John Hilton III

John Hilton III was born in San Francisco and grew up in Seattle. He served a mission in Denver and received a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University. While there he met his wife, Lani, and they have six children. They have lived in Boise, Boston, Miami, Mexico, Jerusalem and China. Currently, they live in Utah. John has a master’s degree from Harvard and a PhD from BYU, both in education. John is a professor of Religious Education at BYU. Read more about John on his website, johnhiltoniii.com

Feature Stories

Do Latter-day Saints de-emphasize the importance of Christ’s Crucifixion? John Hilton III weighs in

By John Hilton III

June 12, 2023 12:00 PM MDT

One hot afternoon, I was on a hill overlooking the border between Syria and Israel. As we walked down the hill, we talked about how some Latter-day Saints de-emphasize the importance of Christ’s Crucifixion.

8 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

How I learned about what’s most important from Mary, Alma, and a jar of rocks

By John Hilton III

April 17, 2023 02:31 PM MDT

When we start feeling like the man who literally misplaced his car for twenty years, we may be getting too distracted.

5 Min Read

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Recommended by Us

How to use ‘The Chosen’ as you teach the New Testament

By John Hilton III

January 18, 2023 02:23 PM MST

Explore this collection of video clips from the hit series, correlated with 2023’s ‘Come, Follow Me’ lessons.

4 Min Read

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Latter-day Saint Life

The Isaiah Map: Use this handy tool to unlock your understanding of Isaiah

By John Hilton III

August 31, 2022 05:25 PM MDT

The Isaiah Map is the tool you never knew you needed—let it help you study and teach this tricky book of scripture.

9 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

John Hilton III: It’s OK to feel sad

By John Hilton III

February 22, 2022 04:00 PM MST

If your friend tenderly told you about some of her regrets, would you ask her to stop whining? No, you would almost certainly take the time to listen and empathize with her. Do you treat yourself this well? We can allow ourselves to take the time to mourn over our lost opportunities.

2 Min Read

Feature Stories

What Church leaders and Church history teach about wearing and displaying the cross

By John Hilton III

February 09, 2022 03:13 PM MST

Understanding the multifaceted meaning of the cross can help us honor those who find deep meaning in the symbol—and increase our own appreciation for the Savior.

14 Min Read

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Feature Stories

Poetry by early Latter-day Saint women on the true meaning of Christmas

By John Hilton III

December 16, 2021 02:29 PM MST

These heartfelt poems connect Christmas with the cross, and bring perspectives on Mary that only women can.

3 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

How seeing the Crucifixion in temple sealings can bring Christlike devotion to marriage

By John Hilton III

November 10, 2021 11:45 AM MST

Seeing Jesus Christ’s Crucifixion at the center of the temple sealing helps bring a new depth of devotion to marriage.

3 Min Read

Watch: ‘What should I expect when I receive my temple endowment?’ John Hilton III answers

By John Hilton III

August 26, 2021 02:27 PM MDT

When I received my temple endowment, I wasn’t as prepared as I should have been. As is the case for some young adults, I had recently switched wards, and, as a result, hadn’t taken a temple preparation class. I also had heard some misinformation about the temple that made me nervous. In short, I didn’t have the greatest experience when I first participated in the intiatory and endowment ordinances in the temple. Fortunately, my parents encouraged me to go back, and after a few more visits to the temple, I loved it, and felt its spiritual power.

2 Min Read

How the New Testament Gospel accounts of Christ’s Resurrection prove it wasn't a fictitious event

By John Hilton III

July 13, 2021 12:00 PM MDT

John's description of the first Easter morning provides the most insight into the experience of Mary Magdalene, who is mentioned by name in every Gospel account as being at the tomb that morning. Mary Magdalene came early on “the first day of the week . . . , when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre and seeth the stone taken away.” She ran to Peter and John to tell them the devastating news: “They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him” (John 20:1–2).1

6 Min Read

How learning about Christ’s Crucifixion can help us build bridges with other faiths

By John Hilton III

June 08, 2021 12:00 PM MDT

Nearly all Christians believe Christ died for our sins, providing Latter-day Saints with a perfect opportunity to build on common beliefs. Unfortunately, we sometimes instead focus on our differences.

