I Have No Greater Joy
50 Years
Today is a banner day. Today (4 March 2017) is the 50th anniversary of my baptism. Fifty years ago I was relieved of all my sins,
Read MoreDivine Instruments
It strikes me that throughout scriptural history the Lord has provided mankind with a number of amazingly divine and miraculous instruments
Read MoreAfter the Manner of Men
Nephi was not a natural man. Neither was he an unnatural man. He might more properly be called a supernatural man.
Read MoreLightning Strikes
My friend, Hal Bunderson, a sealer at the Boise Temple, told this story:
When his father was 17 he got his first job.
Looking Into the Future
When I was 17, in November of that year (the 14th), I knocked on a woman’s door. She opened it. I announced that I was there to pick up her daughter for a date.
Read MoreComparisons
Thoughts at Aaron’s missionary farewell. 23 May 1999. When I was 19, I knew nothing about the gospel.
Read MoreOut of Captivity
About 600 years before the birth of Christ, Nephi had a most remarkable vision of events that would take place more than 2,000 years later.
Read MoreWhere Is Your Faith?
There was once a woman who DID NOT want to die. Nearly every Sunday she attended her Protestant church, but her real faith was founded upon science.
Read MorePilgrim Faith and Gratitude
The Pilgrims arrived in the New World in November 1620. Of the 102 who had set out from Holland and England, only half were still alive the next spring.
Read MorePerspectives on Forgiveness
We all come from different walks of life. Our perspectives are as varied as our experiences.
Read MoreThinking Outside the Box
Nothing steams me more than shirts with button-down collars. Why anyone would put buttons on a man’s collar is a mystery to me.
Read MoreTake Alternate Route
In my front yard are nearly three feet of snow. My neighbor, who has faithfully measured each snowfall, tells me that we have received a total of 63 inches.
Read MoreThere Was No Other!
I have just awakened from a troubling dream. It was a dream with a message.
Read MoreAre You Listening?
Dear Heidi, My morning has been very Holy Ghost because of you. I woke up at 4:00 with your painting in my head.
Read MoreTom Lorance Kerns
My father, Tom Lorance Kerns, was born 20 September 1910 to James and Lora Kerns on the family ranch on Gay Creek in Wyoming.
Read MoreRock Creek Branch
When I was a little boy, in the entire Haines area, from North Powder to Pine Creek, there were just five Latter-day Saint families.
Read MoreOther Ancient Records
The first few sections of the Doctrine and Covenants can be maddeningly tantalizing. Many of those sections talk about the translation of the Nephite record,…
Read MoreTemples
There have never been people in the history of the world more blessed than the Latter-day Saints.
Read MorePlainness
Joseph Smith made the statement that “the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, …
Read MoreThe Plan of Redemption
Before we ever came to earth, and before the world was even created, a plan was put into place by which every one of God’s children could be brought back into His presence.
Read MoreHis Birth Was On This Wise
Exactly two thousand years ago in the land of Judea there lived two families. They both probably lived in the town of Nazareth.
Read MoreComing and Going
Grandma Simmons lived the last years of her life with her daughter, Zelma, who cared for her.
Read MoreChristmas
Dear Matt, You asked for my Christmas ideas. Your mother is impressed with the concept pointed out by James E. Talmage…
Read MoreJoseph
One of the greatest heroes from all the scriptures was not a prophet, and left no writings for us to study.
Read MoreThe Art of Reading
Marjorie has said that the only thing she could possibly hold against her parents is that they never read to her.
Read MoreWrite Your Goals
Goals should be established, and goals should be written. If no goal is set, how would you ever know when you’ve arrived?
Read MoreMy Own, Personal, 10 Commandments
Love and serve the Lord with all my heart, might, mind, and strength.…
Read MoreGet a Testimony
You can’t sit back and wait for the Spirit or your parents or your teachers to give you a testimony of the truthfulness of the Restoration.
Read MoreWhom Do I Love the Most?
As I thought about my children this week, I was startled to realize that I love them more than I love my parents.
Read MoreDon’t Go There!
Abby and Jonah wanted to go to institute. Jonah tried to start his car. The battery was so dead that the starter wouldn’t even turn over.
Read MoreSpiritual Stamina
While teaching the Young Single Adults in institute this week I was marveling over how quickly the Nephites could turn from righteousness to rebellion…
Read MoreFormulas For Life
“Repentance needs to be done one step at a time. Humble prayer will facilitate each essential step.
Read MorePreserved
A lesson that I was to teach paired up two passages in the Book of Mormon concerning the reasons that Lehi’s sons were commanded to return to Jerusalem to get the brass plates.
Read MorePaying it Forward
In my scripture study I’ve come up with a law. I call it the law of the boomerang. Simply stated, it is that whatever you send out will come back again.
Read MoreDreams
Sometimes I have fun dreams. On such occasions I might come awake, and have been known to awaken Marjorie to share the experience with her.
Read MoreSequel to Muddy Boots in the Temple
“For the Lord giveth light unto the understanding; for he speaketh unto men according to their language, unto their understanding.” (2 Ne. 31:3).
Read MorePaintings
Alma said, “O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart…” (Alma 29:1).
Read MoreIsaac
Isaac leaves tomorrow for his mission. I have had the opportunity to get very close to this boy since he graduated from high school in May.
Read MoreBrother Chung-Hee
I was officiating an endowment session three weeks ago. As I sat up front and surveyed the congregation, the face of one man seemed to shine out.
Read MoreA Simple Test
There is a simple test that can be employed to assess the veracity of some of the world’s most popular philosophies.
Read MoreAnother Side to the Story
It was still pitch dark as Wes pulled his truck to a stop nearly at the end of the county road. Hunting was hard work, and required sacrifice.
Read MoreVast World, Vast Plans
It is a beautiful, cloudless day. In the east there is an area of sky that gets more and more orange…
Read MoreDoves and Pigeons
A lesson might be taken from the passenger pigeon, the American bison, and the ring-necked dove.
Read MoreSlow Learners
How much better, how much wiser, how much more righteous are we than the ancients?
Read MoreThe Book of Mormon—The Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me
I had made the 8-hour drive from Oregon, U.S.A. to Provo, Utah to see my girlfriend at Brigham Young University. She took me to the fast and testimony meeting…
Read MoreMy Purpose on Earth
I frequently contemplate and puzzle over the question of why I am so blessed. Surely there has never been anyone with so many advantages as I.
Read MoreRobots Are the Key
I fell asleep while preparing my lesson. I had a dream. The dream said, “Robots are the key.”
Read MoreTemple Conversations
Serving as ordinance workers in the temple, we’re told to be consistently reverent. We’re not to discuss politics, sports, or business.
Read MoreMy Blessed Life
I have been blessed with a long life filled with joy, love, service, and family. I have been blessed with the opportunity to make every covenant…
Read MoreTwo Eyes—Two Viewpoints
Sitting in the living room in the early morning hours preparing my institute lesson, I glanced outside to watch the birds…
Read More