In the month since the plane crash on Nov. 30 that took the lives of nine Latter-day Saints, the extended family of James D. Hansen, Sr. has mourned the passing of Hansen, his sons, grandsons and grandsons-in-law. The family patriarch’s funeral was held on Dec. 18 with President M. Russell Ballard presiding. According to Church News, President Ballard offered “a gentle suggestion to Brother Hansen’s relatives and friends—and, perhaps ‘to anyone who has lost someone’ to the next world. When referring to departed loved ones, he said, don’t use the term ‘was.’ Instead, say ‘is.’”

More than 20,000 young women are currently serving full-time missions in countries around the world. Their purpose is to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ and serve others. However, the benefits that result from a mission are more than just increased religiosity.

Missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are serving during an unprecedented time.

Temple Square, one of Utah’s top tourist attractions, will begin a phased reopening on June 14. The Conference Center will be the first to welcome guests, with additional facilities to follow in coming months.

The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has released the dates of the open house for the Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple. See these photos of its stunning interior.

Will our pets and other animals be joining us in heaven?

"Some might feel embarrassed or unworthy because they have searching questions regarding the gospel, but they needn’t feel that way. Asking questions isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a precursor of growth.” —Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

This article is republished with permission from Book of Mormon Central. For more inspiring and instructive content on the Book of Mormon visit Book of Mormon Central, subscribe to our mailing list, see our YouTube videos, and follow us on Facebook.

Jane Elizabeth Manning was born in Connecticut in about 1820. Her mother had been enslaved, but she was emancipated by the time Jane was born. Jane’s father died when she was a young child and, perhaps in part for that reason, Jane began working as a domestic servant for a wealthy white family in the next town over. As a young woman, she was baptized and joined the local Congregational Church, but not long afterward she heard a missionary from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints preach and she was convinced by his message. She was baptized a short time later, and she appears to have persuaded her family to join the Church as well. In 1843, the Mannings joined an interracial group of converts for the journey to Nauvoo. Although they left the Northeast together, the group was separated at some point during the journey. The white members continued to Nauvoo on public transportation; the black members walked. When Jane and her family reached Nauvoo, they were welcomed by Emma and Joseph Smith and stayed in the mansion house for a short time while they found jobs and housing. Jane remained in the mansion house, working for the Smiths as a domestic servant.

When Korihor had his first-hand experience with the power of God he tried to explain to Alma why he had attacked the truth. According to his statement in Alma 30:53, this is the path he followed: