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Opening the Doors of Opportunity

Elder John K. Carmack - Without an education, even a tremendous work ethic could not open the doors of opportunity for Miguel. Now this capable and intensely faithful Latter-day Saint is breaking down those doors that one time appeared bolted shut. By the time President Hinckley declared the formation of the Perpetual Education Fund in 2001, thousands of returned missionaries were completing missions in countries like Mexico, Brazil, Chile, the Philippines, Peru, Argentina, and Guatemala, returning home to find only menial work available that paid scarcely enough for them to survive. While many courageously went forward and found ways to improve their lives, it was clear...

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The Perfect Parents?

Cortney Eldridge - With all the wisdom of my new marital bliss and twenty-one years I would whisper to myself, "My children will never act like that!" In 1997 my husband and I welcomed our first son into the world. My husband and I attended church every week, convinced that our perfect parenting skills were indeed paying off, as our little bundle slept quietly though meetings (his naptime was, after all, scheduled directly during church). All was well until Andrew turned nine months old. He now became mobile and, heaven forbid, independent. Suddenly I was looking helplessly at this child and thinking to myself,...

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Thoughts on Gospel Doctrine Lesson 28

LDS Living - Alma 32 26. Ye cannot know of their surety at first] There are no shortcuts to a testimony of the gospel. We cannot fully understand principles that we have not lived. "If any man will do his will," the Savior declared, "he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself" (John 7:17). An understanding of the principles of salvation does not come, in an instant. The idea is demeaning to the principles involved. Joseph Smith did not come out of the Sacred Grove knowing all that was necessary for his salvation. He, like...

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Labor for the Happiness of Others (Heber J. Grant Lesson 15)

Katherine Boswell: excerpted from the compilation, The Power of His Redemption: Talks from the 2003 BYU Women's Conference - WHO WILL BE GREATEST? A s a Sunday School Gospel Doctrine teacher, I've spent a lot of time thinking about discipleship. What does it mean to be a disciple of Christ? What were the lessons He taught those beloved disciples who were close to Him during his earthly ministry? In preparation for a lesson some weeks ago, I was struck by an interchange between Christ and His disciples that must have made quite an impression, because it is recorded in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Here is how Mark recorded the incident as translated by Joseph Smith: "And he came to Capernaum:...

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"Give Them a Hand"

Richard Eubank - Song: Families Can Be Together Forever (Hymns, 300) Scripture: Malachi 4:5-6; 1 Corinthians 15:29; Helaman 10:7; Doctrine and Covenants 2:2 Purpose: Students will realize the importance of temple work for those on the other side of the veil. Lesson: Have one student stand at one end of the room. Have another stand at the opposite end of the room. Explain to the class that they must tie, link, connect, or bind these two students together, but the students are not allowed to move. Ask the class to solve the problem. (If nothing happens, ask on or two outgoing students to link...

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Thoughts on Gospel Doctrine Lesson 27

"Korihor the Anti-Christ," and is in Studies in Scripture, Vol. 8: Alma 30 to Moroni - A fter the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi left their homeland among the Lamanites, they were allowed to live among the Nephites in the land of Jershon, where they were called the people of Ammon. Later came a great battle between the Lamanites and the Nephites in which the Lamanites were defeated. After this great battle was a period of peace throughout the land. Then appeared a man named Korihor, who came into the land of Zarahemla and preached against the prophecies of the coming of Christ. He also went to the land of Jershon and preached among the people of Ammon. However,...

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Thoughts on Gospel Doctrine Lesson 26

L. Tom Perry on Becoming Peaceable Followers of Christ: - The story of the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi provides a scriptural account of what it means to become a peaceable follower of Christ. The people of Anti- Nephi-Lehi were the Lamanite converts of Ammon and his brethren. They came from seven lands and cities and numbered in the many thousands (see chapter head, Alma 23). Once they were converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Anti- Nephi-Lehies covenanted to never return to the bloodthirsty traditions of their forebears. Even when their Lamanite brethren, aroused by the wicked Amalekites and Amulonites, prepared to make war against them, the Anti-Nephi-Lehies refused to lift...

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Principles of Financial Security (Heber J. Grant Lesson 13)

Elder Marvin J. Ashton: Church welfare meeting in the Salt Lake Tabernacle, April 5, 1975 - One for the Money R ecently I had the opportunity to visit with a choice young couple. They were to be married within the week. Their eyes sparkled in anticipation of the important event and their continuing love for one another. Both had the advantages of college education, good homes, and cultural experiences. It was delightful to share their personalities, plans, and potentials. Their courtship already seemed appropriately launched on an eternal basis. During our interview, their responses to only one question gave me concern. I hope my anxieties and suggestions caused them to reassess their pending partnership future. To the...

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"Come, Come Ye Saints" (Heber J. Grant Lesson 14)

Paul E. Dahl: "All Is Well . . ." The Story of "the Hymn That Went around the World" - T he hymn "All Is Well," or "Come, Come, Ye Saints" as it is commonly referred to, composed on Locust Creek in April 1846, has an interesting history. Although the song was popular with the Mormon pioneers, obscurities in its history need clarification. There have been some misconceptions about the motivation for composing the hymn. Finally, the exact location of the Mormon camp on Locust Creek has never been identified, creating a question as to whether the song was composed in Iowa or Missouri. This paper will examine these problems in an effort to increase the reader's understanding of the history...

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Thoughts on Gospel Doctrine Lesson 25

Clyde J. Williams on the missionary principles taught from the experiences of the Sons of Mosiah preaching to the Lamanites - Instruments in the Hands of God Ammon and his brothers desired "that they might be an instrument in the hands of God" to teach the Lamanites the gospel (Alma 17:9). The Lord emphasized the concept of being an instrument in his hands when he declared, "Wherefore, I call upon the weak things of the world, those who are unlearned and despised, to thrash the nations by the power of my spirit; And their arm shall be my arm" (D&C 35:13-14). Perhaps the following examples will illustrate the significance of being proper instruments in the Lord's hands. Some years ago I was...