"The Chosen" explores the life of Christ through the eyes of those who knew Him. The narrative multi-season show has received high praise from viewers and critics alike, earning a 9.8 out of 10 rating on IMDB. But with the praise, it has also attracted skeptics. Some don’t believe evangelical Christians should be working with Latter-day Saints on a show about Jesus or vice versa, and others believe scripture should only be portrayed exactly as it is written without creative liberties. The show’s writer and director, Dallas Jenkins, believes that exploring faith, especially in relation to the Savior, is something that requires trust. On this week’s episode, he shares the triumphs as well as the challenges of depicting the life of the Son of God.

You’ve heard it over and over—these are unprecedented times. However, there will be a time—soon—when we’ll slowly move past merely surviving and actually begin thriving. But how do we get started?

One of the most consequential meetings in the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints occurred Aug. 8, 1844, on the east bank of the Mississippi River, roughly six weeks after the murder of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Sidney Rigdon, who had served as first counselor in the First Presidency of the church under Joseph, had returned to Nauvoo, Ill., from his self-imposed exile in Pittsburgh. Although a principal leader of the church for many years — he even received the February 1832 revelation of the three degrees of glory (Doctrine and Covenants 76) with Joseph Smith — Sidney’s relationship with the Prophet had ceased to be close.

Photo from Deseret News Archives. In 2004, U.S. President George W. Bush presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom to LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley in a ceremony at the White House.

It was just a small group - perhaps a dozen and a half people - who assembled in one of the most sacred rooms of the new Mormon temple in Kansas City, Missouri, a couple of weeks ago, but what happened there was deeply significant and will be long remembered. It was during the public open house --the period when newly built temples are opened to the public for several weeks before they are officially dedicated. Missouri Governor Jay Nixon, along with the state’s first lady, the attorney general, several dignitaries and a handful of church officials, had toured most of the building and had found their way to one of the sealing rooms on an upper floor. This is the place in the temple where members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints undertake their most sacred sacraments --the marriage ceremonies that they believe unite couples for eternity.

It was like a shotgun going off in my face when a noted psychiatrist told me that my son will likely suffer the same fate as did my wife. Both my beloved wife, Debbie, of 23 years and my father-in-law committed suicide. He struggled with severe depression and in 1978 fatally overdosed on medications to escape his suffering. Then, sixteen years later, my wife Debbie succumbed to the same fate of suicide.

2 Nephi 1, 2

Brain cancer is the stuff of nightmares. But for the Dory family, one sentence turned that nightmare into a dream come true: “Kyle, your scans are all clear.”

After winning the Y-Prize Newborn Challenge in 2015, these doctors have created a new ventilator that could save thousands.

Growing up in “the olden days” (as my kids call it), before the Internet and electronic gadgetry, I first learned about Jesus through flannel board stories and cartoon scripture books until I could read His words for myself. How things have changed in 30 years! As the next generation learns of Christ, their options are instant and more readily available through their chosen electronic gadget, complete with scripture apps and video.