For more than 1,600 years Christians have been documented as celebrating Good Friday. What is this holiday and how can we make it meaningful?
5 Min Read
Elder Gong presented important guiding principles, which were all approved by the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
2 Min Read
As a young newlywed, I expected to serve in Primary. To my surprise, I was called to teach Gospel Doctrine. This advice from President Pace has been a lifesaver.
6 Min Read
Sometimes knowing leads to doing, and other times doing leads to knowing.
4 Min Read
Conference Connections is a display book designed to keep the inspiring messages of general conference in our hearts and minds every day.
3 Min Read
A single Book of Mormon manual for all ages and classes will be released for 2024’s “Come, Follow Me” study.
1 Min Read
Explore this collection of video clips from the hit series, correlated with 2023’s ‘Come, Follow Me’ lessons.
4 Min Read
One of the greatest principles the Church teaches us is to be more self-reliant, which includes increasing our education in all areas of life.
1 Min Read
According to researchers, most people show and receive love in one of five ways—quality time, words of affirmation, physical touch, receiving gifts, and acts of service. But did Christ use any or all of these “love languages” with his disciples?
3 Min Read
Elder Uchtdorf’s special Teaching in the Savior’s Way broadcast was recommended “for all members of the Church who teach either in their calling or in their home.”
6 Min Read
When I was a junior in high school, I came under the influence of a brilliant English teacher. She was tough on her students, always insisting that they clearly and thoroughly defend any position they took.
3 Min Read
On Sunday, June 12, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf will speak in a special broadcast for all members of the Church who teach either in their calling or in their home.
1 Min Read
Eager to see the class unfold, I positioned my achy self at the top of the steps, out of flu-sharing range but where I could secretly watch what was going on.
4 Min Read
For the month of March, the LDS Living Book Club will be reading "Everyday Disciples: Lessons Learned From Unnamed Scripture Heroes" by Taylor Ricks.
1 Min Read
In their new book, Tad and Kathryn Callister share gratitude for their parents, who were their prime gospel teachers and examples.
7 Min Read
This month, LDS Living Book Club will be studying Brother Tad R. Callister’s newest book—written with his wife, Kathryn—“Teaching with Power: Drawing Your Family and Others to Christ.”
1 Min Read
Modesty is a tricky topic for many people in the Church. Sometimes it is a topic only taught to girls and it only focuses on dress. However, many parents have questioned that approach because we know that modesty is much more than the length of a dress or the way clothes fit. We also know that our boys need to be taught the importance of modesty as well. Modesty is not just about covering our bodies. Modesty really encompasses how we feel, think, and behave. So how can we as parents teach this deeper meaning of modesty to our young men and women?
7 Min Read
Seminary and institute teachers today received instruction and guidance from leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during an annual worldwide training broadcast designed to help them fulfill their roles as teachers and mentors for young members of the Church.
3 Min Read
At the start of 2019, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints began a new meeting schedule that consisted of two hours of church, replacing the previous three-hour schedule. Members are now instructed to use that time to learn the gospel at home with the guidance of the Come, Follow Me— For Individuals and Families curriculum from the Church.
2 Min Read
With the recent changes to our meeting schedule announced in general conference, I've been thinking a lot about what these changes mean for teachers in the Church. With shorter class times comes new challenges and opportunities, not to mention we each now have a greater responsibility to become teachers in our homes as we strengthen friends, family, and ward members.
3 Min Read
Statements about teaching by the Spirit have been made by various people. These illustrate that there are a number of misconceptions or misunderstandings about how the Spirit actually functions in teaching and learning settings. Some of these statements have elements of truth in them. Some can even be completely true at times, but if they are viewed as fixed rules or principles, they can be misleading.
7 Min Read
One of the vital truths of the restored gospel is that “the spirit and the body are the soul of man” (D&C 88:15) and that when the spirit and body are separated, men and women “cannot receive a fulness of joy” (D&C 93:34). In this simple truth, we discover a key to help our children avoid the trap of sexual fragmentation and the foundation for helping them eventually develop sexual wholeness in marriage. This doctrine of the soul teaches us that all sexual experiences in this life affect both our bodies and our spirits. It also teaches us that our spirits are the source of our emotions and thoughts, and that in order to have true sexual fulfillment we need to appreciate how they are enmeshed with the physical reactions of our bodies.
5 Min Read
For several years now, we have collected hundreds of personal stories from young adults in the Church telling us how they were taught about sexuality. We are particularly intrigued by how frequently we are told by young people that their parents and Church leaders used object lessons to teach them about the law of chastity. Much can be learned from understanding the metaphors and messages that are intentionally—and unintentionally—expressed in these types of lessons.
9 Min Read
During his short life, the Prophet Joseph Smith shared many words of wisdom—some of which we still remember today and some which most of us haven't heard before. Here are some lesser-known ones that he shared during his life (more can be found in Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith). Which ones would you add?
1 Min Read
Search efforts continue as volunteers and authorities look for an LDS teacher from Utah who went missing last Wednesday while on a camping trip with his family.
1 Min Read
One of our sons and I were assigned as home teaching companions. Together we taught a number of families, including a divorced sister with three young daughters. Over time we developed a close and trusting relationship with the woman and her children. We appreciated the opportunities we had to serve them spiritually and temporally.
