LDS Geeks Podcast #73: Animorphs Re-Read (15)

We've come to the end! It's been a fun ride but we had to finish eventually. This time the reading included the Animorphs' last stand, the backstory of the all-powerful Ellimist, and the finale/epilogue. It's insane! (Please forgive the background noise from my family getting ready the morning of recording)

--Spencer

Listen to Episode 73 on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube

Check out Spencer's recent blog posts: click here

Check out Russell's recent blog posts: click here

Show notes:

00:00:12 - Introductions
        "Riordanverse Reading Schedule" by Spencer
00:02:35 - Spencer's Recommendation: Hercules
        Available for streaming on Disney Plus
00:07:18 - Russell's Recommendation: The Sandlot
        Available for streaming on Disney Plus
        "Benny 'The Jet' Rodriguez and Lessons in Friendship" by Russell
00:12:51 - Reflecting on reading Animorphs
00:16:20 - #53 - The Answer
00:31:29 - Ellimist Chronicles
00:48:27 - #54 - The Beginning
01:13:58 - The End

Animorphs Re-Read Podcast Series:

• LDS Geeks Podcast #42: Animorphs Re-Read (Books 1-4)
  Show Notes: click here
  Spotify: click here
  Apple Podcasts: click here
  YouTube: click here
  
  
• LDS Geeks Podcast #44: Animorphs Re-Read (Books 5-7 and Megamorphs 1)
  Show Notes: click here
  Spotify: click here
  Apple Podcasts: click here
  
  
• LDS Geeks Podcast #47: Animorphs Re-Read (Books 8-12)
  Show Notes: click here
  Spotify: click here
  Apple Podcasts: click here
  
  
• LDS Geeks Podcast #50: Animorphs Re-Read (Books 13-15 and The Andalite Chronicles)
  Show Notes: click here
  Spotify: click here
  Apple Podcasts: click here
  
  
• LDS Geeks Podcast #52: Animorphs Re-Read (Books 16-18 and Megamorphs 2)
  Show Notes: click here
  Spotify: click here
  Apple Podcasts: click here
  
  
• LDS Geeks Podcast #54: Animorphs Re-Read (Books 19-22)
  Show Notes: click here
  Spotify: click here
  Apple Podcasts: click here
  
  
• LDS Geeks Podcast #57: Animorphs Re-Read (Hork Bajir Chronicles and Books 23-25)
  Show Notes: click here
  Spotify: click here
  Apple Podcasts: click here
  
  
• LDS Geeks Podcast #59: Animorphs Re-Read (Books 26-29 and Megamorphs 3)
  Show Notes: click here
  Spotify: click here
  Apple Podcasts: click here
  
  
• LDS Geeks Podcast #61: Animorphs Re-Read (Books 30-33)
  Show Notes: click here
  Spotify: click here
  Apple Podcasts: click here
  
  
• LDS Geeks Podcast #63: Animorphs Re-Read (Books 34-36 and Visser)
  Show Notes: click here
  Spotify: click here
  Apple Podcasts: click here
  
  
• LDS Geeks Podcast #65: Animorphs Re-Read (Books 37-41)
  Show Notes: click here
  Spotify: click here
  Apple Podcasts: click here
  
  
• LDS Geeks Podcast #67: Animorphs Re-Read (Megamorphs 4 and Books 42-44)
  Show Notes: click here
  Spotify: click here
  Apple Podcasts: click here
  
  
• LDS Geeks Podcast #69: Animorphs Re-Read (Books 45-48)
  Show Notes: click here
  Spotify: click here
  Apple Podcasts: click here
  
  
• LDS Geeks Podcast #71: Animorphs Re-Read (Books 49-52)
  Show Notes: click here
  Spotify: click here
  Apple Podcasts: click here
  
  
• LDS Geeks Podcast #73: Animorphs Re-Read (Books 53-54 and Ellimist Chronicles)
  Show Notes: click here
  Spotify: click here
  Apple Podcasts: click here
  

Benny "The Jet" Rodriguez and Lessons in Friendship

I love the movie “The Sandlot” and my wife will attest to my, sometimes annoying, ability to quote it. It tells the story of Scott Smalls who moves into a new neighborhood and while initially having difficulty making friends, eventually finds friendship through playing baseball together with other boys at the sandlot. Though all of the boys initially laugh at him and make fun of his clothes and lack of athletic ability, Scott or “Smalls” as he comes to be known, finds a true friend in Benny, the best player among all involved at the sandlot. He invites Smalls to play and while Smalls initially says no out of embarrassment, Benny cuts through the excuses and invites him to play. He stands up to the other boys and even teaches Smalls how to throw and catch a baseball. Then Benny proceeds to save Smalls from the “biggest pickle any of us had every been in,” namely, getting the signed Babe Ruth ball back from the Beast.

