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57854

Elder Holland: How to improve even when we’ve failed before

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, excerpted from "To My Friends" - The following is an excerpt from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland's book  To My Friends . This excerpt originally ran on  LDS Living in December 2014.  As you might suppose, in the course of more than a quarter century as a General Authority, I have met, spoken with, and sometimes had to interview hundreds of people who have had problems—people who have struggled or are sorrowful or who feel blocked in their progress because of a transgression in their lives. The purpose of those visits and interviews has always been to lift that burden from their lives. If you need a burden...

57841

Why the founder of Lovesac gives credit for his success to his time as a Latter-day Saint missionary

LDS Living - The year was 2001 and Shawn Nelson was ready to throw in the towel on the small business he had started as a student at the University of Utah. After returning home from serving as a full-time missionary in Taiwan, Nelson broke out a giant foam-filled bag he had made pre-mission. The bag was used to sit on at drive-in movies or on camping trips, and it started to catch the eye of neighbors and friends who asked if Nelson would make them one. The bags gave Nelson something to do during college, but they never really made him a profit....

57862

Utah Latter-day Saints asked to wear face coverings in public

The Utah Area Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - The Utah Area Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sent this letter on Friday, July 10, 2020.  Dear Brothers and Sisters: We are in the midst of a global pandemic unlike any the world has experienced in more than a century. The effects of this escalating health crisis are being felt everywhere, with incidents of COVID-19 infection rising dramatically especially in the United States, including in Utah. Latter-day Saints are not immune. Just today, more than 800 new infections were reported in our state. A growing chorus of medical authorities has confirmed that the simple wearing of...

57861

The Bonner Family sends powerful message with cover of Hairspray’s ‘Run and Tell That’

LDS Living - In 2002 the popular musical Hairspray , set in the 1960s, sought to start a conversation about societal topics, including the issue of racial strife. The conversation surrounding racism remains more relevant than ever. Today, The Bonner Family is using a song from the musical, “ Run and Tell That ,” to encourage people to speak up about racial inequality. The Bonners teamed up with their fellow Latter-day Saints behind the YouTube channel Working with Lemons to create a music video to shed light on the issue. “I can't see the reason it can’t be the kinda world where we all...

57858

Enjoy art from the BYU MOA like never before with virtual curator tours, a new app and more

Danielle Christensen - Brigham Young University’s Museum of Art (MOA) has closed during COVID-19. But since you can’t visit the museum during this time, the museum is bringing the artwork to you. Recently, the MOA has been doing Facebook Live videos given by curators and educators to give insights into one or two pieces of art so patrons and students can engage with art when they can’t be there in person. It also reduces the pressure some might have when attending a museum, feeling that they have to see it all. Engaging with art can increase mindfulness, peacefulness, and well-being, the host of one...

57860

This Doctrine and Covenants verse was recently referenced by the Supreme Court

Lindsey Williams - It’s a verse familiar to many members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: “The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth” ( D&C 93:36 ). This week, the highest court of law in the United States referenced the verse in a case on religious liberty, as reported by Deseret News . The Supreme Court case, Our Lady of Guadalupe School v. Morrissey-Berru , was penned by Justice Samuel Alito. The 7-2 decision protected religious employers from a variety of employment discrimination claims, ruling that the government is not able to prohibit faith groups...

57859

Watch Donny Osmond in 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat' online this weekend only

Emily Abel - This weekend, you and your family can sit back and watch Donny Osmond star in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat for free from the comfort of your living room.  A YouTube channel called The Show Must Go On! has been airing productions every Friday during the coronavirus pandemic. According to Deseret News , the first musical the channel shared was a 1999 direct-to-video adaptation of “Joseph.” Now, the channel is sharing it again before taking a break and returning later in the summer.   “Joseph” will begin screening on July 10 and will be available for 48...

57856

You won't want to miss the Church's Youth Music Festival. Here's what you need to know

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Youth worldwide are invited to participate in the Youth Music Festival, a virtual global concert on July 29, 2020.  The theme of the Youth Music Festival is “Hear the Voice of the Lord” based on President Russell M. Nelson ’s invitation and promise that as we hear Him , we will find “success, happiness and joy in this life” (“ Hear Him ,” April 2020 general conference). As youth seek to hear Him, they will be better equipped to then “ go and do ” (see 1 Nephi 3:7 ), which is the 2020 Youth theme . The pre-recorded, 40-minute, livestream...

