In case anyone was wondering or worrying, I’m back!  I hadn’t intended to be a slacker blogger the past couple of months.  However, with a daughter’s wedding, wonderful visits from friends and family members who stayed with us at various times, pressing needs of some friends, a week-long trip to see my dad in California, and Thanksgiving and Christmas festivities, I had lots to blog about but, alas, no time in which to write. 

With the advent of a new year (and a little calmer life!), though, I’ve set a goal to get back to blogging more frequently again.  In fact, I’ve set lots of goals for 2012!

I know that goal-making, like repentance, can and should be done regularly, whenever we see an area of our life that needs improvement.  Each year during late-December and early-January, though, I feel a special energy and sense of hope as I ponder then what I want to make of the upcoming year.  I’ve learned from experience that when I proactively and prayerfully set goals, write them down, figure out how I can accomplish them, review them frequently, work on them — usually, little by little — and report on my progress — to Heavenly Father or another person or in my journal--I’m usually quite successful in making desired changes in my life and accomplishing desired tasks.  (Conversely, I’ve also learned that when I don’t set goals or don’t write them down, think of how to accomplish them, review them often, work on them consistently, and hold myself accountable for them, I usually don’t make much progress.)

This year I have goals of many kinds:  spiritual, social, intellectual, physical, organizational, financial, etc.  Many of the goals are quite mundane, but still valuable. Most of them individually won’t require a lot of time on any one occasion, but some will be very demanding and require a large investment of time.  Many of my goals pertain to things I want to do daily.  Others are to be done on a weekly or biweekly basis.  Some goals relate to projects I’d like to accomplish by a specific deadline.  Some pertain to new worthwhile activities.  Many of the goals deal with activities I’ve done in the past but need to become better at doing.  (In the areas of my life in which I feel I’m doing pretty well, my goal—which I’m not writing down--is to “keep on keepin’ on”!) 

To get you thinking some more about your own resolutions or goals for 2012, I thought I’d share now my non-blogging goals for this new year.  (I’ll undoubtedly add to my list throughout the year.) 

Daily Goals

• Study the Bible and Book of Mormon. 
Though I’ll be teaching the cute three-year olds at church on Sundays, instead of attending the adult Sunday School class that meets at the same time, I want to keep up with the reading assignments for the adult class, which will be studying the Book of Mormon this year.  (The Sunday School class studied the New Testament last year and the Old Testament the previous year.)  I also want to read from the Bible each day, particularly its teachings about Jesus and the doctrinal connections between it and the Book of Mormon.  Though I’ve studied both books a lot over the years, I always gain new insights each time I read them.  I’ve also found that reading these books of scripture each day also invites the Holy Spirit into my life.

• Resume my gratitude journal, writing in it every day or every other day.
I’d been very good at writing regularly in my gratitude journal until several months ago, when my life got crazy and I got out of the good habit of writing in my journal.  Since restarting my gratitude journal just a few days ago, I can already see that I’ve become more aware of many of my blessings and have become more thankful for the good things in my life and in the lives of other people.

• Pray each day for opportunities to help someone who needs my help. 
Since starting to work on this goal, I’ve seen that the Lord has directed me very naturally to people who have needed my help.  Usually when those occasions have arisen, I haven’t thought, “Oh, here’s an answer to my prayer today about service!”  It’s generally been later, when I’ve had a chance to think, for example, about the person who really needed to talk or have a favor done, that I’ve seen the connection between my earlier prayer and that opportunity to serve.  As I work on this goal more, I hope to become more spiritually receptive and immediately recognize that the service opportunities that will invariably come each day are answers to my prayers.

• Spend more quality time with my husband.
Usually my husband and I are quite good at having quality time and interactions on a regular basis.  But sometimes, with the busyness of family life and the press of deadlines and to-do lists, I know that I haven’t always been very good at freeing up the time to talk and listen, do something nice for him, go on a date just for us (not just to a child’s activity, as fun and worthwhile as those events usually are), and maybe even, together, …

• Work on organizing and/or downsizing some part of the house or tackling other big projects.
Ah, this goal is a huge one, one that will likely take a lot more than a year.  Dare I fess up to some of the specific projects on my massive list?  Oh, well.  Why not?   Yesterday, thanks to a burst of energy and an unusual block of free time, my years-old mountain of mending has been reduced to a small knoll, one I hope to eliminate later today.  Yet, there’s still no lack of other large, more important projects to do:  computerizing family genealogical records, printing and organizing digital photos, transferring videotapes to digital media, updating my journals, pruning files, filing papers, downsizing closets, etc.  It could be—and has been in the past—overwhelming or discouraging to think about all of these huge must-do tasks.  However, I know that, by investing a little time each day on one or more of these many projects, I will be able to make substantial progress on them over time.  And, as my daughter Susan reminded me recently, I can also enlist the help of other family members with some of these projects (e.g., the computerization of family genealogical records).  (So my husband and I might also be able to spend quality time together while working on some of these projects!)

• Floss my teeth.
Yes, it’s a very mundane, unglamorous, and maybe even a little embarrassing goal, but it’s very worthwhile!  By working on this goal, I hope to improve my oral health—and finally hear my sweet dental hygienist compliment me on my flossing, not gently chastise me for not being very conscientious in this regard!

• Read the newspaper.
I watch television news too but appreciate the greater depth and breadth of my daily newspaper.  (An old-school person, I like my paper newspaper more than its online version.)  Sometimes in the past, I haven’t read the paper for days on end and then faced a daunting, large stack of newspapers I haven’t read.  I intend now to read the newspaper on the day it arrives at my house.  If I don’t get to it that day (which is the case with the Sunday newspaper), I will read it the next day—and that day’s paper too!  (So far, I’m current with the papers in 2012!)

