Ethan's field trip

 We took Ethan to school this morning to go on a field trip to WV.  They are stopping at Seneca Caverns on the way up and then spending the week in Green Bank WV studying at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory.  We miss him already.

Today was a beautiful Sunday.  I enjoyed the talks at Sacrament meeting so much.  Our first talk was by a wonderful young man who has had some struggles but who is now doing so much better.  It made me so happy to see him up there and speaking and sharing his thoughts.   Next we had a talk by another young man, this one from the Anacostia ward.  He joined the church when he was 16 years old.  Yesterday he got his mission call to Accra Ghana!  I'm so excited for him.  After high school he went to WY with a family in their ward who moved there and offered to let him work for them to save money for his mission.  He did and now he's ready to serve the Lord. Following them was Brother Merril who gave a very good talk as well.  He spoke about following the prophet and told a story about one of his great grandfathers, Orson Hyde.  Orson Hyde was an apostle in the early church.  He was a trusted companion to Joseph Smith, served faithfully, went on several missions and  also was sent to dedicate the land in Jerusalem for the work of the Lord.  When he returned home he had some struggles, including health struggles, and eventually lost his faith and was one of the signers of a letter stating the Joseph Smith was a fallen prophet which lead to the greater persecution of the church and the prophet's imprisonment in Liberty Jail.  Eventually he saw the error of his ways and repented.  Joseph and the other members of the church forgave him and he came back in full fellowship and was even reinstated as an apostle.  He spent the rest of his life serving faithfully.

The whole theme of the day, at least to me it seemed, was on the beautiful gift we have been given to repent and change. (the actual topic was on prophets).  Each of us needs the forgiveness of the Savior.  We need to change and become like Him.  We need to repent.  We need to let each other change and grow and become better. These three men exemplified that.  Our wayward teen, doing well now.  Maricio, who grew up a young black man, raised by a single mom and not a member, in Anacostia,  now going to be a missionary.  And Brother Orson, who's fall caused so much pain and suffering for so many but who humbly acknowledged that he was wrong and who was allowed to repent and change. What wonderful lessons in this glorious principle of the gospel!

On another note tonight we had youth conference meetings and they went well.  I am excited for youth conference!