An Urgent Call to All American Christians! By Marc Ensign

In less than a week, this nation will choose its 45th president. This will likely be either Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton. As a Christian, please consider the following: In the next 4-8 years, the president will likely appoint 3 or 4 Supreme Court justices, probably 5. Justice Scalia's seat is vacant. Justice Ginsberg is 82 years old. Justice Kennedy is 79. Justice Breyer, 77 and Justice Thomas, 67. Our next president will have the power to create a Supreme Court to support his or her ideology. What could a liberal Supreme Court do? Hillary Clinton has made it clear that she supports late-term abortion and will appoint justices to uphold Roe/Wade. She has also stated she will use the Supreme Court to go after the 2nd Amendment insisting that the court remove the individual right to bear arms. And then there's religious liberty: Under Barack Obama, Christian beliefs have come under attack. Through the manipulation of the Supreme Court and lower courts, same sex marriage is now legal in all 50 states. Christian businesses who choose to conduct their businesses according to their religious beliefs are being sued, fined and ultimately shut down. Obama has expanded the definition of discrimination to include any type of religious preference. The 'rights' of the GLTBQ community are prioritized over those of the mainstream. Hillary's staff was recently caught mocking Catholics and Evangelical Christians in a thinly-veiled bigotry saying "they must be attracted to the systematic thought and severely backward gender relations". Of the 11,000 Syrian refugees admitted to the United States this year, only 56 were Christian. Ten percent of the population of Syria is Christian, yet less than one half of one percent of those admitted are Christian. The majority are Muslim. Hillary Clinton has taken cash from Iran, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. The Saudi's are funding between 10 and 20% of her presidential campaign. Hillary intends to increase Syrian immigration exponentially. She has also stated she envisions a country with open borders, and wants to grant amnesty to those living here illegally now. Under Barack Obama, our national debt has soared to almost 20 trillion dollars and continues to climb. This debt is greater than that incurred under all previous 43 United States presidents combined. We are in bondage and our children and grandchildren will become even more vulnerable as we continue to give other countries leverage over our economy and ultimately the value of our currency. This gross mismanagement puts at risk the very foundations of American sovereignty. We cannot be 'owned' and independent. Clinton has outlined no plans to reduce this debt, instead stating that she would ensure her new spending programs are funded through higher taxes. The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, an organization that advocates for debt reduction, estimates that Mrs. Clinton's spending and tax policies would essentially hold national debt on its current trajectory. Under Obama and Hillary's leadership, our military is weaker than at any time since World War II. Defense spending has fallen commensurately with the rise in entitlement spending. Hillary's defense spending plan is long on rhetoric but short on details. You may be happy with the way she handled the crisis in Benghazi but I am not. Could her judgment be trusted in a world conflict? Will we be able to regain the military might which has always been relied upon to keep the free world free? Now we ask, where does Donald Trump stand? He has stated he will appoint conservative Judges to keep the Supreme Court and lower federal courts balanced. He is pro-life. He believes strongly in religious liberty and vows to defend it. He believes in carefully controlled immigration and strong borders. He is concerned about the threat of Islamic terrorism and isn't afraid to call it what it is. He believes that American jobs should go to Americans first. He has the plans and experience to reduce our national debt to a responsible, manageable level. He pledges to rebuild our military and make America once again the strongest, most prosperous and safest country in the world. These are critical issues. Any one of them is bigger, much bigger, than the flaws in Donald Trump's personality. Trump is far from perfect. He is a man. Men are all God has in this world to work with, and he has called many imperfect men to do his work. Most Christians laud Christopher Columbus as the inspired discoverer of America. The Spirit moved upon him and yet there are many claims of grossly immoral behavior. George Washington had illegitimate children by his female slaves. I recently visited the Roosevelt mansion in the beautiful Hudson River Valley. Franklin Delano Roosevelt led our country for 4 terms through one of our toughest trials, the Great Depression. In his home are photographs and memorials to his many mistresses. We now know that the entrance to the John F. Kennedy White House was a revolving door for prostitutes and the like. And then there's Bill Clinton. I'm not excusing any of their behavior, they will have to answer for their own sins just like you and I will for ours. However, this shows that the Lord can and does work through imperfect men. Consider what he did with Saul of Tarsus! This is a huge theme of the whole bible--that God isn't limited by human sin, that he can work through polygamists like Jacob, prostitutes like Rahab and adulterers like David. In fact, many of His chosen leaders' sexual backgrounds weren't ideal. In this election, we don't have the perfect candidate either, but we have a man who God can work with. We know that He moves in mysterious ways and that only He knows the minds and hearts of men. Can we, in our righteous judgment, remember what the Savior said to the accusers of the woman taken in sin? Who is qualified to cast the first stone? In the 2012 Presidential Election, over 21 million registered Christian voters DID NOT VOTE! Barack Obama won the popular vote by a margin of only 5 million. Many couldn't get past Mitt Romney's Mormon religion. Let's not make the same mistake this time. As a group, Christians make up the largest voting bloc in America. We are more influential than any lobby or special interest group, more powerful than the liberal media. With so much at stake, how can any of us remain silent? It was Christians who founded this nation and it will be Christians who save it. Don't call yourself a Christian and refuse to help. We're not being asked to give our lives as our founding fathers did, all we need to do is vote. Can Donald Trump turn things around? Today that's unknown, but I think we have a better chance with him than Hillary. Catholic, Protestant, Evangelical, Mormon, Jehovah's Witness and all other Christian denominations, let's put our differenced aside on November 8th and join together to defeat those who are plotting our demise. Not only will we reclaim America for our children and grandchildren, but we will send a clear message to all the world that Christ is once again, the God of this nation. The good news today is that the election is still to come. We have not lost. We are the link between America's Christian past and its Christian future. Let's do our part in reclaiming America for Christ. Our founding fathers did theirs--now it's up to us. Please pass this urgently on to your Christian congregation, friends and leaders. A brother in Christ

