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There will be times in your life when you don’t know what to say or don’t want to say the wrong thing. Saying the right thing at the right time isn’t always possible, but here are some suggestions that might get you over a few rough spots.

Are You Ever at a Loss for Words?

By Geri Christensen

• Things You’ll Be Glad Someday That You Said:

  1. “You’re the greatest family (teacher, friend, etc.) in the world.”

  2. “I really do love you.”

  3. “Thanks. I appreciate all you’ve done for me.”

• Things You’ll Wish You Had Never Said:

  1. “Oh well—why not? It’s only just this once, and besides, no one will ever know.”

  2. “I wish you weren’t my parents.”

  3. “I’ll get even with you if it’s the last thing I do.”

• Things to Say When Everything Goes Wrong:

  1. “I won’t give up yet, no matter how hard it is.”

  2. “It hurts and it’s hard, but I’ll get over it.”

  3. “Either this isn’t my day, or they just don’t make days like they used to.”

  4. “Tomorrow things are bound to get better, because they can’t get worse.”

• Things to Say That Will Endear You to Others:

  1. “Hey, it’s no trouble—I’ll be glad to help.”

  2. “I understand how you feel.”

  3. “Nothing’s too good for you. I’ll do all I can.”

• Things to Say in Embarrassing Situations:

  1. “Oops. That wasn’t exactly what I meant to say (or do).”

  2. “What just happened was an example of how not to do it.”

  3. “I’m sorry. I hope everyone is entitled to make at least one mistake in life.”

• Things to Say When You Are Worried and Afraid:

  1. “If ye are prepared ye shall not fear” (D&C 38:30).

  2. “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philip. 4:13).

  3. “Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest” (Josh. 1:9).

What’s in the Box?

Kristi Purdy of the Moberly Ward, Columbia Missouri Stake, had a truly original idea for her American Literature project. The class was assigned to make a learning box, in which you put different things like pictures, charts, objects or family history articles relating to a prominent person in American Literature. Kristi decided to do Joseph Smith, someone who had never before been featured.

“I was a bit reluctant at first,” she said, “being one of the few Mormons at Moberly High School, but it seemed the perfect project to do.”

She made her box look like the golden plates, and constructed a very elaborate presentation.

“When I turned my project in, I had so many good comments, and friends wanted to know all about Joseph Smith. I felt so good inside sharing this magnificent man with everyone and having the opportunity to educate my teacher as well.”

Comrades

Did you know that a Soviet-U.S. Youth Summit was held, and two Latter-day Saints from Alaska attended? Ryan Massey and Justin Henwood of the Sterling Ward, Soldotna Alaska Stake, were selected, along with 18 other students from the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, to spend eight days in Magadan, USSR, where they participated in discussions about environmental and other world concerns. In the meantime, 20 Soviet students visited the United States. Each student stayed with a host family, to better experience real life in their host country.

Ryan is a sophomore, attends early-morning seminary, and is a Life Scout. He likes sports, especially wrestling, and is serving as first counselor in his teachers quorum.

Justin is in seventh grade, always has high grades, and is active in intramural sports and his Boy Scout troop. He is also involved in a Russian studies class and is the secretary of his deacons quorum presidency.

What’s in a Name?

There are several Jennies in the Lamar Branch, Joplin, Missouri Stake. As a matter of fact, their whole Young Women program is made up of them. All the young women in the branch are named Jennifer.

There’s Jenny Owens, an energetic second-year Beehive. There’s Jennifer ‘J’ bird, another second-year beehive. And there’s Jennie Backerman, an athletic, first-year Laurel. At least their advisers don’t have a hard time trying to remember names.

Living History

Week one: Youth of the Hartford First Ward, Hartford Connecticut Stake, interviewed residents of the Windsor Hall Rest Home for interesting information about their lives.

Week two: The youth worked together at the ward meetinghouse to compile a personal history for each individual they interviewed. Dates, photographs, and a personal thank-you note were included.

Week three: Those involved went back to the rest home, where histories and hugs were presented.

Weeks four, five, six, etc.: The youth made spontaneous return visits to the home to chat with the residents they had befriended. And the happiness sparked by the project extended months into the future.

