April 25 Temple Announcements

At the 2025 April General Conference, we were especially happy to hear President Nelson announce 15 new temples scheduled to be built and to hear "Rapid City, South Dakota" was on the list!  Sam and I were teary eyed and so happy when we heard "Rapid City" that we weren't sure we heard correctly the last temple on the list to be named.  It was exciting when we turned the broadcast back to confirm the last three temples named, and sure enough, the 15th temple on the list was - Spanish Fork!  

Quotes from April 2025 General Conference - Saturday Afternoon Session

April 2025 General Conference - Saturday Afternoon Session

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Elder Dale G. Renlund

"God will be disappointed if we do not rely upon the merits, mercy, and grace of the Savior to magnify the God-given abilities we have received.  With His loving assistance, He expects us to become the best version of ourselves.  That we may start with differing abilities is irrelevant to Him.  And it should be to us." - Elder Dale G. Renlund

President Steven J. Lund

Elder Hans T. Boom

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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sustained 78 new Area Seventies at its April 2025 general conference leadership session and announced the pending release of 57 others.

Quotes from April 2025 General Conference - Sunday Morning Session

Quotes from: Sunday Morning Session

April General Conference 2025

Elder David A. Bednar

Elder Steven D. Shumway

Sister Tamara W. Runia

Sister Tamara W. Runia

Bishop Gerald Cause

Elder Gerret W. Gong

Elder Gerret W. Gong

Elder John a. McCune

Elder Dallin H. Oaks

Sunday Morning Session - April General Conference 2025.

Here are some favorite quotes from this session:

“Joseph did not pray merely to know what was right. Rather, he prayed to know what was right so he could do what was right.”

- Elder David A. Bednar

“When we say yes to serving, we are saying yes to Jesus Christ. And when we say yes to Christ, we are saying yes to the most abundant life possible.”

- Elder Steven D. Shumway

“The invitation to repent is an expression of God’s love. Saying yes to that invitation is an expression of ours. … Yes, your repentance doesn’t burden Jesus Christ; it brightens His joy.”

- Sister Tamara W. Runia

“The Lord loves you personally. He knows your circumstances and the door to His blessings remains wide open to you no matter the challenges you face.”

- Bishop Gérald Caussé

“He reunites us, whole and holy, with each other and God. In all good things, Jesus Christ restores abundantly — not only what was but also what can be.”

- Elder Gerrit W. Gong

“We can be part of the greatest cause on the earth today, the gathering of Israel. We can help to bring God’s children to Christ..”

- Elder John A. McCune

“Our part in this divine plan is to trust in God and seek divine helps, most notably the Atonement of His Beloved Son, our Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ.”

- President Dallin H. Oaks

General Conference -- Parable Theme "Ten Virgins" - Matthew 25

Did You Notice the Parable Everyone Was Talking About at General Conference?

Something remarkable happened during the April 2025 General Conference. Multiple speakers, independently of each other, turned our hearts and minds to the same parable—the Parable of the Ten Virgins. So many references, in fact, that President Dallin H. Oaks began his own message by acknowledging it.

This parable, found in Matthew 25, is simple yet sobering. Ten virgins go out to meet the bridegroom. All bring lamps. All are invited. But only five bring enough oil. When the moment comes and the bridegroom arrives, five are ready to meet him. Five are not. They scramble, but it’s too late. The door is shut.

President Camille N. Johnson, Relief Society General President, powerfully reminded us that “the oil in our lamps is accumulated by our willingness to be made whole in Christ.” She taught that we are all wounded in different ways—by grief, trauma, sin, or disappointment—but Christ can heal us completely. The oil we gather is the personal conversion we experience as we come to Him again and again.

Elder Sandino Roman invited us to imagine what it means to actually light our lamps in a dark and uncertain world. He taught that the oil is our faith—faith that burns bright when we spend time in prayer, study the scriptures, attend the temple, and remember the covenants we’ve made. In a world of dimmed morality and spiritual confusion, he asked: What fuels our faith? Do we carry oil with us daily?

Elder Dale G. Renlund added yet another lens. He highlighted that the parable isn’t just about being “good people”—it’s about being prepared disciples. Accepting the gospel message, seeking and receiving the Holy Ghost, discerning truth from error, and choosing light over darkness. In his words, “We have to act while the opportunity is available.” When the midnight cry comes, the time to borrow oil will have passed.

President Oaks explained that the repeated use of this parable wasn’t coordinated in advance—but perhaps the Spirit coordinated it. When multiple prophets and leaders, independent of one another, are drawn to the same scriptural teaching, it’s worth our attention. This isn’t just about a biblical story. It’s about us—our daily discipleship, our spiritual habits, our readiness to meet the Savior.

