President George Albert Smith noted that as the Church becomes more well known, “its members are esteemed for their virtues,” and critics “are quickly divested of their unjustified prejudices, by coming in direct contact with the Latter-day Saints in their daily lives. … They then judge us by our fruits, from personal observation, and such information, as they impart it, can have but one effect, and that most favorable to us.”1 Smith observed that actually knowing members of our church dispels prejudice about the church. People who know us drop their misconceptions and instead judge us by our fruits—what we actually do. This seems logical to me but I question Smith’s assertion that knowing a Mormon “can have but one effect.” Depending on which Mormon you know, and how that particular Mormon behaves, you might draw different conclusions about the church. Sometimes, we Mormons, like anyone else, can be guilty of producing sour fruit.

In reading a collection of German Mormon WWII stories for a project,[1] I came across a story told by the Uchtdorfs. Both Dieter and Harriet Uchtdorf were not members by birth; rather, their families converted after the war. President Uchtdorf’s grandmother was actually the one to encounter Mormonism first, when she met “a wonderful white-haired lady with a kind expression on her face” while standing in line one day (queuing up for supplies, any supplies, was part of post-war life for many Europeans, Germans included).

LDS composer Blake Gillette created a new song to illustrate the Young Women's theme called "As Daughters of God." The song was performed by the young women from the One Voice Children's Choir at the Draper Utah Temple and by the Mapleton Utah Stake at Heber Valley Camp. About this song, Gillette says, "The Young Women's values continue to be a guiding light in the world of how to live your life and what to aspire to become."

Chipboard flowers never wilt and they always look great. This fun, little bouquet of daisy-like flowers is perfect to brighten any corner of your house or office. Even better, make this sweet bouquet to give to a friend or your mother so they know you are thinking of them.

"It was essential that God’s spirit children have mortal birth and an opportunity to progress toward eternal life,” taught Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. “In light of the ultimate purpose of the great plan of happiness, I believe that the ultimate treasures on earth and in heaven are our children and our posterity.”

The South Africa Mormon Newsroom reported Wednesday that all Church members, missionaries, and Church buildings are safe after a tornado ripped through Tembisa, South Africa. This is the second tornado this week to come through the Gauteng province, the other hitting Magaliesburg on July 25.

When Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) steps down from the Senate in early 2017, Mormonism will lose its highest-ranking elected official -- and the most high-profile example that yes, there is such a thing as a Mormon Democrat.

Here are some insights that a returned missionary shared about what she wished her friends and family had known when she came home from her mission.

Early Friday morning, several church members were playing basketball at their local ward house in Vancouver, Washington, when they began smelling smoke. It was just before 7 a.m.