of God. Life Lessons from the Book of Mormon, pp. 21-22.

10. Ezra Taft Benson: I do not believe the greatest threat to our future is from bombs or guided missiles. I do not think our civilization will die that way. I think it will die when we no longer care – when the spiritual forces that made us wish to be right and noble die in the hearts of men. Annual Boy Scout Banquet, Commerce, Texas, 13 May 1968.

11. Ezra Taft Benson: Despite the world’s crises … the greater crisis by far is that we might forget the Lord. How much protection would our missiles and nuclear weapons prove to be if we did not take at face value the Lord’s injunction: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself” (Luke 10:27)? Crossfire: The Eight Years With Eisenhower, p. 441.

12. Neal A. Maxwell: [Alma 50:23 – “there never was a happier time”] God will give us priceless, personal assurances through the Holy Ghost. Whether in tranquil or turbulent times, our best source of comfort is the Comforter. … Brothers and sisters, though living in a time of commotion, we can stand in holy places and not be moved. Though living in a time of violence, we can have that inner peace that passeth understanding (Phil. 4:7). Gen. Conference, Oct. 2002.

13. Ezra Taft Benson: The only real peace – the one most of us think about when we use the term – is a peace with freedom. A nation that is not willing, if necessary, to face the rigors of war to defend its real peace-in-freedom is doomed to lose both its freedom and its peace! These are the hard facts of life. We may not like them, but until we live in a far better world than exists today, we must face up to them squarely and courageously. An Enemy Hath Done This, pp. 161-62.

14. Vaughn J. Featherstone: Someone asked me once how I felt about amnesty for the draft card burner and the deserter. I told him that I thought every one of them should be taken before General Moroni to be judged. Gen. Conference, Oct. 1975.


Next week: Alma 53-63 “They Did Obey Every Word of Command With Exactness”

Primary Sharing Time - The Fall & the Atonement

Sharing Time – The Fall & the Atonement

Who were the first people on the earth? Adam and Eve

Adam and Eve lived in the Garden of Eden and Heavenly Father visited them.

He taught them many things like how to take care of the garden and how to take care of the animals.

Heavenly Father also taught Adam and Eve that they should not eat the fruit from a certain tree.