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The Deseret Alphabet is often dismissed today as a quirky historical footnote, a strange linguistic experiment championed by Brigham Young that ultimately failed to take root in the Utah desert. However, a closer look at this 19th-century phonetic writing system reveals a complex project driven by practical literacy, social control, and profound spiritual ambition. A fascinating new interview over at the Latter-day Saint history blog, From the Desk, features scholars Ryan K. Shosted and N. E. Davis, who unpack the origins, purpose, and legacy of this unique script. Exploring newly discovered documents, the collaborative (and sometimes contentious) nature of its creation, and its surprising ability to act as a linguistic “time capsule,” Shosted and Davis reveal how the Deseret Alphabet was designed not just to reform spelling, but to spiritually and culturally insulate a pioneer society preparing for the Millennium. What is the Deseret Alphabet? A Tri-Fold Purpose Developed in territorial Utah during the early 1850s, the Deseret Alphabet utilized an unconventional set of symbols to represent spoken English phonetically. As Shosted and Davis explain, the alphabet did not have a single, fixed purpose, but was instead driven by practical, social, and spiritual aims. Practically, the alphabet was meant to

Where do I find peace? by Autumn Dickson Mortal life is not for the faint of heart. Though it can have breaks in the difficulty where the sun shines for a while, The post Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Psalms 102–103; 110; 116–119; 127–128; 135–139; 146–150 – Part 2 – Autumn Dickson appeared first on FAIR.

The Sunday class schedule will change on September 6, 2026. Sunday School, Relief Society, priesthood quorums, and Young Women will meet for 25 minutes every week, instead of 50 minutes every other week. In the article “Use the Gospel Library App to Prepare for Weekly Sunday Classes and Meetings,” Mary Richards reminds us of some of The post How to Use the Gospel Library App to Prepare for Weekly Sunday Classes and Meetings first appeared on LDS365: Resources from the Church & Latter-day Saints worldwide.

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Some time ago I encountered a life situation that caused me great anguish. I remember spending many days and nights sobbing about my plight. There was nothing I could do to change it, and the tremendous feeling of powerlessness I felt caused profound suffering. I prayed and prayed to be delivered from this challenge, but was continually told, “No.” One day, when I again fell prey to the normal pity party that I had established for myself, I heard the words loudly in my mind, “Anne, DO YOU STILL NEED TO SUFFER?” I stopped right in the middle of what had been a very satisfying sob, and was spiritually taught as I saw my situation for what it was; an opportunity for me to shift my awareness in a remarkable way. I suddenly became conscious that in the very act of passionately resisting …

There was a young girl named Sydney confused about who she was and scared of her impending puberty. To escape that discomfort she began to pursue something, unbeknownst to her, that would be even more discomforting: sex-rejecting procedures. After starting cross-sex hormones at fourteen, she found herself four years later struggling to recover from the removal of her breasts in a double mastectomy. Side effects from her procedures started making their appearance and in the end it was written, “After all of the time and money she invested into her perceived identity, she is left with regret and unalterable consequences.”  Why was Sydney’s story allowed to continue down a path of which she is no longer able to return? Where were the so-called “medical professionals” throughout the process, to stop her from making irreversible changes to her body? And where was …

My wife buttons my shirt. She starts at the collar, and before that first button she slides two fingers inside it to check the room, the way you would test a knot, and then she works her way down. It takes about a minute. She stopped watching the buttons a long time ago and watches my face instead, which I find harder to bear than the buttons. Most days there are no buttons at all. She lays out stretch shorts and shirts that go over the head, with nothing on them for me to fiddle at. I am dressed, most mornings, for a nap I am not going to take. The buttons are an occasion. I was dressed like that on the morning my friend sent me the message. An old acquaintance from his former ward had turned up where he did not expect …

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LDS Living recently created a video with tips for preparing and teaching quicker classes. It focuses on five ways to help everyone get the most out of a 25-minute lesson. Watch the video below which gives these practical tips: Choose one or two points to focus on. Prepare with conference talks. Build and refine questions The post Video: How to Give a 25-Minute Lesson first appeared on LDS365: Resources from the Church & Latter-day Saints worldwide.

Note: recently there’s been a lot of hullabaloo in various fora about the results of a BYU Studies study that discussed youth retention rates. For what it’s worth, I wrote this post before all that dropped; even though it’s relevant to that theme, this isn’t some kind of a direct response to that back-and-forth.  I had the privilege of teaching seminary a few years back to 2-3 students (they really cut up those seminary teaching districts finely), one of which was one of those high schoolers whose ambition knows no bounds who’s going to get a triple PhD/MBA/MD/JD/MFA degree or whatever, so it was great to hear that she had been accepted into Yale. A few years later I ran into her again at a ward function and yes, she was still at Yale and was excited about having just put in her mission papers.   From one perspective, that isn’t supposed to happen. It’s an old canard in some circles that the Church needs to fundamentally change or it will lose its best and the brightest. This idea actually has an old pedigree. Hugh Nibley recounts an episode where O.C. Tanner bemoaned that the Book of Mormon is “driving the

