President "Hal"

President Henry B. Eyring 

Henry B. Eyring (known as "Hal" to friends and family) was born in Princeton, New Jersey on May 31, 1933.  He married Kathleen Johnson in 1962.  From 1971-77 he was the President of Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho.  In October of 1992 he was called to serve as a member of the Seventy.  Three years later on April 1, 1995, he was named to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

He now serves as the First Counselor in the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and has served in that position faithfully since February 3, 2008.

Known for his intelligence, not only secularly, but also spiritually, President Eyring has been an example of humility, knowledge, wisdom, and obedience.  He strives to follow spiritual promptings.  I have always looked up to President Eyring and his remarkable ability to serve, regardless of situation, age, strength, health, or task.

"Great teachers have shown me how to prepare to keep the oath and covenant when time and age will make it harder. They have shown and taught me how to discipline myself to work harder than I thought I could while I still have health and strength.

"I can’t be a perfect servant every hour, but I can try to give more effort than I thought I could. With that habit formed early on, I will be prepared for trials later. You and I can be prepared with the strength to keep our oath and covenant through the tests that will surely come as we approach the end of life."

"The Rock"

1. 

Peter 

Simeon Peter was the son of Jonah a fisherman of Bethsaida and had a brother named Andrew.  He was living in Capernaum with his wife and mother-in-law when he was called by Jesus Christ to be a Disciple and Apostle of our Lord and Savior.  He was given the name Peter by His Redeemer and Friend.  This name means Rock.  Peter was present upon the Holy Mount when the Savior, Moses, and Elias (Elijah) gave Peter the necessary keys to perform the saving ordinances of Salvation.  Though he had mortal weaknesses, Heavenly Father and His Begotten Son chose Peter to lead and guide the Church after Jesus Christ's resurrection and ascension into Heaven.  He learned by faith, and taught the early Christian Saints to do the same.  Through Peter, the gospel was brought to the Gentiles.  It is believed that Peter was martyred in Rome around the year 65 A.D.

 

In the year 1829 Peter, with James and John, came from heaven and conferred the Melchizedek Priesthood and the keys thereof upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery.

Most know the story of when Peter denied knowing the Christ. 

“And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

“And [Peter] said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.

“And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me...

“But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him.  And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not."

This is Peter's first denial.

“And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not."

This is Peter's second denial.

“And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean.

“And Peter said, 'Man, I know not what thou sayest.'"

This is Peter's third denial of the Christ.

 "Immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.

“And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

“And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.”

(Luke 22:31–34, 56–62).

I can only imagine how Peter felt.  Jesus Christ, having just suffered the Atonement hours earlier, knew exactly how Peter felt.  He knew the suffering and pain that came along with denying knowing his dearest friend.  He understood, and was thus merciful unto Peter.  Just as Peter had denied the Christ 3 times, he was allowed to declare his love for the Redeemer.

Three days after Christ was crucified, he appeared unto a few of His disciples.  On one particular day, Peter went fishing with a few of the disciples.  As they cast their nets out, a figure stood on the shore.  From the things said, John the Beloved told Peter it was the Lord.  Peter threw himself into the sea and swam to the shore.  Can you imagine the feeling in Peter's heart as he hurried to the Savior?  The Divine Being who gave him all, whom he had denied in His most perilous hour, stood on the shore, beckoning him to "come and dine." 

After they had eaten, Jesus turned to Peter, "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?"

Peter declared, "Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee."

"Feed my lambs," replied the Savior.  This was the first time Peter was given the chance to declare his love for his Redeemer after denying Christ thrice.

Jesus again said, "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?"

"Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee."

"Feed my sheep."

This is Peter's second redemptive declaration.

"He saith unto him the third time, 'Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?'  Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, 'Lovest thou me?'

"And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee.

"Jesus saith unto him, 'Feed my sheep.'"

This is Peter's third redemptive declaration.

Jesus is the Christ.  I know that regardless of how many times we slip up or how many wrong turns we take, the Lord always gives us the opportunity to declare our worthiness before Him.  For Peter, his wrong turn was made in the streets of Jerusalem as he denied knowing and walking with the Savior.  It was on the banks of the sea of Tiberias, where Peter was able to declare his unending devotion to the Savior.

If we can but turn to the Lord as Peter did, our Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ will always heal our wounds of past transgression.  They can and will build us upon their rock, and teach us how to prevail against further temptation.

"Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."

-Matthew 16:18

A Blurp About Missionaries

Earlier today I had an opportunity to gather with over 140 missionaries for a special conference.  The Concluding speaker of today's meeting was Elder D. Todd Christofferson, Disciple and Apostle of our Lord, Jesus Christ.  He came with his wife, Katherine Christofferson to speak to us about our missionary service. 

Before the meeting began, I was reunited with some of my closest friends. 

We've been friends through the good times, and of course--The bad!  In the mission field we face many challenges. 

There are missionaries here who have lost family members.  Because our Missionary service requires us to give all our energy to the Lord, they are unable to fly home to attend the funeral service of their loved ones.  They mourn here for a short time and continue on. 

There are missionaries that I was able to shake hands with, who have suffered severe medical infirmities.  Because of their faith, however, they continue to work everyday for hours on end to bring the gospel to others.  The Atonement and Sacrifice of Christ helps each of us to press forward. 



Photo Courtesy of Kate Lifferth



Here I stood with a hundred and forty valiant missionaries, who put their lives on hold to serve our Heavenly Father.  We are His army.  We are all enlisted.  I love each of these missionaries.  They are my friends!  They are the only family I have out here!

Okay.... so maybe we're only 19-25 year old kids. 

Maybe we struggle a little bit. 

And maybe, Just maybe we're NOT perfect.

But the purpose that we serve IS perfect!

Some missionaries have never lived away from home before.  Some still battle feelings of homesickness.  Some fiercly fight depression among other difficulties.  For some of us, this is the furthest we've been away from home. 

But this is where we feel at home, serving our Father in Heaven, and His Son, Jesus Christ.