No Man Is an Island--Spoken Word Given by Lloyd D. Newell

No Man Is an Island

Delivered By: Lloyd D. Newell

Each of us has our own talents, our own abilities, and our own challenges. Sometimes it’s tempting to want to trade places with others, but it’s probably not wise. One family tries to remember this simple truth with a wall hanging, cross-stitched with a piece of Grandma’s wisdom: “If all of our problems were hung on a line, you’d take yours and I’d take mine.” Sorting out problems, however, is not quite as simple as sorting laundry. If our problems really were hung on a line, we might be surprised how similar they are. The truth is, we’re more alike than we are different. We all worry about our families and finances; we’re concerned about our health and well-being. Regardless of our differences, we all want to love and be loved. So rather than wishing we were in our neighbors’ shoes, maybe we should look for opportunities to walk alongside them. Along the way, we might offer to carry some of our neighbors’ burdens. They may even want to do the same for us. We all have so much we could share with each other. We have a commonality, a camaraderie that comes of our shared humanity. Each one of us is connected to others; we depend on each other; we need each other. Paraphrasing the great poet John Donne, the lyrics of a popular song put it this way: No man is an island; No man stands alone. Each man’s joy is joy to me; Each man’s grief is my own. We need one another, So I will defend Each man as my brother, Each man as my friend.1 If we can see one another as fellow travelers, we may be more inclined to look for ways to share each other’s burdens. We’ll see each other through the lens of equality and compassion, and this will open our hearts to the rich diversity of life. 1 Joan Whitney and Alex Kramer, “No Man Is an Island.”

Second Chances--Spoken Words Given by Lloyd D. Newell

Second Chances

Delivered By: Lloyd D. Newell

Among life’s greatest blessings is the opportunity for second chances. A disobedient child says to his mother, “I promise I’ll do better next time” and “Can I try again?” We’ve probably all felt that way from time to time—we fall short, and we long for another chance, a fresh start, a new beginning. And while justice and fairness always have their claim, mercy and second chances also have their place. The theme of second chances is as old as time and abundant in literature and history. We’re familiar with the story of the prodigal son who came home again; or the reluctant prophet Jonah, who got a second chance to overcome his fears. And we all have personal and family stories of making mistakes but then trying anew. Another story of second chances is the novel Silas Marner, by George Eliot. Because of a false accusation and a friend’s betrayal, Silas becomes a recluse and miser, his heart “a locked casket,”1 whose only concern is his work and his hoard of money. When his precious gold is stolen, the loss drives Silas into a deeper gloom. Then along comes a little girl, an orphan he names Eppie, who presents Silas with a chance at redemption, another life, a new hope for happiness. When Silas’s thoughts turn to little Eppie’s care and keeping, when his heart opens to her, he finds love and release from his bitterness and depression. Silas may have lost his gold, but he finds true joy in a golden-haired girl who gives him a reason for living, a second chance at life. Believing and hoping for life’s second chances gives us the confidence to live a life that, while not flawless, is determined; not perfect, but progressing. 1 (1922), 90. Program #4139

Striving for Balance--Spoken Word Given by Lloyd D. Newell

Striving for Balance

Delivered By: Lloyd D. Newelll

Life is busy, but it’s good to take a moment occasionally to make sure it’s busy for the right reasons. Sometimes we may feel like a juggler trying to keep so many things aloft that he’s in constant danger of dropping all of them. With so many pressures and demands competing for our time and attention, we may feel overwhelmed from time to time, inadequate to the task, as it seems that everything is about to come crashing down. How can we keep juggling life’s demands and maintain a sense of balance in our lives? It may help to remember a secret that every juggler knows: you don’t have to catch the balls that are going up, just the balls that are coming down. In other words, focus on the things that need the most attention, each in its appropriate time. For example, where does work fit into a balanced life? Where do family and fun fit in? Some live for their work, at the expense of everything else. Work is important and even gratifying, but in the words of a familiar phrase, “No one ever dies saying, ‘I wish I’d spent more time at the office.’” Some live for fun and pleasure. But in time, the heart yearns for something more meaningful and satisfying. There must be more to life. As one writer said, “Live a balanced life—learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.”1 We need time to laugh and reflect, give and receive, love and be loved—all things in their time and season. As we strive to find the right balance, we can remember the ancient words that remain true to this day: “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”2 1 Robert Fulghum, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten (2003), 2 2 Ecclesiastes 3:1. Program #4138

Moving Forward--Spoken Word Given by Lloyd D. Newell

Moving Forward Delivered By: Lloyd D. Newell

When things go bad, can we really start over? When life takes a turn for the worse, can we actually begin again with hope that things will get better? After losing much of his life savings due to someone else’s mismanagement, one man said, “Starting over was tough, but if we didn’t try, we would have been hurt twice—once by our loss and once by our own giving up.”

Each of us is bound to lose now and then, and once in a while we may want to quit. But even the worst setbacks can be opportunities to make a new beginning.

A small boy, playing a rough-and-tumble schoolyard game, was frequently knocked to the ground. Each time, he picked himself up, dusted himself off, and rejoined the game. When asked why he didn’t just quit, he declared, “Quit? I’m here to play the game!”

