Carol Christensen

carol christensen | LIVING FAITH

After exploring other churches, Carol joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1974. She is a past president of Interfaith of Topeka, active in community groups, a mother of eight and a grandmother of four.

Singing A New Song & Praises to God

By carol christensen
August 30, 2010

Praise ye the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints. (Psalms 149:1)

This verse of scripture well describes what went on this past Sunday evening (August 29) in the Topeka Stake Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! A very musically-talented group of Latter-day Saints from the greater Topeka area performed a cantata that was composed by Topekan Robert Johnson. While "Nephi: A Cantata" tells the story of Nephi, a faithful, righteous man of God whose life and ministry are detailed in the first two books of the Book of Mormon, it is also a musical work that gives great praise to God. Though Robert Johnson originally composed the music for the cantata in 1973, he revised it substantially enough in recent years that he said he thinks of it as a new work now and considers Sunday's performance to have been its premiere.

I won't repeat here the background information about the cantata that Phil Anderson, the Topeka Capital-Journal's religion writer, included in his excellent, recent article about it, but I do encourage you to read the article, if you haven't already: http://holyground.topeka.net/content/composer-gets-hear-cantata.

I enjoyed the cantata very much and was very impressed by the music that Robert Johnson composed for it. I know that he has composed other songs. For example, last year I heard a concert overture that he wrote for the Washburn University Symphony Orchestra. He also composed a march for the Santa Fe Band. But what an especially huge accomplishment to write music for all 10 songs in a cantata and have the music fit the words chosen in advance by the librettist! Robert Johnson handled the job very well.

I especially loved the cantata's finale, "And In That Day Thou Shalt Say, O Lord, We Will Praise Thee," a gorgeous piece based on 2 Nephi 22 in the Book of Mormon and Isaiah 12 in the Bible. With its repetition of lines by altos, tenors, basses, and sopranos; beautiful harmonies; and musical and spiritual intensity, that song made me think that George Frideric Handel could have written it! I definitely felt that Robert Johnson had been inspired when he composed the music for that beautiful, uplifting song of praise to God. I think that song would resonate spiritually with people of many faiths.

I thought that all of the performers did excellent jobs. Baritone Tony Wright, singing the part of the Lord in "Blessed Art Thou, Nephi;" soprano Jan Brase, singing the part of Sariah (Nephi's mother) in "I Rejoice;" and soprano Robyn Davis, singing the aria "Is This the City of Jerusalem?," made me glad that they're in Topeka, Kansas, rather than in New York, pursuing professional music careers!

Singing the part of Nephi, Jared Zimmerman was very impressive in his two arias, "I Will Go" and "Ye Are Swift to Do Iniquity." Though written for a tenor, the solos required a wide singing range, and Jared handled them with ease and great musicality. His rendition of "Ye Are Swift to Do Iniquity"--based on scriptural verses in which Nephi chastises his errant brothers--was particularly powerful.

Composed of many of the best LDS singers in the Topeka area and directed by Will Kubie, the 35-40 member choir also did an excellent job on its four numbers. Like the soloists, the choir sang their challenging songs with skill, strength, and the Spirit.

I also want to acknowledge and commend Dr. Elizabeth Berghout, a Church member from Lawrence and faculty member in the University of Kansas Music Department, who provided organ and piano accompaniment for the soloists and choir. She contributed much to the performance.

I understand that Linda White, the Topeka Stake Music Chair, made the event happen by recruiting most of the excellent musicians who performed in the cantata and by taking care of all the details associated with the performance. There would have been no performance without all of her efforts.

Though F. Glen McDonald, Robert Johnson's collaborator and the cantata's librettist, is now deceased, I do want to commend his selection of the scriptures that were used as the basis of the various songs. Not only do they highlight many of the key events in Nephi's life, but several of them also give beautiful, heartfelt praise to God ("Great and Marvelous Are Thy Works" and "And In That Day Thou Shalt Say, O Lord, We Will Praise Thee," especially). I was also pleased to hear that other scriptures, song lyrics, and narration used in this Book of Mormon-based cantata show that Latter-day Saints truly do believe in Jesus Christ and that the Book of Mormon is aptly subtitled "Another Testament of Jesus Christ."

So, well done and thank you, Brother Johnson and other cantata participants! I'm so glad that, when you were singing new praises to God (and telling the story of Nephi too!) in the "congregation of saints" (Latter-day Saints, that is!), I got to listen in also!

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Conquer Every Mountain

By carol christensen
August 20, 2010

At 11,749 feet, Mt. Timpanogos is the second tallest mountain in Utah's Wasatch Mountains and probably the most popular one for hikers in the area to climb. Although many people — particularly teenagers and college students — have climbed it over the years, it's not easy to reach the top (especially if you're much older than a teenager or young college student!) With a vertical climb of almost one mile, the approximately 15-mile roundtrip to the summit and back takes the majority of hikers most of a day — and requires a lot of physical exertion!

Climbing Mt. Timpanogos had been on the bucket list for my husband, John, and me, and about two weeks ago we were able to say that we've been there, done that and are alive to talk (and, for me, to blog) about it! It was a fabulous experience to climb that mountain, and I'm so glad that we were able to do so!

During our long hike, I had lots of time to reflect on the many parallels between getting to the top of that mountain and back and overcoming the problems we often face in life. Here are some lessons I was reminded of or learned from our hike about how to successfully tackle the various trials we may experience in life — whether they're physical mountains or financial difficulties, health or relationship problems, challenges at work or school, or other major troubles.

• Be prepared.
This counsel isn't just good for Boy Scouts! John and I prepared for our hike by stepping up our regular exercise routines for several weeks before we left Topeka; arriving in Utah a couple of days before our planned hike to adjust to the altitude; bringing enough water and food with us; and wearing good hiking boots, a hat, and sunscreen. Though we were sore for two days after the hike, we had been in good enough physical shape and had the supplies we needed to stay strong, energetic, and hydrated on our climb so we could successfully complete it.

Though we can't always anticipate the other kinds of mountains we may face in our lives, there are still things we can do during good times to prepare for the hard times that inevitably will come during our lives. For example, we can get and stay fit (physically, spiritually, and financially), acquire a good education, and nurture good relationships among family members and friends.

