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19595

Washington Post Notes Mormon Trends in Congress

LDS Living - In a recent article outlining the religious breakdown of the current Congress, The Washington Post made specific note of the Latter-day Saints in the group (noted on the map below in orange). The article noted several key takeaways from the study, including a few that noted changes for the Mormon representatives: "The only two states where all House members are the same faith (other than states with only one district) are Idaho and Utah, where all members are Mormon. Mormon members are also all Republican now, without former Rep. Jim Matheson (D-Utah), who did not seek reelection in 2014. (There are...

19584

3 Simple Principles the Savior Taught that Will Help You Lead a Better Life

LDS Church News - “Everything the Savior did and said was for the benefit of humankind,” Sister Cheryl A. Esplin, second counselor in the Primary general presidency, told students at Brigham Young University during a campus devotional on Feb. 3. “His Atonement. His example, His teachings — everything was to help us not only to have a more abundant life on earth but also to attain the most abundant of all life — eternal life.” Sister Esplin explained she had recently been reading the Savior’s words from John 10:10. The words she read made her ponder and apply them to her own life. Quoting the...

19583

Why I Stay a Member of the Church

Tyler Seamons - I’m a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I have been my whole life. Lest you think that is somehow a disqualifier for my experience, let’s add that I walked away from church pretty early, at ~13 years old. I didn’t go back for years, and the LDS church was the last place I went. [. . .] Then, as so often happens, the “carefree” and falsely independent bubble of youth popped, and I found myself alone on an hour plus bus ride confronting a heart-wrenching death. I had received some news, terrible news at the time,...

19225

5 Questions Your RM will be Surprised You Thought to Ask

Brock Booher - I watched a young missionary’s face as he came down the aisle of the airplane looking for his seat. The worn suit and slightly faded black nametag were dead giveaways. He was going home. But home to what? Within a few hours he will walk off the plane and into the arms of jubilant family members. He will report to his stake president and take off the black nametag. He will speak in sacrament meeting. Everyone will pat him on the back and ask, “How was your mission?” (As if you could describe the experience the same way you would describe...

19355

The New Seminary Tests: What You Need to Know

Jason Harwood - Photo from Seminary and Institutes of Religion “Tests? In Seminary? Tests in Seminary?” As a seminary teacher, that’s what went through my mind when I heard the announcement of the new Seminary graduation requirements. And if you have a student in Seminary and didn’t think about it before, you might be thinking that now. Along with a few other questions, like, “What does it all mean? How can you help your student graduate from Seminary? Is there a study guide for the test? What happens if they don’t pass it? How can I help my student be ready? What exactly does...

19603

LDS 'Dentist to the Stars' Shares Stories of Marilyn Monroe, Howard Hughes

The Spectrum - Through the decades much has been made of Marilyn Monroe's beauty. Dr. LeRoy Nisson, however, was only interested in her chompers. "Marilyn had the most beautiful set of teeth," says the 94-year-old retired dentist who counted the starlet among his patients. Originally from Washington City, the future dentist to the stars inherited a Southern California celebrity dental practice early in his career. Clark Gable and Howard Hughes were also among his patients. Now retired in St. George, he has outlived almost all of them. Among his many memories of Monroe was a time when she asked him to make her teeth...

19582

The One Question That Saved My Marriage (and Could Save Yours, Too)

Richard Paul Evans Blog - My oldest daughter, Jenna, recently said to me, “My greatest fear as a child was that you and mom would get divorced. Then, when I was twelve, I decided that you fought so much that maybe it would be better if you did.” Then she added with a smile. “I’m glad you guys figured things out.” For years my wife Keri and I struggled. Looking back, I’m not exactly sure what initially drew us together, but our personalities didn’t quite match up. And the longer we were married the more extreme the differences seemed. Encountering “fame and fortune” didn’t make our...

19581

8 Weekly Questions to Help You Stay Connected to Your Missionary

LDS Missionaries - Do you ever feel like there is a disconnect between you and your missionary? Is it hard to feel like you are connected to them from the communication that you receive? Well, one missionary mother (Julie Hess) has shared some really useful questions that can help you find out what is in that missionaries heart. Here is what she said. 1. What has been your biggest challenge this week? 2. What has been your biggest concern? ...

19579

5 Love Stories of Latter-day Prophets

Utah Valley 360 - It’s little wonder that the leaders of the Church have historically made happiness in family life a high priority. Here are the love stories of five latter-day prophets and their wives. Ezra Taft and Flora Smith Amussen Benson Ezra Taft Benson with his wife, Flora, and their six children. (Photo via UV360 and the Church History Library) Ezra Taft Benson’s friends told him he didn’t have a chance with Flora Smith Amussen. Ezra and his friends were spending a weekend in Logan, Utah, when Flora drove by them. “As the boys waved at her, she waved back,” he remembered. “I said,...

19569

Divine Nature Reimagined: What If 'Child of God' Were Your Job Title?

Aspiring Mormon Women - I sat recently in a Relief Society lesson in my Midsingles Ward where the teacher had us each consider our profession or vocation. We were asked to write a basic description of our job, major duties, qualifications, accountabilities and reporting structures, and so on. Every sister sitting in the room had a very different story to tell about her professional life, but each was an equally valid account of a work situation. She then asked us to explore the idea of “Daughter of God” as if it was a job. What were the major responsibilities? Who did we report to and...