Missionary work over the Internet and, in particular, through social media, deserves some attention.

Riva Juarez is the creative mind behind the fashion and lifestyle DIY blog, RivaLaDiva.com. Her easy-to-follow tutorials for everything from couture knock-offs to popular hairstyles to affordable beauty and skincare tips have continually earned her a spot as a featured blogger on nationally recognized craft, fashion and sewing sites since she started in 2013. A Las Vegas native, fashion school dropout and sewing junkie, she now creates her own sunshine in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, four children and many umbrellas.

Larrie Woolf Christensen was born in Idaho Falls Idaho but spent most of her growing up years in Salt Lake City Utah. Her family moved to Anaheim California when she graduated from high school and it was there that she met her late husband, O. Brent Christensen. They were married in 1964 in the Salt Lake Temple. She continues to mourn his loss and misses his steadying influence, his wonderful smile and his loyal and faithful companionship. They have four children and Larrie currently lives in Columbia Missouri near their two oldest daughters.

Rosalynde F. Welch is a senior research fellow and associate director at the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship at Brigham Young University. She holds a BA in English from BYU and a PhD in early modern English literature from the University of California San Diego. Welch is an independent scholar working in Latter-day Saint literature, culture, and theology. She is the author of numerous articles on Latter-day Saint theology and scripture. She is the author of Ether: A Brief Theological Introduction and the editor of the forthcoming Are We Not All Beggars? Reading Mosiah 4.

Morgan Choi and her husband have lived in four very different countries during their young marriage. They have also experienced very difficult things in lands far from home but what they have found is that God is everywhere and when we seek to feel His love, we will always find it. On this week’s episode, Morgan shares her witness that prayers are heard and answered all around the world.

We’ve all noticed an increasing emphasis on covenants and temples! In April general conference the word “covenants” was used 194 times! There were 15 new temples announced, bringing the worldwide count to 350. And the First Presidency updated the temple recommend interview questions and issued a new statement on wearing the temple garment. It feels momentous!

Tyler Castleton is a songwriter, music producer and composer whose songs and arrangements have appeared on hundreds of albums, including award-winning projects by Marie Osmond, The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Gladys Knight, The Jets, country music superstar Martina McBride, and dozens of pop and Christian recording artists. Tyler has served twice as the Director of Music at Deseret Book & Shadow Mountain Records in Salt Lake City and has taught as an adjunct faculty member in the commercial music programs at both Brigham Young University and Utah Valley University. He has been blessed to be a part of the music careers of many LDS artists including Hilary Weeks, Michael McLean, Cherie Call, Mercy River and Jericho Road, and has written and produced music for the Church’s Especially for Youth albums for more than 25 years. Based in Utah, Tyler works frequently in Nashville, TN, which he considers his second home. The proud father of 3 grown kids, he teaches Sunday School and plays the organ in the temple, his favorite calling ever.

Colette is married to Matt and is the proud mother of four amazing children—three boys and one girl—who have kept life busy, loud, and rarely short on laundry. Raised on a farm, she still believes fresh air, hard work, and a little dirt are good for the soul, which may explain why she loves spending time outdoors and finding new yard projects to tackle. Although she has spent the last 25 years caring for others as a nurse, she'd happily trade a few shifts for a tractor and a return to farm life. Her children are her greatest joy, and she couldn't be prouder of the people they are becoming. Above all, Colette is a disciple of Christ and treasures her faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which keeps her grounded through life's adventures, challenges, and occasional chaos. She somehow still finds time to start new projects before the old ones are finished—and remains convinced she'll get caught up someday.

Visions, dreams, faith, and sacrifice. These are many reoccurring elements in the conversion stories of some of the very first members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Learn more about their incredible stories in the accounts below.

This article is the second in a series about Alan Alderman. To read more about how Alderman found hope after his diagnosis and his plans to row across the Atlantic to raise money for ALS research, check out this article.