To say that the law can only be fulfilled by Christ is to say that the law can only be fulfilled by love. Love is the point of the law. “All the law and the prophets” hang on this imperative to love (Matthew 22:40). Without love, the law comes unplugged from Christ. It stops functioning as a type and leaves me hopeless. When, instead of love, the law generates fear, anger, guilt, envy, and frustration, then the law is broken. A loveless law is a broken law. A loveless law is a law incapable of mercy or justice. A loveless law is an occasion for selfishness, pride, and hypocrisy.

Papua New Guinea is a country rife with rich variety. Over 600 islands make up just 10 percent of the country’s land. Thousands of species abound in the rain forests, highlands, and islands, with more species of birds in this country the size of California than in all of Europe combined. Divided by a diverse geography, each tribe has a unique culture, and over 830 languages are spoken by the 6.2 million inhabitants of the land. The Huli wigmen are known for their vain men who spend their days preening and growing their hair out at wig school before they can associate with women. The Baining fire dancers have a close communion between the spirits and fire, walking through flames to bring good spirits or calm bad ones. But in the cities, life edges closer and closer to modern society while others look on from the fringes of the ghettos, called settlements. Witchcraft, animism, black magic, and ancestor worship are still rampant, but Christianity is the predominant religion, practiced by 96 percent of the population.

In 2002, my oldest son returned home from his mission after only five months. I was shocked, confused, and had no idea what to do—this is not something a parent expects or prepares for. While I was wrestling with my own feelings, I also felt great compassion and sorrow for my son, who was struggling. Over time, my son adjusted to post-mission life, was sealed to a wonderful woman, started a family, and moved to another state to pursue better employment. But then, in 2010, it happened again—my youngest son returned home after four months due to anxiety. He was deeply disappointed and did not want to be released. He worked hard to get back out into the mission field only to be released again when the anxiety returned. Feeling a deep sense of failure, he fell into inactivity and moved away, hoping to escape the shame he felt.

There are few things more hilarious than seeing primary children’s personalities shine through in unexpected ways.

Based on current information from medical and government officials, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints plans to hold For the Strength of Youth (FSY) conferences in the United States and Canada beginning in the summer of 2021. Wards are encouraged to reserve the dates they are assigned to attend.

Editor's note: This article was adapted from a video series called “Christ-Centered Christmas Celebration,” based on the book Celebrating a Christ-Centered Christmas. For more insight and family interaction with your countdown, you can watch the five-minute videos that correspond with each day, which can be found at "Keep Your Christmas Focused on Christ With These New Advent Videos by Emily Belle Freeman and David Butler."This article originally appeared in the November/December 2020issue of LDS Living magazine and features photos of a brand-new companion nativity set.

Laurel C. Day shares her experiences with God’s grace as the only way to bridge the gap between who we are and who we want to become.

After being bribed, harassed, mocked, and forced to strip naked and perform exercises before prison guards in a jail in Venezuela—an act that violates international agreements on the treatment of prisoners—Joshua Holt's health is failing him, according to his family. But now, a Vatican representative is petitioning for his release.

Manual 1; Excerpt from "Lessons from the Lord's Prayers," by Russell M. Nelson

Whether it’s used for a journal or just a place to keep those creative ideas or thoughts, this notebook will reflect your personality. Simply choose two favorite colors of vinyl and grab one of those extra composition notebooks that are left over from school supply shopping, some scrap paper, and in no time at all you’ll have your very own personalized notebook!