Seeing Samson as a Messianic Prototype

Archaeological digs have uncovered mosaics and prayers suggesting Samson as an important messianic prototype in ancient Galilee. Samson of the Old Testament is revered for his strength and wit in his endeavors to deliver Israel from the Philistines. But his affair with Delilah made the biblical judge a controversial character,… Continue reading

3 Dos and Don’ts for Asking Effective Questions

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Do you use effective questions when teaching the gospel at church or at home? Imagine you are in Sunday School. Your teacher wants the discussion to go a certain direction that works with his or her notes, but also wants to ask a question to get people involved. In order to drive the discussion,… Continue reading

Engage in the Wrestle: Seeking Spiritual Answers

What is the difference between a doubter and a seeker? The answer is all in the wrestle. The world today seems to draw questions out of dark corners, blurring the lines of morality and casting shadows on the light of faith. When these questions arise, many people may feel uncertain… Continue reading

Ready for Revelation

Hearing from prophets, seers, and revelators can be more meaningful if we are spiritually prepared to receive their messages. Twice a year, the world has the opportunity to hear from leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in a two-day conference that is broadcast across the globe. Men… Continue reading

Understanding the Book of Mormon’s Translation

Though translating with a seer stone may seem odd, what matters most is that the Book of Mormon was translated by the power of God. Never-before-seen pictures of Joseph Smith’s first seer stone are found in “Joseph the Seer” in the October 2015 Ensign and Liahona. Assistant Church Historian Richard… Continue reading

A New Look at an Old Text: Viewing the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants Online

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Flip through an original copy of an 1835 version of the Doctrine and Covenants online and find amazing history in its pages. Looking for a new way to study the Doctrine and Covenants? The Joseph Smith Papers Project has made available a free online version of the 1835 Doctrine and… Continue reading

What Did Reformed Egyptian Characters in the Book of Mormon Look Like?

Want to see copies of original characters from the gold plates up close? Thanks to The Joseph Smith Papers, you can. From the moment Joseph Smith received the gold plates in 1827, he constantly had to protect them. The angel Moroni gave him specific instructions to keep them safe—not only from… Continue reading

Why Religion is More Than Just Church Attendance

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Research suggests that we can live more satisfied lives if we practice religion at home as well as through church attendance. Oftentimes attending church leaves us feeling enlightened and excited to put the principles we learned into action. But for me, bringing the gospel into my every day—not just Sunday—can… Continue reading

The Answer to Every Question: The Way, the Truth, and the Life

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No matter how difficult our questions may be, Jesus Christ can help us answer them through our faith. One of the greatest blessings we have in the latter days is access to the ideas of millions of other internet users. It has never been easier to learn from so many… Continue reading

How to Build a Boat to Handle Life’s Storms

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The storms of life can be plentiful and scary, but when we build a strong boat, even the biggest storms become easier to handle. One summer day at a beach in the Puget Sound, two of my brothers and I decided to build a makeshift boat. We borrowed some rope… Continue reading