Elder M. Russell Ballard, an Apostle in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, spoke two years ago on the topic, "What Matters Most is What Lasts Longest." Click on the link above to read the full talk. As I read his talk, it struck a chord.

So often as we're parenting our children, we get hung up on things that don't last very long and probably aren't very important - i.e. if our son didn't scrub under his nails or our daughter doesn't wash her hair often enough. These are important activities, true. Good personal hygiene is a lovely thing!

But sometimes as parents we become frustrated and angry in ways that aren't needful. If we're not careful, one day we might lose the opportunity to correct this. Elder Ballard spoke of his experience when he visited displaced victims of Hurricane Katrina. Listen to this:

"Their stories and situations are tragic and poignant in many ways, but in all that I heard, what touched me the most was the crying out for family: 'Where is my mother?' 'I can't find my son.' 'I've lost a sister.' These were hungry, frightened people who had lost everything and needed food, medical attention, and help of all kinds, but what they wanted and needed most was their families" (Elder M. Russell Ballard, “What Matters Most Is What Lasts Longest,” Ensign, Nov. 2005, 41)

I read this and thought of the truthfulness of this thought. One can see this born out at airports, in fact. Suddenly everyone seems to love each other - for in saying goodbye, one often realizes what they will soon be missing.

So as parents, what can we do to correct hasty, angry, sour moments with our children? Here are a few thoughts.

First, we can love more verbally. I have heard it said that a child hears one positive comment for every seventeen negative comments. Perish the thought! No wonder children as they grow often turn to peers to have their needs met. Indeed, as parents we do NOT need to bend our rules. But we do need to love verbally more often and better. We need to catch our kids doing all the good things they do - and express gratitude over it. Why wait till a potential funeral when they're dead and it's too late?

Second, we can love more physically. Why not spend fifteen minutes tossing a ball back and forth - or spending the last few minutes of the day giggling or reading a story together. I've heard it said, "The family that laughs together stays together." And it is true. Families that have fun together seem to weather the storms of life better.

Finally, we can love the Lord more. This is for both individuals and as a family. When children see parents serving God and reading their scriptures and praying, the children will learn to do the same. The result will be a family that draws closer because they are based on the things of God.

Why wait for a devastation such as Hurricane Katrina to wake us up to the people living in our own homes and how terrific they are? Why wait till saying goodbye at an airport or a funeral to then say nice things to or about each other? Let's start today making a difference in the hearts and lives of those we love by loving them more verbally, physically, and spiritually.

To read the rest of Elder Ballard's talk, click here. To learn additional ways to strengthen your family, feel free to visit the Provident Living website. Families will last for a long time - even an eternity - if we just treat them right!

There is a story in the Book of Mormon concerning a vision seen by Lehi and then by his son Nephi. It is commonly referred to as “The Tree of Life”.

In this vision, Lehi finds himself in an unknown and dark world. He desperately begins to search for some source of light, or of guidance to remove him from the situation he is in. Eventually, Lehi finds a “rod of iron”. He grabs on to this symbol of security and begins to follow its path. The iron rod ends at a beautiful tree filled with fruit that is delicious, desirable, and puts joy in the heart.

After Lehi tells his family about the vision, explaining the presence of the rod and tree as well as many other aspects of the scene, his son Nephi wants to know more. He wants to understand what his father’s words can tell him about the gospel and how he should live his life. When he asks God for understanding Nephi is granted a view of the same events; however, he is also provided with a guide to help him understand what he is seeing.

Each piece of the vision tells Nephi something else about the world he lives in and God’s eternal plan for man’s happiness. Central to this happiness are two pieces of the vision: the rod and the tree.

When grasped firmly, the rod provides a sure and straight path to the tree. Nephi learns that this rod is available to all men; some will hold to it firmly, some will begin with it in their grasp then let go, some will refuse to use it at all. Whatever the choices of man, the rod is there as a guide. The rod that is offered to each of us is the word of God, His scriptures, the doctrine of Christ. It is His gospel that can make our steps sure and steady. It is His rod of truth that will take us to the presence of the Father to dwell in joy and peace. The tree represents this goal: the love of God toward each of us and His beckoning call to eternal life.

