Larry Barkdull

Do we really believe that a long line of spirits waits to be shuffled into families like a dealer dealing cards? Do children simply happen into families by a cosmic roll of the dice? Continue Reading »

Could anyone have misunderstood President Packer’s Conference address when he called all priesthood holders to convert their authority into power? That call from an apostle hearkens to the priesthood call mentioned in the Priesthood Covenant and what is referred to as the Constitution of the Priesthood. It is the call that distinguishes those who are called from those who are chosen. Continue Reading »

The word grace, which permeates the scriptures, is often misconstrued or narrowly defined. Once understood, however, grace not only provides us access to the Lord’s enabling power, but it also becomes the central principle of progression, safety, security and the prosperous condition associated with Zion people. Continue Reading »

The greatest force in all the world [is] to develop character, to bring righteousness into the lives of men and women.—Elder Matthew Cowley[i]

When we struggle over long periods of time to reawaken and rescue a wayward child, we might occasionally lapse and wonder, What’s in this for me? It is not necessarily a selfish question. Peter asked and was given an answer to this same query. Parents might apply the interchange between Peter and Jesus to themselves: “We have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? And Jesus said unto them . . . Every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.”[ii] Continue Reading »

Imagine yourself as the leader of a people who have been at war for decades trying to avoid extinction at the hands of an overwhelming foe. Then, in addition to your military duties, you are given the task of combing through 1,000 years of history to compile a record that will never be read by anyone in your generation except for your son. Continue Reading »

“If fish could scream there would be fewer fishermen.” My friend, Ted Gibbons, once told me that…just in time to ruin a fishing trip. I have pondered his remark ever since. How many people, hooked by sin or the urgency of their circumstances, helplessly flounder about while inside they are silently screaming? Continue Reading »

Read this article on a new website: www.TheWidowsMite.org.

When Jesus said, “My yoke is easy and my burden is light,”[i] he was offering to join with us and help carry our heavy load. Jesus does not make extraordinary demands for us to step into his yoke; “My yoke is easy,” he said. Once we are yoked together, our burden becomes his; suddenly it feels light. Continue Reading »

Our capacity to forgive is linked to our capacity to love; and our capacity to love is linked to our capacity to become like God. Perhaps more than any other virtue, forgiveness—our willingness to thoroughly and “frankly forgive,”[i] as did Nephi—demonstrates redeeming, reconciling, Christlike love. Continue Reading »

If Zion is “the highest order of priesthood society,”^[i] we can be assured that priesthood authority and power will bring Zion about. Every priesthood holder, therefore, would do well to learn his priesthood duty, as it pertains to the establishment of Zion, and do his best to advance this magnificent cause. Continue Reading »