• It helps to have a guide when climbing an unfamiliar mountain.
Though we knew that many other people had climbed Mt. Timpanogos, we didn't know how obvious or dangerous the path to the top would be. So we asked our good friend Kirt (who had also been the bishop of our Topeka congregation for a number of years) to accompany and guide us. Kirt, who now lives in Utah (and not very far from the mountain), had hiked it several times before and readily agreed to be our guide. Frankly, I don't think that John and I would have made it very far on our hike without Kirt, since there were no signs on the trail and often it wasn't very clear where we should hike. (Interestingly, when we came to a split in the trail going up, Kirt usually had us take the right trail, prompting us — er, me! — to sing a few bars of the LDS hymn "Choose the Right"! Of course, on the way back down, though, we ended up usually choosing the left!) With Kirt's assistance, we knew where to go and what to expect and were able to get successfully to the top of the mountain and back.

It's definitely not a sign of weakness to seek guidance from other people when we're confronted by other challenges in life. In fact, having the assistance of an able, experienced guide may be the only way that we will be able to overcome some of the unfamiliar problems we may encounter! That guide might be a parent or other family member, a religious leader, a financial counselor, a teacher, or a friend. For most Christians, Jesus Christ — His teachings and example — and the Holy Ghost also provide vital guidance and help as we seek to conquer the mountains in our lives.

• Keep focused on your goal, and keep moving ahead — in faith — step by step.
The path up the mountain was long, often winding, and sometimes very steep. Since we couldn't even see Mt. Timpanogos (which was obscured by other mountains) until we were about two-thirds of the way up, we were walking by faith to get there! But, trusting that there would be a happy ending to all of our exertion and that it truly would be worth it to persevere to the top, we pushed on, one step after another, even when we couldn't see the end in sight. After consistent, concentrated effort, we did reach the top. And, yes, the exhilarating view and the sense of accomplishment we had there were definitely worth all the hours, effort, and sore muscles afterwards!

Many problems in life don't lend themselves to quick fixes; they require lots of time and ongoing effort, day after day after day. Though it could be easy to get discouraged when facing such overwhelming challenges, it's important to keep our goal — overcoming the trial — always in mind. Then we must continually move ahead with faith, step by step, believing that "by small and simple things are great things brought to pass...." (Alma 37:6 in The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ) and that the end result will be worth all our work and perseverence.

• Be patient and recognize the progress you've made.
I'd been told that the hike up to Mt. Timpanogos and back was long and rigorous and would take most of the day. Remembering little children on past family vacations who asked the proverbial question, "Are we almost there?", I didn't want to ask Kirt such questions on our hike! Though I was anxious to reach the top of the mountain, I discovered that it helped to be patient and stop and look back periodically at the progress we'd made on our hike. Reflecting on where we started and the territory we'd covered brought joy and confidence that we would reach our goal in due time.

When we face other challenges in life, it's often easy to be overwhelmed by their magnitude and frustrated by the thought of all we have to do or endure to overcome them. We want our difficulties to be over and over now! But if we're patient, we can find joy — if not in our journey then — at least in the progress we've made in climbing the mountains in our lives.

• Accept help and encouragement from others on the trail, and help and encourage others too.
Most of the time, John, Kirt, and I were able to manage the hike on our own. But there were a few times when we provided valuable help to one another: e.g. John stretched out his arm and helped me over a steep, slippery section of the trail; I gave Kirt one of my water bottles; we all shared food. Hikers who had reached the top of the mountain and were on their way down gave us some valuable tips (e.g. "Don't slide down the glacier on your way back; it's too rocky and icy!") and encouragement ("You still have a couple of hours more before you get to the top, but it's worth it!") All of this help and encouragement enabled us to stay motivated, safe, and able to finish our hike.

Just as it helps to have a guide when we face unfamiliar challenges of life, it also helps to have other people who give us support and encouragement when we're trying to conquer the mountains in our lives: people who lend us a hand, share valuable tips, or remind us that it's worth it to keep on keeping on until we've overcome our trials. It's also important for us to keep our eyes open for ways to encourage and help other people in challenging circumstances — even if we're having some struggles of our own right then.

• Don't forget to pray!
John, Kirt, and I prayed before we started our ascent up Mt. Timpanogos and prayed again about two-thirds of the way up, because Kirt had started feeling sick. Not long after that second prayer, Kirt felt stronger and was able to continue the climb. He attributed his rapid renewal of energy to our prayer. I definitely offered silent prayers during some particularly challenging — and scary — parts of the hike! I didn't want any of us to be one of the many hikers who started but didn't make it to the top. More importantly, I didn't want any of us to be one of the hikers who occasionally has a serious or fatal accident while climbing. (And, happily, we weren't!)

In other challenges of life, prayer can help us navigate unfamiliar terrain, overcome fear, and give us the additional help we need to overcome difficulties. As a latter-day revelation said, "Pray always, that you may come off conqueror...." (Doctrine & Covenants 10:5)

• Take time to rest or take a break.
On our way both up and down the mountain, we often stopped to drink water, have a snack, take photos, or just enjoy the beauty all around us. These breaks gave our hard-working legs some rest and made the trip more enjoyable. But as our friend, Kirt, said, "We don't want to take too long of a break or it'll be hard to start hiking again." We discovered that breaks on a hike were helpful to both body and spirit but that too much of a rest would hurt our momentum and ability to keep going.

In the midst of trials and other challenges, short breaks — such as doing something we find enjoyable, getting spiritual nourishment (e.g. through prayer, scripture study, and attendance at religious meetings), taking a short nap, visiting with someone, etc. — can increase our strength, effectiveness, and determination to endure to the end. But too long of a break can distract and weaken us and, possibly, even disrupt our forward momentum.

• Keep a good attitude by recognizing your blessings and being grateful.
Alhough the first two-thirds of the hike up Mt. Timpanogos wasn't overly difficult, it still made us hot, dirty, sweaty, and a little sore. The last third of our climb to the top, however, was very challenging and even scary in places. But though I didn't enjoy hiking along the narrow, gravelly parts of the trail (that were often right on the edge of steep drops) or walking on lots of softball-sized rocks or climbing up very steep portions of the trail that required being on all fours, I was happy to be on that mountain!

I was delighted to see gorgeous wildflowers in a wide variety of colors. I loved crossing shallow streams and walking under a waterfall! I was in awe of mountain goats that walked along steep slopes with ease. I was surprised to see a herd of about 40 such goats around a lake — and grateful that the mama mountain goat and baby that John encountered on the trail let him and the rest of us alone. For the first time in my life I realized what a blessing it is to have ankles, which, by bending in many different directions, allow us to walk easily over uneven surfaces and stay on our feet (at least most of the time!) I was very grateful for fresh drinking water, for boots that supported my ankles and didn't hurt my feet, and for a body that could hike. I was so thankful for the beauty of God's creation, for John and our friend who accompanied us, for the chance to be on the mountain that day, and for protection. And since we ended up finishing our hike in the dark and hadn't brought flashlights (figuring we'd be back before dark!), I was grateful that the trail at the end of our roundtrip hike was light-colored and that, even on a moonless night, we were able to see enough to get back safely! The positives of the hike far outweighed the trials of the trail. Having a positive attitude made the journey, particularly the toughest parts, much more enjoyable and endurable.

Admittedly, it's probably easier to recognize blessings when one is climbing a mountain than it is when one is living with severe chronic health problems, losing a loved one, dealing with the loss of a job, feeling overwhelmed with work or school projects, or experiencing other major difficulties. But even when dealing with the very demanding and draining challenges of life, we can find our spirits lifted when we recognize the good things in our life (even if we can't find any positive things then about our present trial) and express our thanks to God.

• Pick yourself up when you fall and get moving again.
While on our long hike, John, Kirt, and I each fell once (fortunately, ON the trail, not OFF the trail!) But we got up and resumed our hike. Our falls taught us to be a little more cautious, but they didn't stop or discourage us.

When we face challenges in life, it's unlikely that we'll always handle them perfectly either. Life can also give us some hard blows, and we can find ourselves down temporarily. But we too can and need to get up, learn from our mistakes and other experiences, and get moving again.

• Don't compare yourself with others.
I read on the Internet that a man was able to make it to the top of Mt. Timpanogos and back in less than three hours! Needless to say, our time wasn't anywhere close to that record time! But we didn't care. What mattered to us wasn't how our time compared to others. What mattered was that we finished the trip up and back and conquered the mountain!

Sometimes when we face other kinds of problems in life, we might be tempted to look with envy at other people who have handled the same kind of challenges with more competence, speed, or grace than we have. In the process, we often feel bad about ourselves. Though we can learn from others who have conquered the mountains we seek to scale, it is self-defeating to compare ourselves with them. Though we may not be able to overcome our problems in record time, the important thing is that we work diligently and faithfully and eventually conquer them.

Now that John and I have hiked to the top of Mt. Timpanogos and back, we've talked a little about climbing it one more time with some of our interested children. But, though we're confident that we can conquer that mountain again, we don't have any plans or even desires to climb even higher, more challenging mountains. Mt. Timpanogos stretched us in more ways than one! It wasn't easy to climb, but it was do-able for us. Mt. Everest, on the other hand, would not be do-able for us and is not on our bucket list! We know our limits!

Heavenly Father knows His children's limits too when it comes to the other kinds of mountains we face in our lives. Though we may think that some of our trials are overwhelming and beyond our ability to endure (much less overcome!), we can take courage in knowing that He has promised that we will only be given difficulties or challenges that we can handle (though we will often need His help to order to deal successfully with them). (See 1 Corinthians 10:13.) Whatever our problems, Heavenly Father evidently thinks that we can overcome them! Lessons from climbing mountains of stone can help us climb and conquer the many other kinds of mountains we may encounter in this life.

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Lost Cat! Reward!

By carol christensen
August 12, 2010

I recently saw an eye-catching sign stapled to a telephone pole. In big bold print the colorful, photocopied piece of paper said, "Lost Cat! Reward!" and included a photo and description of the missing pet and the phone number of the owner.

I felt sad for the owner, who obviously loved the cat very much and was willing to go to the effort and expense of making and posting signs in the neighborhood--and of even offering a reward for the return of his or her pet. I wondered what had happened to the cat, if anyone would find it, and if the owner would be able to be reunited with it. Would people who saw the sign be helpful in locating the cat? (I'm afraid that I wasn't.) Would anyone care about the lost cat except for the owner?

Thinking of animals, I remembered the scripture in which Jesus said, "Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? ... Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows." (Luke 12:6-7)

I thought of God, our Heavenly Father. If God doesn't forget the sparrows that are sold, I suspected that He was also aware of the lost cat described in the sign I saw. Even more importantly, though, He doesn't forget us, His children. Like the owner of that missing cat, He doesn't want any of His children to be "lost." He knows and loves us each as individuals and has gone to great effort and "expense" (in particular, the gift of His Only Begotten Son) so that we can come back home to Him. Though each person's own efforts are necessary to return to Heavenly Father, other people can play key roles in finding and helping to bring those who are lost back to their heavenly home.

And Heavenly Father even offers a reward for those who help find those who are lost! A modern-day revelation states, in part:

And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father! (Doctrine and Covenants 18:15)

Though He doesn't post individual signs that say, "Lost Son or Daughter of God! Reward!", Heavenly Father knows and loves each of us very much, is concerned about each of us, and wants each of us to find our way back safely to Him. And He will bless people who help others return to Him. Hopefully, each of us will want to make sure we're not "lost" ourselves and will do what we can to help others turn to God and get on the path home. Hopefully, we will join Him in caring about others who are lost and helping to bring them safely back to Him.

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The Kindness of a Stranger

By carol christensen
July 29, 2010

It was only a bottle of water. But it quenched a thirst and, more importantly, reminded me of the kindness that God wants us to show strangers.

Earlier this week, I was helping my 15-year old daughter, Christy, with a part-time job she has delivering fliers for a local businesswoman. It was a very hot and humid afternoon when we were walking around one neighborhood, and, understandably, we saw very few people outside. At one house, though, I saw an elderly man sitting on his porch with his dog and handed him a flier. After we exchanged brief pleasantries, he asked me, "Would you like some water?"

Though I'm sure I didn't look the picture of coolness (in more ways than one!), I was surprised by his question. In our 2-1/2 years of delivering fliers, we sometimes had short, positive interactions with people, but no one had ever offered anything to us. I thought, "What a nice, thoughtful man he is!" But since I already had a partly-filled water bottle in my car and didn't want to be a bother to the man, I thanked him but declined his offer.

He persisted. "It's hot today. I have cold water in bottles."

It definitely was hot. But I'd drunk a lot of water before we started canvassing the neighborhood and thought I'd be all right until I got back to the car. But then I thought of Christy, who hadn't brought water with her. And, it was obvious that the older gentleman wanted to be helpful.

"Well, my daughter doesn't have any water, and I'm sure she'd like to have some. Thank you very much!"

"I'm not able to walk and get the water," the elderly man told me. He then instructed me to open his garage door, find and open the refrigerator in the garage, and take whatever cold, bottled water I desired. I did as directed (taking only one bottle), closed the garage door, and gave the bottle of cold water to Christy, who downed it quickly! We both thanked our benefactor sincerely and then, because we were on the clock, told him goodbye and went back to work.

Though the water the elderly gentleman gave Christy didn't last long, thoughts of that man's thoughtfulness, initiative, and kindness have stayed with me in the days since our interaction. Christy and I were total strangers to him, but he recognized us as people — people who were doing a lot of walking outside on a hot day and who were probably thirsty — and he took the initiative to help us. There was an element of personal risk for him in offering us the water. How did he know we wouldn't take other things out of his garage? How did he know we wouldn't scope out his garage and decide to come back later to steal them? (We wouldn't! We wouldn't!) But he seemed to trust us and definitely found joy in helping us.

After this incident I started remembering other Good Samaritans — other strangers — who had blessed our family over the years (often when we had car problems on family vacations!) How good and helpful those people were to us, even though we were people they didn't know and would probably never see again!

I remembered Jesus's parable of the sheep and the goats and His commendation--and blessings--for people who help strangers:

Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. (Matthew 25:34-40)

I also recalled other Biblical scriptures about how we should treat strangers and discovered quite a few more when I got home. Several speak about not oppressing strangers: e.g.

Also thou shalt not oppress a stranger: for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. (Exodus 23:9)

Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother: And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart. (Zechariah 7:9-10)

But it's not enough just to refrain from oppressing strangers. Other scriptures teach us to be proactive in helping them. For instance:

[God] doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment. Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. (Deuteronomy 10:18-19)

Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers; for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. (Hebrews 13:1-2)

I did a quick self-examination and saw that, though I'm usually fairly good about reaching out to strangers, I could and should be more sensitive to the needs of people whose paths cross mine in public, new neighbors and community members, new people at church, and other "strangers." And I could and should do more to help them.

Several generations of children have been raised not to talk to strangers, and, sadly, that safety precaution for young people is still needed. Though most people are good, even adults — especially women — today do need to be "wise as serpents, and harmless as doves" (Matthew 10:16) around people they don't know.

But I think we need to be careful also not to ignore strangers — those people who are new, people who are different from us, or people we don't know. We shouldn't automatically treat them with suspicion, stigmatize them, or view them as less than ourselves. It's important to remember the scriptural teachings about strangers. It's valuable also to remember what it felt like at various times in our lives to be a stranger so we can be more aware of, sensitive and empathetic to — and quick to help — the strangers among us.

When we are kind to strangers, we can help meet the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of other children of God. We are also acting as the Lord would act and showing others His love. Acts of love and kindness can also turn strangers into friends.

I don't know what prompted that kind elderly gentleman to offer us water on that hot, humid day. Maybe he understood the scriptural teachings about being kind to strangers and was just living his faith. Maybe he was hot and thirsty then and thought we would be too. Maybe he just likes to be helpful. Maybe he remembered how good it felt when a stranger was kind to him.

Whatever his reason, I'm glad that he offered us water. His act of kindness did much more than relieve Christy's thirst. It underscored for me the importance the Lord places on being kind to strangers and made me resolve to be more proactive in helping them — and in serving Him at the same time too.

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Pioneers in Faith

By carol christensen
July 23, 2010

Our society generally has high regard for pioneers: those trailblazers who ventured into unknown lands or opened up new areas of thought, research, and enterprise and prepared the way for people who came after them. Schoolchildren learn about the pioneers who settled the American frontier. Most people speak with admiration about pioneers in medicine, aviation, and other scientific fields and about the creative and innovative men and women who start new businesses and industries. People in different professions often honor the pioneers in their fields. (There are even websites devoted to pioneers in marketing and home economics!)

Latter-day Saints often learn, talk--and even sing songs!--about the pioneers in our faith, particularly at this time each year, since July 24 is regarded by members of the Church (particularly in the United States) as “Pioneer Day.” (July 24 was chosen because it was the day in 1847 when the first LDS pioneers arrived in the Salt Lake Valley of Utah.)

There are many kinds of LDS pioneers who are inspiring examples of faith, courage, perseverance, dedication, and love. Many LDS families can look to ancestors who joined the Church--often at great personal sacrifice--for inspiration and strength. For instance, my husband, John, has shared with our family some stories about two of his great-great-grandparents, Archibald and Agnes Adamson Anderson. Going against the religious traditions of their native Scotland and of most of their family, they and their three sons joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the late-1840’s. Since they couldn’t afford to immigrate together to Utah, Archibald came first (in 1855), and Agnes and their three teenaged sons traveled from Scotland the next year and walked and pulled a handcart from Iowa City to Utah (almost 1200 miles!) to reunite with Archibald and gather with other Church members.

In worship services or Sunday classes, Latter-day Saints sometimes hear inspiring stories about early Church leaders and rank-and-file members and the difficulties they faced, the sacrifices they made, and the faith they lived with great dedication. This past Sunday I was moved to hear one speaker in our sacrament service talk briefly about Orson and Catharine Curtis Spencer, who joined the Church in 1841 in Boston. Orson was a highly-educated and well-respected Baptist minister when he met LDS missionaries. Touched by the truths that the missionaries taught, Orson and Catharine were baptized into the LDS Church, despite the strong opposition of many family members, friends, and associates. Needless to say, Orson’s conversion meant the loss of his ministerial job. He, his wife, and their young family moved to Nauvoo, Illinois, where Church members were gathering, and later headed to Utah when the Latter-day Saints were forced to leave Nauvoo in 1846. Catharine was gravely ill when the family left Nauvoo. Orson wrote to her parents in Boston and asked if Catharine could stay with them until she was well enough to join him in the West. Catharine’s family wrote back and said that she could stay with them--but only if she renounced her faith. Refusing to abandon her faith, Catharine continued to travel with the migrating Mormons, despite her poor health and physically challenging conditions. She died a short time later, having endured in faith to the end of her life. (President Thomas S. Monson also shared this story in “How Do We Show Our Love?,” Ensign, January, 1998, http://tinyurl.com/2eruh7h.)

LDS pioneers aren't just from the 19th century and from Europe and the United States. In over 160 countries across the world, individuals and families have accepted the message of LDS missionaries (usually with at least some opposition and sacrifice), drawn closer to God, changed their lives for the better, and worked to establish the Church in their lands and bless the lives of others. The faith and faithfulness of these spiritual trailblazers inspires and uplifts other Latter-day Saints who have known them or learn about them. Our family acquired and has watched a touching DVD about LDS pioneers in Africa. I was delighted to learn that BYU TV International (www.byutvint.org) has produced a six-part documentary about LDS pioneers in South America. A recent article in the LDS Church News (http://tinyurl.com/2bmp28c) reported on that new project and even included photos of Church members from Iquitos, Peru--where my daughter Susan is currently serving as a missionary! I am grateful to see that the history of LDS pioneers around the world is being recorded and shared so that many people can be inspired by their dedication and spiritual strength.

Whether one is living in a country where there are many Latter-day Saints--such as the United States--or in a country where there are relatively few Church members, I think that 20th and 21st century converts to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can also rightfully be called pioneers, since they usually enter “new territory” when they join the Church and pave the way for other people to follow them. I greatly admire the Guatemalan missionary companion with whom my daughter Susan is currently serving in Peru and consider her to be a pioneer in faith. Susan wrote that her companion, who joined the Church less than 1-1/2 years ago, had previously prepared to be a Catholic nun. After studying with four sets of LDS missionaries, she gained a strong testimony of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ and of the LDS Church and decided to be baptized into the Church. About a year later, she decided to serve as a fulltime missionary and was called to serve in Peru. Susan wrote of her companion, “She has left so much behind in order to be here on the mission, including a job offer as a director of a school (she is 23 years old but already has her Master’s degree in Educational Administration) back home in Guatemala.” Though she doesn’t receive much encouragement or support from her family, Susan’s companion serves wholeheartedly as a missionary, the fire of testimony and of love for Heavenly Father, the Savior, and other people burning brightly in her heart. To me, she is a pioneer, an excellent example, and an inspiration.

I’ve come to realize also that, as an LDS convert, I too am a pioneer in many ways! It was 36 years ago this week--aptly, just four days before the official Pioneer Day--that I was baptized and became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Though the opposition I faced and the sacrifices I made to join the Church and follow the Savior pale in comparison with those experienced by early LDS pioneers throughout the world, I can identify with them. As happened with most other Church pioneers, my family members and some friends did not support my decision then to become a Latter-day Saint and had a hard time understanding why I would do such a “radical” thing! ( I think that it's both ironic and appropriate that I embraced the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ in the mid-1970’s in Berkeley, California, which had quite a reputation at the time for being a “radical” place--but not exactly in a religious way!) Though I studied and prayed a lot before making my decision to join the LDS Church and felt quite knowledgeable about the Church when I was baptized, it didn’t take me long to learn that I’d ventured into some new territory! But the blessings of joy, inner peace, spiritual guidance, greater closeness to my Heavenly Father and Savior, and greater understanding of our Father’s loving plan for His children--plus the help of other, caring sojourners on the same path--reaffirmed the rightness of my decision and helped me move ahead on the path and continue to learn, grow, serve and, hopefully, make a difference for good in the lives of other people.

I appreciate and admire the Latter-day Saint pioneers--past and present--very much and learn much from them about faith and faithfulness, love and sacrifice. Though I think it’s good for Church and family members to remember and talk about our pioneers, I think that the biggest compliment, tribute, and thanks we can give those spiritual trailblazers is to follow in their footsteps of faith.

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Unplugged and Unleashed

By carol christensen
July 14, 2010

I survived — and thrived at — Girls Camp last week! I loved it and, more importantly, the young women there seemed to love it too and gain a lot from their camp experiences. We all had a lot of fun, learned a lot about living in the great outdoors, and made new friendships and strengthened old ones. Most valuably, the time spent at camp seemed to strengthen the faith and deepen the spirituality of the campers, both youths and adults. I was especially thrilled to hear many of the young women say that, at camp, they felt very close to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and "never felt the Spirit stronger"!

Since returning from camp, I've pondered what it was about camp that helped the young women, in particular, feel so much closer to God and the Savior and be more spiritually in tune.

As I mentioned in my post last week, the camp had many features aimed at fostering faith and spirituality: e.g. general and daily scriptural themes, daily time for personal scripture study, daily devotionals and faith-related programs, and planned opportunities to share testimonies of the Gospel. Being in and surrounded by gorgeous nature also increased our awareness of and appreciation for our Creator. The focus on service also added to the spirit of love and faith at camp.

Though all of these features of camp were important, I realized that there was another key factor in the positive spiritual impact of camp: the campers had to come to camp "unplugged," that is, with no electronic devices: e.g. phones, computers, iPods, CD players, TVs, etc.! (The only electronic device the adult leaders could bring was a cell phone for use in emergencies.) The organizers thought that all of us would be more engaged in and more receptive to the spiritual feast and opportunities that camp provided if we came without electronic distractions. They were right!

Is there a lesson for all of us back in civilization to learn about spirituality and the use — or overuse — of technology? I think so.

Electronic devices can be used for many worthwhile purposes: e.g. staying in touch with friends, getting up-to-date information, listening to uplifting music, even reading scriptures and faith-related blogs like this one! But moderation and balance in their use are vital. Most of us have read (maybe even on the Internet!) of some of the negative ways in which an overuse of technology has affected many people. Such overuse has been widely implicated in recent rises in obesity and interpersonal relationship problems. I think that being plugged in too much can also create spiritual distance from God. (And think of all the service to family members, neighbors, and our community that people could give if they spent less time using their electronic devices!)

How much is "too much" time to spend each day on electronic devices and other media? Obviously, that question has to be answered by each person. But I'd like to suggest some questions to consider in coming up with a spiritually healthy and balanced approach to using such technology:

• Do I set aside adequate time each day to pray, study the scriptures and other good books, and ponder the things of God — apart from the distractions of music, TV, websurfing, email, Facebook, video games, etc.?

• Do I have other times during the day when I'm unplugged, quiet, and open to spiritual promptings from God? Am I able to recognize those promptings and sense a closeness to God then?

• In my use of electronic technology and other media, am I "ever-learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth" (2 Timothy 3:7) related to God?

• How much time do I spend each day using electronic devices to get information, communicate with friends, and be entertained? Are there other even more important activities to which I could and should devote some of that time?