“And they said unto me: What meaneth the rod of iron which our father saw, that led to the tree?

And I said unto them that it was the word of God; and whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction.” 1 Nephi 15:23-24

It’s a simple message, really. But, it holds a significant promise. The doctrines of Christ will lead us home.

So, then the question becomes: How do we take hold of the rod? The Savior provides the answer.

“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” John 5:39

This is the prayer that Henry B. Eyring shares for the youth. But it’s message and promises are applicable to each of us as well.

“The pure gospel of Jesus Christ must go down into the hearts of young people by the power of the Holy Ghost. It will not be enough for them to have had a spiritual witness of the truth and to want good things later. It will not be enough for them to hope for some future cleansing and strengthening. Our aim must be for them to become truly converted to the restored gospel of Jesus Christ while they are young.
Then they will have gained a strength from what they are, not only from what they know. They will become disciples of Christ. They will be His spiritual children who always remember Him with gratitude and in faith. They will then have the Holy Ghost as a constant companion. Their hearts will be turned outward, concerned for the temporal and spiritual welfare of others. They will walk humbly. They will feel cleansed, and they will look on evil with abhorrence.” We Must Raise Our Sights, Henry B. Eyring

In the scriptures we find the doctrine of Christ, we begin to understand His ways, and hear His voice calling us toward eternity. To be a disciple of Christ, each individual needs to learn how to come unto Christ and be perfected in Him. Each one of us needs to understand His words through diligent study, every day rather than casual reading. We are told to gain a firm grip on the rod, not a light touch, so that we may not become lost to a confusing world. That grip, the diligence we put into learning and exemplifying the doctrines of Christ, is what writes a testimony of the Savior onto our hearts and keeps our feet firmly planted on His paths.

A seminar was held on February 23 in Richmond, Virginia, where presenters discussed the preservation and indexing of the Virginia Freedmen's Bureau Records. The seminar was presented by the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia and volunteers from the Central Virginia Family History Centers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often referred to as "the Mormons").

The Freedmen's Bureau was a federal agency formed in 1865 to assist and protect newly freed blacks in the South following the American Civil War. The Bureau only lasted nine years, but the records involved in administering it included marriage certificates and licenses, applications for food rations, school and land reports, and other court records. A wealth of information on the ancestors of many of today's African Americans can be found in these records, so preserving them is important and indexing them is vital to their usability in genealogical research.

The Freedmen's Bureau Preservation Act of 2000 authorized U.S. government funding to preserve some 4000 bound volumes of records. Currently preservation is going on under the National Archives & Records Administration (NARA). In a partnership with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a searchable CD has been released that contains records of the Freedmen's Bank. Approximately half a million names are on this CD. Information available on the bank records include names of depositors; names of spouses, children, parents and siblings; birthplaces; and other data useful to genealogical research. It is estimated that 8-10 million African Americans today have ancestors who deposited money in the Freedman's Bank.

An article that appeared in Powhatan Today on February 20, 2008, described one man's visit to his local Latter-day Saint family history library. Carleton Finney already had a book with information on his ancestors that had been compiled by relatives, but the volunteer working at the family history library quickly guided him to available census records that verified the information that he had. Family history libraries of the LDS Church are staffed by volunteers who are available to guide researchers of all backgrounds to records that can help them in their search for their ancestors.

Why do people research their family histories? There are many reasons to do so, including that it can be a fascinating hobby. However, members of the LDS Church have additional reasons as well. According to an introductory page at www.familysearch.org, a free online family history resource run by the Church that features access to their extensive record collection:

Why do members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints do family history research? They do it because they are motivated by love for their deceased family members and desire to serve them.

Life does not end at death. When we die, our eternal spirits go to a spirit world, where we continue to learn while we await the Resurrection and Final Judgment.

Members of the Church believe that the family can also continue beyond the grave, not just until death.

This is possible when parents and their children make special promises, called covenants, in sacred temples. These covenants, when made with the authority of God and faithfully kept, can unite families for eternity.

Members of the Church believe that their deceased ancestors can also receive the blessings of being eternally united with their families.

For this purpose, Church members make covenants in temples in behalf of their ancestors, who may accept these covenants, if they so choose, in the spirit world.

