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58505

Here’s how you can preorder your own October general conference wide-margin journal edition

LDS Living Staff - Throughout the years, Church leaders have repeatedly encouraged us to study the general conference messages. One way to preserve your impressions is with the General Conference Addresses Journal Edition ,   which will have all the text of the general conference addresses from October 2020 in one spiral-bound paperback. Extra-wide, lined margins give you space to record your impressions and document insights you receive. At the end of the April 2018 general conference , President Russell M. Nelson, who had just been sustained as the new prophet, extended the following invitation: "I exhort you to study the messages of this conference...

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Understanding how doctrinal principles work together: Read Tad R. Callister's insights

Valerie Russell - Sometimes, considering doctrinal principles as separate and distinct ideas can feel like the best way to fully understand the gospel. Tad R. Callister, an emeritus General Authority and former Sunday School General President, offers an additional approach. In a recent article for Church News , Brother Callister demonstrates the great value in understanding doctrinal principles together.  ► You may also like:  5 ways life would be radically different if Christ never made His Atonement “Understanding the correlation between doctrinal principles can give us a new and broader perspective—somewhat like looking at a completed puzzle rather than viewing each piece individually,” he...

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Enjoy everything you love about Time Out for Women from home with these new virtual bundles

Time Out for Women - Though we can’t gather in person this fall for the live Time Out for Women events, Time Out for Women is pleased to offer all-new digital experience bundles. It’s everything you love about Time Out for Women—at home! Choose how you want to participate through a variety of options. Feed your spirit and strengthen your heart with impactful messages and downloads from the 2020 tour presenters. Join our Take Courage, My Heart study group. Or you can even host your own courage-themed girls’ night in. Here’s a look at some of the offerings that are available, or you can visit tofw.com...

58499

See what the Port Moresby Papua New Guinea Temple will look like

Newsroom of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has released an exterior rendering showing the planned design for the Port Moresby Papua New Guinea Temple. This comes as project leaders begin the process of working with local government officials relating to the temple’s design in preparation for the eventual groundbreaking and beginning of construction. ► You may also like: The number of temples without an angel Moroni statue will soon double The Port Moresby Papua New Guinea Temple, which was announced in October 2019 by President Russell M. Nelson , will be built at Muniogo Crescent, Badili, Port Moresby, Papua New...

58480

The Light of the World: Why this week's 'Come, Follow Me' reading is arguably the best part of the Book of Mormon

Morgan Jones - There was a lot of speculation leading up to President M. Russell Ballard’s visit to my mission. What was the Lord sending an Apostle to tell us or teach us? The visit came on the heels of the missionary age change and the number of missionaries serving was higher than ever. Maybe he was coming to tell us something we’d never heard before? Others felt certain he was coming to call some of us to repentance and to emphasize obedience. Instead, what did President Ballard do? He read from 3 Nephi 11 and 17. And while it wasn’t anything revolutionary, I...

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For the Strength of Youth conferences to resume in summer 2021

Newsroom of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Based on current information from medical and government officials, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints plans to hold For the Strength of Youth (FSY) conferences in the United States and Canada beginning in the summer of 2021. Wards are encouraged to reserve the dates they are assigned to attend . Church leaders are closely monitoring the status of COVID-19 in all areas of the world. Based on updated information and local restrictions, the format of the conference may change or sessions may be postponed. If needed, an alternative youth activity will be provided. All affected congregations will receive additional...

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Elder Holland discusses the ‘plague of pornography’ and assures heaven’s help to the struggling

Lindsey Williams - What does COVID-19 have in common with pornography? According to Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, the similarities are striking. Speaking at the Utah Coalition Against Pornography’s annual conference, Elder Holland compared the moral plague of pornography to the current pandemic and offered words of encouragement to those battling with pornography, as reported by Church News . In one of several comparisons Elder Holland made between COVID-19 and pornography, Elder Holland explained how COVID-19 spreads through small, imperceptible droplets in the air. Likewise, pornography spreads through pervasive “little pornographic germs,” by television, movies, checkout counters, cell phones, and iPads. In both scenarios, those...

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She has worked with Gladys Knight and just recorded an entire album of Primary songs. Here's why the music is unlike anything you've heard before

Danielle Christensen - Heather Parker had an entire album to record, but all the studios were closed. For over a decade, Parker had been an assistant director to Gladys Knight’s Grammy Award-winning Saints Unified Voices Choir and had even produced the song “ There is a Green Hill Far Away ” for the Empress of Soul’s album Where My Heart Belongs , which received the NAACP’s Image Award for Outstanding Gospel Album in 2015. Parker had big dreams for this new project and planned to record the tracks with the Atlanta Super Choir before releasing the album this year. But when the pandemic hit,...

