“Christ’s arrangement with us is similar to a mom providing music lessons for her child. Mom pays the piano teacher. How many know what I am talking about? Because Mom pays the debt in full, she can turn to her child and ask for something. What is it? Practice! Does the child’s practice pay the piano teacher? No. Does the child’s practice repay Mom for paying the piano teacher? No. Practicing is how the child shows appreciation for Mom’s incredible gift. It is how he takes advantage of the amazing opportunity Mom is giving him to live his life at a higher level. Mom’s joy is found not in getting repaid but in seeing her gift used—seeing her child improve. And so she continues to call for practice, practice, practice.”

Brad Wilcox  |  His Grace is SufficientA. Theodore Tuttle  |  “Developing Faith,” Ensign, November 1986, p. 72

Exercising agency in a setting that sometimes includes opposition and hardship is what makes life more than a simple multiple-choice test. God is interested in what we are becoming as a result of our choices. He is not satisfied if our exercise of moral agency is simply a robotic effort at keeping some rules. Our Savior wants us to become something, not just do some things. He is endeavoring to make us independently strong – more able to act for ourselves than perhaps those of any prior generation. We must be righteous, even when He withdraws His Spirit, or, as President Brigham Young said, even “in the dark.”

Elder D. Todd Christofferson  |  “Moral Agency” Ensign, June 2009, p. 53

“It is doctrinally incomplete to speak of the Lord’s atoning sacrifice by shortcut phrases, such as “the Atonement” or “the enabling power of the Atonement” or “applying the Atonement” or “being strengthened by the Atonement.” These expressions present a real risk of misdirecting faith by treating the event as if it had living existence and capabilities independent of our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ…There is no amorphous entity called “the Atonement” upon which we may call for succor, healing, forgiveness, or power. Jesus Christ is the source. Sacred terms such as Atonement and Resurrection describe what the Savior did, according to the Father’s plan, so that we may live with hope in this life and gain eternal life in the world to come. The Savior’s atoning sacrifice–the central act of all human history–is best understood and appreciated when we expressly and clearly connect it to Him.

Russell M. Nelson

To the Wonderful Ward Missionaries of the Payson 10th Ward. I hope this past week was wonderful for you and your family. I hope you have felt the love of Jesus Christ increase in your hearts and homes.

I’m grateful for each of you and your willingness to try to develop these friendships with the families or individuals who live in your assigned housing units. 

Only 30 minutes a week and great are the rewards. Plant those seeds. As you plant in others, the Lord will plant new seeds in you also.

 May the Good Lord bless each of you and your family as you endeavor to follow His guidance and the assignment that you have accepted from Him through His ordained servant. 

Please let me know either personally, by individual text email, or by phone call, of your efforts. To make it easier on each of you this can be our “HUDDLE.”  But, it is so helpful to receive feedback from each of you. Just to know that efforts are being made to develop these friendships. Follow the promptings of the spirit,, he will guide you what to say, or do.

I really appreciate those of you who have communicated with me.  It is beneficial to let the Bishop, Relief Society President, Elders Quorum President, and Primary and Sunday School Presidents know of the flock they each have stewardship over. If there is anything I can do to help you or your families, please do not hesitate to let me know. 

On that first bright Easter morn, Peter and John ran with alarm to the empty tomb, into which had been placed the lifeless body of the Savior Jesus Christ just days before. Similar concern must have filled the mind of Mary Magdalene as she gazed into the sepulcher now void of the body of the Master. Confusion and dismay were not to last, however, as the Resurrected Lord made manifest to those so dear to Him in life the reality of eternal life and the miracle of the Resurrection. (See John 20.)

We now rejoice with all of faithful Christendom at the marvelous message of the Resurrection. By virtue of His loving gift of life, each of us will rise from the grave, body and spirit joined together inseparably throughout eternity.

We proclaim that the “bands of death” (Mosiah 15:8) have, in very deed, been broken for the children of men. Each of us may lay aside all wonder, all fear of the darkness of death and rejoice, “having a perfect brightness of hope.” (3 Nephi 31:20)

We offer our solemn testimony that He lives; that the blessings of the Resurrection will be realized for each of us. We join with you in an expression of humble gratitude for His willing sacrifice and pray the blessings of heaven will attend us all, as we commemorate at this Easter time the hope and eternal promise of the Resurrection.

Gordon B. Hinckley  |  The First Presidency Easter Message [Gordon B. Hinckley, Thomas S. Monson, James E. Faust], March 1997

Below is a picture of a tree that over time overcame the strength and hardness of a rock to eventually break through and flourish. It has such a wonderful message for each of us. That is what this life is all about. Planting seeds, it is our decision if we are planting good or bad, God like seeds or evil seeds throughout our lives.

I love each of you. I witness to each of you that your Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love you. They will assist you in your efforts to simply plant seeds.

May the good Lord bless each of you in your personal lives. May he bring peace, charity, health, revelations and the righteous desires of your hearts. In Jesus name Amen.

Steve Larsen

801-380-8307

sglarsen@gmail.com