Eulogy for Virginia Ellen Peart Stevenson (1936-2013) Delivered 4 May 2013

It is a privilege to be here to pay tribute to my mother. She is probably overwhelmed seeing how many of you are here today.

When Dad and I met with Bishop Baker, he told us how his children were asking which Primary Teacher had died. As he described her, they realized who it was, and said, “Oh, the laughing teacher.”

That is how many of us remember Mom. Friends have commented on her smile, her laughter, and best of all, the love they felt from her. She spread happiness, and many have remarked that she “always treated me like she loved me.”

Perhaps the best tribute I read was “Being her friend was like being encircled in the arms of the Savior’s love.” “She made life seem like a sweet, happy party and each person feel like the guest of honor.”

A good friend of mine pointed out that we, Mom’s posterity, are a living breathing tribute to Mom, and he loves Mom because of what I became.

She is survived by a loving, devoted husband, Ronald Dee Stevenson, a younger brother, Robert Harvey Peart, by five children, 26 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her older brother Donald Aris Peart, a grandson, Robert D. Stevenson, Jr., and a great-grandson, Andrew John Love.

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Virginia Ellen Stevenson came from pioneer stock. That probably doesn’t surprise anyone who knows her. One grandmother was Swedish, the other grandparents were of British descent. Her parents were both Salt Lake City natives, but came to California on their honeymoon, ran out of money, and stayed. Mom was born in San Leandro on 10 August 1936, the second of three children born to John Aris Peart and Evelyn Gertrude Cox. In 1942, she and her family moved to Los Angeles, where her father was working. By 1947, they had put down roots in Los Angeles.

When Mom started kindergarten, she said she cried every day on her way to school. Soon her mother made her walk to school alone, and then the crying stopped. This is hard to imagine in light of the Virginia Stevenson we all know.

Before Mom started third grade, a mean girl told her that her new teacher, Mrs. Darnell, wasn’t nice and would flunk her. Her mom consoled her, and mom soon learned that Mrs. Darnell was a wonderful teacher who provided many opportunities for her students to learn. They kept in contact with each other for many years afterward.

Mom couldn’t wait to be baptized, and wrote of how good it felt to be baptized a member of the Church. Even at that early age, she was developing a strong faith and testimony. For a time after that, her family wasn’t active in the Church, but when she turned 12, a loving leader invited her to MIA, and she has been active ever since. Her first calling came at age 13, as a helper in the 5-year-old Primary class.

At age 14, Mom went on her first temple excursion. Four adults and six girls went to the Mesa Arizona Temple to do baptisms. (You have to remember that for many years, we were in the Mesa Temple District, until the Los Angeles Temple was dedicated.) She writes “I had such a peaceful feeling as we went into the [temple] and then sat and listened as one of the sister temple workers talked about the important things of our church.” She added: “It helped me know my goal of going to the Temple was what I really wanted.” How thankful we all are that set this goal early on and remained true to it. She also had the opportunity to serve in the Open House for the Los Angeles Temple prior to its dedication.

Mom worked hard to earn her various awards as she progressed in MIA. She sewed many of her own dresses, and knitted things for her family as well. She babysat frequently and worked at Karl’s 5 and 10. She balanced all of this with school and family activities.

In junior high, Mom began to be involved in student government. She was president of a service club in junior high, and continued to be busy in high school activities, including the Hostess Club, Student Senate, Girl’s League and other activities.

She writes that she was sometimes torn between her friends in student activities and her friends in church.

Mom began modern dance in tenth grade. She loved basketball, too, but dance was better for her asthma. She was able to dance in many performances including competitions at University of Redlands and other colleges.

Mom was a good student, too, and won the Bank of America Achievement Award in Business Education and in Vocational Arts.

In 1954, she left for BYU and quickly became involved in student government and other activities. She took advantage of all the activities that life at BYU had to offer, social and spiritual, and of course, educational. She formed many lasting friendships there.

After two years, she decided to come home and complete her studies at UCLA in order to be with her family, but she said that had she known her brother Don would get married so soon, she probably would have stayed at BYU, partly because she was in line to become student body secretary.

However, as luck (or fate) would have it, she became involved in Lambda Delta Sigma, and this led to her meeting Dad. They were married in the Los Angeles Temple on 29 August 1958. She also graduated from UCLA in June 1958.

Dad and Mom headed to Provo so Dad could finish his degree. Mom writes that she found their first basement apartment dreary and disappointing, but after unpacking their things and making cookies and seeing where others lived, they were glad to be there. They came home for summer break, so I was born in Inglewood instead of in Provo.

After another year, Mom and Dad returned to California, living first in Downey, then in the Baldwin Hills area, where we lived when Vicki, Bonnie and Mike were born. During this time, Dad was called to serve in a Bishopric, and Mom served as a Primary teacher. Mom loved her Primary girls. After Mike was born, she wanted to get back to her class as soon as she could so they wouldn’t give it to someone else. But when they knew she was coming back, she was called to serve in the Primary Presidency.

Around this time, Dad and Mom began preparations for a move to Huntington Beach. In 1965, they purchased the home where Mom lived until her death, for the astronomical sum of $29,500. Actually, that was a lot of money in 1965, and they felt that they had stretched themselves pretty thin. We moved in September 1965, and became one of the founding families in the Huntington Beach Second Ward and the Huntington Beach Stake. Here also, Chrissy was born, to complete our family until we started getting married.

(I could talk about Primary in the “tin shack,” and sacrament meetings in the Huntington Beach Recreation Center before this building was built, but this is about Mom.) Her first callings here were also in the Primary: teaching, then in the ward presidency, then in the Stake Primary Presidency. The rest, you know.

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I would like to change focus now, from what Mom did, to who she was. I have found that in studying the lives of others, we can learn many things about bettering our own lives. As I review this, it is difficult to separate Mom from Dad. They were an amazing example of unity and love. So much of what I will now say applies to both. They were, and are, and will be forever, a team; an eternal partnership.

There are some characteristics Mom displayed that we can all emulate.

1.     LOVE: Mom was a great example of selfless love. That is probably why many of you are here today.

a.    There was never any question that she loved Dad. When he came home from work, she greeted him as if he had returned from months at sea. She also honored him in his role as priesthood leader in our home. That was very clear to us.

b.   There was never any question that she loved us. That was apparent to all. She took pride in her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and in their accomplishments. She repeatedly told us that we were good parents and that made her feel proud.

c.    Mom loved us even when we disappointed her. We tried not to do that very often, because I know I did not like to see the hurt in her eyes. The funny thing is, as Mom grew older, I became the perfect son. She said many times that I never gave her a bit of trouble when I was growing up. (She also taught me not to argue with my parents.)

d.   We felt her love whenever we were leaving to go home. In our family, an old tradition developed called the “Peart goodbye.” There may have been a similar tradition in some of your families. It seemed like it took forever to actually say goodbye to everyone and get on the road. There was always one more hug and one more kiss. And even as we drove away, Mom would blow kisses and give hugs until we were down the street. I wish she would have indulged us in a Peart goodbye last weekend.

e.    Mom was one of those people who could make almost anyone feel like she was their best friend. That is a special gift. It seems that she made everyone feel that they were family, whether they were blood relatives or not.

2.     HIGH EXPECTATIONS: Her love was manifest to us through these expectations she had for us.

a.    Mom, as many mothers do, had a vision of our potential. She knew what we could become and encouraged us to discover the path to get there. I think this is because she was goal-driven herself. 

b.   Each accomplishment, no matter how small, was recognized. Whether it was a baby’s first steps or a scholastic achievement, Mom would be excited. She would praise us, and often brag to others as well.

c.    She encouraged us to develop our talents. Each of took piano lessons, and as children, we had no idea what a blessing this would be to others. The same is true for my sisters’ skills in homemaking and crafts, and other skills we learned as well.

d.   We were expected to be married in the temple and to get an education. Mike and I were expected to serve missions. As a girl, she set goals to be married in the temple and to go to BYU, and worked hard to achieve those and other goals.

e.    She expected us to do well in studies, in Scouting and in Mutual.

f.     Half-hearted efforts were not tolerated. I learned this as an eight-year-old. Dad had back problems, and I started mowing the lawns. Mom made it clear that they had to be done just so. I could not be sloppy or leave unmowed strips anywhere. Attention to detail was important.