And that’s what makes this parable both haunting and hopeful. The haunting part is that all ten were invited—but only half were prepared. The hopeful part is that we can choose to be among the five who are ready.

It doesn’t require perfection. It does require intention. A few minutes more in the scriptures. A more heartfelt prayer. A simple act of service. One more visit to the temple. A bit more trust in Christ’s ability to make us whole.

Elder David A. Bednar once said, “We cannot give to another that which we do not possess.” The parable reminds us that oil must be gathered drop by drop. We cannot borrow conversion. We cannot borrow discipleship. We each must fill our own lamp.

As this General Conference taught us in such unified clarity—now is the time. Not tomorrow. Not later. Now.

Let us check our lamps. Let us gather oil. And let us look forward to the moment when the Bridegroom comes, and we are among those who hear the words: “Enter in.”

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And just when we thought our hearts were already full, President Russell M. Nelson’s concluding message offered a stirring and personal plea that perfectly aligned with the parable’s theme of preparation.

President Nelson’s message was direct and heartfelt. He testified of Jesus Christ with power and urgency, reminding us that the Savior stands at the center of all we do. But then he added a personal plea that pierced the soul: “I plead with you to come unto Christ. Please don’t delay. Time is running out.”

He then shared what the Lord is urgently prompting him to say: “The adversary is quadrupling his efforts to disrupt testimonies and impede the work of the Lord. He delights in destroying faith and intensifying fear. I plead with you to counter the adversary’s efforts by increasing your understanding of the magnificent breadth and depth of the blessings you receive as you become even more converted to the Lord.”

Then came a sobering reminder: “We do not know how much time we have before the Savior returns. But His time is hastening.”

And with prophetic boldness, he extended this invitation: “Please do all that you can to increase your faith in Jesus Christ. Strive to live and cherish the truth that the Lord has revealed through His prophets. Seek to be worthy of the companionship of the Holy Ghost. Safeguard the gift of your chastity. Defend the truth. Honor your covenants. And prepare now to meet your Maker.”

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The repeated emphasis throughout Conference was unmistakable: This is our time to prepare. The Bridegroom will come. And when He does, may He find our lamps filled with faith, our hearts pure, and our lives centered on Him who is the Light and Life of the world.

General Conference, April 6, 2025

General Conference, April 6, 2025

President Russell M. Nelson standing between President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency and President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor, as they prepared to exit the final session of conference on Sunday, April 6, 2025.

Russell M. Nelson * "As a newly called Apostle, I felt the importance of sharing my witness of Jesus Christ’s literal Resurrection. Now, 41 years later, the urgency I feel is even greater.
 
On this Easter Sunday, I express my gratitude, reverence, and awe for the Savior’s Resurrection. This was the crowning culmination of His Atonement and the source of the greatest joy any of us will ever know.
 
It is my prayer that today, we can all feel the greater love that comes from knowing that Jesus Christ lives and has made eternal life possible for all who will follow Him." (April 6, 2025)

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During five sessions over two days April 5-6, President Nelson’s counselors and all 12 members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles also offered invitations, promises and blessings to members of the Church.

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"Gethsemane" as performed by The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square with a children's choir.

Primary-age children singing "Gethsemane" at General Conference, April 2025 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIjWXMzRC9I/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

"The gospel of Jesus Christ has never been needed more than it is today.  Contention violataes everything the Savior stood for and taught." - President Nelson

"The Lord does not require perfect faith for us to have access to His perfect power.  But He does ask us to believe." - President Nelson

"As we diligently seek to have charity and virtue fill our lives, our confidence in approaching God will increase. I invite you to take intentional steps to grow in your confidence before the Lord. Then, as we go to our Heavenly Father with increasing confidence, we will be filled with more joy, and your faith in Jesus Christ will increase. We will begin to experience spiritual power that exceeds our greatest hopes." - President Russell M. Nelson, April 2025 General Conference

"If today you are a little bit better than you were yesterday, then that is enough." - Elder Bednar

"How we live may be the best, most genuine form of worship. Showing our devotion means emulating the Father and the Son, cultivating their attributes and character in ourselves." Elder Christofferson

"Come as you are," a loving Father says to each of us, but He adds: "don't plan to stay as you are." Elder Jeffrey R. Holland (April 2017)

“May we as disciples of our day shout, ‘Hurrah for Israel’ as we prepare for the return of our Lord and Savior.”- Elder Ronald A. Rasband

"The more prepared we are temporally and spiritually, the more we can thwart the adversary's cunning attacks." - Elder Ronald A. Rasband

President Henry B. Eyring

"In whatever ways seem natural and normal to you, share with people why Jesus Christ and His Church are so important to you." -Elder Uchtdorf (April 2019 General Conference)

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"The repeated emphasis throughout Conference was unmistakable: This is our time to prepare. The Bridegroom will come. And when He does, may He find our lamps filled with faith, our hearts pure, and our lives centered on Him who is the Light and Life of the world." (Joe Dobbins, April 7 - Follow the Prophets) Entire quote I have shared in my next blog post.

