God's DM to Me

This past week, I just happened to have finished reading the last few chapters of 2Nephi. This morning, I put on the Saturday Afternoon Session of this last General Conference as I got ready for church. It was only the audio so I couldn't see the face of the speaker. Words from one of the talks entitled  "Trusting the Doctrine of Christ" struck me to the point that I thought I had better make note of this after I get back from Church. 

We had a member of the Seventy visit our Sacrament meeting today. We always sit close to the front and I recognized this brother as a General Authority although I didn't know his name. After the meeting he was engaged in a conversation with a couple when Joseph and I walked past -  he paused, looked right at me, smiled, and reached out to shake my hand, "Thank you for being here," he said to me. In return, I thanked him for his testimony and told him it was wonderful to have his presence here today. He smiled and said, "Thank you" and went back to conversing with the couple.  Joseph turned to me as we walked away and asked, "Does he know you?" I said, "No, but I know he's from the Quorum of the Seventy."

Later in our combined meeting, we talked about emergency preparedness and I shared with a sister sitting next to me some of the points made in that General Conference talk that had stood out to me earlier - which reminded me that I wanted to revisit it.

When I returned home from church the thought kept coming to me to look up the text to the conference address and write down verbatim the words that impressed on me. When I pulled up the talk, Trusting the Doctrine of Christ, and saw the picture of the speaker, I recognized him, Elder Evan A. Schmutz!! That was the same brother visiting our ward today. I had only listened to the audio in the morning so I didn't realize it all through church while he was there, but it was such a fun surprise to discover!

It didn't make his talk any more important than it already was. But it made me feel like it was more of a direct message to me. I love communication from God like that!!!

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2023/04/27schmutz?lang=eng

So Grateful for Prayer

 Sometimes, when I think too much about the awful things in this world - it weighs me down. It becomes so easy to despair and I begin to dread the future for my children and grandchildren. I woke up this morning thinking about the state of our Country, the disintegration of everything moral and virtuous, the loss of hope everywhere, the way we as a people are just laying down and letting our freedoms be robbed from us. It was an awful way to start the day. I don't recommend it. 

I got on my knees and prayed for God to help me not lose sight of Him in this world that's gone insane, I prayed for Him to help me keep faith alive in my heart and not let this dark cloud of doom obscure the light of truth I know. I opened my scriptures and read these words: 

I say unto you that ye must pray always, and not faint; that ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord save in the first place ye shall pray unto the Father in the name of Christ, that he will consecrate thy performance unto thee, that thy performance may be for the welfare of thy soul. - 2 Nephi 32:9

This verse reminded me of how mercifully I have been led through every single dark time in my life! It reminded me that all my afflictions have been consecrated for my good. The Lord has used my most desperate moments to teach me, to open my eyes to His purposes, and understand His grace and goodness more. Through the gift of prayer, I have felt peace in the midst of my greatest afflictions and a reassurance of God's promises to those who sincerely revere Him and let Him prevail. Come what may, I know in Whom I trust!

Week 8 of Hortolândia- 1st Area -

The Assistants and Secretaries

a video made by our very own office elders

My first Coxinhas

My First Pastel

Waiting for our super tasty sandwich.

Eating our super tasty sandwich.

--------------

I turned 20 on the 18th, and I got to eat lunch with some of my favorite members - Rúan and Camila - as well as Sister Brown and Batista. Camila made me a birthday cake, and that night I got to eat the birthday cake Sister Casperson spent nearly all of P day making for me

I
 Sister Missionaries are (Rawlins, Batista, Brown, and Casperson)

Leadership Training Meetings back in March

A few more pictures from a couple weeks ago....

New missionary training; a photo with everyone Sister Casperson has trained
and those being trained by the sisters she trained

Light

This morning, I listened to this podcast about LIGHT on the Spotify page "All In". This episode was awesome!! I especially loved the following quote the host shared & I felt like I should post it here for anyone who might be going through a dark time. Don't lose faith. Don't lose hope. Keep moving. Keep believing in the foundational truths of our Savior's gospel.  

"There may be some among you 

who feel darkness encroaching upon you. 

You may feel burdened 

by worry, fear or doubt. 

To you and to all of us, 

I repeat a wonderful and certain truth: 

God's light is real. It is available to all. 

It gives life to all things. 

It has the power 

to soften the sting of the deepest wound. 

It can be a healing balm 

for the loneliness and sickness of our souls. 

