The Bulletin Board

Youth in the Boston Massachusetts Stake shared their testimonies with heart and voice when they presented the program “From Cumorah’s Hill,” a musical presentation about the Book of Mormon. The program was originally scheduled for two performances, but was extended to three to accommodate everyone who wanted to attend.

The program gave the youth the opportunity to become better friends with each other, but the best part, says Laurel Maureen Maskell, was the audience reaction. “It was great to see their faces and see the people who had been touched by the Spirit.”

Heidi Hamilton relies on help from her friends just like everyone else. But after a bout with encephalitis a few years ago, Heidi realized just how important that help can be. Heidi, who lives in Fremont, California, was an active, healthy 15 year old until her illness made it impossible for her to walk. During her long and difficult recovery, the priests in Heidi’s ward brought her the sacrament and built some rehab equipment necessary for her physical therapy. Because her condition made her feel cold all of the time, the young women made her a quilt. The bishop gave her art lessons once a week.

But the real heroes are the friends that Heidi has in her family. Her four brothers and her sister pitched in so that her mom and dad could take her to endless appointments and physical therapy sessions. It was a tough challenge, but Heidi says she thinks the family is stronger because of it.

“My family and I had to have a lot of faith,” says Heidi. “They all remembered me in their prayers, but I was always calm. I knew things would be fine. I owe my family and my friends a lot.”

Imagine fraternal twins, a brother and sister, who are really close friends. Now imagine that they were born three years apart. Pretty unusual, right? Well, to some of their friends, Jonathan Leaupepe (16) and his sister Leilani (13), of the Tawa Ward, New Zealand Wellington Stake, are unusual. “They’re amazed at how well we get on,” says Jonathan, who adds that “I always take her along with me.”

For her part, Leilani says, “He always looks after me.” And that includes helping her with homework and Church talks, as well as coaching her in softball and netball. Jonathan and Leilani do the housework together, cheer for each other in sports, and spend a lot of time just talking—especially about the gospel.

Shannon Taylor, from Salt Lake City, Utah, and Jeff Stone, from St. Johnsbury, Vermont, have been pen pals for three years. Since meeting at an Especially for Youth conference in Provo, Utah, they’ve been writing each other approximately once a month. Not only do they share a love for the same kinds of music and movies; they also share a love for the gospel.

“He lives in Vermont, and he has a different perspective on things than I do since I’m around so many Church members all the time. It helps me feel lucky to have member friends because I have good influences. He’s really strong, but I know it’s harder for him since there aren’t many members at his school,” says Shannon.

Chelsea Beattie and Liz Christensen, two Mia Maids in Boise, Idaho, know a little something about building a temple from the ground up. As part of a school assignment for their history class, students were assigned to report on a historical event that was an example of both tragedy and triumph. Since the girls were studying Church history in Sunday School, learning about Nauvoo and especially the temple, it made sense for the girls to expand on their knowledge for their project. The girls made a replica of the Nauvoo Temple from mat board, cardstock, tape, glue, and clay.

“Recognizing the tragedy and the triumphs that were present in the city of Nauvoo has taught both of us that the people who came before us sacrificed for us, and for that we are eternally grateful,” says Chelsea.

As the anchor on the four-man 1,600-meter relay for his high school in Kansas City, Missouri, Adam Mack (center above) knew a lot was at stake. A good showing in the sectional meet, and his team would qualify for the state competition. After the first two legs, his team was in third place. Then during the third leg, a rival runner pushed Adam’s teammate off the track. He recovered, but the team finished seventh.

Things erupted. Everyone was angry. There was profanity, pushing, and threats, and the crowd was yelling. Adam’s team members were in tears.

Adam was an example of how Mormons conduct themselves in a bad situation. “How could we rid ourselves of that horrible feeling of contention?” said Adam. “I stopped my friends in the middle of the field and told them we needed to pray. I prayed to the Lord that we would have forgiveness in our hearts. I asked him to take away our sorrow and our feelings of contention. I asked for peace and that each of us would have understanding. I also prayed that the Holy Ghost would be with us through hard times.

“As I looked up, my friends were crying. They told me they had never felt a power like that before. They thanked me over and over again. The tension and the hurt of the loss were gone.”

Although most of the team members have gone to college, they are still close. The bond they formed went beyond teammates to true friends.