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Gordon B. Hinckley • “There is no limit to your potential. If you will take control of your lives, the future is filled with opportunity and gladness. You cannot afford to waste your talents or your time. Great opportunities lie ahead of you.

Now I offer you a very simple recipe which, if observed, will assure your happiness. It is a simple four-point program. It is as follows: (1) pray, (2) study, (3) pay your tithing, and (4) attend your meetings.
—•—
If you will do these four things, I promise you that your lives will be fruitful, that your happiness will be great, and that your accomplishments will be tremendous and satisfying in every respect.” - Let Virtue Garnish Thy Thoughts Unceasingly (April, 2007) - Gordon B. Hinckley

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Jeffrey R. Holland * The future of this world has long been declared; the final outcome between good and evil is already known. There is absolutely no question as to who wins because the victory has already been posted on the scoreboard. The only really strange thing in all of this is that we are still down here on the field trying to decide which team’s jersey we want to wear." (Email correspondence to John Bytheway, June 1, 2004 (When Times Are Tough [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2004].), in David A. Lewis, “Time to Build” (Elder Holland - BYU–Hawaii Devotional, November 20, 2012).

St. John's Mandolin and Guitar Club.

Esther Farr Davis added the names for the ladies in this photo posted by Eric Shumway (April 26, 2025) on Facebook.

St. John's Mandolin and Guitar Club.

Back row: (left to right)

Clara Sherwood, LaRue Waite, Elda Brown, Agnes Hamblin, Carrie Starley.

Front row:

Ethel Whiting, Josie Patterson, Esther Farr, Letty Patterson, Myrtle Isaacson, Leola Mineer, Myrtle Shumway.

Esther added her comment:  These are all women I knew and loved!

My grandmother Mary Elizabeth Ballantyne Farr, (was nicknamed Sister Alphabetical Farr, as she had nearly all the letters of the alphabet in her name,) started the Mandolin Guitar Club. I don’t remember what year. But it was in the late eighteen hundreds.

When we lived in St. Johns, the Mandolin and Guitar Club was still active in peforming by the ladies who were still living.  We knew Clara Sherwood (L.P. Sherwood's wife and our neighbor), LaRue Waite, Elda Brown, Ethel Whiting, Josie Patterson, Esther Farr Davis (married to Wayne Davis and whom we still hear from every Christmas), and Letty Patterson (who taught English in the high school).

Eric Shumway posted the photo and included his comment:   "Posted here is a photo of the famous St. John’s Mandolin and Guitar Club who the second and third generation of pioneers who survived and thrived in the windy, rocky soil of Northeastern Arizona’s high plateau. This group performed in many church and civic programs including the 1964 World Fair in Seatle Washington, providing elegance and beauty in our isolated little town of 1300 souls. 

Standing on the far left is Clara Sherwood, my freshman seminary teacher, as sweet and good as any angel on earth. Next to her is LaRue Waite, St. John’s ward choir director. I joined the ward choir when I was 13 and sang my heart out. Next to her is Elda Brown, my second-grade teacher who taught me to read. Letty Patterson, seated front row center, was my high school English teacher who instilled in me a love for reading and writing which eventually led to my profession as a literature teacher in college. And of course, seated at the far right is my own mother, Merle Kartchner Shumway who taught music and English to thousands of children over four decades."

Books & Movies - Tom Clancy's "Jack Ryan Series"

We liked the espionage movie we watched last night on TV, "The Sum of All Fears," which is an adaptation of the novel by Tom Clancy.  

It is a series movie made in 2002 starring Morgan Freeman and Ben Affleck starring as Jack Ryan, a CIA analyst.  The story is about a disgruntled ex-Nazi who acquires a nuclear device and plans to instigate a war between the USA and Russia and then take over when the super powers destroy each other. The new Russian president is set up to be blamed for a nuculear attack which wipes out a large part of Baltimore, Maryland, when a nucear weapon is detonated at a football game in Baltimore.  

In this movie, the United States president calls in the CIA headed by William Cabot (Morgan Freeman), who enlists the aide of historian Jack Ryan (Ben Affleck). 

Tom Clancy, died in 2013, age 66

Tom Clancy was an unknown insurance agent who had only published two short pieces in PROCEEDINGS magazine before the Naval Institute Press took a chance on THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER. He went on to sell over 100 million books.

Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan series consists of several novels featuring the CIA analyst Jack Ryan as the protagonist.  Some of the most well-known books in the series include "The Hunt for Red October," "Patiot Games," Clear and Present Danger, and "The Sum of All Fears."  The series has also seen adaptations into both film and television.

