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

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

Dealing with the Death of a Loved One

an image of a woman is looking out a window in the rain

I learned that losing a loved one, although incredibly painful, can be an opportunity for tremendous spiritual growth and joy as we come to truly understand our Father’s beautiful plan of happiness.   A few months ago, my roommate reached out to me in a time of need. Someone very… Continue reading

What Does It Mean to Be the “Seed of Abraham”?

dandelion seed

Often we are reminded that we are connected to the prophets of old, but how? And why does that matter? If you’ve ever tuned out at the words “seed of Abraham,” this article is for you. With modern-day advances in technology, transportation, and daily living, and the centuries that separate… Continue reading

I Thought the Lord Wasn’t Helping Me

girl by brick wall

A sister missionary learns that just because God was blessing someone else doesn’t mean he was not blessing her. In “Why Was I Not Being Blessed?”, featured in the September 2015 Ensign, Becky Young Fawcett discusses a concern facing many new missionaries—and many of the rest of us—today. When she… Continue reading

Teaching Tips from the Apostle Paul

A teacher stands at the front of his classroom with hymnbooks and scriptures on a table in front of him.

The Apostle Paul can help us learn to teach more like the Savior taught. Members of the LDS Church have numberless opportunities to teach, whether it’s as missionaries, in Sunday School, at home, or with friends. In the Ensign article “The Apostle Paul as Master Teacher,” Frank F. Judd Jr. and John Hilton… Continue reading

Elder Gary E. Stevenson Shares His Plain and Precious Testimony

Elder Stevenson

Elder Gary E. Stevenson, recently called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, plans “to focus not on what I can’t do but rather on what I can do. I can testify of the plain and precious truths of the gospel.” Elder Gary E. Stevenson was called to serve as the… Continue reading

How Is a New Apostle Called?

an image of a group of men sitting at a table

When a vacancy opens in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the process of choosing a new apostle is guided by heavenly inspiration. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is organized in the same way that Jesus Christ organized… Continue reading

Continue Walking Forward with Patience; God Will Work Out the Details

an image of a couple of people walking down a street

When life throws you unexpected turns—when everything seems to fall apart or answers don’t come—don’t give up! God is teaching you patience. As young adults, we face a lot of course-changing life choices. It can be difficult to turn to Heavenly Father with our questions when the answers seem to… Continue reading

The Power of Patience

an image of a clock sitting on a table next to a potted plant

Patience involves waiting for the Lord’s guidance, but it also includes acting with a positive attitude.  Hillary Olsen was sick and wasn’t getting better. She wanted a miracle, but all she heard was “we bless you with patience.” Her August 2015 article, “Patience: More Than Waiting,” was published in the… Continue reading