 I guess what struck me in the most recent watching of this film was how resigned Smalls was to his self imposed loner status. He tells his mom at one point, “face it mom, I’m just an egg head.” There is a sense of defeatism that Smalls feels. He is smart, he is creative, (his erector set models are incredible) but because of his lack of friends and awkwardness and embarrassment in playing baseball, he resigns himself to being a loner. Now, I am not saying that being on your own is wrong but I think everyone needs a friend, someone to push them when they need pushing, stop them when the need stopping, and encouraging when they need encouraging. Benny was that friend to Smalls. Smalls showed up and showed he wanted to fit in and have friends but when the taunting and embarrassment became too much, he was ready to give up. But not Benny. He took time to help Smalls. He tells Smalls, “you think too much. Baseball is about having fun.” What a difference this makes for Smalls. He goes from zero friend prospects to a full baseball team because of Benny being willing to reach out to help Smalls fit in.

What about us? When have you been the “Benny” to a “Smalls”? Or who has been your “Benny” when you felt like giving up, leaving early, or not showing up for an activity, event, meeting, game, or service project? I’ve shared before a favorite quote from the movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “No man is a failure who has friends.” Benny made sure that Smalls wasn’t a failure. Who can be that for or who is helping you feel that way now?

If you cannot thing of anyone, please remember this teaching from Elder Buckner of the seventy in October 2024: 

“In December of 1832, as “appearances of troubles among the nations” were becoming “more visible” than at any time since the organization of the Church, Latter-day Saint leaders in Kirtland, Ohio, gathered for a conference. They prayed “separately and vocally to the Lord to reveal his will unto [them].” In acknowledgement of the prayers of these faithful members during times of intense trouble, the Lord comforted them, addressing the Saints three times with two powerful words: ‘my friends.’”

The Savior is our greatest friend. He comforts when we need comforts but He also encourages and pushes us beyond what we think we can do. He is your best friend, so you are not a failure.

More Content You Might Like:

• "Conventions are Better with a Friend" by Spencer
• "Potter and Friends" by Russell
• "Friendship Lessons" by Russell

LDS Geeks Podcast #71: Animorphs Re-Read (14)

If we weren't in the endgame before, we are now! No slowing us down as we approach the end of the Animorphs series.

--Spencer

Listen to Episode 71 on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube

Check out Spencer's recent content: click here

Check out Russell's recent content: click here

Show notes:

00:12 - Introductions
02:03 - Spencer's Recommendation: Hidden Figures
        Available for streaming on HBO Max
05:50 - Russell's Recommendation: The Other Side of Heaven
        Available for streaming on BYUtv
09:25 - #49 - The Diversion
23:20 - #50 - The Ultimate
33:16 - #51 - The Absolute
41:48 - #52 - The Sacrifice

Gettysburg Repentance

    Before deciding on becoming a Physical Therapist, I was seriously considering studying history and becoming a history teacher or professor or something like that. Then I realized I just like historical fiction as genre when it comes to reading and movies, so I moved away from history as a course of study, but I still enjoy historical fiction. The movie “Gettysburg” was released in 1993 and is based on the historical novel, The Killer Angels, which was published in 1974 and written by Michael Shaara. It won the pulitzer prize in 1975 and rose to #1 on the New York Times best sellers list in 1993. Given that we just passed the 163rd anniversary of the battle of Gettysburg, I thought it appropriate to re-read (listen) the book and found that the days of the week coincided this year with when they occurred originally.

    I have found both the book and the movie to be excellent in their portrayal of historical figures on both sides of the American Civil War conflict. I particularly love the portrayal of Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain by Jeff Daniels in the movie. He gives 2 stirring speeches, one to a group of dissenters about the decimation of his unit during a prior battle and another to the men under his command about being the “end of the line” of the union army and stating that retreat is not an option. I recognize and acknowledge that both the book and movie are pieces of historical fiction and not actual historical documents so some creative liberties have been taken.  I still want to use one scene from the book and movie to share a message about not giving up and repentance.

