Plain and simple, a bad haircut is just bad. More often than not, if you are the victim of the heinous “crime” of an unruly trim, it may seem like all hope is lost and that nothing can be done. Being the victim of one such offense, I learned some valuable lessons about myself, about life, and about God.

LESSON ONE: Communication Is Key

Although I was very clear about how I wanted my hair to be cut, I don’t think the stylist understood and ended up doing something very different than what I asked her to do. In hindsight, I should have said something to her as she was finishing up, but I was so shocked at the outcome of the cut that the last thing I wanted to do was stay in the salon any longer than I needed to.

For today's Miracle Monday, Sister Lynette Huttenberger responds to a recent request for articles about how God uses us as instruments in His hand. Enjoy!

Some years ago, a former member of our branch passed away. He and his wife lived in our neighborhood, and we would see them regularly at a local bagel and coffee shop.

As customary, food is brought to the home of the grieving family as a sign of love. My intention was to deliver food to his wife, but I heard they had an overabundance of food, so I didn't. As a deaconess of the church, this bad decision haunted me for years. I felt I should have reached out no matter what! From time to time I would pass by their street and immediately feel regret.

In the coming weeks on Good Word Friday, we're going to feature four scriptures from each of the books of James. Today, we plucked this one from the first chapter, and it reminds us of the consequences that come with being double minded.

What does it mean to be double minded? Merriam-Webster says that it means "wavering in mind, undecided, vacillating." 

One of the things I do at work is help companies unearth their why or purpose. It is my passion, and I love seeing this come to life. At the conclusion of this discovery, there are no two that are alike. Every single business is just a little different — even when they are in the same industry. This is important because each business needs to stay true to this "why" or purpose when branding and marketing. If it doesn't, then, over time, it will begin to falter and ultimately fail. Fail meaning, working without clarity, motivation, passion and unity.

What about our spiritual why or purpose?

In Alma 38, Alma shares some words with his middle son, Shiblon. He commends Shiblon who appears to be not flashy but quietly steady, faithful, and diligent in the work of the Lord. You probably know people like this today or perhaps you would even consider this a description of yourself. People like this are rarely recognized for their efforts, so it's good that Alma takes time to recognize his son's efforts here.

Shiblon has begun teaching the word of God to the people, and Alma encourages him to continue in the same way with this work:

"And now, as ye have begun to teach the word even so I would that ye should continue to teach; and I would that ye would be diligent and temperate in all things." (Alma 38:10)

"But this much I can tell you, that if you do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish. And now, O man, remember, and perish not." (Mosiah 4:30)

I read this scripture quite randomly one day, and like a magnet, four words captured my attention and pulled me in: watch; observe; continue; remember. So what was King Benjamin trying to convey? If you have not done so recently, I encourage you to reread Mosiah 2-4.

For today's Miracle Monday, we're bringing you a testimony of God's timing from Sister Pat Valenti.

We all at times have things in life that weigh on us. For a period of time, it seemed that I was stuck in a downward spiral emotionally, causing me to somewhat withdraw and feel extreme anxiety.

Today's Good Word is another great memory verse from the book of Proverbs! (Not a bad one for that unruly and rambunctious Sunday school class, huh? Kidding!)

This verse makes a great word picture. First, it introduces the subject of the simile: a person who has no rule over his own spirit. What does that mean?

Have you ever seen an actual potter throw clay on a wheel? If you haven’t, you should. Allow yourself a moment to enjoy the spectacle; Google it.

Did you do it? It is really an amazing scene to behold. I am impressed by how a cold lump of dirt in the right hands can be fashioned into something uniquely beautiful and well proportioned, or how the slightest calculation of the fingers immediately and drastically impacts the course of the clay. Perhaps this is why God commanded Jeremiah to go to a potter’s house to physically view the labor in action before making the proclamation, “Behold as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand” (Jeremiah 18:1-6). The visual is a strong portrayal of God’s perfecting on our life.

In Alma 37, Alma turns over the sacred records to his son Helaman and instructs him on the importance of maintaining them and keeping them up to date going forward such that they can continue to be passed on, eventually coming forth to benefit future generations.

He then adds a piece of advice in verse 37 that we often quote today (it's easy to remember — chapter 37, verse 37):

"Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God." (Alma 37:37)

Recently, when crossing the U.S.-Canadian border on a Sunday morning visit to the Windsor Branch in Ontario, I was asked a surprising question.

After waiting in line, I finally was given the green light to proceed to pull my car up to the border patrol officer's booth. I handed him my passport, and after he scanned it he simply said “The Church Of Jesus Christ.” I was surprised by his statement but answered, “Yes.”

I assumed, but never asked, that my passport must be associated with crossing the Canadian border because I’ve regularly traveled to the Six Nations and Muncey missions, and I’m therefore connected with The Church. Nevertheless, the officer asked where my wife and I were going, and we explained that we were visiting the Windsor Branch for Sunday worship service.

Happy Labor Day! Today's Miracle Monday is comprised of two short testimonies submitted by Sister Carmela Gray. (If you don't think God hears you, then these experiences are for you.)

I can remember some years back I was going through a very bad time with my spouse. I even contemplated divorce, but, knowing we are to pray for all things, I went to the Lord with my plight.

Today's Good Word from the book of Proverbs supports charitable giving to the poor. (It makes a great memory verse!)

As Christians, we have a responsibility to see to the needs of the poor in our communities and around the world. Some branches of the church have clothing and food giveaways for locals in need. Many of you out there support the good work of shelters, food banks, and international relief organizations.  

As our children return to school, they may hear words of instruction that direct them to "Run, Hide, Fight." This protocol has been developed to create a safety procedure if an intruder enters a school setting and poses a threat. My daughter, a senior in high school this year, told us this was discussed on the first day of school. I was not surprised, and I was glad that safety measures are implemented.

Things have changed greatly since I went to school. We had fire drills but never lockdown drills.

For the next several chapters, Alma takes some time to share advice, counsel, and teaching with each of his three sons — Helaman (chapters 36-37), Shiblon (chapter 38) and Corianton (chapters 39-42).

In Alma 36, Alma remembers what type of man he was before he gave his life to the Lord. He recalls that he had rebelled against God, not keeping His commandments, and that he "went about with the sons of Mosiah, seeking to destroy the church of God" (verse 6). He would have continued along this destructive path, but his eyes were finally opened by the appearance of an angel who spoke to him with a voice of thunder. Alma describes what happened after the angel spoke to him: