Mothers
The Most Influential People
Because of my mother I decided early that I would never try alcohol nor tobacco.
Because of my mother I learned that there is a God in heaven. She set me to wondering about God
and Jesus Christ. Are they one person or two? Are they persons? I couldn’t sort it out,
but because of her I knew there was Something there, and that I had to be good.
Parable of the Million-Dollar Wife
There was once a frugal couple with a large family to care for. He was the breadwinner. She stayed home to care for the children. There were 10 of them. With such a large family, money was scarce. Should she get a job? Should she use her energies to bring an extra income into the family? Was it fair that he should do all the work?
Read MoreBirthday Gifts
A month ago Jim Fuller wrote a letter asking me to write a page about our relationship and my conversion. We exchanged letters updating one another about our lives. I mentioned to him that we had had a new baby added to our family every year since 1993; but that I was worried because we were already two months into 2021, and no one had announced a pregnancy.
Read MoreI Knew Dick Would Come
Many years ago, I would visit an older widow named Mattie, whom I had known for many years and whose bishop I had been. My heart grieved at her utter loneliness.
Read MoreBabies Don’t Keep—Poem
Cleaning and scrubbing can wait ‘til tomorrow.
For babies grow up,
We’ve learned to our sorrow.
So quiet down, cobwebs.
Mother’s Love Never Ceases
A few years ago while I was presiding over the mission in Minneapolis, Minnesota, an interesting event took place….A rather severe tornado hit the area.
Read MoreSeven Years to Read Book of Mormon
Sister Knell is a covenant woman who makes a difference. She is a widow in her 80s with a 47-year-old son, mentally and physically disabled from birth.
Read MoreOh, To Be Able to Scrub The Oven
A faithful member shared her testimony of how the power of goodness influenced her life. She writes:
“Until I was about eight years old, I was oblivious to the fact that my mother had serious health problems—later diagnosed as multiple sclerosis.
Revelation and the Temple
When you go to the temple with an open heart, wanting to learn, and seeking whatever knowledge the Lord desires to give you, you can’t help but receive revelation. The revelations you receive come through the Holy Ghost as little bursts of pure knowledge. They don’t come as grandiose, panoramic views such as those received by Enoch, the brother of Jared, Nephi, or Moses. Those revelations to those chosen prophets had special purposes. For the rest of us, instruction normally comes “here a little, and there a little.”
Read MoreMe, a Shepherd in Israel
This is the topic the stake presidency gave Marjorie and the other stake leaders upon which they are to speak this coming year. When I heard it, my mind immediately added punctuation so that the topic became, “Me?!! A Shepherd in Israel.” I might also add the phrase, “Are you kidding?”—I’m a nobody, and everyone else knows it. I’m just a common person and am not capable of herding people around.
Read MoreTime Management
In the just-past general conference Elder Gong told of his wife’s grandmother. The grandmother had a foot pedal installed on her butter churn so that she could make butter,
Read MoreLot’s Wife
There is a three-word verse in the New Testament wherein Jesus says simply, “Remember Lot’s wife.” (Luke 19:32).
Read MoreBetter Than a Professional
When Marjorie was a 12-year-old girl she entered the Beehive class in Mutual. Each Beehive was encouraged to complete a number of requirements and skills
Read MorePerspectives on Forgiveness
We all come from different walks of life. Our perspectives are as varied as our experiences.
Read MoreA Precious and Chosen Vessel
As I was reading the Book of Mormon my attention was arrested by a phrase that I hadn’t thought about before. The Spirit had told Alma that Christ would be born at Jerusalem of Mary, “a precious and chosen vessel.”
Read MorePriesthood and Motherhood
Question: A strange thing has come up in YW. One family has a mom that can “tap” into the priesthood and use the power herself. She has been called on to perform certain things in the name of the priesthood.
Read MoreThe Process of Sanctification
The authorship of the following article is 90% Marjorie, and 10% James. Women who opt out of becoming mothers, or who purposely have only one or two children—women who choose to follow men into the workplace and be like men—miss the best opportunity to become sanctified, and must achieve sanctification like men do.
Read MoreTraction
David A. Bednar told the story of his friend who bought a pickup, took it up in the snowy mountains to get a load of firewood, and promptly got stuck. He was unable to extricate the pickup from where it was stuck in the snow.
Read MoreA Pearl of Great Price
Nearly everything of value that I know, I learned from my wife.
When I was a senior in high school, I became focused on a beautiful, happy girl with a radiant smile. I felt happy when I was around her. I felt good. I felt like smiling. It took me five years, but I succeeded in marrying her. She taught me how to smile, and I’ve been smiling ever since.
Letter To Mom
Your great grandson, Isaac, spoke in church yesterday. It was Mother’s Day. He said that we should all write letters to our mothers. A great longing came over me to be able to do so. I haven’t seen you for 31 years now; but I’ve no doubt that you see me, and know what I do. I think that if I was to write you a letter, you’d probably read it.
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