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Putting our Trust in the Lord, by Wendy Rojas
Our daughter, age 41, came home in November very ill. It has taken all this time to discover she has lymphoma in an aggressive stage. I have prayed and had blessings and thought I had put my trust in the Lord, but there was always that "but."
Sunday I was sitting in Sacrament meeting listen to the Stake Relief Society Presidency talk. The lady speaking put down her notes and said. "I feel that I need to add something to my talk at this time." She then started talking about how much do we really love and trust the Lord. She then stated if we have pure trust there will be no "buts" in our thinking.
I felt like I was going to fall off the bench. I had been praying for days and I did have buts in my prayers. She was talking to me; she added those words for me. Now this article.
I think I need to listen and obey.
Name withheld**
Thank you for sharing this article. It is so beautifully written, so touching.
J. Bothell
Dover, Delaware
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What an incredible story, wonderfully written.
Ken Mano
Pleasanton, California
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We recently had a lesson in Relief Society that touched on this topic. I commented that we can trust in Christ and our Heavenly Father because they have proven themselves most trustworthy. The point was made that our trust/faith in the Lord grows when we obey and are blessed. I added that our trust and faith in the Lord is also bolstered when we repent and receive forgiveness and healing. In short, anytime we participate in the Gospel plan our trust is rewarded with confirmation that God is trustworthy.
Todd Lillywhite
Murray, Utah
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10 to 1: Guess Who Congress is Hearing From on Marriage? By Maurine Jensen Proctor
Thank you so much for your vision and leadership in this "fight for our lives." Your article today is inspiring and motivating, and I have again contacted my Congressman and have sent a thank you to President Bush for his steadiness.
I am an erstwhile member of the Family Leader in Idaho group, and have participated in our phone conversations only once. Caring for a little granddaughter who doesn't yet understand the boundaries of phone conversations makes it a little hard to join in each time, but I am kept up-to-date by Gayann and Sheila.
I recently submitted an article to our local newspaper on this topic, and I'm attaching it for your interest
Thank you again, not only for this leadership, but for many books etc. which have blessed us with your writing and your husband's inspiring photography. By the way, I think we're kissing cousins — same Proctor ancestor.
Kathy Stanger
Idaho
[Editor’s note: Here is Sister Stanger’s letter.]
Few subjects have caught our national attention lately as much as the debate about same gender marriage. Nearly without exception each commentary, print article or letter defends its position by reinforcing a seriously distorted argument, and I’m bothered enough to speak up where I would much prefer to be silent. (Yes, there are times when I prefer to keep my opinions to myself.)
The argument that most offends me is the intellectually wanting statement that if we don’t support same gender marriage we are homophobic bigots. Come on folks, we can examine an issue more critically than that.
First, to be clear: Homosexuality is a subject about which even medically and psychologically trained “experts” know very little. Further, those of us who know and love people who are struggling with gender identity know that the heartbreak is cruelly trivialized by the simplicity of the arguments put forth. Until we know more about homosexuality, I suggest a moratorium on simplistic solutions.
Remember H.L. Mencken’s great line: “For every complicated problem there is a solution which is short, simple and wrong.”
Same gender couples can make any legal arrangement they wish in order to facilitate partner benefits of inheritance or agency. No one is in jeopardy as have been those who had to fight civil rights injustices. Please don’t equate the two any longer.
As I see it, this battle is not about homosexual rights. There are none wanting.
There is a whole generation of adults in this world, even in Idaho, who are wise enough to allow everyone his own path through life, no questions asked. We live and work together as genuine friends and families even without some letter-writer shaking a finger at us.Let’s be clear. This battle is about traditional marriage, its definition and its defense.
My question then is why would we support the upheaval of a centuries-long, successful foundation of our legal and governmental traditions just to satisfy a small but vocal lobby that may or may not speak for other homosexuals. And why do so simply to avoid seeming prudish?Frankly, in this arena we can’t afford to worry about what others may think. We know better than to fall for such twisted logic.
We must not allow some bored activist, with hands in the deep pockets of the entertainment world to make us question our commitment to time honored traditions. Supporting same gender marriage does not prove we are broad minded and sophisticated, rather it may well prove we have not yet thought through the far-reaching ramifications of such a profound change upon families, children, and all social institutions which touch upon marriage. All would be changed irreparably.
That’s simply too high a price.
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The two of you continue to simply amaze me. I'm thankful that you've taken the cause of family and marriage support so totally. I know from personal experience with my company that there is a price that's paid with taking the time that's necessary to serve "on the point;" but that there are also immeasurable blessings that come from such service.
Know that the Hansen family continuously expresses great appreciation for your efforts and personal sacrifices. Keep up the good work and know that you and your loved ones are in prayers worldwide.
Dave and Nannette Hansen
Bountiful, Utah
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Thank you for publishing Rebecca Birkin's articles on Africa. They touched my heart and helped me want to find a way to help. I knew Rebecca at the University of Utah and it was exciting to see where life has taken her.
Cyndi S. Hampton
North Ogden, Utah
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I was wondering what I was going to talk about or teach this evening for family home evening and I read this article and thought this might be a good one to give.
Thanks for being right there at the right time.
Lillian Campbell
Roy, Utah
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I read your article this morning, July 9, 2006, as I was searching for information on my grandfather’s genealogy. I am a granddaughter of Alva Bedford Langford and Jacosa Alldredge. Alva is the son of James Harvey Langford Jr. and Rose Ellen Jackson.
I read your article with fascination as I tried to piece together the connections. I’m not sure what to say, except that the Langfords are definitely an interesting group of people. We will have a Langford reunion in Utah (at Deer Creek) in July 2007 (descendents of Alva and Jacosa). Your stories of the gold and murder are fascinating. My grandfather, Alva Langford, was a milk boy to Pancho Villa when they lived in Colonia Juarez.
Can you tell me where you are from? — i.e. James Jackson side or Langford side? Were you related to the Hall from BYU who was involved in the artificial diamond? (I hope I got that straight.)
Thank you for your article. I’m glad I stumbled onto it as I was searching the internet!
Chadra Kling
Pleasant Grove,
Utah
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Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ: “Lord I believe; help thou mine unbelief.”
Wonderful article! Thank you so much! This article can be applied to all relationships, not just marriage, but it certainly is a wake-up call to be constantly working at improving our relationships with our spouses.
Pam Low
Cincinnati, Ohio
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Wonderful article! I fear, however, that our country is descending slowly to that point where "wise men" no longer stand for the principles expounded in our inspired Constitution. I have witnessed such a drastic change that has seemed to spiral out of control in these last ten years. It is time, even past time, for good Latter-day Saints and other righteous people of this country to stand and bravely declare that we MUST return to the moral society that our form of government was formed to protect. It cannot work unless we recommit ourselves to those righteous principles expounded in the Declaration of Independence and in The Constitution of the United States of America.
Natalie Thompson
Orem, Utah
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