In order to make covenants in behalf of their ancestors, members must first identify them. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has gathered genealogical records from all over the world. These records are available at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah, and at Family History Centers throughout the world.

This is a large reason why Latter-day Saints research their family histories. But there are plenty of family history researchers out there who utilize the vast resources of the LDS Church simply out of an interest in their own pasts. The resources of the Church are available to people of all faiths.

So stop by the family history library of your local LDS meetinghouse. Volunteers there will be glad to help you get started on your own journey.

There is so much to do and learn in this big wide crazy, yet terrific world we live in. Amidst all those choices are some pretty scary ones.

I remember as a young mother, I used to watch my toddler play at the park. Oh, I was so careful to run to his side if he scraped his knee or bonked his head. He needed me and I needed to model how to take care of bleeding injuries and how to handle emotional upsets.

But what about now that he is a teenager? Now he is not always at my side. My son not only is busy with school activities, church responsibilities, and friends, but he is also preparing in many ways to "leave the nest." In a few short years he will be old enough to serve a mission and to teach other people about Jesus Christ. Will he be ready?

I have found one of the best ways to prepare my children, not just my oldest, is through weekly Family Home Evenings. There are some other excellent posts here at LDSBlogs.com on how to approach Family Home Evening. I'll refer you to them starting with this Family Home Evening article and this article on strengthening your family through the gospel.

But here are a few additional things to think about that you might want to factor into your FHEs.

1. Spiritual Preparedness.
It would be important to share the love of Jesus Christ in each FHE. You can do this through studying the scriptures in many different ways. You can also testify of Him or share of personal witnesses you have had. All of this builds a solid foundation for your children, so they know who to turn to when they're on their own and have "fallen" and "scraped" their emotional or spiritual selves.

2. Emotional Preparedness.
Remember that children learn to treat others how parents treat them. Are our children emotionally resilient? They will be resilient as they grow in love, support, and respect. Thus, I've noticed our family's most successful FHEs have been those where the family has laughed and enjoyed one another, NOT where any have been picked on, chastened, corrected or yelled at.

3. Emergency Preparedness.
Why not throw in an emergency preparedness moment in each FHE? My family has purchased an inexpensive CPR doll so that we can practice at least monthly this important life-saving skill. Why not divide the year into 12 different emergency focuses (i.e. bandaging, CPR, water purifying, ham radio skills) so that if your children were separated from you during an emergency, they could deal with it calmly!

Family Home Evening really can be fun if we remember that those we associate with have the potential to become our best friends. As we love, encourage, inspire, and teach our children, once they leave our presence - and if they fall and "scrape" themselves emotionally, spiritually, or in any other way - they will be strong and capable.

We might not always be able to give hugs to our children physically, but we can do so now for them in so many ways - and Family Home Evening is one of the best that I know of!

To learn more about FHE, click on this Family Home Evening link.

Brooke White, a native of Mesa, Arizona, recently spoke with Randy Cordova of The Arizona Republic about her experience as one of the 24 finalists on American Idol - and about her Mormon faith.

In her audition, when the judges asked her to share something that was unique about her, Brooke told the judges that she has never seen an R-rated movie or tasted alcohol. While she did not bring religion into her explanation, she did testify that the values have worked in her life and "made sense" to her. The judges seemed impressed with her "purity," although Simon Cowell declared they would "turn (her) over to the dark side."

Brooke did not mention her religion at all, but, as she told the Republic, her remarks, persona, and hometown of Mesa, Arizona set off "the Mormon radar." Soon bloggers all over the Internet were speculating that she must be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or "Mormon."

The speed at which the world associated her with a particular religion surprised the singer. "People from all different faiths and walks of life live their lives this way," she said. "For me, part of it is attributed to my faith, but it's also beyond that. It's a choice I made on my own." (The Arizona Republic, Feb. 20, 2008, "Mesa 'Idol' Contestant's Innocence Strikes Chord with Many")

But the support from fans has been amazing. "I've gotten all these e-mails and letters from adults and little kids," Brooke told the Republic. "Sometimes they say they live their lives the same way, or they're going to live their lives that way. I was nervous when I saw it on TV, but that response was very reassuring... It was scary to talk about (my values)," she added. "I didn't want to come off as self-righteous, but American Idol seemed to think was interesting and picked it up and ran with it."

It certainly can be a boost to people striving to live similar values to see someone such as Brooke White living them so publicly. The apostle Paul said in the New Testament, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ." (Romans 1:16) Sometimes it can be scary to keep different standards from those around us, but truly, if we believe in these values and in the gospel of Christ, we should not be ashamed and nor should we act as if we are. I appreciate her willingness to stand as an example before the world.

Meanwhile, Brooke is just enjoying the ride, however far American Idol takes her. "I'm thrilled, overwhelmed, nervous, excited, all of the above," she said. "It's beyond what I could have anticipated."

I felt disheartened today when I read a news report from USAToday.com. Although I must say that I was not very surprised by the article.

The article reported that religion is in flux and, in some sense, in decline. Again, not that this should be surprising. Read any of the Biblical prophecies of what life will be like during the last days; the time described is one of flux.

In fact, we read in the scriptures, whether in the Old Testament, New Testament, the Book of Mormon, or the Doctrine & Covenants, that men's hearts will fail them in the last days. (Although it is important to remember, the evils and horrors of the day are not here presently because God has placed them here. They exist because the hearts of men are waxing cold due to sinful deeds. And the more an individual sins, the more the heart turns cold towards others.)

As we sin, our hearts harden. It has always been this way. Sin for some is nothing more than theory. "There is no evil." Yet read any of the scriptures and the Lord's prophets teach otherwise. Sin harms the individual and so often it harms others.

Go to the dictionary. The word "sin" essentially is defined as reprehensible actions. Not only are certain actions reprehensible in the eyes of God, but they are reprehensible in the eyes of most others. Take stealing, for example. For the person who steals, in their mind stealing gives them something they've not had to work toward. He or she feels smug, like they've somehow bettered their life.

But in God's eyes, how does sin in this instance harm them? If we take a longer view, we can better see why stealing is sinful - or in other words, a harmful activity and one that removes us from the spirit of God. A person who steals may have quick access to money, jewels, TVs, etc. that they've not paid for. But what about the growth they've lost by taking a short cut?

There are growth patterns within a human's heart and personality that can come by no other means than consistent effort. When a person works towards a goal (such as increasing his financial net worth rather than stealing quick cash), he is so much better off ten years down the road. He has learned habits that will add to the quality of life in many ways, not just in financial matters.

But the world seems focused so often on the quick path. Lie a little, cheat a little. It's all good. But that's the problem. It's not all good. That pathway, although initially easy, leads to weakness. Weakness makes reprehensible activities that much easier to engage in. And the entire process takes us farther and farther from whom we have the potential to become. And by taking the easy way out, who then is going to sit in church listening to higher, better ways?

So today when I heard of how the state of religion is in flux in the world, it did not surprise me. But it did sadden me. We as God's children are capable of so much more. And we need "religion" or God's truth to remind us of better, more glorious choices than so many seem willing to make. The Lord calls prophets to teach us the truth. Hopefully more and more will listen to that truth, but if not, at least you can and know the peace that living honest and well brings.

To learn more, simply visit Mormon.org.

Think back on a time in your life when you faced a challenging or dark time. It is a natural response within the disciple to go to the Lord with a pleading in our heart and a hope for relief. What do we ask for? The righteous desires of our hearts.

I doubt that many of us would ask to win the lottery. If the issue is money our prayers are more likely to be a plea for “just enough”: enough to see us through. No matter the need, we entreat our Heavenly Father to see us through with righteous desires.

Please, don’t let me be late for work.

Please, let me find a way to help my teenage son.

Please, guide the surgeon’s hand so that all the cancer can be removed.

Whatever the need, we turn to Him to succor our wounds and bring peace to our lives. We ask Him for a blessing, we trust in the author of our faith, we do the best we can, and then we wait.

What if the blessing we think we need does not come? What if the heavens seem silent in response to our pleadings? What if the answer is no?

Life on this earth is a difficult path to conquer. It is full of trials and sadness, but it is also full of blessings and joy. Sometimes, in the middle of the sorrow it becomes very easy to forget the moments of happiness. Our vision narrows and even though we are desperately reaching for Christ and His blessings, we can not see the full picture.