Returning to Love

When we were created as spirits in the premortal world, we were created into love. This is our natural state. This is why love feels so good to us. It feels like we are at home there. But in the premortal world, we had not experienced the opposite: fear. Therefore, we could not fully comprehend what we had. We could not experience a fullness of joy. Coming to earth, and taking upon us a mortal body, provided the opportunity to experience fear. This only happens when we are separated from God. It is our fear that keeps us from feeling the love of God that our spirits crave and that is our birthright as sons and daughters of God: Fear that we are not good enough; fear that we won't have enough; fear that we won't be loved and accepted by others and by God. To whatever degree we allow fear into our hearts, love leaves. And to whatever degree we are able to allow our fears to die, love automatically comes to fill the vacuum in our heart. The first and great commandment is to love the Lord thy God with all our hearts. The second is to love our neighbor as ourselves. This should come as no surprise because as we learn to open and soften our hearts to experience this love, we have had to learn how to banish our fears. We have returned to that original state we were born into as spirits. But now we comprehend what a blessing it is to feel this love. We know what it is like to feel the absence of it. We now understand what good and evil are. We understand that anything that is good is inspired by love. Conversely, anything that is evil is inspired by fear. Truly, fear leads to death of both body and spirit. But charity, the pure love of Christ, endureth forever. We are commanded to love God, ourselves and each other so that we can have a fullness of joy; returning to the love that is our birthright, but now being able to comprehend what a great blessing it is to us, having now experienced its opposite; having now consciously chosen love over fear; good over evil.

Opening Our Hearts to the Comfort of the Holy Spirit

Most of the time I love my life and feel very blessed. But there are times when I'm hurting, or someone I love is hurting, and heartfelt prayers seem to be unanswered. I realize that prayers are not always answered in the way we desire, and sometimes that can make us feel frustrated or even alone. So the question arises, "How can I keep my heart open to feeling the love of the Lord even when I do not understand? How can I access the comfort we are promised because of the atonement?

Sometimes we might not feel comfort because we are looking to have our physical suffering taken away. When that doesn't happen, we feel that the Lord is not there. Then I think of Jesus suffering on the cross carrying the weight of the sins of the world. As excruciating as it was for Him to bear this suffering, the only time He cried out was when He briefly lost the companionship of His Father. He said,
"My God, my God! Why hast thou forsaken me?" For the first time in His life, He experienced what it was like to lose the Spirit of God. Likewise, when we lose the Spirit, either because of unrepented sin or lack of faith, or even anger toward God because we don't understand why we have to endure this trial, our suffering becomes unbearable. We shut ourselves off from the comfort the Lord stands ready and willing to give if we will just open our hearts to it. The Lord may not remove the trial, because that would not be in our best interest. But He will make it bearable and comfort us and give us the needed strength to endure it well.

And just as I know that Jesus Christ volunteered to be our Savior, I know that I agreed to the mission I came to earth to fulfill. It is not in the nature of God to compell me to do something I did not agree to. So the next time I feel like my prayer is not being answered because a trial is not being removed, I hope that I will realize that the Lord may only be honoring something I previously agreed to and wanted to experience so that I could become more like Him.

