Though happiness can sometimes seem elusive, there are a few things we can do to increase our chances of finding—and keeping—happiness. Beloved LDS speaker Hank Smith shares a few of them:

“I stumbled upon a quote from Elder David A. Bednar that stopped me in my plate-spinning tracks.”

As the father of six, grandfather of twenty-nine, and great-grandfather of more than sixty, Dallin H. Oaks loves the family. This has been one of the most frequent themes of his apostolic ministry. In his first year as an Apostle, he spoke at a fireside for parents on “parental leadership in the home.” “We cannot overstate the importance of parenthood and the family,” he said. “The basis of the government of God is the eternal family.” He affirmed “that the gospel plan originated in the council of an eternal family, it is implemented through our earthly families, and it has its destiny in our eternal families.”1 These principles were reflected in his family teachings, priorities, and practices.

What with our skills in the art of Pinterest and our love of baking sweets, Mormons know how to throw some pretty epic weddings. But we also have a unique flare and distinctive style all our own. How many of you can relate to these Mormon wedding moments, as told through GIFs?

Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Presidency of the Seventy landed on May 31, 2013, in tornado-ravaged Oklahoma City eager to learn stories of faith and service and to minister to those in need. Elder Rasband also carried a personal message for the Saints from President Thomas S. Monson. Elder Rasband was particularly eager to meet Maylene Sorrels. Sister Sorrels had been at work as a kindergarten teacher’s aide at Plaza Towers Elementary when the category 5 tornado—the most destructive rank possible—demolished the school on May 20. She, with the kindergarten teacher, covered their students with their bodies. Though both women received injuries, no one else from the class was hurt. “When we heard the tornado coming close, I just prayed and prayed that my children (some of whom were also in the path of the storm) and the children we were protecting would be all right,” she said. “The Lord hears prayers. Prayers are answered.” Sister Sorrels’s home was badly damaged, but all of her family and the children with her were safe.

Sister Harriet Uchtdorf and her daughter Antje give a taste of the magic of Christmas in Germany on this week’s episode of the Church News podcast.

Behold, the royal army with over 52,000 members. When missionaries are called to serve, they often feel like they are joining the modern-day stripling warriors. Whether they serve in Haiti or Houston, Australia or Austria, missionaries go forward with faith to serve the Lord. But almost any missionary will report that support and encouragement from home will make this service a little easier.

After one woman forgot to pack a dress on vacation and wore hiking pants instead, she left church wanting to cheer aloud because of how she was welcomed.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released a series of powerful videos about overcoming pornography, supporting loved ones with a pornography problem, and finding healing from pornography or betrayal trauma. We will be highlighting these valuable resources over the ensuing weeks.

The history of the Mormons is neither long nor complicated. Founded in 1830 by Joseph Smith in western New York, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints abandoned the settled United States after Smith’s assassination in Illinois in 1844, establishing their new Zion in the Utah Territory. The refractory, polygamist Mormons spent most of the 19th century warring with American power; then most of the 20th trying to assimilate into mainstream America.