What if being late for work meant you avoided the accident you would have been in? The “what ifs” that go with larger trials are just as large. It becomes impossible to know what would have been, even when we think we know what could have been had our righteous desires been answered. It’s still a matter of perspective. We do not have the view of the eternities that God has. We know ourselves well, but not as well as He knows us.

There is great wisdom in His plan and a design to His will. The Savior taught this during His ministry. Jesus told us that He came to earth to do the will of His father. He taught us to do our best and pray, “Thy will be done.” He also became the ultimate example of this in the garden of Gethsemane.

“And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” Matthew 26:39

It is a hard thing to trust in the wisdom of God, yet we must. His design and purpose is to see us through to eternal joy in His presence. He does not take pleasure in our pain. He gives us the tools and the strength that we will need to face our trials— whatever they may be.

Take your trials to the Lord. He has promised to help us bear our burdens. He has promised to hear and answer our prayers. But, He did not promise that His answer would always be yes, only that His answer would always be in our best interest.

There is a hymn that I enjoy that helps me keep this perspective even when heart wants to pull me in another direction.

Lead, kindly Light, amid th’encircling gloom;
Lead thou me on!
The night is dark, and I am far from home;
Lead thou me on!
Keep thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene—one step enough for me.

“Lead, kindly Light,” Hymn #97

He keeps His promises if we will let Him. If we show ourselves willing to submit to His will, instead of turning away, the end will always be better than the beginning.

I didn’t have my first date until I was sixteen. This may sound unusual to the rest of the world, but it’s standard for teens in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (nicknamed the Mormon Church). Not dating until age sixteen may sound more like a prison sentence, yet many of us who choose to wait feel as though we are free to explore other interests. We’re not tied down to relationships or the pressures and consequences involved with serious dating.

I’ve noticed an unsettling trend in the area of dating that has occurred in the last fifteen years or so since I was a teen. This is especially portrayed as ‘normal’ in television and movies geared towards teenagers. They would have us believe, and sadly many do, that once you go on a date with someone it means you’re exclusive. Not only that but those who try dating several different people are labeled flirts...or worse. Yet this is not how God intended the dating process to be.

“In cultures where dating or courtship is acceptable, dating can help you develop lasting friendships” (For the Strength of Youth, p.24).

Did you ever think of dating as a way to make good friends? A date doesn’t have to mean a lasting commitment. It’s not a contract signed between a girl and a guy, requiring them to spend at least three or four months dating just each other. One date does not have to lead to another, and another, and even another. It can, however, help you to get to know someone better and perhaps find someone who can be a great friend.

As a teenager the dating process was painful for me. I was always so afraid of saying something dumb that I barely spoke at all (I know, sounds like a good time, right?). In fact, most of my dates in high school were a result of others asking me, as I wasn’t really interested in dating. This attitude is more common than you might think.

“Not all teenagers need to date or even want to. Many young people do not date during their teen years because they are not yet interested, do not have opportunities, or simply want to delay forming serious relationships” (For the Strength of Youth, p.24).

If you’re one of these people, don’t freak out. It doesn’t mean you’re not normal. If the desire to date isn’t big at this time you’re probably just too interested in other things. School activities can take up so much of your time it doesn’t leave much time for dating. Or perhaps you’ve seen what can happen with friends who’ve chosen to be too serious too soon. Never let anyone pressure you into dating if you’re not ready for it.

One of the biggest reasons Mormon teens don’t date until they’re 16 is because of the threat it creates when it comes to immorality. It also limits the number of people you can get to know, both guys and girls. When you’re seriously involved with someone you tend to give this person all of your attention. Others around you can be ignored. Serious dating can also keep you from having experiences and discovering traits you might like in someone you would eventually marry.

Mormon teens are encouraged to date others from the same religion. This is actually typical of many churches. Have you ever wondered why?

“A young man and a young woman on a date are responsible to help each other maintain their standards and to protect each other’s honor and virtue” (For the Strength of Youth, p.24).