3.     TEACHING: A mother is always teaching.

a.    When I think of Mom, I always think of the poem that ends: “Richer than I you can never be: For I had a mother who read to me.” Mom taught us to read, and I recall many happy summer hours reading with her.

b.   Mom also told stories. We can still recite the story of the Three Billy Goats Gruff, of the little piggy who wouldn’t jump over the stile, and the “Story of Jack Anorry.” And many others. I’m sure the grandchildren know these stories, too.

c.    We took regular trips together to the library. During the summer, we went every week.

d.   Mom taught us all basic homemaking skills, and even some advanced ones. I remember learning how to make white sauce. We learned how to set the table and how to clean house. We took turns helping her do the dishes after Sunday dinner. I didn’t realize it then, but it was an opportunity for her to visit with us as we worked.

e.    Mom taught us to do needlework. I learned to do cross-stitch when I was very young, and also learned some embroidery. She didn’t realize it then, but she was teaching me a useful career skill. Every time I place sutures in someone’s mouth, I think of Mom. In fact, the sewing is so engrained in us, that when we were discussing which hymns to sing today, Vicki suggested we sing “We Are Sewing.”

f.     Mom also taught us the gospel. She and Dad taught us together. We had our first family home evening when I was about four, and we all continue the habit. She and Dad also taught by example. When I was young, I remember going visiting teaching with Mom. In fact, we were visiting a sister on our street the day Kennedy was shot (I was four), and I can remember that sister’s upset that day. Mom and Dad took the gospel very seriously.

4.     FUN: Teaching and learning can also be fun, and Mom saw to that for us.

a.    Mom frequently played games with us. Sometimes she just refereed them.

b.   We (and the grandchildren as well) would frequently pull the couches apart and make blanket forts and have adventures in the family room.

c.    Mom enjoyed cooking with the kids, even when the results weren’t optimal. I remember her excitement about 20-month-old Emily being able to crack eggs without getting the shells in the dough.

d.   Mom always had cookies or some other treat around for us or for visitors. She enjoyed baking.

e.    Mom had a good sense of humor.  She even laughed at my jokes. And some of my jokes were old when she was young.

f.     According to Scotty, the happiest place on earth is not in Anaheim. He said it is “Grandma’s house!”

5.     INTUITION: Mom always knew what was going on with us. We could not hide a thing.

a.    It was an old Peart family joke that we needed to buy Mom a “fur-lined cookie jar.” She could be upstairs in her bathroom and still hear me getting a cookie, no matter how quiet I was. How do moms do that? I know she inherited that skill from her mother, but still.

b.   Both Mike and I became seriously ill on our missions. Communication was difficult, and our Mission Presidents were nearly silent, but Mom knew.

c.    When I struggled in college, Mom knew. Her radar was amazing. Of course, that was good motivation for me to be a good boy.

6.     SERVICE: Of course, Mom showed her love readily through serving others.

a.    Mom lived to serve, and it began at home. She made many sacrifices for us.

b.   At times, it seemed that she lived in the kitchen. She was always baking something or fixing a casserole for someone. And of course there was some for us as well.

c.    Mom loved doing for others. Food, treats, sewing, quilting, knitting, crocheting, and on and on. One event that touched me was when Mom, Vicki and Chrissy had a sewing marathon to make missionary dresses and jumpers for Eliza before she left on her mission. I got teary then, and still do, as I think about it. The torch has been passed.

7.     CHURCH ACTIVITY: Mom showed her love through church activity, and this has several facets.

a.    We all attended our meetings together – happily. Now prior to 1980, that meant that we were continually coming and going from one meeting to the next. Mutual was always on a weeknight. Relief Society was a weekday meeting, as was Primary. Sunday meetings were spread throughout the day. We did it all and had time for service in between. And we did it with a smile.

b.   Mom supported Dad in his church callings. I don’t ever recall hearing her complain. Now I have to say, that after reading her personal history, perhaps this was because she also had many demanding callings and knew what he was up against. But the fact remains that he felt her support every time he went to “one more meeting.”

c.    Mom wasn’t afraid of the challenging callings. She served in every class, in every calling in Primary, including 11-year-old Scout Leader, nursery, and Stake Primary leadership. She served in the Young Women’s organization, as a Den Mother, in the ward Relief Society, and as “Relief Society Queen,” the Stake Relief Society President. She learned from her leaders, and she surrounded herself with strong leaders when she was in charge.

d.   Mom’s biggest concern with her callings, apart from stepping out of her comfort zone, was the time she would have to spend away from us. But as I look back, I don’t feel that we were neglected. She still had time for us.

e.    Mom enlisted our help in fulfilling her callings. I served with her in her Scouting roles. We would help with set up and with decorations and other projects.

f.     She supported us in our church callings and encouraged us to magnify our callings.

g.    Along with Dad, Mom was exemplary in temple attendance and family history efforts. They attended the temple monthly when that meant making the long trek up the 405 to the LA Temple. Frequently they performed ordinances for family members.

h.   Mom loved her family, her ancestors and their traditions. She loved to share her memories of various ancestors and the things they did. I loved hearing their stories. Emily also commented on this. What a privilege it is to feel that my ancestors are real people and not just names on a chart. I will always appreciate mom’s and Dad’s efforts to preserve that for their posterity.

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Mom set a great example for each of us. Some things she didn’t do: she didn’t overindulge us; she didn’t compare us to others; she didn’t unfairly criticize us.

The challenge for each of us as her posterity is to remember her example and to carry on the traditions that she has established. In particular, we should strive to love as she loves, and to serve as she serves.

We honor her legacy as we continue to build on it. That is no small order. I can see it in the lives of my siblings even now.

I know with all my heart and soul that Mom is only separated from us by a thin veil. She is aware of our sorrows at her departure. But be assured that this is only temporary. We will see her again. At her father’s funeral, it was said that he had gone on ahead to help build our mansions in heaven. Mom is there to help decorate them.

I pray that we will live our lives so that we can be reunited with her in eternal joy and happiness in the kingdom of our Heavenly Father.

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

A Short Easter Sermon

Today was our Fast and Testimony Meeting. Ordinarily, I would just bear my testimony and encourage others to do the same. But because it is Easter, President Garvin assigned those of us who were conducting the meetings to bear a longer testimony, centered on the atonement and resurrection of Christ. Here is the message I prepared. Happy Easter! He is risen!

In Russia there was an Easter tradition among the believers to greet one another with the exclamation “He is risen!” The proper response was “He is risen indeed!”

It is in this spirit that I wish to testify of the atonement and resurrection of Jesus Christ. By assignment from President Garvin, I will be speaking a little longer than I normally would, but as Ammon said, “Who can glory too much in the Lord? … Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel” (Al. 26:16).

The atonement of Jesus Christ is the most significant event that has ever occurred. Nothing has such a far-reaching effect. It is both universal and personal. 

When Heavenly Father presented his great plan for our eternal happiness, we rejoiced. We knew that there would be challenges along the way. We knew we would face difficulties. Above all, we knew that we would sin, and need to repent. We knew that we could never earn our own salvation based on our works alone.

Heavenly Father knew that we would make mistakes; he knew that we would stumble and that we would need help. As a part of his plan, he provided a Savior for us, to help bring us back into his presence.

