I should probably introduce myself. And let people know where I stand in regards to the gospel of Jesus Christ. I want there to be no mistake. I am Bryan Summers. I am 49 years old. I'll tell a little of my history and then bare my testimony. Below I'm on my favorite trail in the world. The Timberline Trail on Mt Hood.

It’s okay to realize you weren’t being gallant. No shame in that. We just think your tweet was unworthy of you.

1882. A train somewhere between Denver and Salt Lake City. A Catholic priest sat next to Reed Smoot who was only 20 at the time. The priest said, "I understand you live in Utah." “I do.” “Are you a ‘Mormon’?” “I am."

I think that is correct. How many people associated with Epstein went to prison?

Mid 1950s, Brigham City, Utah A few weeks after being assigned as the supervisor of seminary and institutes, Boyd K Packer held an in-service training meeting. One of the institute teachers took great pleasure in debunking the church.

Sometime between 1867 - 1872. Provo Tabernacle Brigham Young preaching at the pulpit said that the "day would come when the human voice could be heard from New York to San Francisco." On the buggy ride home, young Reed Smoot said to his mom, "Now that's a lie."

October 1973 General Priesthood Meeting While translating Harold B Lee's address into Swedish, Ernest N Eklof experienced a miracle. Perhaps one of the coolest of the restoration.

This is one of my favorite Boyd K Packer stories. "I sat on a plane next to a professed atheist who ridiculed my belief in God. I bore my testimony to him: "There is a God I know He lives!"

Boyd K Packer visited a stake presided over by a man who prided himself on how effectiveness of his stake conferences. Elder Packer suggested that he call members to speak who need the experience rather than the same wonderful speakers who were always called.

Monday June 24th, 1844 Carthage Illinois Willard Richards was the only person who witnessed the martyrdom from beginning to end. He also wrote the best account. Five minutes before midnight, Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith, Willard Richards and others arrived in Carthage Illinois.

I think we are giving Pastor Mark too much oxygen. I'm not sure why we should be worried what he thinks. From what I know about him I'd be worried if we were closer to his views.

A young man in my ward returned from a mission and had a real tender exchange with Post Malone. I'm really impressed. Her account of the story below the picture. After we got inside, I realized we had some time before Gavin would land, so I told our group that Post Malone was outside. Amazing Jami Leavitt went outside with Adelle Clarke , Olivia Clarke , and Emma Pence so she could get a picture of them with him. Adelle boldly walked up to him and asked him if he would take a picture with her ("oh, and with my sister...and with my cousin, too?" she added, after he easily agreed). Those four chatted with him for a minute or two, but no one wanted to crowd him, so they kept it short and then he disappeared for a bit. We all went back to waiting for our missionaries and a couple more missionary families showed up. Someone from the family who had been there originally came and chatted with us for a bit and mentioned that he'd explained to Post that we were all waiting for our missionaries to get home and that we hadn't seen them in two years. As we were standing at the window, waiting to see Gavin's plane land, Post came across us again. He wasn't sure he'd be around when Gavin got off the plane, so he told us to "be sure and tell Gavin good work from me!" We obviously smiled and thanked him. Haha. We were probably funny to Post because he could tell we thought he was cool, but he could also probably tell we were more excited about seeing our Gavin than about seeing and mobbing Post. Also, while we were waiting at the window for Gavin, Post's security detail asked us not to take pictures or share what we saw of Post and his private life. But it made him seem more real and more human and it made his kindness that day feel very genuine. Fast forward. Gavin got off the plane. Lots of hugs and joy and tears (as you've seen in earlier posts). Then, as we were just about to walk out of the airport, Post came out again, basically walking straight toward Gavin. I'm not assuming that's what he intended, but it was awesome. Gavin, fresh off the mission plane, boldly closed the distance and asked for a picture, and Post very kindly agreed. He also took a couple more pics with some other family members. I didn't even think of getting one of myself with him -- I was in complete mommy-mode, really just thinking about my son whom I'd been reunited with at that point. And that's the end. That's how we ended up with a photo of Post Malone with a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and that's how we experienced some genuine kindness from the man with a diamond-studded smile.

