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Utah Area updates COVID-19 safety measures

Newsroom of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - The following message was sent to Church leaders in Utah on February 3, 2021. Dear Brethren: We again express our sincere appreciation for the leadership of Area Seventies, stake presidents, bishops, and other local leaders during the current pandemic. As you know, infection rates in Utah remain high, slowing our ability to return to normal Church meetings and activities. On January 22, 2021, the Utah Department of Heath issued an additional Public Health Order (2021-3) which is in effect through February 22, 2021. The Order “does not apply to a religious service.” However, religious organizations “are strongly encouraged to implement protocols...

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‘Heavenly Father cares about every word’: Sister Craig on receiving the inspiration to write her October 2020 general conference talk

Danielle Christensen - Sister Michelle D. Craig, First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency, gave a general conference address in October 2020 called “ Eyes to See .” In it, she spoke about listening to the Spirit and “seeing deeply”—or in other words, looking at others the way the Savior would. Recently in a Latter-day Saint Women podcast episode , Sister Craig spoke about the inspiration she received to write the talk she delivered last fall. During the episode, she shared how she began keeping a file of scriptures and collecting sources for her talk well before she was even assigned in June...

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These historic resources can amplify your ‘Come, Follow Me’ study right in the Gospel Library app

The Joseph Smith Papers - This article is from  The Joseph Smith Papers and is shared with permission.  The Joseph Smith Papers includes a wealth of information that can enhance your study of Joseph Smith’s revelations and the other texts in the Doctrine and Covenants. The list here includes resources developed by the staff of the Joseph Smith Papers Project and by other scholars in the Church History Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. How to Access the Resources in the Gospel Library From the Gospel Library, click on Restoration and Church History. Click on Doctrine and Covenants Study. Then click on...

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This may be one of the best talks you've never heard: Bishop Caussé on the pursuit of a beautiful soul instead of a beautiful body

Emily Abel - Editor's note: This article is the first in a new  LDS Living series, “ This may be one of the best talks you've never heard ,” highlighting talks you may have missed through the years. Have you ever listened to a talk and wanted to chant, “Yes! Yes!” all the way through? That was me when I listened to Bishop Gerald Caussé message, “ Harmony of Body and Spirit: A Key to Happiness ,” given during a BYU devotional in October 2020. Before the talk was even over, I was sending my closest friends a link so they could listen to...

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After losing her daughter, how helping thousands with leprosy in India led this mother to healing

LDS Living - In this week's episode of   This Is is the Gospel ,  Becky endures soul-rending pain after losing her oldest daughter, Amber, to suicide. But while going through Amber's belongings, Becky discovers her daughter had secretly been donating to an orphanage in India. Intrigued, Becky eventually makes her way to the orphanage where she begins her work helping those with a crippling disease she thought had been eradicated long ago. An adapted excerpt from the story is below.  Listen to the full episode here or read the full transcript here .  My oldest daughter, Amber, was severely bipolar. Amber struggled [with...

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Motorcycles, reserve gas tanks, and broke horses: Bishop Budge draws powerful parallels to the Atonement of Jesus Christ at BYU devotional

LDS Living - Editor’s note:  “This week from the pulpit”  highlights recent messages from General Authorities, General Officers, and leaders of the Church. This story may be updated throughout the week. As a teenage boy, Bishop L. Todd Budge, Second Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric, borrowed his uncle’s 90cc Suzuki motorcycle for a warm summer ride. But on the ride, the motorcycle ran out of gas, leaving him to push the heavy bike all the way home. Exhausted as he returned home, he was surprised when his uncle came outside, sat on the motorcycle, flipped a switch, and the motor’s engine immediately started. His...

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How to help when the person you minister to has financial challenges

Lindsey Williams - In several spots in scripture, God promises that “as ye keep the commandments, ye shall prosper in the land.” In 2018, Presiding Bishop Gérald Caussé said , “This promise is central to the story and teachings of the Book of Mormon. It appears in 18 different verses, and in seven of its 15 books. Although the blessing of prosperity mentioned in these scriptures is principally of a spiritual nature, it also includes the ability for the people of God to enjoy economic progress and become temporally self-reliant.” So what do you do when the person you minister to has financial challenges?...

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What we can learn from the father of the Prodigal Son about love

Tom Christofferson, adapted from “A Better Heart: The Impact of Christ's Pure Love” - This excerpt originally appeared in the  January/February issue of  LDS Living magazine . The parable we normally think of as the story of the Prodigal Son (see Luke 15:11–32 ) could more helpfully be titled the story of The Righteous Father of Two Sons. We can learn of Christ in His role of Father as the Creator of this earth, as the Head of those who have accepted His gospel, and as the One who has made possible our resurrection—our spiritual rebirth and physical salvation. The Merriam-Webster online dictionary provides several definitions of the word prodigal. The first two connote the...