I'd also like to recommend two excellent articles related to the topic of electronic technology and spirituality:

"Things as They Really Are," by Elder David A. Bednar, Council of the Twelve Apostles, http://tinyurl.com/33xe7bs

"Digital Detachment and Personal Revelation," by Elder Scott D. Whiting, Area Seventy, North America West Area, http://tinyurl.com/yh57w96

Like the campers at Girls Camp last week, I think we will discover that, by unplugging ourselves more from electronic devices and other media, most of us can unleash more spirituality within ourselves. To paraphrase and modernize Psalm 46:10, if we're still — and more unplugged! — we can know God better and draw closer to Him.

(Note to readers: While I'm encouraging all of us to evaluate the time we spend using electronic devices and the impact their use may have on our spirituality, if you decide to cut back on the time you spend using such technology, I hope that you'll still keep my blog on your "must read" list!)

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Gone Camping

By carol christensen
July 6, 2010

"Goodbye, family! Goodbye, bed and house! Goodbye, air-conditioning and electricity! Goodbye, civilization! I'm off to camp!"

Many kids and teens are bidding similar fond farewells this summer as they head off to camps sponsored by religious and scouting groups and other organizations. We heard such a goodbye in our family this week too — but not from any of my children. I am the one who went off to the girls camp organized by the LDS congregations in our area!

Though I'd like to think that I look younger than I really am, I'm definitely not trying to pass as a teen camper! I'm actually the girls camp director for the young women, ages 12-17, in my ward (congregation).

Since this year is my third year to go to the weeklong camp, one might think that I'm quite an outdoorswoman. Not exactly. Having joined the LDS Church as a young adult, I never went to Girls Camp when I was younger. Though my husband, our children, and I did do some camping on past family vacations, I'm definitely not a candidate for "Survivor." In fact (true confession), after two previous years as the camp director, I'm still not an expert at setting up tents and have to rely on our ward's assistant camp leader or older girls to start fires or teach the younger girls how to cook outdoors! But I am willing to make the necessary preparations, spend the week at camp, interact with our great young women, and learn many new skills (plus risk getting rained on, sunburned, bug-bitten, and overheated in the line of duty)!

Though I'm not a camper extraordinaire, I do think it's fitting that I should go to camp with the girls. Every summer from 1992 to 2009, I've had one or more of my seven daughters attend a week-long, church-sponsored girls camp. After many years of having other women go to camp to help my daughters have amazing experiences there, I know that it's only right that I should help out with camp. It's payback time!

I didn't campaign, lobby, or proactively volunteer, however, for my camp "job." Like the many other unpaid service positions in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, girls camp director is what we refer to as a "calling": a church service opportunity and responsibility (such as president of the women's organization, music director, organist, teacher, nursery leader, missionary, even bishop — the lay leader of most LDS congregations!) that is extended to a church member by local lay priesthood leaders after their prayerful consideration and, we believe, inspiration from the Lord.

Church members recognize that we're not always well-prepared beforehand to serve in all positions to which we're called. But when we accept callings in faith, we learn that "whom the Lord calls, He qualifies." In other words, if we are willing to serve but may not feel or be particularly experienced, knowledgeable, or competent in an area, we can receive help from the Lord and other people to help us fulfill what He — through His leaders — has asked us to do. Church callings aren't just for service to others; they are also for the learning and growth of the individuals giving the service. I have learned and grown a lot — spiritually and in other ways — from the many different callings I've had since joining the Church in 1974! And my calling as girls camp director has particularly made me leave my comfort zone and stretch (literally, as well as figuratively)!

I don't know how long I'll continue to serve as the girls camp leader for my congregation. Latter-day Saints believe that, just as it's the Lord — through His leaders--who calls people to different positions, it's the Lord — through His leaders--who will "release" them when the time is right. I know many camp directors who have served for a few years. But I also know a few who have had their camp callings for over 10 years! (In fact, one woman I know has even served 20 years as a camp leader!)

Though I don't have a late-night TV show, after two previous years of going to camp, I've compiled my own "Top 10" list of reasons why I think it's valuable for both young and older women to go to camp! (Though my list will specifically address our LDS Girls Camp, I think that much of it could also apply to camps for young men and camps sponsored by other faith groups as well.)

#10 — At camp we get to learn and sing some fun, one-of-a-kind camp songs!
Where else do we get to sing such classics as "Rise and Shine and Give God the Glory," "Sipping Cider through a Straw," and the ever-popular "Mormon Boy"?

#9 — Camp makes each of us feel like a natural woman!
There's no need at camp for makeup, and there's no worrying about having stylish hair or clothes. (Not that I normally use much makeup or worry very much, though, about my hair or clothes!)

#8 — Camp helps us empathize more with people in the scriptures or in LDS Church history who spent long periods of time in wilderness conditions.
We get a small taste of some of the physical challenges faced by some of the people we learn and talk about at church: e.g. the Israelites who wandered in the desert for 40 years; the Book of Mormon prophet Lehi and his family, who spent several years traveling to their promised land; LDS pioneers who camped in the Midwest during the summer en route to Utah, etc.

#7 — Camp provides the young women and their adult leaders with many valuable opportunities to give service!
The adult leaders help and teach the girls. The girls help one another and — fortunately for me! — help the adult leaders too! The girls also give gifts to their "Secret Sisters." Each year we all do a big service project for the park where we camp.

#6 — Camp puts us in contact with nature!
True, some things in nature we don't want any contact with: e.g. mosquitoes, ticks, poison ivy, and raccoons that try to get into our food! But there's also a lot of gorgeous scenery we can experience and enjoy when hiking, swimming in a lake, etc. away from civilization!

#5 — Camp has many fun activities for the girls and their leaders!
The young women — and their leaders too! — can participate in such fun activities as boating, tubing, canoeing, swimming, hiking, archery, crafts, skits, etc.

#4 — Camp brings out the inner pioneer in all of us and teaches important self-reliance skills!
The girls — and some of their leaders too! — learn to cook outdoors, set up tents, give first aid, use a compass, handle emergency weather conditions, etc.

#3 — Camp builds character and a can-do attitude!
After learning many outdoor survival skills and having numerous opportunities to endure heat, rain, bugs, sun, dirt, hiking, a challenge course, etc. without murmuring, we campers can say (humbly, of course!), "I can do hard things!" and "I am strong. I am invincible. I am woman!"

#2 — Camp builds sisterhood!
The young women and the adult women leaders from many congregations get to know each other and bond together after a week of camping. Many camp directors have attended camp with one or more of their daughters and have gotten to deepen their relationship with them through their shared camping experience. (I had three daughters at camp two years ago, when I was a rookie camp director. Last year I had one daughter at camp. It was wonderful and fun both years to be with them there!) Even though none of my daughters will be going to camp this year, I will enjoy working with and being around the other amazing young women. And, for the past two years, camp has seemed like a weeklong sleepover with other women camp leaders whom I've come to admire and enjoy!

