April 5, 2026
I recently visited the Manti Temple and left with a deep respect for the faith and effort of those who built it. The pioneers chose to build on a hill, not the easier flat ground below. That decision alone says something about their vision. They were not looking for convenience. They were building something meant to stand above, both physically and spiritually.
What stayed with me most was the stone they used. When first cut from the quarry, the rock was soft and easy to shape. That made it ideal for the detailed work the temple required. But it also raised concern. Could something so soft really support the weight of such a sacred and massive structure?
Over time, they learned something important. Once the stones were cut and set aside, they hardened. What seemed weak at first became strong enough to bear the load.
That feels familiar. At times, we may feel unprepared or unsure if we can carry what is asked of us. We see our own limits. We wonder if we are strong enough. But the Lord does not expect us to start out hardened and complete. Like the stone, we are shaped, placed, and given time.
Through patience, faith, and His guidance, we become stronger than we first believed. What once felt like weakness becomes the very thing that allows us to grow into who He needs us to be.
Mark Hess - Ward Missionary Committee
March 29, 2026
Back in the 1940s, my Dad was serving with the 5th Marine Division in the South Pacific in WW2. There were a number of LDS Servicemen and they formed a branch. His friend, Ted Tuttle, served as the Branch Pres. and Dad was a counselor. Sadly, these Elders had the responsibility of dedicating several graves - mostly in the battle of Iwo Jima. Those bonds and friendships last for lifetime. Our family was excited when Ted became a General Authority. And from then on we knew him as; Elder A Theodore Tuttle.
Elder Tuttle gave a great talk in the October 1972 General Conference, Titled: "Alter, Tent and Well". The talk discussed the amazing lives of Father Abraham, his son Issac and his son Jacob. It focused on the life of Issac! He was not as impressive as his Father Abraham or his son Jacob. Issac was a man of peace, who lived a simple life! But in his life he taught the importance of a balanced life! His ALTER - Worshipping God, His TENT - Caring for his home and family and his WELL - how he pursued his work and provided for his family! By his actions, he taught eternal principles of how to keep these importance aspects of life balanced. Clearly he was taught by a great father and his example set the path for the amazing life of his son Jacob!
In this fast paced world of cell phone apps, social media, AI, constant "click bait"... How are we doing in keeping our Alter, Tent and Well in balance? Each needs to be a priority, but not our only priority. We all know of people who got far to involved with their work to the detriment of their family!
Our callings on the Ward Temple and Family History committee is to encourage (and be a resource) to ward members in helping with their family history and temple worship! Both aspects of your Alter and Tent. By keeping life properly balanced it will bring Eternal Happiness - just as it did for Brother Issac and his family!
Scott Thompson - Temple and Family History committee
March 22, 2026
Christina is serving as a missionary in the Barcelona, Spain Mission. On Monday she wrote, "This week we saw so many little miracles every day. On Wednesday, one of our charlas (discussions) fell through and we decided to sit down and do companion study at the park and then we would do street contacting later in the day when it would be more effective. A few minutes later a lady came up to us to ask us if we had a lighter for her cigarette and then she saw our name tags and apologized. We just smiled and wished her luck! She came back five minutes later and asked us to share a message with her and then she started crying. We shared a message and then she asked us for our phone number and wondered if she could meet with us next week! Talk about being in the right place at the right time. She literally asked for our number and to meet with us again!! The Lord has taught me that we need to continue to grow and never tire in our efforts, that we never give up, we just keep trying."
President Dallin H. Oaks has said, "Many miracles happen every day in the work of our Church and in the lives of our members." President Russell M. Nelson invited us "to seek for and expect miracles". In Mormon 9:15, 21 we read, "God has not ceased to be a God of miracles. Behold, I say unto you that whoso believeth in Christ, doubting nothing, whatsoever he shall ask the Father in the name of Christ it shall be granted him; and this promise is unto all, even unto the ends of the earth."
As we seek, expect, and look for miracles we can more fully see the Lord's hand in our lives. This Easter season we celebrate the greatest miracle of all, Christ's birth, life, and resurrection. What a privilege it is to be part of His work in the Salvation of God's children.
March 15, 2026
In my recent reading of the Book of Mormon, I have been thinking a lot about Mormon and Moroni. They lived at a time when there were wars and wickedness abounding in the land. I am in awe at how they never gave up! They continued to lead armies, preach repentance and keep the Lord’s commandments including keeping, preserving and adding to the sacred records. I cannot imagine their sorrow as they witnessed the complete destruction of their people.