4 Min Read
The phrases “teaching in the Savior's way” and “ministering in the Savior's way” have always confused me. I understand the programs, and how they represent the way Jesus wants us to teach and minister, but I have frequently asked myself, how did Jesus do it Himself? What was His way of teaching and ministering during His mortal ministry? His teaching seemed mostly by way of parables and rebukes to the Pharisees. His ministering seemed mostly by miracles, healings, and casting out devils. The example of what Jesus actually did wasn’t helping me see what it was I was supposed to do.
7 Min Read
I was silent and discouraged at church until my wife said, “Your experience needs to be shared to help the meeting feel inclusive and not exclusive.”
5 Min Read
We’ve all heard countless stories of diligent Primary teachers who reached out to the missing children on their roles and involved them in church. But those stories don’t have to be ones you only read in the Ensign or hear in general conference. Those stories can be yours. Here are five tips and some ideas for helping your less-active Primary children and their families.
7 Min Read
There’s no denying it: treats are great for capturing the attention of wiggly children or fidgeting, drowsy teenagers during a Sunday lesson smack dab in the middle of the long three-hour church block. And let’s admit it--even us adults get a little bit giddy if one of our teachers brings us something to munch on.
6 Min Read
Fourth Sunday Relief Society and Priesthood teachers have a fascinating new task presented to them this year—teaching about the same topic for every month between general conferences.
8 Min Read
"Thank you to the community for your generosity on behalf of @Riverton_High teacher Mac Frischknecht, who died of a heartbreaking illness. He touched many lives and will be missed," Utah Representative Mia Love wrote in a tweet.
1 Min Read
Saturday's Warrior actor Clint Pulver says he believes one moment can change a person's life.
1 Min Read
You’re teaching a lesson at church, and you know questions are the best way to get the class involved. But it seems like every time you ask a question, all you get is blank stares, a few sniffs, and some uncomfortable shifting from your students. Now what? The new Teaching in the Savior’s Way manual explains that “The Savior asked questions that invited learners to think and feel deeply about the truths He taught. Our questions can similarly inspire learners to ponder gospel truths and find ways to apply them in their lives.” Here are a few tips, taken from a variety of Church resources, that might help liven up your class and generate more discussion:
5 Min Read
Good parents give their children roots and wings: roots to know where home is and who they are and wings to fly off and practice what has been taught them. This is the contradiction of parenting—juggling the act between setting limits while simultaneously encouraging independence or ultimately teaching them the gospel and allowing them the freedom to live it.
7 Min Read
Elder C. Scott Grow offers simple daily advice to those of us seeking eternal happiness in a list of just 10 principles:
1 Min Read
When I was called to teach in Relief Society, I didn't realize that preparing church lessons would drastically change how I prepare my Sacrament meeting talks.
3 Min Read
Keith Goodrich is not a typical middle school choir and orchestra teacher.
1 Min Read
Jesus Christ first introduced the sacrament to His Apostles at the Last Supper before His crucifixion. After His Resurrection, He also introduced it to the Nephites. By establishing this ordinance among both sets of His disciples, Christ showed us the importance of partaking of the sacrament.
6 Min Read
Have you ever wondered if you're actually making a difference during all those long hours of faithful service in your church calling?
1 Min Read
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland will be holding a virtual worldwide teacher council meeting on Saturday, November 5 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. (MDT). All teachers as well as certain stake and ward leaders in the Church are invited to participate. Along with Elder Holland members of the Primary, Young Women, Young Men, Sunday School, and Relief Society General Presidencies will provide their insights.
1 Min Read
The seminary council for the Syracuse High School in Utah had an idea—create a music video focused on this year's seminary theme.
1 Min Read
In May, the Churchannounced a new teacher manual,Teaching in the Savior's Way,as well as the creation of teacher councils.
1 Min Read
This article is intended to help readers better utilize the new Teaching in the Savior's Way manual that was recently released.
6 Min Read
We need missionaries to match our message. We need missionaries who really know and love the Book of Mormon, who have a burning testimony of its divinity, and who by the Spirit can challenge their investigators to read and ponder its pages, knowing with complete assurance that the Lord will manifest the truth of the Book of Mormon to them by the power of the Holy Ghost. (Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p.204)
6 Min Read
"[I mean only to] say what so many have said before: that if Joseph Smith or anyone else, for that matter created the Book of Mormon out of whole cloth, that to me is a far greater miracle than the proposition that he translated the book from ancient records with an endowment of divine power to do so.
9 Min Read
When Korihor had his first-hand experience with the power of God he tried to explain to Alma why he had attacked the truth. According to his statement in Alma 30:53, this is the path he followed:
8 Min Read
“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).
11 Min Read
“I have read a fair number of books in my day and hope to read a few more. I am not a scholar but once thought I was going to be. I had the beginnings of some reasonably good training at some pretty good schools. All of that has changed now, but I believe I still have an eye for a penetrating line of prose and I think I can recognize profundity in print when I see it. I say again, the Book of Mormon stands preeminent in my intellectual and spiritual life, the classic of classics, a reaffirmation of the Holy Bible, a voice from the dust, a witness for Christ, the word of the Lord unto salvation” (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, "A Standard unto My People," given at CES Annual Book of Mormon Symposium, 9 August 1994, BYU Marriott Center).
14 Min Read
You must understand that these lessons are not designed to replace the experience you should have in your ward or branch Gospel Doctrine class. I am hopeful that they will expand your understanding of the scriptures and, if you are teaching, your ability to open the scriptures to the minds and hearts of your students. But if would be awful if anyone were to neglect that classroom experience in favor of these lessons.
11 Min Read