From the world’s fastest texter (Benjamin Cook, 2006) to the world’s fastest raw onion eater (Trevor Reilly, 2004); from the world’s strongest power-lifter (Lance Davis, 2004, 618.3 pounds) to the world’s fastest balloon animal inflator (KC Williams, 2003 & 2004), there is no doubt that the Church is full of impressive Mormons dedicated to developing the unique talents the Lord has given them. And the diversity of these talents has only added to the strength and notability of our Church and its members, proving that Mormons can be daring, whimsical, athletic, knowledgeable, and faithful.

Regular and first-time runners can race for a good cause in the upcoming 3rd annual Saints and Sinners Half Marathon and Team Marathon on September 27th. The race, which will wind its way downhill from Boulder City, Nevada into Lake Mead National Park, was created to raise funds for youth who are planning on serving missions, but might not have sufficient funds to pay for them. One hundred percent of each registration fee goes to those missionaries in need.

Every four years, the outcome of Salt Lake City’s west-side City Council race seems as predictable as a clock: plain-spoken incumbent Van Turner wins the District 2 seat over outspoken activist Michael Clara. This year, the dynamic is different. Kyle LaMalfa, a third, fresh-faced candidate, has guaranteed a Sept. 13 primary. And the normally well-mannered contest has taken an ugly twist — marred by an anonymous mailer that plays the Mormon card and injects partisanship into the officially nonpartisan race.

Let’s play a game of guess who. Are you ready? This person was “a man of faith, who wrought righteousness; and when a child he feared God, and stopped the mouths of lions, and quenched the violence of fire.” Do you have any guesses so far? As we study Doctrine and Covenants 106–107, we’ll find out who this Old Testament prophet was and what his significant role was in the priesthood. Oh no! We just gave you two more clues. So grab your scriptures and let’s dig into this week’s lesson.

Okay, let's take a second to send a big, heartfelt thank you to Corianton. It's not easy to have a parent call you out for the sins you've committed, let alone have those sins immortalized in the scriptures—ouch. But because of Corianton, and other teachings recorded in Alma 39–42, we learn very important lessons about what it means to be converted to Christ. In this week's study group, we are going to dig into those lessons and learn the foundational doctrines we need nourish our testimony of the gospel.

Salt Lake father-son team Dave and Connor O’Leary were targeted by one team but helped two other teams, including one they U-Turned, in the eighth leg of “The Amazing Race: All Stars,” which took teams to the Italian countryside during Sunday’s episode.

Here’s a snapshot of what you may have missed on LDS Living this week. You can also subscribe to the LDS Living newsletter for daily inspiration right to your inbox.

Christopher Jones is a father, husband, and historian. A graduate of Brigham Young University (BA, 2007; MA, 2009) and the College of William & Mary (PhD, 2016), he is currently an assistant professor of history at BYU, where he teaches a variety of courses, including Revolutionary America, African American Family History, Slavery and the Slave Trade, Family and Law in American History, and Missions and Missionaries in American History. His research focuses on religion, race, slavery, and family in early America and the Atlantic World, and his work has been published in Religion & American Culture: A Journal of Interpretation, the Journal of Mormon History, and BYU Studies Quarterly. He is currently completing two book projects - a study of Methodism in Revolutionary America and a co-edited volume on Protestant and Latter-day Saint missions in American History. Christopher lives in South Jordan, Utah with his wife, Karim—a content creator, author, and photographer—and their four children. As a family, they enjoy food (both cooking and eating), hiking, reading, travel, and sports.

It's almost time to say goodbye to 2018 and hello to a new year. And what better time to reflect on the stories that brought us hope, made us laugh, and showed us the power of the gospel?

Salt Lake father-son team Dave and Connor O’Leary successfully raced through airports, a river in a jet boat, muddy trails on ATVs and navigating winding roads in New Zealand while Dave was on crutches with a leg injury in an emotional episode of the third leg of “e Amazing Race” on Sunday. While their ability to continue is still in question, no one was eliminated by the end of Sunday’s episode, and viewers were left with a “To Be Continued.”