Jesus Christ suffered for my sins and my sicknesses, both physical and spiritual. He understands exactly what I am going through and will give me comfort and peace like no one else can. He is not indifferent to my suffering. I am sure He weeps when I weep. And when I am joyful, His joy is full. I am grateful for this mortal experience. I will not blame God for all the pain and suffering that mortal life entails, for it is an unavoidable part of the plan I agreed to. I am grateful that our Father was willing to provide a way for us to become like Him. To have the joy that He ejoys. What an unbelievable blessing!

Safe in the Arms of Jesus

Yesterday some friends commented to me how they hate to be alone at night and how they especially hate to be in the dark. Sometimes it is even hard to sleep because the fear can be so paralyzing. I think we all would rather be in the light, where we can clearly see each step we should take and are assured that there is no danger lurking around the corner. How blessed we are to be given the light of Christ when we are born to help us discern the light from the darkness so we can always walk in the light of His love. An even greater blessing we can recieve when we make sacred baptismal covenants and are confirmed as members of the Lord's church and kingdom is the gift of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is the Comforter and is our constant companion as we strive to live worthy of His presence. Because of this, we need never to be alone, and we can always walk in the light. Even if we cannot always see exactly what lies ahead, we can take another step in faith, knowing that the Holy Ghost will light the way and we can trust that no matter what happens, we are always safe in the arms of our Savior's love. As we pray and ask for the Spirit to be with us, our faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ replaces the fear. Wrapped in the warm, comforting blanket of the spirit, darkness and fear melt away and we can go to sleep. No harm can come to us with our Comforter near.

"Through the valley and shadow of death though I stray,
Since thou art my Guardian, no evil I fear.
Thy rod shall defend me, thy staff be my stay.
No harm can befall with my Comforter near.
No harm can befall with my Comforter near."

--James Montgomery(Hymn #108 The Lord is my Shepherd)

Welcoming Another Daughter to our Family

The Lord has blessed us again with the addition of another daughter. How grateful we are that Cody has found Brooke and that they will be getting married in December. Brooke is so gentle and kind and full of love. When you are around her, you always feel at ease. She is beautiful inside and out and we love her already. We are looking forward to their eternal marriage in the Logan Temple and the beginning of their new life together.

Reflections of Christ Slideshow

Another Testament of Christ Slideshow

Gratitude Brings Perspective

Our family moved from Sacramento, California almost 5 years ago to a beautiful place in the mountains in northern Utah, named Cache Valley. For the next 4 and a half years, my husband, Rob, was a full time caregiver for his mom who had dementia. He gave his all to make sure she had the best possible care. It was very difficult, at times, but we also considered it a great blessing in our lives. She passed away 6 months ago, and ever since that time, Rob's health has deteriorated. He has chronic headaches, back aches, depression, and various other pains in his chest and abdomen. Before he became her caregiver, he drove a big rig truck for over 25 years. He has always worked too hard, and had a lot of anxiety. This has all caught up with him now, and has been told by his doctor that because of the damage done to his back that he shouldn't lift over 25 lbs.

This all has been very frustrating for the both of us. Here we are in this beautiful place, and he is always hurting and no longer has the energy or desire to do the things he used to enjoy doing. He started wondering if God was even aware of him anymore or ever heard his prayers. One day while we were taking a walk, I received an insight that was very comforting. Instead of thinking about how sad our situation was, and that God was unaware of us, suddenly I realized that God knew what was happening with Rob's health. He knew it a long time ago. And since He knew that it was going to happen, He prepared a situation for us that allowed us to be able to make it. If we were still in California, struggling like we were there financially and Rob became disabled, we wouldn't have been able to make it. But here, we own our home which makes it possible for me to support us right now. The Lord moved us to a beautiful place that we both love, provided me a job using my talents. He didn't remove the trial, because we need to go through trials in order to learn how to become like Him. But He loves us and supports and helps us through the trials. In this case, He truly provided a miracle so that we would be able to endure this trial.

In order to truly understand the magnitude of this miracle, consider this:
In California, we were over $13,000.00 in credit card debt and the debt was growing in spite of our efforts because we didn't make enough money. We still owed 10 years on our house, and we didn't like where we lived. Rob was working crazy hours and his job was threatened because his company was considering moving to the bay area.

