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6 beautiful reminders for when you don't feel good enough

Lloyd Newell, excerpted from "Celebrating Music and the Spoken Word" - This story originally ran on  LDS Living in June 2016.  Music and the Spoken Word has been uplifting and inspiring listeners for more than half a century with spiritual music and a touching message every Sunday morning. And for more than 25 of those years, the familiar voice of Lloyd Newell has introduced the program. Here are just six of his messages that encourage us to move forward in life and inspire us to overcome trials. 1. Have an Eternal Perspective Our common lot is to be born into an imperfect world, filled with disappointment and unanswered questions. It is natural,...

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Why having goals for your social media use could make all the difference

LDS Living - What is the goal behind your use of social media? It is a question that, if you are like most people, you likely haven’t thought about. But how might approaching social media with clear objectives and goals change who you follow or how you spend your time online? This is what entrepreneur Becky Higgins answers on this week’s episode of the All In  podcast. “You do have to ask yourself that question, ‘What are your goals with social media? What is your purpose? Why are you there? Are you there to consume? Are you there to share? Are you there to...

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The importance of names and how the name of the Church changed over time

Jannalee Sandau - This article was originally shared on  LDS Living  in 2017 and has been updated to reflect additional recent counsel. “What church do you belong to?” “The Catholic church.” “The Protestant church.” “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” Compared to churches worldwide, the official name of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can seem like a mouthful, but every part of this name came through revelation. When the Church was organized in 1830, it was organized under the simple name “The Church of Christ.” This was in line with ancient references in the Book of Mormon: “And they...

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Names of Christ, building relationships, and preparation: What Church leaders shared in messages this week

Valerie Russell - Editor’s note: “ This week from the pulpit ” highlights recent messages by General Authorities, General Officers, and leaders of the Church. This week, leaders from the Church have addressed several different audiences—from students at Brigham Young University campuses, to religious leaders of various faiths, to covenant-keeping sisters all over the world. Even so, their counsel is applicable to all and reminds us of our Savior’s love. It is our hope that as you read these messages that you will be inspired and motivated to follow Him in faith. Remembering His Names This week, Elder Ronald A. Rasband and his wife,...

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Elder Uchtdorf says this hymn can serve as a theme for our times. Here’s how it opened my eyes

Lindsey Williams - Editor's note: Our bi-weekly Friday column, “ Found in the footnotes ,” explores some of the footnotes from remarks given by General Authorities and General Officers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In a devotional for BYU-Pathway Worldwide earlier this week, Sister Michelle D. Craig, First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency, asked a question that prompted me to pause: “The Salt Lake Temple took 40 years to build! The pioneers experienced many setbacks, and the process was slow and grueling. What if those pioneers had given up? What if they said, ‘This is just too hard’...

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‘This is the healing ward’: How a brutally honest Relief Society lesson helped one woman find belonging

LDS Living - On this week’s episode of   This is the Gospel , two storytellers discuss how fitting into the body of Christ can sometimes be painful and difficult. Suzanne, who moved after ending a 40-year temple marriage, felt invisible in her new ward. After moving a second time, she was cautiously optimistic when she walked through the doors of another Church meetinghouse. Little did she know that sisters from Relief Society would welcome her with the words, “You are exactly where you need to be. This is the healing ward.” Read why the sisters’ complete honesty and vulnerability during a Relief Society...

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Why the newest animated Church video resonated with me as a working mom

Jannalee Sandau - I don’t know about you, but the words “I’m tired” have been finding their way into my conversations at an alarming rate lately. And while my immediate response is to think that I need to simply get more sleep, this delightful new animated video from the Church was a reminder that spirituality and energy go hand in hand.  Following a working mom throughout her daily tasks, the video gives us a visual "battery level" reminder of how our energy is affected throughout the day. It goes on to remind us that if we want to be more like the Savior and...

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Church extends invitation to submit musical performances for virtual Christmas concerts and Light the World campaign

Newsroom of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Christmas celebrations on Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah, usually include hundreds of musical performances throughout the month of December. Because of COVID-19 restrictions, Temple Square Performances will hold its Christmas concerts virtually this year, and all are invited to participate. The annual Savior of the World , a musical drama celebrating the birth and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, will not be held this year. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and friends of other faiths from across the world will have the opportunity to submit Christmas video performances. The submissions will be edited into concerts...

