The Valid Recommend

We are on a journey

Celestially bound

Not through a one time passport

As with a recommend it is found

We must keep it up to date

Untampered, clean and whole

For an authorized agent

Verifies each honest soul

The recommend alone

Is not a guarantee

Your good heart must be shown

Through the daily life you're living

On a quest of a lifetime

We align our hearts and minds

And enter sacred covenants

The Holy Spirit does bind

A bit of Heaven on Earth we find

Sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise
October 2026 general conference

Elder David A Bednar

For disciples of Jesus Christ, receiving priesthood ordinances and entering into sacred covenants are essential steps in the “quest of a lifetime” to align our hearts, minds, and lives with God’s will.

A covenant is a solemn promise—an enduring commitment between God and His sons and daughters. God establishes the conditions of all gospel covenants, and His children exercise their moral agency to learn about and consent to what He asks them to do.

When sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise  (not by tape or glue that you apply yourself- Those are just temporary fixes that provide a false sense of security), an ordinance, vow, or covenant is binding on earth and in heaven. This sealing is conditional in mortality and can be broken or forfeited through unrighteousness.

The man excitedly exited the airplane and walked to the passport control checkpoint. He had a valid passport issued by an authorized agency of his country’s government. He presented his passport to a border official, who verified the man’s identity, nationality, and reasons for visiting the country. But the man had not taken good care of his passport. The personal information page had been stained and damaged. And a ripped page had been repaired in an unauthorized manner with tape and glue.

A Heart Reshaped- You'll See

The stresses press

Trauma is there

Of such distress

God is aware

It can change you

In many ways

Open your heart

Experience pays

Don't numb the pain

With an escape

Give thanks and gain

A heart reshaped

Incline your soul

To light and love

Seek out your role

And rise above

Let God help you

Navigate life

Be more prayerful

And embrace light

Warmth and guidance

Will see you through

And lift you up

To joy anew

You'll see...you grew

 

incline

verb

• 1.feel willing or favorably disposed toward (an action, belief, or attitude):"he was inclined to accept the offer"
• 2.have a tendency to do something:"she's inclined to gossip with complete strangers"

Don't Numb the Pain

[Verse 1] The stresses press, the trauma’s there, The weight of grief and deep distress; And through the ache, through every prayer, God knows the burdens we confess. [Verse 2] It can change you in many ways, And leave its mark upon the heart; Stay open through the hardest days, Let wisdom grow from where you start. [Chorus] Don’t numb the pain, don’t turn away; Give thanks for strength that still remains. Let love reshape what sorrow made, And guide your heart through healing days. [Verse 3] Incline your soul to light and love, Seek out the work that you can do; Trust in the grace that lifts above, And take the next step, small but true. [Chorus] Don’t numb the pain, don’t turn away; Give thanks for strength that still remains. Let love reshape what sorrow made, And guide your heart through healing days. [Bridge] Let God walk with you through this life, Be prayerful when the road feels long; Warmth will meet you in the strife, And gently lead your spirit on. [Final Chorus] Don’t numb the pain, don’t turn away; Give thanks for strength that still remains. Let love reshape what sorrow made, And guide your heart through healing days. [Outro] You’ll see, you grew; the joy comes through

I recognize that many of you face significant challenges and uncertainties that cause stress, anxiety, and heartache. I pray for you. I love you. I am thankful that social media allows me to provide you with encouragement, direction, and a reminder of eternal truths. Please remember this: whatever difficulties you may be experiencing, Jesus Christ is the way to joy and peace. People who subscribe to the doctrine of the gospel of Jesus Christ find that it makes their lives happier, more significant, and more resistant to the difficulties we all experience. You have a Heavenly Father who has provided a plan for you. Trust in Him. With His help, you can find peace despite the trials and obstacles of mortality. 

With love, 

President Oaks


https://x.com/OaksDallinH/status/2119444842019537060?a=yev0JAQmAJfjsL7Q6Qs&s=20

560-Pound Man Biking Across US To Lose Weight « CBS Connecticut

560-Pound Man Biking Across US To Lose Weight « CBS Connecticut

revisiting a poem from 2015...

Nothing else matters
When love is at stake
Every hope shatters
Incomplete, you ache!

Light the course to take
On it lose yourself
Christ will help you shake
The old to a new self!

