Unique Nativities to set the scene this Christmas

This excerpt originally ran on LDS Living in January 2020.

A missionary serving for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has passed away. Church spokesman Sam Penrod released the following statement Friday, January 1, 2021.

As a 19-year-old rookie on the U.S. world cup skeleton team, I wondered what it would take to reach the Olympic podium. Ranked last in the U.S standings, I was incredibly far from my goal. Was it even possible? I felt stuck and directionless. What could possibly bridge that gap and lead me to success?

Musician Wayne Burton has written a new original song titled “A Great Work” to correspond with the 2021 youth theme. This original song features Hanna Eyre, a favorite Latter-day Saint vocalist who is just weeks away from leaving for full-time missionary service.

(Salt Lake City, UT) - Did you know that being overweight may increase the risk of many health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers? Being overweight or obese has reached epidemic proportions, with most Americans having body mass indexes (BMIs) above the ideal range. What’s more, as the obesity rate continues to climb, the percentage of Americans actively trying to lose weight is dropping.

Editor's note: This article was originally published on LDS Living in January 2021 as part of a bi-weekly Friday column, “Found in the footnotes,” which explored some of the footnotes from remarks given by General Authorities and General Officers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Editor's Note: The views, information, or opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author. Readers should consider each unique situation. This content is not meant to be a substitute for individual, professional advice.

In a year dominated by news and announcements related to COVID-19, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints not only made announcements and adjustments related to the current pandemic but also announcements and adjustments related to other aspects of worship, administration, and policy.

Have you ever felt imperfect in your practice of living the gospel of Jesus Christ? If so, you’re in good company and the This is the Gospel podcast is on a mission to prove it to you. Like host KaRyn Lay says at the beginning of every episode, the podcast “features real stories from real people practicing and living their faith every day.” These people are facing real triumphs, successes, challenges, and hardships in the best way they can. Sound familiar? Whether it’s heartache, loss of a loved one, fatherhood, motherhood, or true conversion, the 23 episodes we shared this year include powerful stories of practicing faith that we’re sure will remind you that you’re not alone in your journey of living the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are grateful to everyone who has shared their stories with us this year and to you, our listeners, for spending time with us.