Here are five stories that show some of the sweetest insights into President M. Russell Ballard’s life, testimony, and ministry.

Mary Magdalene is one of the best-known characters in the New Testament, yet we know surprisingly little about her. In all but one of the twelve times that she is mentioned in the four Gospels, she is either named alone or first in a list of women. The sole exception is in John’s account of the women who stood by the cross in which the mother of Jesus is listed first (John 19:25). Nevertheless, in the Gospel of John, Mary Magdalene is the premier witness of the Resurrection and the only one commissioned to tell others the stunning truth. The primacy of her name in these accounts, the frequency of her mention, and her role on the morning of the Resurrection suggest that she was a prominent and respected disciple in the first century. From the earliest interpretations of her, however, she has been assigned polar opposite roles: at one extreme, a repentant sinner who quietly served; at the other, the apostle to the apostles.

*This story originally appeared in the March/April 2020 issue of LDS Living.

The scriptures teach us that “we are the offspring of God” (Acts 17:29). God referred to Emma Smith, wife of the Prophet Joseph Smith, as “my daughter” (D&C 25:1). The family proclamation teaches us that we are each “a beloved spirit … daughter of heavenly parents.”

MR says: Chris Burkard is a photographer, a world traveler, and a man who fearlessly shares his faith. See some of his stunning photos and learn more about his faith, family, and conversion to the Church.

Flying today with its delays, multiple stops and packed flights requires an act of discipline and a sense of humor. Even the pilots know, to mentally survive they have to on occasion bite their lip and smile.

“I thought I had to change my entire personality to be a good leader. Then, I learned a powerful lesson from Sister Jean B. Bingham.”

Thanks to UV360 for pointing out this fun game!

The Lord is always telling us to seek so we can find, and to knock so it can be opened to us. In other words, He wants us to learn to ask questions. Our Father in Heaven is not offended when we question what we learn. He is actually pleased that we are taking the effort to wrestle with an idea and trying to figure out how it fits into our understanding of the gospel. If we don’t ask, He can’t answer. If we don’t seek, we can’t find. We are supposed to question everything. Usually, if we don’t question something we aren’t going to get a testimony of its truthfulness.

Kobin's summer was off to a boring start as he recovered from brain surgery. But music, and the help of a generous neighbor, turned it all around.