October 14th, 2011
Here’s one of my favorite quotes – I wanted to share it with you today:
“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back– Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth that ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.”
Live your dream!
Posted in Goals | 1 Comment »
September 29th, 2011
Answer: We all are excited for General Conference!!
We hope that each of us can take to heart the invitation given by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf in the September Ensign magazine. He said:
“As you prepare for general conference, I invite you to ponder questions you need to have answered… Answers to your specific prayers may come directly from a particular talk or from a specific phrase. At other times answers may come in a seemingly unrelated word, phrase, or song.”
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September 11th, 2011
In honor of the tenth anniversary of September 11th, 2001, we dedicate this one inspired scripture from father Lehi in the Book of Mormon:
“Notwithstanding our afflictions, we have obtained a land of promise, a land which is choice above all other lands…Wherefore, this land is consecrated unto him whom he shall bring. And if it so be that they shall serve him according to the commandments which he hath given, it shall be a land of liberty unto them; wherefore, they shall never be brought down into captivity; if so, it shall be because of iniquity; for if iniquity shall abound cursed shall be the land for their sakes, but unto the righteous it shall be blessed forever.” (2 Nephi 1:5,7)
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September 1st, 2011
Ah, it’s that time of year again – school is starting. Students are getting into the hang of school and teachers are getting their “teaching muscles” back in shape.
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August 15th, 2011
President Ezra Taft Benson said, “The plaguing sin of this generation is sexual immorality. This, the Prophet Joseph said, would be the source of more temptations, more buffetings, and more difficulties for the elders of Israel than any other” (Ensign, May 1986, p.4)
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Posted in Chastity | 1 Comment »
August 7th, 2011
This past week we got a question from a youth who asked: “I have had many opportunities to introduce friends to the church and it seems like the polygamy question always comes up. I do not really know why we had polygamy and why the church changed it.” In light of this question and the recent conviction of polygamist Warren Jeffs (who is not a Latter-day Saint, nor are his followers), we thought we would do a brief Q&A post addressing the basics of LDS polygamy as simply and accurately as possible. Here you go: Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Polygamy, marriage | No Comments »
July 15th, 2011
Recently I (John) went with the young men in my ward on a camping/hiking adventure in Utah. As part of our trip we went and hiked some slot canyons. They were beautiful.
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July 6th, 2011
Brother Hilton and I have both recently returned from teaching at sessions of Especially For Youth (EFY), and we just want to say that the youth of our Church ROCK! Although we are quick to acknowledge that LDS kids have problems and sins and make mistakes like all other youth (and that there are excellent youth of other faiths too), we should also acknowledge that LDS youth do a remarkable job in representing the Lord and living high standards. Here is some research confirming that:
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Posted in Chastity, Teenager, Youth | No Comments »
June 13th, 2011
Did you know that there is an official Compliment Day? Actually, according to this website every day should be Compliment Day.Why?
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Posted in Language | 1 Comment »
May 17th, 2011
This is the exact question that my (Anthony) daughter has been torturing us over for the past few weeks. My wife and I were always such angels at the sleepovers we participated in as teenagers that we adopted the policy for our family that we don’t spend the night at other friends’ houses for unnecessary reasons. Our daughter wanted me to write a letter to her friend explaining our mean and non-understanding policy so that she could show her what lame parents she has. Below is the letter (such fun!). On a more serious note, for the first time we know of in general conference the subject was mentioned, by Elder Lawrence of the Seventy in October 2010. He said:
“May I express my personal warning about a practice that is common in many cultures. I am referring to sleepovers, or spending the night at the home of a friend. As a bishop I discovered that too many youth violated the Word of Wisdom or the law of chastity for the first time as part of a sleepover. Too often their first exposure to pornography and even their first encounter with the police occurred when they were spending the night away from home.
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Posted in Sleepovers | 23 Comments »
