On April 6, the anniversary of the Church's organization,the First Presidency released a statement on homelessness. In our Church history, many Saints have been forced from their homes due to persecution or poverty, but homelessness continues to be a serious concern today.

Calling it a "surreal experience" to stand in the Marriott Center and give a devotional address on December 6, Young Women general president, Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson, shared a brief, hilarious look into her years at Brigham Young University.

In honor of BYU's Mental Health Awareness Week, Tanner Mangum took to Twitter to share a brave but powerful message, one that will resonate with many members who have experienced depression or anxiety personally or through someone close to them:

“Each has a fundamental focus on family,” New York Attorney General Bob Abrams shared after Elder Jeffrey R. Holland shared beliefs Mormons and Jews share. “Each places a very high value on education. Each has a strong commitment to charitable giving. Each demonstrates humanitarian concern and response when there are international catastrophes around the globe. Each has a history of disproportionate success due to ability, hard work and determination. And each has been subjected to fierce persecution and prejudice.”

Preparation: Number ten separate sheets of paper with a large number 1–10. Obtain a bean bag and a picture of Moses with the stone tablets, such as Gospel Art Book #14. Get or make a poster with each of the Ten Commandments listed (large enough for the children to see the words).

When I was 12 years old I was living in Cedar City, Utah after recently moving back from St. George, Utah with my father and step-mother (I attended 6th and 7th grade while living there). My parents, like I said earlier, allowed us to choose and decide where we wanted to live. I lived with my St. George parents and the grass wasn’t necessarily greener on the other side. 90's family photoI believe I moved at the wrong time. Middle school was just so much fun (major sarcasm) and I remember everybody being nice in Cedar City. Well, I moved back to Cedar City and GUESS WHAT… everyone was still in middle school and the ruthlessness of middle school students followed me. In the awake of insecurity, middle school is a time to make yourself feel better by putting others down. I wish I could say I was immune in putting others down but I was just like everyone else going through puberty in middle school.

For your visiting teaching message this month, pick a talk from the October 2016 general conference to share, found on conference.lds.org. Here is one suggestion from "The Master Healer," by Sister Carole M. Stephens:

Members of the church are counseled to obtain a testimony of the Book of Mormon. How does one know when they have a testimony?

What a thought-provoking, and sometimes hard, message we need to hear about the difference between our beliefs and our culture.