When I was fourteen, I decided it was time I received my own testimony of the Book of Mormon. I began to read it, but as I read, I was filled with doubt about its truthfulness. I was frightened by my feelings, but I shared them with no one. One day after a particularly distressing day of reading, I decided to go into the willows by the river and pray until God gave me an answer. I begged God to take away the dark feelings and tell me if the Book of Mormon was true. “If you are really there and you love me, you will tell me,” I prayed. For hours I stayed in the willows. Night came on, and yet I continued to pray. This had worked for Enos, so I prayed and prayed. Finally, hungry and cold, I left the willows and went to bed. I heard no voice. I felt no lightening of my load. I received no witness, no calm burning in the heart. I had demanded an answer on my terms, according to my time line, corresponding to my needs. I had jumped from the pinnacle.

Conference Talk: The small matters accumulate to shape the direction of our lives (Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Personal Integrity," Ensign, May 1990, 30).

My favorite Christmas tradition growing up was celebrating Christmas Eve with my German grandma, who we called Oma. Every year, we would eat lots of good food that she lovingly cooked for us, unwrap her presents for her, and play music on a variety of instruments.

As an English major, I have enjoyed taking several classes on ethics and social justice that address issues like implicit bias, racism, and sexism. I love the way these classes opened my eyes to things I had never noticed before about the world around me. While I had always known that equal rights were important, I became more sensitive to the importance of these issues in a way I never had before. I felt that gaining this wisdom was invaluable—that it would make me a stronger, more sensitive voice, both in my career and in my service in the Church.

Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles encouraging young adults to set goals, use social media wisely, and face the future fearlessly in a worldwide devotional on Sunday.

As parents, raising children who have a healthy self-esteem is one of many things we want our children to develop. Living and teaching them the gospel is an important part of this development.

From viral YouTube stars to returned missionaries and famous singers to moms, many Mormons have graced the Ellen Degeneres show. Check out some of their amazing reactions and interviews:

Accepted as a group to the prestigious Julliard School of Music, the 5 Browns are proof that piano lessons can pay off and practice does make perfect. Even today, having released three CDs and performed in venues as varied as the Grand National Theater in China and the Rose Bowl arena in Southern California, the 5 Browns still spend their summers practicing up to seven hours a day—five hours as a group and two hours on their own.

I remember the first time I went to put a dog down. Her name was Maggie. She was a beautiful, black Great Dane with a love for life and eating socks. But she was only 4 (barely middle-aged) when Wobbler syndrome necessitated we take her to the vet.

7 Wonders of the Mormon World