Join me today as Bailey shares with us about her decision to go on a mission, receiving her call and giving all of her might, mind and strength to the Lord. Bailey returned home in May. Her experiences were priceless. Her letters were inspiring to read and strengthened us weekly. One of her last emails closing thoughts summed up her mission beautifully,

"I wanted to share an experience we had while offering our 1st Temple Tour. Minutes before we began, one of the employee guides walked over with a woman. She was meant to be with the tour that had begun 10 minutes earlier. Due to the layout of the tour, we had to inform her she couldn't join her group, but that she could join the next tour. At this point, she was quite irritated and upset. Her tone wasn't the nicest, and she just wasn't in a happy mood. She said she had ran here and wanted to be with them. Due to some misunderstandings she believed she would have to wait far more time before the next tour, then came to the realization that our next group would be in the next 3 minutes.

We began the tour and midway through, I noticed her crying in the corner. Throughout the tour she had distanced herself and held a tissue near. We concluded the tour and I felt to go speak with her. 

She was so overjoyed. She explained that she had a non-member sister that she has craved to come and understand why she believe the way she does for two decades. Her sister is anticipating to visit this summer and she was so eager to bring her to experience this place. Her sister had gone through so much and was just now starting to open up to religion and Christ. She was just so thankful a space such as the Temple Tour would enable people to see a deeper glimpse of why/how we love and follow Christ. We embraced each other and she continued on.

You and I witness a small sliver of each person's day to day. We simply don't know the context, we don't. Thus, we have no right to withdraw our kindness or understanding. We do not feel the depth nor reality of a person's worries or wounds. 

I often reflect upon the expression/verse in Moroni, "peaceable followers of Christ" and Mosiah 4:

"12 And behold, I say unto you that if ye do this ye shall always rejoice, and be filled with the love of God, and always retain a remission of your sins; and ye shall grow in the knowledge of the glory of him that created you, or in the knowledge of that which is just and true.

13 And ye will not have a mind to injure one another, but to live peaceably, and to render to every man according to that which is his due."

My nearly 18 months has taught me, the Lord is not superficial, and neither should we be. The root of our actions should be based upon sincere desire for the well-being of others. Looking outward IS the way because it was/is HIS way. In a world that foregos ouward love, let us follow His commission and exemplify Him in thought, intent, word, and deed.

His methods will heal the World. So, offer a smile, hold the door, take someone's cart, text a longtime friend, call a grandparent, write a sibling, share the compliment, place the phone down and listen, look at them as they speak, share an encouraging word, clear the sink, make their bed, prepare them breakfast, share your admiration for their time, water the plants, wave to the neighbor, thank the cashier, ask if they need help, remember their story, ask about their day, clean up the table, gently reply, and more. THIS is life eternal, to know Him and His way.

He lives and works through us. So will you labor alongside?

Kindly,

Sister Newell

Salt Lake City Temple Square Mission

Elias was introduced to me through a friend. As I prepared to talk to him, I wanted to focus on a theme for this podcast. The theme wasn't clear until we began talking about how God has always guided Elias throughout his life. We all come to this earth to a family. God intended it that way. No family is perfect, we all have our struggles and through our brokenness the Savior heals us. Elias's families have been gathered and healed through unanticipated ways. He was born in Haiti and due to family struggles was placed in an orphanage with older siblings. An American couple went to Haiti to adopt Elias and bring him into their fold. After years of traveling due to his father's career, Elias met some challenges that facilitated a change in his family dynamics. As the years past, Elias was introduced to his biological siblings who were also living in the United States. The family circle expanded and grew. With personal growth and guidance from our Heavenly Father, he decided to serve a two year mission in Louisville Kentucky. Join me today as Elias shares his love of his family and the gospel and how God is a healer of broken families.

Do you have a favorite part of the day? Mine is the morning!!
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said, "Drawing upon scriptural promises, he noted that morning symbolizes the ultimate triumph of light over darkness: "It is the Light of the World, the Bright and Morning Star, the 'light that is endless, that can never be darkened'." Join me today as I share scriptures that talk about the MORNING.

Alma 37:37

37 Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.

Recently, I have been selling clothing and shoes on eBay. I have 100% positive reviews but the other day someone that I had sold something too asked to return it. Her reasoning did not match up with the item she bought. I felt like she was being deceitful with her return refund. It stayed on my mind all evening and into the morning. Then while walking and listening to the Tabernacle choir, I thought about how we as human beings can sometimes be hyper focused on the small percentage of negativity. Instead of me personally looking at my positive reviews and buyers purchases that went well, I focus on one sale item that did not go desired for the buyer. We are not alone. The mind can lean toward the small minority of comments or experiences we have and drown out all the good. Join me today as I share some thoughts about this topic.

Ben grew up in Oregon raised by a hard working, devoted single mother. He enjoyed camping adventures with her and his siblings as a child during the summer months. His curious mind often looked up at the stars and wondered about the universe and its expanse. Having not grown up with a specific religion, Ben had curiosities that took him to ask questions that most teenage boys don't consider. In this process of wondering, he felt God gathering him closer to HIM. Ben chose a friend group that would nuture these feelings and soon was introduced to our Heavenly Father's plan and love for Ben personally. Join me today as Ben shares his journey of finding God and choosing to serve the Lord by serving a mission.

Over 2 decades as a police officer on the streets of Portland Oregon. Tammy was the youngest of 5 children. She grew up wanting to be a mother. She excelled as a shot put thrower in high school and college. Ranking 10th in the nation. She served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Alabama. While attending college she changed her major 7 times, she ultimately decided to go into social work. At the time jobs were difficult to find in this field. While working at the copy machine in the police department she decided to become a police officer. Join me today as she shares her choice to become a police officer and how it has shaped her as a person.

