3 things to try if you’re intimidated by family history work

Recently, Elder Neil L. Andersen wrote an articleabout the remarkable life of our new apostle, Elder Ulisses Soares. In the article, which will be published in the October Ensign, Elder Soares's daughter Lethicia says, “When Jesus called His Apostles, He didn’t pick the most knowledgeable Pharisees, He picked fishermen. My father and mother are like that. They totally trust the Lord, and He uses them to fulfill His works because He knows they are selfless, willing to work hard, and humble enough to accept correction.” Elder Dale G. Renlund adds, “Elder Soares is an exuberant, committed, devoted disciple of Jesus Christ. I don’t know anyone who feels more keenly that he’s on the Lord’s errand. If he’s asked to do something, he does it with all his might.”

Born in South Dakota, Brian Cummings grew up under the dual care of his parents and his grandmother, starting his career in radio as a teenager. Little did he know what the Lord had in store for him, as he went on to find the gospel, raise a family, and bring to life the voices of animated characters such as Chef Bouche (the stove) in Beauty and the Beast, Doofus in the original Duck Tales, and Papa Q. Bear in The Berenstain Bears.

Since Joseph Smith directed Latter-day Saints to form a dramatic company after building the first community theaters in Nauvoo, Illinois, Latter-day Saints have had a fondness for the performing arts. One of the first structures the pioneers erected after reaching Salt Lake City was a bowery on what is now Temple Square where they could perform music, dance, and plays.

“We believe this proposition loses sight of our real purpose, which is to relieve pain and suffering and, if passed, could become a slippery slope to unintended uses of marijuana,” Elder Christensen said.

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.”