My Faith Brings Me Peace and Answers

Faith is why I choose to believe. In Ether 12:6 it reads, “And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for you receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.”

Trials come to all of us in this lifetime. Some may seem more serious than others. Some may affect us and try us more than others, but we will all have trials. Through the trials in my life I have learned great lessons. One of the lessons learned is, “how strong is my testimony?” Is my testimony strong enough so that I can gain a witness of the truthfulness of the things I claim to believe in?

Believing came easy for me most of my life and I feel blessed for that. I was blessed with goodly parents who were not active in the church most of my life, but were very supportive of the decisions that my siblings and I made to be active. I was blessed with a wonderful eternal companion with whom I have gone through trials, from infertility, adoptions, job loss, loss of parents, etc.

On June 10, 2016 was a day that we will never forget. We had all been in Idaho to a family party and our youngest daughter needed to come back to Utah for work the next day. On her way back to Utah she was involved in a one car rollover that took her life.

Through the weeks that followed I felt the love of my Father in Heaven and his son Jesus Christ in my life unlike any other time. But as time stretched on, I started to struggle. As hard as I tried to push back the “why” had this happened, it started to creep in. I remember one day in particular I had to stop and find a quiet place and have a talk with myself. Did I truly believe what I thought I did? Through weeks of soul searching, reading, praying and wrestling with my spirit, the doubts started to lift and a sweetness returned to my soul and I knew that what I had believed all my life was right. It was the way back to live with my Father in Heaven and his son Jesus Christ again. It was the means by which we would see our daughter and my parents again and have the chance to be with them and others for eternity.

I choose to believe because my faith brings me peace and brings me answers and I am forever grateful for that.

~Trudy M.

Having the Knowledge of God's Plan Brings Peace to My Soul

I choose to believe because I have had many experiences where I know the Lord is there with me. Our 22-year-old son, Alec, just passed away a couple weeks ago. I truly believe that the other hard experiences I went through a few years ago, and the comfort that the Lord gave me during those times, helped me with this most recent loss. Life isn’t always easy, but the Lord is mindful of us and he will give us the comfort and strength to make it through any trial. During those hardest times is when I feel the closest to the Lord. I have heard his voice reminding me to “Be still." Having the knowledge of God’s plan brings peace to my soul. This mortal life is but a short time in that plan.

~Jana Richards

I KNOW How This Story Ends...

Nine years ago, I got a phone call early in the morning from my brother that rocked my world. He told me we lost my baby brother in a car accident. My dad was living with us at the time, and telling him he'd just lost his son was the hardest thing I've ever had to do in my life. It was unexpected and devastating. So many things surrounding that event left us with broken hearts, and unanswered questions, even to this day. But there were miracles too.

The days and months following the accident I remember feeling comforted and lifted up beyond anything this earthly world could offer. I remember that even through the pain and heartache, there were tender mercies and peace. One of the tender mercies I believe I received, was a greater perspective on the Plan of Salvation. It was like my eyes were opened to better understand the scale of eternity, and how this life really is but a "moment" in the grand spectrum. I realize our Father in Heaven has a plan for each of us. It's so individual and intricate, every detail is known by Him. There's no experience, good or bad, he doesn't know about or want to be with us through.

The greatest gift of all, is my strengthened relationship with my Savior, Jesus Christ. I have felt Him by my side, bringing comfort and peace, even through the hard times. Right now, in this uncertain world with chaos all around, I'm grateful for this broadened perspective that I have such a strong testimony about, because I KNOW how this story ends. We just have to keep choosing to believe, every single day, no matter what happens. This life is a wonderful, crazy, beautiful, faith testing roller coaster, and the true test, is holding on until the very end of the ride.

I'm grateful for the Plan of Happiness, and that it's a light in this dark world. I choose to believe, again and again, because I've never been happier than when I can feel my Savior near me. I imagine Him, returning to the earth in all his glory, with choirs of angels, and the majesty of that moment, awaited and foretold for thousands of years!! And THAT is worth all the trials and sacrifices this life can bring.

~Jessica Barber

Trusting in the Lord Through a Lifetime

This talk was given at the 2019 stake women's conference.

Image from LDS.org. Used with permission.

by Jannelle L. LaFontaine 

Prayer and personal revelation are a very private and sacred part of our lives. Even on a daily basis, we are engaged in these covenant privileges. In Doctrine and Covenants 90:24 we are taught to search, pray, believe, walk uprightly, and remember our covenants.

I would like to share a story with you that I believe exemplifies these principles, especially prayer and personal revelation.

In a small rural farming community in Aroostook County, Maine, it was 1956. One afternoon, two young missionaries from Utah knocked on the door of Bob and Marian and asked if they knew anything about the Mormon church. Their answer was no, and thus began their conversion. Bob was a very quiet man and Marian was incredibly curious. She asked a lot of questions, and the answers rang true to both of their hearts. They were baptized. That was that!

