Knowing the LDS Church helped me to know God and feel pure and undefiled love. But knowing God and knowing what I’d been through, made me question Him, even though I knew of His mercy, grace, and love for me. How could a supposedly “loving” Heavenly Father do this to me? Where was He in my hour of need? Why didn’t He protect me when it was my own family who hurt me so badly? Where was He when my mother’s girlfriend was emotionally and physically abusing me during my adolescent years? Did He not see the pain I went through? Did He even care? It took me a long time to forgive Him. Over the years, I learned that despite the pain I went through, He allowed us agency and to choose between good and bad, even at the expense of my pain. I still struggle with that concept, but through some miracle, I forgave the God I once believed forsook me. I became aware of the fact that my God was always there for me. He had continuously provided me with blessings and assured me of His love. I knew it all along, but it took some time for me to see. I partially attribute it to this scripture from 2 Nephi 1:15, But Behold, the Lord hath redeemed my soul from hell; I have beheld his glory, and I am encircled about eternally in the arms of his love.

The October 2015 Session of Conference has just passed, but the messages are still fresh in our minds. The top 5 themes expressed during those sessions are listed below. If you're looking to expand your knowledge on these topics, then here are 3 (discounted!) books per topic to help.

Becoming a true disciple of Jesus Christ is not always easy. Often times, it takes a great amount of work and courage to stand up for the gospel and follow our Savior.

Manual 1; Excerpt from "May You Have Courage," by President Thomas S. Monson

It really doesn’t look like a typical church inside. It’s more of a community center kind of place. There’s a chapel off to one side, and lots of meeting rooms, offices, and the like. I went into “confused visitor mode,” which I often do when I go to a new church, and wandered around looking lost. I wandered upstairs, where there were offices for church officials, classrooms, and some kind of prayer meeting going on, and some guy asked me if he could help me.

What great insight from this article: "Don’t let your perceptions turn into grudges. Grudges into fights. Fights into wars. That person that bugs you so much…is your brother or sister, and a flawed human just like you."

What fascinating insights that will change how you understand the story of Noah and the Flood in the Bible.

MR says: Apparently, not all marriages are good for your health and happiness, according to a recent BYU study--one that has picked up the notice of the New York Times.

In a new album created for the 2016 Mutual theme, "Press Forward," LDS youth and performers share their incredible testimonies and stories through music. Listen to it and download it as well as past albums for free at youth.lds.org. It can also be streamed at Spotify or Apple Music.

Here is an article designed to give you suggestions on how to help your child come back to the Church while still maintaining a healthy relationship.