What I thought would be a terrible burden turned into a beautiful blessing and an even greater lesson.

For those familiar with Masonry and Mormonism, there are some obvious similarities between the rituals conducted in Masonic Lodges and LDS temples. The critics claim that Joseph Smith created the LDS temple endowment by simply borrowing what he had learned from Free Masonry. Latter-day Saints might ask, “What is the true relationship between Mormonism and Masonry?”

Funeral services were held Monday, October 8, 2018, in Salt Lake City for Sister Barbara Bowen Ballard, wife of  President M. Russell Ballard, acting president of the  Quorum of the Twelve Apostles  of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Sister Ballard died at home at the age of 86, Monday, October 1, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s and other health issues.

“I’d listen to [Elder Holland] read the ingredients off a cereal box.” This comment—made on one of Elder Holland’s Facebook posts about general conference—sums up how most members of the Church feel when they see Elder Holland approach the pulpit. Ears perk up, eyes strain to see his animated expressions, and thoughts are arrested by the eloquence, the magnetism, and the power that is Elder Jeffrey Roy Holland.

Manual 1; Excerpt from "The Influence of Righteous Women," Dieter F. Uchtdorf

The Book of Mormon will be the center of focus for Latter-day Saint adults, youth and children in 2020, with home study to be supported in Primary, Sunday School and seminary classes.

A complete rebuild of the Church’s Sacred Music app is the first of several improved music experiences to come.

Check out these helpful study tips and book recommendations to deepen personal learning about temple worship, our covenants, and the temple garment.

For Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, the Church has published several new articles in Church magazines and updated Church leader training and suicide.lds.org. Here's one powerful message from an article they posted on Mormon Newsroom: "As disciples of Jesus Christ, we have a sacred duty in our congregations and families to reach out to everyone in our communities. We can’t let youth feel isolated or unwanted."

Wise Company specializes in producing dehydrated and freeze-dried long-term food storage for emergency use. Wise has differentiated itself by packaging the food in small-serving mylar pouches with up to a 25 year shelf life. This innovative packaging system prevents waste and allows the consumer to eat what they want when they want it. The pouches come in buckets that are easily stackable for efficient storage, but simple and light enough to grab a bucket or two and go quickly when necessary. Wise Company offers 13 entrée and 4 breakfast varieties along with eggs, milk, meat, fruits, and vegetables as well. Wise also carries an array of high quality ancillary preparedness products such as water storage containers, water filters, and fuel sources. One can also find emergency kits (“bug out bags”) that include emergency food and critical preparedness items.