I find it interesting that antagonists will latch onto President Nelson's council to begin using the correct name of the Lord's Church, citing the words of Pres. Monson and Pres. Hinkley as contradictions.

"a vICtOry FOr sAtAN!"

This is a similar stumbling block for members that struggle with the Word of Wisdom and claim 'original intent'. Apparently, we need to go back to avoiding pork or even vegetarianism, for uh, 'original intent'.

Both of these examples and many more, highlight a fundamental misunderstanding of living prophets, their purpose, and how God spiritually guides them, then sustains them in through their choices. Some of that is our own fault in trying to attribute specific reasons to God's command.

Elder Oaks has touched on the principle before,

It’s not the pattern of the Lord to give reasons. We [mortals] can put reasons to revelation. We can put reasons to commandments. When we do, we’re on our own.... The reasons turn out to be man-made to a great extent”

It is completely fine for President Hinkley to feel guided to tell us to embrace the nickname 'Mormon' (for a time) and then President Nelson to now say that he feels guided to tell us it is time to move on. (It is also fine if President Nelson disagreed in the past as an Apostle, as he still sustained the prophet of God in his stewardship.) I am grateful God is willing to work with us on our level, according to our individual strengths and weaknesses.

Beyond the above, it is becoming revelatory why we must move on from the nickname unto a more distinct representation of members of Christ's Church. Fields of academics, history, and scholarship are using 'Mormonism' as an umbrella term from which we are distinct.

1. Just the other day I came across a group of 'Mormons' that have set up their own belief system that they want separated from anything physical(?). So, no chapels, temples, tithing, etc. They call themselves Mormons; we are not them.
2. Another would be 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' who have argued, 'We are still Mormon, whether you like it or not,' in the face of the Church stating that "[these shows] do not fairly or fully reflect the lives of our Church members..."

Again, They Call Themselves Mormons; We Are Not Them

I have recently started going blind. This has pushed me towards religion and the church of latter-day saint (sorry if that's misspelled). I got a book of Mormon and 3 chapters into Nephi I'm really struggling to read it. Does anyone know of any audio books I can listen to? I just want to know the gospel as I start attending my local church and it would just be A LOT easier on me if it was an audio book.

I just finished Mistborn Era 1, specifically The Hero of Ages, for the second time and I just love Sazed's character arc. I thoroughly enjoyed reading him work through the growth of his faith and hope.

The story spends a good chunk of time highlighting the struggle and pitfalls of a particular stage in growing in faithfulness, that of having to juxtapose the ideal (an innocent faith) and the real (a fallen world).

The result is Sazed actively choosing to believe regardless of him not yet having all the answers.

Just as belief is a choice, so is doubt. When we choose to doubt, we choose to be acted upon, yielding power to the adversary, thereby leaving us weak and vulnerable. (Elder Sean Douglas of the Seventy, O:21)

Hello,

new to everything LDS but very interested, where I live is extremely remote in the middle of Australia. The nearest LDS church/ward is almost a 4 hour drive away, and I don't even have a drivers license. I couldn't find anything about virtual zoom sunday services, aside from them happening when covid was around.

I need some advice. My ex husband and I were married for 24 years and recently divorced this month. He was unhappy in the marriage and also cheated on me and is now dating this woman. I am wondering if anyone has dealt with this in their own life or can offer some advice. I am considering having our sealing cancelled. I won't get into it, but with how I was treated in the marriage and in the last year. Also if he ended up married to her I don't want to be a part of that. I don't believe I want to be sealed to him anymore and I am praying about it, but I'm just not sure what to do.

Most of all I love Christ and the Lord ❤️ that is all ❤️

Hey everyone. I’m not a member, but have been going to church on and off for over 20 years.

My wife is LDS, my 11 year old has been baptized as well. And my 6 year old will as well.

I didn’t grow up religious, I never felt I needed god and Jesus in my life everyday, but I like the church and the community it provides. Wasn’t sure what a testimony looked like. Closest I’ve been was when my oldest was born it was a long crazy birth one for the books.

My wife has never pressured me to get baptized. When we met I’ve always felt we would always be together after death especially since my family grandfathers etc who were not members of course.

With all the craziness around in the world, I feel the church is more important than ever to help provide a positive guiding light. And I want that for my boys. I’ve also been struggling with depression this year from high stress job.

I’m a good person, I help others any chance I get. Good husband , love being a dad. My kids will ask me sometimes when will I get baptized…and even tho my wife doesn’t pressure me to do it sometimes I want to do it for her so we get sealed. One thing that has held me back from taking the plunge is I like to socially drink. Having a drink with friends. Glass of wine, my friend and I like wine tasting in Napa etc. and I think alcohol is for sure more strict in getting baptized or going to the temple vs like soda.

Also I’ve recently been sad because my wife received her endowment, so even tho I’ve had this logical thought we would always been together and she told me we would. It can’t be 100% what she believes especially now since Receiving her endowment. And now she will go to the celestial kingdom and I won’t.

