Ben @BenjaminGLinus

The Ten Commandments have been a foundation of our moral understanding of right and wrong for more than 3,000 years. Let us cherish these commandments given by the Lord.

“May we never forget that the freedoms we enjoy have come at a great cost and carry with them a sacred responsibility.” #SundayThought - Gordon Hinckley

By studying for ourselves and praying to God with real intent, we can gain a spiritual witness that the Book of Mormon is true.

I heard the kids talking about Swig so I have decided to divert to SLC to see what all the fuss is about. We’ll get to Seattle when we get there.

Celebrating an historic anniversary of the founding of our nation at a time of profound (and discomfiting) technological change, growing material abundance, a booming stock market, and a rise in totalitarian regimes across the globe? No, I’m not referring to 2026. The year was 1926 — the 150th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Shakespeare was right…the past really is prologue. The year 1926 must have felt a bit like today. Having survived a global pandemic and a world war, the country found itself at a time of incredible prosperity — but not for everyone — and radical political shifts. Things were getting cheaper, faster and better: cars and planes shrunk the world, and the radio brought news, music, and politics into every home. And yet, many people felt adrift. The country was straying from its moral foundations. The Roaring 20’s could hardly be described as a time of virtue —and the founders knew our experiment in self-government could only succeed with an informed and virtuous people. Like today, Americans never had more. And yet too many wondered why we’re doing any of this in the first place. On that anniversary day 100 years ago, the President of our Country, Calvin Coolidge, stepped to the podium in Philadelphia to celebrate America’s success and to issue a warning. I’m grateful that “Silent Cal” was not on that day…and his words might be more important 100 years later. “We live in an age of science and of abounding accumulation of material things. These did not create our Declaration [of Independence]. Our Declaration created them. The things of the spirit come first. “Unless we cling to that, all our material prosperity, overwhelming though it may appear, will turn to a barren scepter in our grasp. If we are to maintain the great heritage which has been bequeathed to us, we must be like-minded as the [Founders] who created it. “We must not sink into a pagan materialism. We must cultivate the reverence which they had for the things that are holy. We must follow the spiritual and moral leadership which they showed.”  In other words, and more succinctly, if America ceases to be good, she will cease to be great. It’s been said that, if you want to hate America, watch the news. But if you want to love America, take a road trip. Over the past few weeks, the world has been taking a road trip across our great country. Hosting the World Cup has been one of the unexpected highlights of my life. Watching our new friends from all over the globe discover unlimited chips and salsa, ranch dressing, Costco, air conditioning and Buc-ee’s has been a delight. And watching Kansas embrace Algeria, the Scots drink Boston dry and the Vikings row through Time Square has warmed my soul. Even better, we’ve discovered that our foreign friends are pretty great—and they’ve discovered that we are too. Oh, and the soccer has been pretty good. And maybe that is the lesson our country needs in 2026. Half of us need to be reminded that the rest of the world is awesome and more like us than we realized And the other half need to be reminded that America is freaking amazing and we are incredibly lucky to live here. Remember that America has never been a president or a political party or even our government. America is, and always will be…well…us. We the People. To paraphrase one president, there is nothing so wrong in America that it can’t be fixed by what’s right in America. Today, and every day, I’m proud to be an American. Happy 250th!

Jon Rothstein ranks the top 10 home court advantages in college basketball 1. Allen Fieldhouse 2. Marriott Center 3. Bud Walton Arena 4. Mackey Arena 5. Rupp Arena 6. Hinkle Fieldhouse 7. Amica Mutual Arena 8. Breslin Center 9. Cameron Indoor 10. KFC Yum Center

Choices for Eternity: During a remarkable young single adult conference in the Europe North Area, I was impressed by the discipleship and faith of so many of our young adults. As I spoke with them in the Burnley FC football stadium, we discussed how knowing their divine identity will make life’s choices easier and clearer. I reminded them of President Nelson’s counsel: “There are various labels that may be very important to you, of course. Please do not misunderstand me. I am not saying that other designations and identifiers are not significant. I am simply saying that no identifier should displace, replace, or take priority over these three enduring designations: ‘child of God,’ ‘child of the covenant,’ and ‘disciple of Jesus Christ’” (“Choices for Eternity” [worldwide devotional for young adults, May 15, 2022], Gospel Library).

𝐁𝐘𝐔 ➡️ 𝐁𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐄

Ask yourself, “Does the Lord know that I will do what He wants me to do?”