In the furrows of despair, 

it can plant the seeds of a brighter hope. 

It can enlighten 

the deepest valleys of sorrow. 

It can illuminate the path before us 

and lead us 

through the darkest night 

into the promise of a new dawn," 

-  Elder Uchtdorf 

Matt 5:14-16

Week 7 of Hortolândia- 1st Area - "What Flower"

It's Miriam's 20th Birthday today!!! I've sent her a few gifts but they got there a couple weeks early. She couldn't wait and already opened them so she has nothing to open today. 😂 However, while I was working at the lab today listening to General Conference I came across this talk. The Imperfect Harvest- By Elder Vern P. Stanfill Of the Seventy. I didn't pay attention to it the first time I heard it a couple weeks ago because I'm usually pretty sleepy by the very last session.... but this time, at work, it really struck me hard! I immediately felt like I needed to send it to Miriam because just yesterday she said that her biggest struggle is she's a perfectionist. She can be so hard on herself when she doesn't get things right or whenever she makes a mistake.  It makes life such a violent rollercoaster. I know through time and experiences she'll come to understand how beautifully the atonement will help her with that. I sent her this link and told her that I really think this talk is the gift God wanted to give her for her birthday. The truths taught in it are a gift to all of us!!!

Here's the letter she sent yesterday! 👇

 "Well, another week down. 

And not much happened these past few days.

We had lunch with Ivonne [Sister Vera and her husband] again yesterday. This past Tuesday she sent her only son off on a mission, then made his favorite food for Sister Casperson and I yesterday, then got emotional while we were eating. Let's just say she's having a little bit of a rough week. 😥❤

I also managed to snag a absolutely killer carrot cake recipe yesterday from a member. The carrot cake down here is different, folks, and I dare say that it's superior. I will be making this once I return.

Friday we participated in divisions again...except the correct way apparently. This means that my trainer - who happens to be an STL as well - and Sister Batista's trainer - another STL - packed up and left me and Sister Batista for a day while they did the division in the Interlagos area. Sister Batista and I arrived in the field on the same day, so neither of us have much time out here. And what a pair we are. I don't speak Portuguese and she's only been a member for a year. And neither of us are very good at using Area Book. But our trainers left us to figure it out. 

But it was a good time. She loves to talk, and she just enjoys everything. She's always finding something to laugh about.

I really admire her decision to come on a mission, because she really had a lot before she came out here, and she left it all behind because she recieved such a strong testimony of the Book of Mormon that she felt she needed to share it.

(I still need to get the photos we took from her)

But here's some other photos!"

Buying bread from the Bread Man

Açaí again

Bolo de Rolo [A Brazilian Cake]  misspelled English ingredients 

The Statue of Liberty?! 

Amanda e Théo

👇Just a couple selfies☝

A little chick

Why the creepy statue?!

The Answer is Always Jesus Christ

The answer is always Jesus Christ! I testify with all of my heart that this is true. I have witnessed in my own life; healing from all of my grief, all of my sorrow, all of my guilt, all of my fear, and everything that has broken me down through the years. I could not move forward without my Savior. He is my Everything, the most real and True Friend anyone could have. I love Him! 

Come to the Healer

"Dear brothers and sisters, Jesus Christ extends that same invitation to you today. I plead with you to come unto Him so that He can heal you! He will heal you from sin as you repent. He will heal you from sadness and fear. He will heal you from the wounds of this world. 

Whatever questions or problems you have, the answer is always found in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Learn more about His Atonement, His love, His mercy, His doctrine, and His restored gospel of healing and progression. Turn to Him! Follow Him!" -President Russell M. Nelson- April 2023

For the past three and a half years, I've had the privilege of teaching the 16yr - 18yr olds in Sunday School. On most Sundays my class averages about a dozen young men and women. I think of the world they are growing up in and the deep emotional challenges they face on every front; economical, political, social, spiritual, etc. It is truly a battle everywhere they turn. 

I emphasized in class today the importance of them choosing to anchor themselves to Jesus Christ, even if they only have a "desire to believe" like Alma teaches. 

I shared with them a paragraph from Elder Holland's talk given in 2013 for them to hold on to the truths they already know and to lead with faith and not fear.  "Lord, I Believe" 

And if they feel their faith is still too weak, to trust the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets that God infinitely lives and loves them, to start by praying always, and keep going. Please keep going! I bore witness to them that they each have a beautiful purpose here on Earth and to never quit when life pulls the rug out from under them. They will get through!! 

