Dwelling on the past? Here’s the key to moving forward

While we have no way of definitively knowing the identity of the angel who visited Jesus in Gethsemane, here are some fascinating insights from Andrew Skinner's book Gethsemane.

I often overhear people talking about their fears of being more than one thing. One side of the conversation regularly goes something like this: “I can’t be both _____________ and a member of the Church.” And if they’re not saying it about themselves, they’re talking about somebody else. Sometimes it comes in the form of a question: “Can you be gay and still be a member of the Church?”

Hanna Barrott, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ooltewah, Tennessee, has a condition called lamellar ichthyosis. Defined by firstskinfoundation.org, ichthyosis is “a family of genetic skin disorders characterized by dry, scaling skin that may be thickened or very thin and sheds as a result.”

Sister missionary Kendal Levine parked her car 15 feet off the side of the road.

Is there any evidence to support the description of Jerusalem and surrounding lands found in the Book of Mormon? This fascinating video created by Book of Mormon Central explores many details found in 1 Nephi, comparing it with known geography of ancient Israel and the Arabian Peninsula. "Amazingly, nearly every travel detail in his record can now be connected with some plausible site, route, or ancient custom or practice," Book of Mormon Central posted on YouTube. Learn more in the fascinating video below.

In February — and for the first time in more than 40 years — the State of Kuwait gave official recognition to a religious organization. That organization is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

We begin where almost everyone begins—with the name. As all know, the name means “olive press” and derives from Hebrew. The place lay on the slopes of the Mount of Olives, on the east side of the Kidron Valley, opposite the city of Jerusalem, which sat on the west side of that valley (Matthew 26:36; Mark 14:32; Luke 22:39). It likely had a wall around it for it was called “a garden” (John 18:1). The name “olive press” points to the place’s essential character, a parcel of ground that grew olive trees and therefore must have had a working press. Archaeology does not disappoint. Though we do not know the exact location of this garden, very near this area was a cave that shows evidence of having been used for olive oil extraction and for the storage of tools.1 Occasionally, the cave may also have served as a sleeping place for Jesus and His disciples (Luke 21:37; John 8:1).

The first year Dr. Robert Ferrell spoke at BYU Education Week, he was surprised to find his classroom was packed.

Peter M. Johnson was born November 1966 in Jamaica, Queens, New York City. He is the fourth of five children born to McKinley Johnson and Geneva Paris Long. McKinley Johnson affiliated with the Baptist church; Geneva with the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Elder Johnson remains grateful that a belief in God was established and encouraged in their home.