    From the Confederate side, General Robert E. Lee, played by Martin Sheen, has trouble knowing what the Union army is doing because his Calvary, led by J.E.B. Stuart is nowhere to be found and therefore unable to provide valuable information to the General. This sets up a tense meeting between General Lee and General Stuart wherein General Lee expresses his displeasure with General Stuart because of the latter’s absence and for not performing his responsibilities. After being chided by General Lee, General Stuart begins to take out his sword to surrender his commission as he has failed in his duties as a commander. General Lee hurriedly and emotionally tells General Stuart, “there is no time!” General Lee is not asking for the surrender of General Stuart’s command, but rather wants to reiterate how important he is to the Confederate army and then invites him to return to his duties and prepare for the final day of battle. This is the only significant screen or book time that General Stuart is given but I think there’s a lesson to be learned.

    Often, I feel like General Stuart when I make a mistake. I think to myself, “well, that’s it. I’ve messed up too badly. I need to turn over my command and give up.” I don’t think that is the purpose of repentance but rather, we need to repent, learn from the mistake, and get back to our figurative commands. In an April 2019 General Conference address, President Nelson said:

"Too many people consider repentance as punishment—something to be avoided except in the most serious circumstances. But this feeling of being penalized is engendered by Satan. He tries to block us from looking to Jesus Christ, who stands with open arms, hoping and willing to heal, forgive, cleanse, strengthen, purify, and sanctify us."

    The Lord does not ask us to give up or surrender, but rather invites us to get back up, change, and try to do a little better. I am seeking to do a little better each day. I have plenty to work on and change and feel immensely blessed to know that I am not alone. So if the next time you find yourself struggling and feeling like General Stuart, instead think of the Savior.

    I’ll conclude with these words from the same address from President Nelson I referenced earlier, fitting as he makes reference to a military term: “The Lord needs men eager to repent—men with a zeal to serve and be part of the Lord’s battalion of worthy priesthood bearers.”

    Perhaps instead of the Lord being like General Lee and saying, “there is no time,” He instead is inviting us to ensure that we take the time we have to repent, learn, and grow and He promises that He will be working with us throughout the process.

LDS Geeks Podcast #69: Animorphs Re-Read (13)

As Doctor Strange said, "We're in the endgame now." It's taking all our self control to slow down our readings long enough to record about them. Hard to believe this is our third to last Animorphs reading episode.

--Spencer

Listen to Episode 69 on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube

Check out Spencer's recent blog posts: click here

Check out Russell's recent blog posts: click here

Show notes:

00:12 - Introductions
01:29 - Spencer's Recommendation: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
        "Why I Liked The Super Mario Galaxy Movie" by Spencer
04:23 - Russell's Recommendation: "Slow Down" by Sissel and the Tabernacle Choir
        Listen on YouTube
06:54 - #45 - The Revelation
16:41 - #46 - The Deception
24:48 - #47 - The Resistance
34:21 - #48 - The Return

LDS Geeks Podcast #67: Animorphs Re-Read (12)

We're nearing the end of our Animorphs series! It's hard to stop reading long enough to record. There's no slowing down now!

--Spencer

Listen to Episode 67 on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube

Check out Spencer's recent blog posts: click here

Check out Russell's recent blog posts: click here

Show notes:

00:12 - Introductions
02:38 - Spencer's Recommendation: Ironheart
        Available for streaming on Disney Plus
04:37 - Russell's Recommendation: “Fear is not Welcome” by Brian Courtney Wilson and BYU Vocal Point
        Listen on YouTube
06:34 - Megamorphs 4: Back to Before
17:18 - #42 - The Journey
24:21 - #43 - The Test
        "Creature Feature - Mara" by Spencer
32:23 - #44 - The Unexpected

LDS Geeks Podcast #65: Animorphs Re-Read (11)

Based on our original reading plans, we weren't supposed to record this episode until the end of May and release in June. However, both of us got ahead on these readings, so why wait to record and release? 