And so the Father sent his Firstborn Son, his only begotten Son to sacrifice himself in our behalf. There was no other good enough to make this sacrifice. Jesus alone was sinless, which qualified him to give himself for us. This was not just a limited sacrifice, but it was infinite and eternal, as Amulek testified in Alma 34:9-10, 14-15:

“For it is expedient that an atonement should be made; for according to the great plan of the Eternal God there must be an atonement made, or else all mankind must unavoidably perish; yea, all are hardened; yea, all are fallen and are lost, and must perish except it be through the atonement which it is expedient should be made.

“For it is expedient that there should be a great and last sacrifice; yea, not a sacrifice of man, neither of beast, neither of any manner of fowl; for it shall not be a human sacrifice; but it must be an infinite and eternal sacrifice.

“And behold, this is the whole meaning of the law, every whit pointing to that great and last sacrifice; and that great and last sacrifice will be the Son of God, yea, infinite and eternal.

“And thus he shall bring salvation to all those who shall believe on his name; this being the intent of this last sacrifice, to bring about the bowels of mercy, which overpowereth justice, and bringeth about means unto men that they may have faith unto repentance”

(Alma 34:9 – 10, 14-15).

The term “atonement” suggests a reconciliation, and a reuniting in love and happiness.

This offering was made out of the great love that both Heavenly Father and his Son, Jesus Christ have for us. I truly stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me. I try to think of that each time we partake of the sacrament. (There are great sermons in our sacrament hymns. I hope that you ponder the messages contained in them.) His precious blood he freely spilt; his life he freely gave. He did this willingly for each us.

Alma described the extent of the Savior’s suffering for us in Alma 7:11-12:

“And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

“And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities” (Alma 7:11 - 12).

This is one of the most comforting passages of scripture I know. What a blessing it is to know that the atonement does not just apply to my sins – which would be a rich blessing in itself – but that it applies all my sorrows and infirmities; that when life’s challenges begin to be overwhelming, I can call upon the power of the atonement, and Christ will help me to carry my burdens.

Howard W. Hunter testified: “Think of it! When his body was taken from the cross and hastily placed in a borrowed tomb, he, the sinless Son of God, had already taken upon him not only the sins and temptations of every human soul who will repent, but all of our sickness and grief and pain of every kind. He suffered these afflictions as we suffer them, according to the flesh. He suffered them all. He did this to perfect his mercy and his ability to lift us above every earthly trial.”

Jesus Christ himself testified to Martin Harris in D&C 19:15-19:

“Therefore I command you to repent—repent, lest I smite you by the rod of my mouth, and by my wrath, and by my anger, and your sufferings be sore—how sore you know not, how exquisite you know not, yea, how hard to bear you know not.

“For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;

“But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I;

“Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink—

“Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men” (D& C 19:15 - 19).

In return for this great gift, Heavenly Father asks very little. He asks that we repent of our sins, and asks that we strive to be true to our covenants. If we refuse to repent, we deny ourselves the blessings of the atonement. The Savior asked: “What doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed on him, and he receive not the gift? Behold, he rejoices not in that which is given unto him, neither rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift” (D&C 88:33).

I pray that we will all accept this great gift of the atonement of Jesus Christ, and that we will lay aside our sins and do our best to follow him. I encourage you to learn of your Savior. Study his life and his works. If you have not done so, gain your own personal witness of the power of the atonement in your life. Gain a testimony of Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and Redeemer. This will provide great strength to you as you deal with the trials and temptations of this life.

The Savior’s death was not the end. On the third day, he rose again, which we celebrate today. Because he rose from the grave, we have the promise that we will all rise again. All of our loved ones will rise again and we will be with them again.

This has been a great comfort to us as we await the reunion with our son, and with grandparents, siblings and others who have died. The grave is not the end! They will live again, and so will we.

God lives! He loves us, and desires that we return to live with him again. I testify that he sent his Son to redeem us from our sins.

I know that the atonement of Jesus Christ is real. It is powerful. I have felt its power in my own life. I will be eternally grateful for Christ’s sacrifice on my behalf.

I testify to you that Christ is risen! I know that my Redeemer lives. What comfort this sweet sentence gives!

The scriptures contain the word of God to us. They testify of Christ and his mission. We are led by a living prophet who also testifies of Christ and shows us how to follow him.

I pray that we will strive to follow him, and that we will not lose sight of the true meaning of this Easter Day. He is risen!

Faith in Every Footstep

I have been released from the High Council, but as a member of the Bishopric, I was assigned to speak in my own ward (San Bernardino 2nd), and chose to tell some stories of my own ancestors.



If you subscribe to the Church News, you may have noticed a recent report on the celebration in Preston, England, where we celebrated 175 years since the first missionaries arrived in England. In addition to Preston, they also preached the gospel in Bedford and in Alston, Cumberland.

In Alston, my third great grandfather, Jacob Peart, was one of the first to receive the gospel and be baptized. Following the first baptisms, persecution became very intense, and the converts were forced to leave England, and emigrate to the States, where they became a great strength to the Church. Jacob and his family were called to remain in England to lead the church there. Eventually, they, too came to Nauvoo.

Whether you descend from the pioneers (as I did), or you are a recent convert, or fall somewhere in between, each of us benefits from their faith and sacrifice, since they are a part of our spiritual ancestry.

And in reality, each of us is a pioneer, as we face new challenges and opportunities.

When we understand how the pioneers developed faith in every footstep, then we can make application to our own lives and strengthen our own faith, as well as that of our posterity.

D&C 136 contained their marching orders. I commend it to you for study.

I was motivated to seek out stories of my ancestors when my Uncle, Donald Peart, sent me a letter with the thought, “No one shall know my ancestors better than I.”

I hope you won’t mind my sharing some family stories as we seek to learn from our pioneer heritage.

What did the pioneers do that helped them to face their trials?

