An interview with Don and Barbara Eckenfelder. May 2025.

Priesthood Blessings with Bob Downey.

To be faithful, we have been taught in D&C, Section 87, Verse 8… To fear not and “Stand ye in Holy Places and be not moved.”  If we do, we can do as Elder Wirthlin was taught… to Come What May, and Love It.

Ever since I was a little girl, my Irish parents made sure I knew that there were two people directly responsible for my family’s membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Imagine my surprise when I learned that their daughter lived 15 minutes from my home in New York!

Elder Eric Barrett is a member of the Bennington VT Branch and is currently performing a “Service Mission” and does so while at home and helping his family. Tamarah Southwick recently reached out to Elder Eric Barrett to learn more about him and his service mission. What follows below is what was received from Elder Barrett.

“Please do not despair at the travails of the world. Look to our prophet and to our Savior Jesus Christ to see the paths we should follow to navigate the challenges of life. Likewise, do not let your memories of sins, for which you have truly and faithfully repented, ever let you think that our Heavenly Father has not forgotten them. God cannot lie and if He says that He will forget your sins He will. You will remember them as part of your learning experience from life, but God will not and will not hold those sins against you if you have faithfully repented. [And you may know that your repentance has been complete if you have confessed and forsaken the sin.] And finally, as you start to and continue to feel the Spirit grow and swell in your life, know that that is the sign, even the gift from our Heavenly Father, to let you know that your forgiveness is complete. “

Bishop John Zowtiak, Albany 1st Ward

Women from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints this past spring joined forces with Catholic Charities to help support families at the Schoharie Valley domestic violence shelter.

“It's been a beautiful time for our family as we’ve helped him prepare.“

‘You never know when a little prompting will lead to something so much more than you expect.”

“I know that He knows us more than we know ourselves. He knows our capacities and abilities to overcome trials and challenges. We can overcome everything as long as we have faith in Him and trust in His plan.”

“Coins that are beat up and worn are often the most rewarding to find. Some are so mangled by life they may be difficult to recognize for what they are. But a penny is still a penny, and has the same worth as a penny fresh from the mint. The same can be said for blessings. Like looking for pennies, we must be vigilant in searching for and recognizing the little blessings the Lord has for us each and every day. As Elder Uchtdorf promised in his talk “Come, Join with Us,” when we have a perspective of faith instead of doubt, even the smallest blessings will speak volumes.”

We know that the Book of Mormon contains the word of God, preserved for this time of great restoration and gathering. We know that it is another testimony of Jesus Christ to help us to always remember Him, to follow Him and obey His commandments. Without reservation we desire to follow His living prophet, Russell M Nelson, the apostles and other leaders, as they reveal to us our part in this great work. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only church on earth with Jesus Christ at the head; it is His church.

They [my parents] came as refugees from Mesopotamia who escaped to Lebanon because they would not deny Jesus Christ! I believe they were blessed for their stand for Christ through our family’s finding the restored Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

As I studied the Book of Mormon, I discovered this extraordinary message: “Adam fell, that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy” ( 2 Nephi 2:25). What kind of church preaches joy? Joy is not only allowed —it is our birthright! Who doesn’t want joy?

“From my first hearing of the announcement of Ministering in April 2018, my enthusiasm for Ministering has steadily grown. I believe Ministering can make an incredible positive impact on the Church, and on our individual lives.”

“In Elders Quorum I have enjoyed the brothers coming in and teaching brothers. I like Elders Quorum and the camaraderie and the talking that we do. We work hard together, we are all knowledgeable, but we are social too. We build each others’ faith.