--Spencer

Listen to Episode 65 on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube

Check out Spencer's recent blog posts: click here

Check out Russell's recent blog posts: click here

Show notes:

00:12 - Introductions
01:46 - Russell's Recommendation: "Brand New" by Ben Rector
        Listen on YouTube
05:40 - Spencer's Recommendation: The Super Mario Bros. Movie
        Stream on Fandango
        "Plots part 1/3: And then..." by Michael
09:49 - #37 - The Weakness
18:45 - #38 - The Arrival
23:48 - #39 - The Hidden
31:07 - #40 - The Other
36:55 - #41 - The Familiar
43:50 - Conclusion

LDS Geeks Podcast #63: Animorphs Re-Read (10)

We're getting into some good stuff with this reading! We've come full circle back to Visser since our first discussion about Animorphs. I've been excited to get to this part because it also begins the portion of our reading in which Russell hasn't read any of it before.

--Spencer

Listen to Episode 63 on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube

Check out Spencer's recent blog posts: click here

Check out Russell's recent blog posts: click here

Show notes:

0:00:12 - Introductions
0:01:33 - Spencer's Recommendation: Thunderbolts*
        Available for streaming on Disney Plus
        "Thunderbolts: What About Bob?" by Spencer
        "Legends, Misfits, and (Small and Simple) Stranger Things" by Spencer
0:03:36 - Russell's Recommendation: The Chosen
        Available for streaming on Amazon Prime and BYUtv
        Dallas Jenkins on Follow Him Podcast
0:07:04 - TV Show Announcement
0:17:02 - #34 - The Prophecy
0:27:03 - #35 - The Proposal
0:39:41 - Visser
1:03:10 - #36 - The Mutation

Reaction to HBO Harry Potter Trailer

     

            
The new trailer for “Harry Potter and Philosopher’s Stone” on HBO Max has been shared. These are my thoughts about it. My first reaction is, “Wait, why are they remaking the Harry Potter Series? It’s only been out for like 5 years!” And then I have to look back and remember that the first movie came out when I was a freshman in high school and like it or not, that was 25 years ago. Boy, time can surely fly by can’t it?  There have been plenty of franchises that have done reboots in less time than 25 years.

I love the Harry Potter books. My wife and I listen to them regularly. Jim Dale remains one of the best narrators of audiobooks, in my opinion, and I will forever be comparing his voice to the characters in film. Speaking of comparisons, I think that is what is going to inevitably happen with this series. It is going to be compared to the books and to the movies, both of which have had 25+ years to be read, viewed, listened to, discussed, and dissected by fans of the Wizard world. That doesn’t make it good, bad, or otherwise, it is just the nature of how things work. 

        I admit that I watched the trailer at first without sound so I was able to take in the visual aspect of things and I will say that I look forward to the details that are going to be available with a tv series compared to a movie. The fact that the haircut scene is in the trailer is telling of that. It’s also weird to see how young the actors and actress are, but then again, Harry turns 11 in the book before going to Hogwarts. 

I also have no idea who any of the actors and actresses are in the trailer. That was somewhat the case with the movies, but there were also some known faces (Maggie Smith and Alan Rickman to name a couple), where I feel like there is no one that I recognize in this trailer. It is very likely that they will become very well known over the next few years. Going back and watching the trailer with sound was also interesting because everyone sounds different than how Jim Dale portrays them or how they were portrayed in the original movies. 

Overall, I am excited to see what the series will add to the Harry Potter experience and see if it sparks a new generation’s interest in the boy who lived.

A Case of Mistaken Identity: Moses

Picture this: your mom, living in an area where boys have been decreed by the king to be killed, decides to put you in a basket in a river to save your life. Then, the daughter of the king who had decreed you should be killed as a baby finds you and decides you should be her child. But wait, how is she going to nurse you? By chance, your older sister arrives on the scene, makes a suggestion that this woman hire the birth mother of the child to be the nurse for the baby (without sharing that this is the case), hooray! Happy reunion with mommy! But wait, 5 years later, you get taken back to the daughter of the king who had decreed that you should be killed and you are raised in the palace of that king as one of his progeny.

