What I realized at Carthage Jail that’s helping me feel more peace

Books, articles, and numerous Internet websites work to undermine faith in Joseph Smith’s first vision, but historically there have been just three main arguments against it. The minister to whom Joseph reported the event responded that there were no such things these days. More than a century later and in a literary style that masked her weakness in following the historical method, Fawn Brodie wrote that Joseph invented the vision years after he said it happened. A generation later, Wesley Walters charged Joseph with inventing revivalism when, Walters claimed, a lack of historical evidence proved that there was none and therefore there was no subsequent vision as a result. By now it has become a foregone conclusion for some that there are no such things as visions, that Joseph failed to mention his experience for years, and that he then gave conflicting accounts that failed to match historical facts. 1 But these three claims assume much more than they prove.

This past year has been full of both miracles and heartbreak for Latter-day Saints. And yet through the ups and downs, Church members have held resiliently to their faith and found support in their Savior, Jesus Christ. Here are the top 10 stories about Church members LDS Living has published in 2019. Take a moment to look through some of them and find yourself inspired and motivated to have a little more faith in 2020.

New temple announcements, site announcements, groundbreakings, dedications, rededications and renovation announcements filled 2019. In October 2019 general conference, President Russell M. Nelson spoke about the value of temples today.

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have one year of Come, Follow Me under their belts but if you’re like us, you’re still looking for ways to enhance your study and to make this year of studying the Book of Mormon even better. This is where we would like to help. Drumroll please…Introducing the Sunday on Monday Study Group, a Bookshelf Plus Original podcast presented by LDS Living that is uniquely designed to allow listeners to experience the conversation all at once or in segments throughout the week. Host Tamara “Tammy” Uzelac Hall will bring a different group of friends together, each with unique life experiences, to dig into the scriptures. And the best part is that after you listen, you’ll be able to join in the discussion via the Sunday on Monday Instagram account and Facebook group.

In 2020, we will start a new year of Come, Follow Me in the Book of Mormon. Whether your children are young or grown, make sure your family has everything you need to dive a little deeper and to learn a little more in your daily study.

As the Salt Lake Temple closes forextensive renovations over the next 4 years, here is a look back at some of our favorite articles we've shared about this historic House of the Lord and the surrounding Temple Square.

Dan Truman and Jason Deere aren’t your typical Nashville-based singer-songwriters. They founded an inspirational hit band that’s captured the attention of the Christian world with its tributes to the Bible, missionary work, Jesus Christ, and more. We recently asked them about their new album and what they love about music.

In the month since the plane crash on Nov. 30 that took the lives of nine Latter-day Saints, the extended family of James D. Hansen, Sr. has mourned the passing of Hansen, his sons, grandsons and grandsons-in-law. The family patriarch’s funeral was held on Dec. 18 with President M. Russell Ballard presiding. According to Church News, President Ballard offered “a gentle suggestion to Brother Hansen’s relatives and friends—and, perhaps ‘to anyone who has lost someone’ to the next world. When referring to departed loved ones, he said, don’t use the term ‘was.’ Instead, say ‘is.’”

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has released the following statement from spokesman Daniel Woodruff: