The leftover fireworks have been stowed away but only for a few weeks, until Pioneer Day. In Utah, July 24th is almost as a big a holiday as the Fourth. It is a time for all of us, whether living in Utah or not, to reflect on those who came before and what they went through so that we can have all the blessings we have today. The last few weeks have been particularly hectic for me and next week looks no better. But as I took a moment to consider this week’s blog topic I thought of the pioneers. The trials and tribulations they endured make mine seem like small potatoes.

They made impossibly long journeys, mostly on foot, across the plains. Some companies pulled handcarts in the dead of winter. The loss of life was great, the hardships plenty, yet these dedicated Saints pushed forward with great faith. The Lord was with them, often sending heavenly help to keep them going on their way.

In our lives today we may not be pulling handcarts across the plains, but some of us carry burdens that are just as heavy and face journeys just as long. And just like our pioneer ancestors we can push forward with faith, relying continually on the Lord. He will never abandon us and will send help when we need it. As Pioneer Day approaches, perhaps we can take time to study the lives of these courageous Saints, work on some genealogy and read stories of our pioneer ancestors, and learn about how they lived.

Recently the youth in my stake completed a pioneer trek. It gave them a taste of what life was like back then. Tonight my ward Relief Society is having a pioneer life activity. We are going to learn to churn butter, make pioneer crafts and play games of the time. We’ll also get to try some pioneer recipes. If nothing else, by studying the pioneers we can become better acquainted with their examples. And the next time you’re having a rough day, think of the pioneers. Maybe you’ll find yourself humming that Primary song, “Pioneer children sang as they walked and walked and walked and walked…” and your own journey will be made just a little easier to bear.

As Independence Day approaches I’ve been thinking about this great country and what it took to get us the freedom we enjoy. The pilgrims left England in pursuit of religious freedom. The colonies were later established. Then a point was reached where British rule would no longer be tolerated. The founding fathers drafted the Declaration of Independence as the Revolutionary war went into its second year. It was approved on the 4th of July, 1776.

All of this was not by mere coincidence. Elder L. Tom Perry said in a BYU Devotional, “…the discovery of America and the establishment of the United States was a part of God’s plan and was brought about by men who were inspired and guided by God.” The Lord guided Columbus to the new world. He did not just happen upon it. At one point mutiny seemed imminent. Columbus told the other ships that if they did not find land in 48 hours they would turn back. Then he went to his cabin and, “prayed mightily to the Lord,” Elder Perry says, “The next day, October 12, they sighted land. We know a land of liberty and religious freedom was a necessary ingredient in the plan of God. Thus, Columbus and others, particularly those seeking religious freedom, were led to the shores of America.”

America needed to be organized and governed as it is in order to allow for the restoration of the Gospel. The founding fathers were not randomly selected men, but men “raised up” for the very purpose of founding a nation “under God.” They were inspired in drafting the documents that helped to form our government such as the Declaration of Independence and The Constitution.

All was in place so that when a 14-year-old boy went into the woods to pray, the Gospel could once again be restored to the earth. Nothing is accidental and God is in the details. As I think about these things, it’s not too hard to see that He has a plan for each of us and will turn all things for our good if we will but turn to Him and trust in Him. As you watch the fireworks fly this Fourth of July, remember He whose light is in all of us and whose plan will bring about the “immortality and eternal life of man.”

If you’ve ever been to New York City, you know that billboards and taxis are everywhere. Now, as you walk through Times Square to take in a show new signs and billboards join those promoting the newest Broadway shows. The Church has launched an “I’m a Mormon” campaign with signs featuring members on billboards, on top of taxis and ads in subways. They feature the web address for Mormon.org and are designed to help answer questions and clear up misconceptions for those who are curious about our faith.

Elder Richard G. Hinckley, Executive Director of the Missionary Department said, “Our Church is known for our efforts to share our message. During the past several decades we’ve used media focusing primarily on what we believe. This effort [the billboards and signs] focuses more on who we are because of what we believe.”

