Email from Sister Tracy Friend - Hello from Colorado

I was just reading the RS blog and reminiscing on old friends. Looks like things are moving right along without us!

We are still looking for a job, but Mark has 3 companies now that are keenly interested in him. He is in Texas right now, getting our van with Marcus. We are looking to rent a house in October. We have been living in my sister’s basement since July 1^st!

The kids are happy in school and church. There are 3 seminary classes that meet at our chapel M-F! (That’s 3 wards of kids.) Casey misses Sis. Han sorely. She says seminary is boring here. I think she misses Sis. Han’s love, and her treats! From seminary they walk to school, which is right next door.

I’m my sister’s cook. That was part of the bargain of me staying here. It’s great though. I love it!

I found a great volunteer job at the Office of Emergency Management. I can work as much and whenever I want! I got put in charge of a big project the first week. I love it!! More on that later.

The food here is great. Of course. My favorite so far – Horchata. It’s a rice milk drink flavored with vanilla and cinnamon. Yum!!!! I sometimes I get a big cup of it (it’s called a SMALL!!) and bring it home for Mark for a treat. Too much sugar for me. The weirdest thing I’ve had? Celery soda, and yesterday – Alligator!!

Back to my job – the RS asked me to prepare regular Emergency Preparedness tips for their newsletter. I included the first one with this email (Click here). If you want, I’m happy to send them to you guys as well! Not only are they going to be used in our ward, but perhaps in the Stake (District) and a few Housing complexes here that have asked our office (at my work) for monthly tips.

Well, I’d better go. Miss you guys!

Tracy

Arkansas centenarian receives endowment at Memphis Temple

Dorothy Wagner turned 105 on Sept. 2.

In July, when she was still 104, she had a first.

She went to the temple for her own endowment on July 22 in the Memphis Tennessee Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

"It was a marvelous experience just going," she said. "It's something you would remember."

Her visiting teacher, Teresa Bailey, taught her the temple preparation lessons. Bailey and her husband, Robert, who is Wagner's home teacher, took Wagner the 170 miles from her home in Horseshoe Bend, Ark., to the temple in Memphis.

(For the full article, click here)

Birthday gift: Do something for others

One man asked his children to think of ways to serve their neighbors for President Monson's birthday. After some consideration, one of his daughters thought it would be fun to bake cookies for some families in the neighborhood. "The week leading to the day we were planning on making the delivery of the cookies had been particularly busy at my work," he wrote. "I was getting home late and was unable to take care of some of the basic home needs including mowing my lawn that was getting quite tall. As I arrived home on the day we were planning on delivering the cookies, the kitchen was busy with all four of my children and my wife baking. Upon completion, we delivered the goodies to all 10 families, which took two hours as we had short visits with each neighbor. We had a great time.

"The next day was Saturday and I had to work. When I got home that evening, my neglected lawn had been mowed and cared for. I knew that my wife, who was pregnant, was gone that day and would not have been able to do it. I then realized that I was the recipient of the service that was rendered on behalf of President Monson. I had never thought that I would be on the other end of the giving that was done for his birthday. It is a day I will never forget.

"Thank you President Monson, your gift did more than I had planned for."

(For the full article, click here)

Happy 52nd Birthday, Malaysia!

Negaraku, tanah tumpahnya darahku

Rakyat hidup, bersatu dan maju

Rahmat bah'gia, Tuhan kurniakan

Raja kita, selamat bertakhta

Rahmat bah'gia, Tuhan kurniakan

Raja kita, selamat bertakhta

I love our national anthem. I feel much in my heart especially when I come to the words: "tanah tumpahnya darahku". How beautifully written it is. I am thankful to have been born and bred here. This is where my heart is, this is my home. I pray that our country will continue to be blessed and that our leaders will serve the people will integrity.

Emergency Preparedness

Today, we had a combined Priesthood and Relief Society meeting and President Renner was moved upon to chastise us for not being obedient to the counsel of the Lord to have our 72-hour kits and 3-month home storage fully prepared.

