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Friday evening, we enjoyed our Ward Halloween party. It was an evening, as you can imagine, characterized by colorful costumes, great food, and plenty of sweets. There was a new family in the ward – making a first visit to our building by attending the party. Like you may expect, ward members went out of their way to introduce themselves to the new family. And by the end of the evening, the new family felt right at home among neighbors and friends.

Then came Sunday. The new family came to church, ready to greet all the friendly people they’d met at the party. You may already have guessed the problem: they didn’t recognize a soul. And no one recognized them. After all, we had all met in costume. Now, in our regular Sunday duds, we looked like different folks.

The phenomenon was harmless, of course. After a few minutes, we all got reacquainted. But it got me thinking. We don’t often dress up in funny costumes when we go to work or play. But sometimes, I wonder if we disguise ourselves in another way: dressed in the cares of the world, in ways that turn us into different people than we are on the Sabbath.

May those that greet us in the world during the week, and those that greet us in the chapel on Sunday, find the same disciples of Christ in both places. May we so live that no one in our acquaintance has to re-adjust to our weekly aspect once we leave the meetinghouse. And while the Sabbath is a holy day, deserving of a special and uncommon sort of worship, let those who know us on the Sabbath recognize us on a Wednesday.

Wendy M. Johnson

Today, I am reminded of what brings me the greatest joy: my children. When I think of modern day miracles I think of them. When I think I have the opportunity to help the future well-being of society, I think of the future leaders I am raising. The tremendous responsibility of parenting is great. As a matter of fact, I think the words “nurturing” and “parenting” go together. It’s the small things that really matter with parenting. Taking the time to say a prayer in the morning with our children helps nurture their relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Writing on a napkin for lunch to let our children know we love them even when they are away may seem so small, but means so much. Waking up 5 minutes earlier in the mornings to simply set out the cereal or make a small breakfast to start their day helps them to know that even so early in the morning they are worth our time.

Saying “I love you” often is the greatest impact we can have on our children. A child who feels love can make a great impact on society. A child who knows we love our Savior knows where we find our source of strength. A child who is loved will adjust better to life’s trials. When I think of what I love about my children I think about many things. Each has a different and distinct laugh. I prefer to watch them play their sports time and time again rather than watch television. When they bare their testimonies of how they know their Savior, my heart melts. When they struggle, they don’t mind my advice to help them on the right course. When their feelings are hurt, my advice is a reflection of gospel principles and it is wonderful to see them put it into action.

This day is my son’s 15th birthday. It a reminder of how hold I am, but how blessed I have been for fifteen years. Our greatest times are late night talks watching a movie together. My time has become more precious with my children. I have learned so much from them. 2 Nephi 21:6 (“a child shall lead them”) reminds me of how Heavenly Father has blessed me to know and experience the true meaning of love. The greatest joys really do reside within the walls of our homes.

Wendy M. Johnson

by Sam Payne

My wife underwent surgery on Monday. Some months ago, doctors found an aneurism in her brain. An aneurism is a ballooning of a blood vessel, due to a weak section in the vessel wall. Eventually, the vessel wall bursts — often causing a speedy death. Most people who have aneurisms discover them only after they burst. Blessedly, Kris’ hadn’t burst when they found it. It gave them room to operate. In a process punctuated by miracles, Kris had the operation (a successful one), and is home now, resting. As is the case with so many head surgeries, the operation cost her a head of long, brown curly hair. Her hair had always been the first thing people noticed about her, and when a neighbor came to visit, and asked about the hair, I wondered what my wife would say. She smiled and said the thing that I’ve heard restated in my head as a question a dozen times since then, as I look over accomplishments or possessions.  “I guess I figure if I’m not enough without it,” said my wife,  “I never would have been enough with it.” I like her answer.

Today, my heart is full. My father-in-law announced to my husband, Joey, that after 20 years of hearing about the gospel, he was going to get baptized in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. My husband and his brother are the only converts to the Church in their family and because of their influence, a step-sister also has been baptized.
My father-in-law, Jim, was verbally and physically abused as a young boy by his father. As a young father himself, he became an alcoholic and eventually divorced. He abandoned his family for years, showing up at random times to “check-in.” My husband, Joey, heard about the Church in college from a roommate (who is still a dear friend). After one year he got baptized. Upon his conversion, he struggled with forgiving his father. But the gospel has great power and influence over our hearts, and instead of being mad at his father, Joey would share the gospel with him.
Eventually, at age 50, Jim got the help he needed through AA meetings and sobered up. He had been an alcoholic for almost 30 years. He decided to dedicate his life to the Lord and help those who struggled with addiction. By the age of 55 he received his Masters degree in social work and focused on helping youth who struggled with addiction so they could have a chance of a good life. But Jim always searched for something to fill the void he still felt. He dedicated his life to the Lord, but felt something missing. His beliefs and understanding of the Lord became confusing in his quest for answers.
Finally, after many copies of the Book of Mormon had been given to him and many testimonies born to him, something unexpected happened. Two missionaries came to his home and he gladly invited them in. He started taking the discussions and shared with them that although he had an understanding of what they were teaching, the spirit those two young men had with them had opened his heart and he could not deny that what they were saying was true and touched his soul. His decision to get baptized at age 75 is a wonderful example of the great power and influence of the Lord. My father in law is an amazing example of an unconquerable spirit against addiction. He struggled for so many years and finally found the answers as stated in 3 Nephi 9:13, “be converted, that I may heal you.”