See yourself lost in service
Lose yourself in this purpose
Seek a light that's bright to shine
Tender mercy is a sign

Now, faith driven, this goal  consumes you
and trials and aid come along.
Know that God is with you to see you through
and will help you to be strong.

Verse 1] Nothing else matters When love is at stake Every hope shatters Incomplete, you ache! [Verse 2] Light the course to take On it lose yourself Christ will help you shake The old to a new self! [Chorus] See yourself lost in service Lose yourself in this purpose Seek a light that's bright to shine Tender mercy is a sign [Verse 3] Now, faith driven. This goal consumes you and trials and aid come along. Know that God is with you to see you through and will help you to be strong [Outro] Know that God is with you to see you through and will help you to be strong
I was touched by two things in this story.  The man is working to save his life and marriage.  Others (complete strangers) are cheering for him and helping him along..

1. www.cbsnews.com › philadelphia › news560-Pound Man Hopes To Win Back Wife With Cross Country Bike ...

   Oct 14, 2015 · PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A 560-pound man is riding his bike across America to take control of his health and to win back his estranged wife.

2. 
   

3. He passed away two years ago.  Losing weight made him able to work, save his marriage and his life.  

 Angie said, "Eric was a gentle giant and my best friend in this world. We celebrated what would have been our 16th wedding anniversary yesterday with lunch in the hospital and a giant embrace. We never grew apart, only closer. His face, laugh, and quick witted character will live on forever in my heart and mind." She continued, "He lived many lifetimes in the one life God gave him. He did it all despite being limited. He was very loved and will live on through his many posts on travels and inspirational videos. He left a digital footprint, as well as footprints on the hearts of many. Heaven gained one heck of an angel today."

The Fever

The evening hits

The body goes weak

A feverish brow

And advice, we seek

The hospital, now?

Or wait till the dawn?

Either way, we know

The night will be long!

My poor dad is sick

His oxygen is low

His options? His pick

His answer is, "No!"

 

Liquids and rest

New symptoms, too

A rattling chest

Oh morning, come soon!

Give this 95 year old the option- he will always say "no".

Melt My Heart

Melt my heart

Mold it. Heal it

Show my part

Help me feel it

Help me see

Open my eyes

Where there's need

To recognize

Help me hear

A quiet plea

Purely clear

Tuned, spiritually

Help my hands

To be of use

To lift much

And give service

Help my feet

To walk the path

Pure and sweet

Where Thou art at

Help me, Lord

To live in Light

To love more

And gain insight

In truth, delight

[Verse 1] Melt my heart and make it new Heal the hurt and shape me true Show me where my part begins Help me feel the world within [Chorus] Help me see, and open my eyes Where there is need, teach me to recognize Help me hear the quiet plea With a listening heart, tune me spiritually [Verse 2] Help my hands to serve with care Lift the weight that others bear Give me strength to do what’s kind Leave no burden left behind [Chorus] Help me see, and open my eyes Where there is need, teach me to recognize Help me hear the quiet plea With a listening heart, tune me spiritually [Bridge] Help my feet to walk the way Keep me close to You each day Let my steps be pure and sweet Where Your presence makes me complete [Final Chorus] Help me, Lord, to live in light Love more deeply, seek what’s right In the truth, let joy take root Grant me wisdom, grace, and fruit [Outro] Melt my heart and make it new Help me live my life for You

Verse 1] Melt my heart and shape it true Heal the places worn and bruised Show me where my hands belong Teach my tender heart Your song [Chorus] Help me see, help me hear Meet the need that's waiting near Help me walk and serve with grace Find the light, pure to embrace [Verse 2] Open wide my clouded eyes Let me see where mercy lies Let me hear the quiet plea Clear as truth, and deep in me [Chorus] Help me see, help me hear Meet the need that's waiting near Help me walk and serve with grace Find the light. pure to embrace [Verse 3] Make my hands a source of care Lift the weight another bears Set my feet upon the way Where Your love is lived each day [Bridge] Help me, Lord, to live in light Love more freely, seek what's right Lead me into truth's delight Grant my heart a clearer sight [Final Chorus] Help me see, help me hear Meet the need that's waiting near Help me walk and serve with grace Find the light, pure to embrace [Outro] Help me, Lord, to live in light Love more deeply, walk aright

• Spiritual Renewal: It represents a transformation from a prideful, hardened, or burdened state to one that is humble, pure, and receptive to the Spirit of God.