I’m always polite to AI because, when the Terminators arrive, I want them to remember I said please and thank you.  I’m joking—or at least I hope I am—but the line points toward something peculiar about working with artificial intelligence. I say please when I ask for something. I say thank you when I receive it, and I often begin a session with, Good morning, Arch. None of those social niceties means anything to AI, yet abandoning them would make the conversation feel unnatural to me. Most of us have spent a lifetime learning the social contract governing our interactions with other people. We understand a request sounds different when it is framed politely. We know failing to acknowledge someone’s help can make the person feel taken for granted. Violating the social contract may require an apology, and sometimes the damage brings a …

This week’s Hastening takes readers around the world—from a powerful message of hope following the passing of King Harald V to an exclusive look at the dramatic transformation of the Salt Lake Temple. Discover how Church leaders are bringing hope to earthquake survivors in Colombia, building a brighter future in Sierra Leone, and strengthening families in Peru. Plus, see a new temple take root in Idaho, witness the remarkable growth of Church education in West Africa, and learn what’s being done to preserve the Great Salt Lake and make youth camp planning easier.   ONE In Mourning, the Church Shares a Message of Hope and Resurrection Friday, August 28, 2026 The First Presidency  The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released a statement following the passing of His Majesty King Harald V. READ THE STATEMENT HERE.   …

President Harold B. Lee was in my ward when I was a Beehive. He didn’t attend the Federal Heights ward very often, but I’ll never forget one time when he did. It was fast and testimony Sunday in the fall of 1973 and he slipped in the back door of the chapel. He didn’t come with a bunch of bodyguards; he didn’t even come with a companion. He came to church all alone. He didn’t sit on the stand, as the presiding priesthood leader. He sat on the last row of the chapel, the one right next to the door without any benches in front of it. The chapel in our building was huge. There were many elderly people in our ward, and it must have been difficult for them to rush to the pulpit to share their testimonies, so a deacon rushed to …

One of the questions people frequently ask about forgiveness is a very practical one: “How do I know if I have really forgiven someone?” It’s a good question. We may have prayed about an offense, told the Lord we have forgiven the person, and sincerely tried to move forward. But then we see them again, hear their name, or remember what happened—and some of those old feelings come rushing back. We wonder, If I still feel something, have I really forgiven? In writing Healing the Wounded Heart, I wrestled with that question. I ultimately identified ten signs that can help us recognize when forgiveness is actually taking place in our hearts. They are not meant to create another standard by which we condemn ourselves. Rather, they give us a way to see whether we are moving toward the kind of forgiveness the Savior …

Lefevor, G. Tyler, Eleanor Standifird, Everett J. Peterson, Zachary EZ Hall, Samuel J. Skidmore, Jacob Howard, and Madelyn Call. “What facilitates and hinders religious belonging among LGBTQ+ Latter-Day Saints? A reflexive thematic analysis.” Psychology of Religion and Spirituality (2026). Objective: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, and same-sex attracted (LGBTQ+) individuals raised in theologically conservative faith traditions often want to engage fully with their faith tradition yet experience pain in doing so. As such, we aimed to understand the barriers and facilitators to religious belonging for LGBTQ+ individuals. Methods: We conducted semistructured interviews of 25 LGBTQ+ active members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, analyzing data using reflexive thematic analysis. Results: We identified five major barriers to belonging for LGBTQ+ Latter-day Saints: (a) exclusion/rejection, (b) systemic restriction, (c) cis/heteronormative stances about gender and family, (d) others’ negative attitudes about “people like me,” and (e) others’ lack of understanding of LGBTQ+ people. We also identified five major facilitators to belonging for LGBTQ+ Latter-day Saints: (a) being seen and accepted as an LGBTQ+ person in religious settings, (b) having accepting and open leaders, (c) being included as an equal, (d) having a sense of spiritual meaning and purpose, and (e)

“Rejoice in Christ” is the newly announced theme of the Salt Lake Temple Celebration and within the first 24 hours  of availability the first million spaces were reserved. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, speaking at a press event, which was also live-streamed from the new west addition of the temple said, “There are hundreds of thousands of reasons why we are here together, because we are reaching out to every one of you to come and see. “The reason we rejoice in Christ is that it is independent of which faith we have, which color we have, which language we speak, which socio-economic background we have, in Jesus Christ we unite in this wonderful time of rejoicing in Him.” Primary General President Rosemary K. Chibota said, “Everyone is invited, people from all around the world. This is more than touring a remarkable building. …

  Jennifer Roach Lees holds a Master in Divinity as well as a Masters in Counseling Psychology. She is a licensed mental health therapist and lives in Utah. She was the 2023 recipient of the John Taylor Defender of the Faith award. The post Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Psalms 102–103; 110; 116–119; 127–128; 135–139; 146–150 – Jennifer Roach Lees appeared first on FAIR.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints today invited people around the world to participate in the 2027 Salt Lake Temple Celebration, announcing the event’s theme, “Rejoice in Christ,” and opening ticket reservations for the open house tour of the renovated Salt Lake Temple. Editor’s note (2 Sep 2026): Less than 24 hours after The post Church Announces Theme For Salt Lake Temple Celebration first appeared on LDS365: Resources from the Church & Latter-day Saints worldwide.