There is a very real rest, a very real peace that is only found in our Savior! And that calm settles in the heart when the soul's deepest desires are fixed on Him and we give Him the reins. Life is so messy and I don't  why so many good people suffer..... but I do know how beauty grows out of ashes, how graves turn into gardens, how the broken are made whole, and how the day conquers the long dreary nights because I've witnessed it for myself; The answer is Jesus Christ, it's always Jesus Christ. 

This song makes me think of the father and his broken heart for his son that Elder Holland references in his talk  "Lord, I Believe" 

Week 6 of Hortolândia- 1st Area -TRANSFERS

 We had our Messenger meeting with Miriam this morning and she sounded so much better than she has the last couple weeks. In fact one of the members, Sister Vera, who has fed Sister Casperson and Miriam every week for the past six weeks mentioned to Miriam at their most recent visit what a considerable positive difference she's seen in her compared to the first day. That really gave Miriam a boost to have that progress pointed out since it's often so hard to perceive our own growth. Ah, that does my heart so much good!!

(P.S. The Mission President decided to keep their companionship together and have them stay in this area for another six weeks. No transfer like they were expecting. Yay!!)

Sister Casperson, Sister Vera (whose son leaves for his mission tomorrow), and Miriam

Miriam taught a Brazilian sister, Sister Silva, the American phrase, "I plead the Fifth!" for when she doesn't want to respond to something. Sister Silva started using it with the American missionaries and even used it in an interview with Mission President Card (who happens to be a Lawyer back in the States). He found it absolutely hilarious! 

Sister Casperson, Miriam, Sister Silva

👇Here's her letter.😃👇

---------------

"Tuesday (4/4):😬😳

》First, a little information about communication between companionships in the field: we have our cellphones, and this is the ONLY WAY we can communicate with the other companionships. Second thing is Area Book. EVERYTHING about our area - who we're teaching, addresses, the map - is in this app. EVERYTHING. You can accomplish practically nothing without it.

》The apartments here: the way apartments are set up here is you have several buildings in one area called blocks. These blocks are surrounded by walls, and the only way to enter is through a security gate on one side. 

🚨remember this information 🚨

Sister Brown, Sister Batista    
Sister Card,
Sister Casperson,
and Miriam

》Storytime: We started the day off with our final district meeting of the transfer. When Sister Brown and Batista showed up, they told us that their phone was acting funny and had died in the middle of the night because it wasn't charging correctly. Since it at less than 10% at the moment, they plugged it in and we began our meeting, which went on for just a little too long. By the time it was done, Sister Casperson and I had 5 minutes to be to our lunch appointment. Uber doesn't work on our phone, so we asked Sister Brown if she would call an Uber for us. When she checked her phone, the battery had dropped even lower, but she called an Uber for us all the same. We parted ways and headed to lunch, which was with the Relief Society president, Najara. After we had a lesson with a new contact. The man we had planned to teach wasn't there, but a woman that's helping him with his son was there, and she let us in. We're beginning to think that she's the one we needed to meet. After that lesson, we clapped gates for a bit longer, then met up with Najara again to teach Adilma. We taught the first half of The Plan of Salvation, and Adilma's husband, Luciano, sat in this time. We have high hopes for him because while Adilma has her doubts, Luciano was rather enthusiastic about everything we taught. After the lesson, Adilma asked us if we said "till death do you part" in our wedding ceremonies since we believed in an afterlife. Both she and her husband looked quite pleased when Najara informed them that we say "for time and all eternity". We're hoping that we can help Adilma and Luciano feel the spirit of our message because in our first meeting with her, Adilma expressed that she and her husband wanted to believe in salvation with their entire family.❤ 

