The following was written by Audy Leavitt, who starred with her husband Tyson on the TLC reality TV show Playhouse Masters. Read more from Audy with "The Unwanted Answer to a Prayer That Led This Mom to Becoming a Reality TV Star" and atalwaysaudy.com.

It's almost time to say goodbye to 2018 and hello to a new year. And what better time to reflect on the stories that brought us hope, made us laugh, and showed us the power of the gospel?

What’s Onward About?

Did you know many Academy Award–winning actors and Hollywood stars have appeared in Latter-day Saint–themed movies? Check out this fun list to find out more about the actors and the roles they played.

1. What on the trail east of the Rocky Mountains were so numerous that the pioneers had to send advance parties ahead to clear the trail so the teams could pass?

If you expect your patriarchal blessing to make wild or unusual promises and predictions, you may be misunderstanding what a patriarchal blessing is. Your patriarchal blessing isn’t a fortune cookie, and the patriarch isn’t a fortuneteller.[1] The patriarch is a prophet, called to convey God’s words and will to you. He is only authorized to pronounce the promises he is prompted by the Holy Ghost to give. Patriarchs are counseled by their leaders to avoid making sensational or extravagant promises in the blessings they pronounce, even if the Spirit shows them rather remarkable things about the blessing’s recipient. President Joseph Fielding Smith (1876–1972), tenth President of the Church, explained, “I know of one or two cases … where a brother has been blessed by the patriarch and told that he would become a member of the Council of the Twelve [Apostles]. Usually [the patriarchs] don’t say that … even if the patriarch felt that the chances are [very good] that a man will be called to the leading councils of the Church.” President Smith added, “Patriarchs should be very careful in giving their blessings not to make extravagant expressions and to be conservative in what they say.”[2] Thus, you should not expect extravagant things to be mentioned in your blessing. Patriarchs generally avoid, for example, talking about things like the timing of the Second Coming when they give a blessing. While the young man or young woman being blessed may live to see the second coming of Christ, most patriarchs simply wouldn’t mention that in the blessing. President Smith further explained:

Conference Talk: For more information on this topic read “LDS Women are Incredible!” by Quentin L. Cook, Ensign, May 2011, 18.

Sister Jean B. Bingham, the Church’s Relief Society general president, was the keynote speaker at the fifth annual International Women-in-Diplomacy Day symposium. The event originated from Los Angeles and was held virtually this year because of the pandemic. The event was sponsored by the honorary consul of the Republic of Senegal.

This year, as part of the Light the World campaign, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in partnership with Boncom, released a new video highlighting the story of the Nativity. “The Christ Child” tells the familiar story of Christ’s birth—but in a surprisingly new and meaningful way, explained Jeff Taylor, who worked as co-creative director of the film.

Several temple groundbreakings have taken place over the past two months while others have just been announced. Ground was broken to begin construction of the Syracuse Utah Temple and the Tallahassee Florida Temple in early June while the groundbreaking for the Helena Montana Temple was held on June 26.