For the most part when you date someone in your same religion you share the same value system. Your expectations as far as morality goes are known and will hopefully be respected. This is a standard set up even back in biblical times when Abraham sent out a servant to find his son, Isaac, a wife. The women they knew were a different religion, and they knew God wanted Isaac to marry someone who belonged to His church.

Be cautious when it comes to dating. Don’t believe everything you see on television. Don’t even believe everything your friends try to tell you. As in all things in your life, take the matter to the Lord in prayer. Encourage yourself, your date, and your friends to go in groups or double dates. If dating interests you at this time, try dating lots of different people. Avoid tying yourself down to one person.

“Do things that will help you and your [date] maintain your self-respect and remain close to the Spirit of the Lord” (For the Strength of Youth, p.25).

I hope you don’t come out of this feeling like I’m down on dating, because I promise you I’m not. I’ve just seen too many friends and loved ones hurt themselves by dating too soon, or becoming too serious. It’s natural for us to be attracted to others, and to want to act upon it. But the “natural man is an enemy to God” (Mosiah 3:19) and must be mastered. The teenager who can master the natural impulses and maintain a high standard for his or herself will truly be a happier person.

For more thoughts on datings and morality you can read:

Teens: It All Starts With a Kiss

Teens: The Importance of Staying Chaste

Don't Cross the Morality Line

and

An Eternal Perspective of Chastity

There's something about the office of President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly called "the Mormons") that invites a higher level of public interest and scrutiny regarding his life. President Thomas S. Monson, who was recently named as the new prophet and president of the Church following the recent passing of Gordon B. Hinckley, has been in the First Presidency of the Church since 1985 and was called into the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1963. Both of these are considered to be prominent callings.

Yet with his new position as prophet and president of the Church, there is a renewed public interest in who President Monson is and what his life has been like. There is also an increased interest in his wife Frances. Many women in particular look to the wife of the current prophet as an example for them to follow.

The Monsons' daughter Ann Dibb, who is also a member of the Young Women General Board of the Church, has recently spoken about her parents. The following remarks come from a devotional address that she gave at BYU-Idaho on February 19, summarized in a news release at byui.edu, and an article in the Salt Lake Tribune published on February 8 following an interview with her.

At BYU-Idaho, Sister Dibb quoted True to the Faith regarding the role of a prophet: "Like the prophets of old, prophets today testify of Jesus Christ and teach His gospel. They make known God's will and true character. They speak boldly and clearly, denouncing sin and warning of its consequences."

One of the significant events of her father's young adult life was his service in the military. Military service can be difficult for many people, particularly those striving to live with high moral values. But, said Sister Dibb, President Monson "made the choice to keep the Lord's commandments. Because he did so, he qualified for the companionship of the Holy Ghost, and he received the promised blessings."

President and Sister Monson met in 1944 and married four years later. The first year of marriage requires lots of adjustments for any couple, but President Monson (or "Tom") was called to serve as a bishop (the leader of a local congregation) within a year of their marriage. Only a few years later, with two young children and a third on the way, he was called to serve as the president of the Toronto mission. This is typically a calling that spans a few years and necessitates the temporary relocation of the new mission president and his whole family. The Monsons only had three weeks to pack up and execute the move. When they arrived, the mission home was greatly in need of renovation. Meanwhile, the young Sister Monson was thrust into the role of "mission mom" for over 100 young missionaries. However, according to Sister Dibb, she loved it. She was "grateful she was to be part of something important (and)...enjoyed serving them all."

Sister Dibb described how her parents used prayer in their family, and their pattern continues today. "My father has always prayed with and for our family morning and night. His prayers are prayers of gratitude for the many blessings we receive. As the family has grown, my father and mother still pray for each family member in their daily prayers."

Meanwhile, President Monson loved to work with and help the people around him. His responsibilities often took him away from the home for days or weeks at a time when he traveled to other areas. Sister Monson would shoulder the load of caring for the family and taking care of things at home. But even when he was home, he labored among the people. As Peggy Fletcher Stack, the author of the **Tribune article, put it, "(President Monson) was the last one out at church every week, had to shake every hand and greet every missionary. Once he went to Primary Children's Medical Center to give a healing blessing to one child and ended up visiting nearly every sickbed on the floor, while Frances waited patiently in the lobby."

