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57384

Responding to the Pandemic: Elder Holland on How Miracles Come during Trials

Danielle Christensen - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been through a whirlwind during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly half of the Church’s 67,000 missionaries were sent home to ensure their safety, temple worship ceased temporarily, congregations could no longer gather in chapels for some time, and humanitarian efforts  have been  going forth throughout the world.   Events have happened so fast, in fact, it’s been hard to keep track of them all. But a recent   Deseret News   article has broken down the measures the Church has taken since January of this year and how Latter-day Saints around the world...

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Latter-day Saint Psychologist: 2 Ways to Find Hope during Times of Despair

Dr. David T. Morgan, Contributor - In Washington state, we are in our eighth week of our governor’s “stay at home” order to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Personally, I try to look forward to better times, but there is a lot of pessimism out there. I’ve stopped reading certain news outlets because it seems the only information it publishes is dire predictions and dismal forecasts. As a social scientist, I know that statistics can be adjusted to make almost anything appear factual, so it’s difficult to know which reports are accurate and which are exaggerations or half-truths. Sometimes it is hard for me to stay...

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First Look at New Temples in Guatemala and Japan

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has released exterior renderings showing the planned design of two temples previously announced in 2019 by Church President Russell M. Nelson. A rendering of the Cobán Guatemala Temple. © 2020 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. The Cobán Guatemala Temple will be built on a 5.4-acre site adjacent to 4a. Avenida 4-48 Zona 8, Barrio Bella Vista, in Cobán, Guatemala. Plans call for a single-story temple of approximately 8,800 square feet. A meetinghouse and temple patron housing will also be built on the site. A rendering of the Okinawa Japan Temple. ©...

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Gold Star Widow Jennie Taylor Recalls the Day She Was Notified Her Husband Had Been Killed

LDS Living Staff - On Memorial Day, Americans, including members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, honor the men and women who have died while serving in the military. On Nov. 3, 2018, Maj. Brent Taylor was killed while deployed in Afghanistan during a ruck march—the military equivalent of a hike. He was the victim of an inside attack. On this week’s episode of All In,  Jennie Taylor, Brent’s wife and the mother of their seven children, recalled details of the horrific day. Read an excerpt from their conversation below or click here to listen to the whole episode. You can also...

57345

The Lessons Eve and Adam Learned in the Garden before Partaking of the Fruit

Melinda Wheelwright Brown, excerpted from "Eve and Adam" - The May pick for  LDS Living Book Club is  Eve and Adam by Melinda Wheelwright Brown. Follow the LDS Living Book Club  Instagram  for weekly insights with the author. Though we each attained various levels of “stature, capacity, and intelligence” 1 as spirit children in the premortal realm, a veil of forgetfulness separates us from the memories of that place and time; 2   we enter mortality pure and innocent, quite literally with a world of learning ahead of us. Restored doctrine teaches that Adam and Eve likewise donned that same veil as they received their physical bodies, but their role...

57369

Small-Scale Groundbreaking Held for Layton Utah Temple, Recording to Be Made Available Next Week

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - In response to media inquiries, the following statement is from Irene Caso, spokesperson for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the need to limit public gatherings, leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints determined a traditional groundbreaking for the Layton Utah Temple, with invited guests, was not prudent. The First Presidency assigned the Utah Area Presidency to conduct a small-scale groundbreaking, held Saturday, May 23, so that construction could proceed. Latter-day Saints and friends in the community are invited to view a recording of the proceedings that will be made...

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How a Trip to Washington, DC, Helped Me Understand the Sacrament Better

Kelly Newman, Contributor - Years ago, our family had the opportunity to visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, DC. If you haven’t had that opportunity yet—take it. It’s likely something you will never forget. Overlooking the city, this marble sarcophagus has these words inscribed on the back: HERE RESTS IN HONORED GLORY AN AMERICAN SOLDIER KNOWN BUT TO GOD 1 The Tomb itself is sacred and inspiring. However, there are also guards dressed in spectacular uniform that ceremoniously guard the Tomb 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The soldiers who guard it undergo a rigorous selection...

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"I'm Not Raising My Children Alone”: How Jennie Taylor Has Found Peace after Her Husband Was Killed in Afghanistan

Carolyn Campbell, contributor - Jennie Taylor remembers the evening of November 2, 2018, so well. It was the first time she had seen many of her college girlfriends in what seemed like forever. Their overnight reunion included plenty of laughs and shared stories about each other’s kids and husbands. Jennie was convinced that her mom was right when she encouraged her to leave her seven children and take an overnight trip with the girls a few hours from their Utah home. At the time, Jennie’s husband, Brent Taylor, was deployed in Afghanistan. Jennie was sure he was fine, though—after all, the couple had survived three...

