"God never leaves us alone, never leaves us unaided in the challenges that we face."

The Ministry of Angels

ELDER JEFFREY R. HOLLAND  
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

When Adam and Eve willingly stepped into mortality, they knew this telestial world would contain thorns and thistles and troubles of every kind. Perhaps their most challenging realization, however, was not the hardship and danger they would endure but the fact that they would now be distanced from God, separated from Him with whom they had walked and talked, who had given them face-to-face counsel. After this conscious choice, as the record of creation says, “they saw him not; for they were shut out from his presence.” ¹ Amidst all else that must have troubled them, surely this must have troubled them the most.

But God knew the challenges they would face, and He certainly knew how lonely and troubled they would sometimes feel. So He watched over His mortal family constantly, heard their prayers always, and sent prophets (and later apostles) to teach, counsel, and guide them. But in times of special need, He sent angels, divine messengers, to bless His children, reassure them that heaven was always very close and that His help was always very near. Indeed, shortly after Adam and Eve found themselves in the lone and dreary world, an angel appeared unto them, ² who taught them the meaning of their sacrifice and the atoning role of the promised Redeemer who was to come.

When the time for this Savior’s advent was at hand, an angel was sent to announce to Mary that she was to be the mother of the Son of God. ³ Then a host of angels was commissioned to sing on the night the baby Jesus was born. ⁴ Shortly thereafter an angel would announce to Joseph that the newborn baby was in danger and that this little family must flee to Egypt for safety. ⁵ When it was safe to return, an angel conveyed that information to the family and the three returned to the land of their heritage. ⁶

From the beginning down through the dispensations, God has usedangels as His emissaries in conveying love and concern for His children. Time in this setting does not allow even a cursory examination of the scriptures or our own latter-day history, which are so filled with accounts of angels ministering to those on earth, but it is rich doctrine and rich history indeed.

Usually such beings are not seen. Sometimes they are. But seen or unseen they are always near. Sometimes their assignments are very grand and have significance for the whole world. Sometimes the messages are more private. Occasionally the angelic purpose is to warn. But most often it is to comfort, to provide some form of merciful attention, guidance in difficult times. When in Lehi’s dream he found himself in a frightening place, “a dark and dreary waste,” as he described it, he was met by an angel, “a man … dressed in a white robe; … he spake unto me,” Lehi said, “and bade me follow him.” ⁷ Lehi did follow him to safety and ultimately to the path of salvation.

In the course of life all of us spend time in “dark and dreary” places, wildernesses, circumstances of sorrow or fear or discouragement. Our present day is filled with global distress over financial crises, energy problems, terrorist attacks, and natural calamities. These translate into individual and family concerns not only about homes in which to live and food available to eat but also about the ultimate safety and well-being of our children and the latter-day prophecies about our planet. More serious than these—and sometimes related to them—are matters of ethical, moral, and spiritual decay seen in populations large and small, at home and abroad. But I testify that angels are still sent to help us, even as they were sent to help Adam and Eve, to help the prophets, and indeed to help the Savior of the world Himself. Matthew records in his gospel that after Satan had tempted Christ in the wilderness “angels came and ministered unto him.” ⁸ Even the Son of God, a God Himself, had need for heavenly comfort during His sojourn in mortality. And so such ministrations will be to the righteous until the end of time. As Mormon said to his son Moroni, who would one day be an angel:

“Has the day of miracles ceased?

“Or have angels ceased to appear unto the children of men? Or has he withheld the power of the Holy Ghost from them? Or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man upon the face thereof to be saved?

“Behold I say unto you, Nay; for … it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men. …

“For behold, they are subject unto [Christ], to minister according to the word of his command, showing themselves unto them of strong faith and a firm mind in every form of godliness.” ⁹

I ask everyone within the sound of my voice to take heart, be filled with faith, and remember the Lord has said He “would fight [our] battles, [our] children’s battles, and [the battles of our] children’s children.” ¹⁰ And what do we do to merit such a defense? We are to “search diligently, pray always, and be believing[. Then] all things shall work together for [our] good, if [we] walk uprightly and remember the covenant wherewith [we] have covenanted.” ¹¹ The latter days are not a time to fear and tremble. They are a time to be believing and remember our covenants.