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8 powerful images of Christ perfect for your home

LDS Living Staff - As we head into the end of the year, we focus our thoughts on the Savior and celebrate the birth of the Savior. It is a great time to remember Christ in our lives. Here are 8 of our very favorite depictions of Christ. These art pieces will become a special reminder of His love and spirit within the walls of your home. Peace in Christ 23x19 Framed Art | By Kate Lee  Buy Now Morning Solace 24x32 Framed Art | By Yongsung Kim  Buy Now Vision 32x24  Canvas Wrap | By Victoria Mathews   Buy Now Christ in the Red...

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Her two grandfathers were presidents of the Church. Here’s why her legacy doesn’t stop there

Valerie Russell - “Over my dead body are you tearing that house down.”  You may not recognize these words from Florence S. Jacobsen, the first female Church curator, but you may recognize the historic buildings she fought to preserve—the Lion House and the Beehive House, among others. On a recent episode of the Latter-day Saint Women podcast , Emily Utt, historic sites curator for the Church, discusses Jacobsen’s legacy. Before Jacobsen, who was the Young Women General President in the 1960s, intervened, the Lion House was almost torn down and replaced with a new parking garage entrance. But because she spoke up, the Young...

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BYU-Pathway Worldwide devotional shares exclusive look inside Salt Lake Temple renovation

Morgan Jones - In a recent nine-minute video devotional, Sister Michelle D. Craig, First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency, shared five lessons learned from the Salt Lake Temple renovation. The video begins with Sister Craig standing in front of the renovation site, but soon you realize you are watching rare footage of the temple renovation. Still, perhaps the most powerful parts of the video are the lessons shared by Sister Craig as she has watched the renovation process on Temple Square nearly every day since it began in January. Sister Craig began by explaining that Elder David A. Bednar shared that the...

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The problem with how we perceive time and how it relates to the Second Coming

Elder Gerald N. Lund, excerpted from “The Second Coming of the Lord” - Over and over the Lord has indicated that the time of the end is near and that the day of His coming will be soon. And yet most of those scriptural passages are now almost two hundred years old, but we are still waiting for their fulfillment. So how are we to interpret words like “close,” “quickly,” “soon,” “hasten,” and “speedily”? This is why some, including some faithful Church members, claim that we have no reason to believe that the Second Coming is not still five or six hundred years away, and that we are working ourselves up into a dither...

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'Every hand flew up': President Ballard recalls support for President Kimball's recommendation that the priesthood be given to all worthy males

Morgan Jones - On the debut episode of the Church News podcast , President M. Russell Ballard, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, recalled the moment President Spencer W. Kimball recommended that the priesthood be given to all worthy males. At the time, President Ballard was a young member of the First Quorum of the Seventy and all of the General Authorities were meeting on the fourth floor of the temple for their monthly meeting. “And President Kimball, I can still see him and still hear his voice saying, ‘We have contemplated and prayed.’ He said, 'I’ve spent many hours here...

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Pastry chef meets pumpkin: See this stunning carving of President Nelson on a pumpkin

Lindsey Williams - When a virtual pumpkin contest was announced as a family home evening activity in Hailee Henson’s young single adult ward, she knew just what to do: carve an image of President Russell M. Nelson. “Intricate facial details are always a fun challenge,” Henson told LDS Living . As a pastry chef, Henson has plenty of practice using knives to make detailed cuts, so she found a stencil of the prophet on Pumpkin Glow, a website with pumpkin carving stencils. “I grew up very artistic and have dedicated my life to food! It was a natural fit for me,” Henson said. Henson...

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Church provides list of ideas for effective virtual teaching and learning

Valerie Russell - Teaching and serving in the Church through virtual means is an exciting opportunity to reach out to others. But at the same time, virtual teaching presents unique challenges. The Church has put together several  ideas and suggestions to ensure each virtual meeting is successful and filled with the Spirit. Many principles related to teaching the gospel will never change—no matter if meetings are held in person or through virtual means. For example, loving those you teach and encouraging active participation are ways to invite the Spirit to testify to all who are present for the meeting.  Asking for participation in a...

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How does serving a mission affect attitudes on global development? What one economist found

Valerie Russell - Lee Crawfurd was watching The Book of Mormon musical when something clicked—the full-time missionary program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints could be considered a “natural experiment.” Crawfurd is not a member of the Church. He is an economist who seeks to understand why some people are more interested in helping people in poor countries than others. Crawfurd, who has worked with a few members of the Church who served missions, recognized while watching the play that, unlike many international volunteers who choose where they will go, prospective missionaries face uncertainty. They could learn Swahili to serve in...