Becoming True Disciples

This talk was given at the 2019 stake women's conference.
By Shelly Harrison

The other day, I was out doing my morning exercise route when I saw a huge backup of cars on a busy road. I thought to myself, "Oh no, an accident!" As I got closer, I saw a lot of people getting out of their cars and heading to the first car.

It looked like the driver was having car trouble in the middle of the intersection. Some people pulled over, got out of their cars, and jumped in to help this lady in her minivan, by pushing it to a safe place. Then there were a few extra men who stayed with her to see what they could do to help get her van working.

Photo from LDS.org. Used with permission

My thoughts were, "This is so heartwarming and amazing to see all the people jumping in to minister to her in a time of need."  I think many of us are always willing to help, especially in a crisis. But sometimes ministering may be easier when they are people we don’t know. Putting ourselves out there to minister to people we know can create some uncomfortable feelings inside us.

Let me explain… Anxiety, uncertainty, lack of confidence, feeling threated. feeling unprotected. This is the definition of INSECURITY. Is this how you feel when it comes to ministering? Maybe not for all of you, but for some, like me, it is.

Feeling Joy in Our Lives

by Courtney Hagberg

Growing up, I was raised in a home where my mother took us to church. My father was a member, but he was not active. He got baptized so that my mom would marry him. A year later they were sealed in the temple. He didn’t go back to the temple for 25 years.

Photo from LDS.org; used by permission

As a child, I didn’t realize what a sacrifice it was for my mother to take three kids to church by herself each week. She also worked and served as young women’s president several times. Now that I am a mother, my heart is beyond grateful that she stayed on the covenant path when it would have been so easy to not stay on the path.

As a teenager, I remember feeling sad and praying to my Heavenly Father and asking Him how to truly be happy. My prayer was answered in seminary. My seminary teacher asked the class, “Do you want to be truly happy and feel joy in your life?” Of course we all wanted that. He said the answer was to read our scriptures every day. I took that challenge and felt that joy.

Jesus Christ, Our Risen King of Kings and Lord of Lords

Through trials great and small, as each of us seeks to find the Savior, to love Him and to follow Him, we will find strength in Him. These truths are what inspired George Frideric Handel to compose his magnificent oratorio "Messiah." Its "Hallelujah" chorus is a majestic declaration of testimony and love for the Savior. Christ is risen, and because of Him, we will live again!

Have a blessed Easter!

Hallelujah--An Easter Message about Jesus Christ

Come unto Christ. Follow Him, and have new life. 

Because the Savior lives, we all have access to hope, joy, peace, repentance and eternal life as we heed his call to "come, follow me" (Luke 18:22). Hallelujah!

Wishing you a wonderful Easter Holy Week. 

Because of the Temple Our Families Can Be Forever

by Linsay Clawson

Photo from LDS.org. Used with permission.

I feel joy in my family life when I take the time to go to the temple. Temple attendance gives our home a harmonious feeling, and it is a sweeter place to be. Going to the temple emphasizes the importance of family and the eternal perspective. I love the temple!

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by Andrea Abbott
About a month ago I had a wonderful experience participating in temple sealings. The Spirit was strong in the room and I realized I was playing a part in bringing generations together forever. My heart was filled with so much joy knowing that so many families were experiencing great joy on the other side. I am grateful for the wonderful blessing the temple brings into my life.

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by Suzanne Williams
Since we have been married we have tried to attend the temple on a weekly basis as long as we have lived within an hour’s drive of a temple. When our children turn twelve they have joined in that tradition and performed baptisms on a weekly basis. This has been a strength to our whole family, and especially for our youth as they face the trials of today.

We love the quote by President Gordon B. Hinkley. “I know your lives are busy. I know you have much to do. But I make you a promise that if you go to the House of the Lord, you will be blessed, life will be better for you.”

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by Simone Headden
The temple was always important to me but until we lost our first baby I didn’t feel the full blessings and comfort that the temple offers. Our first son died half way through my pregnancy and was stillborn due to a cord accident. We were devastated at his loss and had to rely heavily on the Lord for comfort and peace. Knowing that we were sealed in the temple as an eternal family gave (and still gives) us hope we could never have found elsewhere. While we still miss him daily, we look forward to the day that we can see him and be with him again. We know that it is because of the Savior’s sacrifice, the power of the priesthood, and the blessings of the temple that we can be made whole in our sorrows and find eternal happiness. Because of the temple our families can be forever.

The Amazing Influence of a Woman

From LDS.org, used with permission

During May, we can't help but think about mothers, so it is a great time to think about our divine gifts as women that enable us to nurture those around us, whether our own children or otherwise. One Sunday this month during our Relief Society, everyone was asked to think of a woman in their lives that wasn't their own mother that had influenced them or had made an impression on them and tell about them. We are all capable of influencing those around us and may never know the effect we may bring about even in the generations to come.