Weekly (more or less) Goals

• Reread and study James E. Talmage's Jesus the Christ several times a week.
This meaty and long (700 pages!) biography of the Savior by a latter-day apostle is full of excellent insights into the mission, life, and teachings of Christ.  In addition to reading this classic, I intend to read scripture citations that are referenced in it and then mark in my scriptures those verses that are particularly meaningful to me.

• Study the lesson that the women and men at church will have in their separate Sunday classes that week.
Though I’ll still be teaching the three-year olds on Sundays when the women have their separate class (Relief Society), I intend to read the lessons, which are based on the life and teachings of a latter-day prophet, George Albert Smith.  I’ve started the manual and am inspired already by President Smith.

• Have regular communication with my children and father.
I have lots of opportunities to talk and do things with my two children who live at home.  Four of my other eight children live close-by, but two live out-of-state, as does my 89-year old father.   Though I usually have regular contact with these dear family members, occasionally I’m not as good as I would like to be in keeping up with those who don’t live with me in Topeka.  While I certainly don’t intend to hover or meddle (!), I would like to have contact (by phone, email, mail, and, occasionally, in person!) with each of my children and with my dad at least several times a month (whatever frequency they are comfortable with!)

• Spend more quality time with my grandchildren.
I’m blessed that all four of my grandchildren live close-by.  I want to make sure that I have many positive, quality interactions—and adventures!—with them.

• Work at least a little each week on keeping family financial records organized.
Unlike my backlog of huge organizational and downsizing projects I mentioned earlier under “Daily Goals,” I’ve learned that family financial records will cause havoc—and not just inconvenience—if ignored for very long.  I have a fairly good system for paying our bills on time but know I can definitely do better in helping to keep our financial records in order.

• Eat and serve fish to my family.
My husband, who’s become quite health-conscious, has made me aware of the health benefits of certain fish.  Though I’ve always tried to serve nutritious meals to my family, I haven’t prepared and served a lot of fish before.  So, 2012 will now be our family’s year for a weekly fish dish! 

Early-2012 Goals (hopefully, to be tackled and completed in January!)

• Send out belated Christmas/New Year greetings.
True confession:  we haven’t gotten out our sometimes-annual Christmas letter yet (again).  (Unfortunately, it’s not even written yet—but we do, at least, have copies of a recent family photo to enclose with the letter when it’s finally written!)  Sad to say, we had a Christmas letter all ready to send out last year but never got it sent.  But, this year, since it’s a goal I’ve written down (and have publicly committed to do!), we will send a letter out—hopefully, by the end of January.

• Prepare my part of the federal income tax return.
My husband and I divide and conquer when it comes to preparing our federal income tax return.  We’re both determined this year to fill out the tax schedules in which we specialize so we can submit our tax return by the end of January.  (Between our belated seasons greeting and income tax preparation, we’ll have a very busy January!  If I blog later this month about “rendering to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s” or about the tax deduction for charitable contributions, you can probably guess that I’ve been focusing a lot on our tax return!)

Well, I’ve shared my goals so far for 2012.  What are your goals for this new year and how are you going to reach them?    Please remember, as businessman and syndicated columnist Harvey Mackay wrote, "Goals give you more than a reason to get up in the morning; they are an incentive to keep you going all day. Goals tend to tap the deeper resources and draw the best out of life."  Happy goal-setting and goal-achieving this year!

This year has been a banner year (of sorts) for the Book of Mormon, which members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints regard as scripture, in addition to the Bible. Its name was used in the title of an award-winning (but mocking) Broadway musical about the Church (a musical that was called "raunchy" even by some of the critics who gave it rave reviews). Latter-day Saints' acceptance of the Book of Mormon was one reason why the Rev. Robert Jeffress of the 10,000-member First Baptist Church of Dallas branded our church a "theological cult" last month (and garnered lots of media attention in the process).

On the positive side, though, LDS children around the world have been focusing all this year on the Book of Mormon and other LDS scriptures in their Sunday Primary meetings and have been preparing and giving programs recently to their congregations on the theme "I Know the Scriptures Are True." (The children in my congregation gave their program this past Sunday.) I've particularly thrilled to hear the children sing during practices and in the actual program a catchy song that says, in part:

Hand in hand together,
the Bible and the Book of Mormon
stand forever to tell of Jesus Christ.
(Janice Kapp Perry, "Hand in Hand Together")

So, what is this book that has received such mixed reviews this year: jeers and condemnation, but also great appreciation? What is the Book of Mormon?

The Book of Mormon is an abridgment of sacred and historical records about several groups of people who traveled to the Americas from the Holy Land and settled here. The largest part of the book is about a group of Israelites who, directed by the Lord, left the Holy Land about 600 B.C. (shortly before Jerusalem was destroyed by the Babylonians), and then established a civilization that lasted until about 400 A.D. This record contains teachings of their prophets (both teachings about Jesus Christ and truths from Him) and shows how the people were blessed when they followed the Lord's teachings and did not prosper when they disobeyed them. One highlight of the Book of Mormon is an account of a visit that Christ made to the American continent following His resurrection.

Since his society had become extremely wicked and faced extinction because of constant warfare, an ancient American prophet-historian named Mormon abridged the records that previous prophets and historians of his people had kept for about 1000 years. He and others who had kept the sacred and secular history of their people had been promised by the Lord that their writings would be preserved and would come forth at a later time. To assure the abridgment's preservation, Mormon wrote it on gold plates, which would not become corrupted over time. (Hence, his compilation is called the "Book of Mormon"!) Shortly before his death, he entrusted the plates to his son Moroni (pronounced mor-OWN-i), who included some additional writings and then buried the record.

In 1823, Joseph Smith, Jr., a 17-year old young man living in upstate New York, was directed by then-angel Moroni to the site where the gold plates had been buried about 1400 years beforehand. (Three years earlier, in response to a prayer about which church he should join, young Joseph had been visited by Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, who told him that he should join none of the churches.) Joseph wasn't allowed to take possession of the plates until 1827. Despite frequent persecution and the need to make a living, through the gift and power of God, the young prophet was eventually able to translate the Book of Mormon into English in a little over two months. The book was first published in English in 1830 and has since been translated into over 100 languages.