-As of 2024–2025, there are approximately 737,000 to over 750,000 full-time sworn law enforcement officers in the U.S.. The workforce is predominantly male (85.6%) and with about 14% female representation. 

In the Fall of 2024, Ken had been having symptoms that seemed to keep lingering on. He decided to go to the doctors and see what was happening. Through tests, they told Ken that he had pancreatic cancer. The diagnosis was bleak and time was not on his side. He and his wife Holly leaned upon the Lord and one another to find the strength, courage and trust that they had built together since their marriage in September 1996. Join me today as Holly & Ken share their unique courtship and love for one another that has strengthened them through this trial of terminal cancer.

In April 1975, Marion D Hanks gave a talk titled, Trust in the Lord. In it he said, “As life supplies its store of tribulation we need the consolation that comes with knowing that God is good and that he is near, that he understands, and that he loves us and will help us and strengthen us for the realities of a world where sin and affliction exist. And while I’m talking about principles this morning, I am not really thinking in the abstract, but I’m thinking of many noble souls who have met difficulties with courage” ….. Comfort came to them in the quiet knowledge of the nearness of a Savior who himself had not been spared the most keen and intense suffering, who himself had drunk of the bitter cup.”

“From this source—from God and Christ—wisdom and strength can be found that will make endurance possible, and relationships generous and helpful, that will lead to abundancy of life and to everlasting life. God will “temper the wind to the shorn lamb,” and help us to endure all things and to continue to maintain integrity in the face of the siren song of invitation to “curse God and die”—die spiritually, die as to things pertaining to righteousness, die to hope and holiness and faith in a future where there is no corruption and no pain.”

“Christ came that men might have life abundant and life eternal, and he declared that “this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3.)

“Our religion is “not weight, it is wings.” It can carry us through the dark times, the bitter cup. It will be with us in the fiery furnace and the deep pit. It will accompany us to the hospital room and to the place of bereavement. It can guarantee us the presence of a Captain on the rough voyage. It is, in short, not the path to easy disposition of problems, but the comforting assurance of the eternal light, by which we may see, and the eternal warmth, which we may feel. “The Lord is good: Blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” (Ps. 34:8.)”

While heading to the church for a presidency meeting, I saw a sister from another ward trying to unload a truck bed full of decorations for a wedding. I had a moment to decide to either walk into the church to the presidency meeting or go over to her truck and offer to help her carry and lift all of her things into the gym?

My mind returned to a situation as a ward RS president years ago. We had had our meeting and after exiting the building we stood by our cars talking. I noticed a couple (not active but I was friendly with the wife) arrived at the parking lot who had a truck load of things that they had planned to put in the DI truck in the back parking lot. My mind kept looking over wondering if I should exit the conversation and go help them unload. After minutes passed I decided to walk over and offer to help, the husband commented, “it’s a little late”. I felt horrible. Was my conversation with my presidency better than serving this couple? Regret has stayed with me for years. Then the opportunity arose to choose differently. Help a friend and arrive a little late or walk past her and head into my presidency meeting. Then we got an email from Bailey's mission that same night. Our thoughts aligned. Join me today as I share this email and thoughts on serving others!!

In the late 1970's Jeff was a young man trying to make money while working up in Kodiak Alaska. His near fate with death while out in a boat in the Gulf of Alaska caused him to pause and re-think his choices. That hyper awareness of the preciousness of life soon disappeared when he returned back to Oregon. Then one late night while at a bar with his brother tragedy struck again. Jeff's pain and anger continued to gnaw at him for many years. Join me today as Jeff shares the lessons that he learned from his wife and life's tragedy's.

At women’s conference this weekend we listened to a presentation about phone use, technology, Real VS Reel. During a part of it we talked about getting outside and enjoying nature. That led me thinking about the Savior and other scripture stories of people doing life in the outdoors. I personally love the outdoors. I walk most days a week. I love to see the birds, flowers, trees, grass, and the sky. Either hiking, camping, mowing, yardwork. 

Alma: "All things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth... witness that there is a Supreme Creator" (Alma 30:44)

Benefits of being outdoors:

Spending time in nature reduces stress (lowering cortisol), improves mental health by easing depression and anxiety, boosts immune function, increases vitamin D levels, and enhances focus. Just 20–30 minutes outdoors, or 120 minutes weekly, can improve sleep, boost energy, and lower blood pressure. 

Mental Health and Brain Function

• Reduced Stress & Anxiety: Nature lowers cortisol levels, which helps reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.

• Improved Mood and Self-Esteem: Even short 5-minute walks in nature can boost mood and increase feelings of happiness and relaxation.

• Enhanced Cognitive Function: Time outside increases focus, memory, and creativity.

• Reduced ADHD Symptoms: Exposure to green spaces helps improve attention and reduce symptoms of ADHD in children. 

Physical Health Benefits

• Improved Immune System: Regular outdoor time, especially in forests, can boost natural killer (NK) cell activity, which helps fight diseases.

• Increased Vitamin D: Sunlight exposure provides essential Vitamin D, which is crucial for bone health and immunity.

• Better Sleep: Natural light helps regulate your circadian rhythm, leading to better, more consistent sleep.

• Reduced Cardiovascular Risks: Spending time in green spaces is linked to lower blood pressure, improved heart health, and reduced mortality.

• Better Vision: Time outdoors can reduce the risk of nearsightedness. 

Activity and Well-being