1. THEY OUTFITTED THEMSELVES. (D&C 136:3,5)
Equipped themselves for the journey
Had to decide what to take with, left non-essentials behind
Only 15 lbs/person in handcarts! Similar restrictions for those in covered wagons.
George Walter Bramwell, Sr. (3GGF) & family crossed the plains by oxcart, and brought a piano with them, said to be the second or third brought to Salt Lake City. It is believed that they were well-to-do and could afford the expense. His future daughter-in-law came by handcart.
***Are we carrying too many non-essentials? We must lighten our loads of bad habits and old sins and grudges, and make room to carry our faith in Christ and our testimonies.
2. THEY TURNED THEIR BACKS ON THE PAST AND FACED AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE (WITH FAITH).
Alfred Stevenson (GGF) came to Utah alone at 16, and upon reaching Ogden, thought “If this is Zion, what does the other place look like?” He not only left home and family, but came to a totally foreign culture.
Near the close of his life, he wrote: “My testimony of the gospel has never waned but grows stronger as the days come and go, and I want to reaffirm my faith in God, my faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ and the divine mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith and those who have succeeded him.”
***Can we leave the past behind and face the future in faith? Are we willing to face a future undimmed by our sins and errors?
3. THEY PULLED THEMSELVES OUT WHEN THEY GOT STUCK.
If a wagon or cart became bogged down, or a vital part broke everyone helped to get the wagon moving again (put their shoulders to the wheel).
***What do we do when we get bogged down in the mires of life? Sometimes we just sit and cry for a few minutes, but then we have to get up and free ourselves (repentance?) and move on. If we don’t keep moving, we may be left behind.
4. THEY CHEERFULLY ENDURED TRIALS. (D&C 136:31)
Isabel Draney (2GGM) left Scotland as an infant with her family, and went to Utah in the MacArthur handcart company. She later wrote:
“My father pulled a handcart all the way across the dreary plains, my brother and I riding yet not in great comfort, for we were piled in the cart with cooking utensils, dishes, bedding, flour, and the big bake kettle, which was used to do baking in for fifty people, as my father was appointed to take charge of fifty of the company. The cart was so heavily loaded that it was hard to manage, especially when fording rivers. My parents waded all rivers en route except the Platte and Green Rivers, which were too deep. My mother told me that one day while fording a deep river in some way I bounced out of the cart and went floating down the stream. My father dared not let go of the cart, and my mother was in water up to her armpits, with her wet clothes clinging around her making a quick move impossible. Luckily, one of the men nearby saw the accident and rushed over and saved me. My mother was so over come with fright that she had to be helped to shore.
“Another day, I fell out of the cart into a bed of deep sand. At the same time, a large bake kettle and a one hundred pound sack of flour seemed to fall on top of me. My parents were filled with horror, feeling sure that I was crushed to death, but Captain McArthur stepped forward and removed the flour and found that the bake kettle completely covered me. He lifted the kettle, lifted me up, and after wiping the sand out of my mouth and eyes, I looked up into his face and kicked and laughed.”
***How do we deal with our trials? When faced with life’s challenges, are we like Laman & Lemuel, murmuring and complaining, or are we like the pioneer children who sang as they walked?
5. THEY FAITHFULLY ENDURED THE LOSS OF LOVED ONES.
Jacob Peart, Sr. (3GGF) was one of the first converts in England in 1837, and led the Alston Branch for a time while others emigrated to America. In 1841, Jacob, with his wife and 6 children (aged 1-16 y.o.), arrived in Nauvoo. Within 1 month, his wife and 3 children died. Only one child lived to go to Salt Lake. Certainly this was a test of his faith, but Jacob continued on.
Losing a loved one is perhaps the ultimate test of our faith. In fact, Joseph Fielding Smith said it the greatest trial we will experience in our mortal lives.
As a father who has buried a son, I can say with absolute certainty that it is faith in Jesus Christ and His atonement that will get us through. We really can’t tell how strong our faith is until it is tested.
6. THEY PERSEVERED IN THE LITTLE THINGS AND KEPT A GOOD ATTITUDE. (D&C 136:28,29)
On the plains there were few landmarks to mark the pioneers’ progress, no exit signs or next service signs. Often all they could do was to keep putting one foot in front of the other (see 2 Ne. 31:20). But they began and ended each day with prayer, they sang, and they recognized the Lord’s blessings in their lives.
Isabel Draney, near the close of her life, said: “I feel that the Lord showered me with his blessings, giving me health and strength, and making me equal to all of [my] responsibilities.”
***How do we deal with the routines of life? Do we persist in faith? Do we keep on going, even when progress is slow? Do we remember prayers, scripture study, family home evening, etc.? These are the little things that will help us in our journey & give us the faith and strength to keep putting one foot in front of the other.
7. THEY HELPED OTHERS TO REACH THEIR DESTINATION. (D&C 136:8,9,20, 25,26)
As we read the stories of the pioneers, we discover that they didn’t stay put once they reached the SL Valley. Many made repeated trips back to Winter Quarters, or made rescue trips (The Willie & the Martin companies are just one example). They did not abandon the poor, the sick, the aged, the widows or the fatherless: all were helped to reach the Promised Land.
***Are we helping as well?
8. THEY FOLLOWED THE PROPHET, KEPT THE COMMANDMENTS & HELD TO THE ROD (D&C 136:2-4, 11)
Joseph and Brigham saw the Salt Lake Valley in vision, as did others of the Brethren.
The pioneers had faith and trust in Brigham and the Twelve as the mouthpieces of the Lord, and followed them. And even though they rested on the Sabbath, they progressed faster than many of the “gentile” groups who did not observe the Sabbath.
***Do we have the same faith in the vision of Pres. Monson and the Brethren today?
And you know, you cannot push or pull a handcart without holding to the rod. If you let go, you’re not pulling your weight.
9. THEY WERE WILLING TO PUT EVERYTHING ON THE LINE, TO SACRIFICE ALL (D&C 136:31)
George Bramwell served as Bishop of Plain City, UT for over 25 years, and his wife was Mutual President for 15 years.
***We covenant to do the same.
10. THEY CONTINUED PIONEERING BY ASSIGNMENT.
The pioneers were frequently assigned to colonize other areas, often at great sacrifice.
Jacob Peart, Jr. (2GGF) was sent to Southern Utah as part of the Cotton Mission. As he sat on a bluff herding sheep, the irony of the situation struck him (I think I know where my sense of humor came from), and he wrote on a cliff “I was set here to raise cotton”, an inscription that can still be seen today, near Bloomington. He willingly faced the challenge assigned to him.
***Do we have the faith to continue breaking new ground? Each time we fulfill a calling, we can always count on a new one to help us grow. I am thankful for the job security.



President Uchtdorf said that “We are all pioneers in our own sphere and circumstance.”

Elder Ballard said: “And how will we feel then, as we stand shoulder to shoulder with the great pioneers of Church history? How will they feel about us? Will they see faith in our footsteps? I believe they will, particularly as they view our lives and experiences from the expanded perspective of eternity. Although our journeys today are less demanding physically than the trek of our pioneers [165] years ago, they are no less challenging. Certainly it was hard to walk across a continent to establish a new home in a dry western desert. But who can say if that was any more difficult than is the task of living faithful, righteous lives in today’s confusingly sinful world, where the trail is constantly shifting and where divine markers of right and wrong are being replaced by political expediency and diminishing morality. The road we travel today is treacherous, and the scriptures tell us it will continue to be so until the very end. But our reward will be the same as that which awaits worthy pioneers of all ages who live faithfully the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ, make right choices, and give their all to build the kingdom of God on earth.”

So, my brothers and sisters, even though our challenges today are packaged differently than those of our pioneer forebears, the Lord still asks us to give our all. We, too, move along a trail to the land of refuge the Lord has promised us. It still takes faith in Jesus Christ and hope in the salvation He offers us to continue our progress along the trail to the land of promise. We must have the same fire of faith burning in our hearts that the pioneers of long ago had burning in theirs.

Brothers and sisters, that fire burns within me as well. This is the Lord’s Church. He directs it through living prophets and apostles. I pray that we will follow them along the trail we travel.
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Family Home Evening: A Blessing to All Families

This talk was given this afternoon in the Northpark (Young Single Adult) Ward.

