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48951

20+ Nativities from Around the World to Display in Your Home

LDS Living Staff - While Christmas traditions vary widely from country to country, there is one small tradition that you'll see almost anywhere in the world the birth of the Savior is celebrated: the Nativity. Below, we've compiled some of our favorite nativities, inspired by other countries—all made from unique materials, with unique cultural perspectives on that sacred and silent night. Cambodia Buy Now Cambodia Buy Now Cambodia Buy Now Uganda Buy Now Arctic Buy Now Zimbabwe Buy Now Bolivia Buy Now Guatemala Buy Now Peru Buy Now Peru Buy Now Peru Buy Now Peru Buy Now Peru Buy Now Madagascar Buy Now Kenya Buy...

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Listen: The Remarkable Way Michelle Schmidt Knew Her Daughter Annie Had Died Long Before Her Body Was Found

LDS Living - During the search for Annie Schmidt, her mother, Michelle, was often criticized online for seeming to be unemotional about her daughter’s disappearance. But in the newest episode of All In , Michelle Schmidt, author of the recently release book Carried,  explained why this was the case, and that even on the first day of the search, she knew her daughter had already passed away. In this episode, Michelle is joined by Jon Schmidt, her husband and pianist for The Piano Guys, and All In  host Jamie Armstrong. JA: Michelle, you write in your book about a spiritual experience you had. I...

48781

How Finding the Restored Gospel Helped One Atheist Find Herself and Her Faith

Haley Kumar-Allen - In November 2016, I joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter­-day Saints. It was the best, and I mean the best, decision I have ever made in my life. I went to church for the first time with an old friend from high school in February of 2016. We hadn’t talked for eight years and hadn’t been close since we were living in Thailand as teenagers. Still, I reached out to her amidst a deep bout of despair that I was experiencing after a long night of partying at the bars in DC. I was out, it was 3 a.m.,...

48650

How a Life-Threatening Emergency Helped One Woman Understand Heartbreak and Healing

Kris Belcher, excerpted from "In His Hands" - I’m normally the one who jokes around and finds the humor during difficult situations. But recently I experienced a challenge in which I did very little laughing and a whole lot of weeping. I was hospitalized twice in one month with a systemic staph infection. The staph lodged itself in my backside, which prevented me from moving much. Man, talk about pain in the bum! I was in constant and severe pain for weeks, and no medication sufficiently alleviated my agony. I hurt so bad for so long that I began to wonder if I would ever heal. There were so...

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The Thanksgiving This Latter-day Saint Decided to Turn Himself in to Jail

Jason F. Wright - The following  story was originally published on Jason F. Wright's blog in 2015  and has been republished with permission. On Thanksgiving night in 2008, Taylor Richards of Sandy, Utah, sat in his dark car a few miles from his parents’ home. He was exhausted, cold, 25 years old, and a raging alcoholic. He was also alone. This wrong kind of silent night was interrupted by a phone call from his brother Spencer. A few minutes later, they sat together in the front seat of his Subaru wagon and ate turkey and stuffing on paper plates. “I knew I needed to do...

48567

When Spending Time with Your Spouse Can Become a Bad Thing

Brent A. Barlow, adapted from "Twelve Traps in Today's Marriage and How to Avoid Them" - I firmly believe that many married couples today unknowingly get into situations—traps, if you will—that can be harmful to marriage. This may be out of ignorance, apathy, or innocence, or any combination of the three. One such trap is the idea of “togetherness.” Too Much Togetherness The irony about togetherness is that it is a double trap. The one side of the trap is having too little togetherness—a lack of bonding or couple identity. The other equally devastating side of the trap is that we can become too close, too bound together in our marriage. Too much togetherness can be destructive....

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How a Church Member Helped Shape Mickey Mouse (+6 Other Latter-day Saint Ties to Disney)

Jamie Armstrong - November 18, 2018, is Mickey Mouse's 90th birthday! Check out this little-known story about how the iconic mouse was influenced by a Latter-day Saint. Did you know that Mickey Mouse wasn't always the kind, compassionate role model we know today? In the early days, Mickey was quite the violent troublemaker. His gradual change to the gentle, caring character we now know and love was significantly influenced by the man who was in charge of the Mickey Mouse comic strip for 45 years: Church member Floyd Gottfredson. Image from  fantagraphics.com Gottfredson was hired by Walt Disney in 1929 to train in animation,...

