Since moving myself and my family to Hong Kong where I’m opening an Asia office for my online marketing firm, I’ve had countless opportunities to think “If I hadn’t served as a Mormon missionary, I wouldn’t be doing this today.” The skills I learned almost 20 years ago as a missionary have been invaluable to my career as an entrepreneur, and never more so than now as I live and do business in a foreign country. In 1994 I became a full-time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, whose members are more commonly known by the nickname “Mormons” or simply “ LDS.” But I was not a missionary in Hong Kong or Asia where I live now. I served in Manaus, Brazil, where I learned Portuguese, rather than Mandarin or Cantonese. Prior to 2013 I had never been to Asia and knew very little about China or its neighbors. Most of my exposure to Asian culture came from growing up in Arcadia, California. There is a significant Asian population there, but despite this I can’t say I learned all that much about Asia from my Asian friends, who were intent on learning English and assimilating into American culture. But going to a foreign country where I didn’t know the language or the culture wasn’t new to me because I had already done it as a 19-year-old in Brazil. Here are some of the lessons I learned as a missionary that are helping me as I open an office in Hong Kong.

You might have missed what went on the last week, but we've put together our list of the week's most popular stories so you don't miss a beat. For May 11 through May 17, these are LDS Living’s top hits.

A lot can change in four years . . . FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL

Prior to the general women's session of the 186th Semiannual General Conference, Sister Neill F. Marriott, second counselor in the Young Women general presidency, and Sister Linda K. Burton, Relief Society general president, helped bring comfort to Church members in Louisiana, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic.

There are examples of compassion all around us, but some are more obvious than others. And while extenuating circumstances such as war and depravation don’t seem likely places to find charity, one couple in Cedar City, Utah, has found a way to serve and love amidst tragedy and trials. They call it The Happy Factory.

Last year, AdAge ranked the Church's #ASaviorIsBornvideo and campaign as one of the top 10 most viral ads during the holiday season.

After 25 years of research, Royal Skousen, a professor of linguistics at Brigham Young University, has compiled in-depth information about the original and printer's manuscript text of the Book of Mormon. Joseph Smith restored the LDS Church in the early 1800s and one of his endeavors was to translate the Book of Mormon from engraved metal plates. The Book of Mormon is considered companion scripture to the Bible.

LDS Church to purchase Utah State University, rename it BYU-Logan - Cache Valley Daily

The gospel of Jesus Christ is more than a set of teachings. It’s a community of real people living in real places.

As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we are encouraged to ask questions. However, sometimes the questions can overwhelm our lives or the lives of those we love. We can be left wondering where to turn. These five books are fantastic resources for anyone struggling with their faith. They can also help you understand how to better help someone you love.