President Renner quoted from Alma 5:6 which says, "And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, you that belong to this church, have you sufficiently retained in ^aremembrance the captivity of your fathers? Yea, and have you sufficiently retained in remembrance his mercy and long-suffering towards them? And moreover, have ye sufficiently retained in remembrance that he has ^bdelivered their souls from hell?

We were also told that blessings were being withheld from our branch due to this disobedience. I felt really sorry that the Lord was displeased with me. It made feel really bad that I had let the Lord down. I need to repent.

Sisters, we can't deny that we have been reminded over and over again to do this. There must be a good reason that this is happening. Let us be diligent and obedient and do all that we can. I know that the Lord will bless our efforts.

Let us go and do!

Quote - Facing Doubt and Discouragement

"In the gospel of Jesus Christ you have help from both sides of the veil and you must never forget that. When disappointment and discouragement strike--and they will--you remember and never forget that if our eyes could be opened we would see horses and chariots of fire as far as the eye can see riding at reckless speed to come to our protection. They will always be there, these armies of heaven, in defense of Abraham's seed."

--Jeffrey R. Holland, "For Times of Trouble," New Era, October 1980, 15

You're Never Alone

Each of us knew that the journey to exaltation would be long, strenuous, and sometimes lonely, but we also knew that we would not travel alone. Heavenly Father provides all who fulfill the prerequisites of faith, repentance, and baptism with a companion and guide, the Holy Ghost.

--Keith K Hilbig

Charity in Action - Sister Catherine Larsen

In 2006, I took a trip with two friends to Thailand, Malaysia, and Cambodia. I was teaching classes on world religions at BYU at that time, so I decided to devote my summer vacation to studying Buddhism and Islam first-hand. Unfortunately, I faced some terrible back problems during the first few days of the trip. A disc in my lower back had herniated so profoundly that it was hitting my sciatic nerve and causing me excrutiating pain with any movement. I hurt so badly that I couldn't even tolerate getting home, so I stayed and spent all day every day flat on my back at $5/night hostels in Asia. I was miserable.

When I was in Chiang Mai, Thailand, I received a blessing from a priesthood holder who said, "After faith comes the miracle." I certainly didn't believe him because I had endured so much pain and could not see a possible solution. I kept thinking to myself, "If I could just find an anti-inflammatory I've used in the past, I could make it home to where I could get help."

When we arrived at church in KL, it was Mother's Day. The primary sang the same songs I sang as a little girl. I cried like a baby, mostly out of love for the church and those songs and my mom but also out of pain in my back and leg. During Sunday School, I decided to lie flat on my back in a vacant classroom and take the pressure off of my nerves and joints. My friends were so upset, wondering what they could possibly do to help me. About half-way through the hour, in walked Elder Merritt. He introduced himself and shook our hands, even bending down to reach me on the floor. He looked at me and exclaimed, "You look just like my wife!" At that moment, Sister Merritt came in with the same hunched over back and the same swollen hip. It was just like looking in the mirror. The second she saw me, she asked, "Do you want some anti-inflammatory medicine?" Like my own manna in the wilderness, it was the exact same medicine I had hoped for in Thailand.

Sister Merritt and I crippled over to the Merritts' home like two old, old men. They gave me their bed and their clothes and their food. They invited a nurse over to help me--the same nice girl who periodically helped Sister Merritt. It was a true demonstration of mothering and fathering. I needed it, and they provided it. Their medicine saved my broken body, and their love saved my broken soul.

Sister Catherine Larsen and Her Band - Silver City Pink

From left: Lisa Blaser (lead vocals), Kim Dubois (mandolin), Amber Crowley (fiddle), Catherine Larsen (harmony vocals, guitar, piano), Stacey Davis (bass).

Sisters, do you still remember Sister Catherine Larsen from the United States who visited us on 2 August? Well, she was too modest to mention anything but I found out later just how talented she is! She has a bluegrass band with four other friends and they are known as Silver City Pink.

Sister Catherine Larsen sings harmony, plays the guitar and the piano and has written most of their original work! She's awesome and her band is awesome! They have won numerous competitions and are now working on their second album.

To know more about them, please visit: www.silvercitypink.com and www.ldsmusicworld.com/artists/silvercitypink.html

As a treat, we can download one of their songs called "Old Climbing Tree" courtesy of LDS Music World.

So sisters, enjoy!

This Is Your Phone Call

President Monson tells the story of a retired executive named Ed who lived the example of a quorum member. On one occasion President Monson was speaking with Ed and asked him, “ ‘Ed, what are you doing in the Church?’ He replied, ‘I have the best assignment in the ward. My responsibility is to help men who are unemployed find permanent employment. This year I have helped 12 of my brethren who were out of work to obtain good jobs. I have never been happier in my entire life.’ “ President Monson continues, “Short in stature, ‘Little Ed,’ as we affectionately called him, stood tall that evening as his eyes glistened and his voice quavered. He showed his love by helping those in need. He restored human dignity. He opened doors for those who knew not how to do so themselves.”

There are many ways bishops and quorum members can help to relieve the suffering and anxiety of the unemployed. Phil’s Auto of Centerville, Utah, is a testament of what priesthood leadership and a quorum can accomplish. Phil was a member of an elders quorum and worked as a mechanic at a local automobile repair shop. Unfortunately, the repair shop where Phil worked experienced economic trouble and had to let Phil go from his job. He was devastated by this turn of events.

On hearing about Phil’s job loss, his bishop, Leon Olson, and his elders quorum presidency prayerfully considered ways they could help Phil get back on his feet. After all, he was a fellow quorum member, a brother, and he needed help. They concluded that Phil had the skills to run his own business. One of the quorum members offered that he had an old barn that perhaps could be used as a repair shop. Other quorum members could help gather needed tools and supplies to equip the new shop. Almost everyone in the quorum could at least help clean the old barn.

They shared their ideas with Phil; then they shared their plan with the members of their quorum. The barn was cleaned and renovated, the tools gathered, and all was put in order. Phil’s Auto was a success and eventually moved to better and more permanent quarters—all because his quorum brothers offered help in a time of crisis. Priesthood quorums can and must make a difference.

Bishops, the sisters have a role in this effort. Because of the economy, many mothers are finding it necessary to make budget and other living adjustments. Some are even finding it necessary to leave the home to find work. The Relief Society sisters, with their specially endowed, compassionate hearts, can help. They can help identify the needy. They can teach. They can babysit, console, comfort, and encourage. They can make a difference.

(For the full talk, click here)

Ideal Birthday Gift for President Monson

Last year, on the occasion of his 81st birthday, President Thomas S. Monson was asked to describe the ideal birthday gift. Without hesitating, he said, "Do something for someone else on that day to make his or her life better. Find someone who is having a hard time or is ill or lonely, and do something for them. That's all I would ask."

This year, as the Church News planned a report about President Monson's birthday, we invited readers to tell us about their "birthday gifts for President Monson." Following are highlights of service members have performed in his honor. We're almost certain that more reports will be sent about service performed on the date of his 82nd birthday, which is Aug. 21.

(For the full article, click here)

Conversion Story - Sister Tina Lee

After my husband died in 2006, I was very sad and afraid as I felt like a tree with no branches, just emptiness. So I did something which I had never done before: I went to church. After two years of going to the Catholic Church, I still felt afraid, alone and without anyone whom I could confide in. As time went by, it became worse. I felt weak and vulnerable. When I finally thought that I had found a friend, this person took advantage of my trust.

One day, I saw two white guys traveling on the same bus, talking to the other passengers. What surprised me was that one of them was talking to a passenger in Tamil! I later asked the passenger what the white guy wanted and he said that the white guy was telling him about God. He was also given a book in Tamil. I became interested and wanted to know more but the question was: How? Where could I find them?

Some time later, I saw those same white guys in Mid-Valley Mega Mall where I was working. I approached them and asked for the book about Jesus Christ. They were so happy and asked whether they could meet me to teach me. I told them no problem and a date was set for the following week. However, when the time came for us to meet, they were taken ill and I never got taught by them.

