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‘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...

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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...

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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:...

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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...

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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...

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Recent BYU study explores influence of Disney princesses on young girls

Morgan Jones - Much has been said about the influence of Disney princesses on young girls, but did anyone ask the young girls themselves? That is what a group of Brigham Young University professors and students set out to do in a recent research study . A Deseret News article published on Monday explores the findings of the study. “We started looking at the literature that was out there on the Disney princesses, and it was all pretty much critical analysis,” Tom Robinson, a BYU School of Communications professor who was involved with the study, told Deseret News . “But there was no real...

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How can I know that I have been forgiven? This parable holds the answer

S. Michael Wilcox, excerpted from "What Seek Ye?" - The September pick for LDS Living Book Club is  What Seek Ye? by S. Michael Wilcox. Follow the LDS Living Book Club  Instagram  for more insights with the author. The most common inquiry I receive from members of the Church is, “How do I get answers to my prayers?” The next most common is, “How can I know I have been forgiven?” Or, in other words, “How can I be assured I have been made whole in this area?” Sometimes the question is, “How can I be confident of my standing before the Lord?” At times, we tend to believe that...

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Watch: President Nelson celebrates his 96th birthday today. Look back on his ministry with this video

Valerie Russell - While addressing the sisters in the October 2019 general conference , President Russell M. Nelson said “I’d like to claim every one of you as part of my family.” This warm sentiment is wholeheartedly felt by many who know him. As Sister Kathy Christofferson said in a new Church News video, “To be with President Nelson is . . . it’s like being with an old friend. He’s so genuinely engaging. It’s like he could be your grandfather or your father.”  This video was recently released in honor of President Nelson’s birthday. The prophet will turn 96 on Wednesday, September 9....

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33 photos of President Nelson that will make you love our prophet even more

LDS Living Staff - This story was originally published by  LDS Living  in January 2018 and has been updated to celebrate President Nelson's birthday.  In celebration of our prophet's 96th birthday on September 9, 2020, we wanted to take a look at the remarkable life of our prophet. We have gathered a few of our favorite photos and hope they provide insight into the life of the valiant man who now serves as God's representative on earth. President Nelson as a young child. Image from Insights from a Prophet’s Life: Russell M. Nelson . President Nelson as a young boy in 1927. Image from Newsroom....

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4 reasons to rejoice in Christ while waiting for a miracle

Valerie Russell - God works wonders when the stakes are high, and He sometimes saves some of His most remarkable miracles for the last minute. Abraham’s relief and blessings came only after tying his son Isaac to the altar and preparing to slay him ( Genesis 22:1–13 ). Moses parted the Red Sea in a moment of desperation: when the Egyptians were pursuing the ancient Israelites and there was nowhere else to turn ( Exodus 14 ).  It was when Peter began to sink after briefly walking on water that Jesus “stretched forth His hand” ( Matthew 14:30–31 ). While praying to know which...

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See what the Davao Philippines 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 Davao Philippines Temple. The temple will be built on a 2.7-acre site at Ma-a Road and Anahaw Road, Bgy. Ma-a, Davao City 8000, in the Philippines. The two-story structure will be approximately 18,450 square feet. The site will also include patron and temple presidency housing and a meetinghouse. An existing meetinghouse on site will be removed. ► You may also like:  The number of temples without an angel Moroni statue will soon double Detailed design plans for this temple are still in...

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28 photos of Elder Cook that will make you love him even more

LDS Living Staff - This story was originally published by  LDS Living  in September 2018 and has been updated to celebrate Elder Cook's birthday.  Elder Quentin L. Cook was born on September 8, 1940, in Logan, Utah. He was called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 2007. Before he was called as a General Authority, he worked as a vice-chairman of Sutter Health System. He married Mary Gaddie on November 30, 1962, and they are the parents of three children. This beloved Apostle is known for his compassion. His strong testimony and faithfulness in the gospel not only make him a good influence...

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12 resources to boost your family's peace and inspiration at home

LDS Living - We recognize that your back-to-school situation might look a little different this year, and there are always challenges that come with schedule disruptions. Maybe your students are going back to school and parents are going back into the office, or maybe you’re gearing up for more distance learning and remote work. Whatever your family’s situation, there’s no reason your home can’t still be a heaven on earth, and here are a few tools to help with that righteous endeavor: Shine  album Fill your home with the sounds of uplifting and beloved children's classics like “I Feel My Savior’s Love,” “The Wise...

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Anxiety and belief: 5 principles of faith to help you prevent your doubts from becoming a faith crisis

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 first 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 .  Through my professional experiences, I am intimately involved with the many types of anxiety that plague some stalwart, dedicated disciples of Jesus...

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Anxiety and Belief

LDS Living - Editor’s note: Dr. Debra Theobald McClendon is a clinical psychologist who specializes in scrupulosity, a religiously themed subtype of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In this new series, McClendon discusses her 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. Listen to the podcast and see the articles in the series below. You can also find more resources on the topic  here . Anxiety and Belief  5 principles of faith to help you prevent your doubts from becoming a faith crisis “Through...

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Why our belief in ‘a fortunate Fall’ can help us when questions of faith arise

LDS Living - William T. Bruner represented most religions’ take on the fall of Adam and Eve when he wrote, “There was nothing fortunate about the fall of man. It was a total tragedy for God and man.” However, as Latter-day Saints, our doctrinal beliefs surrounding the fall are quite different. Daniel K. Judd outlined that difference in his piece, “ The Fortunate Fall of Adam and Eve ”: “Latter-day prophets acknowledge that ‘Adam’s fall was a step downward,’ but teach that ‘it was also a step forward . . . in the eternal march of human progress.’ Latter-day leaders have also taught that...

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Elder Uchtdorf says ‘the voice of the Lord transcends the language we speak’ as part of 'How I Hear Him' series

Morgan Jones - Continuing a series of Church leaders sharing how they “hear Him,” Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf recalled an experience he had as a 10-year-old boy in East Germany when he had a special assignment during Church meetings to pump air into the organ pipes. While the job was not easy and required that he pump with all his strength “so the organ would not run out of wind,” Elder Uchtdorf said that the job came with an additional benefit: a view of a stained glass window in the chapel that portrayed the First Vision.  “Here I was, a little boy in post-World...

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Elder Uchtdorf promises a ‘glorious future’ is ahead; Elder Gong reminds us of peace found in the scriptures

Valerie Russell - Editor's note: " This week from the pulpit " highlights recent messages by General Authorities, General Officers, and leaders of the Church. Though late in the calendar year, September is inextricably linked with change as summer begins to make way for fall. As we experience this shifting of seasons, Church leaders have reminded us of our ever constant Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Through Him, we can find the strength and peace we need to move forward with faith. Whatever lies ahead for you in the coming months, it is our hope that these messages inspire you to stay riveted to...

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We asked, you answered: 27 powerful single-sentence testimonies to strengthen your spirit

Lindsey Williams - Editor’s note: “ We asked, you answered ” highlights memorable responses to discussion questions posed on  LDS Living’s social media accounts. Follow along on  Facebook  and  Instagram  to contribute. Speaking in October 2004 general conference, President M. Russell Ballard shared a powerful statement: “Testimony—real testimony, born of the Spirit and confirmed by the Holy Ghost—changes lives.” We recently asked our followers, “If you could share a one-sentence testimony with the world, what would you say?” The responses we received were too powerful not to share. If you could share a one-sentence testimony with the world, what would you say? Posted by...