Today’s Topic

Strength

Today’s Scripture

Philippians 4:13: I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

A Different Kind of Weather Forecast

On Wednesday, several souls came to Christ and requested baptism! We will have full details for you tomorrow, but we’d like to share one remarkable testimony with you right now.

Early Wednesday morning, around 4 a.m., some campers — the lighter sleepers, maybe —awoke to loud peals of thunder and several cracks of lightning. This wasn’t the soft thunder you hear on those “relaxing atmosphere” CDs. This was enough to wake me, Sister Michelle, the writer, from sleep. Now, if you’ve been paying attention to the weather report the last few days, it’s been super hot with no rain. There’s been some cloud cover, but summer monsoons aren’t really a thing in this part of California.

This is the setup to soon-to-be Brother Kim Hemmings’ testimony. On Tuesday evening, he was feeling the spirit of God as he’s felt many times before in his 62 years of life. In the past, he’s asked the Lord for signs and confirmations, and he did so again. He prayed, “Lord, if you want me, please make it thunder and lightning.”

The Lord certainly answered our brother’s prayer. He asked for his baptism in his seminar on Wednesday morning. Tomorrow, he’ll join his wife, Sister Nancy, his daughter, Sister Jamie, and his sons, Brothers Daniel and Tyler, as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ. We couldn’t be more thrilled!

My Camp Takeaway

Sister Joann Cotellesse – “Sometimes seminar teachers think that because we’re older we have no discouragement or we don’t get sad. Brother Aaron Palmeri said simply that we need strength, too, and prayer. That gave me joy that a young person would recognize this. Perfect for me.”

Sister Lynnette Schroeder – “Brother Jerry Valenti spoke on second Nephi 4:27-29. Anger robs us of our peace and our heart should not be quick to anger. Pray for peace to replace anger. Christ came to give us the peace of God for He is the Prince of Peace. Christ came to give peace to earth. We take peace that God gives us to give to others, for we are called to be peacemakers. Isaiah 52:7 says we are called to publish peace to prepare for the Peaceful Reign. Our feet should be shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace as part of the armor of God. Peace is accessible, just like joy is accessible at any moment, but we must find time to find peace in this crazy world. Just as Christ had to go to the mountain or to the garden to pray and get away, we must find time to get away to be with Him.”

Sister Elizabeth Balilo – “In Monday’s Sunday school class, they talked about the Book of Mormon. Believe it and embrace it. Have faith like the Brother of Jared, and see what God can do. What we know now is like the tip of the iceberg. There is so much more that God has in store for us. If we don’t believe, God will take away, but if we do believe, God will reveal more records to His Church.”

Sister Wendy Giannetti – “Not having been to camp in 11 years, I was so joyful to be with the saints of God and visit with so many I haven’t seen in a while. I felt the peace of God in Tuesday night’s meeting as we united in prayer for the needs of our brothers and sisters We had to leave on Wednesday, but I am strengthened in the Lord. The battle is His because of His righteousness.”

It’s Market Day

Market Day is all about raising money for important causes throughout the Church, from the youth mission fund to foreign missionary work to building projects! Check out some of the photos from this fun event, and see if you spot some familiar faces.

This article has undergone ministry review and approval.