Now, as someone who wasn't raised as a Latter-day Saint, I remember some of my initial skepticism when my intelligent, level-headed LDS friends and missionaries told me about the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith, who's inextricably connected to it. "Gold plates and an angel? A prophet living in modern times? That sounds kind of weird! Didn't things like that only happen in Biblical times? How can my friends really believe such things?"

I've since learned many more things about the Book of Mormon, and, most importantly, I've read and studied it with an open mind and heart — many times, in fact — and have come to know that it is the word of God, as is the Bible. Why can I — a college-educated, reasonably intelligent, Bible-believing adult — say that? Why do I believe the Book of Mormon is scripture? How do I know it is? Here are some of my reasons.

• A number of people attested that they saw the golden plates that Joseph Smith had.

At the beginning of every copy of the Book of Mormon, there are two official statements by people who actually saw the golden plates that Joseph Smith said that he had and translated: the Testimony of Three Witnesses and the Testimony of Eight Witnesses. In the first statement, three men — all respectable people in their New York community — declared that an angel had shown them the plates that Joseph Smith had and the engravings on the plates. The men also testified that they heard the voice of God proclaim that the plates had "been translated by the gift and power of God." Interestingly, at one time or another, each of these three men later became disaffected with Joseph Smith and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but they never denied that they had seen the angel and the plates and had heard the voice of God. Though two of the witnesses eventually reaffiliated with the Church, one (David Whitmer) never did, but, even shortly before his death, he reaffirmed his testimony of the plates and of the Book of Mormon.

In the Testimony of Eight Witnesses, eight men declared that Joseph Smith had shown them the golden plates, which they were able to "handle" and examine. (When they saw and held the plates, they didn't see an angel or hear the voice of God, as the Three Witnesses did.) In their written testimony, these eight men described the plates in some detail and affirmed that "said Smith has got the plates of which [they had] spoken."

LDS scholar Daniel C. Peterson noted, "Meticulous research on these witnesses has confirmed their good character and the veracity of their accounts." (He cites many sources for that statement in his very fascinating, compelling, and well-documented survey article about scholarly research on the Book of Mormon: "Mounting Evidence for the Book of Mormon.")

• A great body of historical and literary scholarship (both by people who are LDS and people who aren't) points to the authenticity of the Book of Mormon.

L. Taylor Hansen, a non-LDS anthropologist, compiled legends from native peoples of North, Central, and South America and of the Pacific Islands about a fair, bearded "God" or "prophet" who visited their ancestors many years beforehand and healed people, worked other miracles, taught them the ways of love and peace, organized churches, and selected and taught leaders who would direct his work when he left. (See He Walked the Americas, Amherst press, 1963.) These various accounts correspond amazingly with the account in the Book of Mormon of Christ's visit to a group of people in the Americas after His resurrection.

LDS scholars have found — and researchers who are not LDS have confirmed — that a uniquely Hebraic (and complex!) writing style — chiasmus — is frequently used in the Book of Mormon. The use of chiasmus in the Book of Mormon gives additional credence to the book's claim to be a true record of descendants of a group of Israelites. A fascinating article by John W. Welch, "Chiasmus in the Book of Mormon: or the Book of Mormon Does It Again," gives an excellent explanation of chiasmus and multiple examples of its use in the Bible and Book of Mormon.

Researchers have discovered many other ways in which the people and culture found in the Book of Mormon reflect Middle Eastern culture and traditions that would've been unknown to Joseph Smith in the early 19th century. Details about many of these parallels, as well as findings from linguistic, historical, geographic, and other kinds of research that support the authenticity of the Book of Mormon are included in Daniel C. Peterson's article "Mounting Evidence for the Book of Mormon."

• Joseph Smith, who was an uneducated young man in his early-20's when he translated the Book of Mormon, could not have produced that book on his own.

The Book of Mormon is quite a complex book. It tells the story of several groups of people whose lives intersect in different ways over the course of the book. As mentioned earlier, different parts of the text employ a uniquely Hebraic literary style. The book contains many, often subtle details that show that the main group of people chronicled in it were influenced by Middle Eastern culture. The Book of Mormon also contains many insightful and profound doctrinal teachings that are consistent with the Bible and with each other.

Could Joseph Smith have written (not translated) the Book of Mormon, as most critics suggest? Logically, it seems impossible. He was in his early-20's when he, a farmhand who had had only a few months of formal education, "produced" the book in a short amount of time. According to Daniel C. Peterson (whose article, "Mounting Evidence for the Book of Mormon," I referenced earlier), "the evidence indicates that the translation and dictation of the book were accomplished in roughly 63 working days—a torrid pace that, with neither rewrites nor corrections, produced nearly 8.5 pages (of our current English edition) daily."

Peterson added that Emma Smith, Joseph's wife, said that, in the late 1820s (when Joseph "produced" the Book of Mormon), Joseph "'could neither write nor dictate a coherent and well worded letter, let alone dictate a book like the Book of Mormon. … The larger part of this labor [of translation] was done [in] my presence and where I could see and know what was being done. … During no part of it did Joseph Smith have any [manuscripts] or book of any kind from which to read or dictate except the metalic [sic] plates which I knew he had.' 'If,' she said, 'he had had anything of the kind he could not have concealed it from me.'

"And, she added, writing to her son: 'I am satisfied that no man could have dictated the writing of the manuscripts unless he was inspired; for, when acting as his scribe, your father would dictate to me hour after hour; and when returning after meals, or after interruptions, he would at once begin where he had left off, without either seeing the manuscript or having any portion of it read to him. This was a usual thing for him to do. It would have been improbable that a learned man could do this; and, for one so ignorant and unlearned as he was, it was simply impossible.'"

