6-21-2026 Happy Fathers Day: A Ministering Message: Combined for Payson 10th Missionaries and My Dear Family and Friends.

I felt a very strong impression to share a little bit about the prophet Joseph and  Emma and Hyrum. And how they sealed their testimony with their blood to introduce us to the Savior Jesus Christ !!

 Please reflect on the great blessing it was to this world to have a Joseph Smith. Other than Christ himself. No one has done more for mankind.

I hope and pray by the time you have finished reading and watching the items on this blog that your testimony of Jesus Christ and his servant the Prophet Joseph Smith will be strengthened.

I hope and pray by the time you have finished reading and watching the items on this blog that your testimony of Jesus Christ and his servant the Prophet Joseph Smith will be strengthened.

As I listen to the following song I am so amazed at the strength that he and so many other had.I think of the persecutions and death of the early apostles, the first "Christians, all willing to suffer death and not renounce the Savior Jesus Christ".

I wonder, do I have the strength, do I have a true knowledge of Jesus Christ, not to know about Him but to know HIM?

I am such a weak and imperfect person I pray that the hardness of my heart will be taken away. That it will be softened that I might come to know The Christ.

I have always felt a strong love and adoration for Joseph and his wife Emma. They have had many Abrahamic tests in their lives. With the ultimate being the martyrdom of the prophet.

And for his dear wife to carry on with her testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and her testimony of her beloved Joseph.  But, with all the tremendous tests that she had to endure.  Her knowledge and love of her husband as a prophet of God never wavered.  Nor did her love of the Savior Jesus Christ.

This young boy with such faith and courage went through trial after trial to not only obtain the gold plates but also translate them, get married, have children die, be run out of town, have parent in-laws, who did not want Emma to marry him.

It seems as if the whole world was against him. And, indeed the "world" was. The worldly people who listen to satan more than their Heavenly Father conspired long and hard how to stop the prophet and his teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.

But just like the Savior himself, they had no real power over him until it was his time to go home.

He and Emma suffered so much. He was separated from her and the children often. Many times penniless, with hardly any food at home. Just plain very hard conditions. However, he knew what  he knew. He trusted our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. He showed each of us that we will have opposition and great trials in our lives. Yet, he kept his eye on the mark even Jesus Christ himself.

 We testify to each of you that God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ did indeed appear to the boy Joseph in the Sacred Grove. He did translate the Book of Mormon by the gift and power of God.

We learn that we can rise above all things trying to defeat us. God is real. Jesus is the Christ. They love each of you. Never, ever doubt that no matter the trial or obstacle you are facing. When you feel as if you're alone. In fact recently the spirit has whispered to me and this is for me but I feel it appropriate to share. Instead of looking at our "TRIALS" perhaps we need to change our thughts to "Opportunities" that are given to us to help us to grow, learn, progress and eventually feel pure charity come into our hearts. Just something to think about. An opportunity gives us more "agency" to choose our reactions and perhaps not seeing so much of the negative that accompanies "tests".

Take a moment and look back. That single pair of footprints in the sand is truly the Savior Jesus Christ carrying you.

Footprints in the Sand

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the LordScenes from my life flashed across the sky,In each, I noticed footprints in the sand.Sometimes there were two sets of footprints;other times there was only one.During the lowest times of my lifeI could see only one set of footprints,so I said, "Lord, you promised me,that you would walk with me always.Why, when I have needed you most would you leave me?"The Lord replied, "My precious child,I love you and would never leave you.The times when you have seen only one set of footprints,it was then that I carried you."

We leave you our witness that God our Heavenly Father lives!! He loves you!! His most beloved son took upon himself the eternal Atonement. He has experienced every pain, broken bones, betrayals, lieing, cheating every negative thing and emotion that has everhappened to anyone. And he has felt them all in the garden of Gethsemane.

He Lives! He has been resurrected and has unlocked the gates of death and hell. We have a prophet of God on the earth today. Dallin H. Oaks. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the restored church of Jesus Christ. It contains the gospel of Jesus Christ. Its teachings will help us on to the covenant path that leads to Jesus Christ. Joseph Smith was and is a Prophet of God. He humbled himself and brought the restored gospel of Jesus Christ to each of us. Praise to the Man.

Im so sorry for the length of this post. I feel it could go on and on. For your benefit I'm not very good at these things. But, I am trying so hard to learn to "Hear Him" and act on those promptings.

One last song :

All our love to each of you.

Debbie and Steve Larsen