The Grandparent Gaze

“The Grandparent Gaze”

I held your parent once like this,

Tiny fingers, newborn kiss—

Now here I sit, with silver strands,

Cradling you in wrinkled hands.

A circle drawn in love and time,

Your little laugh, a nursery rhyme.

The years, they fly—so swift, so bold,

Yet here you are, and I feel old…

But not in weariness or pain,

More like a soft, refreshing rain.

A reverence I never knew,

Until I looked and saw you.

Surreal, this second tender chance,

To watch another soul’s first dance.

To guide, not lead; to love, not mold—

To hold your joy, and not control.

I watch your wonder meet the sky,

And blink back tears I can’t deny.

For in your smile, I see the grace

Of every storm I had to face.

And now I stand on sacred ground,

With quiet awe that knows no bound—

So humbled by this grand design,

That you’re a part of me, yet fully divine.

A gift I never dared expect,

A love so deep, so pure, direct.

You made me new, though I am gray…

In you, I’ve found my yesterday.

The Sound of Music

When filming began for The Sound of Music in 1964, Julie Andrews was already known for her poised presence and perfect pitch, but stepping into the role of Maria von Trapp required more than vocal talent. Andrews was only a year removed from her feature film debut in "Mary Poppins", and though she was riding high on success, she admitted in a recent interview that portraying Maria demanded a different kind of emotional preparation. Unlike the fantastical nanny, Maria was rooted in real-world complexities, and Andrews immersed herself in understanding the real-life woman behind the character.

During a conversation at the 2023 TCM Classic Film Festival, Andrews shared that her earliest preparation began not with the script but with historical research. She read Maria von Trapp’s memoir and watched home footage of the Trapp Family Singers to absorb their mannerisms and family dynamics. Andrews explained, “I wanted to play her not as a saint but as someone deeply flawed, unsure, spirited, and full of love. That’s how I saw Maria, and that’s how I wanted the audience to see her too.”

Her process also included dialect coaching, though she kept her own British accent softened, as director Robert Wise feared a heavy Austrian accent would alienate the audience. Andrews worked intensively with musical director Irwin Kostal to fine-tune her vocal performance, ensuring she could deliver songs like “Do-Re-Mi” and “My Favorite Things” with the clarity and warmth expected of a governess teaching children through music. She often practiced with the young actors playing the von Trapp children off-camera, not just to rehearse but to foster genuine chemistry.

The challenge of filming in Salzburg's unpredictable weather added pressure. Andrews recalled one particularly difficult day shooting the famous opening sequence. Mounted on a hilltop in a remote Austrian meadow, she had to perform a full 360-degree turn as the camera soared in via helicopter. “Every take, the downdraft from the helicopter would flatten me into the grass,” she said. “I’d get up, reset, and do it again. We did it something like seven or eight times. It was dizzying.” That scene became one of the most iconic in film history, yet few realized the physical demands it placed on her.

Another moment she reflected on in the interview involved filming the “I Have Confidence” sequence. The song was added by Rodgers and Hammerstein’s team specifically for Andrews, and she revealed she was overwhelmed by the technical requirements balancing a guitar, tossing her hat, opening a gate, all while hitting her marks on time. “That song was deceptively hard. It’s cheerful, but it’s Maria’s inner monologue of terror. I had to find a way to keep it light while showing her panic,” she explained. To help, she worked closely with choreographer Marc Breaux, practicing movements over and over in her hotel room until they became second nature.

Andrews also opened up about a lesser-known backstory involving Christopher Plummer. Initially, the two had very different approaches to acting. While Andrews came from a musical theater background, Plummer was steeped in Shakespearean drama. Their first few rehearsals were stiff, and Andrews admitted feeling intimidated. But a breakthrough came when the two shared an unscripted laugh during a lunch break. That moment cracked the formality between them, and they began to find rhythm and spontaneity in their scenes. “That spark you see between Maria and the Captain it started off-screen,” she said.

In a moving moment during the interview, Andrews revealed she took a piece of the original costume back with her after filming wrapped a small, stitched square from Maria’s apron, tucked into her diary. “I needed something to hold onto, something to remind me that I had lived her journey. It was the most vulnerable I’d ever felt on screen.”

    Julie Andrews soprano note here is amazing!!

"Edelweiss, edelweiss, every morning you greet me, small and wise, clean and bright, you look happy to meet me...."

I have confidence in sunshine, I have confidence in rain, I have confidence in confidence alone. . .

Besides which you see, I have Con Fi Dense In Meeeeee.

So, here you are standing there, loving me, whether or not you should. 

Somewhere in my youth or my childhood, I must have done, something good.

Nothing comes from nothing. . .  

Is there anyone I should go to, Maria, to ask permission to marry you?

- Well, why don't we ask...

-The children?