After the lesson, Sister Casperson and I headed home for the night and began to finish up our day. Just after 9PM, however, we got a voice message from a number we didn't have saved to our phone. The man speaking didn't introduce himself in the message; all he said was that he had Sister Brown's phone and that he needed more information about the problems it had been having. Alright. So we left our apartment block and headed down to the other Sisters'. As we approached, we noticed that no lights were on in the apartment. No way they're asleep at 9:15, we thought, but we saw no sign of anyone inside. We knocked on the window a few times and called their names, but to no avail. It was a little strange, but we decided that maybe they were still at a lesson or something. So we decided to wait for them, picking a spot where we could see the front gate and their apartment door. After a few minutes of waiting, we noticed that we had a message from them that they had sent nearly 4 hours earlier saying that their phone was having worse problems and that they wer going to be without a phone for the rest of th day, but they were still going to attempt some visits. So we continued waiting. 15 minutes later- 9:30PM - there was still no sign of them, so we decided to check the apartment again. Still we saw no lights or signs that anyone was there. We went back to our spot and waited some more. When 10PM rolled around, we called President Card. He agreed that this was concerning. He had his wife go into Sister Brown's area book to see where she had planned to be before the phone died, then sent us the member's contact info. We tried to call the member to see if she had seen Sister Brown or Batista that night, but the call wouldn't go through, so we were again left with nothing. We didn't even know where to start looking and by then it was 10:15. With no other ideas, we decided to try the apartment again. This time, I went to the bedroom window and banged on it while calling their names. Again, no answer. And then I heard the low hum of a fan. I turned to Sister Casperson and said, "I hear a fan. You don't think they left it on all day do you?" She didn't think so, so we banged on the window again. At long last we heard the sleepy grunts as the two of them finally woke up.

Wednesday (4/5): interviews 

》We had interviews with President Card this day in preparation for transfers, but not much else.

Thursday (4/6): A tad competitive...

》We had a ward activity this night, and we played what was most certainly the absolute loudest game of "Pictionary" in my life. We had our two teams and those that would be drawing. Every single time, the moment the drawing began, the whole room exploded into incoherent shouting. Sister Casperson and I could hear nothing. Twas next to impossible to figure out which side was guessing correctly first. Em fim, it was extremely fun.

Friday (4/7): Sticky situation 

》Friday we decided to start a fast after lunch to fast for miracles to reach our goal of 100 mission baptisms this month. About an hour after we started, we got a message from a member informing us that we could visit (we had asked earlier, and she hadn't been sure). We thought, "great! We have a visit." Then we realized that this probably meant we would be fed. We shrugged it off and offered a little prayer that she wouldn't feed us. When we arrived, she informed us that she was baking a cake for us🎉🎉 Instead of explaining our fasting situation right away (I blame sister Casperson for this), we just expressed gratitude. Then she sat us down, laid out a table cloth and sent her husband to get some soda. Still sister  Casperson said nothing. Fortunately, the cake was taking a while, so as we were talking, I looked down for a moment and realized that Sister Casperson was flashing the phone screen at me with the question, "what do we do?" written in English. Thus began our mission impossible scenario if sending messages back and forth while trying to remain engaged in conversation. It eventually boiled down to 3 options: explain our situation then and there after so much time of not saying anything, accept the cake and start the fast over, or lie. Sister Casperson went with option 3- Lie. All our lessons had fallen through but we pretended, "Oh, dear, look at the time! We have a lesson we need to be to! We're going to have to run.  Can we bring the cake with us?" The member of course agreed, gave us a container with the cake, and we left. When we got to the street corner, Sister Casperson turned to me and said, "Okay, actually, though. What's our plan for the night?"

Saturday (4/8): Popcorn

Sister Casperson, Miriam, "Grandmother", Mariane 

》We met with a less active member -Mariane (the one who speaks English)- and her mother. We talked with her about her trips around the world, and she showed us pictures of trips to London. Before we left, her mother (who is now our self proclaimed grandmother) popped us some fresh popcorn. Needless to say, I thoroughly enjoy their company.

Sunday (4/9): Easter! 

》Naturally since it was Easter, we had a special sacrament meeting focusing 100% on Christ and His atonement, and one of our investigators, Cicero, attended for the first time. He's been to 2 activities in the church, but never the meetings, and he still hasn't had a real lesson. But he loved this meeting. We spoke to him after and he said that he's tried many different churches, and he loved that ours was so focused on Jesus Christ. He wants to attend every week. Sister Casperson is 100% we will baptize him. Prayers people.

》In the afternoon, we met up with President and Sister Card so they could give Sisters Brown and Batista a new phone, and the four of us learned that we are staying in our areas with our companions for this transfer🎉🎉

》At the end of the day, Sister Casperson and Batista made an Easter dinner of chicken, baby potatoes, squash, and pão de queijo. It was delicious."

Sister Casperson, Miriam, Sister Maria

Easter Dinner - Narrated by Sister Batista

Yesterday

Yesterday, I helped my dear friend clean her home following the tragic announcement of her son's passing on Wednesday. My heart is so broken for her. I'm at a loss of words. I ache with a desire to do more. I offer everything I can think of. I grieve with and for her and her family. It's so hard!!