It is inconceivable to me that the uneducated Joseph Smith could have dictated on his own, without divine assistance, and in a relatively short time such a long and complex book — one that has multiple "plots," reflects Middle Eastern culture, literary style, and language and reinforces and clarifies teachings in the Bible in a theologically consistent way. He had to have had divine assistance, as he claimed.

• The Bible doesn't rule out the possibility of having additional scripture.

Some sincere Christians dismiss, criticize, or condemn the Book of Mormon because they think that the Bible states that there will be no additional scripture. They generally cite Revelation 22:18-19:

For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

Since those two verses are nearly the last ones in the Christian Bible, it is understandable that some people would think that the warning about adding or taking away "words of the book" would apply to the Bible generally. However, since the Bible hadn't been compiled when the Apostle John wrote the Book of Revelation — and most Bible scholars have concluded that additional books in the current New Testament hadn't even been written yet (see Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, "My Words...Never Cease") — it should be evident that the warning about adding or removing applies only to the actual Book of Revelation.

A similar warning against adding or removing from God's word appears in Deuteronomy 4:2.

Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.

It is worth noting that people who lived after Moses made that statement in Deuteronomy 4:2 recognized that that warning applied only to the earlier words that the Lord had given to Moses. If they had thought the words meant that there would be no further revelation from God, there would've been no additional writings in the Bible beyond that verse! They understood, as we should when reading Revelation 22:18-19, that the warning applies only to the preceding words that a particular prophet had received from God.

• The Book of Mormon serves as a second witness to many of the truths found in the Bible — most importantly, about Jesus Christ — and, thus, fulfills the Biblical law of witnesses and gives readers more reasons to believe and live the teachings of Christ found in both books.

Like the Bible, the Book of Mormon witnesses throughout its pages that Jesus Christ is the Redeemer of the world. (My last post — "Are Mormons Christians?" — gives many examples of why the Book of Mormon can rightfully be subtitled "Another Testament of Jesus Christ.") Like the Bible, the Book of Mormon also teaches about the need for faith, repentance, baptism, the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and charity. It too speaks of Heavenly Father's love for all of His children, His concern for the poor, and the importance of prayer, scripture study, and obedience to His commandments. Like the Bible, the Book of Mormon also encourages its readers to turn to God in faith for help during difficult times.

Is it a problem to have another book that teaches many of the same truths found in the Bible? Rather than being a problem, I think that having a second witness of the truths found in the Bible gives even more reason for believing and living the principles taught in both books.

Reaffirming an Old Testament standard, the Apostle Paul wrote in the New Testament, "In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established." (2 Corinthians 13:1) Does this law of witnesses apply to books of scripture too? I think it does, and so did a Book of Mormon prophet who wrote:

Wherefore murmur ye, because that ye shall receive more of my word? Know ye not that the testimony of two nations is a witness unto you that I am God, that I remember one nation like unto another? Wherefore, I speak the same words unto one nation like unto another. And when the two nations shall run together the testimony of the two nations shall run together also. (2 Nephi 29:8)

Having the Book of Mormon as a second witness of the truths taught in the Bible — particularly about Jesus Christ — fulfills the ancient law of witnesses and gives sincere seekers of truth even more reason to believe in Christ and follow Him and His teachings.

• The Bible contains prophecies about the Book of Mormon and its people.

Here are some of those Biblical prophecies, along with an explanation about how each one applies to the Book of Mormon:

Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven. (Psalms 85:11)

Moroni, an ancient American prophet who was the last person to write on the golden plates, buried them in the ground around 400 A.D. About 1400 years later, Moroni, who was an angel then, was "sent from the presence of God" (Joseph Smith — History 1:33) to direct Joseph Smith to the buried plates and, eventually, to give Joseph possession of the plates so he could translate them with divine assistance and publish the record.

The word of the Lord came again unto me, saying, Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions: And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand. And when the children of thy people shall speak unto thee, saying, Wilt thou not shew us what thou meanest by these? Say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hand. (Ezekiel 37:15-19)

"Sticks" — think of scrolls — are scriptural records. The "stick" or scriptural record of Judah, the son of Jacob/Israel and the ancestor of the Jews, is the Bible. The main people in the Book of Mormon were from the lineage of Joseph. The Book of Mormon is a scriptural record of these descendants of Joseph. Ezekiel prophesied that these two records — the Bible and the Book of Mormon — would be joined in the future. Latter-day Saints join both records by using them together in our study and worship. We typically keep and carry those books together in one scripture case. It's even possible to buy a copy of the Bible and Book of Mormon that are bound together. So there are several ways that, in literal fulfillment of Ezekiel's prophecy, those two records "become one in [their user's] hand" (Ezekiel 37:17).

[Jesus said,] And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. (John 10:16)

After Christ's resurrection, when He visited people on the American continent who were descendants of Joseph, He explained that His "other sheep" were from the scattered and lost tribes of Israel that, like the Book of Mormon people, "the Father hath led away out of the land" (3 Nephi 15:15). He told these people, "And verily I say unto you, that ye are they of whom I said [to the Jews]: Other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. And they understood me not, for they supposed it had been the Gentiles; for they understood not that the Gentiles should be converted through their preaching" (3 Nephi 15:21-22).

And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.... (Revelation 14:6)

Latter-day Saints believe that this angel is Moroni, the last writer of the Book of Mormon, who came back to earth as an angel to tell Joseph Smith about the gold plates and give them to him to translate. Moroni told Joseph that the plates contained "the fulness of the everlasting Gospel" (Joseph Smith — History 1:34; italics added). As an earlier Book of Mormon prophet said about these plates, "Behold, it has been prophesied by our fathers, that [these records] should be kept and handed down from one generation to another, and be kept and preserved by the hand of the Lord until they should go forth unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people...." (Alma 37:4; italics added).

• Since Christ is "the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever" (Hebrews 13:8) and used prophets and angels in Biblical times to accomplish His work, it makes sense that He could and would still use prophets and angels to fulfill His purposes — such as in bringing forth additional scripture, e.g., the Book of Mormon.

