Tis the Season for wishes of peace, good will, and light! At Jesus’ birth, angels sang glad tidings, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14.) While glorifying God in the highest, Jesus truly was Peace on earth with Good Will towards all. This reminds me of President Russell M. Nelson’s call for glad tidings of peace. “As we follow the Prince of Peace, we will become His peacemakers. .... Read more
We live in perilous times. A tide of wickedness juxtaposed with ever-increasing pillars of light and truth sweeps the earth. A favorite Old Testament story tells of a normal guy who woke up and discovered an enemy army surrounded him. He despaired, seeing no way to overcome his odds against his adversary. Riveted on the prophet, the normal guy asked the prophet what to do/how could they survive. Elisha, the prophet, answered Fear not: for they that be with us are more than... Read more
I have been thinking a lot lately about Nephi AND about Laman and Lemuel, specifically about which of them I most resemble! When we initially opened our mission call about 7 weeks ago, the letter said we would go to Florida but it said nothing about working in the Mandarin-speaking Branch in Orlando. But the following morning, Brother Hoke showed me a list from the Missionary Department of things for us to do before we begin our mission. Learn Mandarin... Read more
Sometimes there are just no words, but emotion compels you to express something – to acknowledge a significant life, to affirm the faith/knowing that brings peace while surveying heartbreaking tragedy, to express love for those left behind. For me, the story began through my brother Daylen’s missionary letters. He’d met an amazing family while serving in a Boston suburb. They were deeply religious and devoted to family. Daylen and his companion taught them. We received letters mentioning Antonio, Liliana,... Read more
Learning to endure to the end can be a challenge! I really love the life lesson/metaphor Dionna shared that taught her more about the eternal principle of enduring to the end. How to Endure to the End | Dionna Chiarolanza Before I give you the answer to that prompt, I’d like to start with a little parable. And this parable begins with a confession. I am a speeder. I wouldn’t say I’m a speed demon—but I do pride myself on... Read more
On Monday, September 25, 2023, I saw a man in the clouds at Adam-ondi-Ahman! I’d set up a camp chair just off the beaten path at Adam-ondi-Ahman’s valley overlook and waited for sunset. I enjoyed the solitude and the chance to soak up the beauty around me. I also became fair game for what seemed like a bazillion tiny, biting bugs. I left my spot for the bug spray in the rental car. When I returned, I sprayed myself and... Read more
I loved this touching story my sister Desirée shared of how the Lord answered her prayer as she suffered with a kidney stone. I loved how an idea of what to pray for was given to her and that she followed that prompting. I truly believe that God is with us in our trials and answers our prayers when we act in faith. Desirée Bushman Johnson’s story Last Sunday I was just about to load the kids into the car... Read more
My cousin Todd Bushman reminded our family that today, September 21, 2023, marks the 200th anniversary of Angel Moroni’s first visits to Joseph Smith. Here are Todd’s thoughts and insights: 200th anniversary of Moroni’s first visit to Joseph Smith is September 21 & 22, 1823 Ever since the 200th anniversary of the First Vision, I’ve been excited to start going through the various milestones of the Restoration of the Gospel in their 200th anniversaries, and we are finally at the... Read more
“…he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile.” 2 Nephi 26:33 This is a well-known and repeated concept in scripture. I’ve always interpreted the phrase “and all are alike unto God” to mean that God views, treats, and loves everyone equally. Divine love... Read more
My husband and I love riding motorcycles out on an open road. I love observing the intricate correlation of things as I ride. None of these things are as observable while riding cocooned in a car, but on a bike, the interconnectedness all around me is so evident. Air I feel the chill clinging to the air until it’s suddenly gone with rising temperature. I feel the sun’s warmth through my clothes. We rode directly east this morning and the... Read more
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