But, according to Sister Dibb, her mother never complained. "My father was bigger than life and she appreciated him," she said. "She was all right with waiting. She has done so with grace and dignity all her life."

Sister Dibb ended her talk at BYU-Idaho with her own testimony. "The gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth, through revelation, by the Prophet Joseph Smith. We have scriptures to bless us and strengthen us in our day. Jesus Christ is the literal Son of God, and it is through His Atonement and Resurrection that we can return to our Heavenly Father after this mortal probation is complete and receive our eternal exaltation."

We are grateful to have a prophet today who has been prepared throughout his life to lead the Church at this time.

Seth Adam Smith's testimony of our Lord and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, and of His Restored Gospel shines through from his YouTube videos. Seth has a talent for combining amazing works of art with inspiring messages through Scriptures and Hymns.

I should also add a note of caution before we proceed. There is a proliferation of anti-Mormon material on the Internet including YouTube and other online video sites. Don't be distracted by hateful comments that you might encounter. When you view these videos, listen to the message not only with your ears but also with your heart. I ask that you open your heart and mind to the Spirit of God and allow Him to do his work.

Now, the videos!

I Believe in Christ - I believe in Christ, He is my King! These are the first words of this beautiful hymn. This hymn testifies of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The text of this hymn was written by Elder Bruce R. McConkie, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (also known as the Mormon Church) until his death in 1985. John Longhurst, an organist for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for over 30 years composed the music. The joyful testimony captured in this hymn echoes the fervent testimony of every faithful member of the Church. We believe in Christ. He is our Redeemer! The complete text of this hymn can be copied for personal use from the Hymns section of the Church site.

The Lord is my Shepherd - A simple but stirring reading of Psalms 23.

Seeing and Believing - A lesson about the need to see Him with our hearts and not only with our eyes. Many who saw Him and heard Him were among those who condemened Him. In this brief conversation between Christ's Apostles, Thomas finally comes to learn what it means to truly see Him and believe. Creative, effective, and absolutely believable! It is not very difficult for me to imagine that a conversation just like this took place between Thomas, Peter and John.

All Prophets Testify of Jesus Christ - The Prophets of the Old and New Testament all testify of Christ; Adam, Moses, Isaiah, Peter, all bore witness of Him. The Book of Mormon contains the testimony of other ancient Prophets such as Benjamin who also testify of Jesus Christ. This pattern continues in our modern times beginning with the Prophet Joseph Smith.

God's Pattern of Prophets - God has called Prophets to teach and to bear witness of Him since the beginning of time. One by one, God's prophets were rejected and persecuted. "He even sent His beloved Son, Jesus Christ, and even He was rejected and persecuted!" God loves us the same, from the ancient times to our modern times. He has not forsaken us. In our days, God has once again called prophets to teach and testify of Him.

Hail to the Prophet - This hymn is a tribute to the martyred Prophet, Joseph Smith. It was written by William W. Phelps, a close associate of the Prophet. The hymn is titled "Praise To The Man."

Cries From The Dust - A powerful testimony of the Book of Mormon, another witness of Christ. "The Book of Mormon is a volume of holy scripture comparable to the Bible. It is a record of God's dealings with the ancient inhabitants of the Americas and contains, as does the Bible, the fulness of the everlasting gospel..."

A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief - There is a special place in my heart for this hymn. It was written by James Montgomery (1771-1854) with music composed by George Coles (1792-1858). The text echoes the teachings of Christ as found in Mathew 25:31-40. In these verses, Christ reminds us that "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Simply put, we are to love and care for one another. This hymn was also a favorite of both the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum. Just moments before the Prophet Joseph Smith was murdered, he asked John Taylor to sing this song as they sat in Carthage Jail. (John Taylor became the third President of the Church.) I can't help but think about what those moments were like for the Prophet and those that were with him that day each time I hear this song.

To view all of Seth's videos, please visit his YouTube channel. If you'd like to read Seth's testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints please visit his blog.

I too believe in Christ. He is my King! I believe in Christ. I honor and worship Him. Because of the great and wonderful gift of His Atonement, I can be saved. I am eternally grateful to have an Advocate that knows and loves me. I will praise His name forever for He really is my Savior and Redeemer.