When you watch Brock and Brittney jitterbugging across a gym-sized dance floor, their agility is impressive. Their moves are challenging. And their jumps and lifts are simply amazing. But they didn’t learn how to dance overnight. Years of hard work, separately, and now as partners for the last four years, have prepared them for their many competitions—and to teach others the joy of dancing. They love teaching youth how to dance. That’s why they volunteer to teach dance lessons at Mutual nights near their homes in Utah.
The youth of the Crescent Second Ward, Sandy Utah Crescent Ridge Stake, were thrilled to have Brock and Brittney perform for them and then teach them some simple footwork they could do on their own, like the cha-cha, the swing, and the waltz.
Jessica Wright, 17, enjoyed their instruction and plans on putting it to good use. “Now I can go to dances and do things instead of just standing around.” But, she says, even if you only have the desire to dance, “you can just have fun even if you don’t know how to dance.”
Jason Ockey, 14, already liked to dance, but he learned some new moves from Brock and Brittney. His advice to those who are shy is the same as Jessica’s: “Just have fun.”
The Crescent Second Ward youth really enjoyed learning from Brock and Brittney, even if they didn’t catch on to all the steps. You can learn a few steps too. But you don’t have to be a national dance champion to enjoy dancing. The next time you’re at a dance, gather up some courage, tear yourself away from the safety wall, and just have a good time being with friends.
Why Dance?
Brock and Brittney volunteered to teach dance at a Mutual activity for the Crescent Second Ward in Utah, performing and introducing simple steps. Youth like Jessica and Jason enjoyed the instruction, learned new moves, and felt more confident about going to dances.
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👤 Young Adults
👤 Youth
Courage
Friendship
Happiness
Service
Young Men
Young Women
FYI:For Your Information
Three Laurels from the Schenectady Ward wrote, produced, and directed an original play performed by the youth for their ward and community. Each young woman contributed specific skills in writing, directing, and producing.
Three talented Laurels from the Schenectady Ward, Albany New York Stake, wrote, produced, and directed an original play which was performed by the Young Men and Young Women as entertainment for the ward and community.
Not Quite Cinderella was a modern-day twist on an old fairy tale. Katherine Woodbury enjoyed the opportunity to use her talent and write the play. She has performed in high school productions and worked as stage manager for others.
Kendra Barber was the director. She gained some experience which could help her in her future career. She plans to study cinematography in college.
Producer Kim Berg brought the production together, including scenery, lighting, costumes, and refreshments. She has also performed in high school productions.
Not Quite Cinderella was a modern-day twist on an old fairy tale. Katherine Woodbury enjoyed the opportunity to use her talent and write the play. She has performed in high school productions and worked as stage manager for others.
Kendra Barber was the director. She gained some experience which could help her in her future career. She plans to study cinematography in college.
Producer Kim Berg brought the production together, including scenery, lighting, costumes, and refreshments. She has also performed in high school productions.
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👤 Youth
👤 Church Members (General)
Education
Service
Young Men
Young Women
The Aaronic Priesthood and the Sacrament
The speaker describes using a chainsaw to cut down a tree and becoming covered in a filthy mixture of sawdust and oil. Feeling unpresentable, he wanted to be cleansed with water before being around others. He uses this experience to illustrate our spiritual need for cleansing through repentance and the sacrament.
A few weeks ago I used a chain saw to cut down a tree in my backyard. It was a dirty job, and when I was done I was splattered with a filthy mixture of sawdust and oil. In that condition I did not want anyone to see me. I just wanted to be cleansed in water so I would again feel comfortable in the presence of other people.
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👤 General Authorities (Modern)
Atonement of Jesus Christ
Baptism
Repentance
The Personal Journey of a Child of God
A 16-year-old expectant mother, not married to the baby’s father, chose to give birth and place her child for adoption. Bryce and Jolinne adopted the baby, Emily, and raised her in faith. Emily later married the speaker’s grandson in the temple and had a daughter. During her own pregnancy, Emily reflected with gratitude on her birth mother’s selfless choice and the blessings of God’s plan.
