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Chad Hanson of the Amarillo First Ward Amarillo Texas Stake, was named outstanding band student at his junior high school and also received an academic award for having the highest grade average in his class.

As a seventh grader, Chad served on the student council and was a member of the basketball and track teams. He also plays soccer for a local league.

In his ward, Chad serves as priesthood pianist and is the youngest Scout in his troop to earn his Eagle Award.

Give diligent heed to the words of eternal life. For you shall live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God.—D&C 84:43–44

If you think your scriptures are just a couple of books with lots of pages that you’re supposed to read every day, think again. The scriptures are vital words of life that can apply to your own very personal challenges and obstacles. By making full use of them, you can change your life for the better. Here are some ways to get started letting the scriptures into your life:

1. 1Collect your favorite scriptures in a scrapbook. Copy the scriptures you love best and place them in an album. The photo albums with the sticky, peel-back pages work best.

2. Turn your favorite scriptures into visual works. For example:

   • Wet a piece of watercolor paper and drop a few drops of paint onto it. The color will blur into a beautiful pastel abstract. When the paper is completely dry, write your favorite scripture across the page with a marker.

   • Make a collage. Cut out words and pictures that correspond with your favorite scripture. Paste them, along with the scripture, in an artistic way on construction paper or cardboard.

   • If you’re into photography, try illustrating a favorite scripture with a photograph.

3. Collect your favorite scriptures in your journal. Write them down and record why they have a special meaning to you. This can add variety to your journal writing.

4. Share your favorite scriptures with friends by writing them on a blank card, decorating it, then dropping it in the mail or in their lockers.

5. Adopt a favorite scripture as a personal motto. Put it on a poster in your room and write it in your notebook.

6. Write 31 favorite scriptures on slips of paper. Fold them and place them in a basket. Each morning of the month pull one out to think about all day long.

“In all my perplexities and distresses, the Bible has never failed to give me light and strength.”—Robert E. Lee

Kristen Dosdall of Grosse Ile, Michigan, has let her light shine in every area of her life. She was an honor student and served as student council president. She was Homecoming Queen, a cheerleader for six years, and co-captain of the flag corps. She represented her school at Girls’ State and is active in various alcohol and drug reduction programs.

Kristen also served as president of her early-morning seminary class and kept up with her responsibilities at home, where she is the middle child of 13.

Don’t worry—even though the summer is coming to an end, there’s still time to catch an LDS pageant or two. Here’s a list of the ones scheduled this year:

“Castle Valley Pageant”—August 1–4 at the Mountain Amphitheater in Castle Dale, Utah.

“City of Joseph”—August 3, 4, 7–11, outside near the Nauvoo, Illinois, Visitors’ Center.

“Martin Harris, the Man Who Knew”—August 17, 18, 21–25 in Clarkston, Utah

“Nativity Pageant”—December 19–25 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

by Cass Montgomery

“Come join the fun at Cousin Camp,” said the letter that six of my cousins, ages 6–10, received in the mail. I’d invited them to spend a week at my house where I’d prepared camp-like activities.

We all slept outside in tents, and every morning when we woke someone would give an inspirational thought. Every day we did crafts like painting wooden hearts and making pop-up cards. We also had classes on manners, baby-sitting, first aid, etc. At all the classes I gave out cards and handouts. My cousins liked that. And of course, at every good camp you swim, so we had a good, long swim every day. At night we closed with “family night.”

I had a really fun time doing “Cousin Camp” for my little cousins, and I think they liked it too. We can hardly wait for next year.

Cass is a Mia Maid in the Redlands Third Ward, Redlands California stake.

Eric Coulson was the only Latter-day Saint in his high school, and everyone knew it because he was the student-body president.

In his leadership position, he found a way to introduce the whole senior class to the Church.

Every year the graduating class from his high school takes a trip to Washington, D.C. Eric checked with the principal, then arranged for the bus drivers to take the class to see the Washington Temple one night during their visit. While there, Eric explained the purposes of the temple. Everyone was impressed with the sight of the temple lit at night.

Eric is a member of the Boone Ward, Des Moines Iowa Stake, where he served as first assistant in his priests quorum.