John Hilton III

John Hilton III is a professor of Religious Education at BYU. He and his wife, Lani, have six children. They have lived in Boise, Boston, Miami, Mexico, Jerusalem, and China. Currently, they live in Utah. John has authored several books, including Voices in the Book of Mormon: Discovering Distinctive Witnesses of Jesus Christ and Considering the Cross.

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Latter-day Saint Life

Looking for more personal revelation? Try doing less, not more

By John Hilton III

September 03, 2024 02:00 PM MDT

What spiritual blessings might we find if we found a way to push pause?

3 Min Read

Father and son lifting moving boxes at new home

Latter-day Saint Life

2 unnamed people from this week’s ‘Come, Follow Me’ to inspire you ‘in the path of your duty’

By John Hilton III

August 15, 2024 04:32 PM MDT

“Most of the best people who ever lived weren’t very famous either. Serve and grow, faithfully and quietly.”

3 Min Read

Help for Life Challenges

3 ways to help children at critical crossroads of faith

By John Hilton III

August 05, 2024 03:11 PM MDT

Alma's son Corianton pursued a harlot and had significant concerns about the gospel. What can we learn from what Alma chose to say to him?

4 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

Reading Alma with original chapter breaks shows how to answer the essential question: Is there a Christ?

By John Hilton III

July 22, 2024 02:50 PM MDT

Did you know Alma chapters 30–35 were originally one chapter? Reading the text as one block reveals an important question (and inspiring answer).

4 Min Read

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Latter-day Saint Life

This 1 verse in the Book of Mormon will help you stop comparing your life to others’—and find joy

By John Hilton III

July 09, 2024 09:29 AM MDT

It’s easy to compare our results to others. But the great missionaries Ammon and Aaron weren’t doing that, and we shouldn’t either.

2 Min Read

Help for Life Challenges

When death or tragedy strike the faithful, Amulek’s story gives a unique sense of hope

By John Hilton III

June 25, 2024 09:45 AM MDT

I’ve realized Amulek is poignant inspiration to anyone feeling like their life is falling apart even though they chose to do what was right.

3 Min Read

Help for Life Challenges

Nervous about responding to delicate questions? Find confidence with these 4 steps found in scripture

By John Hilton III

June 10, 2024 10:49 AM MDT

A teenager asked me how she will be connected to her divorced parents in the next life. To answer her, I followed a pattern set by Alma the Younger.

4 Min Read

Help for Life Challenges

Someone I love doesn’t see the need to go to church. What can I say to them?

By John Hilton III

May 28, 2024 12:20 PM MDT

This week’s Come, Follow Me chapters (and other verses in the Book of Mormon) offer important insights into why we need a church.

4 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

A conversation I had in Jerusalem changed how I think about a joyful Sabbath

By John Hilton III

May 13, 2024 09:28 AM MDT

At the Western Wall in Jerusalem, I asked a young adult Jewish man about his experience with the Sabbath growing up. His response inspired me.

3 Min Read

Help for Life Challenges

How are we both the children of God and Christ? The answer sustained 1 woman after divorce

By John Hilton III

April 29, 2024 07:00 AM MDT

We know we are the spirit children of Heavenly Father, so how is it that we can also be the children of Christ? The answer is wonderfully ennobling.

2 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

6 tips to make your prayers more meaningful (that are simpler than you think)

By John Hilton III

April 15, 2024 05:37 AM MDT

We love Enos for his heartfelt prayers. Here are a few details about how he prays you may’ve not noticed but that can help you in life.

4 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

Do we gloss over the Savior's death? How pondering the realities of Christ's suffering brings peace during pain

By John Hilton III

April 01, 2024 11:32 AM MDT

Imagine that I were to offer you a free painting of Jesus Christ. If you could choose any of the below six images to hang in your home, which would you choose?

4 Min Read

Senior women talking in community garden

Latter-day Saint Life

‘My Jesus’: 1 simple way to feel closer to Him (that’s hinted at all over the scriptures)

By John Hilton III

March 18, 2024 12:19 PM MDT

In our efforts to not say His name too frequently, have we not said His name frequently enough?

4 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

What the most confusing passage from Isaiah can teach us about miracles

By John Hilton III

March 04, 2024 10:17 AM MST

I think we all want to love Isaiah, but it can be challenging. Here is one confusing verse that, once unraveled, has beautiful application to life.

3 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

Even prophets feel anxiety—how Jacob’s unique sermons can help us find hope in Christ

By John Hilton III

February 19, 2024 06:00 AM MST

Studying Jacob may help you see how both deep sorrow and anxiety can coexist with God’s goodness.

4 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

Wait, trials are the norm? Why realistic expectations are essential to happiness—and testimony

By John Hilton III

February 05, 2024 09:23 AM MST

Has the promise of prospering in the land led us to believe that if we keep the commandments, life will be easy?

5 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

What true followers of Jesus do: The sacred moment in Lehi’s dream found all over scripture

By John Hilton III

January 22, 2024 10:33 AM MST

“Falling down” at the feet of Jesus can become an instructive, beautiful, inspiring detail in Lehi’s vision of the tree of life.

4 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

Sariah shows us how to answer the delicate question: What if I don’t ‘know’?

By John Hilton III

January 08, 2024 11:15 AM MST

Sometimes knowing leads to doing, and other times doing leads to knowing.

4 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

Temple Worship

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