In our family, we have been immeasurably blessed as two decades ago, a young 16-year-old learned that she was expecting a child. She and the baby’s father were not married, and they could see no way forward together. The young woman believed the life she was carrying was precious. She gave birth to a baby girl and allowed a righteous family to adopt her as their own. For Bryce and Jolinne, she was an answer to their prayers. They named her Emily and taught her to trust in her Heavenly Father and in His Son, Jesus Christ.
Emily grew up. How grateful we are that Emily and our grandson, Christian, fell in love and were married in the house of the Lord. Emily and Christian now have their own little girl.
Emily recently wrote: “Throughout these last nine months of pregnancy, I had time to reflect on the events [of] my own birth. I thought of my birth mother, who was just 16 years old. As I experienced the aches and changes that pregnancy brings, I couldn’t help but imagine how difficult it would have been at the young age of 16. … The tears flow even now as I think of my birth mother, who knew she couldn’t give me the life [she desired for me and unselfishly placed] me for adoption. I can’t fathom what she might have gone through in those nine months—being watched with judging eyes as her body changed, the teen experiences she missed, knowing that at the end of this labor of motherly love, she would place her child into the arms of another. I am so thankful for her selfless choice, that she did not choose to use her agency in a way that would take away my own.” Emily concludes, “I’m so thankful for Heavenly Father’s divine plan, for my incredible parents who [loved and cared for] me, and for temples where we can be sealed to our families for eternity.”
Emily grew up. How grateful we are that Emily and our grandson, Christian, fell in love and were married in the house of the Lord. Emily and Christian now have their own little girl.
Emily recently wrote: “Throughout these last nine months of pregnancy, I had time to reflect on the events [of] my own birth. I thought of my birth mother, who was just 16 years old. As I experienced the aches and changes that pregnancy brings, I couldn’t help but imagine how difficult it would have been at the young age of 16. … The tears flow even now as I think of my birth mother, who knew she couldn’t give me the life [she desired for me and unselfishly placed] me for adoption. I can’t fathom what she might have gone through in those nine months—being watched with judging eyes as her body changed, the teen experiences she missed, knowing that at the end of this labor of motherly love, she would place her child into the arms of another. I am so thankful for her selfless choice, that she did not choose to use her agency in a way that would take away my own.” Emily concludes, “I’m so thankful for Heavenly Father’s divine plan, for my incredible parents who [loved and cared for] me, and for temples where we can be sealed to our families for eternity.”
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👤 Parents
👤 Youth
👤 Young Adults
👤 Children
👤 Church Members (General)
Adoption
Agency and Accountability
Charity
Children
Faith
Family
Gratitude
Love
Marriage
Parenting
Sacrifice
Sealing
Temples
Friends around the World
A nine-year-old led the music for his Primary program and loves singing hymns. That experience inspired him to learn piano from a senior missionary, and now he can play some hymns.
Ezra C., age 9, Emirate of Dubai, UAE
I led the music for our Primary program in church! I love singing the hymns. It inspired me to start learning to play the piano from a senior missionary. I can play some of the songs from the hymnbook.
I led the music for our Primary program in church! I love singing the hymns. It inspired me to start learning to play the piano from a senior missionary. I can play some of the songs from the hymnbook.
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👤 Missionaries
👤 Children
Children
Education
Music
Service
Conference Story Index
A torpedo hits the battleship Bismarck’s rudder, leaving it unable to follow its course. The incident demonstrates how a single blow changes destiny.
(67) A torpedo strikes the rudder of the battleship Bismarck, leaving it unable to steer a charted course.
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👤 Other
Adversity
War
The Giving Garden
A child and their dad plant a summer garden with various vegetables. They donate the extra produce to people in need. The child feels the Spirit when they serve others.
