The February issue of the Liahona has several articles to help us understand the needs of members who are incarcerated and their families.
- “Compassion for Those Affected by Crime and Incarceration.”
- “Ministering to Those Who Are Incarcerated.” The worth of a person’s soul is not diminished by crime.
- “A Message of Hope for Those Who Are Incarcerated.” God’s light can be a part of your future.
- “How My Husband’s Incarceration Affected Our Family.” Friends, family, priesthood leaders, and the Lord helped us make it through this painful season.
- “Finding Healing after My Dad Was Incarcerated.” When my dad went to prison, I felt like I could never forgive him, but the Savior helped me change my heart.
- “Crime, Incarceration, and the Worth of a Soul.” I’ve seen how the gospel can change lives within prison walls.
I have volunteered as a family home evening companion. Having worked with many wonderful men. During that time I asked one man to give a lesson on Grace. It was the most beautiful and inspiring lesson. I also assisted in helping with genealogy. Some men Would spend all the time allowed working in there. I enjoyed so much being there. But with the pandemic we are not allowed to go back. I also might mention the amazing choir they had. Two times a year they put on amazing programs. I also was able to sub for a choristers a few times. I only had to watch because one of the prisoners had been a music teacher. Oh they were good. It made me sad that because of the work satan does a person can make a mistake that changed his life forever. I hope we will soon be back volunteering again. I may be 80 but I have a lot of life left and I hope to do that volunteering.
I have a family member with this condition; he is in a federal prison for a great number of years. I write him letters once a month and we talk about things that may be of interest to him. He enjoys reading history magazines about the various wars; we have in our history. I am also interested in that. I send them on to him. Apparently magazines are almost a coin of exchange inside the federal peniterary system. About a month ago I got a letter from him telling me that he had a person in the next cell that was Korean and he wished he had a Book of Mormon in Korean. The missionaries came over the very next day and we got talking and I mentioned my “friend” and his cell mate’s desire. The missionaries said “I can fix that”! The next day they brought over a B of M in Korean and I mailed it along. Hopefully he will get it. small postage expense but certainly a large moment of service for one of our brethren that needs just a little bit of service. I can do that!