Conference Talk:

During my thirty-three years, I have had a lot of time to think about charitable receiving due to surprisingly frequent circumstances requiring dependency that dot my life.

MR says: What a beautiful example of loving others and following the First Presidency's charge to help in any way we can with the refugee crisis. It might surprise you how many refugees live in your cities, your neighborhoods, and even your wards and how much you can make a difference just by reaching out.

Did you know that, according to a recent PEW study, the retention rate of the Church is only 64 percent? While higher than other Christian religions, this speaks to the new trend we see among millennials who choose to distance themselves from organized religion and specific churches. But what causes this phenomenon?

Along with shopping for sippy cups and strollers, expectant parents may want to consider another task for their to-do list: honing their marriage skills.

When the ATV that Baylee Hoaldridge, 15, was riding tipped on its side and burst into flames, Hoaldridge was trapped inside, stuck in her seatbelt until her grandfather managed to get her loose. But by that time, over 65 percent of Hoaldridge's body had already been burned.

I must admit, before my trip to New Zealand over the holidays I had never heard of the Mormon Maori prophecies. I knew that there are many Polynesian church members. I was aware that the most popular religion in the island of Molokai (the spiritual center of Hawaii) is Mormonism, and that there are many Samoan and Tongan church members. As for the Maori, I knew that they were Pacific Islanders. I knew the men danced the haka and the women danced with poi balls. I knew that they once practiced cannibalism (practice makes perfect!) and were considered fierce by early European seafarers who visited the islands. I knew that one of their greetings (touching foreheads and sharing a breath) is similar to the Eskimos (rubbing noses). So I was not a complete noob. And yet, I had no idea that many Maori converted to Mormonism in the 1880s. In the early days, 90% of the membership in New Zealand were Maori. Even as recently as the mid-90s, 60% of church members in New Zealand were Maori. We attended church twice when we were there; in Hamilton I would estimate 60-70% of the ward were Maori. The Queenstown Branch had only six local members in attendance, two of whom were Maori.

Jimmer Fredette should have been in a boy band. Never mind that he was the leading scorer in all of NCAA Division I basketball during his senior season at Brigham Young University. Never mind that he earned every major college national player of the year award and was subsequently drafted to the NBA in the first round.

God Is Perfect and So Is His Son

Sister Jenny Spencer with a family that was baptized in Madagascar.