48689

7 Technological Tools to Help You Better Minister to Your Families

Michelle Wilson - My cell phone lights up. I’m being ministered to. But it hasn’t always been like that. The early members of the Relief Society were limited in their ability and scope to reach others. Their visits were by foot, sometimes by horse, showing up at members’ homes, collecting and delivering goods. Before 1876, there was no telephone and no steam engine. A Relief Society sister’s circle of influence was typically a few-mile radius, and in consideration of the weight of their daily work just to live, these visits could have been considered great sacrifices of time and resource. Today, we might think...

10313

FHE: Priorities

Shauna Gibby - Conference Talk: For more information on this topic read “Of Regrets and Resolutions,” by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Nov. 2012, 21. Thought: "The more we devote ourselves to the pursuit of holiness and happiness, the less likely we will be on a path to regrets" (President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Of Regrets and Resolutions,” Ensign , Nov. 2012, 21.) Song: “I Will Follow God’s Plan,” Children’s Songbook , p. 229. Scripture: "But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will...

49014

Ask a Latter-day Saint Therapist: Should I Go to My Daughter’s LGBTQ Wedding?

Jonathan Decker, LMFT - For daily gospel-based relationship insights, join Jonathan’s  Facebook group . To submit a question for Jonathan,  click here .  Q:  We have a daughter that has told us she is gay. She is now getting married to her partner. She wants us to be there, but I am conflicted. Love her and want to be there, but wonder if by being there I am telling her I support her choice that goes against God's laws. What would you suggest is the right thing to do?  A: I appreciate you phrasing it “what would you  suggest is the right thing to do?”...

49013

How the Spirit Led One Latter-day Saint to Save a Woman from the Camp Fire

Danielle B. Wagner - As 52,000 people fled their homes as the deadliest fire in California history raged around Paradise, California, one Latter-day Saint drove toward the flames. Reserve Deputy Sheriff Charlie Harrison* was in Chico, California, when he heard at 8:30 a.m. that evacuations had been ordered for his hometown of Paradise. Though off-duty, Harrison immediately jumped in his car and traveled toward the smoke and blaze that would soon consume his home. "I went to my house, put on my uniform, and went straight to the nearest intersection . . .  and started helping out the other deputies that were directing traffic," Harrison...

49010

Church Changes Recommendation Process for Missionaries to Allow More to Serve, More Flexibility

Newsroom - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced changes to the recommendation process for young missionary candidates. These expanded opportunities will allow more young people to serve as missionaries in various capacities that meet their personal needs or circumstances. A letter was sent to Church leaders on November 16 to share these changes. Beginning January 2, 2019, all young men and women in the United States and Canada — including those who may not be able to serve a proselyting mission due to health reasons — will use the same online recommendation process. They will complete recommendation forms, participate...

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Watch: Church Releases Heartbreakingly Beautiful “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing”

LDS Living Staff - The Mormon Channel recently released a gorgeous rendition of BYU Noteworthy's “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.” The song accompanies a heartbreakingly beautiful video depicting a strained mother-daughter relationship as the two cope with the loss of their husband and father. The hopeful message of the song brings the story full-circle and emphasizes the importance of love, forgiveness, and faith.  For more inspiring music from BYU's Noteworthy, check out their compilation of hymns and inspiring music, How Sweet the Sound. ...

48977

Watch: Piano Guys' Breathtaking “A Million Dreams” from “The Greatest Showman”

LDS Living - The Piano Guys just released a new music video featuring Jon Schmidt's rendition of “A Million Dreams” from The Greatest Showman . The powerful video shows a young, hopeful pianist dreaming of the day he’ll play in front of an audience. The gorgeous song and inspiring message in the video are uplifting, powerful, and a great reminder that you can make any dream come true.  To get more inspiring music from the Piano Guys, check out their new album Limitless   or their holiday album, Christmas Together . ...

47124

How Latter-day Saints Have Influenced Each of the 50 States

Jon Cooper - After its organization in 1830, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints traveled across the United States. Whether they serve as the birthplaces for their leaders or the sites of wondrous miracles, each of the 50 states has a footprint left by Latter-day Saints. Alabama Many early missionaries frequently passed through Alabama, but for one missionary, this state was not a checkpoint but a destination. When 17-year-old Elder John Brown arrived in ragged clothing, the community gathered to mock him. However, his testimony brought the crowd to a stunned silence and caused them to treat him very well...

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Would You Rather: Latter-day Saint Culture Edition

LDS Living - Members of the Church have a lot of unique practices and traditions when it comes to culture. From ward potluck foods to party planning, this is how your favorite things in Church culture stack up with Latter-day Saints around the world.  ...