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Ministering to a loved one who is incarcerated and more hopeful messages from the ‘Liahona’ this month

Danielle Christensen - The February 2021 issue of the Liahona  provides many messages of hope focused on the topic of incarceration. In one article, Douglas G. Richens, Church Manager of Prison Ministry, shares a story of when he visited a man named Eric who had been incarcerated for 17 years. Eric prayed often, attended church, and tried to help others learn about the scriptures. “As we talked, Eric told me how grateful he was for the many Church members who had supported him over the years. He shared his testimony and faith in Jesus Christ. Then, in a whispered voice, he said there were...

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'Oh say, what is truth?': New Church video explores the age-old question

LDS Living - One Latter-day Saint hymn poses a pressing question: “Oh say, what is truth?” The hymn goes on to compare the worth of truth to “the fairest gem that the riches of worlds can produce,” and “the brightest prize to which mortals or Gods can aspire.” This question of discerning truth is perhaps more relevant now than ever.  A new video released by the Church on Saturday, “In Search of Truth,” talks with people about their desire to find truth, especially in a technology age.  “On the internet, there’s so many things that people are just throwing at you . . ....

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Why a lack of clarity can actually be a good thing and bring you closer to God

Jacob Z. Hess, Carrie L. Skarda, Kyle D. Anderson, and Ty R. Mansfield; excerpted from “The Power of Stillness” - Latter-day Saints recognize that, rather than an aberration in God’s plan, lack of knowing  is a central and defining feature of mortal experience. Yes, it’s somewhat counterintuitive that to become like God we have to leave His side in the cosmos and become ignorant infants, 100 percent dependent on other limited humans. How fascinating: to know as God knows, we must experience mortality through the tiny lens of our own subjective bodies and limited life context, without a clear view of our eternal past. But the reality is, in order to spiritually progress, we had to forget everything we knew in...

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Sponsored: It's time to rethink our fractured religious vocabulary

Fiona and Terryl Givens, advertisers - The Bible translator William Tyndale wrote, Evangelion (that we call the gospel) is a Greek word and signifieth good, merry, glad and joyful tidings, that maketh a man’s heart glad, and maketh him to sing, dance, and leap for joy. Yet in our interactions with Saints throughout the world, we have found many hurting members asking the same questions: If God weeps over our misery, why does Christ need to allay God’s wrath? If Christ promises to “wipe away all tears,” why do we anticipate sorrows to come in the next world? Too many of the wounded and struggling are wondering...

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This former bishop wanted to ride in BYU football’s truck before cancer takes his life. Here’s who made that happen

Danielle Christensen - Brandon Stewart had the ride of a lifetime over the weekend. After many brain surgeries and cancer treatments, Stewart, age 44, learned in December 2020 that he doesn’t have long to live. So when his wife asked if there was something special he’d like to do with his remaining time, he responded that he’d like to ride in Brigham Young University’s football equipment truck. Stewart recently served as a bishop for his congregation in Clinton, Utah. He retired with the rank of major from the National Guard in 2019. His military service included serving a one-year deployment in Iraq from 2004...

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Transform your general conference experience with Work + Wonder workbooks

LDS Living - The team at Work + Wonder has been producing beautiful general conference workbooks since April 2018 to help members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints transform their conference experience. Now in its 7th iteration, this fantastic conference prep resource will be available in Deseret Book stores and online at DeseretBook.com ! “General Conference is an opportunity to take a closer look at our hearts and homes—what tools and materials we’re using to build our foundations and a roof overhead. As we savor the messages and apply them in the following months, we’re putting to use a fresh set...

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Sponsored: The restored Church or the restoring Church?

Patrick Q. Mason, adapted from “Restoration: God's Call to the 21st-Century World” - A subtle but significant rhetorical shift occurred during General Conference in April 2014. Almost in passing, Dieter F. Uchtdorf, then Second Counselor in the First Presidency, introduced the notion of an “ongoing” Restoration: Sometimes we think of the Restoration of the gospel as something that is complete, already behind us—Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon, he received priesthood keys, the Church was organized. In reality, the Restoration is an ongoing process; we are living in it right now. It includes “all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal,” and the “many great and important things” that “He...

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13 beautiful artistic depictions of the First Vision

LDS Living - In an interview with LDS Living , author and Brigham Young University professor Anthony Sweat said, “The Restoration helps me better comprehend God (and therefore myself and His children), gives deep meaning and understanding to life, and gives me power and purpose through covenants. It means everything to me.” To celebrate and honor the Restoration and our study of the Doctrine and Covenants this year, here are 13 of our favorite artistic depictions of the First Vision that can enhance the spirit in your home. The First Visions Anthony Sweat | 17 x 23 Framed Art Learn more » ► You...