I have spoken here of heavenly help, of angels dispatched to bless us in time of need. But when we speak of those who are instruments in the hand of God, we are reminded that not all angels are from the other side of the veil. Some of them we walk with and talk with—here, now, every day. Some of them reside in our own neighborhoods. Some of them gave birth to us, and in my case, one of them consented to marry me. Indeed heaven never seems closer than when we see the love of God manifested in the kindness and devotion of people so good and so pure that angelicis the only word that comes to mind. Elder James Dunn, from this pulpit just moments ago, used that word in his invocation to describe this Primary choir—and why not? With the spirit, faces, and voices of those children in our mind and before our eyes, may I share with you an account by my friend and BYU colleague, the late Clyn D. Barrus. I do so with the permission of his wife, Marilyn, and their family.

Referring to his childhood on a large Idaho farm, Brother Barrus spoke of his nightly assignment to round up the cows at milking time. Because the cows pastured in a field bordered by the occasionally treacherous Teton River, the strict rule in the Barrus household was that during the spring flood season the children were never to go after any cows who ventured across the river. They were always to return home and seek mature help.

One Saturday just after his seventh birthday, Brother Barrus’s parents promised the family a night at the movies if the chores were done on time. But when young Clyn arrived at the pasture, the cows he sought had crossed the river, even though it was running at high flood stage. Knowing his rare night at the movies was in jeopardy, he decided to go after the cows himself, even though he had been warned many times never to do so.

As the seven-year-old urged his old horse, Banner, down into the cold, swift stream, the horse’s head barely cleared the water. An adult sitting on the horse would have been safe, but at Brother Barrus’s tender age, the current completely covered him except when the horse lunged forward several times, bringing Clyn’s head above water just enough to gasp for air.

Here I turn to Brother Barrus’s own words:

“When Banner finally climbed the other bank, I realized that my life had been in grave danger and that I had done a terrible thing—I had knowingly disobeyed my father. I felt that I could redeem myself only by bringing the cows home safely. Maybe then my father would forgive me. But it was already dusk, and I didn’t know for sure where I was. Despair overwhelmed me. I was wet and cold, lost and afraid.

“I climbed down from old Banner, fell to the ground by his feet, and began to cry. Between thick sobs, I tried to offer a prayer, repeating over and over to my Father in Heaven, ‘I’m sorry. Forgive me! I’m sorry. Forgive me!’

“I prayed for a long time. When I finally looked up, I saw through my tears a figure dressed in white walking toward me. In the dark, I felt certain it must be an angel sent in answer to my prayers. I did not move or make a sound as the figure approached, so overwhelmed was I by what I saw. Would the Lord really send an angel to me, who had been so disobedient?

“Then a familiar voice said, ‘Son, I’ve been looking for you.’ In the darkness I recognized the voice of my father and ran to his outstretched arms. He held me tightly, then said gently, ‘I was worried. I’m glad I found you.’

“I tried to tell him how sorry I was, but only disjointed words came out of my trembling lips—‘Thank you … darkness … afraid … river … alone.’ Later that night I learned that when I had not returned from the pasture, my father had come looking for me. When neither I nor the cows were to be found, he knew I had crossed the river and was in danger. Because it was dark and time was of the essence, he removed his clothes down to his long white thermal underwear, tied his shoes around his neck, and swam a treacherous river to rescue a wayward son.” ¹²

My beloved brothers and sisters, I testify of angels, both the heavenly and the mortal kind. In doing so I am testifying that God never leaves us alone, never leaves us unaided in the challenges that we face. “[N]or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man [or woman or child] upon the face thereof to be saved.” ¹³ On occasions, global or personal, we may feel we are distanced from God, shut out from heaven, lost, alone in dark and dreary places. Often enough that distress can be of our own making, but even then the Father of us all is watching and assisting. And always there are those angels who come and go all around us, seen and unseen, known and unknown, mortal and immortal.

May we all believe more readily in, and have more gratitude for, the Lord’s promise as contained in one of President Monson’s favorite scriptures: “I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, … my Spirit shall be in your [heart], and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.” ¹⁴ In the process of praying for those angelsto attend us, may we all try to be a little more angelic ourselves—with a kind word, a strong arm, a declaration of faith and “the covenant wherewith [we] have covenanted.” ¹⁵ Perhaps then we can be emissaries sent from God when someone, perhaps a Primary child, is crying, “Darkness … afraid … river … alone.” To this end I pray in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2008/10/the-ministry-of-angels?lang=eng&query=angels

A Story to Share

Hey guys, not much to say this week but I did want to share a story i found this week.  

This week has been hard on the side of just loving and caring that much more, going the extra mile to help someone out, especially the people that are closest to us.  It can be hard but doing all that much more can bring so many more happy moments in our lives. I hope you enjoy this story.

Long years ago I was touched by a story which illustrated love of neighbor between a small boy named Paul and a telephone operator he had never met. These were the days many will remember with nostalgia but which a new generation will never experience.

Paul related the story: “When I was quite young, my father had one of the first telephones in our neighborhood. I remember that the shiny receiver hung on the side of the box. I was too little to reach the telephone, but I used to listen with fascination when Mother would talk to it. Then I discovered that somewhere inside the wonderful device lived an amazing person. Her name was ‘Information, Please,’ and there was nothing she did not know. ‘Information, Please’ could supply anybody’s number and the correct time.

“I learned that if I stood on a stool, I could reach the telephone. I called ‘Information, Please’ for all sorts of things. I asked her for help with my geography, and she told me where Philadelphia was. She helped me with my arithmetic, too.

“Then there was the time that Petey, our pet canary, died. I called ‘Information, Please’ and told her the sad story. She listened and then said the usual things grown-ups say to soothe a child. But I was unconsoled. ‘Why is it that birds should sing so beautifully and bring joy to all families, only to end up as a heap of feathers, feet up, on the bottom of the cage?’ I asked.

“She must have sensed my deep concern, for she said quietly, ‘Paul, always remember that there are other worlds in which to sing.’ Somehow I felt better.

“All this took place in a small town near Seattle. Then we moved across the country to Boston. I missed my friend very much. ‘Information, Please’ belonged to that old wooden box back home, and I somehow never thought of trying to call her. The memories of those childhood conversations never really left me; often in moments of doubt and perplexity I would recall the serene sense of security I had then. I appreciated now how patient, understanding, and kind she was to have spent her time on a little boy.

“Later, when I went west to college, my plane made a stop in Seattle,” Paul continued. “I called ‘Information, Please,’ and when, miraculously, I heard that familiar voice, I said to her, ‘I wonder if you have any idea how much you meant to me during that time?’

“‘I wonder,’ she said, ‘if you know how much your calls meant to me. I never had any children, and I used to look forward to your calls.’ I told her how often I had thought of her over the years, and I asked if I could call her again when I came back west.

“‘Please do,’ she said. ‘Just ask for Sally.’

“Only three months later I was back in Seattle. A different voice answered, ‘Information,’ and I asked for Sally. ‘Are you a friend?’ the woman asked.

“‘Yes, a very old friend,’ I replied.

“‘Then I’m sorry to have to tell you. Sally has only been working part-time the last few years because she was ill. She died five weeks ago.’ But before I could hang up, she said, ‘Wait a minute. Did you say your name was Paul?’

“‘Yes,’ I responded.

“‘Well, Sally left a message for you. She wrote it down. Here it is—I’ll read it. Tell him I still say there are other worlds in which to sing. He’ll know what I mean.

“I thanked her and hung up,” said Paul. “I did know what Sally meant.”

Sally, the telephone operator, and Paul, the boy—the man—were in reality good Samaritans to each other.

Recognizing The Spirit In Our Lives

Hey guys this week was good!! 

Training is still hard and fall in Korea is so crazy.  There are so many activities happening that we need to attend that it has been hard to do missionary work. 

Although, this week has been a good one, it has been so hard, and boy, is patience hard or what? 

Lately I have been having a hard time recognizing the Spirit in my life, which has set me back a little bit but I was able to have some special experiences this week.  Twice this week the impression of "talk to that man" has come into my mind.  

It has been good to act on the spirit.  Both men didn’t have interest but they had a few questions about Mormons and it was great.  I feel like these were tests to see if the lord could trust me for this next experience.

The best experience I had this week was last night we went to a family’s house to just visit them.  We talked, shared a message, and then said a closing prayer.  As my companion said the prayer i had a feeling of 'don’t leave this house till everyone in this house who wants a blessing, gets one!'

Well, the prayer finished and we asked the daughter if she wanted a blessing and she said, "yes".  The father gave her one.  Then we asked the mom.  She said, "no, I’m fine I’m not sick" and i told her, "hey you don’t need one only if your sick" and then she said, "yes".  It was the first time in 7 years her husband has given her a blessing.  After that we asked the father if he wanted one and he said, "yes" so we gave him one.  

It was so great to listen to the Lord, to actually hear what the Lord wanted that man to know.  I felt the spirit so strong and I hope he did too!!!  

Another Good Week!!!

Loving My Mission Loving The Members Loving The Investigators

My Grandpa Eldredge

George Donald Eldredge Family
Back Row:  Susan, George Donald Jr., Tanya, Cheryl, Randy
Front Row:  Marc, George Donald, Elizabeth, Rebeca, Velma

I've never had to give some thoughts at a setting like this, and especially in this setting but I will try my best.

