Though they may be rich, influential, and glamorous, these famous Latter-day Saints have the same troubles we all face when it comes to love. Awkward dating moments, insecurity, and embarrassing failures all mingle with the sweet to make these real-life romances something far more fascinating than what you'd find in a fairytale.

The Christmas season is right around the corner, and sometimes it can be hard to help children remember the real reason for the season when candy, snowmen, and presents call them. Even some well-meaning and fun Christmas traditions can distract from the true meaning of Christmas.

Editor’s note: “This week from the pulpit” highlights recent messages by Church leaders.

Week 1: First Paragraph

There is a debate among some Mormons involving tankini and one piece swimsuits. Some people believe the tankini (a two piece swimsuit that covers the belly) is absolutely acceptable as a modest swimsuit, while others only wear one pieces because a “two piece” is considered immodest.

Thirty years ago, students began moving into the Brigham Young University Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies. Today it is considered by members and nonmembers alike to be a stunning addition to the Holy City’s landscape, but it didn’t start out that way. In fact, plans to build the Jerusalem Center caused so much controversy that the “Mormon issue” nearly caused the collapse of the Israeli government—on more than one occasion.

Editor’s note: “This week from the pulpit” highlights recent messages by Church leaders.

Wise Company specializes in producing dehydrated and freeze-dried long-term food storage for emergency use. Wise has differentiated itself by packaging the food in small-serving mylar pouches with up to a 25 year shelf life. This innovative packaging system prevents waste and allows the consumer to eat what they want when they want it. The pouches come in buckets that are easily stackable for efficient storage, but simple and light enough to grab a bucket or two and go quickly when necessary. Wise Company offers 13 entrée and 4 breakfast varieties along with eggs, milk, meat, fruits, and vegetables as well. Wise also carries an array of high quality ancillary preparedness products such as water storage containers, water filters, and fuel sources. One can also find emergency kits (“bug out bags”) that include emergency food and critical preparedness items.

The public is invited to tour the first temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Portugal. Church leaders announced the Lisbon Portugal Temple will be open for a free public open house from Saturday, August 17, 2019, to Saturday, August 31, 2019, excluding Sundays. A few weeks before the open house, the public can make reservations at templeopenhouse.lds.org.

It's rare when a politician can mix humor with tears and genuine love while talking about the deadliest shooting in American history. What a great message for all of us to hear and to help us remember to always reach out with love and "appeal to the better angels of our nature."