In the summer my dad and I plant a garden with all sorts of vegetables. My favorites are tomatoes, carrots, and potatoes. We give all the extra vegetables away to people who need them. I think the Spirit is with us when we serve others.
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👤 Parents
👤 Children
Charity
Children
Family
Holy Ghost
Service
For the Days of ’47, a family visited Cascade Springs in Utah for a nature walk. They used the outing to appreciate the beauty of the world and to reflect on their heritage.
For the Days of ’47, my family and I went to Cascade Springs, a beautiful nature walk in Utah. We wanted to appreciate the beauty of the world and to be able to reflect on our heritage.
Libbie H.
Libbie H.
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👤 Church Members (General)
Creation
Family
Family History
Gratitude
My Sister, My Example
After hearing the story of her sister’s obedience, the narrator confessed to her mother that she had lied about swimming years earlier. Her mother was grateful for the truth and proud of the sister’s example, which the narrator also admired.
When my mom told me this story about my sister, I told her how I had lied to her. She was thankful that I finally told her the truth. She was very proud of my little sister, who had chosen to obey her, and so was I.
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👤 Parents
👤 Children
Agency and Accountability
Children
Family
Honesty
Obedience
Repentance
Friend to Friend
Maxwell remembers his father, serving as ward clerk, carefully counting and stacking tithing and fast offering funds on their dining table each fast Sunday. The memory impressed him with his father’s devotion and exactness.
Elder Maxwell recalled a time when his father served as a ward clerk: “After the meeting each fast Sunday, my father would count and stack the tithing and fast offering money on the round dining-room table at home. I remember his devotion and the carefulness with which he accounted for all of the contributions turned in.”
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👤 Parents
👤 Church Leaders (Local)
👤 Other
Family
Fasting and Fast Offerings
Service
Stewardship
Tithing
Books! Books! Books!
Bunnies put on a musical version of Little Red Riding Hood. They show how the play is cast, directed, rehearsed, and how props, scenery, and posters are made.
The Bunny Play The bunnies’ play is a musical version of “Little Red Riding Hood.” They show you how it is cast and directed and rehearsed, and tell you about making props and scenery and posters.Loreen Leedy5–8 years
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👤 Other
Children
Education
Music
The COVID-19 Online Missionary
Missionaries received a Facebook referral for Jonny and taught him over the phone for several months. Despite never meeting in person before, Jonny accepted the Book of Mormon, chose to be baptized in early 2021, and they met him for the first time at his baptism. The experience affirmed that the Holy Ghost can be felt powerfully even without face-to-face interaction.
Here is an experience that Sister Krull had.
Jonny, whose name has been changed for privacy purposes, was a local area Facebook referral.
We introduced ourselves and explained our purpose as missionaries. Over a few months we had the opportunity to share with him Jesus Christ’s restored gospel.
We helped to answer all his questions. He grew up with a Christian background but, like many others, noticed that not all we said was in the Bible; he eagerly accepted a copy of the Book of Mormon.
Jonny had a desire to learn more about God and to become a better version of himself. He agreed to be baptised at the beginning of 2021. His baptism, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, was limited in the number of people that could attend. Now, all of this sounds like a typical missionary story, but not so.
For some months, all we knew was the sound of Jonny’s voice over the phone call. We had never met him in person until the day of his baptism. Finally, we could put a face to the name we had been teaching.
I mention this because many people think that you can only feel the Spirit when you are face-to-face. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Once you are testifying of the Saviour Jesus Christ, the Spirit is there.
The fact that Jonny was baptised showed us that we weren’t the only ones to feel the presence of the Holy Ghost. All of this happened because of a Facebook advertisement that invited him to understand and to seek God.
This experience is a witness of how missionary work has continued to move forward despite the crazy times we are in.
Jonny, whose name has been changed for privacy purposes, was a local area Facebook referral.