Moroni included in his writings an epistle from his father Mormon. Mormon explained the awful state of their people and the horrific atrocities taking place, and he mourned their depravity. I was impressed by what Mormon said to Moroni after telling of their awful circumstances. He said, “My son, be faithful in Christ; and may not the things which I have written grieve thee, to weigh thee down unto death; but may Christ lift thee up…” (Moroni 9:25)
I love that thought of Christ lifting him up. Mormon’s counsel to his son was to focus on Jesus Christ!
When we find ourselves getting weighed down by the commotion and contention in the world, or we become discouraged by things that are out of our control, we too can focus our lives on Jesus Christ and He will lift us up. We can reach out to Him in prayer. We can study His Gospel. We can seek to have more faith, hope and charity, as Mormon and Moroni taught.
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf said, “Yes, the world is in turmoil. And yes, we have weaknesses. But we do not need to hang our heads in despair, because we can trust God, we can trust His Son, Jesus Christ, and we can accept the gift of the Spirit to guide us on this path toward a life filled with joy and divine happiness.” (April 2021)
Suzanne Jones - Primary Presidency
March 8, 2026
One-liners that I taught my older grandkids at a recent “Sleepover at Grandma’s House”.
1. The reality of the stars and universe (showing an image from the Hubble image of the “Deep Field” photo of the universe) – that Jesus Christ is the creator of all of it.
2. Where did you come from? From Heavenly Father. You existed before this life; You exist now on the earth; You will continue to exist after this life.
3. This life is a test, your test, but you have already chosen to follow Him.
4. You get to choose whether to believe or not believe. Choose to believe. It opens the avenue for the Spirit to be in your life. Turn on the spiritual light switch to “believe”. The Spirit knows if you turned it on. Keep the Holy Ghost with you always.
5. Keep the Lord close to your heart. Remember Him always.
6. Read the scriptures daily, especially the Book of Mormon, at least a few verses.
7. Who should we choose to follow throughout our lives? Ourselves? Friends? Evil things? Or good things? We should follow two people in this life, Christ and His living prophet.
8. Stay away from addictive things.
9. You are here to assist in the preparation for the Second Coming.
10. Be someone different than who you normally are. Be like Christ. Be kind. Be happy. Seek joy!
11. Seek the Spirit through fasting and prayer.
12. Choose good friends. Be stronger than your peers. Influence them for good.
13. Stop arguing or having any part in contention. You don’t have to always be ‘right’.
14. Be kind in your words. Express your love for others. Don’t be negative.
15. Be peacemakers at school and at home.
16. Don’t lie, cheat, manipulate, steal, gossip. You can’t trust a dishonest person.
17. Be honest. Be morally clean. Control your thoughts and your eyes.
18. “Watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God.” (Mosiah 4:30)
19. There are no secrets kept from heaven.
20. We all will be judged by our works and by the desires of our hearts.
21. After we die, we will have an accounting of our lives.
22. We will each meet the Savior when we pass to the other side.
23. We will see the marks in His hands and feet.
Message by Scott Bleak, Ward Missionary Committee
March 1, 2026
If you need miracles or blessings, family history can help you. I’d like to share three ideas to find relief and resilience through family history work.
Why do we do family history research? President Dallin H. Oaks taught, “Our Heavenly Father desires all of His children to return to the celestial kingdom, where God and our Savior reside.” We help this happen by gathering family names and performing temple ordinances for our ancestors.
Take Small Steps for Big Rewards
The promises of family history don’t require advanced skills or long hours of work. Start simple and build from there. Talk about your parents’ or grandparents’ lives at dinner. Read ancestors’ memories on FamilySearch.org or the mobile app. Create a memory book about your children, your life, or the lives of others.
Rootstech.org offers hundreds of free training videos. Classes range from beginning basics to advanced research. You can watch classes relating to specific geographic locations, writing a personal history, DNA research, and much more. Add previous sessions to your schedule and watch them anytime.
“We become connected to our ancestors through knowledge of their lives. We bond with them as we understand the circumstances and personal values that shaped them. They are real people to whom we owe our existence in this world and whom we will meet again in the hereafter. We learn better who we are, where we come from, and are blessed with a clearer vision of where we are going. When individuals and families search out their ancestors’ inspiring actions and words, they will receive strength and direction for their own lives. President Dallin H. Oaks, Family Discovery
Rebecca Case - Temple and Family History Committee
February 22, 2026
One really hot summer day in Redding California I popped some change into a soda machine, I so badly wanted a cold Orange Crush soda pop. To my surprise out popped two freezing cold cans of soda pop! I was so excited I showed my Dad my good fortune. He told me that I only paid for one, and that if I kept the second one it might keep me out of the Celestial kingdom. I placed that cold refreshing soda on top of the machine for the next person that walked by. Since then I have spent much of life worried about doing something that might keep me out of the Celestial kingdom. Elder Patrick Kearon shared a new perspective that makes me feel like I have a very loving Heavenly Father:
My friends, my fellow disciples on the road of mortal life, our Father’s beautiful plan, even His “fabulous” plan, is designed to bring you home, not to keep you out. No one has built a roadblock and stationed someone there to turn you around and send you away. In fact, it is the exact opposite. God is in relentless pursuit of you. He “wants all of His children to choose to return to Him,” and He employs every possible measure to bring you back.