We will post all of the responses over the next few weeks. Read and be uplifted!


My mom’s best friend has always been like a second mom to me. She has always been so loving and  accepting of me. Now that my mom is gone I’m glad I can still feel her love for me through her best friend. My mom lives on in her.

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Recently a good friend of mine lost her husband. It was an untimely death and came as a shock to her, her family, and others around her. She had the task of breaking the news to her 12-year-old son. He responded as expected. He was very upset and crying. She put her hand on his knee and told him it was going to be okay, that they could do hard things, and that they would make it through this. He calmed down immediately. He could feel her strength and her words gave him security. I watched her as she continued to comfort the people around her and the ones that came to pay their respects at the viewing. She reassured them that all would be okay and that they would see her husband again someday. Her testimony and strength meant a lot to me in my own life. It showed me that with the help of the Lord I can do and get through whatever comes my way.

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I had a music teacher for many years who became a dear friend and mentor. I still remember when I was in college, and my boyfriend I thought I was going to marry broke up with me and I was absolutely devastated. She comforted me and helped me know that I was strong enough to make it through. She has the heart of a Mother. Unable to have biological children, she and her husband adopted several children, some with special needs. She gladly also served in the special needs Mutual for many years. She loved and nurtured all who came in contact with her. She has one of the most Christlike hearts of anyone I know.

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My sister has never married or had kids but has been a great influence on my family and also on lots of young women and Primary girls who she’s been a leader over for many years. She has a kind and generous heart and blesses those around her. I’m so grateful for her in my life.

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I admire the single moms in my life who do it all. They keep house and home together, work, go to soccer games, pay the bills, do a zillion other things, and love their kids fiercely. Instead of dwelling on their problems, they just forget themselves and get to work. I am in awe of their determination, faith, and strength.

Women's Conference 2015: The Temple Changed Us Forever, by Cathi Maki

by Cathi Maki
This is an overwhelming experience, but as we all know, Renee has a way of talking you into things. When asked if I could tell you about our family's journey to the temple, I knew it wouldn't be an easy task as I tend to get a little emotional, so bear with me. But before I get ahead of myself, I will try to tell you our family story in a nutshell.

Dave and I both grew up in California with both our families attending a Lutheran church. Little did he know I told my parents in third grade that I was going to marry Dave Maki someday! Well, a lady gets what she wants, and here we are, thirty-seven years later. We did the best we could in raising three beautiful daughters with morals and values they could be proud of. We also raised them Lutheran because that’s all we knew.

But we soon found that there was more than being a Sunday Christian. It was about nineteen years ago when two of our daughters were in high school and one was in junior high when our lives began to change. Many of our daughter’s friends were LDS, and they enjoyed the friendships and we approved of the family values they held so high. Our middle daughter, Jileen, attended many church activities with her best friend who was LDS. Her father, who happened to be bishop, always managed to sit by me at football games and talk about church and how he thought our family would love to hear the gospel message. Jileen often asked if the missionaries could come over, but we never really made a commitment to listen.

I Drew on My Daughter's Strength

by Teresa Meldrum
The last Thursday before school got out, I found out that I had cancer. The following Thursday I found out that my mother had five brain tumors and was expected to live only four to eight weeks longer. She would require 24-hour care.

My brother had been directed by the Lord to move his family here from another state without knowing why he was to be here. He and his family got here three days before Mom’s tumors were found. We have a large family, and each one of the married couples came to stay with Mom for two days at a time. It made it possible for Mom to stay in her own home until the very end of her life.

I was not physically strong enough to do what my other siblings and their spouses did even though I had the greatest desire to be with my mother. Almost every day of that three-month summer, my 13-year-old daughter and I would spend as much time at my mom’s home as possible.

Dinner and a Testimony

As I contemplated how I could serve a close friend who had given birth prematurely and lost that infant son, I set up a day and time to deliver dinner to her and her family.

The day arrived to take dinner; I still hadn’t been able to come up with some other way to serve her. I delivered dinner, and as I stood in the kitchen, hugging and comforting my friend, I had an over-whelming feeling that I needed to share my testimony. I don’t do this often. But the prompting kept coming.

I finally gave in and bore my testimony of our Savior’s love for each of us, and that he is aware of our situation. If we will have faith, he will guide us through any situation. As I ended my testimony and looked at her, I could see the peace on her face. I was happy to have shared those things in a time of grief. I felt blessed for this opportunity.

We Didn't Cry or Complain

by Verna Nichols Sargent
When my husband was released as the bishop of our ward in Texas, he, with some of his associates, decided to open a mine in Mexico. We decided that I would take our five teenagers and three younger children to live in a home that my father had sold to us in Arizona.

