As a former bishop and now a YSA branch president, many members have asked me, “How long will it take me to repent?” And I usually answer, “Well, that depends—it depends on you and on the Lord.” Some people are able to repent rather quickly, while others take a long time.

March 1927: Editors of the Deseret News review reporters' stories.

“You win some, you lose some.” “Hope for the best, expect the worst.” These are two clichés we’ve all heard, but on this week’s episode of All In, Olympic silver medalist Noelle Pikus Pace shared that she has made her own adjustments to both sayings. The changes to the traditional phrases reflect the skeleton athlete’s optimism and drive that carried her over hurdles and past setbacks onto the Olympic podium.

While having a good job, earning a living, and making meaningful connections with others are all incredibly important components of a well-rounded lifestyle, these things should not become the foundation of who we are and how we seek our happiness.

After changing my major three times in college, I was sold on journalism as my career goal. However, while I was looking at the job salary for journalists, I realized that I would not be able to save much money in my newly chosen career. My anxiety rose and my mind started spinning. “Should I change my career goal? Is it too late to become a nurse or engineer?” While my brain was filled with fearful thoughts about the future, the advice I’d received from my therapist reminded me that I need to calm down and realize that it was my fear that was creating these doubts in my mind.

INTRODUCTION:

Learn a little more about a few Mormon theater stars and the remarkable ways they share their faith with the world.

Alma 13-16

Every month, thousands of Latter-day Saints walk nervously to the pulpits of their churches, their palms sweating as they stumble through an introductory comment about why they felt the need to stand up and talk to their fellow ward members. After establishing their reasons for putting themselves in such a spotlight, they usually proceed to say things along the lines of, “I know the Church is true”, “I know X, Y, and Z”, and the much-loved classics, “I know without a shadow of a doubt/with every fiber of my being…”

I read with great interest Naomi Schaefer Riley’s recent Forward article, in which she contrasts the low LDS interfaith marriage rate and the relatively high Jewish rate while proffering areas for emulation to her Jewish readers. I believe there are two main reasons why Mormons tend to marry other Mormons, only one of which is mentioned by the author. The first is our newly-expanded missionary program, which sends tens of thousands of young men and women all over the world to study and spread their faith. As Ms. Riley notes, returned missionaries generally maintain high levels of activity in the church. My wife and I were both sent to foreign countries, where we had to learn a new language and culture, study the doctrines of our faith, and preach to others during the prime of our lives. Given the level of desire and commitment involved, it’s not surprising that most former missionaries choose to continue their church service upon their return.