Recently I was visiting another church for a meeting when I noticed tiny handprints on the glass doors. I had time to spare and my first thought was to grab a rag and some Windex and wipe them off.

“Acts 2 has frequently caught the attention of students of the New Testament, for it is here that the power of the Holy Ghost begins to show itself in the life of the nascent church.”

“I had no money. I could not afford school. In some way, I felt I had to give up on my dream to finish an education.”

Our youngest son recently graduated from high school with plans to attend college in the fall. Because of a number of vacations and other summer plans, it hasn’t worked out for him to get steady employment during the time between graduation and college departure. As such, he’s kind of broke most of the time, but he has things he wants to do, some of which cost money. I will periodically get a text message saying, “Dad, could you loan me some money for [insert item here]?” When I get such texts, I usually have two competing thoughts. The first is I love my son and want to do everything I can for him. I want him to be comfortable and enjoy life. Just give him the money! The second thought is Hold on! He needs to learn to be responsible and that money doesn’t grow on trees. Make him work for it. Those thoughts duke it out in my brain for a moment, and then after consultation with my amazing wife, we usually arrive at a compromise that enables generosity combined with responsibility.

A famous European soccer manager is attributed with saying, “Some people believe football is a matter of life and death. … I can assure you it is much, much more important than that.”

It all started with the fathers. As with countless Jewish girls, Mary’s betrothal likely began when, by custom, Joseph’s father approached hers. Before Joseph’s father said more than a few words, Mary’s father likely knew what he wanted. To be brief, he wanted to discuss a possible engagement of his son with Mary. That topic would require a somewhat formal meeting.1 Whether Joseph’s father was the first parent to approach Mary’s father we cannot know. It is certainly possible that her father had been approached by other fathers of young men in Nazareth. Mary would surely have been visible to all the fathers in the small town. She may have been one of the few eligible young women that year in a settlement that sat apart, high above the surrounding plains at the top of steep hills that rose near one another and, falling precipitously toward each other, formed a bowl-like setting for Nazareth’s few inhabitants.

Distractions can easily offset any Latter-day Saint trying to do the right thing. Our bright, frantic surroundings work hard to captivate and keep our attention. Focusing on what matters most requires a concentrated effort and, although hard, blesses you with clarity, confidence, and surety that God is aware of what you’re doing to follow Him. Below are nine quotes from Church leaders that aim to inspire and remind you why focusing on what matters most will lead to the true happiness we all seek.

Though they may be rich, influential, and glamorous, these famous Latter-day Saints have the same troubles we all face when it comes to love. Awkward dating moments, insecurity, and embarrassing failures all mingle with the sweet to make these real-life romances something far more fascinating than what you'd find in a fairytale.

Early one morning, I woke up and quickly asked my wife, “What day is it?”

Our beloved, energetic prophet will turn 95 on September 9, and the world has been invited to celebrate with President Russell M. Nelson at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, September 6 at 8 p.m. MDT. The birthday celebration includes a line up of renowned Latter-day Saint performers, including Donny Osmond, Jenny Oaks Baker & Family Four, GENTRI, The Bonner Family, Nathan Pacheco, and The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square.