Valerie Russell

Podcasts

Ever wanted to attend the temple with a Hebrew expert? Ponder the symbolism with Donald W. Parry

By Valerie Russell

May 17, 2022 09:00 AM MDT

Donald W. Parry’s insights may be just what you need to take your temple worship to the next level.

5 Min Read

Fun

How well do you know the Quorum of the Twelve? Take this quiz with John Hilton III

By Valerie Russell

September 24, 2021 09:50 AM MDT

“As fun and interesting as it is to follow the careers of professional athletes, perhaps some of us need to spend a little more time focusing on the players on the Lord’s team.”

1 Min Read

How 2 sister missionaries transformed a waterlogged copy of the Book of Mormon

By Valerie Russell

November 06, 2020 09:47 PM MST

“Throwing away a copy of the Book of Mormon seems like throwing away someone’s opportunity to grow closer to Jesus Christ, and I could not let that happen,” Sister Tuck said in an email interview with LDS Living. This is what led Sisters Kellie Tuck and Autumn Dickey, who are currently serving in the England Leeds Mission, to spend three days transforming a waterlogged copy of the Book of Mormon into a mosaic of Christ.

5 Min Read

What President Ballard recommends ‘if your life is void of quiet time’ + other messages from Church leaders this week

By Valerie Russell

November 06, 2020 03:06 PM MST

Editor’s note: “This week from the pulpit” highlights recent messages by General Authorities, General Officers, and leaders of the Church.

3 Min Read

3 interesting facts about the man behind the Scripture Citation Index

By Valerie Russell

November 05, 2020 10:04 PM MST

“If he got paid a million dollars, it would have only worked out to about 50 cents an hour,” a member of Richard C. Galbraith’s family said about Richard’s work on the Scripture Citation Index.

2 Min Read

What led to the Book of Mormon gaining its subtitle: ‘Another Testament of Jesus Christ’

By Valerie Russell

November 04, 2020 04:13 PM MST

A recent articlefrom Church History by Brian Passantino and the Consultation Services team discusses an interesting change made to the Book of Mormon—the introduction of the subtitle “Another Testament of Jesus Christ.” Added in 1982, Church leaders explained that the subtitle helps clarify misconceptions. “The Book of Mormon has been misunderstood,” President Boyd K. Packer stated. “With the subtitle, it takes its place where it should be—beside the Old Testament and the New Testament.”

1 Min Read

3 tips about spiritual preparation from BYU Education Week that can apply to anyone

By Valerie Russell

November 04, 2020 11:00 AM MST

During October 2020 general conference, President Russell M. Nelson encouraged all to prepare spiritually and temporally for times ahead. He said:

4 Min Read

Why Mormon 7–9 helps me remember to begin again with Christ

By Valerie Russell

November 03, 2020 05:26 PM MST

Editor’s note: “Resources to follow Him” curates study resources, teachings, and thoughts to deepen your study of this week’s Come, Follow Me.

6 Min Read

3 things you might not know about this General Authority and mission president: Peter M. Johnson

By Valerie Russell

November 03, 2020 05:15 PM MST

You might recognize Elder Peter M. Johnson from his October 2019 general conference talk, “Power to Overcome the Adversary.” Maybe you recognize Elder Johnson as the first African American General Authority Seventy, or you might know him as President Peter M. Johnson, president of the England Manchester Mission.

1 Min Read

‘We need to see a reflection of ourselves in each other’: Elder Soares speaks on religious freedom + more counsel from Church leaders this week

By Valerie Russell

October 30, 2020 05:50 PM MDT

Editor’s note: “This week from the pulpit” highlights recent messages by General Authorities, General Officers, and leaders of the Church.

2 Min Read

Watch: How the missionaries taught one couple the gospel thanks to a remote referral

By Valerie Russell

October 26, 2020 09:30 PM MDT

Chris and Katy Bush had already visited many different churches and were ready to give up their search for a religion that felt right. But in a new video from the Church, the Bush family shared how they learned about the restored gospel through remote means. Just about a week or two after crying out to God, Kenneth “KB” Boggs, a childhood friend of Chris’s, decided to reach out after many years. During their conversation, Boggs told Chris that he is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

1 Min Read

Names of Christ, building relationships, and preparation: What Church leaders shared in messages this week

By Valerie Russell

October 23, 2020 01:35 PM MDT

Editor’s note: “This week from the pulpit” highlights recent messages by General Authorities, General Officers, and leaders of the Church.

4 Min Read

Her two grandfathers were presidents of the Church. Here’s why her legacy doesn’t stop there

By Valerie Russell

October 21, 2020 09:15 PM MDT

“Over my dead body are you tearing that house down.”