Brothers and sisters, it is always a privilege to visit you here in the Northpark Ward. I am grateful to be here, and to feel of your spirit, and to see your smiling faces. You are a beautiful group.
I bring you the love and greetings of President Garvin and his Counselors. They love you and are mindful of you and your struggles and successes. And they have high hopes and expectations for each one of you. They have asked that today in each ward and branch in the stake, we speak to the topic of family home evening.
This is a humbling responsibility for me. I recognize that it would be inappropriate for me to approach this the same way I would in a family ward. I have sought for inspiration as I prepared to speak to you. I pray that the Spirit will be with us so that you and I will understand correct principles. More than that, I pray that you will be strengthened by the things that are communicated this afternoon, both by me and by the Holy Ghost.
We live in a crazy world. There is turmoil and uncertainty everywhere. Our standards are continually called into question, and temptation is on every side. You may well wonder “what is so great about living in these times?” “If we are choice spirits, why do we have to put up with this?”
Well, in addition to the evil all around you, there is also more good than there has been in the past. The gospel is on earth in its fulness, with the blessings of temples available to all the world. We have almost instant access to the words of the living prophets and apostles; and we have the Holy Ghost to guide through these troubles.
In each of our lives, there are three phases---I can’t really call them distinct phases---but there are three phases that we live in: the past, the present and the future. No one can avoid these three phases. Of course, I have more past than you do; however, you probably have more future ahead of you.
I would like to suggest a simple plan for happiness in this life as well as in the next life: remember the past, live in the present, and prepare for the future. If you will do this, it will help keep things in proper perspective, and life just might seem less overwhelming.
We are studying The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ this year in Sunday School. How I love that great book of scripture! Over the course of my life, I have spent many hours immersed in its teachings. I testify to you that it is the word of God given to us through the Prophet Joseph Smith to help us in our quest for eternal life.
The most commonly repeated commandment in The Book of Mormon is “remember.” (I hope you are remembering to study your scriptures each day.) What are we to remember?
The best known exhortation to remembrance is found in Moroni 10:3: “remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, … and ponder it in your hearts.”
Alma counseled his sons: “Remember … and learn wisdom in thy youth; yea, learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God” (Al. 37:35).
Earlier in his life, Alma asked some pointed questions of the people in Zarahemla, in his great worthiness interview in Alma, chapter 5. (And I would encourage you to read this chapter and answer his questions: you may find it very interesting!) He spoke of their trials while in captivity to the Lamanites, and then asked: “Have you sufficiently retained in remembrance the captivity of your fathers? Yea and have you sufficiently retained in remembrance his mercy and longsuffering towards them? And moreover, have ye sufficiently remembered that he has delivered their souls from hell?” (Al. 5:6).
Notice what Alma did here: he began by reminding the people of their parents’ captivity before asking the worthiness questions. Please note also that he began by asking about a negative experience but then directed their focus to the blessings that came from that negative experience.
In our lives, it should be the same: we should remember our “captivity,” but focus on our “deliverance,” which comes through the mercy and longsuffering of the Savior. It is when we focus on the captivity, on the negatives, that we become negative people, and perhaps develop traits that make us undesirable. When we focus on our deliverance, we become thankful.
Something else that strikes me in this verse is that Alma asks if we have “sufficiently” remembered. What does that mean? Sufficient is “just enough.” To me, it says that we must remember just enough to motivate ourselves to do better, to achieve more. Don’t focus on past hurts and injustices: just remember them enough to spur you action.
Remember the past, but don’t dwell on it excessively.
Whether we like it or not, we are all living in the here and now. (And if you are not, there may be a serious problem.) The present is fleeting. Our present now, will tomorrow be part of our past.
We find that we waste much of “today” by dwelling on “yesterday,” or daydreaming about “tomorrow.” Let us make use of our “todays” so that we will not look back with regrets tomorrow.
Alma spoke of the present in Chapter 34, verses 31-32: “Behold now is the time and the day of your salvation; and therefore, if ye will repent and harden not your hearts, immediately shall the great plan of redemption be brought about unto you.
“For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold, the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors” (Al. 34:31-32, my italics).
In these verses, Alma also mentioned the final step: to prepare for the future.
Cervantes said “To be prepared is half the victory.” Even better than that, the Lord told us in our day: “If ye are prepared ye shall not fear” (D&C 38:30).
Of course, in Heavenly Father’s plan, we know that we are to use our todays to prepare for an eternal tomorrow. But sometimes that seems just a little remote.
And if we look at the whole picture, it is easy to become discouraged, because perfection sometimes seems so very far away. If we focus on what is far away, we may stumble over what is very near. But nothing worthwhile in life can be achieved in one leap; we must approach everything step by step.
For example: just east of us, we can see San Bernardino Peak, rising to an elevation of 10,300 feet. This is not an easy hike, but anyone in good condition can reach the summit without special skills. But if you expect to do it in just a few steps, you will be disappointed. It must be climbed one step at a time.
Let me use myself to illustrate how that applies to life. I have not always been what I am now. Please remember that I was once in your position: going to a singles ward and trying to progress in life. I have been a member of the Church my whole life. I began going to Primary at age 3; at 12 I went to Mutual. I was baptized at 8, and received the Aaronic Priesthood at 12. I received the Melchizedek Priesthood at age 18; in preparation for my mission at 19, I received my endowment.
Following my mission, I went on dates with many young ladies, until I met my wife. We were sealed to each other in the Jordan River Temple, and our family began. One at a time, our six children joined our family, and each one went through the same learning processes we all go through, one day at a time.
I also progressed through my schooling one day at a time; one exam at a time; one grade at a time. Eventually I graduated from high school, then went to college, with a break for my mission. I received my bachelor’s degree, then went to dental school to receive my doctoral degree. After that, I worked hard and repaid my student loans.
My gospel knowledge and testimony also grew a step at a time. This was such a gradual process, that I could not tell you of a specific time when I gained my testimony: it seems that we simply grew up together. I first read the Book of Mormon at age 10, and fell in love with the scriptures during my first year of seminary. I continue to read them and the love affair continues. My gospel scholarship continues to increase as I read and study and prepare for my speaking assignments.
I do not have all the answers in the gospel or at work; I must continue to learn. And so I continue to study the scriptures.
The reason I mention all of this, and the take-home message for you, is that you can’t expect to have and to do everything all at once. Life takes time. Perfection takes time. Everything in this life that is worthwhile takes time and effort.
As I completed each step, I was prepared or preparing for the next step.
At this point you might be wondering what all this has to do with family home evening. Let me tell you. Some of you have also grown up in the church. I hope that you enjoyed the blessings of home evening with your family. As children, you probably looked forward to it; as teens you may have simply endured it, or tried to avoid it. As young adults, you may be unsure of how it fits. That is your past: remember it.
At some point in the future, most of you will have a spouse and children. I hope that home evening will be an important part of your family life. That is your future: prepare for it.
But what of the present? Right now, you are in a period of transition between the child enjoying family night and the spouse or parent leading family night. Instead of just waiting, you can be preparing yourself for that part of your future, with faith in the Lord’s plan as you begin to act.
In your ward, as in other single adult wards, family home evening groups are organized so that you may continue to enjoy the blessings of family home evening, even if you are away from home. But some of you are not free to attend on Monday evenings. How do you deal with that? If you have LDS roommates, you might want to meet together and have your own family night. You can even have a family night by yourself.
There are some important elements to family home evening, but only this first element is absolutely essential.
Begin and end with prayer. This is important. When my wife and I renewed our temple recommends for the first time, our Stake President asked if we were holding family home evening. Because we did not hold a formal home evening all the time, we said no.
His wise instruction has stayed with us all these years. He said that it didn’t matter what we did for family night, as long as we began and ended with prayer. I now pass that counsel on to you. Whatever you choose to do, start with a prayer and end with a prayer, and ask the Lord’s blessings to be on your activity. This brings the Spirit into the activity.
Sing! Singing songs is one of the best ways to build family unity. It always disturbs me to see people who choose not to sing in meetings. It makes me think of Hymn 119, which says, “Let those refuse to sing who never knew our God.” When we sing together, here or in the home, we temporarily put aside our differences and our concerns and we are united. It doesn’t matter if you sing well or not. It does matter if you sing or not.
My wife and I feel that many of the members who cannot carry a tune either never had family night as children, or did not sing together in family night. This could be an interesting research project for someone.
In our family, we take the opportunity to sing some hymns that we do not sing frequently in church. There is a great untapped wealth in the Hymnbook. My son John likes to pick Hymn 168, because it has five flats. It makes no difference to the singers, but it’s hard to play---I think he does it to torture me.
