As Latter-day Saints, we try to keep the Lord's commandments, but sometimes we tell ourselves things that simply aren't true and that keep us from even trying.

For Ed Willis, life was one harsh blow after another. Born into generational poverty within a system that was not designed for the success of Black men, most of his options led to dead ends. But in between jail time, drug addiction, unemployment, the struggles of racism, and family strife, there were brief flashes when the light of Christ touched Ed's heart, instilling in him a desire to know and to be more. He sought meaning and self-worth wherever he could find it—including, for a time, as a member of the Black Panther Party fighting for freedom, racial equality, and underprivileged children in California's Bay Area. But what began as a sincere effort toward a worthy cause would ultimately lead to further involvement with drugs, violence, and relationships in turmoil. But his lifetime of hardship was, in its own way, preparing him to receive the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Mauli Junior Bonner works in both the music and film industry. He writes for or develops some of the biggest names in Pop music, including Ariana Grande, Camila Cabello, Stevie Wonder and others. In film, he is an award-winning writer and director of stories following black pioneers in the early Church Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Mauli is also a highly sought-after public speaker and gives trainings on “The Art of Connection.”

One of our sons and I were assigned as home teaching companions. Together we taught a number of families, including a divorced sister with three young daughters. Over time we developed a close and trusting relationship with the woman and her children. We appreciated the opportunities we had to serve them spiritually and temporally.

With a Mormon running a strong race for our nation's highest office, more people are seeking information about the Mormon religion and its connections to Texas. Our state had Mormons among its early pioneer settlers and those folks helped make history, although they did not stay long.

Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid said today if he had to choose between Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman in the presidential race, he'd go with what he considers the lesser of two evils: Huntsman.

Chanté Sinclair Stutznegger is the co-founder of Sinclair Consulting Group and Instagram's Let’s Talk Sis. She is also the cohost, alongside her sister Alexis, of The Let’s Talk Sis Podcast, where they engage in real conversations about race, diversity, and human connection.

If you would like to help displaced members and residents of Paradise affected by the Camp Fire, donations of travel trailers (not motorhomes) are being collected at Stewart's RV in American Fork, Utah.

The year 2020 will be remembered for many significant reasons. Among them will be the way in which the year reminded us that racial strife is not a thing of the past but something that very much still exists in our world. It is something that we at LDS Living hope will soon come to an end, but until that time, it is up to all of us to contribute to the conversation rather than attempt to silence it.

What if we made our final hour of church into a Third Hour of Power™? I’m gonna toss you a few ideas – things to start sourcing into your quorums – and let’s try to win that time back and make it into something we look forward to and don’t dread, or worse – become increasingly apathetic towards. Add more ideas in the comments as you think of them.