We Can Find Peace as We Turn to Him

The last 6 months have been filled with lots of highs and lows, a time of reflection, anxiousness, renewal, goal setting and despair. I don’t like change and I despise contention. I feel like we are living in a world filled with constant contention and chaos. I keep thinking, as soon as we get back to “normal” everything will be okay. I am in the process of learning that this could be our new “normal” and it causes great fear and anxiousness. However, it can be the complete opposite, we have been given a unique opportunity to make our homes a refuge from the storm. I have been fighting against the 82 meals a day, the constant clutter and craziness instead of looking for the good.

I Choose to Believe that we can find the peace we need during this difficult time as we turn to Him. I know that He knows what each of us need individually, what our families need, He knows how we can grow stronger and more capable and feel the spirit more abundantly in our homes and lives.

One of my favorite scriptures is John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; NOT as the WORLD giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

~Julie Brophy

Heavenly Father (and His Angels) are Watching Over Us

A year ago last spring I was unloading a few groceries from my car. I was in the last month of pregnancy and my mother had come to help me that day. As I unloaded the bags she unbuckled my 22-month old son and then came to get a load. After putting the bags on the table I looked up to see my mother with her load of bags, but no Maxwell. I quickly moved to the front door calling his name. As I came to the door I caught a glimpse of him running down the driveway towards the busy street. Adrenalin kicked in and I sprinted with my 8-month pregnant belly towards him. I flew down the steps, across the patio and down some more steps. He had taken the longer route around our van. I took the shorter route in hopes that I would catch him before he came to the street. Just as he came into my view I tripped on some uneven grass, smashed my knee into the ground and went skidding on my belly head first from the grass to the driveway. My first reaction was to hop up and catch my son, but as I tried to do this my body wouldn’t do what I was telling it to do. I couldn’t move. Panic struck and I began to sob as I laid there watching my son running at top speed right for the street where many cars were passing by. I was completely helpless and in a lot of pain. I thought to myself, “I’ve just killed my unborn child and now I’m going to watch my little boy get hit by a car and die!” I watched my little Maxwell through my tears dreading what I was about to witness, then suddenly a miraculous thing happened. He had been headed directly for the street, but once he came to the sidewalk he immediately turned and continued running. A huge wave of relief and gratitude passed over me. My mom helped me up, then caught Max. She helped me hobble inside. I couldn’t stop crying for a long time. Finally I was able to compose myself enough to call my doctor and ask what I should do.

Later on while I was alone laying in a hospital bed connected to the monitoring equipment I couldn’t stop thinking about what happened. Why did Max stop and turn down the sidewalk instead of continuing his path into the street? I pondered that question for a while and then an answer came that filled me with the spirit. Either Max at 22 months of age knew better than to run out into the street or God had placed angels there to guard the way. As I remembered how Max turned and changed his course it was as though there was someone there blocking the way. I believe angels were there that day guarding the street and protecting him from danger. I don’t think Max was mature enough to know how dangerous the street was. I am full of gratitude to God for protecting my son. I am also grateful for that experience. Every time I reflect on it I feel the spirit testify to me personally that Heavenly Father cares about me, He loves me, and He will protect me and my family. Choosing to believe this brings me great joy, peace, and relief.

When I choose to believe I feel the Holy Spirit bearing witness of truth. Choosing faith takes courage and it brings the best blessings. Lately I find myself asking this question when a choice arises: “Am I choosing to believe?”

Every time I remember this question before I react I am happy with my response. When I don’t remember this question it’s easy for me to lose control of myself or say something I regret. I’m grateful for the theme “choose to believe” and the strength and courage it gives me. Remembering these words helps me retain my agency and stay in control of myself. It helps me be who I truly want to be and act for myself instead of allowing other people or situations to control me and to be acted upon.

The world is in commotion. All of the difficulties we are facing as a nation aren’t going to go away. They aren’t going to get better on their own. They may even continue to escalate. I believe God is giving us an opportunity to step up and dig in. I believe now more than ever is a time for us to choose to believe, to be an example of the believers, and to do something about it. We can ask God what he needs us to do and then do it. I love our Heavenly Father and His plan! We can trust Him!

~Jen Doll

I Choose to Believe Because it Brings Me Pure Joy and Hope

I would not have believed I would see a day where the whole world would be in quarantine. But here we are. It brings my thoughts to Job in the Old Testament. He lost everything and had sicknesses that brought him near death and everything unimaginable happen to him. But he was faithful to the Lord regardless of what happened to him. I believe this time is one that can push us to our potential. We can become stronger, turn to Christ, and become more like him.

I have seen such blessings in disguise during this time! I love the time with my family. We have grown closer as a family. We truly love “Come Follow Me” because we are able to continue to learn and become like Christ even though we aren’t at church. We read and discuss a little every day. The program is so inspired and I testify it is from the Lord. He has prepared us to be strong despite the things going on in the world.

Our house is filled with laughter from playing and building forts. I have been enjoying playing games with my boys, pushing my little Hank on the swings in the backyard, reading with my boys, and cuddling while we watch a movie. Going for a hike or walk or run with my family is more enjoyable than ever! A blessing in disguise for sure - to have TIME for more wholesome recreational activities as a family.

I don’t feel sad or depressed about the situation because of my conviction in Jesus Christ, in the Book of Mormon, and in ministering. I talk to sisters in my ward daily. Whenever I do, I feel the Spirit. And I know that we need each other - ministering is miraculous! When I had a day that I felt down, the kindness of friends and sisters through texting lifted my spirit.

I have been re-memorizing The Living Christ. The words are beautiful! And I feel the love of Christ every time I say it.

I choose to believe because it brings me pure joy and hope! ❤️

~Michelle Pyper

I Can't Imagine Heaven without My Family

"I choose to believe because I know families are eternal. During these unique times we were able to have our last of 6 children be baptized. As we sat in the very empty church that Saturday afternoon I realized how important the ordinance of baptism was and what it means eternally to take upon those covenants and His name. I choose to believe because like Elder Holland, I couldn’t imagine Heaven without Robert and our kids. We are just like every other family. We struggle, we sometimes don’t communicate, we have short tempers, and as of recently I’ve discovered I am NOT a very good home school teacher. But, I choose to believe because when I do...those hard times turn into growing and learning times. He softens our hearts, helps us forgive and is patient with us as we learn as a family to love and serve each other. I choose to believe because I love my family and want to be with them forever." -Emily Wensel

I Choose to Believe in God's Prophets and Restoration

Women's Conference Talk by Lynda Hansen

In December of 2011, my former husband went out to replace the brakes on my daughter's car. When he came back in, something in him had changed, and that day began the twelve-month death of our marriage. He had wanted something to listen to while he was doing his project and had searched and found a podcast that promised to "enlighten him about the Mormon church."

Our marriage had always been difficult. He was an addict, and we had spent years and thousands of dollars in counseling. Now his dive into anti-Mormon literature and podcasts became his new and favorite addiction.

He quickly became angry and disrespectful toward Heavenly Father and Christ in our home. He tried to get me to listen with him, but the negativity flowing from those podcasts immediately told me that I wanted nothing to do with them. SO MUCH ANGER. Instead of casting their burdens on the Lord and asking Him for healing, the people on the podcasts were telling the world how they had been wronged and they deserved revenge.

Despite the fact that I had told my ex-husband that I had experienced too many sacred and beautiful experiences with Heavenly Father and I would never turn my back on God, he began trying to corner me and force me to listen to his "new information." What ensued was feelings of confusion, fear, and panic. I felt like I had to hurry and find the truth about what really happened ... what did the Church say about this topic?

I Can Be with My Family Forever

"I've seen so many blessings in my life and I know they come from believing in the gospel by following the commandments given to us. And I choose to believe in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ because it makes me happy and it gives me the hope I need to be with Jared and Sophie forever." -Tess H.

I Can't Imagine Being Without My Family

"I choose to believe because I can't imagine living life and thinking of the future without my family." -Liz P.

God Is Faithful

"I choose to believe because God is faithful to me; He always has been. I know I can trust him completely to take care of me and to save me and my family." -Jennifer H.⁣ ⁣

"I choose to believe because when I believe, I feel at peace." - Nellie H.

Always Remember Him

by Shalee Timothy

 In D&C 20:77 it says:

Photo from lds.org; used with permission.

O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it, that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given them; that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen. 

 How do we remember Christ? We can remember Him by trying to be like Him.

One of the greatest things that the Savior did was to serve and help others. I got to be the recipient of this great service from a few amazing youth that the Lord worked through. We get the opportunity to be the Lord's hands. He works through us, young and old.