We introduced ourselves and explained our purpose as missionaries. Over a few months we had the opportunity to share with him Jesus Christ’s restored gospel.
We helped to answer all his questions. He grew up with a Christian background but, like many others, noticed that not all we said was in the Bible; he eagerly accepted a copy of the Book of Mormon.
Jonny had a desire to learn more about God and to become a better version of himself. He agreed to be baptised at the beginning of 2021. His baptism, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, was limited in the number of people that could attend. Now, all of this sounds like a typical missionary story, but not so.
For some months, all we knew was the sound of Jonny’s voice over the phone call. We had never met him in person until the day of his baptism. Finally, we could put a face to the name we had been teaching.
I mention this because many people think that you can only feel the Spirit when you are face-to-face. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Once you are testifying of the Saviour Jesus Christ, the Spirit is there.
The fact that Jonny was baptised showed us that we weren’t the only ones to feel the presence of the Holy Ghost. All of this happened because of a Facebook advertisement that invited him to understand and to seek God.
This experience is a witness of how missionary work has continued to move forward despite the crazy times we are in.
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👤 Missionaries
👤 Other
Baptism
Bible
Book of Mormon
Conversion
Holy Ghost
Missionary Work
Testimony
COVID-19: Messages of Guidance, Healing, and Hope
Mandi continues teaching seminary daily via video chat despite pandemic challenges. Parents and younger siblings often listen in, providing consistency for families and opportunities to bear witness of Jesus Christ together.
Even with everything that has happened with the coronavirus, I’m happy to say we have not missed a day of seminary! Teaching my classes over video chat poses some challenges, but I love watching parents and younger siblings listen in on our conversations. I love that it provides a sense of consistency and routine for our families, and I especially love that we can continue to bear witness to each other of Jesus Christ and His love for us.
Mandi Crandell, Yigo, Guam
Mandi Crandell, Yigo, Guam
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👤 Church Members (General)
👤 Parents
👤 Children
👤 Youth
Education
Family
Jesus Christ
Teaching the Gospel
Testimony
Friend to Friend
After losing his right arm, he needed patience to relearn daily tasks left-handed. One Sunday he struggled with tying a tie and considered a clip-on or asking his mother for help, but decided to learn himself. Using his teeth, he figured it out and has tied ties that way ever since.
Some would think that losing an arm would be a terrible burden, but it has been one of the greatest blessings in my life. I learned that it is very important to have challenges and to face up to them.
Before I had bone cancer, I was quite impatient. When I came home from the hospital, I suddenly needed a lot of patience. I had been right-handed, and now I had to learn to do everything left-handed.
One Sunday morning when I was in my bedroom with my tie in my hand, I thought, How am I going to tie this? I thought about getting a clip-on tie. I thought about asking Mom to help me. But I couldn’t take her with me on my mission just to tie my ties. So I decided I had to learn how to do it myself. I finally figured it out by using my teeth. I still do it that way, even after having tied it thousands of times. I have learned that with a positive attitude and the Lord’s help, I can do what I have to do.
Before I had bone cancer, I was quite impatient. When I came home from the hospital, I suddenly needed a lot of patience. I had been right-handed, and now I had to learn to do everything left-handed.
One Sunday morning when I was in my bedroom with my tie in my hand, I thought, How am I going to tie this? I thought about getting a clip-on tie. I thought about asking Mom to help me. But I couldn’t take her with me on my mission just to tie my ties. So I decided I had to learn how to do it myself. I finally figured it out by using my teeth. I still do it that way, even after having tied it thousands of times. I have learned that with a positive attitude and the Lord’s help, I can do what I have to do.
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👤 Youth
👤 Parents
Adversity
Disabilities
Faith
Health
Missionary Work
Patience
Self-Reliance
Crossing the Plains
Brigham Young fell ill with mountain fever near the Bear River, prompting a division of the company: some stayed with him while others moved ahead. As more became sick, they paused to rest and sent an advance party led by Orson Pratt to scout the best mountain route. The advance group found and improved the Donner Trail for those who would follow.
While camped on the Bear River, Brigham Young contracted mountain fever and became so ill that he could not continue to travel. It was decided that eight wagons and several men would stay behind with him and the rest would go on. But as the main group moved on, others were stricken with the fever. It was decided to let the sick rest while an advance company with twenty-three wagons and forty-two men led by Orson Pratt scouted out the best route through the mountains.
The advance party found the Donner Trail, made the year before, and began to follow it. The trail was very rough, so the men spent much of their time clearing trees and leveling the ground for those behind them.
The advance party found the Donner Trail, made the year before, and began to follow it. The trail was very rough, so the men spent much of their time clearing trees and leveling the ground for those behind them.
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👤 Pioneers
👤 Early Saints
Adversity
Apostle
Health
Service
Bless in His Name
President Eyring, as a high priest visiting a care center sacrament meeting, was asked to pass the sacrament. He prayed that people would feel the Lord’s love through his service rather than focusing on his performance. Many elderly attendees wept, and one woman gratefully grabbed his sleeve and thanked him, confirming the Lord had blessed his service.
It was years after I was a deacon when I learned what that means practically. For instance, as a high priest, I was assigned to visit a care center sacrament meeting. I was asked to pass the sacrament. Instead of thinking about the process or precision in the way I passed the sacrament, I instead looked in the faces of each elderly person. I saw many of them weeping. One lady grabbed my sleeve, looked up, and said aloud, “Oh, thank you, thank you.”
The Lord had blessed my service given in His name. That day I had prayed for such a miracle to come instead of praying for how well I might do my part. I prayed that the people would feel the Lord’s love through my loving service. I have learned this is the key to serving and blessing others in His name. …
The Lord had blessed my service given in His name. That day I had prayed for such a miracle to come instead of praying for how well I might do my part. I prayed that the people would feel the Lord’s love through my loving service. I have learned this is the key to serving and blessing others in His name. …
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👤 General Authorities (Modern)
👤 Church Members (General)
Charity
Love
Ministering
Miracles
Prayer
Priesthood
Sacrament
Sacrament Meeting
Service
Salt Lake Temple Centennial:From the Ground Up
Before arriving in the Salt Lake Valley, Brigham Young saw the temple in a vision. Four days after arriving, he struck the ground with his cane and declared the temple’s location.
1 Even before President Brigham Young came to the Salt Lake Valley, he saw the Salt Lake Temple in a vision. Four days after his arrival on July 28, 1847, he walked to an area between two creeks, hit his cane on the ground, and said, “Here we shall build a temple to our God.”*
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👤 General Authorities (Modern)
Apostle
Revelation
Temples
A Small Moment
A young Latter-day Saint girl, isolated as the only member at her school, felt lonely and prayed for happiness. After a difficult week, her Beehive teacher shared a paper kite with a scripture from D&C 121:7–8 about enduring afflictions. The message shifted her perspective, helping her see her challenges as temporary and focus on eternal goals. Years later, she still remembers how the little yellow kite lifted her spirits.
As I walked out of school and got on my bus, I wished it was Friday, but not for the same reasons other people did. I never went to movies with friends on Friday nights, I didn’t hang out at the mall on Saturdays, and my Saturday nights were spent at home watching television instead of at parties. I looked forward to weekends because on Sunday I saw my friends.
I was the only Mormon at my school and things had not been going well. I didn’t have many friends there, and I walked to all of my classes alone. I watched all the other people in their groups and pairs and wished I belonged. As the year went along, I became even more depressed. I prayed every night that I could find some way to be happy.
Then one Sunday after an especially bad week, help came in my Beehive class. The lesson was about life’s everyday afflictions. My teacher had made a small paper kite for each of us. Written on it was a scripture: “Peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes” (D&C 121:7–8).
There, on that little paper kite, was the answer to my prayers. After all, the problems I had at school were only temporary. If I concentrated on my goal of eternal life, I could endure all my troubles.
Years later, I still remember the little yellow kite that lifted me out of my emotional slump and let my spirit soar.
I was the only Mormon at my school and things had not been going well. I didn’t have many friends there, and I walked to all of my classes alone. I watched all the other people in their groups and pairs and wished I belonged. As the year went along, I became even more depressed. I prayed every night that I could find some way to be happy.
Then one Sunday after an especially bad week, help came in my Beehive class. The lesson was about life’s everyday afflictions. My teacher had made a small paper kite for each of us. Written on it was a scripture: “Peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes” (D&C 121:7–8).
There, on that little paper kite, was the answer to my prayers. After all, the problems I had at school were only temporary. If I concentrated on my goal of eternal life, I could endure all my troubles.
Years later, I still remember the little yellow kite that lifted me out of my emotional slump and let my spirit soar.
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👤 Youth
👤 Church Leaders (Local)
Adversity
Endure to the End
Friendship
Mental Health
Prayer
Sabbath Day
Scriptures
Young Women
A Good Example
Even though social situations can be hard for him, Coleman wants to be friends with every child he meets. At the park, he looks for other children, greets them, and plays with them. He makes many friends this way.
Coleman has a loving nature and wants to meet lots of boys and girls. Even though it is sometimes hard for him, he wants to be friends with all the children he meets. When he goes to the park, Coleman often looks for children to play with and says hi to them. He makes a lot of friends that way.
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👤 Children
Charity
Children
Friendship
Kindness
Love
A student in a book club stopped reading a book she felt was unclean despite pressure to help her team win a competition. She prayed for courage to tell her team and, at the meeting, the leader apologized and removed the book from the list. She thanked Heavenly Father and testified that the Lord helps those who keep standards.
In eighth grade I was in a book club. Each month we met to discuss a book, and at the end of the year we had a competition to see whose team knew the most about each book. One rule we always upheld was to read only clean books.
One month, when I started reading the next book, I felt like it wasn’t clean. But I needed to read it if I wanted my team to win the competition. I couldn’t let them down. A few chapters later, the book got worse. Finally, I put it down. I knew that I couldn’t read it—my spiritual cleanliness was worth more than winning a competition.
But I was so worried about telling my team. The night before our club’s meeting, I prayed to Heavenly Father to help me have courage to face them.
The next day I was really worried. I sat down with my team. Once the meeting started, I was about to explain to everyone that I couldn’t read the book. But before I could, the leader got up and apologized. She explained that she hadn’t read the book before putting it on our booklist and didn’t realize what was in it. She said she would take it off the list. When I got home, I thanked Heavenly Father.
I know that when we uphold our standards, the Lord watches over us. He doesn’t always take care of the situation as He did for me, but He will always give us the courage to make good decisions.
Ashleigh A., Utah, USA
One month, when I started reading the next book, I felt like it wasn’t clean. But I needed to read it if I wanted my team to win the competition. I couldn’t let them down. A few chapters later, the book got worse. Finally, I put it down. I knew that I couldn’t read it—my spiritual cleanliness was worth more than winning a competition.
But I was so worried about telling my team. The night before our club’s meeting, I prayed to Heavenly Father to help me have courage to face them.
The next day I was really worried. I sat down with my team. Once the meeting started, I was about to explain to everyone that I couldn’t read the book. But before I could, the leader got up and apologized. She explained that she hadn’t read the book before putting it on our booklist and didn’t realize what was in it. She said she would take it off the list. When I got home, I thanked Heavenly Father.
I know that when we uphold our standards, the Lord watches over us. He doesn’t always take care of the situation as He did for me, but He will always give us the courage to make good decisions.
Ashleigh A., Utah, USA
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👤 Youth
👤 Friends
Courage
Movies and Television
Prayer
Temptation
Virtue
Young Women