MR says: We all struggle at times with thoughts that suddenly pop into our heads. It's part of being human. But how we deal with those thoughts says much about our character.

This year has brought some lively discussions around the dinner table. A lot of them revolve around, “Hey, Mom, is that Mormon guy still winning?” Of course, they’re talking about Mitt Romney, and our answer is usually, "Well, sort of.” Which always leads to a discussion about politics in general. We are a politically divided family. My 9-year-old is firmly aligned with the Democrats. (“The Republicans remind me of old Mr. Potter from ‘It’s a Wonderful Life,’” he announced the other day.) My 8-year-old is a Republican. The 6-year-old is undecided and the 2-year-old isn’t potty trained, so he isn’t allowed to vote in the Lewis family election.

Do you feel like your prayers are not being heard? Are you struggling to feel Heavenly Father's guidance after you pray?

MR says: How might you be opening someone's heart to the message of the restored gospel without even realizing it?

A man who pleaded guilty to murder of a recently returned LDS missionary had a message to share with her family.

Chris Mecham has helped organize dozens of basketball, softball and volleyball tournaments, as well as officiating in countless games during his 14 years of involvement with LDS Church sports including as a stake athletic director, regional director and most recently as one of the Utah Salt Lake City Area directors. "I loved being in sports – could have been there all my life," said Mecham, who has recently been released. "I’m a gym rat and love being in that environment. I’m a little jealous of those of you who still get to work in the program. Church sports was the funnest thing I’ve ever done and therefore the easiest calling I’ve ever served in. What do I like about church sports? I appreciate good athletes, a well run program and great sportsmanship. I’ve seen all of that in my years of service.”

The following was a blog written by Elder M. Russell Ballard for LDS.org.

"I believe God is a god of second chances and everyone has the right to make things right when they have gone down a mistaken path,” Jennifer Jasper said about the man who killed her son. "I do believe in second chances and a fresh start."

MR says: Every Thanksgiving, Builders Without Borders of Utah puts the thanks back in the holiday by traveling to Tijuana to perform service that has changed the lives of thousands.

If Mitt Romney wins the Republican nomination for 2012, President Obama will reportedly have two things to say about him: he's greedy and he's weird. The greed part is based on Romney's work at Bain Capital, which frequently bought struggling companies and laid off workers. The weird part is based on his bad fashion and bad jokes, Politico reports. But Megan Carpentier thinks maybe it's really about Romney being Mormon. Carpentier notes that more than a third of Americans are "somewhat uncomfortable" or "entirely uncomfortable" with voting for Mormons, according to a Quinnipiac poll released in June. Further, Mormonism seems alien to many--the poll found just 25 percent think the religion is very or somewhat similar to their own. Politico's Ben Smith and Jonathan Martin report that Obama's campaign says it's not going after Romney's faith: