Relationship Goals Episode 4: 5 Stages of Marriage

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One month and 3 weeks into the Field | Elder Padilla, June 2026 - 2028

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This was such a good week, and we got some really good quality pictures! Thank you so much to Brother Kyle and Sister Ara for working with us and taking pictures for us! We had dinner at one of our member's houses last night and it was amazing! They served spicy adobo and it was so yummy! 😋 Super flavorful and just the right amount of spicy. We were completely full and so happy. They were really kind to us, and before we left, they even gave me a big pencil as a gift. It really made my whole day ✏️  There are days when everything feels really low, but I've realized it's often just building up for the best high ever. The whole morning we were getting punted everywhere we went, but we didn't give up ✨️ We just kept going and kept working. Then in the afternoon, everything changed. We started having one meaningful find after another, back-to-back, and it made all the hard work in the morning so worth it. It was such a great reminder that the Lord ...
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The Doors Will Soon Be Open | An Invitation to the 2027 Salt Lake Temple Celebration!

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It was truly a tender, sacred, answered prayer that just before we turned toward home, the barriers were removed, and we were invited near. For the first time, we were able to walk right up to the Salt Lake Temple to touch the sacred stone walls, to rest our hands upon the holy doors, to stand in the very shadow of the House of the Lord in a way we had not been able to before.    As our hands rested upon the temple doors, we marveled at the exquisite, historic doorknob and lock plate, a masterpiece of craftsmanship and symbolism! Carved into the brass knob are the sacred words: "Holiness to the Lord". The reverent declaration that defines every temple of God. At its center sits the beehive, a symbol of industry, unity, and the faithful labor of the pioneers who built this holy house.  Above it, the dates 1853–1893 are etched deep, marking the forty years of faith, sacrifice, and unwavering devotion that it took to construct ...
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10 Weeks in the Field | Sister Padilla

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Maayong adlaw everyone!! 🌅🤗 I hope everyone is doing well and that you’re all being blessed and kept safe by the Lord. I’ve been thinking of you all and praying that each home is filled with His peace and joy. 💞🫶 Seeing His provision, His protection, and even the little everyday kindnesses reminded me again how merciful He is in every season. It truly encouraged my heart and soul to continue the Saviors work with full faith and trust in him.  God has been so good, and here are my ✨️highlights✨️ from the past 2 weeks! . . . . ~💖 Over the past few days the weather has been very unpredictable. We’ve experienced heavy rains, intense heat, and strong storms. Then, to our surprise, we saw a whirlwind form right over the ocean near the beach- It looked like a small waterspout 🌬🌪. It was a sobering reminder of God’s power and presence. In the middle of a noisy and restless world, I was reminded that our God is steady and He invites us to find peace in Hi...
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United States Meridian Base | Temple Square’s Historic Marker

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  This stone monument marks the U.S. Meridian Base of 1869, the official starting point for the Salt Lake Meridian, the survey reference line that defines the addressing system for the entire state of Utah!  It sits on Temple Square grounds, just north of the Salt Lake Temple, precisely at 40°46′13″ N, 111°54′00″ W. Every street, property line, and land survey in Utah traces back to this exact spot.   Its Story   - The Survey Begins (1869) : The U.S. Coast Survey established this marker to define the principal meridian and base line for the Utah Territory. It was placed here because Temple Square was already the geographic and cultural center of the city, and the temple site was the most accurately surveyed location in the region. ​ - How It Works : All east–west addresses in Salt Lake City are measured from Main Street (the meridian line), and all north–south addresses are measured from South Temple Street (the base line) — with this marker a...
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Okay, let's get real. Anyone can have kids, right? But being a dad? That's a whole different ballgame. As a mom, I've seen firsthand what it takes to be a great father, and let me tell you, it's so much more than just biology. It's Not Just About the Genes   Making a baby is just the starting point. Being a father starts when you step up and take responsibility.  It's about:   - Being Present : Like, really present. Not just physically, but emotionally too. Putting down the phone, turning off the game, and actually engaging with your kids. It's about being there for the good, the bad, and the messy. - Keeping Them Safe : Making sure they're okay, both in their bodies and in their heads. Teaching them how to navigate the world and protecting them when they can't. It's about being their rock. - Providing the Basics : Food, clothes, a roof over their heads. But also, giving them opportunities to learn and grow. It...
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He Carried It All For Us

