INTRODUCTION: Cain’s query of the Lord has echoed down the corridors of time: “Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Moses 5:34) And the answer has followed close at hand. Religious history is filled with tales of sacrifice made by men and women in behalf of their brothers and sisters. We have always considered that the greatest among us have been those willing to enter harm’s way in behalf of others, whether friends or strangers. It is proved conclusively by the firefighters and policemen who rushed into the towers of the World Trade Center while everyone else was rushing out. It is also exemplified by thousands of missionaries who have entered into the vineyard of the Lord to save souls and by faithful visiting and home teachers—and by a multitude of others.

The Church’s new historic book, Saints, has already been read or listened to by thousands of people. It brings a fresh perspective on the story of how the gospel and The Church of Jesus Christ evolved. While it tells many familiar stories in a conversational, dialogue-based style, there are also many stories that even avid Church history researchers might not have heard, including stories that portray the more human sides of some of our revered early Church figures. Whether you’ve already read Saints once or haven’t started it yet, here are five unique facts that you can watch for in the book.

This fresh insight on a beloved scripture story is perfect to share with the women in your life this Mother’s Day.

Lead photo courtesy of Flickr.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has provided wonderful mental health resources in recent years. There is even an entire “mental health” section in the Gospel Library on the Church’s website. The content is excellent, and I encourage you to explore it.

Stories in this episode: The sudden loss of his corporate job throws Dave into a new and sometimes confusing role at home; Jenny's once-thriving life is upended by an unwelcome diagnosis that offers her a powerful connection to some of her Church History idols.

It’s often easier in hindsight to see what God has orchestrated in our lives. President Eyring has even said, “When we find ways to recognize and remember God’s kindness it will build our testimonies.” In theory we know this works. And we do it in practice as many of us make gratitude lists this time of year. But how do we make it so that we’re seeing God’s great work in our lives like it’s second nature, be it a moment of hardship or joy?

The following is an excerpt from Sheri Dew's Worth the Wrestle.

We deal with two definitions of peace in this life. The world’s definition of peace is the cessation or absence of hostility. The Lord’s definition of peace is a calm that surpasses all description. The Lord’s peace carries an assurance of being right with the Lord, it carries a clarity of mind and heart that allows us to think and feel clearly in any situation, no matter how chaotic. The Lord’s peace is sweet to the soul - it is a sense of safety in times of danger, solace in times of suffering, and allows a healing sleep during life’s most bitter storms.

The new movie highlighting the relationship between black convert Jane Manning James and Emma Smith, wife of the Prophet Joseph Smith, comes out in only a few short days (click here for more information on where you can watch it starting October 12, 2018!). The story truly lets you see these two women in Church history with all their flaws and strengths as you watch them grapple with the nuances of their faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ and their love for the martyred prophet during a fictionalized account of a night spent guarding Joseph Smith’s body after his death. While the night itself is not found in the history records, the emotions, stories of Jane and Emma’s previous interactions, people, and much of the dialogue comes straight from accounts left behind by those who lived early Church history, brought to life in the poetic, visual world of film. Here are a few of the true facts from Church history that you will find in Jane and Emma.