1892 Salt Lake City, Utah Utah was hit with a diptheria epidemic. The Relief Society found a nonmember family near death. No one dared help. Who could blame them? Helping could be a death sentence. James E Talmage, a young father at the time, rushed to help.

Gary E Stevenson. Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Hello Friends! My oldest daughter opened her mission call tonight. Japan, Sendai Mission. Any of you go there? Or have family members go there?

Sometime in the 50s. Brigham City, Utah During a high council meeting, Boyd K Packer's stake president submitted a man to a position of leadership. Boyd and his friend, Brother Strong, were the only two who voted no.

December 26th 1973. Salt Lake City Utah Russell M Nelson, still enjoying his Christmas break, played with his children. An announcement over the television said that Harold B Lee had died. "Shocked and struck with grief" he went to the hospital to be with President Kimball.

1894 Salt Lake City, Utah When James E Talmage (Apostle # 50) was president of the University of Utah, he came home at the same time each night for dinner. One evening, he arrived a full hour late, battered, bruised and bleeding, his clothes torn in a dozen places.

In 1892, Utah was hit with diphtheria. The Relief Society found a nonmember family near death. No one dared help, especially those with kids. Who could blame them? Helping could be a death sentence. James E Talmage (Apostle 50), a young father at the time, rushed to help. 1/12

I'm thinking of making this account so that only people i follow can comment. I never feel good when I block someone and lately I've been blocking quite a few. If you want to comment on my posts go ahead reply and I'll follow you.

After his call as an apostle, Heber J Grant couldn't shake a feeling of unworthiness. That he ought to resign. When bearing testimony that Jesus is the Christ, the Redeemer of mankind, he would hear a voice inside his head whisper, "You lie. You lie. You have never seen him."

So before I studied the life of Boyd K Packer I knew quite a bit. Not surprising. He became an apostle 4 years before I was born and only died 10 years ago. I've been listening to him my entire life.

I don’t know that I’ve ever felt this specifically after a general conference. But man, I’m so grateful and proud to have worshiped this weekend with all of you. All my friends from Ghana and Georgia and Tonga and Washington and Iceland and Japan and etc. etc. I’m glad to be building the Kingdom of God on Earth with you. If we don’t meet in this life I look forward to meeting you in the next.

July 2nd 1972, Salt Lake City, Utah At 9:30 pm, Sis Lee answered the phone. "Harold, this is President Smith's son on the phone. He seems to be very agitated." Harold B Lee took the phone.

1930, Salt Lake City, Utah Harold B Lee was only 31 years old when he was called to be the Stake President. Soon after, Pres Lee found evidence that his friend, a recently released bishop in the stake, had embezzled tithing funds.

🧵Elder M Russell Ballard (Apostle 87) was assigned by the First Presidency to interview a man who had been excommunicated from the Church on whether or not it would be appropriate and pleasing to the Lord to restore his priesthood and temple blessings.

Charles A Callis (Apostle 54) 1883-86 Coalville Mines, Utah Charles' daughter once asked him if he ever doubted the church. She tried to record his answer in nearly his exact words.

"Long after Elder Oaks released a stake president, he received an impression to write and ask what was happening in the former president's life that would cause the Lord to bring him into his thoughts.

Jasper is a hero!

September 1972, Jerusalem Israel Harold B Lee was probably the first living prophet of the Lord to visit Jerusalem in 1,900 years.

Well into the construction of the Salt Lake Temple, the architect approached Brigham Young and in a worried tone said, "Brother Brigham, we have made a serious if not fatal mistake in all our plans."

After Joseph Smith's death, Brigham Young recorded two dreams where he was visited by him. The First on August 17, 1845.