48997

Julie B. Beck on Becoming Who the Lord Wants Us to Become (+ Podcast)

Deseret News - The following is part of a transcript for the  Deseret News  podcast "Therefor, what?" Listen to the podcast below or  view the full transcript on deseretnews.com . BM: I'm going to dive right into the book portion. It's broken into three segments, which I just love: identity, purpose, and joyful living. And starting with identity, because I do think that's something that a lot of people struggle with today, really getting that connection, and you start this section, you share a lot of your experiences from down in Brazil. So tell us a little bit about that JB: Our identity really...

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Latter-day Saint Children's Choir Sings for Singapore's President, New Temple Gets an Angel Moroni + More

Newsroom - After 85 years, Jamiyah Singapore, a Muslim missionary and welfare organization, invited a children's choir from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to participate in one of its signature charity events in its calendar—an event where the president of Singapore would be in attendance. And the event was only weeks away, making the feat seem impossible to many.  "There is a big difference between children and adults; most kids don't know what can't be done.  Children sing with their heart, and the result is pure joy," said Greg Petersen, Singapore Stake Music Chairman. Learn more about how these children...

48899

30+ Stunning Temple Dresses Any Latter-day Saint Woman Would Love to Wear

LDS Living Staff - Temples are some of the most beautiful places on earth, but the work that takes place inside of them is what makes them sacred. And when you wear a temple dress you feel comfortable in, you’ll be able to concentrate more on the sacred ordinances you’re performing. There are more options now than ever so we’ve pulled together some of our favorites. White Periwinkle Temple Dress ModWhite | Facebook | Instagram Learn more Hartford Temple Dress Latter Day Bride | Facebook | Instagram Learn more Primrose Temple Dress House of Order | Facebook | Instagram Learn more Goldie Temple Dress Q.Noor ...

48974

Napoleon Bonaparte's Role in the Book of Abraham Discovery + More Fascinating Facts

Riley Lorimer - You have certainly seen the facsimiles from the Book of Abraham in your copy of the Pearl of Great Price, but do you know the story of the Book of Abraham? The most recent publication of the Joseph Smith Papers — Revelations and Translations , Volume 4: Book of Abraham and Related Manuscripts —includes all the surviving documents related to Joseph Smith’s translation of the Book of Abraham and his study of the Egyptian language. Here are four things you may not know about that story: The story of Joseph Smith’s involvement with ancient Egyptian artifacts actually begins with Napoleon Bonaparte....

48978

The Excommunicated Apostle Who Continued to Share Powerful Witnesses of the Book of Mormon

Daniel Peterson, for LDS Living - Editor's note: A portion of this was previously published on the author's blog .   William E. McLellin was selected as one of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1835, but he was excommunicated in 1838. However, he never abandoned his faith in the Book of Mormon, and among the pillars of that faith were his early, searching interviews with the book’s witnesses. McLellin was a highly intelligent man, intent upon (and very careful about) getting at the truth. He left several statements regarding his investigations, including one that he wrote between January 1871...

48956

Elder Cornish Talks Mental Illness, Suicide, and Finding Hope in Powerful Podcast

Deseret News - The following is part of a transcript for the Deseret News podcast "Therefor, what?" Listen to the podcast below or view the full transcript on deseretnews.com . BM: Well, this is one of those topics, these diseases of despair. The challenges of anxiety and depression continue to plague the nation and plague individuals in our communities. We often refer to these as getting comfortable with some of the uncomfortable conversations. As you've ministered throughout the church, as you've traveled the world, what have you learned about mental health and dealing with some of these diseases of despair? EC: It's an important...

48952

"He Is Finally Returning Home'": Body of Maj. Brent Taylor Arrives in Utah

Deseret News - Maj. Brent Taylor has returned to Utah. "He is finally returning home," said his wife, Jennie Taylor. "On behalf of our family, I would like to thank you for being a part of this important homecoming," Taylor said Wednesday as the family awaited the fallen hero's arrival at the Roland R. Wright Air National Guard Base in Salt Lake City. She said the family wore yellow to welcome Taylor home, "as women have done since the days of World War II." "Today he comes home to so many of his friends, family members … and Major Taylor is also coming home...

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The Four-Word Phrase Latter-day Saints Always Say (But Don't Really Believe)

Collin Bishop - As Latter-day Saints, we've got a lot of things figured out. And we're pretty good at talking about our beliefs in a way that makes sense. So why is it that we keep using  this outlandishly common four-word phrase that we don't even really believe in? A while ago, we posted a mouthwatering collection of funeral potato recipes  on our Facebook page . Seriously, if you haven't seen the recipes, prepare to drool. They were a total hit. Among the many comments we got back from our readers, we also noticed an interesting conversation between a few people. It went something...

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