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Charlie Bird answers, 'If there were a button that could make you straight, would you press it?'

Charlie Bird, excerpted from "Without the Mask" - The August pick for  LDS Living Book Club is  Without the Mask by Charlie Bird. Follow the LDS Living Book Club  Instagram  for more insights with the author. The J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles sits boldly over the hills of Santa Monica. The modern building boasts a myriad of fountains and soaring terraces that provide 360-degree views of the surrounding valley and hills. Inside, Western art from the Middle Ages to the present is displayed. Among my favorite pieces housed in the museum is a small collection of paintings by Claude Monet. The first time I saw a Monet...

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Anxiety and belief: Are you experiencing a faith crisis? Here’s what may actually be playing a role

Debra Theobald McClendon, PhD - Editor’s note: Dr. Debra Theobald McClendon is a clinical psychologist who specializes in scrupulosity, a religiously themed subtype of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). This is the second in a series of three articles discussing McClendon’s thoughts on how anxiety impacts a personal faith crisis and how individuals can navigate their anxiety with faith. McClendon was recently a guest on  LDS Living ’s  All In  podcast. You can listen to the podcast and find more resources on the topic  here .  Read Part One:  5 principles of faith to help you prevent your doubts from becoming a faith crisis Concerns about faith can...

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Having one child ‘all the way home’: How a doctor’s words to Heidi Swinton following her newborn’s death changed her life

LDS Living - Heidi Swinton was a young journalist with big dreams when she felt led to start a family, but five years passed and she and her husband still had no children.  “It’s the ‘sit in the back of the chapel fast day and have people bless their babies and tell everyone how blessed they are and you're not one of them,’” Swinton recalls. “That was a real challenge for me. It was a challenge, I think, for me to commit to the Lord.” Eventually, she was able to give birth to twins, but one of them passed away after just 22 hours....

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Guidelines for weekly sacrament and second hour meetings released by Utah Area Presidency

Lindsey Williams - Following a letter sent by the First Presidency on September 11, 2020, the Utah Area Presidency released updated guidelines. Included in the letter are items such as: • Weekly first hour Sunday worship that will be simultaneously broadcast to members in their homes—the broadcast is not to be recorded and will not include the administration of the sacrament. Following the broadcast, members will have options to administer the sacrament both in-person and at home, as authorized by the bishop. • Virtual second hour classes alternating between Sunday School and Priesthood quorums, Relief Society, and Young Women. Primary will not be held...

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'We are stronger than we think': Sister Aburto teaches in Deseret Book LIVE video how to be steadfast and immovable

Valerie Russell - You may have first grown to admire Sister Reyna Isabel Aburto, Second Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency, by watching the videos  about her life story released by the Church two years ago. Perhaps you were also moved by her remarks to the sisters in the October 2019 general conference as she testified, “Your struggles do not define you, but they can refine  you.” But no matter how much or how little you know about Sister Aburto, you will appreciate some thoughts she shared in a recent discussion with Yahosh Bonner.  ► You may also like:  Found in the Footnotes:...

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The curriculum materials for 2021 are now available online

Lindsey Williams - Though the bicentennial year will soon end, in 2021 we will study some of what came after the First Vision 200 years ago. The curriculum materials for 2021 are now available online, as reported by Church News . Manuals have been released for individuals and families , Nursery , Primary , Young Women and Aaronic Priesthood , and Sunday School . Speaking in October 2019 general conference , Sunday School General President Mark L. Pace said, “Studying the scriptures with Come, Follow Me as a guide is strengthening our conversion to Jesus Christ and His gospel. We are not simply trading...

58427

‘The ABCs for spiritual growth’: What President Nelson taught his family during his 96th birthday celebration

Lindsey Williams - President Russell M. Nelson’s 96th birthday celebration may have looked similar to experiences you’ve had with your family during the pandemic—a video conference call, complete with the hurdles of technology like muting and unmuting microphones and wiggly children. To celebrate his 96th birthday, President Nelson’s family gathered together through technology with 276 total participants in 61 locations to wish their father, grandfather, and great-grandfather happy birthday, as reported by Church News . During the celebration, President Nelson shared with his family the “ABCs for spiritual growth—A: be attractive, B: be bright,” C: build character.” He encouraged his family members to reflect...

58421

First Presidency releases updated guidelines for safely increasing Church meetings, activities

Newsroom of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has provided updated guidelines to help Church leaders and members safely increase engagement in worship and other activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Area Presidencies, under the guidance of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, are tasked with approving meetings and activities in their areas. The First Presidency letter notes that, beginning in November 2020, stake conferences may be held virtually or with careful social distancing. An enclosure to the letter says weekly worship can resume immediately, depending on local conditions. ► Related content:  Guidelines for weekly...