 

I don't think it would be fair to talk about my grandpa without first telling a story of a very wise prestigious ambassador for the United States touring some of the military bases around the world.  During one of the visits after very lengthy discussions with Generals, it was time for lunch.  This base was on rather short means when it came to food but they were able to to pull in the means to get butter for the rolls. One of the soldiers was in charge of giving one pat of butter to each person.  When he came to the ambassador and gave him his butter, the ambassador asked for not one but 2 pats of butter.  The young soldier stated that they only had enough for 1 per person and that that was all he could give. The ambassador heard this and smiled. Then asked if the soldier knew who he was? The soldier acknowledged that he did not know who he was but that he could only give one pat of butter. The ambassador then stated that he has graduated from a very prestigious school, has worked for the country for over 20 years, listed a few accomplishments and then ordered again for 1 more pat of butter.

 

After this the soldier said that those were all great accomplishments he then asked him, 'Do you know who I am?'

 

The ambassador looked the young soldier up and down and followed with a, 'no.'  The young soldier then responded, 'My name is Jones sir, and I am in charge of the butter.'

 

In my eyes, my grandpa, knew who he was, knew where he stood, and knew of his purpose and duty during this life. He is like Lehi of old, 'Having none other object save it be the everlasting welfare of your souls.'

 

My grandpa, how ever funny he was,  always had one object, and that was to raise his family in the gospel. "For I know that if ye are brought up in the way ye should go ye will not depart from it.'

 

Almost 2 years ago I had the opportunity to talk to my grandpa in the MTC about what laid ahead of him.  I asked him questions like why, what will he do, and how?  He answered with more confidence and prestige in his voice and said, " Macay, I have 2 choices,  I can stand up against this wall looking at how big it is and how hard it will be, or i can turn and face the fire with a smile."

 

Although now is a time of mourning,  I know, just as my grandfather DOES know, that 'The righteous, the saints of the Holy One of Israel, they who have believed in the Holy One of Israel, they who have endured the crosses of the world, they shall inherit the kingdom of God, which was prepared for them from the foundation of the world, and their joy shall be full forever."

 

In closing,  I know my grandfather is here with me doing the best work that this life and the next can offer. This is the work of our Lord and I am so thankful that soon through the wonderful plan of our God, that I will see him again, pain free. And that I now stand that much more shoulder to shoulder with my grandpa saying."We know that which the Lord hath commanded us, and we glory in it. We do ^anot ^bglory of ourselves, but we glory in that which the Lord hath commanded us; yea, and this is our glory, that perhaps we may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is our joy.'

 

Jesus Christ lives. And because He lives I will be able to see my grandpa.  For now and forever, I love you grandpa.  In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Obituary for George Donald Eldredge Jr.

George Donald Eldredge Jr. passed away July 19, 2013, at his home in Provo, Utah.  Don was born Dec. 9, 1944, in Twin Falls, Idaho, to George Donald Eldredge and Velma Hatch Eldredge.  Don graduated from Springville High School in 1963 and later attended Brigham Young University.  He served an LDS mission in the North British Mission from 1964 to 1966.  He married and became the father of 6 children.  He was later divorced.  He married Kaye Tucker on Nov. 2, 1996, in the Mt. Timpanogos Temple, American Fork, Utah.  Don was an excellent brick mason and worked in the construction industry, supervising the construction of many buildings, including LDS chapels.  He served In the Army National Guard.  He is survived by wife, Kaye, mother-in-law Judy Tucker, step-father Orson P. Arnold, and his children, George Donald Eldredge III (Amy),  Jenne Hunter (Val), Mikel Eldredge (Wendy), Denten Eldredge (Laurel), Brandon Eldredge (Rachel), Shantel Pack (Derrick), Ryan Barney (Lena), Amy Groves (Brandon), Matthew Barney (Sue), Daryn Barney (Kristi), Brandon Barney (Jessica), Travis Barney (Laura), Alyse Basilius (Aaron).  He is also survived by his brother and sisters, Susan Moon (Vernon), Tanya Carpenter, Cheryl Krum (Gary), Randy Eldredge (Tami), Rebecca Hoyt, and Elizabeth Nesbit (Rob).  Brothers and sisters in-law include Val Tucker (Elaine), Daryl Tucker (Alauna), Emily Dinsdale (Jeff), Ilene Voorhees (Brent), and Irene Cloward (Greg). He has 40 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins who love him dearly.  He  was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Marc Linne’ Eldredge, and a granddaughter. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 27, 2013, in the Marrott Meadows LDS Chapel, 102 North 2400 West, Provo, Utah.   A viewing will be held at the same location on Friday, July 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 to 10:45 a.m.