Later, when my work took me to Ampang Point, I saw another two guys from the same church. When they checked my address, they told me that they were the ones who were supposed to teach me, not the previous two guys. I got to know them as Elder Houston and Elder Taimoni.

Not long after they started teaching me about the Prophet Joseph Smith and what he did, Elder Houston told me that he had been transferred to Singapore. I couldn't understand why someone who was so concerned about me and my knowledge of God had to go. My heart ached and I felt very sad.

Elder Taimoni continued teaching me with Elder Richards. After a few meetings, Elder Taimoni too had to go. You can imagine how I felt as the teachers kept being changed.

Then came Sister Parry and Sister Clark. By the end of September last year, they decided I should get baptized but I was very reluctant. I became afraid. I told them I couldn't be baptized as I was already baptized in another Church but if God called me to be baptized, I'd do it. I wouldn't do it just for the sake of making them happy.

They agreed and started sending me scriptures to read every day. They also asked me to ask God about my baptism. I started having problems with one of my sons and as I thought about it, I realized that God was calling me to be baptized so that I could have the companionship of the Holy Ghost and be able to feel peace.

One day before I was baptized, I felt faint. I don't remember how I managed to walk to where I could get a cab, told the driver where I live, got out of the cab, walked up the stairs and reached my front door. I realized later it must have been God who had taken me safely home. I decided to do what God had wanted me to do and that was to get baptized. The date was set for 19 October 2008.

Sister Parry and Sister Clark were very happy but neither of them got to attend my baptism. Sister Svenson and Sister Kotogama took over their place. I was baptized by Brother Friend. I had a very good feeling. I felt like all my burdens and sadness had been lifted up.

Now, I feel happy going to church. I am very blessed that President Renner takes good care of me as he knows I had a lot of sadness in my life. I feel like I have a family now, not just a bare tree but one with many branches. After Sister Svenson and Sister Kotogama left, Sister McCurdy and Sister Alford continued to teach me and it made me happy. I feel the Holy Ghost who comforts me.

It feels really nice to belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It's like a home, full of laughter and love that I had never experienced before, not even with my sons. They have all left, thinking that I'm the most foolish mother. But with God by my side, I don't worry so much any more. I know He is there for me.

Stephanie Smith: Top CIA Exec and New Convert, Tells Story

Stephanie Smith received an MPA at Harvard University and worked her way up in the CIA to become Director of Support, managing the largest directorate in the organization. For 25 years she was at the highest level of the senior executive cadre managing intelligence, public diplomacy and defense —but for Stephanie, something was missing.

(For the full story, click here)

Thanks Sister Cathy, for e-mailing me this very dramatic conversion story. It was a great read.

Engaging Without Being Defensive

Recently I saw some research about how other people see members of the Church. I have long been interested in this subject because I have had somewhat to do with missionary work in my Church assignments. Knowing how people see us is an important part of understanding how best to explain ourselves. This particular piece of research made an interesting observation. It suggested that members of our Church can sometimes appear very defensive to those who are not members of the Church. One respondent went as far as to say that when Mormons are explaining their beliefs, their language is in terms that suggest they are expecting criticism.

If we want to be respected today for who we are, then we need to act confidently — secure in the knowledge of who we are and what we stand for, and not as if we have to apologize for our beliefs. That doesn’t mean we should be arrogant or overbearing. Respect for others’ views should always be a basic principle for us — it’s built right into the Articles of Faith. But when we act as if we are a persecuted minority, or as if we expect to be misunderstood or criticized, people will sense it and respond accordingly.

I’m going to give you two suggestions for how to engage in conversations nondefensively.

First suggestion: Don’t let irrelevant issues drown out the more important subjects.