The Interpreter Foundation and Redbrick Filmworks continues to release a new episode of their not-for-profit series of mini-documentaries titled Becoming Brigham each Monday. This week, they released the following episode: Episode 32: “Religious Kindred But Savage Enemies?” How did Brigham Young’s determination to never again be driven out of his home collide with Native peoples The post “Becoming Brigham” Web Documentary Series, Episode 32 first appeared on LDS365: Resources from the Church & Latter-day Saints worldwide.

If we don’t get what we need out of our church meetings, who is responsible? Presumably, we should leave sacrament meeting spiritually filled, with resources we can draw on to meet the challenges of the coming week. And ideally we would leave Sunday School and Elders Quorum and Relief Society with new insights into the gospel, ideas that will help us act like true disciples of Christ, building a better society where we live. Who should be making sure this happens? The answer to these questions is, I think, all of us — but as the old saying goes, what is everyone’s responsibility ends up being no one’s responsibility. So, how do we divide up these responsibilities, so everyone knows what they should do and how to make things better? Even if I had all the answers and the time necessary to explain it all clearly, I don’t think anyone would want to read it all in a single blog post. But, I think I can sketch out some ideas for consideration. Any communication consist of a “speaker”, who originates the message, an audience, who receives the message delivered, and the message itself. In addition, when we are talking about

God Sits With You in the Dark by Autumn Dickson Psalm 102 is a chapter that reminds me a bit of one of the chapters we already discussed in psalms. The psalmist feels weary and broken, but despite the hardship the psalmist still praises the Lord. When we discussed the similar psalm last time, we spoke The post Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Psalms 102–103; 110; 116–119; 127–128; 135–139; 146–150 – Part 1 – Autumn Dickson appeared first on FAIR.

In an address on August 24, 2026, Elder Gerrit W. Gong counseled professors and faculty to take advantage of AI in the student experience at BYU. In his address, “Becoming BYU in an Age of Artificial Intelligence,” Elder Gong presented a balanced and thoughtful approach to artificial intelligence, encouraging BYU faculty and students to neither The post Elder Gong Addresses the Use of AI at BYU first appeared on LDS365: Resources from the Church & Latter-day Saints worldwide.

What is wisdom exactly? Is it the ability to think clearly in a moral context? Is it something that we are learning here on this earth? Is it something that should eventually be independent of our Heavenly Parents? Or is it, by nature, listening to Them? Thinking in this vein, the books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes complicate the question. As compilations of sayings likely collected from many sources, they represent a collective wisdom, learned by both experience and inspiration. Their inclusion in the canon of scripture suggests that wisdom is something that can be collected and passed on, in addition to something that involves how we think about life and problems. Whatever was originally inspired by God has been refined and restated by many people, and is now in a form that provides us with further inspiration. So, is the wisdom there learned by generations of wise men, or is it inspiration from God? Perhaps the question is part of the problem, because the question assumes that wisdom is either from wise men or from God. Can’t it be both? I’m not sure that inspiration is something that can be neatly divided into what comes from God and what comes

In his April 2026 General Conference address, “All Who Have Endured Valiantly,” David A. Bednar teaches that enduring to the end is much more than simply surviving life’s challenges. Through the Savior’s grace, it is the lifelong process of becoming a new creature in Christ. Many people hear the phrase “endure to the end” and The post All Who Have Endured Valiantly appeared first on FAIR.

Keeping Silent by Autumn Dickson David was a good king who loved the Lord but fell. He chose to engage in very serious sin and commit adultery with Bathsheba. The real problem came when he chose to cover it up. When David brought Uriah home to be with his wife, Uriah refused in loyalty to The post Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Psalms 49–51; 61–66; 69–72; 77–78; 85–86 – Part 2 – Autumn Dickson appeared first on FAIR.

Tithing declaration (formerly “tithing settlement”) begins September 1 and continues through December 15. To prepare for meeting with the bishop in tithing declaration, here are instructions on how to print your donor statement. Go to donations.ChurchofJesusChrist.org. (Or navigate to it on ChurchofJesusChrist.org by logging in and clicking Resources in the upper right corner, and then The post How to Print Your Church Donor Statement For Tithing Declaration 2026 first appeared on LDS365: Resources from the Church & Latter-day Saints worldwide.

From September 1 until December 15, bishops and branch presidents are asked to meet with members of the Church for a tithing declaration interview. This is a yearly opportunity for families to meet with the bishop to discuss their payment of tithing. This is primarily a learning experience for children, youth, and adults to focus The post Ideas for Leaders: Tithing Declaration 2026 first appeared on LDS365: Resources from the Church & Latter-day Saints worldwide.