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"He Looked Up to the Heavens": The Impressions Presidents Bingham, Jones Had While Watching President Nelson Film the Proclamation

Danielle Christensen - On April 5, 2020, during the Sunday morning session of general conference, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints watched a prerecorded video of President Russell M. Nelson in the Sacred Grove. In the video, President Nelson delivered “ The Restoration of the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ: A Bicentennial Proclamation to the World ,” testifying of the Restoration of the gospel and how God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, appeared to the boy Joseph Smith in an answer to prayer. But who was there to witness that recording and what were the thoughts...

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Nauvoo Young Performing Missionaries Don't Let Canceled Summer Service Keep Them from Singing

LDS Living - Each summer, single Latter-day Saints between the ages of 18 and 25 are called to serve in Nauvoo. These missionaries sing, dance, play instruments, and work on set to make sure that visitors to the Illinois town Latter-day Saints once called home have a memorable experience. But this summer there will be no young performing missionaries in Nauvoo due to the recent pandemic. The young performing missionaries who were set to serve in Nauvoo this summer will have the opportunity to serve again in 2021. But, while their Nauvoo experience may have been delayed, these missionaries couldn’t pass up the opportunity...

57358

The One-of-a-Kind Love Story behind the Making of Piano Guys' Latest Video

Emily Abel - The latest Piano Guys music video, featuring puppets, is the first of its kind on their YouTube channel. And the love story that came to be during the making of the video? Also one of a kind. It all started when the Piano Guys saw and were intrigued by a social media post in which puppeteer Marton Harkel was performing on the streets of Budapest. In the description of the video on YouTube they explain, “What caught our eye was his cellist puppet. It was a near-perfect copy of the puppeteer. And as he made the motions of playing cello, his...

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New Tabernacle Choir EP, "When You Believe: A Night at the Movies," Resonates with Audiences Worldwide

Lindsey Williams - For Scott Barrick, general manager of the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, it came as no surprise to see Salt Lake City and Provo as top Spotify listener locations for the Choir’s new recording of the Star Wars song, “Duel of the Fates.” What was surprising were some of the other locations topping the list: Instanbul, Taipei, London, New York City, Madrid, and Sydney. Deseret News   reported on how the Choir’s new Star Wars song is resonating with some of its target audiences. “Our strategy since we launched our YouTube channel in 2012 was to go after a younger, more...

57357

The Pandemic Delayed the New Temple Ceremonial Clothing Launch. Here’s What Beehive Clothing Has Been Doing in the Meantime

Lindsey Williams - At the start of the year, the First Presidency announced an adjustment to the clothing worn in temple ceremonies . The changes included simpler designs for the veil and robe, removing the tie of the cap and veil, and using more durable material. The release of the new temple ceremonial clothing was scheduled for March 31, but was indefinitely delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, Beehive Clothing is working on a new project. In mid-April, Beehive Clothing facilities worldwide received First Presidency approval to pause the production of sacred clothing to produce masks and gowns for frontline workers. Beehive Clothing...

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Elder Renlund Says “There Is Not a Hint of Fear” among Senior Church Leaders during Pandemic, Only Confidence

Emily Abel - Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles recently shared that because the pandemic has different effects on everyone, personal revelation becomes an “incomparable gift.” He has witnessed this in the Church's response to the present worldwide situation. Latter-day Saints can look to senior Church leaders as an example of how to act on revelation rather than being held back by fear. “There is not a hint of fear. Instead, we are asking: ‘How can we do things better? How can we improve? How can we bless our people?’" says Elder Renlund. He went on to say that...

57359

What Latter-day Saints Can Learn from Ramadan to Enhance Their Fasting Experience

Rachel Clawson, contributor - Ramadan Mubarak! For our Muslim friends and neighbors around the world, April 23 through May 23 is the holy month of Ramadan. Serving on the board of directors for the Interfaith Leadership Council of Metro Detroit and in my capacity as public affairs director for the Church in my stake, I have had some incredible opportunities to explore the rich religious landscape of my diverse community. One of my favorite experiences has been celebrating Ramadan with my wonderful Muslim friends and neighbors. Before I got involved in interfaith work, the only thing I knew about Ramadan was that it involved fasting—for...

56884

Conference Review: 1 Powerful Promise or Invitation from Every April 2020 Talk

Sara Anderson and Kensie Smith - Editor's note: This story was originally published on April 8, 2020. Looking for a great way to keep track of your insights from general conference? The General Conference Addresses Journal Edition has extra-wide, lined margins give you space to record your impressions.  As promised by President Nelson, it truly was a “memorable and unforgettable” conference. To help you carry the messages from conference with you, here is one invitation or promise given by each of the speakers during the April 2020 general conference. We hope they will lead you to take action, inspire you to be still and "hear Him,” and...

