Little Things Make A Difference

I became a member in 2003 same year I married my eternal husband. I bought my first CTR ring, and one of my brothers came from Samoa for a holiday, he saw my ring and asked what C.T.R. stood for. I told him it means Choose The Right and explained to him that in our lives we have many temptations but we should always know what's right an what's wrong and we must then Choose The Right. My brother went back home and took the CTR ring of mine with him. In December of 2005 I heard great and exciting news that my brother decided to join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It was a blessing from above. I cried with tears of joy knowing in my heart that just that little talk I had with my brother about the CTR changed his whole life. I would like to share with all the brothers and sisters out there that no matter what you say or do; it's the little things that make a difference. I leave this with you all in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Agnes Galuega
Carlingford NSW, Australia

A Grandmother And Her Missionary

I am a grandmother. Through out the years I have given CTR rings to my primary classes, my grandchildren. The children are excited to receive a CTR ring and want to do what is right. They are usually troubled when they loose their little adjustable ring. Now I am a grandmother of a new missionary. He requested a "designer" CTR ring before he left on his mission. What a wonderful surprise for him when he receives this beautiful ring. What a feeling in my heart to have a grandson out on a mission. He expressed how glad he was that his family suggested he go on a mission and that he would be a changed person when he returns. Life is good.

Patricia Wood
Lexington, KY

A Reminder To Do Better

I come from a very inactive family; I struggle a lot trying to obey the commandments and am trying to get my life in order. I started wearing my old CTR ring and it helps remind me to do better in my life. I have a friend that is struggling and I’m thinking she needs a daily reminder to do better and to choose the right.

Anonymous

CTR Leads To CTR

As a Temple worker in the Monticello Temple, we like to refer to the CTR rings as "Current Temple Recommend" .......choosing the right leads to worthiness for a current Temple Recommend!

Georgia Hamblin
Moab, UT

A Bond Between 2 Sons

When my oldest Son left for his mission his brother next younger to him gave him a Return With Honor ring to wear so he would always remember the importance of the task he faced and that it was his duty to return with honor as he was setting an example for his two younger brothers and sister. When the second son left for his mission recently his older brother made arrangements to send him the same kind of ring he received from him. It is a small thing but these rings have formed a bond between these two sons that go deeper than the silver they are made from. What a blessing to have my two sons serving at the same time.

Audrey Vary
Sault Sainte Marie, MI

Everyday!

I met a friend online who was very skeptical of our religion, and she decided to ask me questions about it in a teasing manner. She ended up taking discussions and she and her mom ended up getting baptized, and I had never even met her! As a gift I sent her a CTR ring and she wears it everyday!

Anonymous

The Moment I Chose The Right

There was about 11 years of truth, ignorant to my eyes, yet it only took one moment to change my life. I moved to Arizona about 11 years ago, one of the first friends I made was Jentry, a member. She took me to Achievement Days where I met Megan, who eventually invited me to camp. This summer Carly invited me to church. I'd been before but never really paid much attention. After attending the LDS church the next week, at my church, I realized that I didn't believe in what they were saying; I was lost & didn't really know who I was. Ben (a friend) had just returned from his mission halfway through this summer. We weren't good friends, so he was utterly surprised when he saw me. After speaking at a fireside, he came to me & started asking about my beliefs & I told him what I had been up to recently. He set up lessons with the missionaries for me & I soon realized that my research was leading me to a dead end, because my answer was in front of me the whole time, I just hadn't realized it. Not too long after was I baptized. If you haven't noticed, most of my friends are LDS & they thought it was about time. I was baptized the weekend before my 1st year of college so I had to not only experience being 3 hours from home, attend a school on my own, without any good friends beside me, leave a lot of friends & families from the church & back home who loved me, but to experience my new membership (being the only in my family). The LDS members at my school and the support from home, made it easy to transition. I received many calls from them a week into school, before my first Sunday, just to introduce themselves. It's been a month and a half & I've made so many friends & I read & pray every night. I look back on my decision often & know that I haven't been happier, just because of that one moment. It was then I realized who I was, it was the moment I found myself. The moment... I Chose The Right.