The plan and the commandments are designed to bring us back home. “Home” is where I long to be. The place where I can be with my loved ones and my loving Heavenly Father and my Savior Jesus Christ. I bear testimony that if we follow His plan, we will be able to be with Him and feel of his amazing love.
In Jesus’ name,
Karl Connolly - Elder's Quorum
February 15, 2026
This past week I watched a high school production of the musical Big Fish. A primary focus of that play is the protagonist’s desire to leave a legacy for his son and others once he has passed away. As I watched, my mind was drawn to the legacy left by my recently passed grandmother.
My grandmother was 4’10” tall on a good day but she left an oversized impact on my life and the lives of many others. Her size only seemed to augment the strength of her unwavering faith in God and his plan for us. She often shared that testimony with me through her love of music, with one song in particular clearly taking precedence over others. She loved the song “I am a Child of God.” She knew the words of that song are true: “ I am a child of God and he has sent me here….” She also knew, as Sister Syd Allred shared in her talk this Sunday, “Everything about the Father’s plan for His children is designed to bring us, all of us home again, as a family.”
I am so grateful that my grandmother shared her testimony of this foundational truth to me repeatedly throughout my life.
Sister Allred also reminded us of the following quote from President Nelson:
“I believe that if the Lord were speaking to you directly, the first thing He would make sure you understand is your true identity. My dear friends, you are literally spirit children of God. You have sung this truth since you learned the words to “I Am a Child of God” [Hymns, no. 301]. But is that eternal truth imprinted upon your heart?”
This truth was imprinted on my grandmother’s heart, and a portion of the legacy she left behind was her impression of that truth on me. Reflecting on that truth and what I can understand of its importance and impact has blessed my life through good times and bad.
I am grateful for the legacy left to me by my grandmother, and I pray that we can all strive to leave similar legacies of truth and testimony to those we love.
Jeremy Adamson - Bishopric
February 8, 2026
I was recently reminded of a conference talk that President Emily Belle Freeman gave in the October 2022 General Conference titled, “Walking in Covenant Relationship with Christ”. As I’ve recently pondered on covenants, and in particular my own, I loved her reminder of what President Nelson taught about covenants. She said, “A covenant is not only about a contract, although that is important. It’s about a relationship. President Russell M. Nelson taught, ‘The covenant path is all about our relationship with God.’” Making a covenant is not just a single event in our life, rather after we enter into a covenant, the focus should not only be on keeping that covenant but also on building our relationship with the Savior who can help us progress along the path.
The beauty of the covenant path is that we are all at different points on that path and no matter where we are, the Savior will meet us individually where we are. As we focus on turning to the Savior, He can help lift us as we progress to become more like Him. Let us all walk with Him.
February 1, 2026
Greater Love through Family History
The Lord has taught that though the worlds He has created for His children are “innumerable … unto man; … all things are numbered unto me, for they are mine and I know them” (Moses 1:35). Family history and temple work offer us an opportunity to join in Jesus Christ’s work of salvation. Doing so can help us learn how to love and be merciful to our families, to our neighbors, to everyone we meet, for they are all our brothers and sisters.
In remembering our own ancestors, we recognize the scope of Heavenly Father’s plan and creation. The Lord created a place for us to be tested and to have faith, but because very few people get the chance to receive the fulness of God’s covenants while in mortality, the mercy of proxy work reminds us that the Lord loves all His children and has provided a way that all may choose to accept the full blessings of the gospel regardless of their circumstances in mortality (see 2 Nephi 26:20–28, 32–33).
In addition, learning about our ancestors’ lives can remind us that not everything in life will work easily, that there will be disappointments and inequalities in this fallen world. But learning about their lives and performing ordinances for them can also remind us that no one is outside the reach of God’s love (see Romans 8:38–39).
For more information see How Family History Changes Our Hearts and Minds, February 2015 Ensign.
