16 April 2012  Yesterday we had a special evening at the home of the Director of Seminaries for Alaska, Ralph VanOrden.  He and his wife hosted a lovely meal and visit for us and the Bacons and the Beams with Elder Val Johnson, Commissioner of Education for the Church. It was inspiring to hear Elder Johnson speak with us in that close setting about his vision for Church Education.  He was asked what he thought was the most important thing we could do to strengthen the youth of the Church, who are being raised "in enemy territory."  His response was that the media today are controlled by men incredibly skilled in marketing evil, and that in order to resist the adversary and maintain faith, young people need to feel the power of the Atonement in their lives and have personal experience with the Spirit in the forgiveness of sins. They may not be able to resist evil by reason and logic and debate, but their faith can be sustained by deep feelings of the Spirit that cannot be denied.   

As we were leaving the Institute building today, we encountered TWO MOOSE who were munching on the trees and bushes on the grounds of the ward building nearby.  One appeared to be interested in going into the church, as if he could read the sign posted by the door:  "Visitors Welcome."