#1 — Camp helps us grow closer to God.
This reason is probably the most important reason for a church to sponsor a camp. Our annual camp has a different scripture-based theme each year. Through daily scripture time, faith-focused programs, evening devotionals, a testimony meeting — plus time spent in nature and in service — the girls and adult leaders draw closer to our Father in Heaven.

So, there's my "Top 10" list about why I think camp is very worthwhile. (And I didn't even mention the cool T-shirt we get each year too!)

With reasons like these, who wouldn't be itching — er, I mean, excited! — to go to camp?! (The "itching" part usually comes during and after camp, not beforehand!)

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Anything Missing from Your 4th of July?

By carol christensen
July 1, 2010

The 4th of July is almost here! Families and neighbors are making plans to get together. Many houses are already flying American flags, and numerous others are decorated in red, white, and blue. Fireworks stands are up all over town, and the sight and sound of fireworks at night have been hard to miss the past few days.

I’ve been trying to get into the spirit of the celebration. A few days ago, I made a cake that had red, white, and blue candy pieces in it and blue frosting on top. (Note to self: blue is not a very appetizing color.) I have my red, white, and blue “USA” T-shirt out and ready for its annual wearing. I’ve RSVP’ed to the director of our neighborhood band (my husband!) that I’ll play my snare drum again in our neighborhood’s 4th of July parade (which will be on the 3rd of July this year!) And I’ve been listening to some patriotic music by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. (Though I’m admittedly prejudiced, I think many people who aren’t LDS would agree that, when it comes to patriotic music, it’s hard to top that choir!)

Even with all of these activities and plans, I’ve been feeling that something is missing from the celebration.

After some reflection, I realized that, for me, it’s the same “thing” missing from these lyrics of some very familiar patriotic songs.

Our fathers' ____ to Thee,
Author of Liberty,
To thee we sing,
Long may our land be bright
With Freedom's holy light,
Protect us by thy might
Great ___, our King.
("America" [My Country, ‘Tis of Thee])

America! America!
____ shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
America! America!
___ mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - -
America! America!
May ___ thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain divine!
("America the Beautiful")

___ Bless America,
Land that I love.
Stand beside her, and guide her
Thru the night with a light from above.
(“God Bless America”)

Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land
Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserv'd us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause is just,
And this be our motto: "In ___ is our trust.”
(“The Star Spangled Banner”)

He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat;
He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment-seat:
Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him! be jubilant, my feet!
Our ____is marching on.
(“Battle Hymn of the Republic”)

The missing word in those patriotic songs, of course, is “God.” For hundreds of years, people in our country — and not just writers of patriotic songs! — rightly recognized the hand of God in the liberty, protection, natural beauty, abundant resources, and many other blessings they have enjoyed here.

In all our 4th of July festivities, are we including God? Do we ever add a spiritual dimension to our celebration? Do we take time to reflect on the many blessings we enjoy by living in the United States? Do we recognize God as the source of those blessings and thank Him? Do we ever ponder what we can do to be better people and better citizens so that these blessings can continue?

I’m glad that the 4th of July falls this year on a Sunday, the weekly holy day for most people of faith in the United States. Though Sunday has gone from being a holy day to a holiday for many people, I hope that this year’s timing of the 4th of July on a Sunday will give people of faith more occasion to reflect and see God as the source of the many blessings we enjoy in the United States.

When we’re making our 4th of July plans this year — and every year — let’s not forget to include God.

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A Child Is Born!

By carol christensen
June 25, 2010

This entry is subtitled "Trailing Clouds of Glory From God, Who Is Our Home."

After months of anticipation, preparation, and prayers — plus a Haitian earthquake adventure four months into her pregnancy! — my daughter Karen and her husband, Adam, had their first child — a healthy and adorable (of course!) baby boy — this week! (If you're a regular and particularly observant reader of my blog, you may have noticed that my blog bio now says that I'm a "grandmother of four," rather than a grandmother of three!) Needless to say, these new parents and their family members and friends are very thankful for the baby's safe arrival!

Karen and Adam named their sweet baby "Everett Mann Buhler" after two of their beloved grandfathers (one of whom is my father!) I had liked the nicely alliterative name that family members had called Everett before he was born — "Baby Boy Buhler" — but like his official name even more, much more!

And, happily, I can report that this cute little family is doing fine, though the new parents are exhausted as they care around the clock (especially, of course, in the middle of the night!) for Everett. ("This too will pass" is not very comforting to hear when a new parent is sleeping only about an hour at a stretch!)

The birth of a child is definitely a very special and sacred event. For many people of faith, heaven and earth don't seem very far apart at that time, and God seems very close. Even people who aren't particularly religious are often awestruck by the birth of a child and consider such an event to be a miracle.

Why do so many people regard childbirth with such great reverence and wonder? Who are these little strangers who humble us and make us sense the divine when they make their mortal debut?

In "Ode: Intimations of Immortality from Recollections of Early Childhood," the English poet William Wordsworth (1770-1850) wrote:

Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting:
The Soul that rises with us, our life's Star,
Hath had elsewhere its setting,
And cometh from afar:
Not in entire forgetfulness,
And not in utter nakedness,
But trailing clouds of glory do we come
From God, who is our home.

Many Biblical scriptures support Wordsworth's inspired insight that each of us came from God: e.g.

Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. (Ecclesiastes 12:7)

Many scriptures specifically state that we are children of God and that He is our Father: e.g.

Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? (Malachi 2:10)

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. (Romans 8:16)

Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device. (Acts 17:29)

Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? (Hebrews 12:9)

[There is] one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. (Ephesians 4:6)

Be ye therefore perfect even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. (Matthew 5:48)

Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. (John 20:17)

Latter-day Saints believe that God — whom we usually call "Heavenly Father" — is a personal Being who is the Father of our spirits. We first lived with Him as His spirit children and were taught principles needed for our greatest happiness and growth. As part of Heavenly Father's plan to help us learn and progress more, we needed to come to earth to gain a body and to be tested "to see if [we] will do all things whatsoever the Lord [our] God shall command [us]" (Abraham 3:25 in the Pearl of Great Price). As part of that plan, we, His spirit children, needed to begin our mortal experience as babies!