1965-1968 New England Mission Boyd K Packer, now a mission president, needed to call a new assistant. He interviewed each missionary, asking the Lord, "Is this the man?" Finally the answer came, "This is the man," about an elder who'd made poor choices before his mission.

Well this is super cool. Today I was reading a biography of apostle Henry D Moyle and it mentioned how as an apostle he would read the History of the Church by Joseph Smith during train rides. I had to go upstairs and check but it turns out I own Elder Moyle's personal copy of the History of the Church

Sometime in 1941 or 1942. Salt Lake City Utah. Elder Harold B Lee telephoned Paul Reimann and asked if he could do some special research involving Church History. "It will take me two weeks," said Paul. "I need it in 3 days."

September 29, 2015 Tuesday before General Conference Salt Lake City Gary E Stevenson woke up having no inkling that his life was about to change.

President Russell M Nelson turns 101 today. I love him because he points me to Christ in two ways. 1. His sermons get past all my defenses. Every time I hear him I understand Christ better and feel closer to Him. 2. He exudes the joy of one who is following Christ heart and soul. A man who has shouted, "Here am I, send me." (Isaiah 6:8) #PresidentNelson101

Joseph and Hyrum were dead. The murderers arrested but then set free. The state legislator disbanded both the local police force and the Nauvoo legion. The Saints could not protect themselves. Now was the perfect time to head west. And yet . . .

My Testimony You know that part in We Thank Thee O God For a Prophet where it says, "We have proved him in days that are past." I've had enough dealings with the Lord. And have had enough prayers answered. And have seen enough miracles that I've proved him in days that are past. Now I just know. And I know that God loves us as I love my sons and daughters. All of us. Jesus is the Christ and he is my Lord and Master. I hesitate to call him my friend because it neither captures the depth of my feelings for him. There isn't a word to describe it. The Mighty God. The Everlasting Father. The Prince of Peace. When I contemplate him, I get the same feeling of awe as when I stand at the edge of the Grand Canyon. Joseph Smith was prophet of God. As was Moses, Elijah and Peter. And I love him. Russell M Nelson holds the mantel and the keys that Peter held when he was on the earth. I feel lucky to live while he is the prophet and president of the Church. I have seen the Lord's hand at work in the local councils of the church so I know and trust that the Lord's hand is at work in the councils in Salt Lake City. But not only that, I've had a witness that the current 12 apostles and 1st presidency are called of God. I love the Book of Mormon. I know it is true because the Holy Ghost has witnessed to me. There are definitely evidences for the truth of the Book of Mormon but I believe that the Lord did not give definitive proof because he wants to tell us himself. He wants each of us to have a one on one mystical experience. I love the Bible. Especially The Psalms, Isaiah, Paul and the four Gospels. The words of life are in there. Paul perhaps has the keenest insight into human nature and what happens when Christ enters your life of any writer. I feel lucky to work alongside you all building the Kingdom of God for the return of our Savior. And I don't want anyone to doubt my testimony. This church is the Kingdom of God on earth.

President Brigham Young on hearing that some survivors of the Martin Company were entering the valley on Sunday morning instructed the bishops and other brethren on placing them in good homes. Then he announced,

In their weekly temple meeting, the 12 apostles discussed opening the work in Japan. The spirit came to Heber, "as though a voice spoke, 'You will be called to preside there.' 'I can not go to Japan,' Heber said to himself.

Brigham Young was friendly with all other religions and sects. "In the 1860's Brigham Young welcomed the Catholic missionaries in Salt Lake City and in 1871 presented Father Kelly and Father Walsh with a plot of land and $500 so it would be possible for them to build a church.

Dallin H Oaks personally answers almost all of the correspondence that he receives. He considers writing letters a part of his ministry. I would like to quote one letter that is instructive.

Brigham Young (Apostle 3) August 17th, 1845 Nauvoo, Illinois After Joseph Smith's death, Brigham Young recorded two dreams where Joseph visited. What Joseph said is so good, I think they could be canonized.

