In October 2001, Erin Herrin was told the startling news that she was carrying conjoined twins. Already the mother of a toddler while she and her husband Jake considered a divorce, Erin had many decisions to make.

“They say that life changes when you least expect it. And I certainly never expected this news,” Erin says. “The doctors thought aborting the fetus was the best course of action, but I already saw these twins as my babies. I couldn’t do it, and Jake agreed.”

It was a difficult pregnancy at a difficult time, but Erin had learned to rely on the Lord, taking regular trips to the temple which brought a peace to her heart that ‘this too shall pass.’ “I learned to look for joy in the little things—to enjoy the time I spent alone with my daughter, Courtney, to date my husband again and see him with fresh eyes. Those months of pregnancy still weren’t easy, but I couldn’t let the worries stop me from enjoying what I already had and from discovering more about myself as a wife, mother, and woman.”

On February 26th, 2002, Kendra and Maliyah Herrin were born. Conjoined from mid-torso down, the girls were immediately rushed from the delivery room at the University of Utah Hospital to Primary Children’s Hospital, while Erin remained behind.

“The next few hours were agonizingly painful,” Erin says. “I wanted to see them, to touch them, to hold them. But I couldn’t. Their shared body was too fragile; their survival too tenuous. The research I had done told me that most conjoined twins who actually make it to birth die within forty-eight hours.”

Kendra and Maliyah did survive. A series of surgeries followed over the next several days, members of the Herrin family, along with their doctors, prayed for the girls, and by April the twins were strong enough to come home from the hospital.

With the support of extended family, Erin and Jake took over the full time job of caring for these precious little girls. But Erin sys, “the same question continued to haunt me—would my girls ever be separated?”

Eventually plans were underway for what would become a landmark surgery, the first time conjoined twins who shared a single functioning kidney would be separated. But there were still challenges to face. Erin, who was pegged to donate a kidney to daughter Maliyah, found out she was again pregnant—another set of twins, this time not conjoined. However, this birth came with problems of its own—a ruptured uterus almost took Erin’s life.

“On the way to the hospital, I was worried I was going to die,” Erin says. “I started singing I Am a Child of God to myself. The song was one I sang often to the twins, and it was among Courtney’s favorites. I learned afterwards that a fifteen minute delay and I would have been gone. I knew the Lord had been with me.”

Since that day, there have been many more trips to the hospital. Kendra and Maliyah were successfully separated; Maliyah received her mother’s kidney; and today they are being fitted for prosthetic legs that will allow them to walk. For every crisis the family has faced, there seems to have been a multitude of blessings that has come to them as well.

Erin says, “Happiness and joy can be found in the most heart-wrenching circumstances as long as we lean on our spouse, family, friends, and others. This network, combined with faith, helps us endure any trials that come our way because when hearts conjoin, miracles happen!”

As President Thomas S. Monson tells us, ““I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. . . find joy in the journey—now.”

And that’s just what the Herrin family has done.

He pleaded with us to cherish life, to have gratitude. He told us that this is a choice we all can choose to make. Quoting another author, he said, “Both abundance and lack [of abundance] exist simultaneously in our lives, as parallel realities. It is always our conscious choice which secret garden we will tend … when we choose not to focus on what is missing from our lives but are grateful for the abundance that’s present—love, health, family, friends, work, the joys of nature, and personal pursuits that bring us [happiness]—the wasteland of illusion falls away and we experience heaven on earth” (emphasis added).

In the months since he gave this counsel, his point should be even clearer. There are surely those among us who are now missing jobs, financial security, houses and more.
Does this mean we cannot have joy? We can still choose it.

As Elder Eyring put it, “the great test of life is to see whether we will hearken to and obey God’s commands in the midst of the storms of life. It is not to endure storms, but to choose the right while they rage. And the tragedy of life is to fail in that test and so fail to qualify to return in glory to our heavenly home” (“Start Early and Be Steady,” Ensign, Nov. 2005). I pray that we will.

All the best,

Editor@DesertSaintsMagazine.com

I really didn’t want to mess with the ceiling but my wife insisted. “Let’s redo the ceiling, it will be funny and maybe one day you will be writing for a magazine and this can be a topic.” I hate it when she’s right. First off, those home improvement shows on TV make everything looks so simple and quick. It was actually prolonged and exhausting, and that was just the part where I was whining about having to do the work!