5 Min Read

Feature Stories

The ultimate victory: How the death of Jesus Christ was a triumph, according to one BYU professor

By John Hilton III

March 02, 2021 01:00 PM MST

Imagine watching a sporting event in which you care deeply about the outcome. What if you knew from the outset that no matter how far behind your team was, no matter how many mistakes your favorite player made, no matter how bleak things looked, your team would win?

4 Min Read

Finding peace when expectations don't meet reality

By John Hilton III

June 24, 2020 12:00 PM MDT

The June pick for LDS Living Book Club is The Founder of Our Peaceby John Hilton III. Follow the LDS Living Book Club Instagram for more insights with the author.

8 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

What Mary's divine calling teaches about God's plan for each of us

By John Hilton III

June 08, 2020 01:45 PM MDT

The June pick for LDS Living Book Club is The Founder of Our Peaceby John Hilton III. Follow the LDS Living Book Club Instagram for more insights with the author.

6 Min Read

John Hilton III: What Will We Not Do?

By John Hilton III

May 28, 2020 11:15 AM MDT

In the year 450 BC, God put it into Nehemiah’s heart to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem, which had been destroyed in a previous century. While in the process of rebuilding the walls, Nehemiah’s associates discovered a key problem: “There is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall” (Nehemiah 4:10). The clutter prevented construction. Thus, the first order of business was to get rid of the rubbish.

2 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

One Life-Changing Question from the Book of Mormon (and the Answer)

By Brad Wilcox

August 03, 2019 02:00 PM MDT

Over the last couple centuries, a lot of questions have surrounded the Book of Mormon—queries about its origins, its authenticity, and its teachings have been perpetuated by skeptic and believer alike. The book's contents are no different. From the first writings of Nephi to the dying testimony of Moroni, the Book of Mormon contains questions from an astounding 61 individuals—including prophets, missionaries, investigators, and apostates. Alma the Younger asked a grand total of 103 questions, Nephi posed 41, and the Savior Himself included 35 questions during his short ministry among the Nephites.

4 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

One Scriptural Phrase That Will Help You Look to the Future with Faith

By Brad Wilcox

December 31, 2018 01:43 PM MST

One question that Alma asked the people of Zarahemla is “Do you look forward with an eye of faith?” (Alma 5:15). What does this mean, and how can we look forward with an eye of faith?

5 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

5 Criticisms of the Book of Mormon and How They've Been Proven False

By John Hilton III

September 25, 2018 01:08 PM MDT

People have been criticizing the Book of Mormon for more than a century. In fact, the first articles criticizing the Book of Mormon appeared before it was even published! It is interesting to look at criticisms people made of the Book of Mormon in the past and see how modern research has shown that those criticisms are not valid.

5 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

When God Doesn't Give Clear Answers to Prayers: One Analogy That Might Change How You See Personal Revelation

By Brad Wilcox

January 04, 2018 10:00 PM MST

After Nephi had experienced his great vision of the tree of life and the ministry of Jesus Christ, his older brothers approached him. They didn’t understand some of the teachings of their father, and when they asked Nephi to explain them, he asked, “Have ye inquired of the Lord?” (1 Nephi 15:8).

8 Min Read

Most Common Questions Teens Ask About the Gospel (+ the Answers)

By John Hilton III

October 20, 2016 09:03 AM MDT

As religious educators, we get questions from youth all the time. When we set out to write our books WHY?, HOW?, and Q&A, our purpose was to try and answer the types of questions teens most frequently ask us. In this article, we’ll share what we believe are some of the top questions teens ask about the gospel (and, of course, some answers too!).

8 Min Read

Don't Like Your Teen's Date?

By Anthony Sweat

July 12, 2011 04:07 AM MDT

Teens, we know, tend to have a mind of their own—and we love them for it. But how do you express your concerns about a dating partner without alienating your teen?

3 Min Read