My academic study of the ancient world for the last 40 years has taught me a profound lesson about modern times: Latter-day Saints ought to be the most optimistic of any group of people in history. If we truly understand God’s ultimate purpose behind all that is done in His church, optimism can’t help but seep into our souls. Let me explain.

What if the first day of your relationship was the only day you had?

Quinn Price has been completely blind since the age of two.

So you’ve set some goals to be better and, like every other year, at least a few will be dragged through the winter months before becoming fertilizer to the spring flowers of forgetfulness. And yet, goals are one of the things in life that we need to stay spiritually alive, whether we accomplish all of them or just a few.

The article speaks directly to members who identify as gay or lesbian or experience same-sex attraction.

MR says: Calee Reed recently released an album, 'What Heaven Feels Like,' and her latest music video lives up to the name, capturing cinematography and vocals that are simply heavenly.

It's not often that BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall finds himself embroiled in a recruiting battle with Notre Dame. But that was the case four years ago, when the Cougars were vying for the services of highly touted prep linebacker Manti Te'o.

Wednesday’s episode of “Survivor: Caramoan — Fans vs. Favorites” was one of highs and lows for Utahn Dawn Meehan. She got to see her husband, David, on Day 35 and she won individual immunity on Day 36. On Day 35 of the 39-day competition, the remaining six castaways got to see their loved ones, whether a spouse, sibling, parent or friend.

Knowing the LDS Church helped me to know God and feel pure and undefiled love. But knowing God and knowing what I’d been through, made me question Him, even though I knew of His mercy, grace, and love for me. How could a supposedly “loving” Heavenly Father do this to me? Where was He in my hour of need? Why didn’t He protect me when it was my own family who hurt me so badly? Where was He when my mother’s girlfriend was emotionally and physically abusing me during my adolescent years? Did He not see the pain I went through? Did He even care? It took me a long time to forgive Him. Over the years, I learned that despite the pain I went through, He allowed us agency and to choose between good and bad, even at the expense of my pain. I still struggle with that concept, but through some miracle, I forgave the God I once believed forsook me. I became aware of the fact that my God was always there for me. He had continuously provided me with blessings and assured me of His love. I knew it all along, but it took some time for me to see. I partially attribute it to this scripture from 2 Nephi 1:15, But Behold, the Lord hath redeemed my soul from hell; I have beheld his glory, and I am encircled about eternally in the arms of his love.

How do you follow the Savior's example if your child has left the Church or is struggling with their faith? What's the balance between giving your child room to use his or her agency while showing your love for them? In this week's "All In" episode, parenting guru Justin Coulson explains how the Savior's teachings about love, compassion, and mourning with those that mourn apply to the family. Whether we're a parent or not, we can all learn from the Savior's example of how to "Suffer the little children to come unto me" (Mark 10:14).