Our Church members have too often allowed others to set the conversational agenda. An example is polygamy. This ended in the Church as an official practice in 1890. It’s now 2009. Why are we still talking about it? It was a practice. It ended. We moved on. If people ask you about polygamy, just acknowledge it was once a practice but not now, and that people shouldn’t confuse any polygamists with our Church. In ordinary conversations, don’t waste time trying to justify the practice of polygamy during the Old Testament times or speculating as to why it was practiced for a time in the 19th century. Those may be legitimate topics for historians and scholars, but I think we simply reinforce the stereotypes when we make it a primary topic of conversations about the Church.

I realize that sometimes these conversations are triggered by stories that appear in the media. That doesn’t change anything. Earlier this year a TV cable network series about polygamists depicted the sacred temple ceremony. That portrayal caused great concern among Church members, which is understandable. We were all offended by it.

But I refer you to an article in response that was placed by the Public Affairs Department of the Church on its Newsroom Web site at that time. As I quote from it, please listen to the tone. There is nothing defensive about it, yet it was responding to an inappropriate portrayal of one of our most sacred religious ceremonies:

“Like other large faith groups, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sometimes finds itself on the receiving end of attention from Hollywood or Broadway, television series or books, and the news media. Sometimes depictions of the Church and its people are quite accurate. Sometimes the images are false or play to stereotypes. Occasionally, they are in appallingly bad taste.

“As Catholics, Jews, and Muslims have known for centuries, such attention is inevitable once an institution or faith group reaches a size or prominence sufficient to attract notice.” The article then goes on to discourage the idea of an organized boycott of the network or affiliated businesses, which was being actively promoted among some of our members on the Internet.

Continuing the Newsroom quote:

“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as an institution does not call for boycotts. Such a step would simply generate the kind of controversy that the media loves and in the end would increase audiences for the series. …

“Latter-day Saints should conduct themselves with dignity and thoughtfulness. Not only is this the model that Jesus Christ taught and demonstrated in His own life, but it also reflects the reality of the strength and maturity of Church members today. … If the Church allowed critics and opponents to choose the ground on which its battles are fought, it would risk being distracted from the focus and mission it has pursued successfully for nearly 180 years. Instead, the Church itself will determine its own course as it continues to preach the restored gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world.”

Let me give you another example in recent memory. A year or two ago an independent film group made a movie about the Mountain Meadows Massacre. To describe this as a really bad “B” movie would be generous. Frankly, it was just awful — even the Hollywood critics panned it. The promoters did everything they could to provoke the Church into making it a major topic of conversation. In fact, we completely ignored it. We refused to allow them to set the agenda. The result: a big flop at the box office and presumably a lot of red ink in the promoters’ bank accounts. Meanwhile, we continue to respond and to reach out in constructive and intelligent ways with the descendants of those who were involved in those terrible events at Mountain Meadows.

And recently the Church has published a well-researched book titled Massacre at Mountain Meadows which documents the facts surrounding this tragedy.

Now my second suggestion to you is to emphasize that Latter-day Saints follow Jesus Christ and what Jesus Christ teaches. We try to follow Him in all that we do.

When all is said and done, the most important thing about you and your testimony is that you base your beliefs on what Jesus Christ taught, and you try to follow Him by living your life in a way acceptable to our Heavenly Father and to the Lord.

This is your foundation. It was Joseph Smith’s foundation. He said: “The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, he was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it.”

Whenever you are having a conversation about the Church, you should try to make this a point. We follow Jesus Christ. We try to live as He taught. That’s the basis of our faith and our lives. This is the strongest nondefensive position you can take. You don’t have to defend or justify anything when you are basing your position on the teachings of the Son of God and the fact that you are doing your best to keep His commandments.

It is a great blessing to have the doctrines of Jesus Christ, which are clear to those who study the scriptures and embrace His teachings. As we follow the doctrine of the Lord Jesus Christ, we come to know that all of us are the children of God and He loves us. By following Christ we know where we came from before we were born, we know our purpose for being here on the earth, and we know where we will go when we leave this earth life. The plan of salvation is clear; it is God’s plan for the eternal happiness of His children.

There are commandments that God has given for men and women to live by. They are His commandments, and no one is authorized to change them except by direct revelation to God’s chosen prophet.