From the anonymous Kritik des neuen Dresdnischen Gesangbuchs (“Critique of the new Dresden hymnal”), Strasbourg: Johann von Guttenberg, 1799 (VD18 11538767), pp. 15-20. I also insist that a generally usable song collection should contain all new and good songs that exist. The number that exists cannot be so high as to make such a book too large because we definitely do not yet have thousands of suitable religious songs. Although this was not an immediate reason for rejection, the hymnal under discussion lacks multiple new songs that would have been worthy of inclusion. If a suitable collection of Christian songs is to be created, it must also certainly be composed in a language that is appropriate for the present era and thus understandable. But our hymnal still has a copious supply of antiquated, opaque, erratic expressions. Any collection of Christian songs does not achieve its purpose, but rather opposes it, if common language is avoided in favor of the language of Scripture, as if it were sacred to the common people, even if it is incomprehensible to them and confirms false ideas. This holy madness has not infrequently led the Dresden compiler astray. This is why it deserves no criticism

The Sunday class schedule will change on September 6, 2026. Sunday School, Relief Society, priesthood quorums, and Young Women will meet for 25 minutes every week, instead of 50 minutes every other week. Even though the math is the same, how do you make the shorter lesson effective? Some teachers may be tempted to cover The post How to Teach a 25-Minute Sunday Lesson first appeared on LDS365: Resources from the Church & Latter-day Saints worldwide.

I finally got around to watching American Primeval. To be honest, I kind of enjoyed it. It was obviously Hollywood-ized enough that it’s clear the creators weren’t trying to pass it off as history, and I don’t think a lot of people saw it as such. (Plus the director actually had mostly good things to say about the Church when he was on Joe Rogan). Kind of like how it’s clear Quentin Tarantino wasn’t trying to pass Django Unchained off as some documentary about the antebellum South. No, it was blood spattering, over the top sensationalism, and it didn’t have pretenses of being anything else. Conversely, Under the Banner of Heaven and their “Mormon historical consultants” took the patently absurd line that “this is historically accurate, and if you disagree you’re an apologetics scrooge,” I assume in order to try to stroke some kind of Streissand-effect overreaction from the Church that would get them views. But anyway, it got me thinking about how some anti-Mormon materials can be so bad or over-the-top that it’s actually kind of good for the Church. I don’t think we lost anybody sincere with Under the Banner of Heaven, but maybe it, and American Primeval

  Jennifer Roach Lees holds a Master in Divinity as well as a Masters in Counseling Psychology. She is a licensed mental health therapist and lives in Utah. The post Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Psalms 49–51; 61–66; 69–72; 77–78; 85–86 – Jennifer Roach Lees appeared first on FAIR.

The Interpreter Foundation and Redbrick Filmworks continues to release a new episode of their not-for-profit series of mini-documentaries titled Becoming Brigham each Monday. This week, they released the following episode: Episode 31: “Lives of Their Own? The Wives & Family of Brigham Young”  How did Brigham Young’s rejection of his father’s harsh discipline shape The post “Becoming Brigham” Web Documentary Series, Episode 31 first appeared on LDS365: Resources from the Church & Latter-day Saints worldwide.

Jennifer Champoux. C. C. A. Christensen: A Mormon Visionary. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 2026. 152 pp. Paperback: $17.95. ISBN: 978-0-252-08921-3. Reviewed by Chad L. Nielsen As a teenager growing up in the Latter-day Saint tradition, I developed an enduring passion for highlighting the cultural and artistic achievements of my heritage. In searching for a visual vocabulary that embodied the pioneer era, Carl Christian Anton (C. C. A.) Christensen (1831–1912) quickly became the defining artist of Church history in my imagination. His famous Mormon Panorama—a massive canvas scroll that he toured across Great Basin meetinghouses—stood out as a monumental preservation of pioneer memory. My fixation with his work carried into my college years, where I vividly recall attending a 2015 exhibition at the Brigham Young University Museum of Art celebrating his artwork. Yet, despite my long-standing fascination with Christensen, Jennifer Champoux’s brilliant new biography, C. C. A. Christensen: A Mormon Visionary, demonstrated just how much of his life and artistic output remained for me to discover. Champoux, the director of the Book of Mormon Art Catalog and a premier scholar of Latter-day Saint visual culture, has produced a concise, beautifully contextualized (and beautifully illustrated) intellectual biography. She rescues Christensen from

Pain and Praise by Autumn Dickson One of the most emotional psalms found in the Old Testament was written by David. He was a king who worshipped and loved the Lord. He rejoiced in the Lord, and because of that, he sometimes found himself with enemies. His enemies were not just foreigners but within his The post Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Psalms 49–51; 61–66; 69–72; 77–78; 85–86 – Part 1 – Autumn Dickson appeared first on FAIR.

Have you ever had an experience where a conversation with someone else led you to think about things differently, or understand something new? That happens to me a lot. There’s something about talking with others that makes my brain see things differently. This kind of mutual learning, or discovery through conversation is something I’ve found regularly in discussions of how we learn. A few weeks ago in this series I mentioned Wayne Booth, the well-known rhetorician who grew up in an LDS home in American Fork, Utah. He discusses this kind of learning in his book “The Company We Keep,” where he calls it “Coduction”, in order to include it along side other ways of discovering knowledge, like induction and deduction. He says we can learn in conversation with others, co-ducing truths during our discussions. We do this in Church. This is one of the things that is supposed to happen in our classes. Not only do we strengthen each other spiritually in our discussions, we also learn things together that none of us know completely.  And, although Booth doesn’t suggest this, in a sense we are often using conduction in our learning, because we are in conversation with the

The Church provides a list of great Resources for Teaching Children. The page contains a list of nearly a hundred topics, such as agency, bullying, choosing the right, death, divorce, fear, feelings, forgiveness, getting along, kindness, peer pressure, and respect.   The post Resources for Teaching Children first appeared on LDS365: Resources from the Church & Latter-day Saints worldwide.

I have often found the idea of praise confusing because of what it says about God. Has He told us that we must praise Him? Why would an all-powerful being need us to praise Him? The idea that we are commanded by God to praise the Lord seems more like the actions of arrogant and prideful men who want to be worshiped when they don’t deserve it. I don’t think this is the God that I worship. He doesn’t need praise. He knows that what He is doing is right. On the other hand, I think that we should want to praise Him — it’s more like giving thanks and respect than being obedient. I am profoundly greatful for the blessings that God has given me, and the sacrifice that the Lord has made for me. And I sincerely hope that I continue to have the humility to admit this and act in that way. So, for me praise is about thanksgiving and about my attitude toward God. It’s my recognition of what God has done for me, rather than anything He needs. And when the scriptures suggest to “let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord,” it is

I asked the men in our elders quorum to close their eyes (and not fall asleep). Then I gave them President Emily Belle Freeman’s simple exercise: think through the decades…

In her April 2026 General Conference address, Sister Kristin M. Yee teaches that ministering is not simply something disciples of Jesus Christ do—it is part of who they are becoming. Through the Savior’s Atonement and our sacred covenants, we are invited to participate in God’s work of loving and caring for His children one by The post Ministering— “That Ye Love One Another; as I Have Loved You” appeared first on FAIR.

Some Trust in Chariots by Autumn Dickson There are different kinds of scripture that reach us through different means. The Book of Mormon is filled with stories that teach us about the dealings of God with His children; it is also filled with sermons that teach doctrine. The Old Testament is likewise filled with stories The post Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Psalms 1–2; 8; 19–33; 40; 46 – Part 2 – Autumn Dickson appeared first on FAIR.

  Jennifer Roach Lees holds a Master in Divinity as well as a Masters in Counseling Psychology. She is a licensed mental health therapist and lives in Utah. The post Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Psalms 1–2; 8; 19–33; 40; 46 – Jennifer Roach Lees appeared first on FAIR.

How to Carry Christ With You by Autumn Dickson The Psalms are a book of poetry, and Hebrew poetry differs greatly from modern, Western poetry. Where our modern poetry focuses on sound, personal expression, and experimentation, Hebrew poetry focuses on thought, repetition, and theological truths. The psalms are prayers put to music. In Judaism, they The post Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Psalms 1–2; 8; 19–33; 40; 46 – Part 1 – Autumn Dickson appeared first on FAIR.

In her April 2026 General Conference address, President Emily Belle Freeman reminds us that spiritual growth rarely happens in a single defining moment. Using the Apostle Peter’s life as her guide, she shows that discipleship is built through repeated experiences with Jesus Christ—moments of revelation, courage, weakness, repentance, and ultimately enduring faith. Even our hardest The post Best Days and Worst Days appeared first on FAIR.

A Double Portion Promise by Autumn Dickson I love the tangible. I love when Christ takes vast, spiritual concepts and puts them into human parables that help us better understand. Even if those earthly parables are imperfect in comparison to God’s plans for His children, they help me grasp things more solidly. Biblical scholars argue whether The post Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Job 1–3; 12–14; 19; 21–24; 38–40; 42 – Part 2 – Autumn Dickson appeared first on FAIR.

  Jennifer Roach Lees holds a Master in Divinity as well as a Masters in Counseling Psychology. She is a licensed mental health therapist and lives in Utah. The post Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Job 1–3; 12–14; 19; 21–24; 38–40; 42 – Jennifer Roach Lees appeared first on FAIR.

FAIR is deeply saddened by the tragic passing of Chandler “Chuck” Hendry, host of Restored Truth. Chandler joined us at the FAIR Conference this past week, and on Thursday we had the privilege of spending time with him as he met with FAIR and fellow podcasters. His unexpected passing the following morning, as he returned The post In memory of Chandler “Chuck” Hendry appeared first on FAIR.

Integrity Under Pressure by Autumn Dickson Job is a profound biblical exploration of faith and loyalty to God. Job loved the Lord, and he stayed true to Him. In the midst of great tribulation as well as riches, Job kept himself close to the Lord. Here is a verse that tells us a bit about The post Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Job 1–3; 12–14; 19; 21–24; 38–40; 42 – Part 1 – Autumn Dickson appeared first on FAIR.

