‘I wouldn’t go back’: Why this husband and wife are profoundly grateful for their unmet healing

Many of us go to the temple today the way Adam and Eve first offered sacrifices—simply because we are commanded, without knowing why. Simple obedience is certainly better than not performing the ordinances at all. But the Lord who sent that angel must have wanted Adam and Eve to know why they performed the ordinances—and I believe He wants us to know why we do.

The Hamilton New Zealand Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recently closed for an extensive renovation.

When one of my friends announced on social media that she no longer had a testimony of the Church, I was shocked and saddened. A few months later I met up with another good friend who told me that she and her entire family had left the Church. I felt profound grief, confusion, and loss for these friends, and I struggled to understand and reconcile my feelings. How would their choices affect the future of our friendship?

“Dad, I can’t wait to go on a mission,” Chase Hansen told his father, John Hansen, after Chase got baptized and walked out of the baptismal font in 2017. John responded, “Son, we are already on a mission.”

“Membership in the Church is a very personal matter. Every individual counts. That is why we function on the principle of common consent,” Elder Holland said. “We want everyone to have an opinion, to express him or herself, and to be united in going forward. . . . I love the imagery of arms to the square and the meaning behind that. No one has to serve alone in the Church, whatever our calling.” Elder Renlund added with a smile, “Another thing that the members can do to sustain me as one of the Twelve is to forgive me for not being perfect."

It's difficult to create a remake of Josh Groban's heart-melting hit "You Raise Me Up" that lives up to the original, but BYU Vocal Point's recent cover of the song adds an upbeat twist that makes you want to listen to it again and again.

At the first Face to Face event held in Asia, Elder Stevenson told the youth in attendance at the Manila MTC, "The covenant path is not a path for perfect people. The covenant path is for those who are trying to become perfect." He later added, "The gospel is a gospel of joy and it tries to teach us to be happy." Elder and Sister Stevenson continued to share their message of love and joy as they met with youth in Japan for another Face to Face event, and this time the apostle spoke in the native language of those in attendance.

In addition to the lyric “Tale as old as time, Beauty and the Beast” written in script, a phone case depicting iconic Disney characters in front of the Church's most iconic temple contains lines from D&C 123:17.

Have you ever had a moment where you pause to take a breath and appreciate something small? These little wonders can be tender mercies in our lives. Here are 21 such simple pleasures that Latter-day Saints in particular might find in their everyday lives.