Way Up North

What would you do if you were suddenly told your family was moving to an isolated logging camp way out in the wilds of Alaska? You’d hopefully do what 14-year-old Gayle Gentry did—you’d adjust.

Gayle and her family order their food from Juneau, and they order their church supplies from the same city. They are the only members for quite some distance, so they hold Church meetings at home.

Just because they are so far away from many people and from the center of the Church, Gayle doesn’t feel she has to be far away from the Lord. Her testimony is intact and stronger than ever. “I know the Church is true and that President Ezra Taft Benson is a prophet,” she says. “I love my family and friends, and I love my Father in Heaven and my older brother Jesus Christ, and I know they love me!”

Tops in Tuba City

Moving is tough, but Joann Kalaui, currently of the Tuba Ward, Page Arizona Stake, never complains. Her father’s work has taken the family from Blanding, Utah, to Samoa, to Hawaii, then to Montezuma Creek, Utah. In her senior year her family moved again to Tuba City, a small town located on the largest Navajo Indian reservation in the United States.

In her short time in Tuba City, Joann has become active in student government, volleyball, track and field, and basketball. She also maintains a 4.0 grade point average, and is eager to tell anyone she meets about the Church.

Joann’s neighbor and close friend is deaf, so Joann decided to learn sign language. She then encouraged her family and other young women in her ward to learn it so that her friend would not feel left out.

Ski and Swim

Seventeen-year-old Sharon Muirhead, a member of the Frisco Branch, Golden Colorado Stake, is equally at home in the water or on the snow. She’s both a championship swimmer and skier, helping her high school place in state competition in both sports.

She’s also a championship seminary student. She received her stake president’s award for seminary accomplishment. Part of the requirement for the award included completion of a special project. Hers involved creating a crossword puzzle on the book of Revelation, which has received national recognition. Her dedication carries over to her schoolwork—you can always find her name on the school honor roll.

Samoa, Please

Here’s something that’s sure to cure the winter blues—a story about girls’ camp in the Apia Samoa East Stake. With Samoa’s tropical climate, camp could be held just about any time of the year, but it’s usually held in the fall.

Their latest camp program included the usual—songs, scripture study, sports, and speakers—but also featured a historical tour, since it was held in Sauniatu, where many significant events in the history of the Church in Samoa occurred. And their crafts included weaving baskets from hauhala leaves, macrame, homemade floor mats, and other projects made from local products. Add sunrise hikes and campfire programs to the agenda, and you have one full schedule. The whole event ended with a testimony meeting. Some things are comfortable constants, no matter where you go.

Passing It On

From stellar Scout to Webelos leader—that’s the path Frank Ellett of the Whittier Seventh Ward, Whittier California Stake, has chosen. And he loves every minute of it.

“I would like to give to other boys some of the fun and skills I learned in Scouting and help them to prepare for their Eagle and Duty to God awards,” he said. Before he became a leader, Frank received Scouting’s Young American Award, along with his Eagle, and 52 merit badges.

Frank graduated from La Serna High School, and enrolled in Cal State Fullerton to study while waiting for his mission call.

The Family That Scouts Together

Four, count ’em, four, members of the Christensen family of the Melba Second Ward, Nampa Idaho South Stake, received their Eagle Scout awards on the same night. Aaron and Bryan, 18-year-old twins, finished their requirements, then chose to wait for their two younger brothers, Dennis, 16, and Barry, 15, so they could all receive their awards together.

The boys not only work together in Scouting but also work together in family farming. They help their father raise sugar beets, potatoes, and wheat. The boys also have a small herd of beef cattle they plan to use in supporting themselves on missions.

Photography by John Luke

“Not many people know about Joseph Smith,” said Missouri’s Kristi Purdy when she decided to do a school project on the prophet.

Alaska’s Ryan Massey (left) and Justin Henwood participated in a student exchange with students from Magadan, USSR.

“This is a treasure. How can I ever thank you?” said a resident of a local rest home when she received her life history. The youth of a Hartford, Connecticut, ward had prepared the history as a part of a service project that really worked.