Ali Hayes
Tuscon, AZ

Spinner CTR Ring

Hello!! I bought a spinning chain ring last fall and I truly loved it. It really helped me out. I am recovering from an eating disorder, exercise disorder and other anxiety disorders, but having my ring on and being able to spin it, allowed me to remember that I had it on. It led me to look at myself and to see if what I was doing, and if it was taking me closer to Christ or farther away. I loved that ring and what it stood for, for me. It is very important to me to have the Savior close on my side, to recover from these challenges that I have been given. Thank you for the ring and the support!

Trevor Steiner
Idaho Falls, ID

CTR in the Classroom

I am a public elementary school teacher and about 10 years ago I started giving rings to my students. Being in a school setting does not allow me to talk of the gospel, but this is my way of helping my students Choose the Right in school and my hope is that someone from the church will see them wearing the ring sometime and ask them about it and that may lead into a gospel opportunity. I give them the inexpensive ring to start with, but then I allow them to buy rings from me that cost up to $21.00. They buy them with Funny Money, which is my economy system within my classroom. This year we departmentalized and so I actually see 80 students a day now, and they are all wanting CTR apparel. I sell them the CTR rings, key tags, necklaces, bracelets, charms, etc. It may be a small attempt, but I see it bringing great rewards down the road.

Randy Bland
Indianapolis, IN

Powerful Symbols

I can't say that I have a particularly extraordinary story about my CTR ring other than the fact that as a secondary education teacher I like to help demonstrate my devotion to my beliefs. I like to have it especially when traveling around the world and it being brought up in a casual conversation. It is always a great opportunity to share with others what I truly believe in. Symbols are powerful, but symbols through example are even more powerful.

Patrick Egan

Clearfield, UT

NEW CTR RINGS!

Just to let everyone know... we have added 12 BRAND NEW CTR rings on our website!

Shooting Star

I bought one of your rings about a year and a half ago, the shooting star one. I was wearing it on my flight to Pennsylvania this summer, and I sat next to a woman who loved stars. Through wearing my ring, her inquiring, and my faith I was able to share the gospel and give her a Book of Mormon. During that same trip I lost my ring at the beach, I just hope that one day someone will find it on the beach and the Lord will help them find His church!

Ellie Murphy
Salt Lake City, UT

A Personal Symbol

I've had my CTR ring for many years and although the letters are faded off completely, I wear it everyday and it continues to be a symbol of my standards and goals. I remember one instance where I was at a store and went to the register to buy my items and noticed the employee wearing a ring very similar to mine. I asked him where he had gotten his CTR ring. When He replied he looked confused and said it wasn't a CTR ring. His father had made it personally for him. He ended up asking me what a CTR ring was and I told him a little about how our church uses the letters to remind us of who we want to be. Although it was a short conversation, I have become more conscious of my ring and more determined to be a personal symbol to those around me to Choose The Right.

Lacey Huffaker
Springville, UT

New York Mormon

My name is Susan Fowler and I guess you could say I'm a New York Mormon.

I've always considered myself blessed because I have always known that there was a loving God and with that knowledge came also the sure feeling that there must be a path, a way that was planned for me to know this God.

I spent most of my life as a seeker. I wanted to find that path.

As a child I was brought up by my mother to be a member of a certain church. I followed that teaching although I knew in my heart it was not the right one. When I was old enough to make my own decisions I left that church and set out on my quest.

It was a journey of many years that led my through the full spectrum of religious beliefs and value systems. I usually tell people that I have "auditioned" as many churches, ashrams, synagogues, mosques and temples as I could find. I have been methodized and calvinated. I have danced with the krishnas and chanted with the buddhists. I have quaked and shaked but drew the line at donning a veil.

In all those many trials and errors I never felt that I had found my God. I NEVER felt the desire to join these groups; I never felt the Spirit.

I guess the New York part of me required that I keep going and trying to see for myself; and to reserve commitment until I had found the absolute truth.

I KNEW that the path was there somewhere and it was my desire, my duty to myself and my God to find it.

AND I DID. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

I love my CTR ring because it is symbol of my quest and the great reward that Heavenly Father has given me.