For ten years my husband dedicated his time to the success of that mine. Since it was located in a primitive jungle, he was able to call home only once a week, and we had no letters due to circumstances. We were happy when he came home for our daughter's weddings, our sons' priesthood ordinations and sports activities, as well as special business trips.

Even though we were apart, we were able to serve in the church. He served in a branch in Mexico. I served in the Relief Society presidency in our Arizona ward. We were blessed in our home as our family faithfully held our family home evenings and family prayer.

The mine had great success; however, after ten years, the price of silver dropped so far that he had to leave the mine with its 200 workers, and he walked away with nothing but his pickup truck. I knew we had both done the best we could, and I was just glad to have my husband back.

Junior, Our Little Angel Baby

by Monica Cox, mother of Junior 
In July of 2006, my husband and I discovered that we were pregnant, hoping for a healthy baby after miscarrying two other pregnancies. Once we heard the heartbeat, we both took a huge sigh of relief, knowing that our chances of carrying this baby were very good. I felt the baby move inside me and heard the heartbeat at a few different office visits.

Our whole family called the baby “Junior” since we didn’t know his gender at the time. Then on November 17th, my husband and I went to the hospital for an ultrasound to find out what we were having. The technician seemed to hurry through the ultrasound, not wanting to answer any of our questions. Then the doctor came in and put the ultrasound on the baby’s heart and said, “Here is your baby’s heart, and unfortunately, it is not beating any more.”

We were shocked and stunned! It was beating the week before. We were moving in five days to another city. The doctor gave us the option of staying at the hospital to deliver the baby or wait until after we had moved. I knew I would not sleep knowing my baby was no longer alive, so I opted to stay at the hospital and deliver my baby.

It was just after midnight on November 18th when I delivered my precious angel baby boy. My husband and I held him in the palm of our hands and cried. He was so very small, yet so perfect with the tiniest little fingers and toes. A little voice kept whispering in my mind, “He’s not yours to keep right now.” A lady came to take some pictures and make molds of his little hands and feet, which are completely priceless to us.

Finding Peace and Joy

by Debbie Allred
My journey of faith in Christ has been tested many times in my life. I know that there is not one person on this earth that has not had their faith tested at one time or another. We all have times when we struggle to find the faith to continue our journey here on this earth. I recall many times as a teenager looking to my parents and leaning on their faith in Christ when I didn't have a testimony of it for myself.

As I got older and moved away from home and began a family of my own that is when I found the journey to be a lot harder than I ever thought it would be. I had many challenges after having my first child with depression and physical illnesses that really challenged that faith in God and Christ. I never questioned the truthfulness of the gospel, but I did not have the firm and solid testimony that I knew I would need to raise my children in this world that is so full of hardships. 

That is when I really started my solid journey in searching for the kind of faith that I needed to beat my depression and also to become physically able to raise my children and serve the Lord in every way that I could. It has been a very hard journey but totally worth fighting for.

I started faithfully praying each day to receive strength from God and through reading scriptures, reading uplifting thoughts and quotes everyday, listening to good uplifting music (Paul Cardall) as well as going to the temple as often as I could. I found so much strength and peace when I would go to the temple. I looked forward to going there often. I love the temple so much; it has truly become a refuge for me. 

There is a quote my son had posted on his Facebook wall with many pictures of different temples around it that says, "The temples....are as a refuge from life's storms...Ever a never-failing beacon guiding us to safety (Pres. Thomas Monson)."  I truly have such a firm testimony that this is so true. I have no doubt that God knew we would need a place to go to strengthen us when we become weakened by the forces of life and this world that we live in. I know that my children have no doubt that I have a testimony of the temple and the great strength that temples can be to us.

"Every Trial Is Necessary for Your Salvation"

by Patty Denhalter

As I begin to share my experiences, joys, love, trials, and testimony, I am so grateful for the trust Heavenly Father has given me, as His daughter. For every joy and happiness I have experienced and the many trials I have gone through, I am thankful. Most of them have been difficult and emotional from early in my life to now, as I am growing older.

But everything is worth it for me to be able to once again live with my Heavenly Father and my eternal family, and to be with and see my sweet daughter and tender son again. What joy lies ahead as I try to be obedient to the commandments of our Heavenly Father.

I often think about Mary, Jesus’ earthly mother, and how she raised her perfect son and later watched him suffer and die. I in no way compare myself or my son Dennie to her or our Savior, but I can feel her anguish as she watched her Son in so much pain and suffering, prayed for and comforted Him, and finally watched Him die. I feel a small, small part of what she suffered and maybe felt.

I love her and admire her strength. Her example has helped me through this trial. My testimony has grown so much and in so many different ways over the years because of what Heavenly Father has let me experience. I have a stronger testimony than I have ever had because of my life and the happiness and trials I have been given. I will be forever grateful.