OFFICIALLY OFFICIAL 😈 #ForTheDistrict | @AJ_Dybantsa

Happy Fathers Day to all the fathers & father figures in our lives 📸 Anton Corbijn #U2 #FathersDay

The Sacred Role of Fathers: “Of all the titles of respect and honor and admiration that are given to Deity, He has asked us to address Him as Father” ("Father, Consider Your Ways," Ensign, June 2002). Our Father in Heaven models this parental role for all of us. In Elder David A. Bednar’s thought about my calling to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, he captured my feelings about being a husband and a father. One of my favorite parts of the article was this quote from my daughter: “It’s cool to think of my father as an Apostle, but he’s still just my dad.” I’m also grateful for my own father’s comments and his efforts to be an example of righteous parenting. I join with all of the striving fathers doing their best, knowing we all need heaven’s help in this sacred and demanding parental responsibility. Happy Father’s Day churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/…

On this Father’s Day, I express gratitude for fathers everywhere who strive to nurture their families in love, faith, and righteousness. I consider being a father and a grandfather one of my life’s greatest blessings. The most powerful teaching happens not only through words but through the way we live our lives. As we align our will with the Lord and seek to do those things that please Him, our homes can become places of faith, love, and spiritual strength. Fathers who lead with humility, devotion, and a desire to follow the Savior help their families draw closer to Him. Their quiet example can inspire faith and shape lives in ways that last for generations. To all fathers and father figures—thank you for your patience, your sacrifices, and your devotion. Your influence matters more than you know.

If you’re visiting for a very large sporting event & you happen to discover RANCH while you’re here… pls pack it in your CHECKED BAG on the way home. Thank you.

As you strive to push new limits in deepening your conversion, you too may be subjected to inhospitable environments, severe temperatures, and extreme pressure. Putting on “the whole armour of God” will allow you to “stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11) and enhance your ability to stand firm in life’s inevitable spiritual battles.

For three Sundays in a row within the last few weeks, Harriet and I had the joyful privilege of participating in two stake center dedications and one temple dedication—first in Salzburg, Austria, then Prague, Czech Republic, and finally in the beautiful Willamette Valley of Oregon, where we dedicated a house of the Lord. How beautifully these sacred places work together. In our meetinghouses each Sabbath day, we gather to worship God, strengthen one another, and serve as disciples of Jesus Christ. In the holy temple, that same work continues in an even more sacred and eternal way. Each dedication has pointed to the same divine purpose of turning our hearts in worship to our Heavenly Father and to His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ.

Many of us, in moments of personal anguish, feel that God is far from us. The pavilion that seems to intercept divine aid does not cover God; it occasionally covers us. God is never hidden, yet sometimes we are, covered by a pavilion of motivations that draw us away from God and make Him seem distant and inaccessible. Our own desires, rather than a feeling of “Thy will be done” (Matthew 6:10), create the feeling of a pavilion blocking God. God is not unable to see us or communicate with us, but we may be unwilling to listen or submit to His will and His time. We remove the pavilion when we feel and pray, “Thy will be done” and “in Thine own time.” His time should be soon enough for us since we know that He wants only what is best. The Lord’s delays often seem long; some last a lifetime. But they are always calculated to bless. They need never be times of loneliness or sorrow or impatience. Although His time is not always our time, we can be sure that the Lord keeps His promises. For any of you who now feel that He is hard to reach, I testify that the day will come that we all will see Him face to face. Artwork: "Faith is Holding Both" by Jenna Conlin

God Loves His Children: Every time I go somewhere, I think “Who does the Lord want me to see?” During my recent assignment to the Europe North Area, Christine and I joined nearly 1,500 young single adults gathered in from across Europe. We could feel their strength, hope, and commitment to the gospel. More specifically, I could hear the Lord reaching through me to try to communicate just how much the He loved each one them. Those feelings were real and profound. I know that God loves His children and one of the miracles of my calling is that I repeatedly feel that love pour through me as I teach and minister to others in His name.

To me, Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is something of a sacred place. Historically and spiritually, the adoption of the Declaration of Independence and the establishment of the Constitution of the United States led the way for religious liberty as the first freedom granted by the First Amendment. How grateful we are to celebrate what the Lord has done through wise men and women to bring about the privileges many now enjoy throughout the world.

Today we will meet with media from throughout California and guide them through the recently renovated San Diego California Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Soon, thousands will walk through the doors of the temple during an open house as we prepare for the August 23 rededication. It is an amazing blessing to see the Lord’s temples dotting the earth. I love the house of the Lord.