The value of preserving and sharing ancestral stories was recently verified by researchers who were trying to understand why some people, including children, are better able than others to cope with serious, even disabling stress and trauma. One study found that “the more children knew about their family’s history, the stronger their sense of control over their lives, [and] the higher their self-esteem.” This factor was indeed “the best single predictor of children’s emotional health and happiness.” Those with “the most self-confidence” had what one researcher called “a strong ‘intergenerational self.’ They know they belong to something bigger than themselves" (Bruce Feiler, “The Stories That Bind Us,” The New York Times, March 15, 2013).

The following is an excerpt from His Majesty and Mission.

It recently came to my attention that one frequently used criticism of the Church is that it works to “condition” its members, from the time they are in Nursery, to believe. Antagonists cite things like Primary songs, celebrating baptism, and preparing youth to serve a mission as ways to create a feeling of investment or loyalty toward the Church—after all of that investment, how could one leave? The truth be told, it’s actually a strong argument. I found myself, for days after hearing this, pondering everything I do or have done in my life and internally debating whether or not I really believed. What if I had only been conditioned to believe?

President Russell M. Nelson said, "We need women who know how to make important things happen by their faith." That's us! Every day, even when we don't see the results, we're doing important things by faith. Most of the time, it's in small and simple ways, but "by small means, the Lord can bring about great things." (1 Nephi 16:29). When we think of people who acted with remarkable faith, scripture stories about Esther, Moses, and Nephi might come to mind, but do we think of ourselves on that same list? Today's guest is here to share how to look at faith with a fresh perspective and how we can figure out the important things Jesus Christ needs us to do, then have the courage to do them. Maybe we don't see ourselves on par with our heroes in the scriptures, but we should! Our faith may not be needed to part the seas, but it can be strong enough to do mighty and important work in God's kingdom.

As the lesson title suggests, you may have your doubts. As the scriptural passages indicate, this is not necessarily a tragic state of mind. However, doubting has both its negative and its positive side. If the thing rejected is not replaced, it is tragic. Probably for this reason the prevalent notion is that to doubt is sin.

With many of their children working as service missionaries, there's no doubt the Jamesons are doing what they can to keep a strong family and help others come unto Christ.

If there was ever a time when Calee needed to hear the voice of the Lord loud and clear, it was the year she found herself in the midst of a difficult divorce navigating life as a single mom. The fact that the heavens seemed completely silent might have driven her further from her faith, but Calee’s determination to hold out for more from God takes her to new and exhilarating places when she seeks to understand the quiet.