Susan Fowler

New York, NY

A Child Role Model

I purchased my CTR ring in July of 2007, right before my Baptism in September. I was so proud of my ring and didn't want to ever take it off!! A very close friend of mine, who helped me with my Baptism, had her little girl (9 yrs old) look at my ring. She fell in love with it! When in church, she sat next to me and told me how proud she was that she was in the "True Church", and that she had just made money with an extra chore....she had her Tithings in a baggie (all change of course).....and was beaming!! I told her that she was a "Beautiful Child of Heavenly Father" and I was lucky to have such a great role model!! She was very taken back by my comment...how can a grown up have a younger role model? I explained to her that we are all children of God...and that we can all learn from each other...no matter the age....she smiled...I smiled...and gave her my ring. That was a year ago....she still has yet to take it off!!

Suzette Robedeau
Las Vegas, NV

CTR means "Current Temple Recommend"

I am a member of the Provo Utah Grandview Stake and attended our regional conference today. There were over 135 stakes from Wasatch and Utah counties that attended the broadcast transmitted via satellite from the Marriott Center on BYU campus. In attendance was Ann Dibb, member of the Young Women General Board and daughter of President Monson, President Packer, President Utchdorf, and stake presidents from the BYU and Student stakes in the Provo and Orem areas.

The setting of the conference was a little less formal than a General Conference of the church, which made it fun to hear the general authorities of the church cracking more jokes than typical as they addressed thousands of members.

President Jensen, a stake president of the area gave a touching talk about being kind and caring to others. Sister Dibb talked about finding the “real” things in life; including finding real relationships, and real happiness. President Packer talked about missionary work, missionaries, and how we can help those that are of age and have not yet decided to serve, make that important decision to serve. He also stated that there were over 4400 missionaries serving from our region, and that there are enough missionaries currently serving to fill the Marriott Center two and a half times! That was awesome to hear!

Ever since Elder Utchdorf has been serving as a General Authority of the church, I always try to pay special attention to his talks. He has quickly become one of my favorites to listen to and learn from; his talk today was equally as inspiring to me. He gave the members of the church 3 “Tips to succeed in the lifelong conversion process”. They were: study the word of God daily, carry a current temple recommend, and speak with your Father in heaven daily.

One thing he said that I particularly enjoyed was the analogy he made with the meaning of the letters CTR. He acknowledged that CTR means “Choose the Right” but also mentioned that it can have another meaning, “Current Temple Recommend”. What a great reminder to have on my finger everyday! Whenever I put on my CTR ring, I am going to make sure that it becomes my reminder to always CTR and also live worthy to carry a CTR.

I hope that we, as members of the Lord’s true church, can always have the goal to CTR, whatever it may mean to you in your personal life. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Brandon Young, Admin
Provo, UT

Door Opener

Wearing the CTR ring is inspiring to me as a reminder of what we're here for on this earth to do and have a chance to teach the gospel to others. It is a door opener people ask what CTR means, expecting it to be initials of my wife or some other meaning. But when I tell them it means “choose the right” they are impressed and think it’s cool and it strengthens my testimony every chance I have to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Lynn

Las Vegas, NV

Class Project

I have had a lot of missionary experiences with my CTR ring, and here is just one. For one of our class projects we had to make a poster on our culture and one of the things we had to include in the poster was our religion. So on my poster I put a picture of a CTR ring, and I pointed out my ring on my finger and I told everyone what it meant. Then everyone started pointing it out on my finger as I walked in the hallway or they would ask to look at it and would sometimes ask me other questions about the church. From then on I had more courage to share the gospel and my friends respected my standards more and knew more about the church. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to share some of my gospel light.

Ana Hady

100 CTR Rings!

We introduced a CTR ring "Wear and Share" program with our primary kids at the beginning of the year with the goal to give away 100 CTR rings by the end of the year.

To start, we made sure each of the children had one, and emphasized the importance of keeping it on their finger. Even the teachers got rings and wore them. Every Sunday, we took some time in opening exercises and let the children share any experiences they had in which a friend, neighbor or classmate noticed their ring and asked about it.

The kids shared what CTR stood for, and that it helped them remember to make good choices. After they shared their experience, we gave them a ring to give to their friend. Some kids were giving out 3 rings in one week. It took only about 3 months to give away 100 rings in our small community!

