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Latter-day Saints will best recognize Kirby Heyborne for his starring roles in “The R.M.” and “The Best Two Years.” But in the years since those films, Heyborne’s career has had its ups and downs. Although he initially began in finance, Heyborne loved to entertain. His big breaks in the Latter-day Saint film world would suggest he found an opportunity to make a living by following his passion—but the media industry can be brutal, and it wasn't until Heyborne landed a gig as an audiobook narrator that he found a way to provide for his family while also doing something he loves. On this week’s episode, Heyborne explains how embracing the opportunities God has given him has allowed him to find true happiness.

Jennifer Reeder: Emma Smith—Giving All That Is Required

A thread of complexity is woven throughout the life of Emma Smith. Her love for her husband, the Prophet Joseph Smith, was enduring despite her struggles to understand his participation in polygamy. Her family was the most important thing to her, yet she suffered familial losses over and over again. She gave her all for the gospel of Jesus Christ but chose not to go west with the Saints. Many have asked, “Did Emma fall short?" This week, we talk with Jennifer Reeder, the author of the new biography, “First: The Life and Faith of Emma Smith," about why the answer to that question is no—Emma gave all that was asked of her.

No Coincidence

Stories in this episode: Adam's mission is more overwhelming than he expected, leading him to doubt whether he’s in the right place when suddenly a companion's photo puts everything into focus; LeAnn finds a perfectly placed dad joke in her scriptures at just the right moment; Becky’s hopes to adopt are finally fulfilled, but she faces heartache in her relationship with her child until an unexpected dinner guest gives her just the answer she needs.

Example set by handcart pioneers

When trials like those experienced by the Martin and Willie handcart companies bring individuals' faith together, they weave a "warm tapestry of faith" that protects them from the chilling winds of iniquity and adversity. That was the message Elder Marcus B. Nash of the Seventy and current assistant executive director of the Church History Department delivered Feb. 9 in the first of this year's "Men and Women of Faith" lecture series, sponsored by the Church History Library and held in the auditorium of the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City.

Answers to a rabbi: Do Mormon politicians take orders from Utah?

This is the second post written in response to Rabbi Mordecai Schnaidman’s letter to the editorof The Jewish Week. He posed three questions about Mormonism in relation to Mitt Romney’s candidacy. My last postaddressed the rabbi’s concerns about LDS temple rites, and I will now address his second question. My standard disclaimer bears repeating: This is not a political blog, and I have no interest in advocating Mitt’s candidacy here.

Latter-day Saint Life

President Uchtdorf Sends a Personal, Hand-Written Note to Members of the Church

At the start of the conference weekend, President Uchtdorf posted a note to his Facebook page that seems to be hand-written on personalized stationery, counseling the Saints to embrace and trust in faith.

Defending the Faith: The Book of Mormon was very carefully written

“Intertextuality” is a word used to describe ways in which various texts refer to, or play off of, each other, often without explicitly indicating it. For example, a 2012 book titled “Seven Habits of Highly Fulfilled People” unmistakably alludes to Stephen Covey’s famous 1990 best-seller, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.” Sometimes, authors hope that their audiences will keep the other text in mind. The Book of Mormon contains numerous such examples, and probably quite a few remain to be discovered. John Welch has shown that legal language in the Book of Mormon tends to be highly consistent, perhaps indicating its dependence on underlying legal materials. Royal Skousen’s superb studies of the book’s textual history have established what he calls its “systematic nature”; its terminology and phrasing tend to be very consistent.

Are we living in the day prophesied by Heber C. Kimball?

I’ve been exploring the internet going on four years, viewing websites and blogs that present information about the Mormon church. Most of the sites I visit are created and visited by members and former members of the church. The subject matter of post and the comments made range widely. On one side of the continuum are sites written and frequented by church members who are filled with faith, on the other extreme are members who have left the church, but can’t leave the church alone. Then there is a large group of members who are in the middle. Their sites are frequented by members whose faith can be described as fragile.

Steve Young, Dale Murphy embrace Mormon faith

Steve Young and Dale Murphy played different sports in different cities during their professional careers, but there’s a strong link between them.

Latter-day Saint Life

The Important Difference Between Questions and Doubts

Questions are a critical part of our eternal growth, and searching for answers in the Lord’s way can bring us closer to our Heavenly Father.