Of the original 12, only Brigham Young (Apostle #3) and Heber C Kimball (#4) never turned against Joseph Smith. But there was one time Brigham was concerned about Joseph's leadership.

Jeffrey R Holland (Apostle 91) December 3rd, 1940 St George, Utah On this day, in Southern Utah, Jeffrey R Holland was born.

Not crazy. Not crazy at all. Around 10,000 members were kicked out of Missouri in the winter of 1838-1839. There were about 17,000 members at the time. This included all of the leadership. The amount of members who participated in the Mountain Meadows Massacre was about 60 (still too many) out of 56,000 members in 1957. None of them were part of leadership. (There were definitely local leaders) You really should read Massacre at Mountain Meadows. It is enlightening.

1964 Salt Lake City Now that Boyd K Packer was an Assistant to the Twelve, he decided to move his family to Salt Lake City. He and his wife found the perfect property. Harold B Lee looked it over and said, "By all means, you are to proceed."

Have I told you about the Heavenly Choir at the Portland Oregon temple dedication? I was thirteen and had heard no choir. But my sister's piano teacher did. She wasn't even a member. She was a devout Seventh Day Adventist. As soon as she walked into the foyer she heard the most beautiful choir. Near by. Next room perhaps. She'd never heard a choir so gorgeous. She walked to the next room and there was no choir. But she still heard. And she heard it in the next room. And the next. She heard it in every room. She was surprised when she left the tour that she hadn't seen the choir playing. Perhaps it was piped in through a sound system. She touched the arm of one of the tour guides and asked where th choir had been singing - she had never heard anything so beautiful and wanted to thank them. The tour guide said that there hadn't been a choir and no they weren't piping in music over a speaker. Then the tour guide told her that she hadn't been the first person to ask about a choir. Others had heard it as well.

Heber J Grant went to visit Jesse Knight to ask for the $5,000 donation. Heber had a letter from the First Presidency. And Jesse Knight was as generous a member of the Church as ever lived. Jesse thought for a moment. Then shook his head. Sorry, but no.

Dallin H Oaks was nearly 11 when he witnessed a miracle. 🧵

Late 60s. Malad, Idaho Neal A Maxwell, at that time a regional representative, accompanied Harold B Lee to reorganize the Malad Idaho Stake.

Christal, from Louisiana, was not yet 10 when diagnosed with cancer. Her family decided to travel to Salt Lake City to get a blessing from a General Authority. Christal requested Thomas S Monson.

In 1848, Brigham Young traveled from Winter Quarters to Salt Lake City for the 2nd and last time. The company consisted of 1,220 people and 397 wagons. During the journey, Lucy Groves, a young mother tried to climb out of her wagon while it was in motion. 🧵

"Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me." Thank you President Nelson for answering the call from our Savior.

After one Thursday of the apostles, Elder Monson received a message: "President Kimball would like to see you in the temple, now." He was surprised to see Pres Kimball, Tanner and Romney waiting for him.

I have a feeling this might be the most powerful Easter of my life.

Jeffrey R Holland Early August, 2023 Salt Lake City, Utah This will be my last story about Pres. Holland Less than 48 hours after Pat was buried, Elder Holland was rushed to the hospital "in an acute medical crisis." He spent the next four weeks in and out of consciousness.

Jeffrey R Holland (Apostle 91) 9/2002 - 9/2004 Chile President Gordon B Hinckley said to the Quorum of the 12, “I’m toying with the idea of having two members of the Twelve go out to the Philippines and to Chile.” This was going to be at least a year long assignment.

On January 14th, 2018 the apostle met in the Salt Lake Temple and sustained senior Apostle, Russell M Nelson as the new President of the church. Dallin H Oaks ordained and set him apart.

Summer 1966 Cache Valley Utah. At age 11 Gary Stevenson went hiking with his dad. “I was jumping from rock to rock in front of my father,” he remembers.