Syd Shurtliff - Temple and Family History
January 25, 2026
Neighborhood Family Home Evening Group—MT nest
Last Monday evening at the Maple Hills Clubhouse we had the awesome privilege of hearing Brent Nielson, executive director of the Salt Lake City Temple Celebration (open house) committee, who showed us a very informative presentation of upcoming events. The celebration will begin at the opening of April conference 2027- and will conclude with Oct. conference 2027. We viewed a power-point presentation that showed pictures of the 4 underground levels which will house the dressing rooms, administrative offices, recommend desk, 2 baptistries, 28 sealing rooms, bride stations, and many initiatory booths, etc.
The historical temple building will be for endowment ceremonies which will be shown by film so that all languages can be accessed. Headsets or phone apps will provide information as you tour the building. They expect 40,000 guests/day during the celebration. They have extended invitations to all world leaders. They will provide online virtual tours for people throughout the world. A youth group of members from other countries is involved in the planning.
Two visitors centers have been constructed. The Christus statue in one will be viewed through large windows. One new feature is in the downstairs area of the 2 visitor centers. It has double doors that say Holiness to the Lord and open into an actual replica of the temple with baptismal font, instruction rooms and a Celestial room. This feature will not be dedicated for ordinances but will be open to the public to be able to see the inside of the temple whenever they visit.
The visitor’s center will open this coming April 2026 for all to visit. The hope is that Temple Square and the temple will be better understood and associated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints worldwide.
BTW—All are welcome to attend the MT nest FHE group which meets at the Maple Hills Clubhouse usually the second Monday of each month at 7 pm. Watch for the announcements in the newsletter.
Connie Rose - Ward Mission
January 18, 2026
“I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father … which consists of the learning of the Jews and the language of the Egyptians” (1 Nephi 1:1–2). Each time we begin reading the Book of Mormon, Nephi reminds us of the importance of teaching and learning in the home. He links good parenting with teaching about life, literacy, and most importantly, the gospel. He teaches us that faith and knowledge are not accidental; they are nurtured intentionally within the family.
Nephi explains that he was taught the “learning of the Jews,” some of which we are studying this year through Come, Follow Me and the Old Testament. Surely Moses’ prophetic instruction recorded in the book of Deuteronomy was a cherished Lehi family passage: “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up” (Deuteronomy 6:5–7). Diligently teaching the gospel in the home is an eternal principle and commandment to all, taught by ancient prophets and reaffirmed by modern prophets.
Nephi’s example invites us to follow the same pattern today: “For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them, and writeth them for the learning and the profit of my children” (2 Nephi 4:15). He also spoke of reading to his family that he “might more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord” (1 Nephi 19:23–24). Gospel learning is strongest when it begins in the home through simple, consistent efforts to study the scriptures together, talk of Christ in everyday moments, and invite the Spirit into family life.
As we teach and learn the gospel in our homes, we help one another build faith, deepen testimony, and develop a lasting connection with the Savior. Whether in times of “many afflictions” or when “highly favored of the Lord,” diligent gospel study in the home will bring “great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God” (1 Nephi 1:1). As we begin this new year of study in Come, Follow Me and the Old Testament, I invite each of us to consider how “goodly” our gospel learning is in our homes and set a specific goal to strengthen it!
Tony Gilvear - Sunday School
January 4, 2026
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Christmas is a special time to reflect on the many gifts that Our Heavenly Father has given us, with His Son, Jesus Christ being the greatest gift of all.
The story of the first Christmas has always been magical to me, and I have felt a special spirit from its telling, hearing, and contemplation. It is beyond comprehension that the entity that created the earth and all things on it, and governed its affairs since the creation, was willing to come to earth as a newborn baby to experience mortality and carry out the salvation of all mankind. The great Plan of Salvation, also referred to as the Plan of Happiness, is God’s Plan for His children to grow, develop, and prove themselves, and eventually return to Him and live throughout eternity as families. Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of that plan and makes it possible through His life, teachings, example, Atonement, and Resurrection.
He is literally the Savior of the world, but just as important, is that He is our personal Savior. He will save us all one by one if we will let Him. Let’s let Him!
Through daily repentance and making every effort to be obedient, Jesus Christ will help us through the ups and downs of mortal life and make up the difference of our human frailties, mistakes, inconsistencies, and poor decisions.
No matter what stage in life we are in we can rely on Him to bless us and assist us in “making it back.”
I testify of the Divinity of God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost and their ability to reach down and lift us up along this sojourn of life.
I hope and pray that we all can feel of Their love at this wonderful time of the year and carry those feelings with us into the New Year and that we can “Be Good and Do Good.”
Reed Shurtliff - Ward Temple and Family History Leader