Why I’m so grateful someone pushed through awkwardness to serve

Heidi Swinton was a young journalist with big dreams when she felt led to start a family, but five years passed and she and her husband still had no children.

Following a letter sent by the First Presidency on September 11, 2020, the Utah Area Presidency released updated guidelines.

You may have first grown to admire Sister Reyna Isabel Aburto, Second Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency, by watching the videosabout her life story released by the Church two years ago. Perhaps you were also moved by her remarks to the sisters in the October 2019 general conference as she testified, “Your struggles do not define you, but they can refine you.” But no matter how much or how little you know about Sister Aburto, you will appreciate some thoughts she shared in a recent discussion with Yahosh Bonner.

Though the bicentennial year will soon end, in 2021 we will study some of what came after the First Vision 200 years ago.

President Russell M. Nelson’s 96th birthday celebration may have looked similar to experiences you’ve had with your family during the pandemic—a video conference call, complete with the hurdles of technology like muting and unmuting microphones and wiggly children.

The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has provided updated guidelines to help Church leaders and members safely increase engagement in worship and other activities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Over four decades ago, President Spencer W. Kimball’s prophetically declared, “I believe that the Lord is anxious to put into our hands inventions of which we laymen have hardly had a glimpse.” One of these inventions may be the Scripture Citation Index.

Among the many invitations President Russell M. Nelson extended in the October 2019 general conference, perhaps one of the most poignant ones was from his closing remarks, where he encouraged us to “immerse yourself in the glorious light of the Restoration.” Although change and hardship may seem impossible at times, we can press forward as we focus on the glorious light of the Restoration as the prophet has asked us to do.

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.