With hundreds of pages of scriptures, manuals, and Church magazines, it seems impossible to use it all. But tools like the Gospel Library app are a wonderful way to study the scriptures, general conference talks, or the teachings of latter-day prophets anytime and anywhere. Check out these six things you didn’t realize the Gospel Library app could do to make studying the gospel just a little bit easier and more meaningful.
10 Min Read
My husband and I are infertility survivors. After learning that our mortal bodies were not able to create children, our hearts began to turn toward adoption. This decision came with serious prayer, contemplation, and faith. For me, there was even some healthy mourning for the dream of being able to physically carry and deliver a child.
7 Min Read
Missionaries can deal with a slew of issues, and as a parent, sibling, or friend reading and writing letters from afar, you may feel helpless. But you’re not. Check out some ways you can help them with some of these most common struggles, and some prophetic counsel that may help as well.
2 Min Read
Sitting in the back of the chapel during fast and testimony meeting feels like a safe bet—until we get the spiritual prompting to stand up and bear our testimonies. For several minutes, we struggle with whether or not we really should. We rationalize. We're teaching Gospel Doctrine this week. We just bore our testimony last year, right? We don't have anything special to say. We're scared.
5 Min Read
Sparkling chandeliers. Gorgeous staircases. Detailed carpets, beautiful floral arrangements, and vast rooms with high ceilings. Without a doubt, taking in the beauty of the temple is always a sacred experience.
8 Min Read
See how many problems you can spot in this personal story:
6 Min Read
Some people think they can’t write an interesting family history. “My ancestors were boring,” they say. There’s nothing to tell.” Others find too much drama in the past and find it painful or embarrassing to record. Still others haven’t taken interest in writing their family stories at all.
3 Min Read
Chances are, if you’re a Latter-day Saint, you’ve had this happen to you before: it’s a Tuesday night like any other. Our family has just finished dinner, and we’re clearing the table when the phone rings. It’s the bishop. The conversation lasts less than two minutes, but the worry we feel coming away from that phone call will haunt us for the next week: we’ve been asked to give a talk in sacrament meeting.
4 Min Read
Is anger a sin? I heard many different answers as I asked people this question. Some say it is a sin because it drives away the Spirit. Some say it is not a sin if the anger is controlled properly. However, Church leaders strongly encourage members to avoid anger, especially when it causes stress in our families. Here is what Church authorities have said about anger and how we can deal with it in our lives.
5 Min Read
Let’s face it—sometimes Sundays aren’t as enjoyable or fulfilling as we’d like them to be. Between the stress of getting the family—and yourself—ready for church, preparing lessons, preparing meals, and keeping the kids occupied for the rest of the day, our day of rest can be anything but restful. If you’ve been stuck in a rut, try some of these ideas to help reinvent your Sunday.
4 Min Read
The prophets have asked every Church member to read and study the Book of Mormon. But for some teens, reading every day becomes at best a chore and at worst a trigger for a fight with Mom and Dad. Here are six simple ideas to help increase your teen’s interest in reading the Book of Mormon.
5 Min Read
The loud voices. The constant squirming. The screaming. And the crying. Oh, the crying. Every. Week.
5 Min Read
I've come to the following conclusion: Christmas on Sunday is a double whammy of awesomeness.
3 Min Read
Our youth are magnificent, but we need to tap into their potential, ensuring that they will grow to love the gospel of Jesus Christ. Some or all of these tips may help your teen to get more out of their church attendance.
4 Min Read
We’ve been told to keep the Sabbath day holy, but with a spirited eight-year-old, a flighty Valiant eleven-year-old, and a misunderstood teen, teaching them to choose the right may appear to be more of a cross to bear than a duty to do with a heart full of song. So what can you do to truly make Sunday a special day, other than trimming your nails on Saturday? Here are some ideas for Sabbath day activities.
2 Min Read
For decades, the pinewood derby has been a dad’s running ground to show his son—and the ward—his mechanical savvy. Pretty obvious when you say it, but winning really lies in the pinewood derby designs. Here are some easy tips to consider when planning your car.
1 Min Read
This article explains how to pay your tithing online—including with screenshots and step-by-step instructions.
1 Min Read
Here’s some ideas on how to prepare to talk in church. The LDS Church is unique because we don’t have paid ministry. We are the ministry. It’s up to us.
1 Min Read
Once again, general conference has come and gone, and members of the Church are left with the words of prophets and apostles of the Lord who expressed key fundamentals for sharing the gospel. These fundamentals included: gaining a larger view of the plan of salvation, possessing a sound understanding of the scriptures, and sharing without a contentious spirit. In addition, authorities counseled against trying to prove the gospel’s truth; however, they urged members to work diligently to spread the message of the Restoration so it can be heard above those who misrepresent LDS beliefs.
