Author Archives: Candace Salima

Promise Me

Have you ever wondered what was going through our minds as we contemplated earth life from our lofty view in the heavens? Have you ever wondered if you quailed at certain tasks, man’s inhumanity to man, or Satan’s apparent influence over all the earth? Did you ever stop to think about the possibility that you would be so intelligent you may not learn to rely on the Lord as is necessary for our eternal salvation? Was it possible that you would explain away God with the frailties of mortal science? Did you look at your mortal life, laid before you … Continue reading →

Self-Control vs. Self-Indulgence

In a world so full of bright shiny things, it can be very easy to become distracted. I have long thought that the bulk of the world’s problems simply come from a complete lack of self-discipline. Greed – lack of self-discipline. Selfishness – lack of self-discipline. Crime – lack of self-discipline. Inhumanity – lack of self-discipline. Elder Richard G. Scott said: “Some of us at one time or another let the pressures of life or the false teachings of men cloud our vision, but when we see with clarity, the difference between the plan of God and that of Satan … Continue reading →

Children Who Leave Too Early and the Families Left Behind

For those of us who have suffered miscarriage, still born births or the early deaths of our children, the effects can be devastating, to say the least. For myself, as I suffered miscarriage after miscarriage I turned to the writings of modern prophets and apostles for comfort as I yearned to know if I would ever hold my children in my arms. The prophet, Joseph Smith, Jr., who also faced this very same heartbreak addressed this issue in the King Follett sermon and again in conversations to M. Isabella Horne and other sisters who had suffered these very same losses: … Continue reading →

Review of Nothing to Regret by Tristi Pinkston

Although relatively new to the game Tristi Pinkston is one of the foremost historical fiction writers in the LDS market with two books under her belt and six more on the way. Nothing to Regret was her first release and is the book I’m reviewing today. Uniquely, Tristi, a perfectly delightful woman, wrote this book in masculine first person. It worked. She skillfully takes the reader into the beginnings of WWII in the Pacific Rim through the eyes of a young Japanese American, Ken Sugihara. Through no fault of his own, other than his nationality, Ken, along with his parents, … Continue reading →

Interview with NBC’s East Coast Sportscaster, Vai Sikahema – Part 4

7. As a husband, what is the greatest measure of your success? That my wife loves me and I’m still madly in love with her. We’ve just passed that threshold where we’ve spent over half of our lives with each other. She was 18 and I was 21 when we met and married. Today, she’s 40 and I’m 43. We’ll celebrate our 22nd wedding anniversary in July. I’m sometimes amazed that we married so young, but that’s just part of the culture in the Church. When a young man returns from his mission, he’s counseled to marry and start a … Continue reading →

Interview with NBC’s East Coast Sportscaster, Vai Sikahema – Part 3

I don’t about you, but I’m inspired by the strength, humility and righteousness of this man – I know I already mentioned it before, but hey, it bears repeating again. Here is more of his interview. 5. You served a mission in South Dakota, predominantly among the peoples of the Sioux Nation. Can you share some experiences of what that was like and how it helped you to grow? When I left on my mission in February of ’82, I had played two seasons for BYU. As an 18-year-old freshman, I returned a punt 83 yards in the 1980 SMU … Continue reading →

Interview with NBC’s East Coast Sportscaster, Vai Sikahema – Part 2

And so we continue our interview with Vai Sikahema with questions on his chosen professions. 3. You’ve had great success in your chosen professions, first as a football player and now as a sportscaster. You played on a national championship team (BYU 1984), you played for the NFL and now you are a successful sportscaster for NBC in the Philadelphia area. What do you think has played the largest role in your successes and why? I suspect because my parents didn’t have a college education, and they constantly shared with us their frustration of having to work menial jobs – … Continue reading →

BBQs, Family and Friends

Last Saturday we had a wonderful experience. As I have mentioned in past blogs, my husband had an extended stay in the hospital, five-and-a-half weeks to be exact. So many friends and family were with us daily, supporting us, loving us and encouraging us through roughest of times. There were days when my husband’s life hung in the balance and I was unsure whether that night would be the last time I would see him. My faith is strong, my understanding of the Plan of Salvation is strong. But nevertheless, my heart quailed at the thought of continuing my mortal … Continue reading →

And the Meek Shall Inherit the Earth

“But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” Psalms 37:11 In a good world, the meek and gentle would be able to remain so. I know so many who are beyond gentle, sweet and humble and sadly, are the targets of predators worldwide. Too often, the sweetest of people end up with those who do not protect, but simply ravage. For a personality such as mine, which is warrior-like to say the least, it fills me with so much frustration and rage that Satan and those under his power trample underneath brutal … Continue reading →

Why is Chastity So Important?

First, may I say how privileged I feel to be in association with the young men and young women of our church? My husband and I, within one month of marriage, were given charge of the 12-year-old Sunday School class in our new ward. The expressions of condolence and worry from ward members were puzzling as we walked from the chapel, apparently the children had gone through a number of teachers in the previous year. Alvin and I fell in love with those children and have continued to do the same with every class we’ve taught since that day. We … Continue reading →