How a ward’s authentic friendship led this family to the gospel

It's not a place Joshua Smith ever expected to be.

Early in my career as a psychologist, I worked with a client who suffered from depression. Knowing that depression is primarily fueled by inaccurate, negative thoughts, I set out to help him change his thinking. Each week he would come in with a very pessimistic view of life. I’d tell him to try to focus on the positive. One particular time, he responded by providing a long list of negatives in the world, including widespread poverty, school shootings, dread health crises, pollution, domestic violence, hatred, ethnic genocide, social inequality, etc. He said, “How can I focus on the positive when there is so much negative all around us?” His answer gave me pause. I didn’t know how to respond. Was he actually correct? Were my attempts to get him to “think positive” simply a naïve overlooking of all the drama, death, and injustice that seem to plague the world every day?

If service were a color, what color would it be? Maybe for you it’s a soft green or pastel blue. Perhaps it’s a dazzling purple or vibrant orange. For a very long time, service was always yellow to me because of the bright, sunny way serving makes me feel. Many years ago, a significant experience at Christmastime meant from that time on, service would forever be red.

Job posed the question of the ages when he asked: “If a man die, shall he live again?” (Job 14:14).

"Son of God" shares the story of the holy night of Christ's birth from a different perspective—that of Mary, a mother elated at the birth of her perfect Son and frightened at the thought of all He will have to face and bear. This original song by Paul Cardall featuring Patrice Tipoki will have you thinking of the Nativity in an entirely new way, one that makes that sacred night more personal and meaningful.

Orange Cake

Attending the temple is one of the greatest ways to find answers to prayers, learn about the gospel, and feel close to the Savior. Nineteen temples have been announced over the past year and members all around the world will enjoy the blessings that will come from these new temples.

While carrying out a mission as a B-17 bomber pilot during WWII, Lieutenant Wendell Bradford Terry (Mike to his friends) and his crew flew through thick flak and antiaircraft fire while passing over the French coastline. The left wing of Terry's plane was hit by an antiaircraft shell, causing a large portion of the wing to break off and both of the left engines to stop functioning, sending the plane in a downward spiral. In addition, the wing caught fire and the flames moved toward the aviation fuel tank, which would cause a deadly explosion. It was then Terry rang the alarm bell and screamed into the intercom: “Bail out! Bail out! Bail out!”

Of all the subjects to paint or draw, there are perhaps none weightier than Jesus Christ, the Lord Almighty. Never before has there existed a being as complex as He—who encompasses the complete spectrum of divinity and mortality. He is an advocate and judge, king and servant, brother and friend. He is an advocate and judge, king and servant, brother and friend. He has created countless worlds and has counted each of His creations—even the sparrows. But there are those who have taken on the challenge of depicting the Messiah, including these seven Latter-day Saint artists. Drawing from their personal relationships with Him, they create artwork that touches hearts and brings others closer to their Savior. Here are their insights.