Allison Bevans

Monmouth, OR

CTR Ring for a Friend

My best friend in, the most amazing guy I know, was having trouble.. I found out on accident that he had problems with porn - he left a video on his computer and forgot about it, so when I went to do homework over at his house, things didn't go well.

I talked to my mom, who converted to the church when she was 18 and she said that I should teach him about the gospel and why that was wrong. A few weeks later I heard that Kirby Heyborne was going to be at our local Deseret Book store, so I went to meet him.

While I was there I purchased Sons of Provo, which Kirby signed. When I went home I watched the movie and the one part that stuck out to me was the part where Kirby's character talked about his CTR Ring and how it "keeps him where he needs to be." So I decided to drive back to Deseret Book and find the perfect CTR Ring for my best friend.

When I found it, I put it on a chain and gave it to him as a reminder to make the right decision. Now he wears it around his neck every day, and when I ask him if he's having any trouble, he always says, "You know, whenever I wear this ring around my neck, I'm not tempted to do that. It's like it's making me do the right thing."

Julia Kelley

Carnation, WA

A Simple Reminder

Well, to start off, I absolutely LOVE my ring. It fits perfectly and I can wear it with just about anything. Because of this, I have a reminder of what I should be doing whenever any little temptation might arise. I simply just look down at the ring (much more pleasant to look at) if there is immodesty or any other random thing that Satan might throw my way. Beside all of that, it looks great!

Jason Fisher
Blackfoot, ID

Music Class Friend

I would like to share my story about my missionary experience while wearing one of your CTR rings.

I felt really strongly about getting a new one when my old ring got to small. I couldn't wait to get my new ring, and finally the day came. I was so excited I showed it to all my LDS friends. After all the hype died down and the ring became a normal thing on my finger I loved it still and always wore it.

Then one day in a Music Appreciation class one of my non-member friends asked what that was on my finger, and what it stood for. As I told him, I felt the spirit guiding me to go further and further. Soon it became an everyday thing to talk about our church and what he did and didn't know.

Eventually I was able to give him a Book of Mormon and he came to church with me every once in a while. Unfortunately i had to move, but as I check up every once in a while he still goes regularly to church and mutual. I was so very happy to have been able to help God's work be fulfilled.

Marcus Harding
Casa Grande, AZ

A Found Ring

I got my first "real" (you know - not the adjustable ones that we get in primary) CTR ring on my 12th Christmas as a gift from my mom. I wore that ring through middle school, high school, and through my mission, into the years after my mission, and still wear that same ring now.

I remember when I was serving as a missionary in Spain, Madrid one day my companion and I decided to make some brownies for a less-active member in our area. We had been out knocking doors that morning and planned on going in just before our "medio dia" siesta time to make these brownies. When we got to our apartment, I remember taking some garbage that was in my pocket out of my pocket and also taking my ring off my finger to make these brownies.

When we finished making the brownies, before we left to deliver the brownies I grabbed everything I set on the counter (including my CTR ring and the garbage I had taken out of my pocket) and put it back in my pocket, with the intention to throw it in a garbage can en route to visit this particular member. When we passed a garbage can, I took everything out of my pocket and threw it away, not realizing my CTR ring was there with the garbage I was going to toss.

We made the visit, and upon returning to our apartment for meido dia, I realized I didn't have my CTR ring, but could not remember where I had put it. I looked all over the apartment. In the bathroom, the kitchen, our study room, EVERYWHERE, and I could not remember where I had put it.

After 30 minutes of looking, and realizing the intrinsic value the ring had to me being a Christmas gift from my mother, I knew I had to find it. It wasn't until that moment that I realized that I had to pray to find this ring. I knelt down and started to pray, and even before I finished my prayer, it hit me like a ton of bricks... I HAD THROWN THE RING IN THE TRASH CAN! To my excitement, I went and grabbed my companion and took him back out to the street we walked to get to the member's house. Amazingly, I knew the EXACT trashcan I threw it in, and sure enough, it was there.

Through this experience and many others like it, I have grown to learn to always choose the right and trust in the power of prayer. I am so grateful for this experience and that I still have my CTR ring. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Brandon Young
Provo, UT