The Apostle Paul wrote that "Jesus Christ [is] the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever" (Hebrews 13:8). In Old Testament times, as Jehovah, He worked through prophets. In fact, prophets were so important to Him that He revealed to His prophet Amos:

Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. (Amos 3:7)

In New Testament times, we read about prophets in the church that Christ established during His mortal ministry. (For example, see Acts 13:1, 15:32, and 21:10). The Apostle Paul stated that the New Testament church was set up with prophets and apostles:

And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. (1 Corinthians 12:28)

And [Christ] gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.... (Ephesians 4:11-12)

If Christ doesn't change, "will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets," and worked through prophets in the past, would it be out of character for Him to work through prophets in modern times? I don't think so.

As Jehovah, He also sometimes used angels in Old Testament times to fulfill His purposes. For instance, there was the angel who led the Israelites during their wandering in the wilderness (Exodus 32:34), an angel who spoke "face to face" with Gideon (Judges 6:22), and an angel who instructed the prophet Zechariah (Zechariah 1:9).

Christians are very aware that angels played key roles in Christ's life: e.g., announcing His birth to the shepherds (Luke 2:9-12), ministering to Him after His temptations in the wilderness (Matthew 4:11), strengthening Him during His ordeal in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:43), and announcing His resurrection (Matthew 28:2-7).

Did angels retire after Christ was resurrected and no longer have a part to play in the Lord's work? Not at all. An angel freed the apostles Peter and John from prison and gave them instructions (Acts 5:19-20). An angel visited Cornelius, a devout Roman centurion, and instructed him to seek out the Apostle Peter (Acts 10:22). An angel visited the Apostle Paul on a tempest-tossed ship and comforted him. (See Acts 27:23-24.)

If Christ doesn't change and used angels to further his work in the past — even after He was resurrected — isn't it possible that angels might be sent in modern times to fulfill his purposes? Though he wrote specifically about spiritual gifts, the Book of Mormon prophet Moroni gives an applicable answer:

And I would exhort you, my beloved brethren, that ye remember that he is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and that all these gifts of which I have spoken, which are spiritual, never will be done away, even as long as the world shall stand, only according to the unbelief of the children of men. (Moroni 10:19)

• The Book of Mormon clarifies in a spiritually resonating way some of the teachings found in the Bible and helps to bring greater harmony between the Old and New Testaments.

I love the Bible, but I've sometimes found it to be unclear — or silent — on certain topics. (I see this unclarity as a major reason why there are so many different Christian churches that have varying interpretations of the same Biblical passages.) The Book of Mormon provides additional information that clarifies many Biblical teachings, such as reasons why an Atonement was necessary (Alma 34:8-16); who Jesus is and what He did for us (Alma 7:11-12, Helaman 14:15); the role of grace, faith, and works (e.g., 2 Nephi 25:26); the importance and manner of baptism (3 Nephi 11:22-26, 33); the state of the soul between death and the resurrection (Alma 40:11-14); and Christ's "other sheep" in John 10:16 (3 Nephi 15:14-24).

Before I read and studied the Book of Mormon, I also had a difficult time seeing how the Old Testament and New Testament fit together. Of course, I could see some prophecies of Christ in the Old Testament that were fulfilled in the New Testament and some Messianic symbols (such as the Passover lamb) in the Old Testament, but those prophecies and symbols seemed to be few in number and were often very subtle or obscure. Old Testament teachings and religious practices and its view of God in general seemed very different from those in the New Testament. Book of Mormon teachings about such topics as the purpose of the Law of Moses (Alma 34:14 and 2 Nephi 11:4), the role of prophets (Jacob 7:11), and Heavenly Father's justice and mercy (Alma 42:22-26) have helped me better understand the Old Testament and see how it relates — closely — to the New Testament.

The additional light that the Book of Mormon has shed on the Bible for me has been intellectually satisfying. More importantly, though, such Book of Mormon explanations and insights spiritually resonate with me too.

• The Book of Mormon inspires and teaches me how to become more faithful and Christlike. I have also found that, if I follow its teachings, I receive the blessings it promises.

The examples and words of many of the faithful followers of Christ whom I've read about in the Book of Mormon continually inspire, show, and instruct me how to be a better disciple of Jesus Christ. The teachings of Christ and His prophets that are in this book also resonate spiritually with me and have provided me with much helpful guidance, which, when followed, has brought me many promised blessings.

Here are some of the many verses from the Book of Mormon that have blessed my life:

I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them. (1 Nephi 3:7)

[F]east upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do. (2 Nephi 32:3)

And they all cried with one voice, saying: Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually. (Mosiah 5:2)

[After first hearing about God, Christ, and the need for faith and repentance, a king said and, later, prayed,] What shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken? Yea, what shall I do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive his Spirit, that I may be filled with joy, that I may not be cast off at the last day? Behold, said he, I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy.... O God,...if there is a God, and if thou art God, wilt thou make thyself known unto me, and I will give away all my sins to know thee.... (Alma 22:15, 18)

And I have been supported under trials and troubles of every kind, yea, and in all manner of afflictions; yea, God has delivered me from prison, and from bonds, and from death; yea, and I do put my trust in him, and he will still deliver me. (Alma 36:27)

And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall. (Helaman 5:12)

And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them. (Ether 12:27)

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen. (Moroni 7:48)

• The Book of Mormon has helped me to understand and feel closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Though I loved and thought I understood Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ a lot before I read the Book of Mormon, my love for and understanding of them have deepened greatly since I began reading the Book of Mormon. Here are some verses from that book that have brought me closer to Them:

...I know that [Heavenly Father] loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things. (1 Nephi 11:17)

But behold, the Lord hath redeemed my soul from hell; ... and I am encircled about eternally in the arms of his love. (2 Nephi 1:15)

[Christ] doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him. Wherefore, he commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation. (2 Nephi 26:24)

