When Ross came up out of the water, he had a huge, amazing smile on his face.  It was a wonderful baptism.

The history of the nations of the world, from the beginning of time, has been influenced by the righteousness of the people and the hand of the Lord. Nations rise and fall, flourish and perish, as the Lord directs. If a sparrow cannot fall without his knowing, can a nation of people expect to live independent of the Lord and His influence?

It was not a typical summer day in beautiful Waitara, New Zealand. It was just before Christmas, and it was unusually cold and wet. As missionaries, we were not looking forward to going out into the pouring rain and hoping someone would let two soaking wet young men into their clean, dry home. Elder Bill Johnson and I did our usual morning routine and then wondered what to do with all the rain. We decided to make cookies—or biscuits as they are known in New Zealand. Not just any biscuits, but chocolate chip biscuits.

He has given us records we call scriptures, that teach us the dealings of God with those who have gone before, and modern prophets to help us understand His dealings with us today. He has given us the opportunity to be born in families that serve as a model for what has been and will be. The family is where we experience our greatest joys and our greatest sorrows.

Stories of his giving and caring for others endured him to the Saints.  Whether it was taking the boys out to chop wood for the needy after a ball game, or showing how sorry he was that a brother’s house had burned down the night before to the amount of $5.00, Joseph was continually teaching the Saints to love and serve each other as they built Zion.  He exclaimed that he “would esteem it one of the greatest blessings . . . to have my lot cast where I can find brothers and friends all around me” (History of the Church, 5:361).

Service is at the core of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Service extends from the Pre-existence and creation of the world to the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the restoration of priesthood keys in this last dispensation.

In my life today, I often feel like that new missionary faced with a very difficult task ahead of me.  I feel like the youth speaker in my ward who mis-spoke and said in life we are \”tired and tested.\” I am convinced that I will succeed in life \”if I only try harder.\”

Nephi continued to admonish his brethren and their families and to lead them in the worship of their God.  He found encouragement and strength in studying the scriptures and sought peace through family and personal prayer.  Anger and disagreement continued to divide the family until the tension became too great.  A decision had to be made for the peace and safety of Nephi, his family, and those who believed the teachings of the Lord.