Perhaps the most spectacular city in the Maya world is that of Tikal, located in the Peten Jungle of Guatemala. Dozens of pyramids and housing complexes spread over a vast area. The Temple of the Jaguars rises steeply to a small temple topped with a high roof comb. From the summit of Temple IV you can see for miles in every direction. Piercing the jungle canopy, the peaks of decaying pyramids, like spent volcanoes, rise out of a panoramic sea of thick, green foliage. On every visit, I climb as many of these Mayan mountains I can, saving the oldest, the Lost World Pyramid, for last. It is not crowned with a temple, and is not as high as its brothers, but it dates to Book of Mormon times and its simplicity is compelling. From its summit the broad expanse of sky dominates the green world below. Had I heard Samuel the Lamanite’s five-year prophecy from the walls of Zarahemla, I would have come to a place such as this on that night two thousand years ago, when this same sky was lit by a sun other than the one I see settling into the cebia trees in the west. On that night it was lit by the light of the son of God.

It’s not easy to maintain your integrity and stick to your beliefs, especially in the entertainment industry. Actress, host, and podcaster Jenna Kim Jones makes it look easy, but that’s not the only thing people like about her. Jenna is Mormon and she has made her tenets—no smoking, no drinking, no pre-marital sex, and no words that could be potentially beeped out on television—the foundation of her personal brand. It’s also hard not to envy her level of perkiness, but also wonder how she does it all without coffee.

The following is an excerpt from Brent and Wendy Top's Beyond Death's Door: Understanding Near-Death Experiences in Light of the Restored Gospel.

A new year, a new opportunity to learn and grow! In 2017, the Relief Society and priesthood manuals will focus on the life and teachings of President Gordon B. Hinckley, who served as the 15th President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for 13 years. The teachings in the new course manuals come from his many sermons and articles as he faithfully served in the Church. Because of President Hinckley’s wonderful sense of humor and positive outlook on life, many members have very fond memories of the prophet that can add to our excitement as we dive into a new lesson manual this year.

Kayla Belles likes Coldplay and Carrie Underwood and, at first glance, is a typical 15-year-old high school freshman.

"I want you to know there are angels from across the veil that are with us as well," Sister Jones said. "I have a feeling there are a lot of family members and friends of yours that are very, very aware of what you're doing, the sacrifice you're making to create this wonderful, faith-promoting experience."

I went to lunch with some friends yesterday. The fish tacos were good, the conversation, better. At one point, one of my friends, who is currently working in the Young Men's program, said: "I asked some of the boys on Sunday what they would do if they found out that they only had 24 hours to live. Nobody really had an answer, but a few of them mentioned that they would spend some time reading the Book of Mormon. I didn't tell them this, but that is he stupidest answer, ever. It's like opening the road map after you've arrived at the destination."

Missionaries serving in Brazil during the ongoing 2014 World Cup soccer tournament face some unique opportunities and challenges.

I understand now that when my son was called to serve a mission, I was too. My mission is to offer support, send uplifting and positive messages from home, and pray for my missionary, his companion, and those he is teaching.

As geneaology websites increase in popularity, like ancestry.com with its 14 million users, TV shows are catching on to the family history wave and becoming hits not only in the U.S. but around the globe. “Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates Jr.” is a popular new 10-part PBS program. The Washington Post highlighted an episode about Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.), a leading civil rights pioneer who found out that one of his ancestors had registered to vote shortly after the Civil War — a right Lewis had to fight for during his own lifetime. In 1965 he was beaten nearly to death by state troopers in Alabama during a voting rights protest march.