A Freshman’s Blessings from Attending Seminary

Last updated on: May 21, 2019 at 7:49 am By Delisa Hargrove

Teenagers are invited to attend The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint’s seminary program. Students attend a daily scripture class focusing on a book of scripture each year. Attending seminary requires sacrifices of time and commitment, and often sleep. Opportunities to learn about Jesus Christ and His gospel offer any individual profound spiritual blessings. But I’m always interested to hear a teenager’s takeaway. This awesome freshman, Connor Bushman, shared some of his thoughts about seminary, promised blessings for attending... Read more

Small Flecks of Gold Bring Great Treasure

Last updated on: May 10, 2019 at 8:39 pm By Delisa Hargrove

Do you feel like your small, simple acts of service really matter? Scarlet Bushman shares some awesome insight on how each small act of service becomes flecks of gold that fill our hearts with treasure. Coming Unto Christ by Scarlet Bushman Elder M. Russell Ballard shared a story that I would briefly like to relate. A young merchant from Boston, who in 1849, as the story goes, was caught up in the fervor of the California gold rush. He sold... Read more

Can We Glorify God in Our Trials?

Last updated on: May 9, 2019 at 5:04 pm By Delisa Hargrove

One hot, summer day in Oklahoma, my brother Donovan and I stood on top of the old well pump house (don’t tell our dad) for a better view to observe a storm rolling in across the plains. We stood perched there in our 9-ish and 6-ish-year-old wisdom talking about the weather and life until the rain hit and we ran back into the house. Even from a young tot, Donovan’s been observant. He observes life and the Gospel and connects... Read more

An Encounter with an Adulteress

Last updated on: May 3, 2019 at 8:42 am By Delisa Hargrove

Imagine entering the hustle and bustle of a congested festival space amidst increasing heat from an autumn’s morning sun. You see a man seated, teaching a throng around him. As you approach, you begin to hear his doctrine when, quite abruptly, a determined group of men makes their way through the crowd with a woman in tow. They bring her directly to the man and stand her in front of him and at the focus of the congregation. And then,... Read more

I Found Mercy When I Deserved Justice

Last updated on: April 30, 2019 at 7:08 pm By Delisa Hargrove

I stared at the bed, its mostly crinkle-free bedspread, my pillow tossed at the top. I stood at the side of the bed for several minutes holding my prayer journal and two pens. I figured I’d need them both. I’d known I’d needed to do this for a while. I’d found myself on a plateau. I didn’t really feel guided by the Holy Ghost. Usually, when that happens, I’ve offended the Spirit in some way to make it withdraw from me. ... Read more

What Happened to Old Testament Prophets?

Last updated on: April 27, 2019 at 2:20 pm By Delisa Hargrove

God speaks through prophets. He confirmed, What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same. Prophets generated thousands of pages of God’s word. Holy books contain much of their effort. But what about the prophets themselves? As I read their books of scripture, I become invested in them... Read more

Procrastination Steals Opportunities for Grace

Last updated on: April 27, 2019 at 11:03 am By Delisa Hargrove

Have you ever been happy to have an excuse to not do something you really didn’t want to do? I laugh at funny excuses like, “oh, sorry I have to floss my cat that day,” “my goldfish is ill, so I can’t,” or “my psychic told me not to.” Some of my excuses probably seem that silly to God. I’ve used a pretty consistent health excuse for nearly three decades. And in truth, my strength gets zapped and I focus... Read more

Why Didn’t He Answer Me? My Journey to Hear Him

Last updated on: April 15, 2019 at 3:46 pm By Delisa Hargrove

The Sacrament table was right there. I saw the creases in the tablecloth, the glint of silver as a corner of a tray peeked out. I watched the young men reverently pass the tokens of the Lord’s sacrifice off of and back on to the altar. I took the emblems of Him who drank the bitter cup completely. I collapsed inside because I didn’t think I could do the same. I didn’t know what to do. Enduring to the end... Read more

Sacrifice of Our Fathers: My Mother’s Counsel

Last updated on: April 10, 2019 at 6:50 pm By Delisa Hargrove

When her youngest daughter graduated from college, my mom rejoiced. She called all of her children and spouses to a family council in Utah where she could celebrate our accomplishments and share her thoughts. She set the date. The outlier children bought tickets to Utah. We set aside an afternoon to spend adult time together in family council. We’re usually a lively and loud bunch. But as mom stood so we could all see and hear her, with her emotions... Read more

References to the Lamb of God

Last updated on: April 6, 2019 at 1:54 pm By Delisa Hargrove

While studying symbols of Jesus Christ’s atoning sacrifice, I curiously wondered about the prevalence of the term “Lamb of God” throughout the scriptures. So many prophets tied the symbol of paschal lambs to Jesus Christ’s atonement from birth to receiving His celestial kingdom. The verbal images are intense, the price infinite, and the glory complete. Praise be to the Lamb of God for His redemption of His Father’s flock! Old Testament and Pearl of Great Price References to Lamb of... Read more