6 Min Read
Right off the start, I need to acknowledge that it was merely a ring that I lost. Granted it was my wedding ring, but it was still just a ring. Every single day people all around me face real challenges that make a ring seem like a tiny piece of jewelry – which it is.
1 Min Read
Which family is yours? Is everyone sitting in the pew before church starts, listening to the prelude music with combed hair, matching shoes, and scriptures in hand? Or, do you straggle in after the sacrament has been passed, dragging diaper bags and children, and stand at the back, scanning the congregation for a place to sit?
5 Min Read
On Sundays, some members see the inside of a Church building more than the inside of their own homes! And even if we're not in a presidency or on twelve different ward and stake committees, nobody wants to spend more time in meetings than necessary.
3 Min Read
With Easter right around the corner, many families all over the world will be coloring eggs as they celebrate the season. But do you know why this has become part of the Easter tradition?
1 Min Read
As the oldest of six now-married brothers, I had to adapt the traditional bachelor party idea to our Latter-day Saint family. By the time the youngest was engaged, we’d learned to use this traditional male bonding experience to celebrate my brother’s spiritual growth and commitment to his sweetie. We didn’t just have a great time—we strengthened our relationship as brothers.
2 Min Read
Let me make something clear from the get-go: I don’t think church is boring. At least, not usually. Admittedly, there are times when I am walking out of my meetings wishing for something more. Maybe I’ve already forgotten the subject of the Sunday School lesson or zoned out on that last sacrament meeting talk because Brother Wilson speaks so . . . very . . . slow.
3 Min Read
Dating was something enjoyed before marriage. But dating shouldn't end with marriage or kids or a hectic schedule—it should be a lifelong priority and pastime enjoyed with your spouse.
4 Min Read
The Case of the Christmas Advertisement
4 Min Read
One of my favorite national holidays is coming up October 27—national Make a Difference Day. Never heard of it? Well, it’s time you did.
2 Min Read
I’m one of those weird people who actually likes to give talks, but I realize not everyone is as strange as I am. Not many churches besides ours let lay members talk in front of the congregation, and the prospect can be nerve racking, intimidating, and downright scary. It gets even worse if you are unprepared. Yes, the Spirit can inspire you, but not if you haven’t spent time and energy preparing. And remember, “If ye are prepared ye shall not fear” (Doctrine and Covenants 38:30).
3 Min Read
Picture this: It’s one of those rare occasions when you actually get to use that second language you acquired in school or on your mission, but you’re bumbling through with a rusty vocabulary and your tongue is sitting thick in your mouth, feeling all kinds of awkward as it tries to wrap itself around words you once pronounced with ease.
2 Min Read
The prophets have asked every Church member to read and study the Book of Mormon. But for some teens, reading every day becomes at best a chore and at worst a trigger for a fight with Mom and Dad. Here are five simple ideas to help increase your teen’s interest in reading the Book of Mormon.
3 Min Read
Happy people aren't that way by accident. Here are five habits that many happy people have. 1. Service. Serving others is a hallmark of happy people. Selfless service connects us to the powers of heaven. As one Book of Mormon prophet said, "When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God" (Mosiah 2:17).
1 Min Read
Does it ever feel difficult to find time to nurture your marriage amidst the hustle and bustle of life? You are not alone. The trend in our society seems to be moving toward adding more and more things to our schedules. Whether it is taking care of the kids, work commitments, driving the kids to the sports practices and music lessons, church responsibilities, or school, just thinking about it all makes me tired!
3 Min Read
To receive a Young Womanhood medallion, girls must complete six experiences in each value and then plan a ten-hour project for that particular value. For each value, they are asked to complete three recommended activities and then to choose three additional projects, two of which they may design.
6 Min Read
Learn how to make and implement a chore chart for multiple children from the ladies at the popular blog How Does She?.
6 Min Read
Do the gaps in your Relief Society span a little bit farther than the space between seats? When Relief Society sisters come together and work with one heart and one mind, miracles happen. Here are some tips for reaching that goal:
2 Min Read
Fact: the average homemaker will spend 15 years in the kitchen. If you’re going to be spending all that time there, why not make it a little more relaxing? Try some of these simple strategies for streamlining the most popular area of the house:
1 Min Read
Here is some practical advice for those who want to effectively boost their powerful priesthood proselytizer!
2 Min Read
Not that basketball hoops, brown carpeted walls, and accordion dividers aren’t fabulous décor for a wedding, but a bride usually wants a little more glamour when it comes to this special day. So how can you transform a church cultural hall into a beautiful reception? Easy!
1 Min Read
Let’s face it—sometimes Sundays aren’t as enjoyable or fulfilling as we’d like them to be. Between the stress of getting the family—and yourself—ready for church, preparing lessons, preparing meals, and keeping the kids occupied for the rest of the day, our day of rest can be anything but restful. If you’ve been stuck in a rut, try some of these ideas to help reinvent your Sunday.
5 Min Read