Tommy Johnson

Fun

Take a Photo Walk Through Temple Square Changes from 1855 to Today

By Jannalee Sandau

December 26, 2019 10:59 PM MST

As announced earlier this year, beginning on December 29, 2019, the Salt Lake Temple will be closed for renovations for the next four years. Portions of Temple Square will also be undergoing significant changes. As the heart of Salt Lake City, Temple Square has been transformed many times since it's mid-1800's creation, with the adding and removing of numerous buildings, structures, and features. Below are photographs documenting Temple Square's history, showing both the area's past, present, and future.

5 Min Read

4 ways Latter-day Saints may be more familiar with Hanukkah than they realize

By Tommy Johnson

December 14, 2019 01:00 PM MST

Hanukkah is a popular holiday, but many Latter-day Saints may not know much about the celebration's history or why it's recognized. Members of the Church may be surprised that there are several similarities that both Jews and Christians hold close, especially around their respective winter holidays. Here are four commonalities between Latter-day Saint beliefs and Hanukkah.

2 Min Read

“Adversity Is a Great Connector”: BYU Football Honors Husband, Father Diagnosed with ALS

By Tommy Johnson

December 06, 2019 02:26 PM MST

Christopher Clark, a husband, father, and theater director, was recently honored by the BYU football team as one of their True Blue Heroes.

1 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

When God Is the Storm

By Tommy Johnson

November 28, 2019 10:00 PM MST

The earliest story recorded in the Book of Mormon is about a prophet named Mahonri, better known as the brother of Jared. As told in the book of Ether, he was directed by God to gather his family and friends and set sail towards a new land, leaving wicked Babel behind. But rather than teaching the brother of Jared how to build a ship like fellow Book of Mormon prophet Nephi built, Heavenly Father taught the brother of Jared and his people (the Jaredites) how to build barges. These barges were round, sightless, steerless, and rudderless. Nevertheless, with some special help from the Lord, the Jaredites built them and headed out to sea.

3 Min Read

Altanta-based Network Releases New Series on the Church, Shares Inspiring Story of Local Seventy

By Tommy Johnson

November 21, 2019 07:48 PM MST

On Friday, November 16, the Atlanta Interfaith Broadcasters (AIB) Network released the first episode of its new docuseries on the Church, "Exploring the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."

1 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

The remarkable woman behind the song ‘As Sisters in Zion’ + the prophetic promise she fulfilled

By Tommy Johnson

November 13, 2019 09:24 AM MST

Emily Hill would go through more challenges than her 20-year-old self setting sail to join the Saints ever thought she would. But those experiences helped her write prose that would inspire millions.

5 Min Read

BYU, Liberty Football Teams Play—and Pray—Together in First Game Between Christian Schools

By Tommy Johnson

November 12, 2019 04:00 PM MST

Just after playing 60 minutes of competitive football, Liberty and Brigham Young University players met at midfield to shake hands and share congratulations with one another. However, instead of speaking quickly and heading towards their separate locker rooms, players went to the ground, together, taking a knee to pray. BYU head football coach Kalani Sitake said of the moment, “It was nice to share the field and then have a word of prayer in the middle of the field with them. I thought that was really special, having two teams that are based on Christian values and everything—I thought it was really cool.”

2 Min Read

How Jesus Christ Shows Us What Masculinity Truly Means

By Tommy Johnson

November 02, 2019 01:31 PM MDT

“Fleshliness never was manliness, and it never will be," Elder Carlos E. Asay taught. "A real man is one who yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit and seeks to acquire Christlike virtues. A real man is one who allows the Spirit to direct the course and to call the cadence in his life. . . .The Savior [is] the perfect model of manliness.”

