General conference: a time of year that Latter-day Saints across the entire world unite their prayers, their voices, and their spirits in sustaining and listening to God's chosen prophets and leaders. It is, without a doubt, a sacred and wonderful time for Mormons everywhere, full of many spiritual and emotional highs.

The following is republished with permission from faithmatters.org.

While sitting in a sacrament meeting a few months ago, Sister Kathy Christofferson had an experience many members of the Church can relate to. It was fast and testimony meeting, and while many stood to share remarkable miracles and observations at the pulpit, Sister Christofferson racked her brain for something extraordinary to share—but nothing came to mind.

Like birth, death is a necessary and essential part of the plan of salvation (see Moses 6:59–62)—which Jacob and Alma both called the “great plan of happiness” (2 Nephi 9:6; Alma 42:8). Facing death can be one of the most fearful experiences of mortality. For the righteous, though, death can be sweet and need not be feared (see Alma 27:28). Indeed, the Lord revealed to Joseph Smith that “those that die in me shall not taste of death, for it shall be sweet unto them” (Doctrine and Covenants 42:46). On the other hand, for people who die not in Christ, death can be a bitter experience (see Doctrine and Covenants 42:47), and the thought of an approaching death can create foreboding, trepidation, and fear. Dreams regarding death can serve as a powerful reminder that this life is the time for us to prepare to meet God (see Alma 12:24; 34:32). . . .

Basketball is one of my favorite things. I love playing, watching, and even talking about the sport that, to me, is the ultimate source of comparisons.

There’s a word within the Church that we use frequently—one I think too often goes misunderstood: virtue.

On this week's episode of This Is the Gospel, as a missionary in Chile, Brad Wilcox struggles to find the answers to his gospel questions—including the existence of God—until a tender meeting with his mission president leads him to the light and hope he is looking for.

Rena Elmer is no stranger to trials—those of the painful, gut-wrenching variety and also those of Olympic size.

Editor's note: Our bi-weekly Friday column, “Found in the footnotes,” explores some of the footnotes from remarks given by General Authorities and General Officers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Editor's Note: The views, information, or opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author. Readers should consider each unique situation. This content is not meant to be a substitute for individual, professional advice.