That according to Ida was "the beginning of Reed's real devotion to the Church." This came from two sources. The train ride from he October 1927 General Conference talk of Elder Smoot His mother's visit on pg 39-40 of the dissertation Reed Smoot: The First Modern Mormon.

April 15th 1973 New Jersey It was announced at the end of stake conference that Harold B Lee would shake hands. A mother of an injured boy tried to see him but there were too many people and eventually he had to leave. She sadly walked down the street to her car.

January 19th 1970. Salt Lake City, Utah When David O'McKay died many thought Joseph Fielding Smith, who was 93, was much too old to replace him. Wouldn't it make more sense to appoint Harold B Lee?

June 27th, 1844 Carthage Illinois Jail The Martyrdom Outside somebody shouted, "Surrender!" Three or four rifles were shot. Willard looked out the window and saw 100 armed men.

1965-1968 New England Mission Something was missing in the mission. President Packer wasn't sure what. But something was mission. "On the surface everything was excellent."

Brigham Young's last act as prophet was sitting in council with Aunt Eliza R Snow in the prayer-room. They reviewed Eliza's concept of sending women out to lecture on the Church. "It is an experiment," he said, "but one that I should like to see tried."

Sometime between 1921 - 1923 Washington DC The President of the United States, Warren Harding called Reed Smoot late at night. Mrs. Harding was very ill and he wondered if Reed would come to the White House and perform that "Mormon healing ceremony."

Imagine during the next general conference, one of the apostles got up and chastised the Tabernacle Choir for immorality. In October 1898 George Q Cannon was horrified that this happened and he did his best to smooth over the ruffled feathers.

We all know the story about Thomas B Marsh (Apostle #1) leaving the church in anger. Before he left, Brigham Young (Apostle 3#) gave him great advice. Years later, Thomas wished he'd followed it. In Thomas' own words:

I don't know if you guys are fans of Richard L Bushman. His biography of Joseph Smith, Rough Stone Rolling is well respected by believing members as well as people who dislike the Church. I read an excellent article by him today. You guys probably won't like it but here is an interesting paragraph that I think might find interesting. (BTW Richard Parker was the academic that started the Brown University Egyptology department.) "Then there was a personal experience with the Egyptologist Richard Parker. While I was at Brown University on a fellowship in 1965, I asked Parker, a member of the faculty, about an article by Ariel Crowley on the Anthon Transcript. Crowley examined the characters copied from the plates for Martin Harris to show to the Columbia linguist Charles Anthon. Crowley compared each character on the transcript to characters from Egyptian lexicons. Every one of over two hundred characters had an Egyptian equivalent. When I called on Parker to ask about the validity of Crowley’s argument, I was surprised to learn that Parker himself had helped Crowley locate the characters. "Were they really Egyptian?" I asked. "Not really," he said. "They were more like Meroitic, an upper Nile language that was written in Egyptian characters but was an independent tongue. " That seemed to me to fit the idea of Hebrew being written in Egyptian as the Book of Mormon describes its own text. The experience left me with a conviction that Joseph had access to Egyptian from somewhere, and perhaps it was from the plates." Here is the full article if anyone is interested. byustudies.byu.edu/article/w…

Christmas 1933, Salt Lake City, Utah Harold B Lee's daughter went across the street with her Christmas doll to show her friend but came back crying. Her friend didn't get any gifts that year. Santa did not come.

🧵 When James E Talmage (Apostle # 50) was president of the University of Utah, he came home at the same time each night for dinner. One evening, he arrived a full hour late, battered, bruised and bleeding, his clothes torn in a dozen places and covered with dust and mud. 1/9

August 1977 Salt Lake City Boyd K Packer listened to Henry B Eyring's plans for a presentation to regional representatives. When Henry asked for comments, Elder Packer said, "Do you really want feedback?" "Yes," said Henry even though he knew how frank he could be.

