Editor’s note: This story contains details about experiences from the Indian residential school system and may not be appropriate for all readers.

A National Geographic headline in 2015 read, “How the Virgin Mary Became the World’s Most Powerful Woman.” Our world is full of people seeking power and influence, but two millennia ago it was a young girl’s choice to have faith in the Lord and become a mother that left the greatest everlasting impact on all mankind. Some may cheapen the value of a mother, but on this week’s episode, Mary Holland McCann helps us look closer at the characteristics that made Mary who she is and how the example she set for her son changed our world.

From an ophthalmologist to a classmate’s scripture reference in a high school yearbook, and from a nanny’s gift to a Star Valley, Wyoming, information booth employee, R. William Bennett describes his path to finding the gospel of Jesus Christ as a relay race of sorts—a baton that was passed from one person to the next.

Getting comfortable being a support to others in their times of grief and pain isn’t always natural. Mourning with those that mourn and comforting those who need comfort means simply showing up, asking how they are doing, providing a listening ear, and even sometimes sitting with them in their silence. In this episode, we discuss how we can show up for others—both near and far—and comfort one another as we rely on God’s miracles.

Years ago, before the Church instituted the three-hour block schedule for our Sunday meetings, we used to go to the chapel for meetings three times every Sunday—once in the morning for priesthood meeting, a second time for Sunday School opening exercises and classes, and finally a third time for a ninety-minute sacrament meeting. When I was a very young man, our ward’s Sunday School superintendent, Brother Marchant, came to our class one Sunday to ask for volunteers who would be willing to give the prayer, the 2½-minute talks, and the sacrament gem (a verse of scripture shared before the sacrament was passed) in the following week’s Sunday School opening exercises. My strategy was to quickly volunteer to say either the prayer or the sacrament gem. I was motivated by the desire to avoid having to give a talk at all costs! Unfortunately for me, I wasn’t the only person in the class with that strategy, and I missed out on my first choice, the prayer. I was quick enough, however, to score the sacrament gem assignment. Given the other alternative, I felt lucky.

So you’ve survived the Isaiah chapters and maybe even feel a little bit more confident about this prophet's teachings, but now you’ve hit Jacob 5—the longest chapter in the Book of Mormon. And if you feel a little overwhelmed about this chapter and what the allegory of the olive tree represents, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. In this week’s Sunday on Monday study group, we’re going to dig into Jacob 5–7 to learn more about the symbolism of the allegory of the olive tree and Jacob’s final message to us.

Few things could have been more discouraging for the early Saints than the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith. But although it was a somber time in Church history, the Saints showed remarkable perseverance and faith in the Lord. This week we dig into Doctrine and Covenants 135–136 to put the martyrdom in context as well as look at thoughts from early Saints that will help us see how we too can persevere through our darkest moments.

Of all the relationships we have over a lifetime, there is only one we carry with us wherever we go: Our relationship with God and Jesus Christ. As we better understand who They are, we will also more clearly see ourselves and our place in the world. This knowledge was crucial for early members as they faced, “one of the severest trials for many of the Ohio Saints.” It is equally important for us today to know God and the Savior as we face severe trials. So grab your scriptures, and let’s dig into Doctrine and Covenants 111–114.

If trying to follow along with what's happening in Doctrine and Covenants 63 has ever left you feeling like you're on a challenging hike without a map, all is not lost! This week’s guest is an excellent guide as we navigate these intriguing verses. In fact, there’s very few people who would know more about what was going on in the lives of the Saints and the prophet Joseph Smith at this time than her. So grab your scriptures, and maybe a compass, and let’s dig into to this week’s lesson of Doctrine and Covenants 63.

Imagine giving up your home, your family, and, at times, your safety. Then imagine losing children, seeing loved ones beaten and imprisoned, and enduring unrelenting persecution. This is just a glimpse into the life one of the Restoration’s greatest heroes. And as we study Doctrine and Covenants 23–26, we’ll come to understand how sacred revelation given to this individual can be related to us as we go through our own trials and triumphs.