[Christ] doeth that which is good among the children of men; and he doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of men; and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile. (2 Nephi 26:33)

And lo, [Christ] shall suffer temptations, and pain of body, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer, except it be unto death; for behold, blood cometh from every pore, so great shall be his anguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people. (Mosiah 3:7)

[Christ said,] And this is my doctrine, and it is the doctrine which the Father hath given unto me; and I bear record of the Father, and the Father beareth record of me, and the Holy Ghost beareth record of the Father and me; and I bear record that the Father commandeth all men, everywhere, to repent and believe in me. (3 Nephi 11:32)

And he said unto them: Behold, my bowels are filled with compassion towards you. Have ye any that are sick among you? Bring them hither. Have ye any that are lame, or blind, or halt, or maimed, or leprous, or that are withered, or that are deaf, or that are afflicted in any manner? Bring them hither and I will heal them, for I have compassion upon you; my bowels are filled with mercy. (3 Nephi 17:6-7)

And when [Jesus] had said these words, he wept, and the multitude bare record of it, and he took their little children, one by one, and blessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them. And when he had done this he wept again; And he spake unto the multitude, and said unto them: Behold your little ones. (3 Nephi 17:21-23)

• Though the testimonies of witnesses and historical, literary, scriptural, and other evidence support the authenticity of the Book of Mormon and give me many reasons to believe it is the word of God, ultimately, a testimony — that is, knowledge — of that book's truthfulness comes spiritually, through prayer and the Holy Ghost.

I've mentioned several times that the Book of Mormon "spiritually resonates" with me. Some people may shake their heads and say that it is too subjective and unreliable to try to determine truth spiritually. But can — and should — spiritual truths only be determined through "hard" evidence (e.g., science, archeology, history, linguistics, testimony of witnesses, etc.) and logic? The Apostle Paul taught that spiritual truths need to be learned through the "Spirit of God."

For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.... But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians 2:11-12, 14)

The New Testament writer James described the spiritual process for receiving such spiritual knowledge:

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.... (James 1:5-6)

Moroni, the last writer in the Book of Mormon, recommended that readers of that book follow a similar pattern of asking in faith in order to learn spiritual truth, specifically, the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon:

And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things. (Moroni 10:4-5)

Like millions of other Latter-day Saints, I have read the Book of Mormon, asked Heavenly Father in faith to know if it is true and have received countless — and varied — spiritual assurances that it is true. Though I certainly don't know or understand everything about the book, I can say that I know — and don't just believe — that it is the word of God.

Nephi, The first prophet who wrote in the Book of Mormon recorded these thoughts:

And upon these [plates] I write the things of my soul.... For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them, and writeth them for the learning and the profit of my children. (2 Nephi 4:15)

I feel as though, in this post, I too have written the things of my soul. Like Nephi, I also delight in the scriptures — including the Bible and Book of Mormon. Though many people aren't familiar with the Book of Mormon or misunderstand it, and others mock or condemn it, like the Primary children in my congregation this past Sunday, I can say (or sing!) — with a slight variation — "Hand in hand together, the Bible and the Book of Mormon stand forever to tell of Jesus Christ" and "I know both scriptures are true."

Have you ever prayed earnestly and sincerely for a relatively small blessing (such as help in finding a misplaced item) and received it? I have--many, many times. Because of those innumerable experiences, I know that Heavenly Father cares about His children and hears and answers prayers that are offered in faith, even when we ask for blessings that may seem minor or eternally insignificant. But, until recently, I had never thought about praying to find 25 cents in order to buy some needed food!

The experience of praying for a quarter to buy some food didn't happen to me. It happened to J. Devn Cornish, who was a famished and weary resident physician at Boston Children's Hospital at the time. Now a worldwide leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Elder Cornish shared his experience during an inspiring and instructive address about prayer that he gave during the Church's recent Semi-annual General Conference (October 1 and 2).

Elder Cornish explained that he had worked many long hours at the hospital on that particular day and was very tired, hungry, and somewhat discouraged. Since his wife and young family needed their one car during the day, he had ridden a bicycle to the hospital and had to cycle home. Needing and wanting a little extra energy for his ride back, he recalled that a chicken restaurant on his route was having a sale on chicken pieces: only 29 cents each. He checked his wallet but found only a nickel. In faith and humility, he prayed that he would be able to find a quarter on his ride back so he could buy one piece of chicken.

As he cycled after his prayer, Elder Cornish said that he watched the ground intently, expecting to find a quarter. When he reached the chicken restaurant, he still hadn't found the quarter he needed. But then he looked across the street and saw one on the ground! With that blessing, he was able to buy and eat a piece of chicken. Physically and spiritually rejuvenated (and, no doubt, very grateful too!), he was able to continue his ride home.

Elder Cornish concluded his story with these words:

In His mercy, the God of heaven, the Creator and Ruler of all things everywhere, had heard a prayer about a very minor thing. One might well ask why He would concern Himself with something so small. I am led to believe that our Heavenly Father loves us so much that the things that are important to us become important to Him, just because He loves us. How much more would He want to help us with the big things that we ask, which are right (see 3 Nephi 18:20 [in the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ])?

I loved Elder Cornish's story about praying for 25 cents! I appreciated his example of unfailing faith and humility, being specific in requesting a blessing, asking "not amiss" (see 2 Nephi 4:35 in the Book of Mormon), and then doing his part to receive the desired result (in this case, looking intently for a quarter on the ground). And I loved the end of his story, particularly, the evidence it shows of Heavenly Father's great care and concern for His children and the confidence it can give us to pray--even for seemingly small things.

The rest of Elder Cornish's talk, "The Privilege of Prayer," is an excellent primer on prayer. Using the Lord's Prayer (as found in Matthew 6 and Luke 11), as a model, Elder Cornish gives inspired and insightful suggestions for making our prayers more meaningful and effective. Here are some of his words of counsel that particularly struck me:

Please, my friends, do not forget to ask the Lord to protect and be with you.

