Sticking It Out

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Sometimes something (anything) will bring up to mind a well of memories and emotions. It could be a smell, a sight or sound. In the following story, Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve is reminiscing about an outing with his young son, when they went to a baseball game. Years later, Elder Perry’s son gifted him with a signed bat. This story is taken from Making Memories, printed in the Ensign, August 1993:

"We arrived home at 2:30 A.M. I wasn’t at my best in the meetings the following day, but I had a lasting memory to cherish. Now a piece of wood, a baseball bat, stands in the corner of my office to remind me of a father-son relationship filled with so many great memories.

"I remember taking a little child from his mother’s arms and carrying him to the front of the congregation of Saints and there giving him a name and a father’s blessing. …. I remember how important it was on his eighth birthday when I could take him into the waters of baptism and then bring him out, again exercising the priesthood, allowing me to confirm him a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Four years later came another memory, for then I was serving as a member of the bishopric, and I was empowered to use my priesthood to place my hands on his head and confer the Aaronic Priesthood upon him and ordain him to the office of a deacon.

"So it went, on through the priesthood offices of teacher and priest. He reached the great age of nineteen, and now I found myself holding the office of a stake president. I was now able to assign myself to confer the Melchizedek Priesthood upon my son and ordain him to the office of an elder. Then came the thrill of setting him apart as a full-time missionary and sending him off to Japan to serve the Lord.

"Shortly after he returned from a successful mission, I was called to be a General Authority. With that call, the sealing power was conferred, and some five years later my son and a beautiful young lady were kneeling before me in the holy temple, and I was sealing them together as husband and wife for time and for all eternity.

"It doesn’t stop there. The two of them were soon on their way east to New Haven, Connecticut, to attend school. One night I received a telephone call from my son. He said, 'Dad, how fast can you make it to New Haven?' I asked him what the problem was. He said, 'No problem. I’m being called into the bishopric on Sunday, and I want you to ordain me to the office of high priest.' So I went to New Haven to make another unique memory.

"A few years later I returned from a stake conference assignment and received another telephone call. My son told me, 'Elder Marvin J. Ashton of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has just called me to be a stake president. He knows our history. He said he would not dare put his hands on my head to set me apart to the new office. Can you drive to Provo and set me apart?' What great memories of a father-son relationship this piece of wood holds for me!”

Memories are worth making and having. We should spend our time making lasting memories. We wish you a good time with your family on this Memorial Day.

As always we welcome your comments.

To view a copy of the Neighborhood News for Monday 30 May, click here.

Personal Touch

Welcome to the Neighborhood News

In our Personal Touch with Rebecca Cressman segment, she interviews Sheralyn

Pratt. Sheralyn Pratt graduated from the University of Utah in Communications. She's best known for creating the private investigator book series featuring the young, fearless, and slightly impulsive California character, Rhea Jensen. Sheralyn has published 3 novels, 1 e-book, and even produced 2 screenplays. She also enjoys adventures. She served a mission for the LDS Church in Budapest, Hungary, and enjoys traveling and living in new places (Maui is her favorite so far). When she isn't writing, she enjoys hiking with her dog and learning new skills. She has been a karate instructor, a musical theater performer, and is currently a publicist. Visit her at http://www.sheralynpratt.com/, to learn more about her books.

Our first article comes from Russ Beck, who blogs at ‘On the Couch… by Russ Beck.’ His article is aptly named “Five Tips to Strengthen Your Marriage”; in it, he says: “What …is a couple to do living in a world where divorce is becoming so widely accepted? How are they to find joy and happiness?” We should listen (or read) Russ’ counsel, since he is a licensed, professional counselor with a Master's degree from the University of Wyoming, and has been doing family counseling for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for ten years.

