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How a Blue Christmas Led Author Jason Wright to His New York Times Bestseller

On this week’s All In podcast, author Jason Wright shared the story behind his first novel, a novel that went on to become a New York Times bestseller. The fictional story, Wright explained, began because he missed his father, who passed away when Wright was 16 years old. In an effort to cheer up, Wright and his family began putting their spare change in a jar. The week before Christmas, they decided on someone who might benefit from receiving their “Christmas Jar.” Their little jar brought joy to Wright’s family and began a tradition—a tradition that led to Wright’s first novel, Christmas Jars, which has been turned into a film premiering this year.

Feature Stories

Why there were only 6 founding members of the Church and more facts about the historic event

By Haley Lundberg

Many of this year's Come, Follow Me lessons could be considered history lessons as much as they are teachings of gospel principles. This week's lesson on the founding of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 6, 1830, is no exception.

Sponsored: Retired Latter-day Saint Stanford researcher uses stem cells to stop senior memory loss

By Grant Grayson

This article is sponsored by MemNivia.

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Recommended by Us

Here’s where the Church needs senior missionaries right now

By Haley Lundberg

Think of this as a job board for senior missionaries, and a lot of the opportunities listed are of “critical” need.

41: “There Could Not Be a Happier People” (3 Nephi 27–4 Nephi)

There is no doubt that 2020 has been full of physical and emotional challenges, some of which have had profound global effects. But what if there was a good challenge that could come out of this year? Something that would help you grow spiritually and maybe even change your life? In this week’s lesson, we’re going to dig into 3 Nephi 27–4 Nephi to uncover a spiritual challenge based on these chapters that will help bring you closer to Christ.

Lesson Helps

Doctrine and Covenants and Church History Lesson 29: "Building the Kingdom of God in Nauvoo, Illinois"

By Ted L. Gibbons

Five houses are still standing where ancestors of my children lived in Nauvoo in the days following the Missouri exodus. For a time, that beautiful Mississippi community must have seemed a heavenly gift. Once the swamps were drained the site became a truly attractive place. In addition, the Illinoisans were receptive and helpful. Converts arrived by the hundreds. Doctrinal growth added structure to the restoration. Joseph seemed to become more prophetic and powerful than he had been before. The Nauvoo years preceding the martyrdom provided a season of rest and rejoicing for the beleaguered Saints of the Most High.

Latter-day Saint Life

How President Oaks's Daughters Helped Him Find His Wife Kristen + the Sweet Way He Knew It Was Meant to Be

By Dallin H. Oaks

Whether a person who has lost a spouse enters into a second marriage is a very personal decision. It depends on many individual circumstances, including the ages of the prospective marriage partners and children, financial implications, and even what is known about the feelings of the deceased spouse. In the hope of benefiting others who decide (as I did) to remarry, I share here some of what I learned as I experienced some of the issues involved in a second marriage.

25: "The Lord Requireth the Heart and a Willing Mind" (Doctrine and Covenants 64–66)

Panning for gold isn’t what most people think it is. It takes time. It takes patience. And the payoff usually isn’t a large gold nugget. More often, it’s just a few tiny flecks of gold for hours and hours of work. But over time, those tiny flecks add up to something of great value. The same is true of studying Doctrine and Covenants 64–66. In these sections, the Lord is asking the Saints to be patient, to offer Him a willing heart and mind, and to work for these flecks of gold in their lives. The value of the Saints' determination and sacrifice was beyond measure to them, and it can be for us as well when we take the time to dig into these verses.

24: “Continue Ye in My Love” (John 14–17)

The Passover meal had come to an end. Feet had been washed; hymns had been sung. Then Christ and His disciples began their walk to the Garden of Gethsemane. According to some scholars, much of the teaching the Savior did that night took place during that fateful walk—a walk that moved the Savior toward what Elder Jeffrey R. Holland describes as “the greatest suffering that has ever taken place in the world or ever will take place.” In John 14–17, we will study just what Christ taught His disciples in those final moments; He comforted His dear friends, and hopefully His words will do the same for us.

6: “We Lived after the Manner of Happiness” (Feb. 3–Feb. 9)

Let’s see if you can finish this scripture: “Men are that they might have . . . ?” If you said "joy," you're absolutely right. But has it ever felt like the opposition in your life makes it difficult to feel that joy? In this week’s Sunday on Monday study group, we’ll be digging into 2 Nephi 1–5 and learning more about the law of opposition and why it’s essential for experiencing joy.

Find full episodes of the Sunday on Monday study group here. Start your free trial of Deseret Bookshelf PLUS+ here.