1 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

What God Taught Me at a Women-Witnessed Sealing

By Tommy Johnson

October 24, 2019 02:56 PM MDT

September 24, 2019, is now the best day of my life. That afternoon, I was married and sealed to my smart, fun, and beautiful wife, Madison. In the months prior to our wedding, we worked on planning the entire day out, making sure not to miss a single detail. One of these details was choosing who the witnesses at our sealing would be. Knowing that our witnesses had to be men, I asked my dad and my wife asked her dad. They both agreed, and our sealing was as amazing as we could have ever hoped.

2 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

If You Think You've Messed Up God's Plan for You, Read This

By Tommy Johnson

October 21, 2019 08:27 AM MDT

To anyone who thinks they’ve messed up God’s plan for them—you have not. More importantly, you cannot. God is the author of eternity. We have the ability to choose, so we are ultimately the commanders of our fate. But no matter what we do, no matter how much we may feel we've distanced ourselves from God or lived a life we believe He wouldn't be interested in helping, this is not true. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland taught, "There is nothing . . . that you have done that cannot be undone."

3 Min Read

The First Endowment, Nauvoo Masonic Lodge, Relief Society Formation + More Highlighted in Newest Joseph Smith Papers Volume

By Tommy Johnson

October 09, 2019 12:00 PM MDT

On March 17, 1842, 20 women, ranging from teenagers to widows, and Joseph Smith gathered together on the second floor of a newly opened general store. They met with the intent to establish a women’s organization that would, among other things, look after the poor and teach moral reform. It was on that second floor where the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo began. That room in the Red Brick Store was also home to the newly created Nauvoo Masonic lodge and was where the first members of the Church received their endowment. From these events alone, this small, brick store serves as an important landmark in Latter-day Saint history.

3 Min Read

Lesson Helps

Why Young Men Should Study the New Young Women Theme

By Tommy Johnson

October 08, 2019 01:00 PM MDT

During the women’s session of general conference Saturday night, Young Women General President Sister Bonnie H. Cordon shared an updated version of the Young Women theme. It now reads:

1 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

100 Changes in the Church in the Last 100 Years

By Tommy Johnson

October 03, 2019 08:49 AM MDT

Inside the rich history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, changes in policy, practice, and place are not unfamiliar. Updates from the First Presidency and other Church executives, through both revelation and evaluation, are frequently made, and while some changes are more impactful than others, all adjustments are felt by the members involved. Listed below are 100 changes the Church has made over the last 100 years. This list does not include every change the Church has made since 1919, nor does the list act as a ranking system in any way.

10 Min Read

Engaged, Now What? 3 Ways to Prepare for Your Temple Sealing

By Tommy Johnson

September 23, 2019 09:00 AM MDT

If you're engaged and reading this—congratulations! Your life is about to drastically change. The proposal has happened, you've both said "yes!" and it's time to plan the wedding. As Latter-day Saints, a part of the wedding planning process will be preparing to be sealed in the temple for time and all eternity.

8 Min Read

Fun

16 "Downton Abbey" GIFs That Sum Up Latter-day Saint Dating

By Tommy Johnson

September 19, 2019 08:40 AM MDT

It's been nearly three and a half years since the final episode of Downton Abbey appeared on PBS, and much has happened with the Crawley family and their friends since then—and even bigger things are on their way. On September 20, the Downton Abbey feature film will be released in American theaters, and many fans are excited to reconnect with their favorite characters from the show. But what does this historical drama set in the English countryside have to do with Latter-day Saints? Here are some humorous Downton Abbey GIFs that can help members navigate the laughs and peculiarities of Latter-day Saint dating.

1 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

9 Quotes from Church Leaders That Help Us Put Life in Perspective

By Tommy Johnson

August 31, 2019 01:58 PM MDT

Distractions can easily offset any Latter-day Saint trying to do the right thing. Our bright, frantic surroundings work hard to captivate and keep our attention. Focusing on what matters most requires a concentrated effort and, although hard, blesses you with clarity, confidence, and surety that God is aware of what you’re doing to follow Him. Below are nine quotes from Church leaders that aim to inspire and remind you why focusing on what matters most will lead to the true happiness we all seek.

3 Min Read