The Joseph Smith Papers: Preserving Precious History

writing on old page

The Joseph Smith Papers project is one of the most significant ongoing projects the Church has ever taken on to preserve its history. Find out how historians are making it happen.  Have you ever tried reading old family records? These records can be nearly impossible to read. The ink is… Continue reading

Becoming Like Christ

“It is the first principle of the Gospel to know for a certainty the character of God.” —Joseph Smith In “The Character of Christ,” Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles describes an experience he had years earlier while serving as a stake president. He was… Continue reading

We Have a Mother in Heaven

“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches that all human beings, male and female, are beloved spirit children of heavenly parents, a Heavenly Father and a Heavenly Mother.” Our Mother in Heaven is real but is rarely discussed in Mormon culture. A recent article on LDS.org, however, directly addresses… Continue reading

How Do I Know if I’m Good Enough?

“On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your spiritual confidence before God?” —Jörg Klebingat  We have all surely asked ourselves at some point, “How do I know if God is pleased with what I’m doing?” We know the commandments, but no matter how hard we strive… Continue reading

Joseph Smith and the Kirtland Temple

Kirkland temple in the fall

When God called Joseph Smith and the early Church members to build the Kirtland Temple, they obeyed and left us a legacy of temple work.  Joseph Smith knelt down in prayer when he was only a 14-year-old farm boy, hoping to receive forgiveness for personal sins and to receive some… Continue reading

Choosing Peace in the War of Controversy

“Both sides in big controversies . . . should seek to understand the other’s position and seek practical accommodations that provide fairness for all and total dominance for neither.” —Elder Dallin H. Oaks  With the recent legalization of gay marriage in the United States, The Church of Jesus Christ of… Continue reading

Reveling in Paradox

bee on flower

When it comes to your faith, don’t shy away from paradox—embrace it.  A honeybee is a dangerous creature. It can effectively poison its predators by stinging them, but not without losing its own life. Why does such a creature exist? Why did the process of natural selection not continue to… Continue reading

Leading As Christ Would

Jesus Christ with cream head scarf

Our mission as leaders in our families and communities is to actively apply the gospel of Jesus Christ in each of our daily interactions.   Powerful leaders have often left destruction and sadness behind them in their quest for control and power. But Jesus Christ, the perfect example and leader,… Continue reading

Before the Doctrine and Covenants

glasses on scriptures

The “Revelation Books” preceded what we now know as the Doctrine and Covenants. Thanks to these books, the path for publishing modern revelation was open.   As the prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Joseph Smith was given power by God to translate the golden plates… Continue reading

Judging Others—Just Stop It

people walking in a city.

“When it comes to hating, gossiping, ignoring, ridiculing, holding grudges, or wanting to cause harm, please apply the following: Stop it!”  Judging others—we all do it, whether we like to admit it or not. In a world full of people who are very different from you, it can be hard… Continue reading