“Writing for LDS Living has given me a unique perspective, and at this point, not a lot catches me by surprise. But what recent Church announcements have caught me off guard, and why?”

The Boston Globe, USA Today, and other news media outlets across the nation have reported on a picture of Jesus Christ that miraculously survived a fire that consumed the First Baptist Church in Boston, leaving nothing behind but a charred frame and ash. The fire began after lightning struck the historic church, built in 1872.

The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have announced a change to the course of study schedule and curriculum for students in the seminary program.

A Church Gospel Topics article provides context about the fraternal order of Freemasonry and its connection to early Church history.

President M. Russell Ballard, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, visited the United Nations Friday morning in New York City, meeting with representatives from the office of the president of the U.N. General Assembly.

Johnson and his family recently visited the Polynesian Cultural Center for an unforgettable celebration of his ancestry.

While we sometimes forget the true meaning of this word, saying it intentionally draws spiritual strength into our lives.

Alma 8-12

Alma 40-42

Donald W. Parry, professor of the Hebrew Bible at Brigham Young University, Abraham O. Smoot Professorship, is married to Camille; they have six children. Brother Parry has authored or edited more than 40 books on the Bible, Dead Sea Scrolls, and related topics. He writes for both academic and general audiences. His titles include: Angels: Agents of Light, Love, and Power; Dead Sea Scrolls Handbook; The Great Isaiah Scroll; and Exploring the Isaiah Scrolls and Their Textual Variants. He has also published more than 80 articles for a variety of venues. He has served as a member of the International Team of Translators of the Dead Sea Scrolls, Jerusalem, since 1994. Parry is a member of several other professional organizations, including the International Organization of Qumran Studies, Groningen, The Netherlands; The International Organization for the Study of the Old Testament, Groningen, The Netherlands; the Society for Biblical Literature, Atlanta, Georgia; and the National Association of Professors of Hebrew, Madison, Wisconsin. He also presently serves as a Board Member of the Dead Sea Scrolls Foundation.