Joseph Smith’s Handwritten Account of the First Vision

portrait of Joseph Smith Jr.

Joseph Smith’s 1832 account of the First Vision preserves personal and intimate details that are not recorded elsewhere. The only known account in Joseph Smith’s own handwriting of his early spiritual experiences—including the First Vision—are included in his 1832 personal history. This unique history can be read on The Joseph… Continue reading

Turn to the Source of Truth

an image of a book open on a rock in the woods

It is more important now than ever before to proclaim the truth of the Book of Mormon and “hearken unto these words and believe in Christ.”  We are currently living in the last days: political turmoil, widespread economic upheaval, and a world turning to sin more and more every day.… Continue reading

Children and Youth Program—Not Just for Kids

an image of a group of kids sitting on a rail by a river

Don’t let the name “Children and Youth” keep you from participating in this visionary, goal-setting program. A young mother asked if I was feeling overwhelmed with all the changes to the Church’s children and youth program. To be perfectly honest, I felt like I was off the hook because there… Continue reading

A Trial of Faith: The Beginning of Plural Marriage in Nauvoo

Nauvoo temple

Joseph Smith’s Nauvoo journals include brief references to the revelation about plural marriage that tried his faith and the faith of the Saints. How can we make sense of plural marriage or explain it to others? One place to begin is the introduction to Joseph Smith’s Nauvoo journals found on… Continue reading

How Managing Your Finances Can Help You Build God’s Kingdom

an image of a man holding a jar of money with a lot of coins

Managing your finances with the right perspective can make it a spiritual affair and help you build the kingdom of God.  When it comes to our financial lives, it can be easy to focus on ourselves, but managing our finances doesn’t have to be a selfish experience. In his devotional… Continue reading

How to Choose Faith Over Fear

an image of a person jumping off a cliff into the ocean

Sometimes, when we become overwhelmed, we allow fear to control us. Instead, we should choose to have faith in Jesus Christ so he can dispel our fears. Has the prospect of needing to change ever paralyzed you and kept you from moving forward? If so, you’re not alone. In Gregory… Continue reading

Generating Happiness, Rather than Just Consuming It

A womans smile

How can we find the road to happiness in our turbulent world? Happiness comes from righteousness, selflessness, service, and inner peace. In our constant search for happiness, we experience life’s endless ups and downs. While serving as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Elder James E. Faust  (1920–2007)… Continue reading

The Reality of Heavenly Mother

an image of a woman and a child are hugging in the woods

Knowing that we have a Heavenly Mother doesn’t just make sense, but it’s also incredibly comforting. We are literal children of our Heavenly Father. Because we know this to be true and because we know it takes two parents to make a child, it makes sense that he is not… Continue reading

4 Ways to Help Gather Israel

an image of a woman and a boy sitting in the grass

What does it mean to gather Israel? President Russell M. Nelson invites us to do four things to help us gather scattered Israel. Continue reading

 How to Keep Your Balance  

an image of a bicycle parked on a dirt road in the fog

Do we sometimes find ourselves losing our balance as we pedal our way through life? It seems that we’re always being pulled in a million different directions. As we ride through this life, it’s easy to let stress overcome the important balance in our lives.  Gary K. Palmer gave a… Continue reading