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A sweet older woman recently shared her perspective on life, developed over many years of navigating all its ups and downs. She said, “My health is not the best, but it could be worse. My money situation is not the best, but it could be worse. My life right now may not be the best, but it could be worse.” Her words revealed none of the despair nor the pride of comparing herself to others but the happiness and peace that comes of perspective, of remembering that things can always get better—and in the meantime, faith and hope can carry us through.
On February 3, 1943, the U.S. Army troopship Dorchester, part of a naval convoy, steamed steadily across the icy waters of the North Atlantic Ocean en route to World War II’s European front. On board were 900 soldiers. The seas were rough, and the stretch was treacherous; German submarines were known to lurk below in what was called “torpedo alley.”
When children are small, they thank their mothers all day long—and not always with words. Their delighted squeals express gratitude when their mothers push them on the swings. Their eyes sparkle with appreciation when their mothers feed them. They whisper thanks as they snuggle close when their mothers read them bedtime stories. Though sometimes unspoken, their gratitude feels natural and spontaneous—almost involuntary. It is simply part of their countenance and disposition.
Our common lot is to be born into an imperfect world, filled with disappointment and unanswered questions. It is natural, in these circumstances, to worry about the future. We wonder if things will work out for us—and for our loved ones.
The appropriately named Dead Sea is one of the saltiest bodies of water on earth. As a result, it cannot support life. Neither plants nor fish or other animals can receive any nourishment from its salty waters.
For more than 250 years, millions of people all over the world have marveled at the sound and majesty of George Frideric Handel’s sacred oratorio Messiah. Composed in a burst of inspiration in only 23 days, it was first performed as an Easter offering in the spring of 1742 in Dublin, Ireland. Since then, it has been performed thousands of times in every corner of the world, becoming one of the most popular pieces of music ever created.
The prophet Moses is one of the great leaders in history. He is honored and revered in multiple faith traditions worldwide. Raised as a prince in Pharaoh’s court, Moses grew up with every advantage. He was educated and powerful; as the scripture records, he “was mighty in words and in deeds.”1
When we think of good teamwork, we often think of championship sports teams who work together to accomplish great things. But a community can also be a team, each citizen joining in common causes for the betterment of society. A workplace is a team, each worker contributing to the success of the company or organization. And then there’s the ultimate “home team”—the family, with each member helping the others to achieve more than they could ever do alone. In all aspects of life, we need each other. We need people doing their best and giving their best for the benefit and progress of the whole.
We can’t do everything for everyone, but that shouldn’t stop us from doing something for someone. Noted author and religious leader Neal A. Maxwell was a very compassionate but busy man. He had on his office wall a useful reminder of this reality of life by Anne Morrow Lindbergh: “My life cannot implement in action the demands of all the people to whom my heart responds.”1 That’s not so much an excuse to ignore the needs of others as it is a perceptive statement about pace and wisely doing what we can.2
To one degree or another, we all experience loss. And the loss we feel most deeply is the loss of loved ones whom we miss so much. Out of this collective mourning comes a shared understanding—the unity of those who sorrow that transcends words but cannot escape our hearts.
A long time ago, noted preacher Dwight Moody told his congregation a story about a boat, helplessly rocking and plunging on a stormy, starless night near the Cleveland harbor. The mariners on board could see the lighthouse, but they needed to find their way through the narrow passage in the treacherous rocks that surrounded the harbor. Normally a light on the shore, aligned with the lighthouse, marked the passage to safety. But on this night, the lower lights had gone out.
“If you were arrested for kindness, would there be enough evidence to convict you?” commentator Michael Josephson once asked. He then noted something we have all experienced: “Some people cheer up a room by entering it, others by leaving it. What do you bring to your interactions with workmates, friends, and family? Is it encouragement, optimism, or kind words? Or is it pessimism, criticism, or cynicism?”1
Life, with its ups and downs and twists and turns, has sometimes been compared to a roller coaster. It can be exciting and fun one moment, just as it can be frightening and exhausting the next. Even as we stand in line and wait for our turn on the ride, we are never fully prepared for what lies ahead.
It’s been said that everyone has a story. And the older we get, the more stories we have. Truly, our “seasoned citizens” are treasure chests of experience and wisdom—and with each passing year, they become more valuable. But do we value and cherish their knowledge? Do we take the time to get to know them?
This historic Tabernacle on Temple Square—built with the ingenuity and grit of 19th-century pioneers—has hosted many major civic events since its dedication in 1875. In particular, several presidents of the United States have stood at the podium. The list includes Ulysses S. Grant, Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard M. Nixon, Gerald R. Ford, Jimmy Carter, and George H. W. Bush. Records show that thousands—sometimes more than twice the normal capacity—crowded into the Tabernacle to hear them speak.
Every love story is different. Whether it’s fictional or real, from our family history or our own lives, each story includes its share of heartaches and joys. Many are characterized by moving, poetic declarations of love and devotion. But the stories that stand the test of time are those that chronicle love in action: lived affection and demonstrated caring.
We never know the whole story of anyone’s life. We might know bits and pieces, parts of a person’s background or circumstances, but never the whole story.
One of the remarkable things about humans is that we care about others—those we know personally and even those we don’t. With a few rare exceptions, most of us genuinely care about the well-being of others, and we do our best to help and not harm. And yet in our technology-filled world, we sometimes don’t even notice others or their needs, and so our good intentions go unfulfilled.
When Nelson Mandela strode onto a Johannesburg field at the final of the 1995 Rugby World Cup wearing the shirt of the largely white national team, the entire stadium was stunned. Here was the new president of South Africa—the first black man ever to hold that office—wearing the green shirt that for millions of blacks symbolized the indignities of white rule. But Mandela saw the national rugby team as an opportunity to unite and heal his fractured country, and he had called for blacks in townships across the nation to wear green shirts in support of the contest as well.
Every parent knows that being a good mom or dad is the most difficult job in the world. No challenge is greater than giving your all to raise a child to become a responsible and honorable adult. And while it can seem exhausting and never-ending at times, the day soon comes when that son or daughter leaves home. It can be as challenging to see your children go as it was to raise them. In some ways, perhaps it’s even more difficult.
Whenever we start something new—whether it’s a new year, a new day, a new project, or a new goal—it typically means putting an end to something old. Even when it’s a positive change, it can be hard to let go of the familiar past and step into an uncertain future. But while we certainly can’t live in the past, we can always learn from it. Jeffrey R. Holland expressed this truth in these words: “We look back to claim the embers from glowing experiences but not the ashes. . . . Then we look ahead and remember that faith is always pointed toward the future.”1
“A Note of Hope” As its name suggests, Charles Dickens’s classic tale A Christmas Carol was written primarily for the Christmas season. However, its...
“The First Noel” Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. The sights and sounds stir within us a sense of excitement—and of...
Over 2,000 years ago, shepherds tending their flocks by night heard the herald angels’ song of peace on earth and good will toward men.[1]...
At this time of year, people all over the world turn their thoughts to Bethlehem, as did the shepherds of so long ago when...
A common characteristic of happy people is that they feel grateful; even happier, however, are those who express their gratitude. It’s one thing to...
We rejoice whenever someone embarks upon a worthy pursuit, especially in service to others—from joining the military to serving a religious mission to volunteering...
It was only a two-minute speech, given 150 years ago, but as long as freedom is prized and those who fight for it are...
Obituaries are snapshots of a life. In short order, they give us a glimpse into a person’s experiences and character. Granted, they do not...
If you’ve ever tried to help a toddler eat, you know how important independence is to human nature. The older a child gets, the...