“If you are segregated, you don’t understand each other. You’re not communicating with each other, and the communication becomes a huge issue.”

On Instagram, Elizabeth Smart summarized her feelings regarding the release of Wanda Barzee: "I ask those that have the power, and her family to start proceedings to have her be civilly committed. To my knowledge she has neither complied with medication or treatment and as some one who has experienced first hand just how depraved she truly is, I believe her to be a threat and a danger not just to myself but to the community, any vulnerable person. I am very concerned and precautions have been taken however I refuse to live in fear. I have spent the last 15 years rebuilding and moving forward with my life, having a family, and pursuing my goals. I lived in absolute fear and terror for nine months, no matter the outcome I will not do so again."

Sheryl Ellsworth is the Family/Community Engagement Specialist for the Utah State Board of Education (USBE). In this role, she supports and trains schools, namely administrators and teachers, in engaging families through evidence-based strategies in urban, suburban, rural, remote, and indigenous reservation communities. Before working at USBE, Sheryl taught in Washington, D.C., and played an integral role in helping her school move from the second-lowest performing position in the district to being the first school out of priority/turnaround status. She resides in South Jordan, Utah, with her family. Emily Bell McCormick is the mother of five and owner of a boutique advocacy and communication consulting firm and founder of The Policy Project, a group working to implement healthy policy in Utah and in the United States. She is also the style and fashion contributor for KSL’s morning show, Studio 5, and the former co-founder of Shabby Apple. She resides in Salt Lake City with her husband and children.

Brent and his wife Sharon Kaye have four daughters and Jacob, the youngest. Brent has lived eight years overseas including Germany, Japan, and Brazil where he served a full-time mission. He holds a BA in International Relations and Portuguese from BYU and an MBA from The University of Texas at Austin. Jacob is a junior at BYU where he studies statistical science among other things and enjoys playing jazz with his trombone. His paper, “The Two Atonements” was recently accepted for presentation at the BYU Religious Education Student Symposium in February 2023.

We are praying for the Merrells and hope they can be found safe.

Dating can be complicated. Singles deal with the intricacies of getting to know and understand one another, coupled with a mix of technological, financial, societal, religious and media influences. Active LDS singles are encouraged to work toward a temple marriage at the appropriate time in their lives by adhering to high moral standards. The journey from first date to temple marriage can be challenging and contain blessings, heartbreaks and pitfalls. Thousands of books and articles by LDS and secular authors have extolled wisdom and tips about dating. Advice about how to act, what to say, what to wear and what to do while dating has been covered in detail. Over the years, prophets and apostles have also given counsel to LDS singles about dating. This article is a culmination of their words. As a preface, a quote from a May 1989 Ensign article to young men and women by Elder Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve (who is now president of that quorum) sums up the guiding counsel of Church leaders on dating: "You are a child of God. He is the father of your spirit. Spiritually you are of noble birth, the offspring of the King of Heaven. Fix that truth in your mind and hold to it."

Choosing an eternal companion is one of the biggest decisions we make in this life. However, people fall in love and find their eternal companions in many different ways. Even our beloved prophet and apostles experienced times when they had butterflies in their stomachs and unrestful nights thinking about their significant others. Brush up on your knowledge of how these couples' early courtships by reading this article—or quiz yourself on what you already know and learn about their stories along the way.

Daniel Smith from Messages of Christ recently created a video explaining the symbolism of the Tabernacle of Moses using a detailed replica built by the Murrieta and Huntington Beach Stakes for their 2016 Tabernacle Youth Camp. This video demonstrates how each part of this sacred structure was designed to help others think of our Savior and God, and many similarities can be seen behind the Tabernacle of Moses and our temples today.

With the New Year underway, Latter-day Saints likely have a question or two about the Church’s new Children and Youth initiative.

Many Latter-day Saints serve selflessly in their wards and stakes to fulfill their callings and Church duties. While this work is vital to the Church, it's also important to maintain a balance between serving with all our might and preserving our health. Here are a few ways we can accomplish this balance.