The New Year is a perfect time for starting over. This is a special time when we can decide to get back up when we’ve been knocked down. We can find renewed courage to keep going. We may need to forgive someone who has offended us or forgive ourselves for mistakes we’ve made. Perhaps we need help learning to do things differently so we aren’t knocked down again—but we can always move forward.
Each New Year represents a new beginning. And hope for a brighter future can dawn with each new day. So even when life hits us hard, we can get up, dust ourselves off, and get back in the game.


Program #4137

The Christmas Card I Received from the First Presidency

At this joyous Christmas season, men and women of faith turn their thoughts to our dear Savior, who came forth from heaven to live on earth as a mortal man and to establish the Kingdom of God. His glorious gospel reshaped the thinking of the world. He blessed the sick. He caused the lame to walk, the blind to see, and the deaf to hear. He even raised the dead to life. To us He has said, “Come, follow me.”

We testify of the living reality of Jesus Christ as the Savior of mankind. As we seek Christ, and as we follow Him, we shall have the Christmas spirit, not for one fleeting day each year but as a companion always.

Sincerely,

The First Presidency

Thomas S. Monson

Henry B. Eyring

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Happy Christmas to All--Spoken Word Given by Lloyd D. Newell

Happy Christmas to All

Delivered By: Lloyd D. Newell

On Christmas Eve 1822, Catherine Elizabeth Moore was preparing food for the poor and discovered that she was short one turkey. It turned out to be a fortunate mistake, because as her husband rode in his carriage to the butcher’s, the bells jingling on his team of horses inspired him to pen a whimsical Christmas poem for his children. After dinner that night, Clement Clarke Moore presented to the family what has become a treasure to us all: “’Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house….” And as he read, his children were enchanted.1 Since that day, this classic has appeared in countless newspapers and almanacs; it has been recited, illustrated, and performed around the world. Most important, countless youngsters have cozied up on the lap of a parent or grandparent and read of a “miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer.” Clement Moore was a prominent theologian, a professor of classics, and the author of the leading Hebrew dictionary of the time. But that Christmas Eve, he wasn’t writing for publication or praise. This poem about a jolly old elf, sugarplums, and carefully hung stockings was for his family. Perhaps his inspiration came from his love for his small audience. Perhaps it was his way of showing his children what a gift of the heart looks and feels like. Each of us can give such priceless gifts of the heart. Our gifts may not rhyme, sparkle, or come wrapped in ribbons, but they will be cherished. Cards made at the kitchen table, pictures taken at the last family gathering, handprints of toddlers, recordings of childhood reminiscences, homemade ornaments that promise years of fond memories—in their own priceless way, these and many other expressions of love say, as did Clement Moore’s gift to his children, “Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night.” 1 See Kaller Historical Documents, “‘The Night before Christmas,’ Clement C. Moore’s Classic Poem,” http://www.americagallery.com/night.shtml. Program #4136

Longfellow's Christmas--Spoken Word Given by Lloyd D. Newell

Longfellow's Christmas

Delivered By: Edward Herrmann

Sleigh bells and laughter pierced the stillness of softly falling snow, as the Henry Wadsworth Longfellow family, bundled in winter wool, whisked along in their horse-drawn sleigh. The five children giggled with delight. Then, ringing down snow-packed lanes, across fields, and through the wooded hills and valleys pealed the bells—solo steeple bells and choirs of carillon bells—playing the familiar carols of Christmas. The Longfellow family delighted in their message of joy and peace. But a few months later, fire ravaged their home. Trying desperately to rescue his wife Fanny, Henry was terribly burned. Three days later, on their 18th wedding anniversary, Fanny was buried - while Henry, confined to bed, fought to live—fought for the will to live. Two Christmases came and went. Henry wrote, “How inexpressibly sad are the holidays.” “‘A merry Christmas’ say the children, but that is no more for me.” On Christmas Day, 1864, he wrote: “And in despair I bowed my head; ‘There is no peace on earth,’ I said; For hate is strong and mocks the song Of peace on earth, good will to men.” At some time, each of us echoes the question of his broken heart: When pain, grief, and loneliness overwhelm us, where is the music of hope and peace? For Henry, the answer came at Christmas. As the rising sun burnished the windows of the Longfellow home brilliant gold, pealing through the crisp morning air, came a clear, joyous ringing…Christmas bells. From his lonely desk, Henry heard them. In that instant, his broken heart was healed. Renewed, he plunged his pen into fresh ink, and joyfully drew it across a sheet of snow white paper… I heard the bells on Christmas Day Their old, familiar carols play, And wild and sweet the words repeat Of peace on earth, good will to men! Till, ringing, singing on its way, The world revolved from night to day A voice, a chime, a chant sublime Of peace on earth, good will to men! Christmas bells still ring out a clear message: Out of suffering and despair, joy can flourish anew, and hope and peace be reborn. Peace on earth. Peace in each broken heart. And so, as the bells pealed on, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow finished his carol of hope and faith: Then pealed the bells more loud and deep, “God is not dead; nor doth He sleep! The Wrong shall fail, the Right prevail, With peace on earth, good-will to men!” Program #4135