Seeking the true Church of Jesus Christ, 14-year-old Joseph Smith prayed in a grove of trees near his home in Palmyra, New York. In answer to his humble prayer, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ visited him and told him that he must not join any of the churches on the earth at that time.
Johnny Lingo, one of the sharpest traders in the south pacific islands decides to bargain for a wife, and offers a record price of eight cows for Mahana, a plain girl who shuns contact. This causes quite a sensation on the island. A year later Johnny and his wife return for the first time since the marriage, and all find that something miraculous has occurred to Mahana. Johnny explains that by paying eight cows he proved that she was worth more to him than any other woman on the island. He gave her a great gift, that of self-worth.
Jason just wants to get Thanksgiving dinner over with. However, that soon becomes impossible when he finds himself caught in a frustrating time loop.
On a cold winter morning Tav wakes his son Samuel at 4 A.M. to help with chores on the family farm. He sternly comments on Sam's work, such as napping while milking, or spilling a little milk, causing Sam to tell his mother how hard it is to please his father. She explains that Tav is just teaching him traits he will need as a man, and although his father loves him very much he finds it hard to express this in words. Sam admits to having the same problem. She says that there are unspoken ways to communicate love, and Sam volunteers, "Like Christmas presents ?" She agrees, but will not tell him how to select a special gift for his father. On Christmas morning Sam goes out to the barn alone (except for the cows, pigs, and chickens) to deliver his special gift in a setting very similar to where the very first Christmas gifts were bestowed.
Asking to leave a school bus, Cliff, a young teenager, collapses and dies in the snow near the roadside. His math teacher is asked to notify the parents and then write a short obituary. Although he barely knew him, his teacher is intent on unraveling the mystery of the untimely death.
This documentary shows Elaine Dart's success in dealing with cerebral palsy. Through perseverance and patience, she learns to use her feet to accomplish such intricate tasks as threading a needle, stringing beads, and knitting.
A young boy caught with his hand in the cookie jar tells a far-fetched tale to his mother about how he was abducted by aliens.
Scott starts work at a drive-in burger and ice cream restaurant when his paper route proves inadequate to raise the money he needs for a mail order karate course. He has determined that this course will help him gain the self-confidence he needs to get up the courage to call and ask Pam out to see a movie. Although at first just commenting on his mistakes, Becky, a co-worker, offers to help him make the crucial phone call. In the process Scott offers insights about how Joe is abusive in his relationship with Becky.
Jan and Penny are college roommates who disagree about what is appropriate dating behavior. Penny feels that Jan is a prude for not getting into the swing of the changing attitudes of the "second half of the 20th Century." Responding to the topic of petting, Jan says, "Why you make it sound as harmless as an extracurricular activity." One day Keith introduces himself to Jan in the library by helping her find a poem for their English literature class, and then asking her out to discuss it later. They hit it off immediately, and start enjoying sporting events, dancing, and studying together. Soon Jan is wearing Keith's frat pin. However, Keith's roommate Stan tells him that "Love has gotta include sex" and Penny is telling Jan the same thing. When Keith tips in this other direction one evening, Jan is hurt and will not go down this new path. Happiness lies along only one of the paths, and either Jan or Penny will soon find that their actions have brought regretful sorrow.
Emmett Smith, a competitive runner and high school track coach at Cortez High School in Phoenix, Arizona, is left without a sense of balance after a brain tumor is removed. He is told that he will never run again, but undaunted, he sets and meets a goal of not only regaining the ability to run, but to run 20 consecutive miles before a year has elapsed. Wheelchair-bound Cindy Duncan's determination gets her admitted to Apollo High School in Glendale, Arizona after she demonstrates that she will not need special attention. Coach Smith (now at Apollo) challenges her to meet the goal of recovering from her injuries (from being hit by a car) to the extent of being able to walk to the podium at graduation to receive her diploma. He bets that she can do it, and will have to wheel himself in her wheelchair the entire three miles to Cortez H.S. if she succeeds.
When released from jail, Eli, a father and a race car driver, struggles between his dreams of racing and his responsibility he feels for his family.
A father encourages a son to do things he couldn't when he was young, then he realizes his son has his own ambitions.
A documentary about the town of Mercur, Utah, and its history of mining.
A young boy mourns the loss of his grandfather, but is surprised when his grandfather comes back for a friendly visit.
To achieve her acting dream, Judy must get a pill that will give her the perfect smile.
Memories of Christmas, especially those of childhood long past, can bring both joy and sorrow. This depiction of one person's bittersweet recollections, set in a small 1930s western farming community, echoes with the excitement of anticipation, the comfort of beloved family traditions, and the years of regret for a moment of childhood cruelty.
Lethe, an elderly widow, trudges out to her mailbox each day in hopes of finding a letter from her family. Unfortunately they are too wrapped up in their own lives, and the mailbox remains empty. Her neighbors try to keep her company, but cannot take the place of her absent children. They contact her family about her loneliness and discover that a letter is finally coming--but it carries devastating news.
Marilyn and Doug are in love, thinking about the possibility of marriage, and are encouraged by the words and the example of married friends Michael and Shirley who after several years seem to still be honeymooners. However, their attitudes and expectations reflect their upbringing. He finds her folks on the bohemian side, and she finds his parents to be "Victorian." Marilyn's divorced roommate Esther (who is attending a class on marriage), advises finding common interests, but Doug finds Marilyn's modern dancing dull, and she feels the same way about his fishing. Perhaps more importantly, Marilyn wants a career as well as children and Doug thinks raising a family is a full-time occupation for a wife.
A lemming tries to protect his family from genocide.
A boy is tragically killed in a car accident. Will his father transform into a vengeful monster, or a forgiving wise man?
