Solemn assemblies: What to know before conference

It’s been 150 years since the founding of the Young Women organization. On May 25, 1870, President Brigham Young gathered his daughters in the Lion House in Salt Lake City, asking them to set an example to other young ladies and help reduce extravagance and bring about greater economic unity in the community. Two days later, on May 27, the Young Ladies’ Department of the Ladies' Cooperative Retrenchment Association was founded.

When the list of new mission presidents and companions was released by Church News in January 2020, two of the 130 names may have been more easily recognized: Elder Peter M. Johnson, called to the England Manchester Mission with his wife, Stephanie, and Elder Ricardo P. Giménez, called to the California San Diego Mission with his wife, Catherine.

Legendary Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan passed away last Friday, May 27. In a recent tribute, Deseret News writer Jody Genessy, who covered the Utah Jazz during Sloan's heyday, recalled memories of the late coach and another late Utah giant—President Thomas S. Monson.

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

The date is December 19, 2011. David Archuleta has been rising in popularity since his 2008 appearance on the seventh season of American Idol. On this Monday night, Archuleta performs at Abravanel Hall in Salt Lake City, announcing to the audience that he is going to put his career on hold to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In the year 450 BC, God put it into Nehemiah’s heart to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem, which had been destroyed in a previous century. While in the process of rebuilding the walls, Nehemiah’s associates discovered a key problem: “There is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall” (Nehemiah 4:10). The clutter prevented construction. Thus, the first order of business was to get rid of the rubbish.

May 27, 2020, marks the 150th celebration of the Young Women organization, and the Young Women General Presidency wants you to celebrate.

A letter dated May 26, 2020, and signed by President M. Russell Ballard, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, outlined the responsibilities on the ward and stake level for both missionary and temple and family history work. The letter also provides recommendation for how training and coordination might be distributed among stake and ward leaders.

Although the world health situation has caused The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square to pause its rehearsals and performances, the organization is looking toward the future. The Choir has announced that they are holding auditions to fill spots in the 360-member volunteer ensemble. Earning a spot with this choir, however, is a bit more intense than showing up for ward choir practice.