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LDS Shooting Victim Shares Message to Church Youth: "Tell Them That I'm Going to Be Ok"

LDS Living - Elder Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared a touching post on Facebook today about his visit with Florida shooting victim Maddy Wilford, including Maddy's message for the youth of the Church: "Tell them that I love them. Tell them that I'm going to be OK. And tell them how much I appreciate their prayers for me."  Here's the entirety of Elder Stevenson's post:  "This amazing young woman is Madeleine Wilford. Her friends and family call her Maddy. Last week, Maddy was senselessly shot during an attack at her high school in Florida. Seventeen students and teachers lost their...

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Elder Andersen Brings Love to Mexico Earthquake Survivors, Speaks to Them in Their Own Tongue

LDS Living - On Wednesday, Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles traveled to Jojutla, Mexico to visit survivors of the 7.1 magnitude earthquake that struck Mexico on September 19th, 2017. He spoke to them in Spanish, listening to their stories and offering words of love, comfort, and encouragement.  “One of the great satisfactions was being able to tell these wonderful members of the Church that I brought the love of President Nelson, the First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve,” said Elder Andersen. Many of the survivors are still rebuilding homes that were lost in the earthquake last fall, but...

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"There Is a Hole in Our Family": Family of Slain LDS Teen Meets with Apostle, Speaks of Temple Blessings

Church News - Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles visited the family of Alaina Petty, one of the teenagers tragically killed in the Florida shooting, offering them comfort by speaking about the blessings of the temple. "This is an amazing family," said Elder Stevenson, according to Church News . "We felt the spirit of the Comforter as we entered the home and met each member of the Petty family."   Elder Stevenson also visited shooting victim Maddy Wilford in the hospital , giving her a blessing and testifying of "heavenly powers." Read more about that here. Fourteen-year-old Alaina--who was one...

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Elder Stevenson Gives Blessing to Florida Shooting Victim, Testifies of "Heavenly Powers"

Church News - "We gathered around Maddy, and it was like a spiritual oasis in the midst of all this worldly chaos and oppression," Elder Stevenson told the Church News.  "We were there, in that hospital room, enjoying the fruits of the Comforter."  Elder Stevenson also visited the family of Alaina Petty, who was killed during the Parkland shooting, speaking of the blessings of the temple.  When Elder Gary E. Stevenson arrived at the hospital treating Madeleine "Maddy" Wilford, he encountered a medical facility trying to manage both prolific tragedy and horror.  Two days earlier, a lone gunman had shot and killed 17 people at...

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Mormon Moviegoers: What Parents Need to Know About "Black Panther" Before Seeing It with Their Family

Lindsi Neilson - Mormon Moviegoers is a collective of Latter-day Saint film critics dedicated to helping you make informed decisions about quality, content, and Gospel parallels. For updates join our Facebook group ! WHAT’S BLACK PANTHER ABOUT? After his father’s death, T’Challa returns home to Wakanda to be crowned king. When a previously unknown enemy appears and threatens T’Challa’s nation and the world, he must figure out what kind of king he is before the destruction of everything he and his family stand for. IS IT ANY GOOD? (GRADE: A) Let’s start things off by talking about the main antagonist of the film. Killmonger...

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To New or Discouraged Moms: Motherhood Is Much More Than This

Meridian Magazine - "I wish I could go back and tell myself during those first few discouraging days of motherhood, when I thought,  This is it? , that Yes, this is it.  This and this and this and this and this . . . I wish I could have told myself that it would be everything and more," Rindi Jacobsen writes.  "Just hang in there.  Keep trying.  Keep going.  It’ll be better in two weeks." When I first set out to be a mother, I had grand ideas.  I was ambitious.  I jumped into motherhood with both feet and approached it with a cheerful...

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LDS Daughter Saves Father's Life with Kidney Donation

Deseret News - Madalyn Edwards was close to her father, especially after serving her mission in Japan, just like he had. When her father's sole remaining kidney failed, she immediately tested to see if she'd be a match for a kidney donation. She didn't realize what a long, complicated road it would actually be.  “I just love my dad so much that I would literally give my life for him, and I mean that,” Edwards said. Deklerk successfully received his daughter's kidney earlier this month — 40 years after his first kidney was removed in February 1978. Edwards and her father, both members of...

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17 Meaningful Gifts for Those Who Are Grieving

LDS Living Staff - Losing a loved one is perhaps the most overwhelming and emotionally painful experience that an individual will endure. Although death is a universal part of mortal existence, each person's grief is as unique and personal as their life and the relationships they cherish. We may not know what to say to someone grieving the loss of a loved one, but these meaningful gifts can help them know we are there for them. Families are Forever Throw Blanket During a time of loss, a comfortable blanket might be just what you need to wrap yourself in. This cozy throw serves as a...

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4 Things We Have Been Asked Not to Do in Sacrament Meeting (That You Might Not Know About)

Lisa Flinders - You are most likely familiar with the lyrics from a popular Primary song: “Saturday is a special day; it’s the day we get ready for Sunday.” Many members have adopted the habit of using their weekend to prepare for the Sabbath. However, there might be some other habits sneaking into your Sunday worship that aren’t in accordance with the Church handbook. Here are just a few that might surprise you. 1. Using Visual Aids in Sacrament Meeting When you get that call to speak in church, if you’re like me, you’ll most likely peruse conference talks, the scriptures, and sometimes even...

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FHE: Priesthood Quorums

Shauna Gibby - Conference Talk: For more information on this topic read " Revealed Quorum Principles ," by Michael A. Neider, ( Ensign , May 2009, 14-16). Thought: "A quorum is a class, a brotherhood, and a service unit: a class where a man may be taught the gospel of Jesus Christ; a brotherhood where we can strengthen, build, lift, and friendship each other; and a service unit to give service to quorum members and others" (Michael A. Neider, "Revealed Quorum Principles," Ensign , May 2009, 14-16). Song: "Ye Elders of Israel," ( Hymns , 319). Scripture: "And let every man esteem his brother...