Once we got started it wasn’t that bad, but it was messy. First you spray the ceiling with a hose (Hear that kids? Spraying the ceiling with a hose helps mommy and daddy!), let it soak in for a minute, then scrape the sludge off like it’s an ex-girlfriend. I was actually improving my home without Ty Pennington yelling at me through a bullhorn! All said and done the scraping took an hour, not too bad to be left with a…blank, ugly ceiling.
So, now all we had to do was to patch the holes, re-texture (popcorn free!) base coat and final coat. As easy as 1-2-3…4-5-6-7…ugh.

The last step is the kicker, I hate painting. I don’t like any brush movements that don’t involve karate lessons. (Thanks Mr. Miyagi!) But the real reason I hate painting is that it is never finished. You roll the paint on and the wall sucks it up. The paint is never the real color because the wall keeps sucking it up! The ceiling is reverse, it actually shows colors real well, but only if the color is an accidental nudge from painting the wall. And don’t even get me started on wall paper, that stuff is whack. I have a hard enough time getting stamps straight on an envelope and now I’m expected line up a huge strip of gluey paper straight on the wall?

I wrote all of this because my dear wife now paints when I’m gone. She doesn’t expect me to help, just like I don’t expect her change the oil. Well, I don’t change it either, but I take the car to the shop and that’s a lot of work. As long as we keep each other comfortable with our uncomfortabilities I think this marriage will work out just fine. Plus she has never thrown out my Naugahyde evening robe.

• Would you like to learn more about your family?

• Do you need a kick start to organize your family records?

Summer of Sleuthing—Save Our Ancestors” (SOS) is a family summer activities program sponsored by the Family History Library to introduce families to the fun of family history.   With a series of weekly challenges, families can participate in activities that will help them learn more about themselves and their ancestors. The program materials are available online at wiki.familysearch.org listed under Activities for Youth.

 The challenges can also help youth in accomplishing goals in Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Primary Achievement Days, Young Women, and Young Men.

 As part of the challenges, family members are encouraged to keep a journal of their experiences and create memories together as a family.  We encourage you to share this message with all families, both Church members and those who are not.  We hope that this experience will bring families closer together as they gain an appreciation for the lasting treasures to be found in family history work.

Parade starts at 9am, followed by breakfast and activities:

• Crossing the Icy Sweet Water River

• Cookie Walk

• Dunk Tank

• Square Dancing

• Quilt exhibit

• Pioneer Crafts

• Hose Down by Green Valley Fire Department

• Indoor Activities (air conditioned!) in the Stake Center

The event is free to the public.

Come early for good parking; the parade route is closed to traffic during the parade.

Ann Santini has been serving for the last twelve years as Director of International Affairs for the Church in Washington DC. Her husband Jim Santini was a former Judge in Las Vegas and a former Congressman from Nevada.  David Rowberry, formerly with the Las Vegas institute, is now in Washington DC at the LDS institute.

Elder Pierson Baldwin, son of Roland and Jacqueline Baldwin from Las Vegas, is serving in the DC South Mission. Washington’s Area Seventy is Bill Marriott; his wife Donna Marriott is related to Alden Stewart, of the Las Vegas Redrock Stake, who just passed away.

President Albright notes that Elder Dennis Simmons of Las Vegas presided over the Washington DC North Mission and has been very helpful in their preparations.

The prophet Lehi taught that in order to accomplish his purposes, the Lord’s plan required an “opposition in all things” (2 Nephi 2:11). In order to bring to pass righteousness, the plan allowed for wickedness. In order for us to appreciate joy, we must also be subject to misery.

He testified to his son Jacob, “thou knowest the greatness of God; and he shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain (2 Nephi 2:2).” Many scriptural and personal accounts also testify of this truth.

Alma the younger explained that there could be nothing so exquisite and bitter as his suffering over his sinful state. After repenting, there was nothing so exquisite and sweet as his joy. He labored to bring more souls unto repentance and testified to his sons, “ I have been supported under trials and troubles of every kind …yea, and I do put my trust in him.” (See Alma 36.)

When his father’s people were under extreme persecution, “the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all of the will of the Lord (Mosiah 24:15)”. I, too, found that I had been strengthened and prepared along my life’s journey so that I could bear my burdens more easily.

