Throughout his service in the Church, President Nelson has helped us to find joy and gratitude in every circumstance.

Did you know Rosie Marie Reid used her fashion popularity to raise funds for the Los Angeles California Temple? When the Church was building the Los Angeles California Temple, Rose Marie wanted to help as much as she could. She designed a beautiful one-piece white swimsuit that was covered in hand-sewn sequins. And which hands sewed most of that sequins on? Relief Society sisters that Rose Marie enlisted to help. All the proceeds of this particular swimsuit went directly to help build the Los Angeles California Temple in the 1950s.

To understand the mortal life we are living and the immortal life ahead of us, we begin with the premortal council before the world was created.

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Have you ever felt imperfect in your practice of living the gospel of Jesus Christ? If so, you’re in good company and the This is the Gospel podcast is on a mission to prove it to you. Like host KaRyn Lay says at the beginning of every episode, the podcast “features real stories from real people practicing and living their faith every day.” These people are facing real triumphs, successes, challenges, and hardships in the best way they can. Sound familiar? Whether it’s heartache, loss of a loved one, fatherhood, motherhood, or true conversion, the 23 episodes we shared this year include powerful stories of practicing faith that we’re sure will remind you that you’re not alone in your journey of living the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are grateful to everyone who has shared their stories with us this year and to you, our listeners, for spending time with us.

Here are a few icebreakers to try with friends or neighbors.

Brother Mark Christensen was born and raised in Salt Lake City. He served the Lord in the Massachusetts Boston Mission. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Communications from the University of Utah and later a Master of Arts in Educational Counseling degree from the University of Phoenix. He is married to the former Cheri Watson and they are the parents of four children, and now have seven grandchildren. He has been a Seminary teacher, principal, curriculum writer, or Institute instructor for 35 years in various locations in the Salt Lake Valley. He currently teaches institute at Ensign College. Some of his hobbies include reading, hiking, fishing, studying Church History, visiting historical sites, and playing “hide and seek” with his grandchildren.

As we move closer and closer to the end of time, meaning the end of earth’s temporal existence, the forces of evil will be combined against the forces of good, particularly the Church of the Lamb of God. A proclamation issued by the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in April 1845 includes these words: “As this work progresses in its onward course, and becomes more and more an object of political and religious interest and excitement, no king, ruler, or subject, no community or individual, will stand neutral. All will at length be influenced by one spirit or the other; and will take sides either for or against the kingdom of God.”

As is taught in the temple, the Lord has always required his people to offer sacrifice, from the time of our first parents onward. The type and place of sacrifice have changed over the ages, but the fundamental principles undergirding the doctrine of sacrifice have not. Righteous sacrifices are really symbols of our obedience to the Lord, of Jesus Christ and His atonement, of our desire to imitate the Savior and live as He does. Our offering of sacrifice demonstrates our commitment to follow the Lord above anyone or anything else.

Celebrating the Hispanic Mormona