The Power of Good Music

We're big music lovers in this house. We love GOOD, wholesome music. Bad music has just as powerful an effect in the opposite.

I found this experiment intriguing. In this case, it shows the good power of good music. I love what the researcher said, "Music is the quickening art," and "He's re-acquired his identity through the power of music."

Take a look!




Imagine the power good music can have.

Happy Easter!

We know He lives and through Him we will all live again!

Toga Party and Temples -- In Memoriam, Carr Smith

One of my friends from high school, Michelle Smith Tobey, lost her dad this week. An incredible father of four passed away suddenly following a massive heart attack.

As requests came for great memories, I shared this one.

If you knew Carr Smith, feel free to share your memories here: www.carrsmith.org

In the mean time, here's the memory I shared: carrsmith.org/toga-parties-and-temples/

I met the Smith Family sometime in 2001, as a sophomore in high school. I had a class with Michelle, so we had regular “study sessions” for our AP Euro History exams. Many of them took place in the Smith’s basement. We’d have movie parties (history movies, mind you), and I always loved coming over.

Occasionally, group dates took me to the Smith home, and it was always fun to see Carr tease/scare/intimidate some new and unsuspecting boy. I quickly learned the scare factor was a facade.

A toga party dance brought us to the Smith Family dining room table. Menus were printed in Greek, and I was feeling quite impressed with the preparation. Decked out in children’s bed sheets, we had some sort of activity while, as Carr put it, “The duck was basting.” Every few minutes, he would come back and tease us a little more. While the girls stifled their giggles, we young, naive (but brave) boys began to give each other anxious looks. What was this Greek meal going to be anyway?

Imagine our relief when Carr burst through the door into the dining room, with smile as big as his heart, carrying a silver platter adorned with food from Wendy’s (a classic among us friends). Our Greek meal was even better than I could have imagined. I could not have been more relieved.

Through the years, my contact with the Smiths slowed, as I served a mission and Michelle got married. Every once in a while, it was always a treat to run into them at the store or elsewhere.

So imagine my delight when, in 2008, I ran into them at the Rexburg Temple dedication–and they remembered me!

I’ll always carry those fond memories of Carr, for they are some of the choicest. I know I’ll remember them and relive them through the coming years, and I’m sure I’ll share the duck story with friends. And someday, when I have a teenage daughter, I hope I can playfully intimidate her young suitors and then, with as much love and ease as Carr had, become their friendand make them feel comfortable in my home.

Heather and I send our thoughts, love and prayers!

Much love,
Jared Smart

Come Listen to Living Prophets

If you're not planning on tuning in to hear what the living prophets have to say, I invite you to. You'll be grateful you did. Your life will be enriched. I promise.

Le Temple Mormon en France

A friend shared this link with me this morning. I could not be more excited. Temples are fundamental to the belief of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I spent 2 years in France sharing my beliefs, including the belief that marriages performed in sacred temples allow families to be together forever, and that family relationships can perpetuate beyond the grave--thanks to temple ordinances and covenants we make therein.

This link provides some information on the temple slated to be built in Le Chesnay, just outside of Versailles, France.



For more on temples, you can click here. Or just contact me.

Deseret Book Coupon

Hey Friends,

This time of year, it always feels good to get a great deal. With that in mind, I wanted to pass along to you some special offers prepared especially for the “Friends and Family” of Deseret Book.

There are a couple of coupons -- including $5 off your entire purchase or 20% off any calendar or Christmas item.

Just follow the link below, or type it into your address bar to access the coupon savings. All Coupons are good through Saturday December 17th and can be redeemed at any Deseret Book store, online at DeseretBook.com or over the phone at 1-800-453-4532.

I hope that these coupons will provide you with some welcome savings as you complete your Christmas shopping this year.

Have a Merry Christmas!

www.deseretbook.com/friendsandfamily

p.s. If you're on Facebook, be sure to say thanks and "Like" the Deseret Book Flagship Store Facebook page