The following has been republished with permission from taylorhalverson.com.

Editor's note: This article reflects on Latter-day Saint mentions in pop culture but is not meant as an endorsement of any show or program. This article originally ran in July 2019.

Imagine a wealthy family in Old Testament times: father, mother, four sons, and three daughters. Who gets the money when Dad dies? Most would point to the firstborn son, but that’s just partly right. If Dad has four sons, his estate is divided into five equal shares. All the sons receive a portion, but the eldest, who has the birthright, receives two—a double portion. The three younger brothers leave with their portions, but the eldest doesn’t go anywhere because with his extra portion comes added responsibility. He is expected to care for his mother and provide dowries so his sisters can be properly married. Even after his mother and sisters are gone, he will stay to govern the affairs of his father’s estate. Of course he will marry and have his own family, but he will spend the rest of his life fulfilling his birthright responsibilities.

Editor’s note: “This week from the pulpit” highlights recent messages from General Authorities, General Officers, and leaders of the Church. This story may be updated throughout the week.

"We need to follow the Spirit and focus on individual people instead of baptism numbers," Elder Quentin L. Cook told mission leaders. "Please remember that missions baptize—not individual missionaries. Make sure that those who find, those who teach, and those who baptize a convert share the experience together." And to help make that happen, Elder Cook invited leaders to help give missionaries two gifts.

There's something stunning about an explosion of color in the air. But there's something even more stunning when those pyrotechnic displays are captured next to a temple.

This week’s readings: Acts 10–15

Do you remember when President Uchtdorf told us about the bumper sticker he saw tacked onto the end of a car whose driver seemed to be a "little rough around the edges"?

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released a series of powerful videos about overcoming pornography, supporting loved ones with a pornography problem, and finding healing from pornography or betrayal trauma. We will be highlighting these valuable resources over the ensuing weeks.

As part of a family reunion in Missouri, Eki Taula and Joseph Fitua found themselves poised and ready for the final moments of an intense battle that would test their physicality and reflexes. It was the final, hard-won round of what had been an epic match up, and the two prepared to duke it out in the gym of a meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.