#1

John 17:21-23
That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in
me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us:
that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
And the glory which thou gavest me I have given
them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
I in them, and thou in me, that they may be
made perfect in one; and that the world may know
that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou
has loved me.
#3
One month after moving into a ward, I gratefully
accepted a compassionate service assignment from
the Relief Society leaders to take a meal to a family
with newborn triplets. This opened up a great
opportunity. There were two parents and three
infants, and they would need help! Many Sundays I
was able to tend one of the babies for part or all of
the meeting.
#4
And now, my brethren, seeing that ye know the
light by which ye may judge, which light is the light
of Christ, see that ye do not judge wrongfully; for
with that same judgment which ye judge ye shall
also be judged.

#5
Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in
love and righteousness, to provide for their physical
and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve
one anotherHappiness in family life is most likely to
be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the
Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families
are established and maintained on principles of faith,
prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love,
compassion, work, and wholesome recreational
activities.
#2
In my first weeks attending a family ward as a single
adult, I felt as though I had a spotlight over my head
and a neon sign announcing that I was not married.
Because my new ward seemed to be filled with
couples, many of whom were younger than I was, I
felt vulnerable and out of place. I had attended a
singles ward for more that a decade and had become
familiar with the unique culture that these wards
foster. There, I had become comfortable and in some
ways complacent.
It didnt take me long to discover that I had some
important decisions to make about what I would do
to integrate into my new ward. I made some choices
based on principles I believe that can be applied in a
variety of situations, whether married or single.
I decided that instead of focusing on how I felt
different, I would begin to observe who might need
my help. I discovered that to fill voids or overcome

insecurities, I must act intentionally rather than wait

for someone to take care of me or ask me to help.
For instance, I asked a neighbor whose husband was
completing his hospital residency and was often gone
on Sundays if I could sit with her and help her
manage her two small boys. When the family had
moved away, I developed a habit of standing at the
back of the chapel before the meeting to see if there
might be someone I should meet or who might need
some help. Doing this has proved a great
opportunity to trust and follow the promptings of the
Spirit.
Attending church with and attitude of what can I
give today rather than what will I get today has
been a great blessing in my life. I have learned to
prayerfully seek to act without assignment. I found
that I must do-that I can create and act upon
opportunities to serve without being asked, told, or
solicited.
#6
President Gordon B. Hinckley has counseled: I
would like to see greater love in our homesYou
parents who are fathers and mothers of children,
treasure your children. Look to them with love. Lead
them with love. They will follow after you if you do
that. And I make you a promise that if you do so, the
time will come when you will feel so grateful that you
have done so, that you will get on your knees and
thank the Lord for the precious children who have
come to you and grown up under your direction.