“Not everything in life is . . . black and white, but it seems that the authenticity of the Book of Mormon and its keystone role in our belief is exactly that. Either Joseph Smith was the prophet he said he was, who, after seeing the Father and the Son, later beheld the angel Moroni, repeatedly heard counsel from his lips, eventually receiving at his hands a set of ancient gold plates which he then translated according to the gift and power of God or else he did not. And if he did not… he is not entitled to retain even the reputation of New England folk hero or well-meaning young man or writer of remarkable fiction. No, and he is not entitled to be considered a fine teacher or a quintessential American prophet or the center of great wisdom literature. If he lied about the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, he is certainly none of these” (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, "A Standard unto My People," delivered at the CES Book of Mormon Symposium, 9 August 1994, BYU Marriott Center).

Alma 23-29

As we come to the end of this year and the holiday season, we are so grateful we could share our manifesto with the Magnify community to inspire one another to “love well.” We are women who are united in our call to love first—to always love well. The Christmas season helps us reflect on the greatest example of love, the Savior Jesus Christ. He is the ultimate love and the gift that we want to share with others.

There are many ways we can learn about God throughout our lives, two of which are through the scriptures and our family.

This week’s readings: Matthew 21–23; Mark 11; Luke 19–20; John 12

Jenny Guthrie was a freshman in college when she first “found Jesus,” and her life has never been the same since. From supporting her husband in his career in Major League Baseball to being a mission leader of the Texas Houston South Mission, her relationship with Christ has been a game changer in her life. Now, she’s passionate about helping young people come to know this same Jesus that she found as a young woman. She recognizes that whether new converts or lifelong members, we all have to “seek this Jesus”—but it is her testimony that when we seek Him, we find Him every single time.

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.

Several months after the deaths of her sons Joseph, Hyrum, and Samuel Smith, Lucy Mack Smith (1775–1856) began writing her history. At age 69, she was in poor health and felt “it a privilege as well as my duty . . . to give (as my last testimony to a world from whence I must soon take my departure) an account.” . . .

Brooke Romney is a strong believer that we are wired for connection. Connection with those around us, connection with our families, connection with God. “Humans are hard and friendship takes work,” Romney says, but she also believes the effort is worthwhile, “His intent was never for us to walk any of these paths alone.”

Brooke Romney is a strong believer that we are wired for connection. Connection with those around us, connection with our families, connection with God. “Humans are hard and friendship takes work,” Romney says, but she also believes the effort is worthwhile, “His intent was never for us to walk any of these paths alone.”