Now, fast forward 40 years and you find out that you’re not a member of the royal household, but actually a descendant of the people enslaved by the king. So, you run away to the wilderness, encounter another group of people who decide to make you a part of their family and put you to work as a shepherd. You live with them for another 40 years and after an encounter with the Lord in a burning bush, you are called to be a prophet. Your mission should you choose to accept it is to go back to the people enslaved by the king and tell them that you are the Lord’s prophet. And then you get to go to the king who is the ruler of the enslaved people and tell him that the Lord wants His people to be free to worship. Are you following me? This is of course a very glossed over version of the story of Moses, but let’s just go over the identities he has had up to this point: son, baby, doomed baby, adopted child of the Pharaoh, Egyptian, Middianite, outcast, shepherd, prophet. We probably shouldn’t leave out killer or imposter either. Talk about confusing!! And yet, clarity comes in the conversation that he has with the Lord. We read the following in Moses 1: 3-4,

“And God spake unto Moses, saying: Behold, I am the Lord God Almighty, and Endless is my name; for I am without beginning of days or end of years; and is not this endless? And, behold, thou art my son; wherefore look, and I will show thee the workmanship of mine hands; but not all, for my works are without end, and also my words, for they never cease.”

    How comforting it must have been to learn this truth for Moses. He was on a figurative identity crisis roller coaster for much of his early years. He was displaced multiple times. I know there was a purpose in all of that, but I can imagine it still must of have been difficult. I mean he named his first born son Gershom which according to Exodus 2:22 means: “I have been a stranger in a strange land.” It must have been comforting to hear the Lord tell him that he was His son. It’s no wonder that Satan came immediately after this interaction and tried to convince Moses that he was a son of man. Fortunately, Moses remembered who he really was and was able to cast Satan out.

    This reminds me of President Nelson’s worldwide devotional to the young adults from May 2022. He spoke of many things to the young adults including the importance of remembering who you are. He said, “First and foremost, you are a child of God. Second, as a member of the Church, you are a child of the covenant. And third, you are a disciple of Jesus Christ.” These are 3 important identifiers for us to remember. The beloved primary hymn reminds us, “I am a child of God and He has sent me here.” Regardless of what we have been through and where we have been and what we have done or not done, it is important to remember that like Moses, you are a son or daughter of God.

LDS Geeks Podcast #61: Animorphs Re-Read (9)

I wasn't fooled by this batch of books, even though it included three "filler" books. They may have been filler to whatever extent, but I knew going into this recording that they were dark filler. Four heavy books with plenty of ramifications. Let's do it!

--Spencer

Listen to Episode 61 on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube

Check out Spencer's recent blog posts: click here

Check out Russell's recent blog posts: click here

Show notes:

00:12 - Introductions
01:03 - Spencer's Recommendation: "Warrior" by Michael Sarver
        Listen on Spotify
02:50 - Russell's Recommendation: "Jump" by Van Halen
        Listen on Spotify
04:51 - #30 - The Reunion
10:59 - #31 - The Conspiracy
18:13 - #32 - The Separation
        "6 Weird Morphing Glitches" by Spencer
        "Captain Kirk's Enemy Within" by Spencer
30:22 - #33 - The Illusion
43:33 - Conclusion

LDS Geeks Podcast #59: Animorphs Re-Read (8)

Every time I think our "filler" books won't give us much to talk about, I'm proven wrong. But along with those fillers, we had some heavy hitters like "The Attack" and "The Sickness". So go listen to this podcast episode and I'll be back after "these messages".

--Spencer

Listen to Episode 59 on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube

Check out Spencer's recent blog posts: click here

Check out Russell's recent blog posts: click here

Show notes:

00:12 - Introductions
01:02 - Spencer's Recommendation: Hawkeye
        Available for streaming on Disney Plus
03:30 - Russell's Recommendation: Sing and Sing 2
06:01 - #26 - The Attack
15:30 - #27 - The Exposed
20:37 - #28 - The Experiment
29:07 - #29 - The Sickness
40:04 - Megamorphs 3: Elfangor's Secret
        "Preachings from 'Pollyanna'" by Russell
52:50 - Conclusion

LDS Geeks Podcast #57: Animorphs Re-Read (7)

I love Hork-Bajir Chronicles and The Pretender. I was very excited to record this episode, even if it also included the Helmacrons. "The Pretender" may be my favorite book, up there with "The Change". I hope you enjoy our discussion as much as I enjoyed the book.