We hear this prayer that I started with every week when we partake of the sacrament. It has a new profound meaning to me the past couple of weeks.

I wanted to share an experience I had just a month ago. As many of you know, we own a few FiiZ Drinks stores. Late one Saturday night, one of the employees messaged me asking if I could run in to fix an issue with the soda. I usually never need to run up, but my manager was out of town, so I ran up to see what the problem was.

Right before I had left, we found our five- and two-year-old in our newly finished basement, eating a brand new, full jar of Nutella…with their fingers! To say that I was freaking out would be an understatement. As I was scolding them for “knowing better than eating downstairs AND with their fingers,” I was finding Nutella everywhere: in their hair, on the couches, on the bathroom faucet, sink, light switch, and my freshly cleaned white towels and bath mat. As I continued to find more and more chocolate stains, I looked at my husband and said, “This one is on you. I’m out of here!”

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!

Remembering to Rejoice in Our Covenants

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


Just one year ago, in his first public message after being called as the new prophet, President Nelson stated that his new presidency wanted “to begin with the end in mind” as they met with media in the annex of the Salt Lake Temple. There, President Nelson said if we were “faithful to covenants made in a temple [it will] qualify us for the greatest gift of God—that of eternal life.”

In this broadcast, and specifically directing the last part of his address to “each member of the Church,” President Nelson used the phrase “covenant path” three times in three different ways:

     1-Keep on the covenant path
     2-stay on the covenant path
     3-return to the covenant path

Afterward, the Church News stated, “The power to be found in making sacred covenants was reflected in President Nelson’s address when he uttered what, since then, is already becoming something of a catchphrase around the church: ‘Keep on the covenant path.’”

Now that it has been a year, and with so many changes, do you feel like this meme on the left?

I think we could add a number 4 to the list from President  Nelson: “Keep up with President Nelson on the covenant path.”

Obviously, being on the covenant path is something our dear prophet feels we need to be reminded of. I noticed this past October conference the phrase “covenant path” was being repeated over and over again. I looked it up and found that the phrase “covenant path” was used 28 times.

When I Focused on the Lord, I Stopped Feeling Stressed Out

This talk was given at the 2019 stake women's conference.
By Kara Lunsford, a Laurel

Hello beautiful sisters! I am so grateful for this opportunity to speak to you wonderful women.

About three weeks ago Sister Adams and Sister Wensel came and asked me if I would be willing to talk at this women's conference. Surprisingly, I was super excited! They asked me to accept this 21-day challenge given by Wendy Watson Nelson. This challenge is to “make a sacrifice of time to the Lord by increasing time in family history and in temple work.” I was very excited about this and to learn and become closer to my Savior.

At the beginning, I did all right with the challenge. I was more focused on what happened and what I could share with you women than how it affected me personally in my life. I didn’t notice a huge difference in how I felt or how happy I was. After that, I didn’t do anything for about a week and a half, partly because I was sick and partly because I wasn't sure what to do and it just didn’t really cross my mind.

However, this past Sunday, my cute mom came and asked me how it was going, and I was completely honest with her. I told her I wasn’t sure what to do or why I was chosen to do this. She told me not to worry about what already happened, (or didn’t happen, haha), but to just focus on what I can do this week.

How We Rejoice on the Covenant Path

This video of testimonies of sisters from our stake was shown at the 2019 women's conference.

Witnessing the Love of the Lord for Me and My Ancestors

This talk was given at the 2019 stake women's conference.
By Brynn Meredith, a Laurel

What a blessing it has been for me to take part in the preparation for this conference. I was challenged to take part in the 21-day challenge at the beginning of January, and it has been amazing for me to witness the love that our Father in Heaven has for us and our ancestors that came before us.

Sister Wensel and Sister Adams came and visited me and asked me to take part and be ready to share my findings. They also gave me a talk to read from a BYU women’s conference about this 21-day challenge. The challenge is about a sacrifice of time to the Lord. The action that I choose to take for this challenge was indexing and going to the temple once a week with my sister.

When I first received the challenge, I was admittedly really worried that I would not only be unable to find something I could consistently do, but that I would not be able to share the importance of it with you. I will also admit that before this challenge, I had never really learned how to use the FamilySearch software. But I felt very strongly that indexing was something that I would be able to do every day and that it was an important part in this work.

