Jesus said, “He that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth” (Luke 22:26–27).

Several years ago while conducting a tour to the Holy Lands; I had an opportunity of visiting Taba, Egypt for the first time. Taba is located just across the border from Israel at the farthest tip of the Red Sea. Many areas in the Middle East are dry, desolate places, but even I was not prepared for the scene that greeted me as we crossed the border. It seemed that even the words desolate, dry, and barren would not do the place justice. I could not see anything green for miles, nor were there any signs of life except where man had planted a few trees or shrubs to break the harshness of the landscape. We boarded our bus and drove across the desert toward our hotel. I remember looking around, seeing nothing but rock and sky. I searched for a few birds to indicate some form of life but could find none. Nothing seemed to live here. I thought as I surveyed the dry, bleak, austere scenery: “Whoever God assigned to create this part of his world needs to go back and take Creation 101 again, because they didn’t do a very good job here. Maybe they got started and the recess bell rang, and they never came back to add a bit of color or movement!” I do not think I have ever visited a more inhuman, forbidding, vista.

"Hours before President Russell M. Nelson addressed 12,000 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints here in Tecnopolis Arena on Wednesday evening, he personally greeted individual children receiving new wheelchairs at a local Latter-day Saint meetinghouse," a recent Church News article states. "To both groups, he offered the same message: The Lord will pour down blessings on those with a willing heart."

In June 2024, the History of the Saints team, Dennis Lyman and Glenn Rawson are taking a bus tour across the pioneer trail. The first group will travel by bus from Salt Lake, across Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, and finally into Nauvoo. Along the way, they will follow as closely as possible the actual pioneer trail. There will be stops at the Green River, Martin’s Cove, Devils Gate, Casper and the last crossing of the Platte. We will visit, Chimney Rock, Scots Bluff, Fort Laramie, the Guernsey Ruts, and so much more. At Nauvoo, we will spend time in the City and take in the wonderful sites, especially those recently acquired. There will even be time for a temple session. On our last night in Nauvoo, we will walk the Trail of Hope—down Parley Street to the Mississippi River. As the sun goes down, we look out to the west and imagine that trail of 1300 miles before them. The next day we drive into northern Missouri and shift our focus to 1838-39 and the Exodus of Missouri following the Extermination Order of Governor Lilburn W. Boggs. We will visit the Hawn’s Mill martyrdom site, Far West, and Adam-ondi-Ahman. The last hours of the tour are spent at Liberty Jail and Independence. From there the group will fly home and Dennis and Glenn will welcome a new group flying in. The next morning, we reverse the trail all the way back to Salt Lake City.

Each of this year’s locations includes a unique activity like golfing, hiking, or visiting Church historic sites, and each session costs just $50!

Conference Talk:

After struggling with health issues, Alo and Ashley Moli were led to adopt 6 foster siblings. Watch their story of hope and how they became a family. Adoption photos: Sadie Vaenuku @sjphotoandfilm Still haven’t subscribed to LDS Living on YouTube? ► https://www.youtube.com/user/LDSLivin... CONNECT WITH LDS LIVING Web: www.ldsiving.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LDSLiving/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ldsliving/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/LDSLivingMag Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ldsliving/ ABOUT LDS Living gives expression to what it means to live as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. By sharing practical information and seeking out the best things in Latter-Day Saint culture, we hope to empower our readers to make the most of the joys and challenges of life and enjoy their unique heritage to its fullest. We provide articles that inspire and uplift our readers with endless ideas, featuring articles online and in print on issues real-life Latter-day Saints are dealing with, recipes, self-help, parenting and relationship advice, behind-the-scenes looks, and in-depth coverage of a wide variety of topics important to Latter-day Saints.

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Just a few days after watching the 184th Semiannual General Conference for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, you’re already missing it. If you are longing for the two days with 10 hours of conference talks, here are signs you should be treating your general conference withdrawals.

MR says: Have you ever wondered what Donny Osmond, Lindsey Stirling, Mitt Romney, and David Archuletta looked like as kids? Check it out!