Later, Joseph and I reserved a temple session at Provo City Center. In that session we ran into Josh Ellars, who served as a counselor with Joe Brockbank and Bishop McDonald in our Provo Ward before the big split. 

We talked for a while in the Celestial Room catching up with our lives. Josh told us about a time he was working in DC when a spiritual impression saved his life. As he was boarding the commuter train through Pennsylvania, a thought came to his mind, "If you're ever in a train accident, you'll be safer in the cars further back." He laughed because that should have alarmed him enough not to board the train at all.... but he did anyway. He went to the back as he was impressed to do. Sure enough, not long after the train departed it derailed going 105 MPH, killing several passengers and critically injuring several others. Josh walked away with some whiplash and a few scrapes but that was it. Just another testimony to follow promptings as they come!!

After the temple, I took Amillia to meet with her biological family for Easter. She was so happy because her mom and dad- Kelly and Austin, her half siblings - Hailen and Kami all came!! And, her grandma and grandpa, Renee and Jerry, made a surprise visit too. That lasted a couple of hours and then we had to leave to pick Micah and Kaylee up from work. 

Austin, Hailen, Renee, Amillia, Jerry, Kami, Kelly, and Charley (the dog)

We spent the last part of the evening at an exotic Car Show in SLC. My favorite car there was the Mclaren! That is a very sexy car!! Micah was in heaven!! He got a really nice picture of a Mclaren advertising Taco Bell. Who knew Taco Bell could look so cool?! 

🔥Yo quiero Taco Bell !!!🔥

Week 5 of Hortolândia- 1st Area

 Well, we talked with Miriam through Messenger at the usual 6am time this morning. She told us she's feeling better than she did last week. So, that's a relief! 💗She's meeting with the Mission President this Wednesday for a transfer interview. Sounds like her first one will be coming up soon. She's a little nervous because she's heard stories of some of the other areas in her mission having flea and ant issues or members not being very kind.  She said she's had it too good in her first area with a brand-new apartment, no bug problems, and such caring/loving members. "It's bound to be down-hill from here."

I replied, "Not necessarily. Life has a way of balancing out difficulties and blessings. There will most likely be things in your next area that you absolutely love, things you didn't have here in your first area. Each new stage of our life is often both better and worse at the same time....but mostly better. ;) It's hard to compare because each stage is just different."

"What's the update about Adilma, that woman you told us about your second week there." Miriam seemed disappointed, "Things were going pretty good with her but she's struggling with the concept that we're the only true church with priesthood authority. This is an issue for Adilma because she has already been baptized in another faith and doesn't understand why it's not valid. We told her that this is something she's going to need to pray about because the only one who can help her understand this is God." Joseph and I said,  "It sounds like you guys told her the best answer. I guess we'll see what happens." 

We asked Miriam if she was planning on sending any new pictures this week or writing an email. "There's nothing new to share, " she said. 

"Don't feel bad about that, Miriam. We were talking to your Aunt Merrit and Aunt Ann yesterday on a family zoom call and they said that Isaac and Emma never write emails. I guess with missionaries being able to call home once a week, they don't feel like it's very necessary. BUT I still think it's great to try and keep up with emails because all the other people back home like to get the updates."

We asked her how the food issue was going. She said she still doesn't dare to tell people when she's full. "It's impolite here to not eat everything they put in front of you. The people actually get mad if you turn something down." She cited an earlier scenario, "This past week we were with some other Sisters and Elders and there was one Elder trying to tell the member who was feeding us that he didn't feel well and that he couldn't handle anymore food. The member snapped at him and demanded he not leave until he ate everything. Luckily for Miriam, this Elder distracted the member enough that Miriam was able to sneak away without her noticing that she had also not finished everything on her plate.

Miriam looked out her apartment window contemplating for a minute, "You want to know another strange thing about the way they do things here? All along the street people put their garbage in little baskets on a pole for the garbage workers to pick them up. The guys run along side the truck, jump off grab the basket to dump it, and then jump on the back of the truck.

And they don't just go down one side of the street at a time, they zig-zag the from one side of the road to the other the whole street down." It makes her so grateful for the simple city programs we have in America. 

Your Most Valuable Possession

"Put these on! Your identity is your most valuable possession. Protect it!"

"Remember the bad guys on those shows you used to watch on Saturday mornings? Well these guys aren't like those guys, they won't exercise restraint because you're children. They will kill you if they get the chance. Do NOT give them that chance!"

It doesn't take much looking around in today's world to witness the relentless attempts at destroying our children. One of Satan's greatest tactics is to cause them to lose their true identity as sons and daughters of God, outlined especially in the Proclamation to the World. Any deviation from this is a success to him. And there are copious amounts of deviations today. 

Yes, I know 100%, I know that children make up their own mind and choose their own way often regardless of what we try so desperately to teach them. But we also let the adversary win if we believe that our influence is beyond their reach. Children may move out and move on but there is no age that they have to move out of our influence. In fact, I believe as we are prayerful, we can still reach them when they are hundreds of miles apart, even after we pass from this mortal life -our influence can live on for them. I know this because I've witnessed it with my mom and my father-in-law. Our example is noticed. Our faith is felt, even if our kids seem to ignore it. Never underestimate the small and simple things.

How do we protect our true identity as covenant keepers with God? 

1. First and foremost, "Put these on!! Your identity is your most valuable possession. Protect it!"

Put on Christ. "Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem."- Isaiah 52:1 It is not a small thing that we have taken upon ourselves the name of Christ through sacraments we partake of each week and symbols we physically wear every day. Our outward choices often manifest the seriousness of our devotion and the focus of our hearts. Make HIM your priority in your words, your actions, your every-day living. 

• "My young friends, I plead with you to take your temple covenants seriously! Keeping our sacred covenants with God is crucial- not optional. We are deeply dismayed by the casual and even cavalier way some treat their Temple covenants, including the casual and inconsistent wearing of the temple garment. There is among some a growing sense of spiritual apathy and casual Covenant keeping that is becoming increasingly common among those who should know and do better. Covenant keeping has nothing to do with personal preference and convenience and everything to do with commitment! I am confident that if these sacred covenants were better understood, they would be honored and cherished above all other commitments.... 
• Are your baptismal and Temple Covenants [that you made in Christ] central to your life, or merely ancillary?"   - Kevin W. Pearson Oct. 2022  "The Abundant Life" https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/kevin-w-pearson/the-abundant-life-2/?M=A

2. Second, believe in grace! Believe in forgiveness! Believe in new beginnings and second chances! Believe people can change, especially ourselves! We are never too old to improve, to step-up our spiritual game. We are never too late to re-evaluate how we spend our time and energy. It is never too late to repent.  Seek after those things that matter most. The very word "repentance" means to change!!! Through the ATONEMENT of Christ, all things are possible!

• According to the Bible Dictionary repentance, "denotes a change of mind, a fresh view about God, about oneself, and about the world. Since we are born into conditions of mortality, repentance comes to mean a turning of the heart and will to God, and a renunciation of sin to which we are naturally inclined."

3. Keep the FAITH. This is God's true church on the Earth. I know that we are led and guided by living prophets and apostles chosen and called by God and true servants of the Lord, Jesus Christ. Stay close and in touch with their counsel and teachings. They will lead you in the right way! Don't deviate and delve into trends or groups who claim inspiration, even fellow members of the church, who have the appearance of good but no substance to save. 

• "Jesus cautioned several times that prior to His Second Coming, 'many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many' (Matt. 24:11).
• When we think of false prophets and false teachers, we tend to think of those who espouse an obviously false doctrine or presume to have authority to teach the true gospel of Christ according to their own interpretation. We often assume that such individuals are associated with small radical groups on the fringes of society. However, I reiterate: there are false prophets and false teachers who have or at least claim to have membership in the Church. There are those who, without authority, claim Church endorsement to their products and practices. Beware of such."- M. Russell Ballard - Beware of False Prophets

We have been given the power to withstand the attacks of the adversary in our day. Protect your identity!! Put on Christ -treasure and take covenants seriously, Rejoice in and use the atonement every day through repentance. And Stay close to and give strict heed to the living Prophet's and Apostles. As we do so, we will be safeguarded from a very real power that seeks to destroy us. We will have peace, protection, light, and clear direction. And all will work together for good. I know this is true!!

• "I plead with you now—to take charge of your own testimony of Jesus Christ and His gospel. Work for it. Nurture it so that it will grow. Feed it truth. Don’t pollute it with false philosophies of unbelieving men and women. As you make the continual strengthening of your testimony of Jesus Christ your highest priority, watch for miracles to happen in your life."- President Russell M. Nelson