It is interesting to see how the missionary efforts of the Church have evolved with time. When I served my mission, 10+ years ago, the media was the new big way to reach out. Now, it’s all about social media, the internet and now print media in a big city like New York. Elder Hinckley goes on, “It is one thing to read a list of beliefs and try to determine what it all means. It is quite another to see those beliefs in action in an individual you know. This is one way to get to know us – through the lives of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”

After the campaign in New York this summer, the Church will launch the same campaign in other U.S. cities in the fall. But we can start now to share the gospel with our friends, neighbors, and those in our communities. Another way is to log on to www.mormon.org and share your testimony. So, if you find yourself in the Big Apple this summer don’t be surprised if a big “I’m a Mormon” sign greets you as you climb onto the subway or into a taxi.

Recently I watched the DVD biography of President Thomas S. Monson, On the Lord’s Errand. Over the course of his life, President Monson has received countless promptings and has quickly answered them, touching hundreds of lives. It got me to thinking about following the promptings of the Spirit. Back when I was in high school, there was a program that aired on a music video channel that featured artists doing “unplugged” versions of their songs. In that case “unplugged” referred to acoustic rather than electric renditions of music. Today we are so plugged in to streams of information, be it in print, audio, video or internet and I wonder if all of that causes us to miss the still small voice of the spirit. I wonder if maybe we need to spend more time “unplugged.”

When serving as a young bishop, President Monson had a life-changing experience. He sat in a church meeting when he felt prompted to leave and go attend to a ward member in the hospital. A Stake leader was speaking and so he hesitated to get up in the middle of the meeting. He didn’t want to disturb others by crawling over them to get out of the pew where he sat. The prompting came again, stronger. The meeting was nearly over and with barely contained restraint President Monson waited. He left the meeting as fast as he could before the closing prayer. He arrived at the hospital only to learn that the brother had been calling for him prior to passing away. After that President Monson determined to never delay answering a prompting again. He said that if the Lord has an errand He needs done, President Monson will always do it.

Perhaps we need to set aside the cares and concerns of the world, unplug a little, and listen more closely for the promptings of the Holy Ghost. I’m sure there are many of us who struggle to know when we are receiving a prompting. Maybe if we had fewer distractions and were just quiet and listening it would be easier for us to hear the Lord’s call to action. As I watched the story of President Monson’s life and saw the service he was able to render, it made me want to be more like him, to be available when the Lord calls and to be of service to others. It’s not always big things; some times the errand is a small and simple thing, but its impact is bigger than we can imagine. Let’s unplug from the noise of the world and tune in to the frequency of the Holy Spirit.

On June 5th Elder Russell M. Nelson organized the Moscow Russia Stake, the first ever in Russia and second in the former Soviet Union. The Prophet Joseph Smith said, “The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done” (History of the Church, 4:540).

I think the growth of the Church in Russia and in other countries all over the world is evidence of the ongoing fulfillment of this prophecy. The Moscow Russia Stake is composed of six wards and three branches. The Church has been in Russia for almost 170 years. In 1843 Elders Orson Hyde and George J. Adams were the first two missionaries in Russia. Two dedicatory prayers were offered in 1903, one in Moscow and the other in St. Petersburg. Political unrest back then prevented the immediate establishment of the Church in Russia. But now, with the establishment of this first stake, it seems that the roots of the Gospel are firmly growing in Russian soil.

What joy there must have been in the hearts of the saints present at this historic meeting. There is a sister in my ward who often relates experiences from her mission in Russia and expresses her deep love for the Russian people. I can almost imagine the gospel as the biggest tsunami flooding the nations of the earth and nothing will stop it. The Lord’s work will continue to go forth and we need to be ready and willing to help as needed in this great effort. I am reminded of the words of a hymn:

“Who’s on the Lord’s side? Who?
Now is the time to show.
We ask it fearlessly:
Who’s on the Lord’s side? Who?”