Imagine if someone came along and told us they wanted to pay off our credit card debt, pay off our house and give us a home in the mountains of Utah that was twice as big with a beautiful park like yard. They wanted to give me a job I would love using my musical talents. And to top it off, they wanted to give us $10,000.00 in cash. Well, that's what the Lord did for us. He provided a situation that did just that.

When I looked at our situation with that perspective, suddenly I was full of gratitude. Our trials were still there, but I felt loved and treasured by the Lord. I knew then that we would be able to handle whatever came our way, because we were not alone. We are truly blessed.

A Choice Land

Yesterday was the Fourth of July and I usually feel very patriotic and proud to be an American. But for some reason, this year I felt a little melancholy and a bit sad because of some of the things going on in our country recently make me very concerned that some of our precious freedoms are in jeopardy. I am concerned because it appears that we have a president that feels apologetic about our country and the ideals that it stands for. What concerns me more, is the fact that so many people seem to idolize him, and they don't seem to recognize what is happening to our freedoms. So much is just taken for granted.

But then I am reminded of another time in this nation's history when the early Latter-day Saints were being persecuted and driven from their homes, even in the dead of winter. They tried to get help from the United States government, but their pleas fell on deaf ears. Then, in the middle of their exodus west, the US government asked for volunteers to form the Mormon Battalion to fight for the United States. These faithful saints, in spite of all the wrongs that had been commited against them, left their families and went to serve their country. They were patriotic, and knew that this is a choice land whose constitution is inspired of God.

I, too, love this country. I know that I am very blessed to live in this great land. I never want to take for granted the liberties that I enjoy here, or the price in human life that was paid so that we have these freedoms. I just hope that we wake up as a nation and return to God and to living His commandments. If not, one day we may wake up and realize that the freedom that our forefathers fought so valiantly for is gone. I pray that the people of this nation won't let that happen.

The Blessing of Inspiration

The other day as I got into my car to drive to work, I went to turn on the radio, as I normally do, to listen as I drive. I felt impressed that I should leave it off for awhile, and just listen. I felt that the Lord wanted to communicate something to me that would help me that day. As I listened and meditated, thoughts spontaneously came into my mind: thoughts of comfort, counsel and direction. This continued on for most of the way to work. It was so comforting and enlightening, and I felt a feeling of deep gratitude for the blessing of prayer and inspiration. I pondered on the blessing of being able to communicate with God, and was grateful that He felt He could entrust me with knowledge and direction. It gave me comfort to know that even though we live in very challenging times, I can depend upon the Lord to be there, for protection, help, and direction. This experience greatly increased my faith in Him. He is my most faithful and dearest friend.

Welcoming a new daughter to the family

It has always amazed me at the depth of love that I feel for my children. They have always been my greatest joy, and I am grateful to the Lord for allowing me to feel, in this small way, the love He feels for each of us. As each of my daughters have gotten married, I was even more surprised at how I could love my sons in law with this same love, even though I didn't give birth to them. And now that our son, Jason, is getting married and we are welcoming Jess into our family, once again I marvel at how much love I feel for this beautiful, dear new daughter. She is like a ray of sunshine that radiates joy and love. I am grateful to the Lord for this tender mercy He has given me. I miss living near to my two daughters so much, and now He has blessed me with a daughter nearby. I count this as a great blessing. I am especially thankful for the joy Jess has brought into my son's life. Our family is growing and so is the love.

Basking in the Light of the Son

Since I have relocated to Northern Utah from sunny California, I have come to really appreciate the sun. The winters here seem to last forever, and I struggle feeling as happy without so many bright, sunny days. I am even considering buying a full spectrum lamp or light box to bask in during the winter months next year. As I have considered how much I crave the light and warmth of the sun, there is another light that I need and desire even more. It is the light of the Son. The Son of God. Even when the days are cloudy, I know I can bask in the warmth and light of His love. He is always there. Sometimes, during my trials, it seems that clouds of darkness block the light. But just as I know that the sun is always shining above the clouds in winter, I know that the Lord is always there. How grateful I am to know that I can always turn to Him in faith. Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ pierces through the darkness and I can feel his light and his love. As much as I need the light of the sun for my physical health and well being, I need the light of the Son even more. I will bask in the light of his love forever.