I have found that one of the secrets to a joyful life is to recognize that doing things the Lord’s way will make me happier than doing things my way.

It is as tragic to think we are too sinful to pray as it is for a very sick person to believe he is too sick to go to the doctor!

We must not only say our prayers; we must also live them. The Lord is much more pleased with the person who prays and then goes to work than with the person who only prays. Much like medicine, prayer works only when we use it as directed.

Sometimes we seem to get no answer to our sincere and striving prayers. It takes faith to remember that the Lord answers in His time and in His way so as to best bless us.

(You can read the entire talk here.)

Elder Cornish's talk on prayer (including, of course, his story about praying for 25 cents!) was part of a great spiritual feast of music and addresses on a variety of timely and important spiritual topics at our recent General Conference. I loved the music by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and a children's choir. I thrilled to the announcement that a new church temple would be built in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The many talks (by some of the men and women who lead the worldwide Church) were well-written and well-delivered. Most importantly, they were inspiring, instructive, and comforting and resonated with spiritual truth.

The conference sessions are available online for viewing and listening, and the talks are also now in print. (You can access the sessions and talks in various formats here.) Though the addresses are usually geared to Latter-day Saints, I think that many of them would be pertinent, interesting, and helpful to a people of other faiths too. With this more general audience in mind, I suggest, for starters, the following talks (in addition, of course, to the one by Elder Cornish):

• "The Power of Scripture" by Elder Richard G. Scott (about the value of the scriptures and scripture study)

• "Teachings of Jesus" by Elder Dallin H. Oaks (primarily Bible verses and Bible-based answers to Jesus's question "What think ye of Christ?" [Matthew 22:42])

• "Choose Eternal Life" by Elder Randall K. Bennett (about choices we can make that will prepare us for eternal life)

• "Stand in Holy Places" by President Thomas S. Monson (about Heavenly Father's unchanging standards and the importance of prayer and direction from the Holy Spirit)

• "The Songs They Could Not Sing" by Elder Quentin L. Cook (about facing tragedy with faith and confidence)

For me, the messages of inspiration, counsel, and comfort from these twice-yearly conferences are great blessings. I appreciate also the uplifting reminders that Heavenly Father knows us, loves us, and will hear and answer our prayers--even about seemingly small things, such as 25 cents!

During the last several weeks, the news has been full of stories about natural disasters: earthquakes on the Atlantic Coast and in California, hurricanes on the Atlantic Coast, floods in the Northeast, a tropical storm on the Gulf Coast, and wildfires in Texas and the West. Other disasters were big news earlier in 2011: e.g., blizzards this winter in the North and Northeast; spring tornadoes in the Midwest and South; flooding in the Mississippi River Valley and upper Midwest during the spring and summer; and drought in Texas throughout the summer.

And these disasters were just in the United States! Though most people in this country were aware of the 8.9 magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami in Japan during March, most of us probably aren’t aware that 2011 has also been a banner year so far for earthquakes, cyclones, hurricanes, floods, and even some volcanic eruptions in other countries of the world.

All of these recent natural disasters have served as powerful reminders to me that, no matter where we live, it's very important to be prepared for possible emergencies. (How appropriate it is that September is National Preparedness Month!)

If there was flooding, a wildfire, or another natural disaster in your area, would you know what to do? If you had to evacuate your home in a short period of time, what would you take with you? Though we shouldn't panic or obsess over the possibility of natural disasters (and, for that matter, manmade emergencies too: e.g., oil spills, hazardous waste leaks, terrorist attacks, etc.), it would be prudent, practical, and proactive of us to prepare in advance for emergencies that could affect us sometime in the future.

(Now, in case you may be wondering why I'm writing about this seemingly secular subject in a faith-related blog, I will explain that I, as a Latter-day Saint, believe that Heavenly Father cares about all aspects of our lives: e.g., our physical, emotional, mental, social, and financial wellness, as well as our spiritual welfare. These different dimensions of our lives affect each other and contribute to our overall well-being. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches that it is important for individuals and families to become as healthy, strong, and self-reliant as possible in all areas of our lives so that we can be prepared for the various challenges we'll face in mortality and be in a position to best serve other people. The Church even has a helpful website— www.providentliving.org — that gives good information and resources related to the "temporal" areas of life — including emergency preparedness!)

Returning now to the topic of preparing for emergencies, what can we do to become ready for natural and manmade disasters? I have seven main recommendations. Two websites that give very helpful information about emergency preparedness — www.redcross.org and www.ready.gov (the U.S. government's readiness site) — both stress the first three action steps listed below. (Though many of their specific suggestions are similar, their information is different enough that I suggest consulting each website.) The last four preparedness suggestions are mine.

• Make a portable emergency kit that you can use after a disaster strikes your area or that you can grab quickly and take with you if you ever need to evacuate.

Preparedness experts generally recommend that an emergency kit contain the supplies that you and your family members would need to sustain yourselves for at least 72 hours: water and food, medical supplies (e.g., a first aid kit and prescription medications), sanitation supplies (e.g., garbage bags, moist towelettes, bleach), light and warmth supplies (e.g., flashlights and fresh batteries, a blanket and change of clothing for each person), communication devices (e.g., battery-operated radio and cell phone), a multipurpose tool, some cash, and some books and games (particularly for children).

Emergency kits should also include copies of important family documents and information: e.g., copies of birth certificates, a family photo, Social Security numbers, bank account information, and maybe even a portable backup copy of your computer files.

A Red Cross webpage gives a detailed list of items recommended for an emergency kit. Another Red Cross webpage, http://www.redcross.org/domore, includes several videos about basic supplies and personalized items to include in an emergency kit. (These videos, which feature actress Jamie Lee Curtis, make it look easy to prepare a 72-hour kit!) A Ready.gov webpage also includes a video about emergency kits and gives its own — somewhat different — list of recommended supplies for such kits.