As I think of Joseph Smith’s words, I feel empowered: as long we are on the Lord’s side, we can not fail. In a world of increasing turmoil and unrest, it is comforting to know that the work continues on and the Lord is at the helm of it all.

Congratulations to the Russian Saints on this historic occasion!!

Over the weekend we upgraded our site to better serve you. You may notice slight differences but for the most part things should be the same as they were before. One new change is that you do not have to log in to place an order (so if you forgot your login or username, no worries!). You also now can estimate shipping before going through the checkout process. We’re excited for these and other changes, and ask for your patience as we work out any bugs resulting from the upgrade.

Please contact us through the contact form or reply to this blog post if you have any problems or notice anything that needs fixing. Thank you for your help and for your business.

And to all the mothers out there, those that are mothers now, those who will one day be, and all those who nurture others, we wish you a very Happy Mother’s Day!

Recently I re-read a conference talk from April 2010 given by President Monson entitled, He is Risen! As I read the prophet’s words I was reminded of what makes this time of year so important: the atonement and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. President Monson said that at any time, the Savior could have stopped, could have turned back. He had the power to stop those who tormented and crucified Him. But knowing what was truly at stake, He persevered until all was finished. The gratitude I feel for that ultimate sacrifice is beyond any words to express.

A month ago a young cousin passed away after a battle with cancer. Although her family grieves, the comfort of knowing that death is not the end is immeasurable. I often wonder how those who have no knowledge of the plan of salvation cope in such times as these. We know that we will return to live with our Father in Heaven after this life. Those who have gone before will be there to greet us. They are not lost to us, only separated for a time. This knowledge is priceless.

None of this would have been possible and the plan would not have worked if it were not for the Savior fulfilling His part in it. President Monson went on to mention an Easter hymn and I echo the words and their meaning.

He is Risen, He is Risen
Tell it out with joyful voice
He has burst His 3 days’ prison
Let the whole wide earth rejoice
Death is conquered, man is free
Christ has won the victory!

As we eat our Easter goodies or hunt for eggs, let us remember the true meaning and value of this holiday. Let us be grateful to Him who makes eternal life possible, even Jesus Christ.

Mitt Romney announced that he has formed an exploratory committee to determine if he will seek a 2012 Presidential Bid. His announcement was made via a YouTube video and on Twitter. “It’s time that we put America back on a course of greatness,” he says in the video.

A Presidential bid is nothing new for Romney. He lost the Republican nomination in 2008 to Senator John McCain. He went on to say that, “…with able leadership, America’s best days are still ahead.”

As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Romney and other Latter-day Saints in government intrigue me. I hope all lawmakers everywhere (regardless of their religion) seek to do what is right, by standards higher than those of today’s world.

The brethren have counseled that we should educate ourselves on the candidates and the issues and then should exercise our right to vote. The time for campaigning is fast approaching and as much as I sometimes dread all the political commercials that are sure to air, it is important to take the time to listen and learn so that we can make informed decisions when we vote.

For more information about Romney’s announcement, please visit this link.

I have heard Conference weekend referred to as the Mormon Superbowl. At least for those of us who can watch conference in the comfort of our homes, the parallel is not too far off. So as I sat in my PJs in front of the TV, food at the ready, the first strains of the opening hymn began. While the football Superbowl is characterized with much physical feasting, General Conference is a time for spiritual feasting. And feast we did.

I wasn’t able to catch all of it, but of the talks I watched, one that stands out is Elder Holland’s talk. It was a talk about conference talks and the importance of the preparation of both speaker and audience in getting the most out of the meetings. I found it interesting to note that the speakers are not given a topic on which to speak. Instead they fast and pray to determine what the Lord would have them talk about. It makes the value of what they share all the greater to me.

So, what was your favorite talk? What stood out to you? We’d love to hear from you in the comments section below. I’ve been told that some of the talks I missed were really good. And so, if you missed a few talks or weren’t able to catch conference at all, it’s not too late to join the feast. Log on to the Church’s website and see what you missed.