Our beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother, George Donald Eldredge Jr., was released from his earthly life on July 19, 2013, at his home in Provo, Utah.  Don’s strength and determination allowed him to remain with us for 18 months after his diagnosis of terminal pancreatic cancer.  He endured this tremendous trial with amazing courage and demonstrated his great love and faith.  Because of the legacy he left us, we know he continues to live on in a place where he can continue to accomplish great things and bless our lives.  We miss him so very much, but look forward to a joyful reunion with him in a future day.

Don loved to share memories of his Idaho farm boy days on his Grandpa Eldredge’s farm in Buhl, Idaho.  He developed a special bond with his Grandpa, as he lived on the farm with his mother and grandparents while his father was serving on the European Front during WWII.

He attended elementary schools in Buhl, Idaho, as well as in Provo and Orem, Utah.  He graduated from Springville High School in 1963, in Springville, Utah.  Don was active in athletic programs in high school and lettered in football, baseball, and track.  His love of sports was a lifelong passion.  He always loved singing the Cougar Fight Song and used it as the wake-up call for his children as they grew up.

Upon graduation from high school, Don enlisted in the Army National Guard and went to basic training at Fort Ord, California.  This was during the Viet Nam conflict.  He was not called to active duty but willingly prepared to serve his country.

He served an LDS mission in the North British Mission from 1964 to 1966 under mission presidents Grant Thorn and Wilford Payne.  When he returned home he enrolled at BYU and studied there for 3 ½  years.  During that time he was married and became the father of 6 children.  For the next 26 years he worked in construction, traveling throughout the western United States to support his family.  His marriage ended in divorce.  Two years later he was reunited with his high school sweetheart, Kaye Tucker.  They were married in the Mt. Timpanogos Temple, in American Fork, Utah, on November 2, 1996.   They have been delighted to share all the wonderful experiences of life with their blended family of 13 children and spouses, 40 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.  Don was so pleased to tell others about his 4 grandsons who are all serving LDS missions currently.  He also treasured so many fun parties, trips and adventures with brothers and sisters, nieces, nephews and cousins.  These cherished memories of his humor, loving concern, and desire to make us all happy, will be with us forever.

Don and Kaye built a home in Provo, which was always “home base” for them.  However, they were also able to enjoy some great times living in Tucson and Maricopa, Arizona, while Don supervised construction of LDS chapels there.  Particularly cherished is the experience they had while Don was serving as Branch President on the SanTan Indian Reservation in Maricopa.

One of his greatest joys was working as the school crossing guard at Amelia Earhart Elementary in Provo, Utah, during the past year. He loved all the children and their parents.  Looking forward to greeting them with a joke and some words of encouragement was a big highlight in his day.  It motivated him to push through any physical discomfort because he wanted to be there for them.  He also enjoyed knowing and working with all the faculty and staff at Amelia Earhart.

Throughout his life Don grew in his love of the Savior and the gospel of Jesus Christ.  He loved serving as a temple worker and held many other positions of service in the church.  Until his death, he was serving as the ward mission leader.  That experience led him to many wonderful relationships with missionaries and others. 

As Don now leaves us for a time, we know his love and service will extend beyond the veil to those of us who remain behind and miss him so much.  Our memories will be bright and our love will continue to grow as we await our reunion with him.  We love you forever, dear husband, father, and friend.

Q&A

How has your week been? 
this week was good
Were you able to get your 4 commitments you wanted? 
nope. we are only at 2 dates.
If so, when are they? 
next week and then the week after that. 
Is it a family or separate individuals? 
separate individuals. we don't teach very many families.
How has the weather been? 
cloudy and rainy but its better than hot and sunny.
Anything funny happen? 
a kid told me he wants to get a green card because he loves Brittney spears and Keisha.
What goals did you have this week? 
to work hard.
Will you be receiving your mail more regularly now? 
no.
How are your new converts? 
doing great!
What did you eat this week? 
lots of Korean food.

How are your suits holding up? 
good. they wont make it home though so i will have to buy another.
How many contacts did you have this week? 
100
How many appointments did you have this week? 
20
Did your ward do anything fun this week? 
we play volleyball every Saturday.
What was your miracle this week? 
ummm we gave out a lot of boms. 

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