Search - LDS Living

19: "Seek Ye Earnestly the Best Gifts" (Doctrine and Covenants 46–48)

Do you remember watching the giveaway episodes on Oprah? Did you ever feel a tad envious of the audience when Oprah would say, “You get a gift! You get a gift! Everybody gets a gift!”? Well, today we’re going to study about a different—but infinitely more valuable—type of gift that you already have. In this week’s lesson of Doctrine and Covenants 46–48, we’ll learn about spiritual gifts and how we can use them to help those around us.

39: "Behold, My Joy Is Full" (September 28–October 11)

You may be tempted to look at 3 Nephi 17–19 and think, “What’s there to study in just three chapters?” But these chapters are packed with a treasure trove of gospel gems, including when Christ heals the multitude, blesses the children, gives the sacrament to the people, and so much more. And so as we prepare for general conference, let’s dig into this week’s lesson, grab our colored pencils, and study these chapters like we never have before.

Find full episodes of the Sunday on Monday study group here. Start your free trial of Deseret Bookshelf PLUS+ here.

Anthony Sweat: Repicturing the Restoration

Our understanding of religion, whether it be scripture or history, is greatly influenced by art. The depictions we see impact not only how we picture certain passages, but also which passages we know at all. In his new book, "Repicturing the Restoration," artist Anthony Sweat felt a desire to capture some of the lesser-known parts of our Church history in hopes of expanding our understanding of the Church’s founding. Today, we talk with him about how Restoration art can change our perspective of this pivotal period.

Mauli Bonner and Paul Reeve: Understanding the History of Blacks in the Church

In 1830, the same year the Church was organized, a former slave named Peter became the first documented Black member of the Church. Nearly 200 years later, Mauli Bonner first heard Peter's story when he started exploring his own faith as a Black member of the Church. This journey led him to Paul Reeve, a professor at the University of Utah who has studied Blacks in Church history extensively. On today's episode, Mauli and Paul explain not only the importance of the stories of early Black Latter-day Saints, but also how their stories can strengthen our faith and our testimonies of the restored gospel.

Lynne Wilson: How the Savior Empowered Women

For years, Dr. Lynne Wilson has met with theologians around the world from various faith traditions. She repeatedly heard theories at these meetings that inequality between men and women stemmed from the Bible. She was adamant that inequality was not something Christ taught—instead, she believed that Jesus Christ emancipated women. So, she set out to do research to back it up. On this week’s episode, Dr. Wilson shares her research as well as her belief that there is no better place to be as a woman than in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Mauli Bonner and Paul Reeve: Understanding the History of Blacks in the Church

In 1830, the same year the Church was organized, a former slave named Peter became the first documented Black member of the Church. Nearly 200 years later, Mauli Bonner first heard Peter's story when he started exploring his own faith as a Black member of the Church. This journey led him to Paul Reeve, a professor at the University of Utah who has studied Blacks in Church history extensively. On today's episode, Mauli and Paul explain not only the importance of the stories of early Black Latter-day Saints, but also how their stories can strengthen our faith and our testimonies of the restored gospel.

Latter-day Saint Life

3 Ways to Reduce Anxiety Using Gospel Principles

By Dr. David T. Morgan

I love a good nap. Though not always the most productive activity, it can be a nice rest from physical and mental stress. I remember almost weeping for joy when I read President Kimball’s counsel that naps could be an appropriate Sabbath day activity. Hard work deserves appropriate rest.

Latter-day Saint Life

5 Ways to Help Your Teen See Their Potential Like You Do

By David J. Ridges

“Full potential” can mean many things. Ultimately, it means attaining exaltation, thus becoming Gods. On a more immediate basis, “full potential” for youth can mean, among other things, earnestly striving to live the gospel, having the beginnings of their own testimony, doing reasonably well in school, preparing for missions, serving others, and basically being a good influence on other youth among other things. The question is what can parents do to have a better chance of helping their children attain this potential?

Latter-day Saint Life

5 answers to difficult questions about Noah and the flood

By Stephen O. Smoot

Was the flood really the "baptism" of the earth? And how does the Joseph Smith Translation help us understand the flood?

Latter-day Saint Life

If I can’t fast, how can I approach fast Sunday?

By Celisa Young

The Lord cares about our physical health and understands our unique situations—so does an inability to skip meals necessarily equate to skipping out on the blessings of fasting?