1 Min Read

Church provides list of ideas for effective virtual teaching and learning

By Valerie Russell

October 20, 2020 07:14 PM MDT

Teaching and serving in the Church through virtual means is an exciting opportunity to reach out to others. But at the same time, virtual teaching presents unique challenges. The Church has put together severalideas and suggestions to ensure each virtual meeting is successful and filled with the Spirit.

1 Min Read

How does serving a mission affect attitudes on global development? What one economist found

By Valerie Russell

October 20, 2020 12:00 PM MDT

Lee Crawfurd was watching The Book of Mormon musical when something clicked—the full-time missionary program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints could be considered a “natural experiment.” Crawfurd is not a member of the Church. He is an economist who seeks to understand why some people are more interested in helping people in poor countries than others. Crawfurd, who has worked with a few members of the Church who served missions, recognized while watching the play that, unlike many international volunteers who choose where they will go, prospective missionaries face uncertainty. They could learn Swahili to serve in Africa or Portuguese to serve in Portugal or preach the gospel in their own language or own country. Prospective missionaries only know one thing for certain: they will go and do (see 1 Nephi 3:7).

6 Min Read

The New York Times ‘Those We've Lost’ series shares life and legacy of former Birmingham Alabama Temple president

By Valerie Russell

October 16, 2020 05:41 PM MDT

An ongoing series by The New York Times called “Those We’ve Lost” highlights people who have died due to the COVID-19 pandemic. One of these obituaries celebrates the life of Gary Pettus—former president of the Birmingham Alabama Temple and convert to the Church at age 27.

1 Min Read

What President Eyring and other Church leaders said at interfaith events this week + 2 devotionals you don’t want to miss

By Valerie Russell

October 16, 2020 05:09 PM MDT

Editor’s note: “This week from the pulpit” highlights recent messages by General Authorities, General Officers, and leaders of the Church.

4 Min Read

‘Can anything be more vital?’: 5 quotes from Elder Bednar defending religion at the G20 Interfaith Forum

By Valerie Russell

October 14, 2020 08:39 PM MDT

On October 14, 2020, Elder David A. Bednar participated in the G20 Interfaith Forum, a gathering of leaders from all over the world and of different faiths. Elder Bednar’s address focuses on why religion is essential in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. The full text of his address is available at Church News.

1 Min Read

Highlights from Elder and Sister Rasband's Face to Face and more social posts from Church leaders you don't want to miss

By Valerie Russell

September 18, 2020 12:00 PM MDT

Editor’s note: “This week from the pulpit” highlights recent messages by General Authorities, General Officers, and leaders of the Church.

4 Min Read

Church chalkboards aren’t just for lessons: Check out one missionary’s unbelievable drawings

By Valerie Russell

September 16, 2020 12:00 PM MDT

Given the temporary restrictions on missionary work due to COVID-19, missionaries have sought out creative and innovative ways to share the gospel. Elder Timothy Ritchel is doing just that, taking a love for drawing to a new level by creating stunning portraits of Church leaders and other gospel-related drawings on chalkboards in Church meetinghouses.

1 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

Understanding how doctrinal principles work together: Read Tad R. Callister's insights

By Valerie Russell

September 15, 2020 10:18 PM MDT

Sometimes, considering doctrinal principles as separate and distinct ideas can feel like the best way to fully understand the gospel. Tad R. Callister, an emeritus General Authority and former Sunday School General President, offers an additional approach. In a recent article for Church News, Brother Callister demonstrates the great value in understanding doctrinal principles together.

2 Min Read

'We are stronger than we think': Sister Aburto teaches in Deseret Book LIVE video how to be steadfast and immovable

By Valerie Russell

September 11, 2020 08:29 PM MDT

You may have first grown to admire Sister Reyna Isabel Aburto, Second Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency, by watching the videosabout her life story released by the Church two years ago. Perhaps you were also moved by her remarks to the sisters in the October 2019 general conference as she testified, “Your struggles do not define you, but they can refine you.” But no matter how much or how little you know about Sister Aburto, you will appreciate some thoughts she shared in a recent discussion with Yahosh Bonner.

1 Min Read

Lesson Helps

The Scripture Citation Index could be what takes your scripture study to the next level

By Valerie Russell

September 11, 2020 12:46 PM MDT

Over four decades ago, President Spencer W. Kimball’s prophetically declared, “I believe that the Lord is anxious to put into our hands inventions of which we laymen have hardly had a glimpse.” One of these inventions may be the Scripture Citation Index.

1 Min Read

Elder Rasband testifies of miracles; Elder Cook celebrates his 80th birthday by strengthening missionaries

By Valerie Russell

September 11, 2020 12:00 PM MDT

Among the many invitations President Russell M. Nelson extended in the October 2019 general conference, perhaps one of the most poignant ones was from his closing remarks, where he encouraged us to “immerse yourself in the glorious light of the Restoration.” Although change and hardship may seem impossible at times, we can press forward as we focus on the glorious light of the Restoration as the prophet has asked us to do.

5 Min Read