The apostle Paul described having “a thorn in the flesh,” which remained despite repeated prayers for relief. The Lord replied, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness” (see 1 Corinthians 12). The prophet Ether received a similar response: “I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them (Ether 12:27).”

We don’t always get to choose our life’s journey, but we always have a choice in our response. Paul’s choice was to glory and take pleasure in infirmities for Christ’s sake.
Considering my own covenant obligations regarding consecration, I have often pondered how I might in turn consecrate the “gains” from my afflictions to accomplish the Lord’s purposes.

Christ suffered our afflictions in order to succor his people (see Alma 7:11-12). Likewise, we can choose to develop compassion and empathy for others. Our experiences can make us instruments in the Lord’s hands, mourning with those that mourn and comforting those that stand in need of comfort (Mosiah 18:9). As we do this, our own burdens become lighter.

We can also choose to develop gratitude, because adversity reveals things that are often taken for granted. As we acknowledge the blessings and tender mercies in our lives, more of them are revealed to us. We become like the servant of Elisha, whose eyes were finally opened to see the chariots of fire protecting them against the enemy (see 2 Kings 6:17).

We can also choose to submit ourselves to the Lord’s will, and reap the blessings that come from trusting in him. “Whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he” (Proverbs 16:20).

The Savior said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls” (Matthew 11: 28-29). He said, “Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not” (D&C 6:36).

Someday we will be free from all of our earthly sorrows, but we will retain the experiences from this journey of life. As we trust in the Lord, he will direct our paths on this journey (see Proverbs 3:5). These experiences will be for our good, preparing us to realize our greatest potential as children of our loving Heavenly Father.

Just then the camp ranger drove up and said, “I know you have young children. Watch out for rattlesnakes because I’ve already seen five this week.”

I was sick! Visions of our carefree summer vanished, and instead I pictured vicious reptiles lurking behind every rock, waiting to strike my innocent children.

That night I couldn’t sleep. I looked up rattlesnakes in our wildlife book and learned that the rattlesnakes at that camp were the Mojave Green—one of the deadliest and most aggressive rattlesnakes alive! I spent most of the night reading and worrying, desperately hoping to find some protection for my young children. How could I let them roam freely outdoors, knowing what dangers threatened them? I was sure there must be a “rattlesnake repellant” that I could spray on them each morning, or some sort of fence I could build around our motor home to keep rattlesnakes out. However, I soon discovered there was no easy solution.

After a sleepless night I concluded that all I could do as a mother was to teach my children 1) How to avoid the most probable rattlesnake hideouts, and 2) What to do if—or when—they encountered one.

Our situation in the world today is similar to my summer snake experience. While there are thrilling opportunities available to our families, there are also hazards which threaten them. Dangers such as drugs, pornography, apathy, and immorality lurk like snakes, waiting to strike unsuspecting children.

Sometimes, as a mother, I have wished for an “evil repellent” to spray on my children each morning, or a spiritual fence I could build around my home. Just as there was no easy solution for protecting my family against rattlesnakes, there is no guarantee that our children won’t encounter these evils in the world.

However, the scriptures and the prophets give us some very real clues to teach our children how to avoid the most probable evil hideouts, and what to do when (not if) they encounter temptation. Following are some ideas for dealing with the “spiritual snakes” that threaten our families.

Scripture Strength: One of the most precise scriptural accounts on protecting families is found in Alma 43-50 about Captain Moroni and the battles he fought. I suggest reading these chapters and imagining yourself as Captain Moroni and your family as the Nephites. There are two main things we learn from Moroni’s battle preparations: first, he strengthened his cities (or homes), and second, he strengthened his warriors (or children). Likewise, we should focus on strengthening both our homes and our families.

Make Home a Haven: We can’t control the evil—or snakes—outside of our home, but we can control what’s inside. One way to strengthen our homes is to keep filthy media out. Internet access, television, music, entertainment and computer games should be monitored. Elaine S. Dalton, General Young Women’s President, referred to “persuasive media messages” and asked, “Are we being poisoned by degrees?” Don’t bring the world into your home, just for the sake of familiarizing your family with it. Make your home a fortress, like the cities of Moroni, and don’t let your guard down.

Attend the Temple: The unseen blessings of temple attendance on our homes and our children are godly barriers against evil. We can’t take our children into the temple, but we can bring the temple to our children. Each time parents attend the temple, they bring traces of the temple spirit home with them. Children can feel that spirit, and will bask in its warmth. They will feel a distinct difference between home and the world, and will naturally gravitate towards good and light.

Work Will Win: Strengthen your warriors, or children, by teaching them to work hard.
While physically hard opportunities do not abound in the world today, spiritually hard opportunities are everywhere. Prepare children for spiritual battles by helping them conquer physical ones. In our homes those battles may be mowing lawns, digging ditches, scrubbing floors, washing dishes, etc. Beyond household chores, activities which require physical effort, such as hiking or running, will also build endurance and strengthen spiritual stamina. Unfortunately, marriages and missionaries today often fail because the individuals never had to do anything “hard.” Strengthen your warriors with hard opportunities before they encounter the real tests of life.

Promise of Protection: “Those who were faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord were delivered at all times”(Alma 50:22). Keeping the Commandments is the “snake repellant” we all long for. Even though Moroni’s cities and warriors were well protected, they still fought vicious battles. However, their deliverance was guaranteed because of their preparations and righteousness, and they were ultimately victorious.

Successful Summer: Even though the rattlesnakes abounded in camp that summer, my family never had a negative encounter with them. We had a glorious summer despite the threats, and our weeks in the mountains are a memory we’ll always cherish. Alma records, “There never was a happier time among the people of Nephi…than in the days of Moroni”(Alma 50:23) Why were the Nephites so happy, even in times of war? They were prepared against the evils of their day. Despite the many threats which face our children, we too can enjoy these days as some of the “happiest times” for our families.

It takes fruit trees and vines a few years to mature. Plant your fruit trees now, so that when the storms of life come, you will have enough fresh fruit to eat and to can. Take advantage of the walls in your garden; grow grapes and blackberries, and espalier fruit trees against your walls. Your small side yard could be the most useful part of your yard: plant tomatoes, lettuce, spinach, and herbs there. Take advantage of every inch of space—especially the vertical inches. Even a small yard can yield a large amount of food for your family.

Variety is very important.

Just because the cannery sells spaghetti noodles doesn’t mean that’s the only kind of pasta you should have in your storage. Buy a few different shapes, like bow ties, penne. Purchase several kinds of beans. Have an assortment of fruits and vegetables. Stock several kinds of sugars (granulated, powdered, brown, honey, molasses, maple syrup). Have canned meat, powdered eggs, and nuts.

If you’re standing in the grocery store, and you get the feeling that you should buy something that you normally don’t eat, do it anyway. I bought evaporated milk, not knowing how to use it. I found out later what a blessing that was.

Likewise, I didn’t buy the cheesecloth when I saw it, figuring I could get it later. When I had no money to go shopping, I found out why I should have listened; I could have made cheese with my powdered milk and strained it through the cheesecloth. The Spirit doesn’t speak loudly; if we listen, He will truly guide us in all things.

Be a gleaner.

The Lord gives us things, but expects us to work for them.

When you’re living on your storage, there comes a time when you start to run out of items. You may still have some food, but the gaps become obvious as they decrease the number of meals that you can make. It’s hard to eat the food you have and not know when you can replace it.

One way to add to your food storage, even while living on it, is to glean. Look at the fruit trees around town that are ripening and going to waste. Ask the home owners if you can pick the fruit in their yard. Most people are happy to have the fruit be used. Can the fruit you cannot eat before it goes bad, and you will have fruit for another day.

You can’t have too much chocolate in your food storage.

There’s a reason the church guidelines have always included cocoa in the list of items we should store. While not necessary to sustain life, chocolate certainly makes it more delicious. In addition to cocoa, stock chocolate chips, baking chocolate, brownie mix, chocolate pudding, etc . Store other sweets as well. If you’re afraid your family will eat it all, borrow the stake canner and can some chocolate chips and hard candy and label it “legumes.”

Children still have birthdays, and having the ingredients to make a cake for your child while you are living on your storage will bless everyone in your family.

Be grateful for all that you have.

Do not be like the Israelites and complain that all that you have to eat is manna (or wheat, rice, and beans). Be thankful that your family is not going hungry. With wise planning, you can provide delicious meals, even when you cannot go to the store.