Have some kind of a gospel message. This may be a spiritual thought, a chapter or verse of scripture, an Ensign article, or a Conference talk. Some of the old single sisters in my ward review the next Gospel Doctrine lesson together in their family night. You could also get the Family Home Evening Resource Book and cover one of the lessons there. That is a tremendous resource. You can download it from lds.org, or if you have the Gospel Library app, you can get it there.
Often family night will involve playing games or going somewhere for an activity or for service. The spiritual thought can help bring the Spirit into that activity.
Sometimes, especially at Christmas, we just sing for family night. Sometimes we just talk about things that are on our minds (but we still begin and end with prayer).
We usually end with some kind of treat after the closing prayer (which is a kneeling family prayer). Often it is just ice cream, because that is easy; sometimes it is a special treat.
The important thing is that we are together, enjoying face to face time. I have tried to discourage cell phones and other electronics during family night: we would like the family to truly be together for this brief time each week, without distractions.
What about when you are on your own? May I offer some suggestions? First, set aside your electronic gadgets and distractions. Begin with prayer, either silent or aloud. You may or may not want to sing by yourself. Have a focused gospel study session. Review next week’s lessons for Sunday School or for Relief Society or Priesthood. Or use the Topical Guide and study a specific topic. You might want to just read a chapter in the scriptures. Reading out loud will help you focus.
As you read, stop and ask yourself questions to enhance your understanding and make personal applications. A word of warning: if you ask questions out loud, you may need to reassure your roommates that you are OK.
Finally, close with prayer and have a snack as a reward for your faithfulness. Then you can get back to your studies or other important activities of the evening.
The important thing is to make a commitment and establish a pattern. These habits will strengthen your future marriages and families, and they will bless your lives now and in the future. Your commitment to this may even bless the life a sibling or parent who is struggling. If you form the habit now, it will be easier to continue it with someone than it would be to start from scratch once you are married.
My oldest daughter, who is a young single adult in Salt Lake City, told me that family home evening is one of the things she needs during the week, even if it forces her to pick and choose from other activities.
That is your present: live it.
My good brothers and sisters, will you commit to making family home evenings a priority in your lives? If you have not already done so, will you decide today to make home evening a part of your family routine after you are married? Create righteous habits, brothers and sisters.
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Now that I have discussed the how, I would also like to focus for a moment on the why.
The family is under attack in the world. Our responsibility as Latter-day Saints is to defend the family. We understand the eternal nature of the family. We have the gospel of Jesus Christ, which teaches us why families are so important.
First, we know that Heavenly Father has a plan for our eternal happiness and for our salvation. A part of that plan required that we come to earth to receive bodies and live and be trained in families to prepare us to return to Heavenly Father’s presence and to be like him. The family is an essential part of His plan, both in time and in eternity.
The family is the basic unit of the Church. In fact, it is the only unit of the Church that will endure for eternity. The Northpark Ward will not. The San Bernardino California Stake will not. But the Robert and Heidi Stevenson family will last through the eternities, through the sealing power of the priesthood, if we are faithful to our covenants. And I hope that each of you will be able to enjoy that same blessing in your families.
Second, we know that Adam and Eve fell in order to fulfill their covenant to multiply and replenish the earth. They partook of the fruit for our benefit. The fall was about families.
Because of the fall, Jesus Christ came to earth to atone for our sins. Through his great sacrifice, he became our Savior, and provided a means for us to be cleansed from our sins, and being cleansed, to be able to return to the Father’s presence.
Third, we know that the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored in its fulness to the earth. This restoration includes a restoration of priesthood authority. With the priesthood on the earth, we are empowered to act in God’s name to bless his children. We have the authority and the obligation to perform all the saving ordinances of the gospel so that all of God’s children who qualify may live with him again in eternal family bonds.
These saving ordinances begin with baptism and confirmation, and culminate in the sealing of families for time and eternity.
That is what makes the difference. The world does not understand priesthood power or the sealing power. I don’t think that we fully comprehend it.
He has blessed us with temples where we can be sealed to our own families and then provide saving ordinances in behalf of our kindred dead. This will eventually link us together in one great eternal family.
“Wherever Church members live, they should strive to establish a home where the Spirit is present. All members of the Church can make efforts to ensure that their place of residence provides a place of sanctuary from the world.
“A Christ-centered home offers adults and children a place of defense against sin, refuge from the world, healing from emotional and other pain, and committed, genuine love.” (Handbook 2, 1.4.1)
When the Lord commanded us to stand in holy places, he didn’t mean we had to hide in the chapel or in the temple. Our homes or apartments or rooms should also be holy places, where the Spirit can dwell. That also means that they should be clean enough that the Spirit will want to dwell there.
We know that the family and the Church help to strengthen each other, and that Church programs exist to bless individuals and families. In fact, strengthening families is the focus of inspired Church programs such as home teaching, visiting teaching, and family home evening.
Heavenly Father is a family man. We all belong to him. We are his family, and all of the great blessings he has in store for his children will come through families. Exaltation is a family affair, and so we build temples throughout the earth, to bind families together.
President James E. Faust stated: “I wonder if having unplanned and infrequent family home evenings will be enough to fortify ourselves and our children with sufficient moral strength to meet the complexities of our day. Infrequent family scripture study may be inadequate to arm ourselves and our children with the virtue necessary to withstand the moral decay of the environment in which we live. … To combat the world’s evil influences, we need the strength that comes from family home evening.”
That is a pretty stern warning. And it applies to every one of Heavenly Father’s children.
In conference in October 2009, Elder Bednar warned us not to become hypocrites in our own homes. He encouraged us to walk the talk, to hold family home evenings and to live the principles we teach our children (or our group members, in your case).
He offered counsel that applies to all of us, whether we are parents, children, couples, roomies, or friends holding family night. “We … can become more diligent and concerned at home by bearing testimony to those we love about the things we know to be true by the witness of the Holy Ghost. … Within the walls of our own homes, we can and should bear pure testimony of the divinity and reality of the Father and the Son, of the great plan of happiness, and of the restoration” (CR Oct 2009).
He continued: “we need to bear testimony, we need to mean it, and most importantly we need consistently to live it. We need to both declare and live our testimonies.”
Many of you can testify from experience that lecturing, admonishing or exhorting does not go very far. But if we profess truth, the Holy Ghost will bear witness to what we have said, and give added power to our statements.
I have seen this recently in my own home. My son was expressing concerns that many of you share: that of finding a good job so that he can pay his student loans and move on with his life. I was prompted to testify to him that if he will work together with the Lord on this, and do what he can to show his faithfulness, then the Lord will bless him. This week he asked us to fast with him, so it is evident that it touched his heart. Now I will also be praying for the Lord to bless him so that his faith will be rewarded and strengthened.
My young brothers and sisters, have faith in God and in His eternal plan. Have faith in his timetables, and in his ways.
Remember that faith requires action. Prepare yourselves to receive his blessings. In particular, work toward receiving the greatest blessing he can give us on this earth, that of being sealed in the temple for time and eternity.
In order to do that, remember the past, but keep it in perspective: “sufficiently remember” it.
Prepare for the future: do everything within your power to qualify yourself for these great blessings.
And live in the present: keep the commandments; serve others; learn to see yourself as our Father in heaven sees you. If you will do this, you will find joy in this life and eternal happiness in the next. But as you live in the present, don’t make demands of Heavenly Father that you are not prepared to accept.
I know that he will bless you through your faithfulness. Be true to your covenants. He has told us: “I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise” (D&C 82:10). And “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him” (1 Co. 2:9).
Now I will not guarantee, and the Lord does not promise that all the blessings will come in this life, but he has said through his prophets that no blessing will be withheld from anyone who, through no fault of their own, has been unable to marry.
That promise notwithstanding, we should always be striving to be our best selves. (And brethren, I’m not really certain that this promise applies to you.)
As long as you are growing closer to the Lord, you are in good shape.
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The First Presidency stated in 1976:
“Family home evening is for everyone. It is for families with parents and children, for families with just one parent, and parents who have no children at home. It is for home evening groups of single adults and for those who live alone or with roommates. …
“Regular participation in family home evening will develop increased personal worth, family unity, love for our fellowmen, and trust in our Father in heaven. It is our promise that great blessings will come to all who conscientiously plan and hold weekly family home evenings.”
Aren’t those wonderful blessings?
I testify that the Lord will honor the promises made through his prophets if we will follow their counsel.
With promises like these, why would we not want to hold regular family home evenings?
God lives. He loves each of us. He hears and answers our prayers. We truly are his children, and if we are true and faithful, we will be able to live with him again in eternal family relationships. That we may do so is my prayer, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Reaching Out with Love to Those Not Here