• Turning to Christ: It happens through faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, prayer, studying the scriptures, and keeping commandments.

• Compassion for Others: Leaders like Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf and others have emphasized that a truly changed heart overflows with Christlike love, empathy, and kindness toward people.

The Abolitionists

The abolitionists
Are fully aware
Child trafficking exists
Almost everywhere

Monsters conspire new ways to take
Innocence... at any cost
The young are used in films they make
But, soon they will get caught!

Children, we did not know...
Nor did we hear you pray
But, now we do and so
We'll fund your rescue today

Brave men will be actors

You won't know who to trust

Until the doors open

And you feel love from us

Verse 1] The abolitionists know what the silence can hide, Where the powerful bargain and children are used. They devise new cruelties, take innocence by force, Make the young serve a story they never chose. [Pre-Chorus] But every locked door leaves a trail, And every lie can lose its veil. [Chorus] Children we couldn’t hear, we hear you now, We’ll stand beside you, we’ll find a way somehow. We’ll fund the rescue, help you make it through, There’s room to heal, and people here for you. [Verse 2] They put the young in films they make, Then think the truth will stay unseen. But brave hearts gather, records speak, And those who harm will face the reckoning. [Pre-Chorus] You may not know whom to believe, So we’ll be steady; we won’t leave. [Chorus] Children we couldn’t hear, we hear you now, We’ll stand beside you, we’ll find a way somehow. We’ll fund the rescue, help you make it through, There’s room to heal, and people here for you. [Bridge] No child is blame, no child is lost, No one should bear another’s cost. With care, with courage, truth made clear, We’ll build a safer world from here. [Instrumental Break] [Final Chorus] Children we couldn’t hear, we hear you now, We’ll stand beside you, we’ll find a way somehow. We’ll fund the rescue, help you make it through, There’s room to heal, and people here for you. [Outro] We hear you now. We’re here with you

Redemption's Song

I passed through every lock

On the great and spacious building

Decades... deadening shock

To all things riotous, I was yielding

I wasted all my substance

Blazing a path of destruction

Then, I gave God a second chance

To change, I sought His instruction

I had much to repent of 

And relationships to repair

I cling to the path of love

With a testimony to share

Never forget

No matter how long

Christ's atonement

Is redemption's song

Let the Holy Ghost come

Let light shine upon your heart

And spiritually become

Humble, that the spirit impart

Deaf and blind

I now hear and see

That building

Is not for me

Light and love

I'm following

Verse 1] I passed through every lock In the great and spacious building Decades of deadening shock To all things riotous, I was yielding [Verse 2] I wasted all my substance Blazing a path of destruction Then I gave God a second chance And sought His instruction [Verse 3] I had much to repent of And relationships to repair I cling to the path of love With a testimony to share [Chorus] Never forget, no matter how long Christ's atonement is redemption's song [Verse 4] Let the Holy Ghost come Let light shine upon your heart And spiritually become Humble, that the Spirit impart [Bridge] Deaf and blind, I now hear and see That building is not for me Light and love, I am following [Chorus] Never forget, no matter how long Christ's atonement is redemption's song [Outro] Light and love, I am following

 My trial of faith lasted nearly three decades. "I joined the Marine Corps instead of the Mission Field," as I often describe it. Went inactive and fell away within a few years. Baptized at 8, priest at 16, elder at 46.

Rest regrettably assured, brothers and sisters, I checked every lock in the great and spacious building during those decades, and I found I wasted my substance with riotous living, to say nothing of the path of blazing destruction I left in my wake. Cling to the Covenant Path. Today my testimony of Christ is unshakable, my shelf is steadfast, and my relationships are repairing. Never forget, no matter how long your personal path of repentance may be, attendance of the Holy Ghost can come the moment you submit to the Atonement of Jesus Christ and truly let shine your broken heart and contrite spirit in humility. I hope you're all winding down a wonderful Sabbath day, friends. I hope you heard and shared incredible testimony today.

@iamian
·
Nov 1, 2026
And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.

https://x.com/iamian/status/2117039601495986273?a=aZyOp7Dwu-kqPARnp3w&s=20