Unique Nativities to set the scene this Christmas

There are lots of firsts for RootsTech in 2021, which will be held February 25–27. Although the event is typically hosted in person in Salt Lake City, this year marks the first virtual-only gathering due to COVID-19. And for the first time, nearly 2,000 on-demand sessions will be available for free for 365 days.

In April 2020, the national comic strip Pickles featured a quote from Elder David A. Bednar. And in February 2021, timeless advice from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland has been included in the comic strip.

Rob Gardner knew he wanted to compose an oratorio about the last week of the Savior’s life, and he knew that if he could involve the London Symphony Orchestra—one of the best in the world—he could create the work he envisioned.

I was invited to lunch by a friend who wanted to introduce me to another friend, a man who had previously served as a mission president. This man had questions about how best to support elders and sisters from his mission who, during or after their missionary service, had shared with him that they were gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex, asexual, or queer. As we talked about his missionaries, he asked about my life. At one point, he asked a question that startled me: “Do you think the Lord loves you as much as He does your brother?”

In a new video released by Church News, Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke about the current challenges of temple worship and temple construction as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, despite the fact that dedicated temples around the world spent the better part of the year closed or in various stages of reopening, Elder Bednar emphasized that the construction of temples continues to move forward.

The Google Doodle for the day is in honor of Zitkála-Šá’s 145th birthday. Known for being an accomplished writer, violinist, and lecturer, Google wrote that Zitkála-Šá was a member of the Yankton Sioux Tribe of South Dakota who “devoted her life to the protection and celebration of her Indigenous heritage through the arts and activism.” But did you know that Zitkála-Šá also had connections to Utah and even to Brigham Young University?

In July 2020, Sister Michelle Wright Amos began her service of presiding over the Louisiana Baton Rouge Mission with her husband, leaving behind a career with NASA where she had worked on the Mars Perseverance rover for almost a year. At the end of the month, that rover launched into space.

Prophets and apostles have confirmed our Heavenly Mother's divine existence and mentioned Her divine attributes on multiple occasions.

With the recent emphasis on home-centered Primary and our Church-wide study of the Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price this year, it may feel challenging to involve the youngest members of your family in the discussion of what might feel like a weekly history lesson. Here are a few great resources to help engage and include your children in your 2021 Come, Follow Me study.