This talk was given this morning in San Bernardino Fourth Ward.

Dear brothers and sisters, it is a pleasure to worship with you this morning. I bring you the love and greetings of President Garvin and his Counselors. They love you, and pray for you, and want the best for each of you. I hope that you have felt that love as you have met with them.
I am here by assignment this morning. I feel humbled by the responsibility to speak to you on rescuing our lost brothers and sisters, because the San Bernardino Fourth Ward has been an example to the rest of the Stake in reactivation. Still, I don’t believe that we have achieved perfection in that area of the gospel. With that in mind, I pray that the Holy Ghost will touch our hearts so that the doctrines that I share with you may be beneficial to all of us.
We have been encouraged to refer to our lost brothers and sisters not as “inactive” members, but as “less-active” members. I would suggest that we also think of them as the “once-converted” members of the Church.
As I continue to read the scriptures, I have encountered phrases that catch my eye; some because of their subtle humor; some because they say so much in so few words.
For example, Jacob, in chapter 6:12, says “O be wise, what can I say more?” Doesn’t that sum everything up well?
Or in the Doctrine and Covenants, Section 59:4, where the Lord promises those who come to Zion that they will be “crowned with blessings from above … and with commandments not a few.” Have you ever thought about being crowned with commandments?
Or in Section 92:2, where Frederick G. Williams is commanded to “be a lively member ...” I hope we are all lively members.
One more, in Section 66:11: “thou shalt magnify thine office, and push many people to Zion with songs of everlasting joy upon their heads.” This created an interesting mental image. I found the concept of pushing people to Zion amusing until I moved into this valley.
In the 15-plus years we have lived in Highland and San Bernardino, I have had the opportunity to play a small part in pushing many people to Zion. I sincerely hope that I have not pushed anyone away.
Heavenly Father knew that not everyone who came to Zion would stay. He knows that not all who accept the gospel will remain active and faithful. The Savior addressed this in several parables. I quote first from the parable of the sower, or as James Talmage called it, the parable of the soils, in Matthew, Chapter 13.
“And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
“And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:
“Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:
“And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.
“And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:
“But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.
“Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.”(Matt. 13:3 - 9)
When his disciples did not understand, Christ gave this explanation:
“Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.
“When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
“But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
“Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
“He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
“But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” (Matt. 13:18 - 23)
At different times in our lives, our hearts are prepared to receive different things. What did not resonate 20 years ago may resonate now. It all depends on the condition of our hearts. Most of you here this morning, if not all, have receptive hearts, the fertile soil that brings forth an hundredfold.
But our brothers and sisters who are not here today may have been those who received the seed sown by the wayside, which Satan did not permit to sprout; they may have been those who received the seed into stony places, and left when things got tough; they may have been those who received the seed among the thorns, who are so preoccupied with the things of the world (or with making a living) that they cannot join with us today.
Regardless of the cause, we need to prayerfully seek them out, and bring them back into fellowship with the saints. I love that word fellowship. It means that we gather as peers in the gospel of Jesus Christ; as equals before the Lord. Our temporal status matters little when we gather together here in the Lord’s house. That is why I am addressed as Brother Stevenson and not Doctor Stevenson or Professor Stevenson. That outside stuff doesn’t matter to me when I am here. And regardless of my calling in the Church, “Brother Stevenson” will always be an acceptable and appropriate way to address me. (And as we get older and have trouble remembering first names, it is helpful to be able to call each other brother and sister.)
The Lord expects all of us to try to help those who are away from Church fellowship for any reason. Reactivation is one of the most significant problems facing the Church now, and throughout the history of the Church in our dispensation and in all other dispensations as well.
One-third of Heavenly Father’s children strayed, before they even left his presence.
Imagine the heartbreak of Adam and Eve, who taught the gospel to all their children. But Satan came among them and said: “Believe it not; and they believed it not.” (Moses 5:13) I can’t imagine that Adam and Eve just gave up on those children. I think that those who remained nearby were loved and fellowshipped by their family, and I’m sure that Adam and Eve prayed for their children and their posterity right down to the end of their lives.
As we continue to read in the scriptures, the problem was ongoing. The children of Israel were continually straying, as were the children of Lehi.
So becoming separated from the body of believers and the responsibility to find and rescue those lost believers has been happening from the beginning.
Apparently Jesus was concerned with this problem during the early part of his ministry. In Luke 15, he gave three important parables. Ordinarily when we speak of these parables, we emphasize the principles of repentance and forgiveness, because the lost has been found.
President David O. McKay felt that part of these parables had been misinterpreted or misapplied. In General Conference in April 1945, he said, “There is another phase of these parables which appeals to me even more than the rejoicing … I desire to refer to the conditions that contributed to their being lost.”
Then he sets the stage for us. “The scene is a large gathering of publicans and sinners who have assembled, it seems, in quite large numbers to hear the message of Jesus. Standing [to the side we picture] Pharisees and Sadducees who are sneering at the Man of Nazareth who is speaking to these publicans and sinners, and the Pharisees and Sadducees are judging him, I suppose, by the company he is keeping. By the Sadducees, the publicans and sinners are looked upon as lost [and they certainly didn’t care about rescuing them]. To the multitude Jesus speaks three parables.”
The first, we know as the parable of the lost sheep.
“And he spake this parable unto them, saying,
“What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
“And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
“And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
“I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance” (Luke 15:3 - 7).
How did that sheep get lost? He was just doing what sheep do. He was not rebellious. If you follow the comparison, the lamb was seeking its livelihood in a perfectly legitimate manner. He didn’t intend to get lost but became distracted. Either stupidly, or perhaps unconsciously, it followed the enticement of the greener field, the prospect of better grass until it got out beyond the fold and was lost.
So we have those in the Church, young men and young women, who wander away from the fold in perfectly legitimate ways. They are seeking success in business, success in their professions, or perhaps just trying to survive financially. Before long they lose the habits of church attendance, and finally become disconnected from the fold.
Some of these wandering sheep were allowed to wander far too long, and we have trouble locating them. It is better to reach out before they stray too far.
How do you get a lost sheep back into the fold? You go out and find him, turn him around, and bring him back into the fold. Usually the sheep is so glad to be back safe in the fold that he runs and jumps for joy.
We refer to the second parable as the parable of the lost coin.
“Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?
“And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.
“Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” (Luke 15:8 - 10)
Evidently this coin was not lost from the woman’s coin purse. It was not a part of her household money, but was apparently a part of her dowry. Thus the loss of this coin was very significant. That is why she made such a great effort to find it.
In this parable, the lost item, the coin, was not in itself responsible. It was lost through neglect or carelessness of its owner. When the owner, the woman, realized it was missing, she searched diligently until she found the missing coin.
Our charge is not only coins, but the living souls of children, youth and adults. Not just to seek them diligently, but to try not to let them get lost in the first place.
Someone may be wandering because of a careless remark of a peer in Young Men. No one takes corrective action, and the young person misses first one week, then another, then another until he finds new friends who may lead him away from the paths of righteousness.
Someone may wander because no one cared to greet them at a church activity or meeting. Others may wander further when they work up the courage to come back and no one notices, or another unkind remark is made.
Someone may wander because of the indifference of a home teacher or visiting teacher or leader, because he or she lacked support at a critical juncture in their lives, and made wrong choices.
All too frequently, we are not even aware that it was our neglect or our careless words that helped that soul to become lost. It is so important that we tend to our stewardships; that we take note of those who miss meetings once, then twice; that we reach out to them before it is too late.
President Monson quotes the poet:
He stood at the crossroads all alone,
The sunlight on his face.
He had no thought for the world unknown—
He was set for a manly race.
But the roads stretched east and the roads stretched west,
And the lad knew not which road was best.
So he chose the road that led him down,
And he lost the race and the victor’s crown.
He was caught at last in an angry snare