Next, we have Paul, who blogs at ‘A Latter-day Voice.’ His article is “Working Celestial Marriage” and it’s a smart, well put together piece. He opines: “Mormons talk about "saving ordinances," meaning ordinances that we believe are required to return to our Father in Heaven's presence. The final of these is the sealing ordinance in which a man and woman can be sealed together in the temple for time and all eternity. … It seems that the sealing ordinance is just the start, just as baptism is the gate by which we enter a path back to God. Said another way: a temple wedding does not by itself a celestial marriage make.” How many of us really, truly think that we’ve made it to the Celestial kingdom just because we married in the temple? Food for thought.

Last, we have this article from Carolyn who blogs at ‘Fruit of the Carolyn.’ Her article is “Taillights and Falling in Love”, and it’s a sweet, loving tribute to a husband. How many people out there would just come out and say “I still love my spouse”? Carolyn is following her husband on their drive home, and she says: “I followed. I let my mind wander as I fixed my gaze on his taillights and followed him all the way home.
"It hit me like a wave of warm water, familiar and joyful. How following someone you love unconditionally can bring peace, rest, and quiet revelation.”


To view a copy of the Neighborhood News for Monday, 19 July's, please click here.

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Sweet Musings

In today's Neighborhood News, Lu Ann Staheli brings to us her insights on "A Good Husband": "Love begets love, and unless we remain aware of the ways we treat each other, we may find ourselves moving apart instead of staying together. This can also be true within families and friendships, not just with romantic relationships and marriages."


We can keep our marriages healthy in many different ways. That's why Rachel Brunner, from About.com, brings to us "12 Ways to Have a Happy, Healthy Marriage": "Everyone in this life is affected by marriage, either that of their parents, their own, or their children's. Keeping a marriage strong while surviving life's trials can be a huge struggle, but learning from other's experiences can help us through these times."


What comes after a romantic dinner? A romantic dessert does, of course. Contributor Cindy dished up this recipe of to die for "Chocolate Truffles", and sent it to Carol Pellegrinelli from About.com.


To view a copy of Monday, February 22nd's, Neighborhood News, click here.

Personal Touch

In today’s Personal Touch interview, Rebecca Cressman interviews Doug Nielsen. Doug has been speaking to audiences about taking ownership of their lives and relationships for 17 years. He’s the author of Take Life By The Helm! Proven Strategies for Gaining Control and says it was a chance meeting with author Victor Frankl that changed his own life and perspective. Though a popular speaker, Doug maintains his private psychotherapy practice one day a week. Doug earned his bachelor’s degree in Clinical Social Work and Psychology and later his Master’s degree in Behavioral Science in 1993 from the UNLV. A happily married father of four, Doug frequently counsels couples on how to create joyful and healthy relationships.

Listen today as Rebecca discusses four key concepts that Doug assures will help strengthen a marriage’s foundation or really any personal relationship. This interview is just what the doctor ordered for the love month!

Professional organizer, Marie Ricks of House of Order, applies her expert efficiency skills in finding ways anyone can offer humanitarian aid to Haiti. Marie’s resourceful list is widely varied including both the vast needs of Haitians and avenues for giving. If you are feeling compelled to give, but do not know how you can make a difference, turn your attention to, “How to Help Haiti Without Spending a Dime.” You are sure to find ideas that will help you broaden your capacity to give at any time.

In supporting the theme of marriage in today’s Personal Touch interview, Neighborhood News links to Tim Malone, a respected voice online and author of Latter-day Commentary. Tim and Carol have been married 26 years and are growing strong. In Tim's post, "The Sacred Power of Marriage" we can read that they have learned a few things on the way and share what keeps them committed.

Marriages are complex. It is optimal when both partners are working toward the same goal. But what happens when one spouse seems apathetic? When the couple is merely cohabitating? In the blog Ask A Therapist, one of the LDS therapists, Justin K. Shum, addresses a marriage problem of an emotionally and physically checked-out spouse. Read his advice and enjoy a video on marriage by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

All marriages have their high's and low's. What helps you maintain your perspective while riding the low's? What is your favorite quality you enjoy in your spouse? If you are single, do you think you can really prepare for marriage? If so, how? What if you are again single and looking at a second marriage?

To view today's Neighborhood News in its entirety, click here.