Making a pilgrimage is to undertake a journey to a sacred place as an act of religious devotion. Anciently, pagan pilgrims sought to consult the oracles and offer sacrifices at places now familiar to us as impressive ruins. Millions of Buddhists, Muslims, and Hindus annually seek enlightenment through the very act of making a journey to sacred sites around the world—not as tourists but rather as pilgrims. The four Gospels tell us that Herod’s temple in Jerusalem was the destination for pilgrims who attended three annual pilgrimage festivals. The journeys were required for all adult Jewish men until the destruction of the temple in 70 A.D. The Gospels record that Jesus, His family, and His disciples made their way to Jerusalem in obedience to tradition and to express their religious devotion. The most familiar pilgrimage was, of course, the Passover Feast, a celebration meant to commemorate the release from bondage of the Children of Israel in Egypt.

James Taylor, one of the world’s most enduring and recognizable singer-songwriters, recently teamed up for a musical gala that also featured the internationally renowned Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the critically acclaimed Utah Symphony. This unique concert, performed in September 2013 and made possible by the O. C. Tanner Gift of Music, will premiere Sunday, April 6, on BYUtv, at 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. (MDT), with live streaming available at www.byutv.org.

David-James Gonzales was born, raised, and educated in Southern California by Mexican American parents that instilled in him a love for education and a commitment to family and community. He is a professor of history at BYU where he teaches and researches race, migration, and civil rights in US History. He has published in several academic journals and anthologies including the Journal of American Ethnic History, American Studies (AMSJ), 50 Events That Shaped Latino History, and The U.S.-Mexico Border: A Reference Handbook. He is the receptor of multiple scholarly fellowships and awards including the Career Enhancement Fellowship by the Institute for Citizens and Scholars and the Butler Young Scholar Award by the Charles Redd Center for Western Studies. His current book project is tentatively titled Breaking Down the Walls of Segregation: Mexican Americans and Civil Rights in Orange County, California. He is also a producer and co-host of the podcast New Books in Latino Studies, part of the New Books Network.

James Curran, a.k.a. James the Mormon, has made waves in the hip-hop and rap industry with not only his stage name but with the quality of his music.

James Lawrence has a goal: conquer 100 full-distance triathlons in 100 consecutive days.

James the Mormon, a.k.a James Curran, will be entertaining Jazz and Clippers fans this Friday during halftime for the sixth game in the Jazz-Clippers series. With the Jazz already up by one game, a victory Friday night could clinch their continuation in the NBA playoffs

Last weekend, my wife, Amy, and I made the trip to Salt Lake City to see the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Utah Symphony team up with music icon James Taylor for a concert in the LDS Conference Center.

You may recognize Sister Carol McConkie from her service in a previous Young Women General Presidency, but her latest assignment has given her new perspective into the role and influence of women.