An unexpected way to be like Christ: spend time alone

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 Africa or Portuguese to serve in Portugal or preach the gospel in their own language or own country. Prospective missionaries only know one thing for certain: they will go and do (see 1 Nephi 3:7).

Editor's note: “Resources to follow Him” curates study resources, teachings, and thoughts to deepen your study of this week's Come, Follow Me.

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.

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.

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 President Smith pointed out that “after Adam’s transgression he was shut out of the presence of the Father who has remained hidden from his children to this day, with a few exceptions wherein righteous men have been privileged with the glorious privilege of seeing him. . . . Since the fall all revelation and commandments from the Father have come through Jesus Christ.”2

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 This in the Doctrine and Covenants study journal are both available now.

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.

An ongoing series by The New York Times called “Those We’ve Lost” highlights people who have died due to the COVID-19 pandemic. One of these obituaries celebrates the life of Gary Pettus—former president of the Birmingham Alabama Temple and convert to the Church at age 27.

The Fall 2020 Issue of Y Magazine explores the Black student experience at Brigham Young University, sharing what it’s like to be on a campus where just over 1% of students are Black.