57834

How we can stay ‘anxiously engaged’ without face-to-face interaction

Emily Abel - Editor's note: " This week from the pulpit " highlights recent messages by General Authorities and General Officers of the Church.   Reviewing messages from Church leaders this week brought a scripture to mind: Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness. ( Doctrine and Covenants 58:27 ) It doesn’t take much research into recent Church activity to see that individuals and organizations are striving to stay “anxiously engaged” with each other despite limiting circumstances. How members support each other may look...

57843

Actor who played Sam in Book of Mormon Videos discusses his experience playing Nephi's lesser-known brother

LDS Living - Playing the role of Nephi’s older brother Sam in the Church’s Book of Mormon videos might not seem like the easiest assignment to prep for. But Cooper Sutton, a Brigham Young University acting alum who was cast to play the son of Lehi, said help from seminary and institute teachers as well as insights from General Authorities who met with the cast allowed him to feel confident in his portrayal. “Sam isn’t mentioned very frequently, but it was exciting to me to see that from only a few verses, you can still get a pretty good idea of who he was...

57846

Elder Uchtdorf shares cheerful message: ‘Don’t mask your heart’

Emily Abel - Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf recently shared some cheerful advice on managing relationships in the ongoing pandemic. On Facebook , he wrote that people have asked him if he has more time on his hands since he is not traveling on Church assignments personally visiting Latter-day Saints. “I feel that I am actually busier than ever!” wrote Elder Uchtdorf. “I am not traveling, but I am using technology to connect with people all over the world.” In an article from Church Newsroom , Elder Uchtdorf said he prefers the term “physical distancing” over “social distancing” when it comes to taking precautions against...

57844

A look at the first 6 months of the Salt Lake Temple renovation

Lindsey Williams - Just over six months ago, the doors of the Salt Lake Temple closed to patrons as the first steps of the temple's renovation began. Now, scaffolding surrounds the temple spires, and the project is just starting. Deseret News   reported on some of the changes that have taken place during the first six months, which includes uncovering the foundation, demolishing and dismantling annexes, and removing ornate finials. Recently, the sealing wing has been separated from the north side of the temple and its roof has been removed. This wing will be dismantled completely after workers protect the temple walls in the...

57830

What the 9 women in the General Presidencies had to say about their role in the priesthood

Emily Abel - During the women’s session of the October 2019 general conference, President Russell M. Nelson made this powerful statement to the sisters of the Church: “How I yearn for you to understand that the restoration of the priesthood is just as relevant to you as a woman as it is to any man.” He then entreated the women of the Church “to study prayerfully all the truths you can find about priesthood power.” Like many other Latter-day Saint women in the world, the women in the General Presidencies of the Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary did not take President Nelson’s invitation...

57831

How to approach questions about the gospel that challenge your faith

Danielle Christensen - Asking questions about the gospel is encouraged in the Church, as doing so can bring more knowledge and personal growth into your life. But how do you handle questions that challenge your faith? The July 2020 issue of the Ensign  features two articles on this topic, giving insights on how to look for answers in a faithful way. Living with hope  One day, Latter-day Saint Travis Ewell saw a conversation on social media about Church doctrine that gave him pause. Afterward, he decided to look into the arguments of those who felt concerned about the Church, and over time, he lost...

57819

Why I believe in a God that gives us flowers

Emily Abel - A bouquet of flowers has never been a practical gift. We cut down something beautiful, put it in a vase of water to slow down its death, and then present it as a sign of affection—strange when you think about it. Flowers never last more than a week or two and often cause quite a mess as petals and pollen take over your countertop. But I have always loved receiving flowers. I think the temporary, somewhat frivolous nature of the gift is what makes it special—I’m touched to be given something beautiful even when the giver knows it won’t last very...

57829

‘All Are Alike unto God’: Calling artists for the Church’s 12th International Art Competition

Emily Abel - Does the phrase “All are alike unto God” stir something inside you? Do you enjoy expressing thoughts and emotions through art? If so, you may consider submitting your interpretation of those words to the 12th International Art Competition.   The competition is sponsored by the Church History Museum in Salt Lake City, Utah. This year’s theme comes from 2 Nephi 26:33 :   [The Lord] doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of men; and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white,...

