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

Social media—it's a great place to share our faith, our beliefs, and our . . . unique culture. Here are just a few clever examples of those who are not afraid to share a little about what it means to be Mormon online.

An outpouring of love and support continues to follow the deadly aftermath of the LDS meetinghouse shooting on Sunday. “That support will continue as long as it is needed,” said Area Seventy Elder Ren S. Johnson.

Some years ago, while renewing my temple recommend (with a member of my stake presidency), I was asked the last of the recommend questions, which at that time read: “Do you consider yourself worthy in every way to enter the temple?” I responded, with enthusiasm, “Absolutely!”—to which the good brother interviewing me appeared genuinely shocked. I felt as though I had actually made him uncomfortable, perhaps more so than if I had confessed some serious transgression.

Famines, pestilences, earthquakes, tribulations, hailstorms, scourges, sickness, commotion, killing, iniquity, blood—these are just some of the calamities prophesied about in the scriptures. But if we “have taken the Holy Spirit for [our] guide,” we will be prepared and need not fear.

During his short life, the Prophet Joseph Smith shared many words of wisdom—some of which we still remember today and some which most of us haven't heard before. Here are some lesser-known ones that he shared during his life (more can be found in Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith). Which ones would you add?

"Our understanding of the plan of salvation and knowledge that families are eternal and that we'll see him again . . . it's what keeps us going," said Duane Miller, a victim of the Nevada church shooting and brother to Bert Miller.

In November 2017, Elder M. Russell Ballard said, "We need to listen to and understand what our LGBT brothers and sisters are feeling and experiencing. Certainly, we must do better than we have done in the past so that all members feel they have a spiritual home where their brothers and sisters love them and where they have a place to worship and serve the Lord."

Mormon professional golfer Tony Finau became the only man to finish in the top 10 at the Masters, the U.S. Open, and the British Open this year, an incredible feat that was almost cut short by an unexpected injury.

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