Wendy M. Johnson

I recently saw the wonderful play Tuesdays With Morrie with my daughter. We really love attending plays, and I am glad that she appreciates the theater like her mother. I had never before read the book or seen the play. I remember my mother reading the book a couple years before she passed away. She wanted me to read it. I was “too busy.” She briefly told me the story and to be honest I thought it sounded like a major downer.

As always my mother was right. There is much to be gained in the wisdom of Morrie. It’s the story of a college professor dying of a terminal disease, who wants to chronicle his life lessons and in the process better the life of a former student.
His message is mostly centered on love, forgiveness, and having proper priorities. Many times as I watched I wanted to dig out a pen and jot down this quote or that quote. It got me thinking what would I do if I knew that it was my last day on the earth. I doubt that I would be thinking “Oh! I definitely should make some more money!” or, “Gee, I could go in peace so much easier if my oven was clean!!!” I would want my family around me, I would hunger for the comfort I feel when the spirit fills my heart to the point of bursting! Dear and beloved friends would be asked to be with me. Love would matter. Not much else really does matter.
We have experienced a similar scenario in our family in the last few weeks. My husband’s father “whose health has already been bad), got much worse and had to be put on life support. It was touch-and-go for quite awhile. Family was brought in and everyone said goodbye. Questions were raised as to how much
support he would actually “want.” Tensions were high. My father -in-law is a fighter though, and is now out of the ICU, breathing on his own. People got to say the things they wanted to say to him. I have heard on more than one occasion that you will never regret saying something nice, but you will most likely regret saying horrible things. So many of the recent general conference talks were based on love. That message was loud and clear to me. We hear what we need to hear. I can’t wait for the Ensign to come out so I can read and mark the talks and refer to them often.
It’s thought provoking though: how would I approach the day if this were my last here on earth? How would I give service and love more openly, so I would never look back and regret? One quote from the play that I liked was “death ends a life, NOT a relationship.”

Talk to you soon

Sherri Schatz

Brother Michael Huff

Not all musicians do their best work in the spotlight. Brother Michael Huff is living proof. Do an Internet search for that name, and you’ll have to scroll through a good many pages before you ever find brother Huff at all (though you’ll find plenty of information on the Michael Huff the football player – #24 for the Raiders). And while you may be scratching your head and wondering where you’ve seen Brother Huff’s name before, it’s a good bet you’ve been influenced and uplifted by his work. One of brother Huff’s recent performances played to a crowd too large for any single arena on earth, and while people all over the world thrilled to the beautiful music being made, Brother Huff never sang a note. He was on the conductor’s stand, leading the “combined ward choir” that provided the music for the Saturday afternoon session of General Conference. If you heard the musical numbers for that session, you know just what a contribution Brother Huff made to the Conference spirit.

That’s not all he does, of course. You might find Brother Huff playing keyboard or piano for a hot quartet in a downtown concert. You might see him organizing music festivals from coast to coast. For brother Huff, it’s not about the spotlight so much as it’s about the music – about how to excel at it in a way that allows it to carry the whispers of the Spirit deep into the hearts of listeners. Click on the link below to enjoy a video we found YouTube. It’ll give you another view of that combined ward choir that performed in Conference. In this video (taken just a few days before conference), they’re rehearsing one of the lovely hymn arrangements they’d perform for us in the Conference Center. That’s Brother Huff waving his arms. Our thanks for his great work in the kingdom, and the work of our other musical heroes, both sung and unsung. How they bless us!

“Know This, That Every Soul is Free” YouTube video

I always look forward to Conference weekend. To me it is so comforting to gather with my family in our own home and hear inspired words from the Prophet and General Authorities. It really feels like a holiday to me. We usually make special food for the occasion and the spirit is sooo strong – if I have properly prepared. Also, my kids are older now and I don’t have to constantly remind them to pay attention.

Often I have heard people say we must prepare for conference. How exactly do we do that? When thinking about my own life and how I could be more ready to hear prophetic words, I think that praying to be in the right frame of mind is imperative – praying that I would hear the things that are most needed for me personally.

Being a convert to the Church, it took a while to realize “hey! Conference is not just SUNDAY, there is also a Saturday session. I would mistakenly have something going, then realize, “oh! No! conference is on” Also, for me, is seems that getting the most out of General Conference requires a willingness to act on the counsel given, even if it is a hard principle for me. I have learned over the years that if I am having a bit of a struggle with something that is being said by the prophet or the general authorities it is because I do not necessarily want to change. So I need to be humble and willing to try harder.

In the Ensign magazine, in 2005, Elder Paul V. Jennings had some great things to say about General Conference:
“On the day the Church was organized, Joseph Smith received a revelation that included an important principle for all Church members. Speaking to the Church about Joseph Smith the Lord said, Thou shalt give heed unto all his words and commandments which he shall give unto you for his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth. 4
Now listen to the blessings promised to those who heed: For by doing these things the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good.”

Those are powerful promises, that can keep us safe in these treacherous times. We need them, and the Lord will give them to each of us if we are willing to follow the prophets, seers, and revelators.

Decide now to make General Conference a priority in your life. Decide to listen carefully and follow the teachings that are given. Listen to or read the talks more than once to better understand and follow the counsel. By doing these things, the gates of hell will not prevail against you, the powers of darkness will be dispersed from before you, and the heavens will shake for your good.”

I look forward to hearing the Prophet and other authorities speak to us conference session, and pray that we may all be edified and “fed” by the spirit.

D&C Chapter 1 verse 38
What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.

Talk to you soon
Sherri Schatz