When I was 14 years old I received my Patriarchal Blessing. This is a very special blessing for Mormons which is given by a man holding the priesthood office called “Patriarch”. We believe the words spoken by the patriarch come directly from God, exclusively to us. So, it becomes our own personal scripture. The Patriarchal Blessing is considered sacred and personal, so we do not discuss it at length with others.

In the summer of 1968, 29-year-old John M. Madsen was the first teacher selected to go to England and establish a seminary program for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Although fairly new as a seminary teacher, Madsen had served a mission in the British Isles and viewed the assignment as a dream job.

Normally summer is usually a busy time of year in Kirtland, Ohio, as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and others visit famous historic Church sites like the restored Newell K. Whitney store, the Kirtland Visitors’ Center, and the Kirtland Temple.

A recent apostolic trip to the southern nations of South America demonstrated the growing ties between the Church and the leaders of many Latin American governments — even as the Church continues to develop in both membership and devotion. On Nov. 14-15, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland and Elder D. Todd Christofferson, both members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, together with Elder Ulisses Soares of the Presidency of the Seventy, participated in a review of the South America South Area. Several training meetings highlighted their tour with priesthood leaders, members and missionaries — along with cordial visits with civic and religious leaders in Chile and Paraguay. Just over a year ago the Chile Area and the South America South Area were consolidated into a single area consisting of four countries — Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay.

Randy Casto of Lusby, Maryland, grew up wearing a red and white bathrobe and celebrating Catholic mass in his bedroom, offering passionate sermons to his twin brother. The ebullient young man dreamed of a long life of service in the priesthood. Meredith Carter grew up wearing robes of fear and anxiety in a home hammered by divorce, and, later, abuse. She was raised Episcopalian and, despite her tumultuous childhood and teenage years, held to the promise that God lived and loved her. The hopeful young woman dreamed of a long life of health, happiness and a loving family.

These 12-piece puzzles feature fun and colorful illustrations of Christ. We like how nicely they fit into a church bag—and they're perfect for keeping your children entertained when it's time to stay quiet. Keep things mixed up by switching between all four available puzzles.

On October 7, 1948, President Thomas S. Monson looked across an altar in a sealing room in the Salt Lake Temple at Frances Beverly Johnson, the woman who became his eternal companion and earthly companion for nearly 65 years. During the marriage ceremony, the sealer, Benjamin Bowring, told the newlywed couple:

This is a good reminder of the mistakes we should avoid as members of the Church.

Though Church historic sites have been closed to physical visitors due to COVID-19, many missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are finding ways to connect people to the spirit of the historic sites—and you don’t even have to leave your living room.

Here’s what you need to know about the schedule for the 194th Annual General Conference on April 6 and 7.