Already-assembled emergency kits are also available for purchase on a number of commercial websites. Even if you buy these kits, though, you should personalize them by adding medicines, family and financial documents, and other supplies and information that you and your family members would need or appreciate in an emergency.

The excellent Emergency Financial First Aid Kit — which gives forms on which to record important personal financial, medical, legal, insurance, and security information — is a must, I think, for every family's or adult's emergency kit. You can access this financial “kit” (which is recommended by several preparedness organizations) here.

Depending on the size of your family, you may want to have a general family kit (best kept in a sealable plastic container to protect its contents from smoke and water) and personal kits for individual family members. (Backpacks work well for individual kits.) Keep your emergency kits in an easily accessible place, and make sure family members know where they are.

It's important to remember that many of the items in emergency kits need to be restocked or updated periodically (ideally, twice a year). Be sure to rotate the food, water, batteries, and medications in your kits so they stay fresh. Periodically check that you have the most recent family documents and information. If you have growing children, you’ll probably need to replace at least yearly their clothing with clothes of a larger size.

• Have a plan for handling emergencies.

Individuals and families need to know what kind of natural disasters are most likely to occur in their area and plan how to prepare for and respond to those situations. They also need to consider other kinds of scenarios. For instance, if they’re not together when a disaster strikes, how will they be able to contact each other? How will they be able to find each other? What will they do if they need to evacuate?

Additional information about making an emergency plan — plus wallet-sized forms for recording personal contact information — can be found on these Red Cross and Ready.gov webpages.

• Be informed.

For instance, find out where you can get current weather alerts. Learn first aid and CPR. Learn about emergencies that might arise in areas where you travel and how to protect yourself in those situations. For more ideas, see these Ready.gov and Red Cross webpages.

• Expand your emergency supplies to include items that would allow you to care for yourself, your family, and, ideally, others (in your home or elsewhere) during and after emergencies.

For example, have the supplies you would need to light your home (e.g., candles), heat your home (e.g., a wood-burning stove and wood), and cook food (e.g., a camp stove and bottles of propane) if electrical or gas power is ever off. Have a bicycle so you can ride it in case gasoline is temporarily unavailable or in short supply. (Cycling is a good, fun form of transportation — and exercise — even when there is no emergency!)

In addition to the water in your emergency kits, purify and store some extra water for drinking, cooking, and cleaning. Store additional food so you will have it if you need it for extended periods of time and so you can help others. For information about long-term food storage, see this page on the LDS Provident Living website. (There is also a link on it to information about storing water.)

• Encourage other people to become prepared for emergencies too.

For example, share emergency preparedness information and websites with family members, neighbors, and friends. Give 72-hour kits as gifts to family members. Help with a community campaign to encourage individuals and families to prepare for emergencies.

• Get to know your neighbors and plan to watch out for them and help them, if necessary and possible, in emergency situations.

Be friendly with your neighbors during “normal” times. During emergencies, plan to check on their well-being and help them and share what you have (e.g., shelter, electrical power, food, water, etc.) with them, if necessary, possible, and appropriate. (I feel strongly that the model for our treatment of others during emergencies shouldn't be the ant in Aesop's fable about the ant and the grasshopper. In the fable, the hardworking ant prepared for a rainy day, while the fun-loving grasshopper just played. When hard times hit, the ant turned the hungry, unprepared grasshopper away and let him suffer the consequences of his earlier poor choices. If we prepared for emergencies and some of the people around us didn't, I still don't think we should ignore their needs in emergencies, if at all possible. I love the Biblical story — in 1 Kings 17 — of the poor widow who shared her remaining flour and oil with the prophet Elijah during a time of severe famine. The widow and her son were greatly blessed for her faith and generosity to Elijah: “And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake by Elijah” [1 Kings 17:16]. I find the giving, faithful widow to be a much better example than Aesop's ant is of how to treat others who are in need during an emergency.)

• Strengthen your faith in God so you can be spiritually prepared for any emergencies that may come.

Strong faith — which is developed through such practices as sincere and consistent prayer, scripture study, obedience to God’s commandments, repentance, attendance at religious services, and acts of kindness to other people — will bring power in prayer, spiritual promptings, a proper perspective on adversity, and peace during difficult times.

A woman who lost her home to the tornado that hit Joplin, Missouri, this past May said, “We’ve had hard experiences before, and the gospel is what sustains you through everything. So although this is a shock and a trauma … it didn’t change anything. You revert to your gospel roots, your spiritual roots, immediately.”

An LDS Church leader who visited Joplin soon after the devastating tornado observed, “People who had lost everything—their homes, their workshops, everything — stood up [in a church testimony meeting] and said, ‘We’re some of the most blessed people.’ How does that happen? How could anybody in those circumstances have the courage and the backbone to square their shoulders, lift their chins, and say, ‘We’re fine’? Well, it only happens one way. They have a perspective of the gospel of Jesus Christ.... [I]t was spectacular to watch the preparation that came from spiritual roots that had been set deep; that windstorm, tornado, or hurricane weren’t going to take away; and that extends beyond mortality and to eternity." ( "Preparation of All Kinds Blesses Saints in Joplin, Missouri," by Melissa Merrill)

No matter where we live, no matter whether it’s National Preparedness Month or not, we would do well to heed the Boys Scouts’ slogan — “Be prepared” — in both temporal and spiritual matters. I know that the many recent natural disasters in the United States have been compelling reminders to me that my family needs to reorganize and restock our emergency kits and review our family emergency plans. (Those disasters have also reminded me that I need to get emergency kits for my grown children who no longer live at home — something, I’m sorry to confess, that I offered to do some time ago but haven’t done yet!)

The storms of adversity — whether weather-related or not — are part of life. Fortunately, though, as a latter-day scripture says, “[I]f ye are prepared ye shall not fear” (Doctrine and Covenants 38:30). In addition, if we are prepared temporally and spiritually, we can weather those storms and have the means and ability to bless ourselves, our families, and others around us too.