What Happened When I Quit Home Teaching

Many years ago, I quit home teaching. I had my reasons, and I thought they were pretty valid. No matter what the elders quorum president or the bishop said, I simply refused to do home teaching. One evening I got a phone call from a member of the stake high council. He asked to meet with me at the church and I agreed to meet him. I met with this brother, and after an opening prayer, he asked me to home teach. I told him “no.” I then told him that my going into other members’ homes was a waste of my time and theirs, and that it wouldn’t make one bit of difference in anyone’s salvation if I did it or not. I left the office, got in my car, and headed home, feeling quite pleased with myself.

In the Very Moment: The Harrowing Night Elder Oaks Was Held at Gunpoint

When General Authorities in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints speak to church members around the world, they often share personal stories or experiences to illustrate a gospel principle or reinforce a specific truth. President Thomas S. Monson is universally loved for the many wonderful stories he frequently shares.

One of my favorite stories told by a General Authority is a personal experience Elder Dallin H. Oaks shared in General Conference 23 years ago when I was a sophomore in high school. At the time, Elder Oaks looked back more than 20 years to the harrowing experience he and his wife faced late one night when they were confronted by a would-be robber at gunpoint on the streets of Chicago. The story is gripping because it must have been so terrifying. I also love that it illustrates the way the Lord protects His servants and the way revelation can guide us through difficult, even life-threatening situations. As the Lord promised, "It shall be given you in the very hour, yea, in the very moment what ye shall say" (Doctrine & Covenants 100:6). Here is the experience, in Elder Oaks’ own words:

During my life I have had many experiences of being guided in what I should do and in being protected from injury and also from evil. The Lord’s protecting care has shielded me from the evil acts of others and has also protected me from surrendering to my own worst impulses. I enjoyed that protection one warm summer night on the streets of Chicago. I have never shared this experience in public. I do so now because it is a persuasive illustration of my subject.

Why I’m glad the experts got it wrong: One man’s thoughts on the calling of three new apostles

Just a few weeks ago, three new apostles were called to fill vacancies in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the second-highest governing body of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In the weeks and months leading up to that momentous event, I noticed several news sites, blogs, and other media outlets published articles speculating about who would be called. Looking at those articles now, it is interesting to see the difference between their predictions and who was actually called. That contrast has given me reason to reflect recently on the “mysteries of God” and the process by which He calls His servants.

3 Memorable Moments You Probably Never Noticed During the Primary Program

Fall is here and LDS members are looking forward to their ward’s annual Primary program. This year, primary-aged children (4 – 11 years old) from all over the world have been learning songs and lessons in conjunction with the theme: I Know My Savior Lives. On a given Sunday, usually in September or October, each congregation will dedicate one Sacrament meeting to the Primary program in which the children will sing the songs they have learned this year and give their assigned speaking parts.

There is a lot of hard work and preparation from both the children and their leaders. Parents anticipate seeing their child give their part and sing the songs. Of course the children are adorable and you can almost always count on a little one shouting all the words to a song or another one who is happy to wave to his parents the whole time. But it’s not just about learning all the words to the songs or if each child has her part memorized – there are much deeper purposes carried out by this inspired program. I will share with you three real-life, but probably unnoticed, moments that I have been a part of during my time in primary.

1. A child with invisible special needs overcoming challenges

14 inspiring quotes from October 2015 General Conference

We hope you found this past weekend's General Conference inspiring and uplifting. Here are some of our favorite quotes. Let us know in the comments which quotes resonated the most with you!