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LDS Church buys historical sites from Community of Christ

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints confirmed Saturday that it purchased 6,000 acres of Missouri farmland and three historical sites from the Community of Christ — the group formerly known as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “The Church recently acquired operating farmland and several other non-farmland properties located in Missouri and Ohio from the Community of Christ," LDS Church spokesperson Scott Trotter said. "Non-farm sites include the Haun’s Mill and the Far West Burying Ground in Missouri as well as the Joseph Smith Sr. home in Kirtland, Ohio."

LDS Church distances itself from land referendum in Layton

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is distancing itself from any position on a land referendum on the ballot this November, even though the church owns the property on which a potential development would be located and teamed with the city to help hire a consultant for the project. Church Spokesman Scott Trotter issued a short statement on the West Layton Village property matter late Monday, after the church became part of the narrative on the issue, initiated by a group that forced the issues on the ballot. The group, Citizens for Responsible Growth, claims the church had unofficially apologized for appearing to be a force behind the potential development.

From the Church

Youth Campgrounds Closed; Treks and Pageants Canceled, Postponing the Final Hill Cumorah Performance

By The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The following notice was sent Thursday, April 30, 2020, to leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint worldwide. Also see other ways COVID-19 is impacting Church members around the globe.

Lesson Helps

FHE: Priorities

By Shauna Gibby

Conference Talk: For more information on this topic read “Desire,” by Dallin H. Oaks, Ensign, May 2011, 42.

Defining Joseph

“Prophet,” “Friend,” “Brother”—these are all words that have been used to describe Joseph Smith. But what about “Restorer,” “Visionary,” or even “Warrior”? Heidi’s friends (and historians) Jenny Reeder and Bob Millet share with Heidi how they would define Joseph if they only had one word to do so. Then Heidi turns to Cree Nation members Jalynne Geddes and her father, Harry Michael, to hear about who they know Joseph Smith to be.

Excerpted from “Know Brother Joseph” edited by R. Eric Smith, Matthew C. Godfrey, Matthew J. Grow

Feature Stories

Tom Christofferson answers, ‘Do you think the Lord loves you as much as He does your brother?’

By Tom Christofferson

I was invited to lunch by a friend who wanted to introduce me to another friend, a man who had previously served as a mission president. This man had questions about how best to support elders and sisters from his mission who, during or after their missionary service, had shared with him that they were gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex, asexual, or queer. As we talked about his missionaries, he asked about my life. At one point, he asked a question that startled me: “Do you think the Lord loves you as much as He does your brother?”

Latter-day Saint Life

Joseph Smith's Historic Meeting with the President of the United States (+ Video)

By LDS Living Staff

After Latter-day Saints were expelled from Missouri and while trying to rebuild Zion in the malaria-ridden swamps near Commerce (later Nauvoo), Illinois, Joseph Smith took a historic journey to Washington, D.C., to meet with President Martin Van Buren.

The Dog That Saved the Washington D.C. Temple + Other Amazing Temple Stories

By Chad S. Hawkins

This year marks a joyous milestone in temple history with the dedication of the Provo City Center Temple as the 150th LDS temple on the earth today. In celebration, here are 3 fascinating stories about these beautiful and holy structures.

Alan Osmond: ‘The Plan’ 50 Years Later

The Osmonds reached what was arguably the peak of their fame in 1973. That year, the band made what many considered an interesting decision and released The Plan, a landmark album that explored the eternal nature of God’s plan and the role of Jesus Christ in salvation. Alan Osmond almost always sang backup vocals but, as the oldest of the Osmond brothers, was in many ways the leader of the brothers’ group and the writer of many of the Osmonds’ songs. In this episode, Alan shares the inspiration behind The Plan as we celebrate the 50-year anniversary of the album.