In his April 2026 General Conference address, Elder Thierry K. Mutombo taught that every covenant God invites us to make is motivated by His perfect love. Rather than imposing unnecessary rules, Heavenly Father gives commandments and covenants because He desires something infinitely greater for His children: an eternity of joy in His presence. Through his The post The Joy of a Covenant Relationship with God appeared first on FAIR.

Her Hidden Names by Autumn Dickson Esther’s story is one of courage. She is a remarkable woman who was placed in humble circumstances and rose to save her people. In a land that often looked down upon Jews, Esther’s heritage should have prevented her from being able to save her people. And yet, she rose The post Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Esther – Part 2 – Autumn Dickson appeared first on FAIR.

  Jennifer Roach Lees holds a Master in Divinity as well as a Masters in Counseling Psychology. She is a licensed mental health therapist and lives in Utah. The post Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Esther – Jennifer Roach Lees appeared first on FAIR.

Missing the FAIR Conference? 👀😢 Can’t Make It to Lehi? Watch FAIR’s Conference Live — Save with COLLAB26 FAIR’s Annual Conference — Apologetics 101: Back to Basics — kicks off this Wednesday, August 5th, (TOMORROW) at Thanksgiving Point Showbarn in Lehi, Utah, and runs through Friday, August 7th. Can’t join us in person? You don’t The post Can’t Make It to Lehi? Watch FAIR’s Conference Live appeared first on FAIR.

Mordecai as a Type of Heavenly Father by Autumn Dickson The book of Esther is generally well-known. A Jewish orphan finds herself in the harem of the king, and she becomes queen after winning his favor. A plot against the Jews unfolds, and all of them are going to be destroyed. At the peril of The post Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Esther – Part 1 – Autumn Dickson appeared first on FAIR.

In his April 2026 General Conference address, Elder Patrick Kearon taught that Church callings are much more than assignments to fill vacancies or keep a congregation functioning. They are inspired invitations to join Jesus Christ in His redeeming work while allowing Him to refine our own hearts through service. Looking back on his first calling The post About His Business  appeared first on FAIR.

Covenants, Gospel, and Protection by Autumn Dickson In the readings this week, we find three changes for the Jews under the kings in Persia. There were three men who helped with these changes. First, we have Zerubbabel, a Jewish governor who worked tirelessly to build the temple. Ezra 5:2 Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of The post Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Ezra 1; 3–7; Nehemiah 2; 4–6; 8– Part 2 – Autumn Dickson appeared first on FAIR.

  Jennifer Roach Lees holds a Master in Divinity as well as a Masters in Counseling Psychology. She is a licensed mental health therapist and lives in Utah. The post Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Ezra 1; 3–7; Nehemiah 2; 4–6; 8 – Jennifer Roach Lees appeared first on FAIR.

95 Years of Waiting by Autumn Dickson I’m going to give you a bit of a timeline to help you follow what is going on with these chapters. The bible is not chronological, and so it can get confusing. There are different names for the same people, and different names for the same ethnicity of The post Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Ezra 1; 3–7; Nehemiah 2; 4–6; 8– Part 1 – Autumn Dickson appeared first on FAIR.

In his April 2026 General Conference address, “Come Unto Christ—Together,” Elder Taniela B. Wakolo taught that God’s plan of salvation is ultimately about bringing His children to Christ and uniting families eternally. Drawing from scripture and personal experiences, he reminded listeners that the Lord works patiently with individuals and families, honoring agency while inviting all The post Come unto Christ—Together appeared first on FAIR.

There Is Something Special About Gathering Together. The countdown is on. In-person registration closes July 28. If you’ve been considering attending the FAIR Conference in person, this is your final opportunity to reserve your seat. Get your ticket here! Use Code COLLAB26 for 15% off! Yes, you can watch online—but there’s a reason so many attendees return The post 🚨FAIR Conference Ticket Sales Close July 28!!😨 appeared first on FAIR.

Turn Back to God by Autumn Dickson Time for another Old Testament story. Jehoshaphat is a king of Judah. He is a righteous king who worked on pushing the hearts of his people towards the Lord. He tears down idols. He seeks out the will of the Lord. He’s a good man, though imperfect at times. The post Come, Follow Me with FAIR – 2 Chronicles 14–20; 26; 30 – Part 2 – Autumn Dickson appeared first on FAIR.

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  Jennifer Roach Lees holds a Master in Divinity as well as a Masters in Counseling Psychology. She is a licensed mental health therapist and lives in Utah. The post Come, Follow Me with FAIR – 2 Chronicles 14–20; 26; 30 – Jennifer Roach Lees appeared first on FAIR.

God loves to make us work for it by Autumn Dickson Asa is one of the kings we read about this week. He was a king of Judah, the southern kingdom. He starts out his reign really strong, tearing down idol worship and deposing his own grandmother who worshipped idols. He encouraged people to seek The post Come, Follow Me with FAIR – 2 Chronicles 14–20; 26; 30 – Part 1 – Autumn Dickson appeared first on FAIR.

