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The concept of priesthood in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is unique and perhaps confusing for those who are unfamiliar with it. Even many members of the Church who accept, love, and appreciate the priesthood may find themselves “fuzzy” on the doctrine and principles. Perhaps that is because the term priesthood is used in at least two ways. First, priesthood is the term used to describe the total power and authority of God. Second, priesthood is also the term used to describe the power and authority that God gives to ordained priesthood holders on earth to act in all things necessary for the salvation of God’s children. 1 This second usage is the widely accepted definition of the priesthood. For example, Preach My Gospel defines priesthood as the authority and power that God gives to man to act in the name of Jesus Christ in all things for the salvation of mankind. 2 Thus, the same word, priesthood, refers both to God’s total power and authority and to that portion of His power and authority that He delegates to man on earth.

Sister Julie B. Beck was serving as first counselor in the Young Women general presidency when she was called as general president of the Relief Society in the spring of 2007, succeeding Sister Bonnie D. Parkin. Serving approximately six million women in 170 countries can seem like an insurmountable task, but Sister Beck found strength to continue the Relief Society’s legacy of love and service by studying its history and the lives of her predecessors and by relying on the Atonement. In a 2012 interview with LDS Living, Sister Beck shared some lessons she learned during her time as Relief Society general president. In celebration of the 176th anniversary of the Relief Society, we are sharing them again.

In 1842, Joseph Smith offered six sermons to the Relief Society of Nauvoo. His words of counsel and instruction offer deep insights into what themes were most relevant to the women of the Church. Take a quick peek at what he said with our list of five things Joseph Smith wanted women to know.

In his book, Divine Signatures, Gerald N. Lund defines a divine signature as "the Lord send[ing] His blessings in . . . a highly unusual, dramatic, or precisely timed manner, that it . . . is as though the Lord 'signs' the blessing personally so that we will know with certainty that it comes from Him." The following story, excerpted from the book, is a remarkable example of one such divine signature.

A note at the bottom of the First Presidency Message in the online April edition of the Ensign shared an important message with readers—monthly First Presidency messages in the magazine are changing.

In 1998, NBA coach Phil Jackson mislabeled Mormonism as a "religious cult or sect," according to the Deseret News, while trying to defend Chicago Bulls player Dennis Rodman's disparaging comments about Mormons. However, Jackson recently revealed how Mormons responded to his comments nearly 20 years ago in the perfect way by sending him five copies of the Book of Mormon.

Today at noon, LDS Living will kick off its very own March Madness bracket. If you're not a sports fan, don't worry. This bracket has everything to do with celebrating LDS culture and little to do with sports—except, of course, church ball and the Holy War.

In a recent Facebook post, President Dallin H. Oaks answered a question he was recently asked and that is constantly on the minds of many women as they try to follow prophetic counsel and live a fulfilling, balanced life.

In conjunction with the opening of The Book of Mormon musical in Sydney this month, the Church has set up a giant, walk-through Book of Mormon where people can learn about the Church in an interactive way.