Mid-1960s. Washington, DC Elder Harold B Lee assigned Boyd K Packer, then an Assistant to the Twelve, to fly to Washington DC that afternoon. Tomorrow Boyd would meet with President Lyndon B Johnson.

When LeGrand Richards (Apostle 69) was a stake president he suggested a name to his counselors for a stake calling. "But President, you can't do it. He smokes." "I know it, but he has a lot of good in him."

The nice thing about this way is that there is no campaigning and no factions. The Lord decides

2 quick stories about Gary E Stevenson and the type of business man he was.

Have you guys been to the Hyde Park Chapel? Have you ever wondered how we had a chapel in such a cool spot?

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. (Revelation 21:4-5) God bless our brothers and sisters in Michigan!

1924 Yorkshire, England When Elder James E Talmage was assigned to preside over the British and European missions, anti-Mormon sentiment was at an all time high.

During the Missouri-Mormon war of 1838, two apostles signed an affidavit claiming that Joseph Smith planned with his sword to create "one gore of blood from the Rocky Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean." Those apostles were Thomas B Marsh (Apostle #1) and Orson Hyde (Apostle #2).

July 23rd 1933 The A&W in Salt Lake City, Utah The night before Pioneer Day, James E Talmage (Apostle # 50) finished his radio address at KSL and asked Harold, his son in law, to take him to A&W. The air was hot and muggy. His throat tickled no matter how much he coughed.

1930, Salt Lake City, Utah 31 year old Harold B Lee was told by Rudyard Clawson and George Albert Smith that he'd been chosen to be the President of the Pioneer Stake.

1926 England A non-member friend asked Senator Reed Smoot, "Has a condition ever arisen in your life where you hesitated to act according to the teachings of the Gospel?" "No sir!" Then Reed hesitated and said, "Yes there was one occasion."

Saturday morning highlights Pres Oaks getting misty eyed talking about his friend Russell. Imam and Pastor working together for peace Imagining the delight Heaven feels when children sing Take time before prayers Cherry catchers Getting good at anything takes practice

Brigham Young (Apostle 3) April 1830 Mendon, New York Brigham's older brother, Phineas, a Methodist preacher just knew that Book of Mormon was made "to lead the people astray." So he decided to read it to expose its errors and "save the people from delusion."

After a meeting held at Waiehu, a blind man asked George Q for a healing blessing. He'd been blind for thirty years but began to mend from the moment George laid hands on his head. The next morning he could see.

What is happening with BYU Pathway is as exciting as anything in Church History. This is Heber C Kimball in England exciting. byutv.org/pathway-to-hope

I've loved Brigham Young ever since I read the book Brother Brigham Challenges the Saints. Here are some Brigham Young quotes from the book that as a father have been very helpful while dealing with my children.

Today will be the last day we discuss Brigham Young. I want to share a few quotes from him.

David O'McKay (Apostle 74) was ninety years old when he received a call from the brand new president of the US Lyndon B Johnson. This was only two months after Pres Kennedy's assassination.

31 years ago next month, Howard W Hunter (#74) climbed to the podium at the BYU Marriott Center before an audience of 20,000. As he began to speak, someone shouted, "Stop Right There!" A man with a briefcase and something black in his right hand climbed on the stage.

Tad Callister was amazing. I’m so sorry to hear of his passing

That must be very frustrating. Trying to convince someone they believe something they dont believe in order to tell them what they don’t believe is wrong.

Guess what everyone? My eldest daughter is following in Heber J Grant's footsteps. She was set apart last Sunday to serve as a missionary in Sendai Japan. That's her at the St George Temple. I'm so proud.

Brigham Young (Apostle 3) 1838 Caldwell County, Missouri We all know the story about Thomas B Marsh (Apostle #1) leaving the church in anger. Before he left, Brigham Young (Apostle 3#) offered advice which Thomas later wished he'd followed. In Thomas' own words:

BYU Pathway is one of the miracles of the restoration!

On his way to Hawaii, George Q had a dream. It is powerful enough that I'm surprised it is not better known.