As We Submit Our Time to the Lord, He Showers Us with Blessings

This talk was given at the 2019 stake women's conference.
by Bethany Bown, a Laurel

Hello. My name is Bethany Bown. I’m a senior class officer at Davis High, a ballerina at Clytie Adams school of ballet, and a shopaholic. This may give you the impression that I am a busy girl, which I am, but I know it doesn’t even compare to being close to busy as all of you women, mothers, and friends.

The past 21 days I’ve taken part in an amazing opportunity that has brought blessings and great peace into my busy days. This is an opportunity I’d like to extend to each of you today. It’s called the 21-day sacrifice. You focus on keeping your covenants for 21 days and sacrifice something in order to do so. It’s as simple as that.

Wendy Watson Nelson was the one to initiate it in her address at the BYU Women’s Conference in 2015. She promised this along with her challenge: “When covenant women keep their covenants, they have greater access to the power of God. The power of God flows into them, and that power, His power, generates a decrease in stress, an increase in energy, more and clearer revelation for their lives, renewed focus, courage to make needed changes, an increase in patience, and more time for what matters.”

I can testify that she meant what she promised. The past couple weeks as I’ve taken part in this challenge, I’ve been more relaxed and focused on what really matters. One Saturday afternoon, my mom and I decided to go to the temple. It was about an hour wait. Instead of leaving because we had other things to do that day, we decided to stay. This was so worth it.

As We Keep Our Covenants, Christ Builds Us Up

This talk was given at the 2019 stake women's conference.
By Emma Nelson, a Laurel

I love the theme of "Rejoicing on the Covenant Path" because it is so important and applicable throughout our lives. Heavenly Father has asked us to do our best to keep our covenants, and through them comes joy. It is not always easy to find joy, especially during trials or hard times, but we need to trust our Heavenly Father and do what he has asked of us.

President Nelson said, “The highest compliment is to be called a covenant keeper.” This should be something we strive for, not because it is a compliment of the highest, but by keeping our covenants we show God how important our relationship with Him is to us.

Not too long ago I wasn’t sure if the Church was true. Every Sunday I would grudgingly go to church to renew my baptismal covenants and try to learn of Christ, not even knowing if He was there for me. After months of struggling, I was writing my frustration and feeling in my journal but got an overwhelming feeling of peace and love. I knew my Savior because I was renewing my baptismal covenants as I was trying to learn of Him. He has such a deep love for all of us that He will NEVER leave us on our own.

I’ve come to learn through trials that Christ lets us doubt to build us up stronger than we were before. Think about building muscles. As you work out your muscles, they are torn before they rebuild stronger. I feel we are like this as well. Sometimes we doubt, are torn, or broken, but by us always keeping our covenants, Christ helps to rebuild us stronger than ever.

Covenants: Giving Us Understanding, Hope, and Perspective

“Covenants with God help us to know who we really are.” 

Jean A. Stevens, “Covenant Daughters of God,” Nov. 2014

As we prepare for the women’s conference and our thoughts have been more focused on "Rejoicing on the Covenant Path," the stake Relief Society presidency wanted to share our testimony of our covenants and what they mean to us.

Tiffany McMinn

One day, many years ago, while I was serving as a missionary in the town of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, my companion and I were needing to get to the home of a sister and her son we were teaching (which was several miles from our apartment). The problem was that we were out of driving miles for the remainder of the month.

We had bikes to ride, but the only road to this sister's house was off the old highway. There were no back roads or side streets—she lived on a private dirt road that came right off this somewhat busy highway.

Feeling brave (and a little invincible as missionaries) we decided to ride our bikes to this appointment. There was no sidewalk to ride on—just a white painted line with cars zooming by on the road just to our left, and ditches, drop offs, and gravel just off to our right.

Image by Alan Levine (public domain, Flickr)

I remember focusing on keeping my front bike tire right on that straight white line as I rode. If I did that, I was fine.

But, if I took my eyes off that white line (even for a second) I would get wobbly and begin to veer off, putting myself at risk to get struck by a car or crash my bike into a ditch.

I have thought many times about that thrilling bike ride that got us to where we needed to go. I’ve thought about how that white line was the safest and really the only path to our destination.

I believe my covenants are like markers (or that white line) on a path that guides me on my journey home to my Heavenly Father. They direct me and give me power and strength as I put my focus on them. They give me understanding, hope, and perspective of where I am headed. They keep me safe and protect me from the evil distractions in the world.

Though I still have a long ride ahead of me, my covenants are helping me change, and, through Jesus Christ, become who my Heavenly Father intended me to be.

The Purpose of Relief Society

On May 9, Sister Linda K. Burton, Relief Society General President, announced that she and her counselors have updated the Relief Society purpose.

Photo from LDS.org. Used with permission.

She said in a post on Facebook:
"When we were newly called as the Relief Society General Presidency, we sought the Lord earnestly to know what essential things He would have us focus on to continue moving His work forward. We were impressed that He would first have us help His beloved daughters understand the doctrine of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, that their faith and righteousness might increase. Second, we considered the critical need to strengthen families and homes and felt that the Lord would have us encourage His beloved daughters to cheerfully cleave to their covenants. When covenants are kept, families are strengthened. Finally, we felt He would have us work in unity with the other auxiliaries and with our priesthood leaders, striving to seek out and help those in need to progress along the path. Focusing on these things helps prepare us for the blessings of eternal life.

"Recently, we have updated the Relief Society purpose wording to reflect the additional insights the Lord blessed us with.

"'Relief Society helps prepare women for the blessings of eternal life (see Moses 1:39) as they increase faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and His Atonement; strengthen individuals, families, and homes through ordinances and covenants; and work in unity to help those in need.'"

"We hope you will study and focus on the purpose of Relief Society and come to understand the divine identity and eternal work and purpose that each sister in Relief Society has. How does understanding this purpose bring hope and meaning into your daily life and actions?

"The updated Relief Society purpose poster and bookmark are now available online and through Distribution." Sister Burton noted that further information and resources can be found in Handbook 2, the talk "Is Faith in the Atonement of Jesus Christ Written in Our Hearts?" and the updated materials.

My Best Christmas Gift Was Love

by Marci Hall

It was  Christmas  Eve, and I was not feeling the  Christmas  spirit.  This particular year,  the holiday  fell on a Tuesday, putting  Christmas  Eve on Monday.  As a mother of five young children, my Mondays were generally exhausting.  Having the sabbath on the day before meant the next day was spent making up for missed naps, meals out of order or skipped, and sickness picked up from church. 

Image from LDS.org. Used by permission.

Our extended family party and present-opening at my parents' house had been on Sunday night as well.  And to top it all off, my husband and I celebrated our wedding anniversary and his birthday all within the last week.  We were all worn out, and it showed.

On  Christmas  Eve, after all the children were in bed, I pondered about what had gone on that evening.  Not only did I feel exhausted physically and emotionally, but I felt like the magic of  Christmas  got sucked out of our family.

The usual nativity reenactment was interrupted by one child wailing and running to her room because things weren't just right, while another was upset with her costume that kept falling off her head. My six-year-old was acting silly and crazy because of strange schedules and  Christmas  excitement. And my oldest child (seven years old) had an earache.

There were a few moments that evening that I felt the peace of the Holy Ghost, like when we sang "Joy to the World" together as I played the piano, and when my four-year-old was playing the part of the angel and recited her whole part from the scriptures, almost without help. But the moments were fleeting.

As I was finishing helping one child calm down to go to sleep, I realized we had never set out stockings.  When I asked her if she wanted to, she said no. What happened to the magic and excitement?  I just felt deflated.

My husband and I set out the stockings anyway, and then he put on a light-hearted  Christmas  show for us. I watched it with him but was not in the mood. I felt like I should have been watching something that would remind me about the Savior, not something silly.

The Importance of Fathers

Photo from LDS.org.
Used by permission.

Enjoy these testimonies of the importance of fathers, by women in our stake.

I have always appreciated the emphasis my Dad has put on the value of education. Along with that, I know he always believed in me and wanted me to succeed in being able to do hard things and have great experiences.
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My dad is the best example to me of scripture reading. He never misses a day. He said it has just become a habit because he makes time for it every day. Someday I hope to be more like him.
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My old bishop stops by now and again to check on me and my kids. He always gives all of us priesthood blessings.
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My father-in-law was very honest and humble. He found a dime in a phone booth and returned it to the phone company. He also gave much to others.
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My husband did not always have a father in his home and today doesn't have a father in his life. Yet you would think that he had the greatest father because of the kind of father he is. He never wants his kids to go without and is always anxious to support them in all they do.