Toni Ragsdale was born in Chicago, Illinois. Most of her childhood was unpleasant, and she grew up in poverty. She has three biological children and also raised her sister's children when she became ill and passed away. She works full-time as Manager of the Customer Service Dept for Insure-Rite, State of Utah Insurance Verification Department. Toni is married to one of God's most fabulous creations, Rev. Jay Ragsdale. She and her husband are the founders of the Fill the Pot Ministry. The organization started in Pioneer Park 15 years ago with a captivated audience of 4 people; today, they feed an average of 421 people a week within our community. Toni has served on several community boards and projects. She Loves serving in the kingdom of God. She served many years at Calvary Baptist Church, where she grew, worshipped, and implemented and co-directed the Mentorship program for young women called G.R.A.C.E. She was the Director of the Women Ministry and Children's Church for nine years. Toni enjoys Partnering with other community organizations of all faiths, encouraging sisterhood, and mentoring women. In April 2019, she received the Humans Rights award by the Church Women United Organization. She has spoken at several women's events and events for The Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints. She has started a Women's Ministry called TINT, which welcomes all faiths and builds a stronger relationship with Christ. She considers herself a sister-soldier, with a reputation of love and integrity, understanding, servant, and excellent leadership. She values growth, self-reflecting, and honesty. Her passion for God is non-negotiable; her love for her family is without measure; her love for her friends and community is without question. She thrives from waking up and, another day, a new opportunity to be used by God.

Steven C. Harper is married to Jennifer Sebring. He is a professor of Church history and doctrine and Brigham Young University, where his primary work is to teach the restored gospel of Jesus Christ in ways that help students develop resilient faith in and become lifelong disciples of the Savior. He is also the editor in chief of BYU Studies and executive editor of The Wilford Woodruff Papers. From 2012 to 2018, he was the managing historian and a general editor of Saints: The Story of the Church of Jesus Christ in the Latter Days. From 2002 to 2012, he was a volume editor of The Joseph Smith Papers. He has written several books, including Let’s Talk about the Law of Consecration, Making Sense of the Doctrine and Covenants, and First Vision: Memory and Mormon Origins.

Nephi knows what it’s like to feel deeply discouraged and alone. He even wrote that he “watered [his] pillow by night” because of his fears for his people (see 2 Nephi 33:3). But as he trusted in the Lord, he found true joy, peace, and belonging. In this week’s readings from 2 Nephi 31–33, we’ll study this faithful prophet’s final words about how we can partake of God’s goodness.

Have you ever wondered if your prayers make a difference? Has your soul ever hungered for an answer to a question? In this week’s Sunday on Monday study group, we’re going to study the purpose and meaning of prayer as we dig into Enos, Omni, Jarom, and the Words of Mormon. In fact, we’re going to look at a recipe based on Enos’s prayer that will help us find answers to our own prayers.