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

The latest products of professor Royal Skousen’s Book of Mormon Critical Text Project have just appeared: two massive books with the title of The Nature of the Original Language.

Often we influence each other in ways that we will never know or understand, but sometimes, we are gifted the opportunity to see how we touch each other’s lives for good.

Latter-day Saint couple Tyce Nielsen and Mary Ellen Wolfe, also known as Duo Transcend, took the stage for the last time on America’s Got Talent. The couple’s exciting routines landed them a spot in the top 10 finalists and the praise of judges, but they didn't come away with first place or the $1 million prize.

One evening, legendary sculptor Avard Fairbanks got a call from the engineers at Dodge automobile company. As he recalled, "they explained that they had 10,000 cars that needed hood ornaments and they wanted something as attractive as the ornament on a Rolls Royce, but for the cheapest car! I took along my clay and an animal book by my friend . . . and spent the next several days at their headquarters."

Recently, Elder D. Todd Christofferson wrote an articleabout the remarkable life of our new apostle, Elder Gerrit W. Gong. In the article, which will be published in the October Ensign, President Russell M. Nelson said, “When we send Elder Gong into any situation, those involved feel they have found a friend. He has a high level of knowledge, but he is humble. He relates with people at all levels and is always well-prepared and persuasive.”

Recently Book of Mormon Central created a fascinating video detailing how one of the biggest criticisms of the Book of Mormon—its repetitiveness—actually provides compelling evidence that it is an ancient record written by those familiar with sacred Hebrew writings.

Each temple is a house of learning. There we are taught in the Master’s way. His way differs from modes of others. His way is ancient and rich with symbolism. We can learn much by pondering the reality for which each symbol stands. Teachings of the temple are beautifully simple and simply beautiful. They are understood by the humble, yet they can excite the intellect of the brightest minds.

Thanks to Deseret News for making us aware of this story.

As we begin gearing up for general conference, we will be highlighting past conference talks to help us review, remember, and grow closer to the Spirit so that we can better recognize the Lord's voice and direction this coming October. The following is a small portion of a talk given by Elder Larry J. Echo Hawk in April 2018. (Read the full talk here.)