Author: Ben Minson

Apollonia’s Marriage Vows

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Apollonia had moved to a new country a couple of years ago to pursue her education. Since that time, she had come to know a man by the name of Gerard. The nature of their relationship proceeded from mere acquaintance to friendship, and from there to dating. Finally, they became engaged.

As the big day of their wedding approached, Apollonia became increasingly excited. As an organized person, she felt she had all of the preparations well in hand. But then her anticipation became dampened when a friend asked her if she had started the paperwork to have her name legally changed.

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God’s Workings with Us

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The gospel of Jesus Christ contains what appear on the surface to be dichotomies or contradictions. But when you look more closely with a balanced view, seeming incongruencies become details that help us understand our Heavenly Father more deeply.

The Parable of the Woodcarver touches on a couple of these dichotomies that represent God’s workings with us. The woodcarver himself, of course, is our Father, and we are the wood in His hands that become fine carvings.

First is the idea that as the One doing the shaping, He has complete control, but at the same time, the carving takes on a life of its own. How is that possible?

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The Backpack

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Two buddies, Mitch and Zach, embarked on a day hike in a gulch lined with red cliffs. Each wore a backpack carrying his lunch, snacks, and water. Mitch was smaller and not as strong as Zach, but this wasn’t his first hike, and he kept up with his taller, stronger companion. Mitch knew that if he started to flag, Zach would offer and even insist on carrying both packs. So Mitch committed to himself that he would keep up.

The day passed without incident as they enjoyed the scenery. A creek that snaked through the gulch required multiple crossings, but its shallow bed was no obstacle. And then the end of the hike came—with the climb out of the gulch.

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A Gracious Victor

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By David Armstrong

Camille N. Johnson gave a talk in October 2021 general conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints called “Invite Christ to Author Your Story.” In this talk, she said:

“[Christ] is mercifully willing to use me, a scrawny pencil, as an instrument in His hands, if I have the faith to let Him, if I will let Him author my story. . . . Letting God prevail, letting Him be the author and finisher of our stories, does require us to keep His commandments and the covenants we have made. It is our commandment and covenant keeping that will open the line of communication for us to receive revelation through the Holy Ghost.”

Sister Johnson is talking about surrendering to God and letting his will prevail in her life and in mine. To surrender is to stop fighting and accept the opponent as the victor. Except, God is not my opponent. At least, He doesn’t want to be. He doesn’t want to fight with me. He wants to join with me and have me join with Him in His glorious work. I’m the only one who is fighting. Like the old farmer in the Parable of the Meddling Neighbor, I foolishly put up resistance to everything that is meant for my good.

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Dad’s Reflection

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Logan just didn’t like what he saw. And he had to look at it every day.

At least, he had to if he wanted to give the impression that he didn’t go straight from bed to school.

That groggy, sullen face gazed back at him from the bathroom mirror, and if it could talk, Logan was sure it wouldn’t have anything nice to say to him. He could imagine it. You slouching slob. You can’t get any answers right in math class. You stink at taking tests. Your teachers think you’re dumb, and they’re right. You’ll never get a girlfriend. Your friends probably think you’re a loser and are only acting like they like you.

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