In Defense of Jesus Christ

Today I found out that the president of the United States declared to the world that we do not consider ourselves a Christian nation. He said we are a nation of citizens. Words cannot express how deeply painful it is to me to realize just how far we have fallen away from Christian values as a nation in just my lifetime. And now we have our president declaring it. We know from the scriptures that this nation is a promised land: one that will be blessed and protected and free as long as we serve the true and living God, Jesus Christ. If we are not righteous, we will be swept off when we are fully ripe. We know from history that this has happened several times before.

Today I declare to the world my witness that Jesus Christ lives. He is the Son of God and the Savior of the world. I stand in awe of His love and sacrifice and His infinite long suffering and patience with me and with all the world. It baffles me how we can turn our backs on the one who gave the ultimate sacrifice for us, the one who created us! Oh how I love Him! How many times will we reject our Savior? Have we learned nothing from the past?

I pray for this nation and the leaders of it. I pray we will repent and return to our God. I, for one, know He lives and I love Him with all my heart. I feel His love in my daily life. All that I have comes from Him, even the air that I breathe. How can we reject the very being who gives us life?

My Sister Carol

I have been reading a book recently about my sister Carol's life. She passed away a number of years ago in a car accident. I was very touched by the way she lived her life in quiet, Christ-like ways. She was a mother of 9 children, and the family struggled quite a bit financially. She had to work outside the home part of the time, and she was always very tired with everything she had to do to care for her large family. 5 of her children wanted to play soccer and there was no money to pay for their registration. So she made a deal with the person in charge that they could all play in exchange for her setting up all the nets, flags, etc. for each of the games. This she did, as well as drop off her kids at four different locations, and pick them all up and take everything down.

Well, there was a neighbor boy who used to come to visit, named Albert. He didn't come from a very good home, and he was treated unkindly there. He used to come and visit at Carol's home, and she always treated him kindly, and fed him and showed him love. He eventually got into drugs, and started stealing from them to support his habit. Over time, he stole hundreds of dollars in cash from her purse, and thousands of dollars in things in the house. One day he was caught by Carol's son in law, and he was arrested. Carol was glad about this, because she thought that now he could get the help he needed. He was sent to jail(not prison, like he normally would have been), and was sent to rehab, all because Carol went down and plead his case. Even though he had abused her kindness, she forgave him and tried to help him.

Sometime later, after she died, Carol's husband and new wife saw Albert in Denneys. He hadn't heard about what had happened to Carol. When he heard of her passing, this 6 foot 2 inch tough guy broke down in tears. He said he wished he had been able to thank her for all she did for him. He had since gotten out of rehab and had turned his life around and had a good job.

Carol lived her life always thinking of others and serving others. She has been a beautiful example to me of Christ-like love.

Let the Little Children Come

Liz Lemon Swindle painted this remarkable picture of the Savior, Jesus Christ, with the children. I like this picture because this is the way I see Christ: as my friend who loves me and rejoices with me and enjoys my company. He is personal. He laughs and is someone I can always talk to and depend on. He always sees me in a better light than I do my own self. He sees the best in me and inspires me to be my best self. He is never critical and is ever patient. He leads me with His love to become nearer to Him. Without my Savior, life has no meaning at all. I would feel desperately alone. With Him, I can do anything. I can meet every challenge. I know great challenges are coming. Christianity is being assaulted everywhere I look in our world. It is time to decide where we stand. I recommit this day to live a Christ-like life. I have taken His name upon me. I have made sacred covenants to remember Him and to keep His commandments, all of which bless my life continually. I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. I love Him with all of my heart and look forward to the day when I shall kneel at His feet and feel the loving embrace of His arms around me. He is the Savior of the world, the Son of God. He is divine. This I know and testify of in His sacred name. Amen.

Planting Seeds

My daughter, Stacy, gave my son, Cody, who is on a mission, a little kit for Christmas where he could plant grass seeds for hair on a little man. He planted the seeds, watered it, and patiently watched it grow into the very attractive hair style we see today.

Likewise, Cody is planting the seeds of the gospel every day as he tracts, and teaches people about the gospel. As he nourishes people with the good word of God and patiently watches over them, he will be able to rejoice with them as they embrace the joy that come through living the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I am grateful for the light of the gospel in my own life. My greatest joys in life have all been centered around the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am especially grateful for temple ordinances that seal our family together forever. As I watch our family grow with sons-in-laws and grandchildren, all striving to live the gospel, I feel great joy. I am grateful for the seeds of truth that my parents planted in my life, and for the seeds I planted in my children's lives. We are all reaping a great harvest!

