“There comes to us from the voice of the Book echoes as from some word that we have heard long since and have well understood; they are the whisperings to us of familiar truths. We recognize them, for they are attested by the reasoning of the mind and the sanction of the spirit within us. They tell us that the end of life is that we shall be born again (Mos. 27:25), redeemed and become the sons and daughters of God; that there is no happiness in sin, and that obedience is the way to joy (Alma 41:10; 2 Nephi 2:25). It teaches that an element of faith is a recognition of God's superior knowledge (Mos. 4:6 12), and how that faith is nurtured and grows in the heart of man (Alma 26:22); and how it may become so powerful that nothing can be held from it (3 Nephi 7:18; Ether 12:19). That spiritual gifts to man cease only because of his wickedness (Mormon 1:14), and that God to be unchangeable must be a God of miracles (Mormon 9:19). It gives full light on the comprehensiveness of the plans of the Almighty (2 Nephi 27:7 10), and shows that all men have been alike to him from the beginning of creation, and that his atonement applied as well before as subsequent to his coming in the flesh (Mos. 3:13). That baptism, necessary now, was always necessary (2 Nephi 31:9; Mos. 2:22; 3 Nephi 11:38 39). That the mission of all prophets has been to testify of the Christ (Jacob 7:11). It teaches that purity of heart alone gives access to God (Jacob 3:1). And with unanswerable authority is given again, by the Lord himself, the essence of his Gospel” (3 Nephi 27:13 16) (John A. Widtsoe and Franklin S. Harris, Jr., Seven Claims of the Book of Mormon, pp.167,168).

Neighbors who lived near my home in a small Arizona town suffered the misfortune of having the foundation of their home crack. The displacement left three- and four-inch gaps between the bricks of the west and north walls. It was a preventable calamity. Everyone knew that the soil was sandy and that the foundation, in order to remain secure, had to rest on bedrock. But in an effort to cut costs and save time, the owner and contractor agreed to shortcuts which led to disaster.

In October 1998, President Gordon B. Hinckley stated in general conference, “I think about the power and force of angels that stand among us.”1 Indeed, scriptural texts indicate that the Lord’s angels have extraordinary capabilities and powers, making them formidable beings. Angels may have power over the elements, and the various earthly forces that exist in this telestial world do not bind them. These great powers of angels enable them to fulfill their missions here upon the earth and to assist mortals, who are, in comparison, delicate and frail. As we discuss the extraordinary powers of angels, however, we must remain cautious and open about those powers, because there is so much that we do not know. We must also remember that many scriptural statements, especially those from John the Revelator, contain symbolisms.

“In greeting you, I will paraphrase Paul's words: ‘Unto the Church of God in the Utah South Area, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be Saints, grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ,’” said Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

More than 25 years after the Church received legal recognition in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, President Thomas S. Monson announced during general conference that a temple is to be built in the capital city of Kinshasa. In a country with a Church membership of more than 23,000, news of the temple is an answer to prayer. "Even after the meeting at which the announcements were made, when asked about it, each member of the Area Presidency would just choke up and be unable to speak for several minutes," said Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Seventy and Africa Southeast Area president. "Our reaction is not unique; the same happens with virtually everyone with whom I have spoken who will be in the new temple districts. The announcement of the Durban South Africa Temple and the Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple is an answer to many, many prayers over years. I believe the Lord has revealed His direction and the Brethren have had the faith to press forward even though they know that doing so will be filled with some challenges."

The newest Meet the Mormons standalone The Craftsman features the story of airshow pilot Danny Sorenson and his family. You can see it in the Legacy Theater at Temple Square and in temple visitor's centers around the United States starting February 3, 2018.

Update on September 17, 2020: Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the date of the Salta Argentina Temple groundbreaking has been further postponed and is scheduled to be in November 2020.

Choosing when to receive the endowment is an important and personal decision in the lives of Latter-day Saints. A new addition to the Church’s General Handbook offers guidance for members—and their church leaders—on making this decision.

Interviewing several Church leaders on the topic, Church News explored the purpose of councils and how they work from the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles to stake, ward, and family councils.

Performing is in the Osmond family DNA, and the Osmonds’ second generation has shown that.