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‘Good inspiration is based upon good information’: 5 things I've learned by applying President Nelson's insight

Emma Petty Addams, contributor - During the April 2018 general conference , President Russell M. Nelson shared a prophetic insight: “Good inspiration is based upon good information.”   He was speaking specifically about the process of choosing his counselors in the First Presidency, but earlier in his talk, President Nelson gave another example of this principle in action: “I have stood over a patient—unsure how to perform an unprecedented procedure—and experienced the Holy Ghost diagramming the technique in my mind.” President Nelson already had decades of education by that point in his life. The inspiration he received in the moment was available because of the years...

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'How are we lifting through Christ?' and more questions to ponder in your 'Come, Follow Me' study this week

Danielle Christensen - Editor's note: “ Resources to follow Him ” curates study resources, teachings, and thoughts to deepen your study of this week's  Come, Follow Me . It was a sunny March afternoon and there was just enough time to visit the Newport Beach California Temple before my return trip home. I had flown out to the area for a work conference, and after many lectures and workshops, I needed some spiritual upliftment. After my Uber arrived, I chatted with my driver who told me he was from the Philippines. I mentioned that my brother had served a mission there, and the driver...

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'What is faith?': After sexual assault, the question that led one woman to find healing

LDS Living - In a new video published by the Church, a woman named Rebekah shares how her world was turned upside down when she discovered that she had been abandoned by her birth father before she was born. Already facing an identity crisis from this news, things took an even worse turn after she was sexually assaulted by someone she trusted deeply. It was then that she began feeling like the world—and God—were against her. “I had a really close male friend. We really trusted each other, so it hurt me a lot when he sexually assaulted me,” she says in the video...

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‘Just believe’: The unwritten story of the fourth member of GENTRI, the ‘gentlemen trio’

Lindsey Williams - When Stephen Nelson signed on as the producer of the newly formed group GENTRI , he had a few conditions: he would not perform on stage, he would not travel, he would not be in any music videos, and he would not be in any social media posts. Yet, over the last six years, somehow each of those conditions has ended up being broken. Known unofficially as the fourth member of the “gentlemen trio,” Stephen has always sought to avoid the spotlight—but the spotlight still manages to end up on him. At concerts, what started out as a way for the...

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Birmingham Alabama Temple to enter Phase 2; only 9 temples remain closed due to COVID-19

Newsroom of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Editor's note: This press release was originally published on May 7, 2020, and has been updated weekly. Beginning October 26, 2020, one more temple around the world will begin Phase 2 of reopening. By that day, 151 temples will have entered Phase 1 and 122 will be in Phase 2. A  complete list of temples  and their status is included after the press release. The most recent additions to that list are: Phase 2: Open for all living ordinances only • Birmingham Alabama Temple  Temples continue to reopen in a cautious, careful way, in four phases. Temples in Phase 1 and...

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Why it is so significant that both the Father and the Son appeared to Joseph Smith in the Sacred Grove

Robert L. Millet, excerpted from “I Saw a Pillar of Light” - President Joseph Fielding Smith taught an important principle when he explained that “all revelation since the fall has come through Jesus Christ, who is the Jehovah of the Old Testament. In all of the scriptures, where God is mentioned and where he has appeared, it was Jehovah who talked with Abraham, with Noah, Enoch, Moses and all the prophets. He is the God of Israel, the Holy One of Israel. . . . The Father has never dealt directly and personally since the fall, and he has never appeared except to introduce and bear record of the Son.” 1   Elsewhere...

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'Don't Miss This' resources for Doctrine and Covenants now available for preorder

LDS Living - Looking for a way to organize and enjoy your scripture study next year? Deseret Book is releasing new, helpful resources for the 2021 Come, Follow Me study curriculum. The Don't Miss This in the Doctrine and Covenants study book and the Don't Miss Thi s in the Doctrine and Covenants study journal are both available to preorder now. The Don't Miss This book and Don't Miss This study journal , created in partnership with LDS Living,  were constructed to help Latter-day Saints enhance their study of the Doctrine and Covenants while they read it with the Come, Follow Me   program...

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Former ESPN analyst Chad Ford shares how giving his father a priesthood blessing changed his heart

LDS Living - Fans of ESPN likely recognize Chad Ford’s face or at the very least his name. For years, Ford was an NBA Draft expert for the television network, but what many didn’t know was while simultaneously working in many people’s dream career, Ford was pursuing his true passion teaching conflict resolution and peacebuilding at BYU–Hawaii. In his new book, Dangerous Love,  Ford teaches principles he has taught about the transformative effects of changing the way we view conflict. He teaches that we can either approach conflict with love or fear and illustrates how the path we choose can make all the difference. ...