--Spencer

Listen to Episode 57 on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube

Check out Spencer's recent blog posts: click here

Check out Russell's recent blog posts: click here

Show notes:

00:12 - Introductions
01:57 - Spencer's Recommendation: Citizen Soldier
        Listen on Spotify
04:27 - Russell's Recommendation: "Gratitude" performed by BYU Vocal Point
        Listen on Spotify
06:22 - The Hork-Bajir Chronicles
13:57 - #23 - The Pretender
21:51 - #24 - The Suspicion
28:31 - #25 - The Extreme
39:54 - Conclusion

Follow along: Animorphs Book Club Reading Schedule

Animorphs Re-Read Podcast Series:

• LDS Geeks Podcast #42: Animorphs Re-Read (Books 1-4)
  Show Notes: click here
  Spotify: click here
  Apple Podcasts: click here
• LDS Geeks Podcast #44: Animorphs Re-Read (Books 5-7 and Megamorphs 1)
  Show Notes: click here
  Spotify: click here
  Apple Podcasts: click here
• LDS Geeks Podcast #47: Animorphs Re-Read (Books 8-12)
  Show Notes: click here
  Spotify: click here
  Apple Podcasts: click here
• LDS Geeks Podcast #50: Animorphs Re-Read (Books 13-15 and The Andalite Chronicles)
  Show Notes: click here
  Spotify: click here
  Apple Podcasts: click here
• LDS Geeks Podcast #52: Animorphs Re-Read (Books 16-18 and Megamorphs 2)
  Show Notes: click here
  Spotify: click here
  Apple Podcasts: click here
• LDS Geeks Podcast #54: Animorphs Re-Read (Books 19-22)
  Show Notes: click here
  Spotify: click here
  Apple Podcasts: click here

Remembering President Holland

  With the recent passing of President Jeffery R. Holland, I figured I’d just share some thoughts about his teachings through the years. I know there is much more to be addressed than what I have written here, but I hope you enjoy some of the things that stood out to me from the teachings of this former BYU President, Apostle, and President of the Quorum of the Twelve. 

 I saw and shook his hand when he visited my mission. The take away for me there was “the spirit is still and small and does not compete” or that’s how I remembered him sharing it. At my Grandpa’s funeral in 2018, the bishop who spoke said he received a call from Elder Holland while he, the bishop, was at Disneyland with his family. Elder Holland knew this bishop would be speaking at my grandpa’s funeral and it turns out Elder Holland and my grandpa were home teaching companions at one point. Talk about an unexpected plot twist! My grandpa had not mentioned that small detail during his life.

It seemed like Elder Holland was always pounding the pulpit about something. I loved his passion and fire when he spoke. But he was also quite funny. “You shouldn’t be serving tea anyways” was quite the unexpected remark in an analogy portion about the dangers of lust. Who knew we would be getting a Word of Wisdom narrative in the midst of a bridle your passions sermon? Not to mention his commentary about “Monday is coming,” “Hit me one more time, I can still hear you,” “I’m the only thing standing between you and your ice cream Sunday tradition,” or “General Conference is boring, why do we have to do it?” followed by a ploy to have people remember him as “Kearon, Elder Patrick Kearon” which may or may not have been a low key homage to the British spy (“Bond, James Bond” just made that connection). He taught and testified of the Savior. He loved his family and especially his wife, Pat: “True love we are absolutely giddy about—as I am about Sister Holland; we shout it from the housetops.”  People seemed to sit up and listen when he spoke because falling asleep was usually not an option. He testified of the Book of Mormon and of the Bible in a series of talks. He spoke of the First Vision. He spoke of the Holy Ghost. He spoke of angels. He gave new interpretations and meaning to the parables and to interactions of the Savior with his apostles.

In his later addresses, it seemed to me at least, President Holland spoke frequently of the love he had for his sweet wife, Pat. He spoke of how he missed her. I am glad they are reunited again. In his final address, at the First Presidency Christmas Devotional, he spoke about missing his wife for the past three Christmases. He also spoke about the song, “I’ll be Home for Christmas.” How fitting that he is now home with Pat again.

 

 It was his testimony and his teachings that I enjoyed the most. His passion and love made him memorable for sure. It was always apparent to me that he loved the Lord and that He wanted to serve and testify of Him. I will miss him, but  I am glad we have access to his talks from General Conference, BYU and other college devotionals, and CES firesides from which we can continue to learn.