Insights on the Atonement of Christ

A few days ago, in the wee hours of the morning, I woke up with a really bad headache. I felt so sick that I got up to take something for it, and as I got back in bed, I wondered to myself why we have to suffer and go through pain. What is the purpose for suffering? In my case, I realized that suffering brings me closer to God, because that's when I really turn to him for help - through prayer and supplication, asking Him to help me through it.

Then my thoughts turned to our Savior's suffering and to His atonement, and I realized that He had not only suffered for our sins, but He had suffered for all our sicknesses and pains of every kind, both mental and physical. It was incomprehensible to me how He could have accomplished this: suffering for all mankind all at once for everyone who would ever live on this earth, and other earths, as well. I was having trouble handling the pain of my own headache!! How awful, I thought, that our Heavenly Father would ask Him to do such a horrendously painful thing! How awful that it had to be done! I thought how much our Heavenly Father must REALLY love us to have asked His beloved Son to go through such a thing. I thought of how hard it must have been for our Father to ask this of Jesus; how much it must have hurt Him.

Then, clearly to my mind, came this thought: "The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do."(John 5:19) And, "When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me."(John 8:28)

I realized then, like I never had before, that the Father knew exactly what He was asking of Jesus. He had experienced it Himself. He had been a Savior and suffered the same way Christ did in another time and place. He wasn't asking anything of His Son that He hadn't been willing to do Himself. I realized how important the plan of salvation really is. I never want to take repentance for granted, for I was truly bought with a price - and that price, even for me, just one person, was incomprehensible suffering. How could I have anything but adoration for my Savior, my closest Friend.

I still don't completely understand why there has to be suffering, but I think it might be tied to our joy. Maybe if we weren't capable of great suffering, we wouldn't be capable of great joy. Having each of my children has brought me the greatest joy I have experienced in my life. Giving birth to them, also brought me the greatest physical suffering I have ever experienced. My great love for them, I believe in part, comes from what I went through for them. By that same token, I am able to better understand why the Savior loves each of us so much. His suffering for each of us individually during His atonement, connected Him to us more than could have happened in any other way. Because of this, I know that He will do all He can to help me become the kind of person I need to be and to stand clean in His presence. It gives me great peace and hope. I want to praise His name forever!

Family Love

This IS a great day! I just found out that one of my daughters, and her family, are planning to come out for a visit in June. I have been missing them so much. It's been nearly a year since I've seen them. I am more excited about this visit than I would be if we were going on a cruise or to Hawaii. The love I have for each one of my children goes so deep that I cannot adequately express how much I feel for them. And the love just continues to grow as our family increases in size by adding sons-in-laws and grandchildren. It makes me truly appreciate the wonderful plan of happiness that Heavenly Father has for us. I can't imagine what it would be like if I didn't know that I would be with my family after I died. To be capable of this much love in this life, and then to not have it continue after death makes no sense and would be unbearable if it were true. Having a family has far and away been my greatest joy in life, and that joy just continues to grow. My husband and my children are my best friends, and the most incredible people I have ever met. My cup runneth over.

Snowflake Stars

As I was driving to work a few days ago, I noticed that the snowflakes that were landing on my windshield were perfect little stars. When it's really cold here, the snowflakes don't melt immediately upon landing and you can see the detail on each one. They are absolutely beautiful and each a tiny, intricate star. The first time I noticed this after moving here, I was moved to tears. That may sound silly, but I am awed by the beauty that God has created all around me. There are billions of snowflakes that make up the snow banks, but each one is beautiful in its own way. There are billions of people in the world, and its easy to feel lost and like nobody special at times. Then I remember the snowflakes. Among so many billions of people in the world, I know that I am beautiful and have a purpose and that God knows me and has created me to be someone special. If God took the time to create each snowflake with so much intricate detail, I know that He knows me as His daughter, He knows my name, and He has great things in store for me.

Sharing the gospel

My son, Cody, is serving a full time mission for two years for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He is currently in Maine. I am very proud of him that he would be willing to sacrifice so much to share the restored gospel of Jesus Christ with the people in New England. It's hard to imagine how I would feel or how I would be living if I had never heard about the gospel. I have so much peace of mind knowing what my purpose in life is, where I came from, and what is in store for me after I die. This knowledge guides each every day action in my life. There is so much to be happy about when I think of what the Lord has done for me and what He offers me if I choose to accept His gift of Eternal life. I know that because I am His daughter, Heavenly Father wants me to inherit all He has. And the Lord has made it possible, through repentance, for this to happen. Not very many people know these truths. So I am grateful that Cody has the chance to share this message with others.