A lesson about Friendship

Thank you Krista Stone for the amazing lesson you taught today.

Here is a brief summary:

By: Elder Monte J. Brough of the Seventy

Friendship is a wonderful gift.  The more often we give it, the more often we receive it.  I hope we are all grateful for quality friends. And may we all seek to be truly good friends-to bring out the best in each other and help each other live righteous lives.

What are some qualities that you look for in a good friend?

Loyalty, kindness, thoughtfulness, humor, ability to listen, strong testimony

Latter-day Saint women, strong in faith and testimony, have truly been given the "errand of angels." Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught: "Every sister in this church who has made covenants with the Lord has a divine mandate to help save souls, to lead the women of the world, to strengthen the homes of Zion, and to build the kingdom of God."

What are some of the trials we go through where we could use the support of a good friend"

Cancer, death of spouse or family member, infertility, depression, loneliness, health problems, divorce, suicide, financial responsibilities, out of work, drug abuse

The fellowship of  true friends who can hear you out, share your joys, help carry your burdens, and correctly counsel you is priceless.  For one who has been in the prison of depression, the words of the Prophet Joseph Smith have special meaning when he said, "How sweet the voice of a friend is; one token of friendship from any source whatever awakens and calls into action every sympathetic feeling." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 134.)

President Ezra Taft Benson said, "To lose yourself in righteous service to others can lift your sights and get your mind off personal problems, or at least put them in proper focus. "When you find yourselves a little gloomy, said President Lorenzo Snow, "look around you and find somebody that is in a worse plight than yourself; go to him and find out what the trouble is, then try to remove it with the wisdom which the lord bestows upon you; and the first thing you know, your gloom is gone, you feel light, the Spirit of the Lord is upon you, and everything seems illuminated."

September Newsletter is here!

Meet Jess Larsen

Thanks so much for sharing with us Jess!  We are excited to get to know you.

1.  Tell us about you and your family. (for example...where are you from? What is your career?  Where did you go to school/major? Are you married? What does your husband do? Do you have any children? What are their ages? etc.)

 I'm from Orange County, CA. I recently graduated from BYU in English and editing. Before moving to Arizona, I worked as an editor at the Friend (the Church magazine), and I still freelance for them--writing stories and activities, editing articles, and working with their website. I'm also starting a business editing college admission essays. I'm married to David Larsen, the MOST AMAZING guy in the world! He's from Dallas, Texas, and we dated in our freshman ward at BYU. After 3 years of letters (we both served missions--I served in Palmyra, New York), we started dating again and got engaged 2 months later! He just started the DO program at Midwestern. 

2.  If you had an hour free time, what might we find you doing?

If I had an hour of free time, I would definitely be reading! I go to the library more than I go to the grocery store!

3. Share an experience that has strengthened your testimony or why the gospel is important to you?

This might sound weird, but my unorthodox courthship with David strengthened my testimony! I really liked him, and we had written steadily for over a year when I received a very strong impression that I needed to serve a mission. It didn't make sense at all--I was sure I would never see David again! (Our missions overlapped by three months.) But I felt I should go, so I put in my papers. My mission changed my life, and then I came home and David was still here, so I got to marry him anyway. It taught me that the Lord has a plan, and even if it doesn't make sense to me, I can have complete faith and trust in Him. Things will work out as they should--and when they should.

4.  What are your following favorites:

Desserts: fudge brownies or chocolate chip cookies. Actually, I've never met a dessert I haven't liked!

Hobbies: reading, watching movies with David, working out, traveling
Scripture: 2 Nephi 31:20
Hymn: "How Firm a Foundation"

Favorite quote: "Dismiss the destructive, and keep dismissing it until the beauty of the Atonement of Christ has revealed to you your bright future" --Jeffrey R. Holland

Happy Happy Birthday to.....

2- Jessica Christensen

6- Vickey Lynne Dotson

6- Barbara Toomer

12- Melissa McAffe

12- Erin Dame

14- Julie Chrisman

14- Lillie Brower

14- Faith Burger

14- Shelly Lucas

15- Roberta Bradley

17- Sandy Johnson

26- Judy Farley

28- Becky Chesley

29- Kristy Budge

We hope you all have an amazing birthday this month!

August newsletter is here!

Happy Happy Birthday to.....

August 5: Jodi Hagerman

August 7: Rayna Boyack

August 9: Carolyn Krieger

August 10: Laurel Phillips

August 12: Zola Anderson

August 14: Crystal Stayner

August 15: Dana Erickson

August 16: Cassondra Glaze

August 17: Barb Charon

August 20: Katherine Bowen

August 22: Candace Berger

August 22: Cortney Skouson

August 23: Donna McCannon

August 23: Kiana Shipley

August 24: Cari Wilkins

August 24: Natalie Daminano

August 24: Nancy McKnight

August 25: Amanda Harmon

August 26: Breanne Reese

August 28: Kristine Harper

August 20: Lorna Sears

We hope you all have an amazing birthday this month!

It is nice to be remembered on your birthday, so if you get a chance, call these sisters on their special day and let them know how much they are loved and appreciated.

Meet the RS Secretary

Julie Gundersen

Thanks so much for sharing with us Julie.  We are excited to get to know you!

1.  Tell us about you and your family. (for example...where are you from? What is your career?  Where did you go to school/major? Are you married? What does your husband do? Do you have any children? What are their ages? etc.)  


I am from  the thriving metropolis of Kemmerer Wyoming, a town of 2,000 people that prides itself in being the founder of JCPenny. I went to school at Ogden Institute of Massage Therapy. I've been married to Broc for 6 years, and its been the most wonderful years ever! Broc is going dental school and just started his 3rd year. We have two energetic little boys Beckham 3 and Crew 2. We also have baby #3 due November 20th.

2.  If you had an hour free time, what might we find you doing? 


Reading or Sewing

3. Share an experience that has strengthened your testimony or why the gospel is important to you? 


The gospel is important to me for so many reasons. I guess lately I have been seeing the people in my family who are inactive and their struggle to find a "moral code." I am thankful for a prophet who speaks to our Father in Heaven and gives us guidance in such a difficult world.

4.  What are your following favorites:

• Dessert- Love everything sweet
• Hobbies-sewing, crafting, reading, spending time with my husband and kiddos, the outdoors, wakeboarding ect.
• scripture- The parable of the Prodigical Son. Always makes me stop and think, as well as get misty eyed.
• Hymn- I stand all amazed