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The Scripture Citation Index could be what takes your scripture study to the next level

Valerie Russell - Over four decades ago, President Spencer W. Kimball’s prophetically declared , “I believe that the Lord is anxious to put into our hands inventions of which we laymen have hardly had a glimpse.” One of these inventions may be the Scripture Citation Index.  Created by Richard C. Galbraith and released digitally in 2010, the Scripture Citation Index conveniently links scriptures in the Church’s standard works to specific citations in general conference talks and other writings. The goal? “What we’re trying to do is share this with a significant population of the Church, free of charge, to study and understand better the...

58417

Elder Rasband testifies of miracles; Elder Cook celebrates his 80th birthday by strengthening missionaries

Valerie Russell - Among the many invitations President Russell M. Nelson extended in the October 2019 general conference, perhaps one of the most poignant ones was from his closing remarks , where he encouraged us to “immerse yourself in the glorious light of the Restoration.” Although change and hardship may seem impossible at times, we can press forward as we focus on the glorious light of the Restoration as the prophet has asked us to do. As we continue to celebrate the bicentennial anniversary of the First Vision, it is important to remember that our own, individual restoration is also ongoing. This week, Church...

58412

Of the many truths we learn from the First Vision, this is one of my favorites

Lindsey Williams - Editor's note: Our bi-weekly Friday column, “ Found in the footnotes ,” explores some of the footnotes from remarks given by General Authorities and General Officers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. On Wednesday of this week, our beloved prophet turned 96. As I considered some of the things I have learned from President Russell M. Nelson, the name of one of his talks before his call as prophet came prominently into my mind: “ Perfection Pending .” I decided to once again read this 1995 address, and as I did so, a line stood out to me:...

58411

Tabernacle Choir releases dramatic new Star Wars music video on the 110th anniversary of its first recording

Lindsey Williams - Even though the new music video from the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square is filmed at the familiar and iconic Tabernacle, viewers may find themselves transported to a galaxy far, far away as they watch it. The Choir released the music video for “Duel of the Fates ,” a song found on their new EP recording, When You Believe: A Night at the Movies , on September 10. The video release coincides with the 110th anniversary of the Tabernacle Choir’s first recording. The Choir celebrated the anniversary with a news conference held at Temple Square. Choir President Ron Jarrett, Choir Director...

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Jane Clayson Johnson: Responding to the mental health repercussions of a pandemic

Jane Clayson Johnson - Earlier this month, a nationwide study confirmed what many have suspected for some time: the prevalence of depression has soared during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to researchers, symptoms of depression have increased more than three-fold since March. The CDC reported that 40 percent of U.S. adults described experiencing symptoms of depression in June. In a recent segment on mental health produced by WBUR in my hometown, Boston, a researcher suggested that depression spurred by the pandemic could itself become a second pandemic. The stress of social isolation, job loss, political divisiveness, uncertainty about the future, the disease itself, and a dearth...

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Why do we take the sacrament with our right hand? A look at this symbolic action and its connection to the ongoing Restoration

David C. Dollahite, Contributor - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints regularly issues revisions to its General Handbook , a guidebook containing principles and specific practices for serving and leading in the Church. In the spring of 2020, an instruction was added in the section “The Sacrament” (18.9.7) : “Members partake with their right hand when possible.” In 1983, then-Elder Russell M. Nelson addressed the question of using the right hand to partake of the sacrament in an Ensign article . He linked using the right hand to partake of the sacrament with using the right hand for other sacred oaths ( raising of...

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'We need to reach out with love and understanding': 8 powerful Church videos about suicide prevention

Newsroom of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - This press release was originally published in July 2018 and is being shared again in recognition of World Suicide Prevention Day.  In an ongoing effort to help prevent suicide, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has released a series of hopeful videos—several of which come from Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles—that encourage Latter-day Saints to listen to and love those considering suicide. ► Also read: What the Church Has Said About Suicide: Comforting Answers from Church Leaders Elder Renlund encourages Latter-day Saints to “reach out in love and caring for those who have...

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What I learned at the Orem Utah Temple groundbreaking that will forever change my temple worship

Lindsey Williams - Speaking in the October 2019 general conference , President Russell M. Nelson said, “The temple is where you will receive your highest spiritual treasures.” In this same address, President Nelson announced plans to construct the Orem Utah Temple, in addition to seven other temples . For the first time, the new temple announcement was made in the women’s session. Less than a year later, I had the unique opportunity to attend the Orem Utah Temple groundbreaking on Saturday, September 5. Though the COVID-19 pandemic caused ceremony attendance to be small, it was no less sacred. Throughout the ceremony, I was reminded...