57827

Making the Sabbath a delight, even during a pandemic: Counsel from Elder Soares

Lindsey Williams - Elder Ulisses Soares has experienced atypical Sabbath days as he has waited in the airport while on Church assignments. On one of those Sundays, he found a place where he could be somewhat alone and “closed his eyes and turned his heart to the Lord.” “I felt the Savior’s warmth around me and I knew He accepted my offering that day, even being in a crowded airport,” Elder Soares told Church News . In a recent interview with Church News , Elder Soares shared how pandemic Sabbath day observance, though unusual, can still be a delight. When members are unable to...

57818

The kind of assuming we can all do a little more

Jannalee Sandau - I think most if not all of us have experienced a hit to our mental health over the past few months. It’s hard not to think negatively in a time when disasters are dropping one after another, we have been isolated from others, and we’ve been at home with our social media more often than we might otherwise be. It is also becoming easier and easier to distrust others as we read the news, inundated with stories highlighting the volatile flaws of human nature and generating fear of interacting with others during this highly contagious pandemic. I have noticed this downcast...

57804

Looking back at the remarkable impact of Latter-day Saint women since the Restoration

Jannalee Sandau - This story originally ran in the   July/August 2020 issue of LDS Living .  Throughout the world’s history, women have been some of the strongest and most overlooked foundational influences in society. Yet, whether their lives have been recorded and their names etched in history’s memory or not, from the time of Adam and Eve, women have had a significant role in our Heavenly Father’s plan. And in many ways, the Restoration of the Church also kickstarted a restoration of that noble view of womanhood that continues today. Here is a look back at the remarkable effects of women who know...

57823

Learn about the unique history of the Auckland New Zealand Temple site

Danielle Christensen - The groundbreaking for the Auckland New Zealand Temple was held on June 13, 2020, and members in the area are looking forward to the day when the building will be complete. The Auckland temple is the second temple of the Church in New Zealand—the first being the Hamilton New Zealand Temple—and will serve about 114,000 Latter-day Saints. Here are some unique facts about the rich history of the site of the Auckland New Zealand Temple that you may not know about. The Church purchased the property where the temple will be built in 1996 as a potential site for a meetinghouse...

57822

Follow President Nelson's invitation to 'Hear Him' by getting inspired with this new study guide

LDS Living - In February 2020, President Russell M. Nelson extended an invitation to Church members as we commemorate the 200 th anniversary of the First Vision to “think deeply and often” about how we hear the Savior in our own lives. During his April 2020 general conference address “ Hear Him ,” President Nelson spoke of how it has “never been more imperative to know how the Spirit speaks to you,” and to do “ whatever  it takes to increase your spiritual capacity to receive personal revelation.” He also entreated Latter-day Saints to become more intentional disciples of Jesus Christ and to fill...

57820

The Church’s homepage has a sleek new navigation menu

Lindsey Williams - If you’re a frequent visitor to ChurchofJesusChrist.org , you may have noticed a recent change in the navigation menu. The homepage navigation menu now has four headings with the following subheadings: • Libraries • Scriptures • Gospel Library • Gospel Media • Music Library • Serve • Callings • Volunteer and Serve • Temples • Family History • Living Life • Inspiration • Life Help • About Us • Beliefs • Worship with Us • News • About Us According to Church News , the changes have been made based on feedback from website visitors. Prior to the change, the website...

57817

5 questions to ponder for this week’s ‘Come, Follow Me’ reading, Alma 30–31

Lindsey Williams - As you explore Alma 30–31 , here are five questions for you to ponder or ask in your study group to guide your thoughts and conversations. We hope these prompts, in addition to the Come, Follow Me  manual , will enhance your understanding of these chapters. “What lesson can I learn . . . to help me live in this day and age?” In this week’s episode of the Sunday on Monday  Study Group, host Tammy Uzelac Hall shares this quote from President Ezra Taft Benson: The Nephites never had the book; neither did the Lamanites of ancient times. It was...

57816

My 4 unexpected takeaways from a digital fireside with Brother Brad Wilcox and Sister Michelle Craig

Emily Abel - After enjoying thoughts from Brother Brad Wilcox and Sister Michelle Craig on freedom, I almost stopped the digital fireside they were guests on before the Q&A session, but I’m so glad I didn’t. I would have missed an off-the-cuff discussion that taught me things about the feelings of two Church leaders that I never would have known otherwise.   Brother Wilcox and Sister Craig spontaneously shared personal stories that had me wanting to write down nearly every word coming out of their mouths. I’ve narrowed all those words down to four key takeaways:  1. The Lord sees the potential in our...