Son HOLDEN: I learned that or felt more strongly that Heavenly Father is always going to forgive. He will always love you and be there for you. He never says, “Oops, you sinned too many times. I’m going to leave you.” He’s always there. You might not even realize it, but how magnificent is it that He won’t abandon us. He’s already given us so much, and He continues to give to us. It’s cool.
Daughter DAISY : Something I have come to understand this year is that the Atonement isn’t just meant to heal us but to change us. Through the Savior we can be changed to become more like our Father in Heaven, and as such, live with Him for all eternity.
Son DUNCAN: We watched a message about a man who writes songs, but for many years he felt like God wasn’t there. He prayed to feel God’s love and was ready to give up, but then God helped him feel His love while he was writing songs one day. This lets me know that God is there for each of us in different ways. I hear Him when I pray and read the scriptures.
Daughter HARLEY: This year has taught me two things: the first being the truth behind the prophetic promise that reading the Book of Mormon every day will give us protection and strength. The second thing I have learned is, in times of difficulty, how to look around and be grateful for what I have and to have hope for the future.
Mother CLARISSA: This year has taught me that we all desperately need the Savior, and we need Him all the time. I have learned that God’s hand is in our lives, even when we may not recognize it. I have learned that gratitude brings me close to the Savior and helps me to feel His love more abundantly. I have come to appreciate the power of covenants and how they sustain us, protect us, and give our lives purpose. I know I am a daughter of God and that, while this world sometimes makes me weary, I am meant for unimaginable glory.
Father BRANDON: This year has brought some unique challenges and opportunities. One of the things I have enjoyed is having worship services in our home. This year has really brought to the forefront of my mind how inspired our church leaders are and how God truly directs them, especially when we look to the past and see how our services changed to church-supported home worship. And while I enjoy having services in our home, I do miss having the interaction with other members of our faith that we aren’t getting as readily. I look forward to re-establishing those connections and hopefully I can do a better job of reaching out to others as Christ would in fellowship and kindness.