"Faith on Friday" I grew up in a home of modest means. My father was an elementary school teacher, and my mother, although she had a teaching credential, chose to be a homemaker. I will always be grateful for her choice. Needless to say, we had “sufficient for our needs,” but little else. My parents … Continue reading I Ruined My First Church Suit on the First Sunday
"Sunday Sermon" "I can understand your hurt, but I cannot understand your hate." The Church Leader Who Wouldn't Forgive As a new missionary, I was assigned to a small branch in Wales. The branch president was a very diligent man who spent countless hours administering the branch. Also in the branch was the branch president’s … Continue reading We Hurt Ourselves, and Those Around Us, by Not Forgiving Others
"Fun Facts Saturday" The 475-man crew of the USS Constitution (“Old Ironsides”) may have consumed more than 250,000 gallons of liquor, and no water, during a six-month voyage. Speech by U.S. Secretary of the Navy John Dalton in 1997: “The following is an account of the USS Constitution’s famous war cruise during the War of … Continue reading “Three Sheets to the Wind.”* The Six-Month Drunken Voyage of the USS Constitution.
"Faith on Friday" I taught my early morning seminary students that they should watch out for “Double Verily’s” or “Triple Wo’s” in the scriptures. When the Lord or His prophets want to really get our attention, or emphasize a point, they use “double verily’s” or “triple wo’s.” “Double Verily” “Verily” means “truly.” In other words, … Continue reading Double “Verily,” Triple “Wo,” and Quadruple “For”
"Sunday Sermon" New names are associated with ordinances and covenants. Birth: A New Name and a Blessing As newborn babies, the first ordinance Latter-day Saints participate in is to receive a “name and a blessing.” (See: D&C 20:70) This type of ceremony is not unique to Latter-day Saints. Like Latter-day Saints, the infant in Roots, … Continue reading New Names
"Fun Facts Saturday" Most of us have had at least one “bad year.” But scholars have nominated 536 A.D. as “the worst year in human history,” and “the worst year to be alive.” At that time, major volcanoes in Iceland and North and Central America erupted. This resulted in a “mysterious fog” that blocked sunlight … Continue reading The worst year in human history.
When I returned from my mission, I was immediately called as ward finance clerk. At that time, the stake president was on a campaign to increase fast offering contributions. He was upset that the wards were drawing money from the church general fund instead of contributing to it. In essence, the saints in Africa and … Continue reading Our Ward Was Praised — by Mistake
"Sunday Sermon" President Russell M. Nelson began the 2021 April General Conference, declaring: "The strength of the church lies in the efforts and testimonies of its members." All modern prophets proclaim that the strength of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints lies in the individual testimonies of its members. Because of our testimonies: … Continue reading It’s All About Testimonies
"Fun Facts Saturday" Honey bees are the only insect that produces human food. A honey bee worker only makes an average of 1/12 teaspoon of honey in her lifetime. A honey bee visits 50-100 flowers in one trip. A pound of honey is made by 2 million flower visits. Bees are essential to production of … Continue reading The Remarkable Honey Bee: 10 Amazing Facts
"Faith on Friday" “But behold there was never a happier time among the people of Nephi, since the days of Nephi, than in the days of [Captain] Moroni, yea, even at this time, in the twenty and first year of the reign of judges.” The first time I read this verse, my heart was touched. … Continue reading Happiness is a Choice (Alma 50:23)
The London Edition 