In his April 2026 General Conference address, “Glorying in Jesus Christ,” Elder Aaron T. Hall reflected on Nephi’s powerful declaration: “I glory in my Jesus.” He taught that true discipleship involves more than believing in Jesus Christ—it means coming to know Him personally through the many ways He acts in our lives. By understanding His The post Glorying in Jesus Christ appeared first on FAIR.

When You Have Nothing but God by Autumn Dickson This week, we find a righteous but imperfect man surrounded by legitimate reasons to be afraid. How do you respond when you’ve been backed into a corner? Let’s talk about how Hezekiah responded. Hezekiah was a righteous king especially when contrasted with his wicked father, Ahaz. The post Come, Follow Me with FAIR – 2 Kings 16–25 – Part 2 – Autumn Dickson appeared first on FAIR.

King Josiah inherited Judah during a time of spiritual decline and led a remarkable covenant renewal after rediscovering the Book of the Law. This episode explores the historical context, prophetic support, and lasting significance of his reforms. The post Come, Follow Me with FAIR – 2 Kings 16–25 – Jennifer Roach Lees appeared first on FAIR.

Hanging art of Jesus in your home does more than fill a wall.

Learning to Accept the Lord’s Consequences by Autumn Dickson For a few weeks, two of my kids were really struggling. They would fly off the handle at little provocations. I would ask them to do things, and they would throw a fit (or throw other things). It was beyond normal kid misbehavior. I still don’t The post Come, Follow Me with FAIR – 2 Kings 16–25 – Part 1 – Autumn Dickson appeared first on FAIR.

In his April 2026 General Conference address, “Keys, Covenants, and Easter,” Elder Quentin L. Cook connected the Savior’s Resurrection with one of the most significant events of the Restoration: the appearance of Jesus Christ, Moses, Elias, and Elijah in the Kirtland Temple. Elder Cook taught that the priesthood keys restored there are central to God’s The post Keys, Covenants, and Easter appeared first on FAIR.

The Eternal Significance of Seven by Autumn Dickson There are many patterns in the Old Testament. The story of Naaman, the Syrian, falls right in line with one of these patterns. Naaman was a Syrian captain. The Lord utilized Naaman to deliver Syria. He was a good man, but he was also a leper. A captured The post Come, Follow Me with FAIR – 2 Kings 2–7 – Part 2 – Autumn Dickson appeared first on FAIR.

  Jennifer Roach Lees holds a Master in Divinity as well as a Masters in Counseling Psychology. She is a licensed mental health therapist and lives in Utah. The post Come, Follow Me with FAIR – 2 Kings 2–7 – Jennifer Roach Lees appeared first on FAIR.

Faith to Ask; Faith to Accept by Autumn Dickson One of our people from this week’s readings is Elisha. He is the prophet who was called after Elijah. We don’t get many of his words or sermons, but we do get to read about many miracles. One of those miracles includes a Shunammite woman who took The post Come, Follow Me with FAIR – 2 Kings 2–7 – Part 1 – Autumn Dickson appeared first on FAIR.

In his April 2026 General Conference address, “I Will Give Away All My Sins to Know Thee,” Elder Wan-Liang Wu teaches that coming to know God is not merely a matter of belief—it requires faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, and a willingness to change. Through Christ, we can come to know our Heavenly Father and The post Giving Away Our Sins to Know God appeared first on FAIR.

Could this be a real photograph of Joseph Smith?

Scraping the Bottom of the Barrel by Autumn Dickson Do you ever feel like you’re desperately scraping at an empty barrel? Maybe it’s with physical resources to take care of your family, or maybe you feel emotionally or spiritually drained. Well this week holds a story that can give us the key to finding peace with The post Come, Follow Me with FAIR – 1 Kings 12–13; 17–22 – Part 2 – Autumn Dickson appeared first on FAIR.

  Jennifer Roach Lees holds a Master in Divinity as well as a Masters in Counseling Psychology. She is a licensed mental health therapist and lives in Utah. The post Come, Follow Me with FAIR – 1 Kings 12–13; 17–22 – Jennifer Roach Lees appeared first on FAIR.

The Deadly Lie of the Old Prophet by Autumn Dickson There are major themes throughout the stories we read in the Old Testament. Some of the more negative themes are idolatry, fear over losing power, disobedience, and corrupting influences. The Old Testament does not shy away from showing the fallibility of humankind. There is great The post Come, Follow Me with FAIR – 1 Kings 12–13; 17–22 – Part 1 – Autumn Dickson appeared first on FAIR.

In his April 2026 General Conference address, “Eternal Marriage Is an Eternal Journey,” Neil L. Andersen teaches that eternal marriage is not simply a sacred moment at the altar; it is a lifelong and eternal process of becoming more like Jesus Christ. While the wedding day is filled with hope and promise, the reality of The post Eternal Marriage Is an Eternal Journey  appeared first on FAIR.