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Finding freedom in the Church’s 12-step program: 7 tips from a former addict

Michael Scott Glenn, Contributor - It’s one o’clock on a Wednesday afternoon, and I’m tired. I’ve been staring at the computer screen for far too long, trying to write the introduction for this article, hoping for inspiration to strike. I glance at the time, turn off my music (sorry, Hall and Oates; you guys still rock though), and think about what I want to have for dinner tonight. And then I get the urge. It always hits when I’m fatigued. Or when I’m bored. Or anxious, or frustrated, or lonely, or stressed, or uncertain about my future—so, it hits me a lot, and sometimes it feels...

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In case you missed it: Top LDS Living articles from this week

LDS Living Staff - Here’s a snapshot of what you may have missed on LDS Living this week. You can also subscribe to the LDS Living  newsletter for daily inspiration right to your inbox. Featured Stories Latter-day Saint psychologist: Finding happiness regardless of your circumstance Lehi taught Jacob there must be “opposition in all things” (2 Nephi 2:11). Fourteen verses later, he taught his son that “men are, that they might have joy” (2 Nephi 2:25). How do we reconcile those two concepts? How can we experience opposition, difficulty, and stress while at the same time being happy and fulfilled? Read more .  I became...

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Listen: Church News editor Sarah Weaver recalls the lesson she learned about dealing with questions and choosing faith

LDS Living - Sarah Jane Weaver, Church News editor, remembers exactly what she was doing on November 5, 2015. At the time, she was near the 600 South exit on Interstate 15, driving near Salt Lake City, when she got a phone call from a coworker.  “My coworker spoke quickly. I could tell he had run to the telephone,” she wrote years later in 2019 . “He did not have all the information but had heard that the Church would ‘not bless or baptize children of LGBT parents.’”  Her reply? “That can’t be right.”  She pulled over and found a news article on her...

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Why a Lego artist who isn't a Latter-day Saint created a replica of the Kirtland Temple

Danielle Christensen - In early 2020, Mark Clark drove four hours to check out the Kirtland Temple. Taking out his measuring wheel, he walked the grounds and decided he wanted to tell its story—through Legos. Clark is not a member of the Church, but his Latter-day Saint friends had told him about the significance of the temple, and he wanted to get it right. Previously, the artist has done replicas of other historical landmarks in Ohio, including the Music Hall and the Roebling Bridge, and he wanted to spare no effort in recreating this equally historic site. A picture of the original temple in...

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What Sister Craig reminded me about why kindness shouldn’t always be random

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. I noticed something interesting this week as I was looking through headlines one day. Two news stories from two completely different organizations used the term, “random act of kindness.” The repeated pairing of random and kindness caused me to pause. I went to the  Merriam-Webster Dictionary to look up the definition of “random” and found a meaning that said, “lacking a definite plan, purpose, or pattern.”...

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‘A Better Heart’ by Tom Christofferson announced as the February LDS Living Book Club pick

LDS Living - Members of the Church first met Tom Christofferson when he wrote his first book, That We May Be One: A Gay Mormon’s Perspective on Faith & Family . The book told the story of how the love of those around him, including his immediate family, brought him back to the gospel of Jesus Christ after spending two decades away from the Church. In his new book, A Better Heart , Christofferson explores Christlike love in greater depth. We are excited to announce that, as an homage to Valentine's Day, A Better Heart will be our LDS Living February Book Club pick! ...

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‘I have not lost him’: President Jones talks about her late son’s battle with cancer on new podcast episode

Lindsey Williams - The day before President Joy D. Jones spoke in the women’s session of the October 2017 general conference , she attended the funeral for her oldest son , Trevor, who had passed away after a battle with cancer. Though the Primary General President didn’t speak about the loss of her son in her conference talk, the news of her loss spread on social media. People shared how they felt the tremendous strength of her testimony as she spoke from the Conference Center pulpit on the worth of a soul. On a recent episode of the Latter-day Saint Women podcast , President...

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UVU pole vaulter shares what led him to hope after contemplating suicide

LDS Living - Last year, Larry Dominic Still became the second indoor track and field athlete in Utah Valley University school history to be named an All-American while also being an All-Academic athlete . But at the beginning of his career as a collegiate athlete, Still’s life seemed to be on a very different trajectory. He recalls partying to combat mental challenges he faced before ultimately deciding to take his own life. He had already begun typing a suicide note to his family and friends in a group text and was walking alone on a cold night on an empty street when a truck...