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Found in the Footnotes: How the 1st Word of Doctrine & Covenants Applies Perfectly to President Nelson’s “Hear Him” Invitation

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 Monday, May 18, something wonderful happened. The doors of the Seoul Korea Temple and the Taipei Taiwan Temple opened for husband-wife sealings as part of phase 1 of temple re-openings . When I saw those two temples on the re-opening list, my heart was so full. The temples in Korea and Taiwan were the first to close due to COVID-19 on February 21. Things might...

57346

This Week from the Pulpit: How Service Empowers Us during Times of Fear

Emily Abel - Editor's note: " This Week from the Pulpit " highlights recent messages by General Authorities and General Officers of the Church.   1 Timothy 1:7 gives us this promise: “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” A similar promise is sounding from the pulpit this week at a time when some feel like they are running on low power. President Bonnie H. Cordon, Young Women general president, testified that intentional service will fill us with priesthood power. BYU–Idaho President Henry J. Erying and his wife, Sister Kelly...

57347

Watch: BYU Vocal Point Teams Up with YouTube Star Peter Hollens to Share Song of Hope

Lindsey Williams - The name Peter Hollens may sound familiar to LDS Living  readers. The YouTube star with over 2.5 million subscribers has collaborated with Latter-day Saint artists before, including The Piano Guys , David Archuleta , Lindsey Stirling , and the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square . Vocal Point, an a capella group from Brigham Young University, recently released a video with Hollens, singing the song “ The Climb .” The group said they wanted to share a message of hope during difficult times, according to a Facebook post . “The Climb” is one of the songs on BYU Vocal Point’s new album...

57349

What Latter-day Saints in the Middle East Are Saying about a Temple in Dubai

Emily Abel - Currently, the 8,000 Latter-day Saints living in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the surrounding regions have to travel to Ukraine, Italy, or Germany to attend the temple. But those long travel days will soon end as President Nelson has announced plans to construct a temple in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. As it was nearly 2 a.m. in the UAE when President Nelson stood at the pulpit in Salt Lake City, Utah announcing the new temple, members woke up the next morning to the thrill of receiving the message of a temple. Giuliana Giusti Machado, a Brazilian resident of Sharjah, UAE,...

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“How Good Is My Life!”: BYU Coach Mark Pope Recalls Playing Michael Jordan in 1998 Eastern Conference Finals

LDS Living - Latter-day Saint Mark Pope was an NBA rookie playing for the Indiana Pacers when his team, coached by NBA legend Larry Bird, faced Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in the 1998 Eastern Conference Finals. The series, including Reggie Miller’s game winning shot to tie the series, was recently documented in The Last Dance ESPN documentary. Sports Illustrated interviewed Pope , who just completed his first season as BYU Men’s Basketball coach, about playing in the series and Pope recalled a moment of gratitude he experienced in the locker room before Game 7 in Chicago. “We are in the locker room...

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Guidance in Every Brushstroke: Miracles behind this Month’s Church Magazine Cover Art

Emily Abel - Church magazines are full of accounts of the Lord guiding hearts and hands around the world. This month, however, there is an extra special story behind the magazine itself. Hidden in the brushstrokes of all four magazines’ cover art (The Ensign , Liahona , New Era , and Friend ) is a stunning story of the Lord’s tender involvement in the world.  The art that covers the May issues of the Church’s four magazines depicts one of the most miraculous manifestations of the Father and the Son’s caring involvement in this dispensation—the First Vision. The experiences of the two artists involved...

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5 Lessons from This Week's "Come, Follow Me" Reading on Mosiah 25–28

Lindsey Williams - In Mosiah 25–28, Limhi's people, Alma's people, and Mosiah's people all become one group known as the Nephites. Despite their unity as a single group, unbelievers emerge, including Alma the Younger. Here are five lessons you can explore from this week's Come, Follow Me. Mosiah 25–28 • Becoming New Creatures — Elder L. Tom Perry • “ The Immediate Goodness of God” — Emily Belle Freeman • “Only through the Father and the Son” — Elder Neil L. Andersen • Repenting in Two Days and Two Nights — Book of Mormon Video • Understanding Why God Weeps with the Sunday on...

57344

Utah Area Presidency Approves Resuming Sunday and Other Meetings

Lindsey Williams - For nearly 10 weeks, meetinghouses of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have stood empty across the world. That could end as soon as this weekend. A  letter from the First Presidency on Tuesday, May 19, outlined guidelines for a safe return to our weekly worship services and activities, and at least one area is already putting the plan in action. In a letter to stake presidents, the Utah Area Presidency has already approved all wards to enter phase one of the First Presidency’s guidelines , according to KSL.com . “We emphasize the importance of proceeding cautiously as we...