Because no one stood at the crossroads there
To show him the better road.
Another day at the self-same place
A boy with high hopes stood.
He, too, was set for a manly race;
He, too, was seeking the things that were good.
But one was there whom the roads did know,
And that one showed him which way to go.
So he turned from the road that would lead him down,
And he won the race and the victor’s crown.
He walks today the highway fair
Because one stood at the crossroads there
To show him the better way.
May we prepare ourselves so that we will recognize those who stand at the crossroads, and be willing to direct them in their important decisions. We will not know in this life how many lives we have touched by our small words and actions. Mother Teresa said “Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.”
President Monson has shared the story of Louis Jacobsen. “He was the son of a poor Danish widow. He was small in stature, not comely in appearance—easily the object of his classmates’ thoughtless jokes. In Sunday School one Sabbath morning, the children made light of his patched trousers and his worn shirt. Too proud to cry, tiny Louis fled from the chapel, stopping at last, out of breath, to sit and rest on the curb that ran along Third West Street in Salt Lake City. Clear water flowed along the gutter next to the curb where Louis sat. From his pocket he took a piece of paper that contained the outlined Sunday School lesson and skillfully shaped a paper boat, which he launched on the flowing water. From his hurt boyish heart came the determined words, “I’ll never go back.”
“Suddenly, through his tears Louis saw reflected in the water the image of a large and well-dressed man. Louis turned his face upward and recognized George Burbidge, the Sunday School superintendent. ‘May I sit down with you?’ asked the kind leader. Louis nodded affirmatively. There on the curb sat a good Samaritan ministering to one who surely was in need. Several boats were formed and launched while the conversation continued. At last the leader stood and, with a boy’s hand tightly clutching his, they returned to Sunday School. Later Louis himself presided over that same Sunday School.”
Our responsibility is to keep the trust that God has placed in us, calling us to guard these precious souls. As President Ezra Taft Benson frequently stated, “It is better to prepare and prevent than to repair and repent.”
The third parable is that of the prodigal son. There have been many commentaries offered on this parable.
“And he said, A certain man had two sons:
“ And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
“And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
“And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
“And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
“And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
“And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
“I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
“And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
“And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
“And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
”But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
“And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
“For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
“Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
“And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
“And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
“And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.
“And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
“But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
“And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
“It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.” (Luke 15:11 - 32)
In this parable, the young son was lost because he wanted to be lost. He didn’t wander off; he wasn’t lost by neglect. His was a planned departure, and he probably could not have been easily convinced to return. The damage had been done long before. Often these individuals do not return until they bring great suffering upon themselves (and sometimes others) as a result of their transgressions.
The prodigal son used his agency unwisely. He rebelled against his father and wanted freedom from the restrictions of home and church, in order to indulge his passions and be like his friends. As we know, eventually he hit rock bottom and made his way back.
In this parable, the older son was not much better than the younger son. He was full of judgment and criticism, and lacked charity. I hope that at some point, he also “came to himself” and repented of his superior attitude. I hope that we never adopt the same behavior as the older son.
We know many of these people. All we can do is to pray for them, and love them. We must let them know that we will stand by them if they choose to return.
As we read the scriptures and listen to the words of our leaders, we understand that the lord has given us a means to rescue those who are not here. It is through home teaching. No new program is needed.
This is primarily a priesthood responsibility, but that doesn’t let the rest of you off the hook. I am mostly mentioning the men and calling them to action, but please, good sisters and youth, we cannot do this without your help and support.
There are basically two ways to solve the problem of inactivity: prevention and reactivation. Both need to be approached simultaneously. The pool of less-active prospective elders is continually filled by less-active youth. We must hang on to our youth!
Studies have shown that the cost of activities is not important, nor is the number of activities. The critical factor is the closeness of the relationship between the youth and their leaders. Youth leaders must reach out to the less-active and the wavering.
All activities should be strengthened with service and spiritual objectives so that every activity is meaningful and worthwhile.
And let’s not forget righteous peer pressure. Young men, young women, if you choose, you can be a powerful influence for good. It may require you to step outside your comfort zone, but that’s what the journey to perfection is all about.
Once members leave the flock, we cannot help them unless we know who they are. We need to identify those who are most receptive, and work with them first.
One of the brethren in the Book of Mormon is an example of this. In Alma, chapter 10, Amulek describes himself as less-active: “I never have known much of the ways of the Lord, and his mysteries and marvelous power.” That is often the problem. Often the less-active just haven’t been taught the gospel. He continues, “I was called many times and I would not hear; therefore I knew concerning these things, yet I would not know.” (Al. 10:5 - 6)
It sounds as though his home teachers, parents, and others had talked to him and tried to activate him, but even though he knew they were right he hardened his heart and would not give in.
So here was a good, hard-working man who didn’t really understand the gospel, but who had feelings through the years that he ought to get active. He resisted even though he felt he ought to come back.
The Lord knew all about Amulek’s feelings, so he sent Alma to home teach and activate this man. Amulek was ready; Alma needed prompting to call him---and you know what happened after that.
I think it is important to note that Alma did not receive the prompting until he had become discouraged and was ready to give up. It may be the same for us. The prompting may not come until we have tried and seemingly failed a time or two.
There are many Amuleks in every ward---good, honest men. Men who know, yet who don’t know. Men who are sick of being away from the Church. Men who want a better life. There are good fathers among these men. Some are civic leaders. Many have wives and children who would also like to join with us. Most are ordinary Latter-day Saints without a knowledge or testimony.
When men of faith visit these brethren and become their friends, love them, and teach them the gospel, they and their families will come back.
Once we find them, we must tailor a message to fit the individual. Often, home teachers bring a one-size-fits-all message that doesn’t resonate with the members being visited. If we want to reach our lost sheep, we must prayerfully prepare a message that will be of worth to those we visit.
We must seek to be a friend. If a lost member sees himself or herself as a “project,” we will fail in our mission. We must bring the love of our Savior to them. That means that we must also feel that love in our own hearts. And we must never forget that they are precious children of our Heavenly Father.
I believe that the two keys are: to help them feel our love for them, and to help them feel the Spirit. With the Spirit, and with the love of Christ, we cannot fail. Without it, we cannot succeed.
Most important, we must remember President Hinckley’s statement that every member requires three things in the Church: a friend, a responsibility, and nourishing with the good word of God.
It requires a wise, inspired Bishop, working together with a well-trained Ward Council to bring this to pass. Through the Ward Council, the converting, loving, activating power of the whole ward can be focused on some chosen families. And you will see miracles happen. You have seen it here already.
In many ways, I have been preaching to the choir this morning. But I would like to offer a challenge to you. Will you continue to help your ward grow? Will each of you prayerfully select an individual or family that you can bring back into the fold? Will you determine something, however small, that you can do this week or this month to bless the life of one of our Father’s lost sheep? And then will you do it? The priesthood leaders in your ward are prepared to help you. The Lord will bless you as you do this great work of redemption.
We should remember the promise from James: “Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;
“Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.” (James 5:19 - 20)
I would love to have my multitude of sins covered, and I would imagine that all of you would as well.
Brothers and sisters, this is the Lord’s work. It is his true Church, which offers us the ordinances of salvation and exaltation.
I testify to you that we have a loving Heavenly Father who lives and loves us. We are literally his children. His greatest desire is for his children to return to his presence. He has promised us greater joy with him if we have helped to save the souls of his children.
I pray that we may be able to experience this joy together, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.