People throughout the world are drifting further and further away from the teachings of the Lord toward a secular society that the apostle Paul described:

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth” (2 Timothy 4:3–5).

Today is the day and the time Paul saw. There is an ever-growing number of people who believe that there is no God, no Christ, no plan of redemption, no Atonement, no repentance, no forgiveness, no life after death, no resurrection, no eternal life, no eternal families sealed together forever.

How empty life must be without the blessings of the fulness of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ? Now my brothers and sisters, we follow Jesus Christ. We know the plan of happiness, the great plan of redemption through the Lord Jesus Christ. You graduates know the doctrines of Jesus Christ. You must strive now and always to live by them. Upon your generation will rest the responsibility to teach the doctrines of the Lord and to know how to build up His Church. Please remember you do not need to feel like you must justify your beliefs; you simply need to explain them in the spirit of love and kindness. The truth always prevails when true doctrine is taught.

Now here are just a few examples:

1. We follow Jesus Christ’s doctrine of service to our fellow man. We serve both our members and those who are not. The great work we do in humanitarian service throughout the world relieves suffering and hardship. We do all we can, sharing our resources of time and money to meet the needs of both our members and those of other faiths recognizing that “inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matthew 25:40).

1. We follow Jesus Christ’s doctrine of striving to live the Word of Wisdom, which is a sound way to enjoy a healthy physical body. We avoid drug abuse of all kinds because our bodies are the house of our eternal spirits and happiness in this life is obtained by being spiritually strong and physically healthy.
2. We follow Jesus Christ by living the law of chastity. God gave this commandment, and He has never revoked it nor changed it. This law is clear and simple. No one is to engage in sexual relationships out of the bounds the Lord has set. This applies to homosexual behavior of any kind and to heterosexual relationships outside of marriage. It is a sin to violate the law of chastity.
3. We follow Jesus Christ by adhering to God’s law of marriage, which is marriage between a man and a woman. This commandment has been in place from the very beginning. God said, “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). God instructed Adam and Eve that they were to “be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it” (Genesis 1:28).

Modern-day prophets and apostles reaffirmed this command in “The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” issued in 1995:

“God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife. … The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan.”

5. We follow Jesus Christ and teach the first principles of the gospel and all of the other wonderful doctrines of the restoration that when embraced and lived bring peace, joy and happiness to the sons and daughters of God.

--M Russell Ballard

(For the whole article, click here)

How Glorious Are Faithful, Just, and True friends

One such friend was Willard Richards, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, who was jailed with Joseph and Hyrum Smith and John Taylor in Carthage, Illinois. While being held in the jail, the men were allowed to move from a cell on the first floor to a more comfortable bedroom on the second floor of the jailhouse. Then, shortly before the martyrdom, the jailer suggested that the prisoners would be safer in an iron-barred cell next to the bedroom. Joseph asked Elder Richards, who was called "doctor" by his friends because he had practiced medicine: " 'If we go into the cell, will you go in with us?' The doctor answered, 'Brother Joseph, you did not ask me to cross the river with you -- you did not ask me to come to Carthage -- you did not ask me to come to jail with you -- and do you think I would forsake you now? But I will tell you what I will do; if you are condemned to be hung for treason, I will be hung in your stead, and you shall go free.' Joseph said, 'You cannot.' The doctor replied, 'I will.'

• True friends ease one another's sorrows and remain faithful even in times of adversity.

"...I hope I shall see [my friends] again, that I may toil for them, and administer to their comfort also. They shall not want a friend while I live; my heart shall love those, and my hands shall toil for those, who love and toil for me, and shall ever be found faithful to my friends. Shall I be ungrateful? Verily no! God forbid!"

• Friendship unites the human family, dispelling hatred and misunderstanding.

"...Friendship is like Brother [Theodore] Turley in his blacksmith shop welding iron to iron; it unites the human family with its happy influence."

• Saints of God are true friends to one another.

"I would esteem it one of the greatest blessings, if I am to be afflicted in this world, to have my lot cast where I can find brothers and friends all around me."

(For the full lesson, click here)