As children of God, babies come to earth with huge potential! In the Bible, Heavenly Father indicates that He knew the prophet Jeremiah before he was born and had a special and important mission for him to accomplish in mortality:

Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. (Jeremiah 1:5)

Latter-day Saints believe that Heavenly Father knows each of His other children too. Each of us has a unique mission He wants each of us to fulfill during our time on earth. Most of us won't be prophets, but, as part of our Father's plan, we each have been given special talents and opportunities that He also wants us to make the most of so we can bless others and advance His work.

Parents play the most important role in loving and caring for their children — these children of God! — and in helping them understand who they are, how to be happy, and how they can "pass the test" of mortality and reach their full potential. Karen and Adam understand that Heavenly Father has entrusted one of His precious children to them to love, care for, and raise in faith and righteousness. They plan to teach Everett of his divine heritage, identity, and purpose for being here on earth.

Though sleep deprivation and around-the-clock feedings and diaper changes might drain Karen and Adam physically in the next few weeks or months — and other parental stresses and challenges will surely come later — I don't think that they will forget the feelings of wonder and sacredness — as well as joy and responsibility! — that they had when they welcomed a little child of God into their family.

I hope that no parent will ever forget those feelings either and will always keep in mind who their children really are.

And may each of us--whether we're a parent or not--regard and treat one another with the love and respect that all of us, as children of God, should be given.

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Let’s Hear It for the Dads!

By carol christensen
June 15, 2010

I am a big fan of fathers.

From my experiences with my own fabulous father, I know firsthand the powerful influence for good that a loving, involved dad can have on his children throughout their lives. Over the years, I’ve also observed the positive impact that many other caring, active fathers have had on their children.

Statistics from many sources also indicate that fathers are important. For instance, the website of the National Fatherhood Initiative reports that children who live with their married biological or adoptive parents are at least two to three times less likely to be poor; use drugs; experience educational, health, and behavioral problems; be victims of child abuse; and engage in criminal behavior, when compared to their peers who live apart from their biological fathers. (And, sadly, 33% of all children in the United States do live apart from their biological fathers.) (http://www.fatherhood.org/Page.aspx?pid=330)

Certainly, as a mother myself, I don’t share these statistics to minimize the impact of mothers on their children! We moms have great influence on them! But, as these statistics show, children need dads too. Though many people in our country seem to undervalue fathers and sometimes even write them off as expendable, social science research compliments what the majority of religious faiths have long taught: that fathers are key players in the total well-being of children and that, ideally, all children should have a loving, married mother and father who work together for the good of their family.

Dads come in many different shapes, sizes, colors, and ages. They even differ in their fatherly roles. Though most men are fathers because they “begat” (a nice scriptural term!) children and are helping to raise them, other dads aren’t the biological fathers of the children for whom they care and provide. Other men serve as important father figures to children who are not their own.

With Father’s Day coming up, I want to express my admiration of and thanks for the many good men who selflessly and lovingly play, talk, and work with children and teach, care for, and provide for them: e.g.

• Dads who put their families first in their lives: e.g. by spending time with their families, teaching and building up their children, being good examples to them, and providing for their various needs;

• Fathers who, like Jairus (Mark 5:22-23, 35-43) and another caring father in the New Testament (Mark 9:17-18, 20-27), bring their children in faith to the Lord so the children can receive the blessings that only He can give them;

• Fathers-to-be who encourage and support their wife during pregnancy and plan to be involved, loving dads after their child is born;

• Single dads who have the great challenge of raising a child by themselves;

• Single dads who share the responsibility for raising a child with the child’s mother and seek to stay involved with the child (and not criticize the mother);

• Grandfathers and great-grandfathers who have raised their children but continue to be positively involved in the lives of their posterity;

• Grandfathers who help raise one or more of their grandchildren;

• Adoptive fathers whose committed, fatherly love and sacrifice aren’t restricted to their own biological children;

• Men who, like Joseph (the husband of Mary), love, sacrifice for, and raise their wife's child as their own, even though the child is not their biological child;

• Foster fathers who love, sacrifice, and care for someone else’s child, knowing that their service, interaction — and, possibly, their influence with the child — will probably be temporary;

• Men who selflessly build and lift children through service as mentors, scout leaders, sports coaches, teachers, etc.

On this upcoming Father’s Day, I also want to acknowledge the most important fathers in my life:

• My dad, now 87-years old, who has always made me feel like his beloved “little princess.” He believed in me and supported me, spent lots of time with me, and modeled many virtues to me. Because of his love and good example, he made it easy for me to believe that I also have a loving Heavenly Father! He has also blessed me and his extended family with his generosity and the family stories, information, and photographs he organized, copied, and shared with all of us. (It’s hard for me to write about my dad in just a few lines. I ended up typing seven single-spaced pages about him for the book that our family is giving him for Father's Day and that I blogged about last week!)

• My husband, who cares very deeply about our children and has taught them over the years many spiritual and practical lessons through his words and example. During his 32 years as a dad, he has consistently supported our children in their many activities, sacrificed lots of time, money — and sleep! — on their behalf, earnestly prayed for them, and done many other things to help them — and me!

• My son, David, who is an exceptionally patient, caring, positive, hands-on dad to his three bright, active children (my grandchildren)!

• My son-in-law Adam, who will probably become a father within the next week or so, when my daughter Karen gives birth to their first child! (Their baby's due date is June 17!) Adam is excited at the prospect of being a father and is committed to being a good one.

• Heavenly Father, who is the Father of my spirit (see Hebrews 12:9) and of all people (see Malachi 2:10) and who has a “Plan of Happiness” (see Alma 42:8 in the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ,) so we can achieve our great potential as children of God. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father's loving plan provided for a Savior--His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ--whose atonement insures that we will all be resurrected after death and makes it possible for us to be forgiven for our sins and to live with Them and our families forever. I am thankful too that, because of Heavenly Father’s plan and love for me, I was able to be born on earth, become part of a loving family that has the potential of lasting forever, and have many opportunities to be tested, repent when I make mistakes, and grow. I'm also grateful to be able to communicate with Heavenly Father through prayer and to receive His guidance and truth through answers to prayers, spiritual promptings, the scriptures, and inspired church leaders. He has blessed me greatly throughout my life and shown His love in countless ways.

I hope that we will all take time this week — and at many other times too — to think about the fathers in our lives and to thank them for their contributions to us and other loved ones. Dad are very important and can and should be great blessings in the lives of their children and other family members. At Father’s Day — and year-round — let’s hear it for the dads!

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