Today the Church is launching into the Christmas season with a brand-new media initiative titled "He is the Gift."

Editor’s note: “This week from the Pulpit”highlights recent messages by General Authorities, General Officers, and leaders of the Church.

Check out this photo gallery of Latter-day Saints circa 1928.

From Church members sharing their talents on TV to assisting in humanitarian efforts around the world, 2018 has proven to be another amazing year for Latter-day Saints. Here are some of our favorite moments from the year to celebrate!

Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Presidency of the Seventy landed on May 31, 2013, in tornado-ravaged Oklahoma City eager to learn stories of faith and service and to minister to those in need. Elder Rasband also carried a personal message for the Saints from President Thomas S. Monson. Elder Rasband was particularly eager to meet Maylene Sorrels. Sister Sorrels had been at work as a kindergarten teacher’s aide at Plaza Towers Elementary when the category 5 tornado—the most destructive rank possible—demolished the school on May 20. She, with the kindergarten teacher, covered their students with their bodies. Though both women received injuries, no one else from the class was hurt. “When we heard the tornado coming close, I just prayed and prayed that my children (some of whom were also in the path of the storm) and the children we were protecting would be all right,” she said. “The Lord hears prayers. Prayers are answered.” Sister Sorrels’s home was badly damaged, but all of her family and the children with her were safe.

A miracle in a graveyard led to the discovery of a new name, that of a child who became sealed to her parents as a result of these incredible events.

Manoel Bezerra carries around copies of the Book of Mormon in eight different languages to give away. In a job where he gets to connect and meet new people every day from all over the world, he always tries to find a meaningful way to share his faith with those who enter his taxi.