Solomon’s Sword and Crazy Plans by Autumn Dickson This week, we get to learn a bit about Solomon’s reign. Solomon was known for his wisdom, a spiritual gift that was the direct result of a request he made as he was ascending the throne. The story of the two women and the baby is well-known and The post Come, Follow Me with FAIR – 2 Samuel 11–12; 1 Kings 3; 6–9; 11 – Part 2 – Autumn Dickson appeared first on FAIR.

  Jennifer Roach Lees holds a Master in Divinity as well as a Masters in Counseling Psychology. She is a licensed mental health therapist and lives in Utah. The post Come, Follow Me with FAIR – 2 Samuel 11–12; 1 Kings 3; 6–9; 11 – Jennifer Roach Lees appeared first on FAIR.

What Would You “Wish” For? by Autumn Dickson Solomon, David’s son, has become king. Very early on in his reign, Solomon has a dream in which the Lord appears to him. 1 Kings 3:5 In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee. The post Come, Follow Me with FAIR – 2 Samuel 11–12; 1 Kings 3; 6–9; 11 – Part 1 – Autumn Dickson appeared first on FAIR.

In his April 2026 General Conference address,“’Tis Eastertide: No One Walks Alone,” Gerrit W. Gong teaches that the resurrected Savior does not leave us to walk life’s roads alone—even when we may not recognize His presence. Drawing on the disciples’ journey to Emmaus, he invites us to see our own lives in that sacred pattern. The post No One Walks Alone  appeared first on FAIR.

David Fought Goliath Without Armor by Autumn Dickson In 1 Samuel 17, we read about one of the most famous stories in the Old Testament: David and Goliath. It’s an incredible story of faith that can teach us a lot about following Christ. The fact that David saved the Israelites was a big deal, but how he The post Come, Follow Me with FAIR – 1 Samuel 17–18; 24–26; 2 Samuel 5–7 – Part 2 – Autumn Dickson appeared first on FAIR.

  Jennifer Roach Lees holds a Master in Divinity as well as a Masters in Counseling Psychology. She is a licensed mental health therapist and lives in Utah. The post Come, Follow Me with FAIR – 1 Samuel 17–18; 24–26; 2 Samuel 5–7 – Jennifer Roach Lees appeared first on FAIR.

Correction Without Condemnation by Autumn Dickson David is one of our center characters this week as he rises to the throne and protects Israel. There are a lot famous stories this week, including the famous story of David and Goliath. However, I want to talk about a lesser studied portion of the Old Testament. It’s The post Come, Follow Me with FAIR – 1 Samuel 17–18; 24–26; 2 Samuel 5–7 – Part 1 – Autumn Dickson appeared first on FAIR.

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Have you seen the latest organizational chart from #GeneralConference?

The first time I stood in front of the Gates of Paradise at the BYU Museum of Art, I didn’t move. I couldn’t speak. A month before, I had come…

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The curriculum for gospel study this year is the Doctrine and Covenants. It is impossible to study the Doctrine and Covenants without studying church history. That can be problematic for some people who take issue with some things that happened in the past. If history is studied correctly, it can be a great learning tool.

When my family adopted a Siberian husky, a daily walk became part of my life. While the weather was warm, I enjoyed our jaunts in the park. But when the temperatures plummeted and the snow piled deep, I faced the walks with dread and usually returned home shivering. I was not equipped for lengthy outdoor

There are definitely some benefits to old age: Spending effort where it really matters, enjoying time with your grandkids, seeing your children overcome challenges and become the great people you hoped they would be. There are many other benefits I will tell you about in a minute.   Sometimes though, you have to watch amazing

It has been a tough year. My opinion is that it’s been more difficult not being able to attend church regularly than I ever expected!   I thought I would love not having to get ready for church meetings. I admit that holding sacrament meeting at home has been interesting. I enjoy holding the priesthood

I was recently reminded of this miracle where I heard and felt the Holy Ghost’s whisperings that I recorded in a journal entry.  During the pandemic, I’ve especially continued to look for the hand of God in my life.  This experience I recorded captures some of the angst, stress, and fear I felt during that

It’s finally 2021! For many weeks people have been saying that they were looking forward to saying good riddance to 2020. And in a lot of ways, they have a point. But I think 2020 brought us a lot of gifts along with the challenges, and I’d like to discuss that.   Pandemic   At

My Fear Bucket List For various reasons, I knew some fears festered in my psyche so I created a Fear Bucket List and set out to conquer my fears. I jumped off cliffs, swam with sharks, tried scary-looking foods, did a hike I didn’t think I could do, kept my nerve as I fought through

Can we really sing glory to God in the middle of a pandemic?   Discussing the birth of the Savior Jesus Christ and acknowledging appreciatively His life and mission among mankind seems natural this time of year, of course. But the carols we sing to the King last much longer than the month of December

“Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, . . . he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen after he was risen” (Mark 16:9-14.)   “Thomas, one of the twelve,

I grew up in many towns in the Midwest and back East. They were all different, but they had one thing in common. I was the only one in my grade at school who was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. So I was the only one with my set