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Standing before this sign, reading these words in the quiet of the garden, our hearts felt full. It is the most sacred, tender truth in all the world: Jesus Christ carried the cross for you. For me. For all of us .   Innocent, Yet Willing   Though He was found without fault, though He had done nothing wrong, the crowd cried out. And He did not fight back. He did not complain. He simply took up His cross and walked forward.   He carried it weary, bruised, and bleeding, step by heavy step. And as He walked, people followed and wept. They saw what the world often misses: the innocent One suffering for the guilty; the pure One bearing the stain of us all. He did it because He loves us. He did it because He chose to.   " Father, Forgive Them"   Even as they nailed Him there, His first thought was not of pain. It was of mercy. "Father, forgive them," He said. He asked forgiveness for the very ones who hurt Him. That is the love that holds ...
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The Eagle Gate | Strength, Vision, & Pioneer Heritage

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Standing proudly at the intersection of State Street and South Temple, right beside Temple Square, is one of Salt Lake City’s most iconic landmarks, the Eagle Gate Monument.    A Gate with a Story   The original gate was built all the way back in 1859, serving as the entrance to Brigham Young’s property and quickly becoming a beloved symbol of the growing pioneer settlement. What began as a simple wooden arch has been rebuilt and expanded over the decades, yet it has never lost its connection to the area’s faithful, hard‑working pioneers.    Symbols of Strength & Industry   Today’s monument features a magnificent bronze eagle with wings spread wide, perched above a beehive, two powerful symbols in one:   - The Eagle → represents strength, vision, and rising above just as the pioneers rose to build a city in the desert. ​ - The Beehive → the enduring symbol of industry, cooperation, and community, a reminder that we build bes...
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A Happy Family Is But An Earlier Heaven

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In the busy world we live in, families are like a safe haven of love and support. The saying, "A happy family is but an earlier heaven," captures the idea that a joyful family life is a precious gift that brings immense happiness and peace.   The Key to Happiness   A happy family is built on love, trust, and respect. It's a place where people feel loved, encouraged, and like they belong. Strong family bonds provide strength, comfort, and unwavering support during life's challenges. Moments of Joy and Togetherness   In a happy family, moments spent together are treasured. Whether it's sharing a meal, laughing together, or going on adventures, these experiences create lasting memories and strengthen family ties.   Talking and Understanding   Good communication and understanding are essential in a happy family. Open conversations, listening to each other, and showing empathy help build healthy relationships based on respect and care.   Strength and...
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Participating in the Work of Salvation and Exaltation

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The Philippines Area Special Devotional yesterday with President Steven J. Lund, Sister Rebecca Craven, President Taniela Wakolo, and President Steven R. Bangerter was another experience reminding us that the Spirit can be felt over technology. We went home with a greater faith and determination to help lay a foundation of this GREAT WORK. After our sacrament service at home, we discussed as a family ways we can incorporate this gathering of Israel in our everyday life.  In the afternoon, our elder children, Cerah and Ammon were excited to go out with us to assist in God's work. They learned that as they enlist themselves in the youth batallion, they also participate in the work of Salvation and Exaltation by  LIVING according to the teachings of Jesus Christ CARING for others in need INVITING all to receive the gospel UNITING families for eternity Despite this global pandemic, viewing this period as an exciting time and participating and living in the prophecy tha...
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"Believe in Him" | A Masterpiece of Light and Testimony

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Standing before this breathtaking work of art, we felt something profound. A peace, a warmth, and a powerful witness of the Savior’s love that seemed to glow from within every panel.   This stunning, seven-panel masterpiece at the St. George Utah Temple Visitor's Center is titled " Believe in Him ", created by the gifted artist Tom Holdman , together with his wife Gayle and the Roots of Humanity Foundation. It stretches an incredible 32 feet wide, curving gently like a great, glowing storybook. Each panel a radiant scene from the ministry of Jesus Christ.    Tom Holdman is one of the most beloved stained-glass artists of our time. His sacred works grace temple visitors' centers and holy spaces around the world, including the Rome Italy Temple and Washington D.C. Temple. His art doesn’t just depict the Savior, it invites us to feel Him.   As we walked along the curved display, the story unfolded before us, flowing from one scene to ...
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