Any thoughts or advice.

I have accepted a calling to become a Sunday School President. Anyone that is or were a SSP is there any words of advice or tips that can help me and my ward? I am studying the manual this week to get myself more prepped for the calling. I was told that this assignment isn’t that difficult from the bishop.

They refused to work on Sundaes!!!

That is it. Thank you. No need to applaud

Update: reason why they fired him is because it’s really busy, it’s literally nuts on sundaes!!!

Another Update: did you know the word of wisdom is in the New Testament!! Paul wrote a whole book on coffee.

Hebrews it!!!

Okay stole the last one from Chat GPT lol

This is a hard thing for me to ask. I am coming back to church after escaping an abusive friendship. I lived with the abuser and just moved. I am looking to get back to full activity in church and it is a work in progress but I want to know what are a few talks, scriptures, or other things I should read to come closer to our Heavenly Father and his Son, Jesus Christ.

I also would love if anyone has any advice on things I should do and how I should go about coming back to full activity with other members in my branch/ward.

Also if you have any guidance on how to overcome some struggles in my life, like living alone, debt, and much else. I would appreciate anything at this time.

Love to all. Sorry if this seems off for an LDS post just want to do what I can to be a part of Gods church on this earth and I want to be a part of all that our Savior offers. Thank you all for reading this and for anything that you say here.

Hey-o! My friend is headed on a mission soon. I wanted to send her off with a book that touches on common talking points and arguments from anit/ex Mormons. She's wanted to read one but doesn't know where to start. Any recommendations? TiA!!

Greetings great internet denizens and fellow Children of God. I was assigned a somewhat last minute talk for this coming Sunday with the topic being “Love is Spoken Here.”

So far my thoughts and impressions have leaned towards “love your enemy” (the realization of which may have been one purpose for being inspired to post here). I would like to seek out other perspectives as well.

What comes to mind for “Love is Spoken Here?” Scriptures, talks, and anecdotes are all welcome.

Hi everyone,

My husband and I currently have 2 shared callings. One a weekday calling, and a calling as primary teachers, and it’s been something we both genuinely enjoy doing together. I struggle a lot with mental health and in turn at times, my testimony, so being with him at church has been a comforting and grounding experience.

Last week, my husband was asked to serve in Elders Quorum which means he’ll be released from primary and I’ll be teaching with another sister in the ward. I’ll still get to be with him for our other calling during the week, but this new change brings me a lot of anxiety. The thought of teaching with someone else fills me with actual dread and makes me feel like avoiding church.

I’m trying to work on my mental health and anxiety, including going to therapy, but I worry that this change will make things harder for me right now. Do you think it would be okay to ask to be released? And if so, what’s the best way to go about it? Should I text the bishop, or ask for a meeting in person? I really don’t want to seem like I’m just trying to dodge the calling, and it feels hard to express these feelings, I feel like such a dramatic baby… but any advice or similar experiences would be helpful.

I find it funny that I keep getting an AD to sign up to meet with the Missionaries. I love seeing missionaries and feeding them (I'm feeding two lovely gals tomorrow). However, whenever I see this AD, I think, "Yes, love, this is great, but I am already a member and have a Book of Mormon."

Better than most AD to be fair.

https://preview.redd.it/lht6t7b8iuwd1.jpg?width=1129&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=981e09fe7157c1dba25c6944946310c1d6d9298e

Hi I am a plus size lady who wears a 4-5 x top and dresses. The Garments I have that I was measured for at the Dallas Temple are a 1x and they are too small so I was trying to get a idea of what others may wear so I can order the correct size. I have the Carnessa style at the moment and they cut into my under arms and left a extremely bad yeast infection according to the Dr.

I’m curious about the position of the LDS Church regarding the State of Israel as a Jewish state.

1.	Does the Church have an official stance on Israel?
2.	Is there a Zionist movement within the LDS Church, similar to Christian Zionism?
3.	How does the Church view Jewish people?

For context I’m not a member of the LDS Church, i’m Jewish. I am just curious and as a European I find the LDS church especially very interesting :)

Hi everyone, first post here.

I currently work for the Church through a third party contractor in the IT field.

I work with this project for 3.5 years, and was wondering if there was any chance, as a non-member of the church, to be hired directly.

Everyone I work with enjoys my work, but I am afraid to talk about this and be fired from my third party company. That is why this is a throwaway account.

Thank you all,

I wish I was more like Father Greg Boyle.

A priest who has dedicated his life to helping gang members change their lives.

Instead I am closer to DMX

A man of God who prayed every album and yet constantly rapped about gangs, violence, drugs, and sex. He struggled everyday trying to change his own life until his death.

I have to remember though.

It’s not about where I am now, it’s not about where I was, it’s not even about where I end up in life.

God loves effort.

I truly believe God knows our heart and loves seeing us try even if we fail in end

How did you gain your testimony of Jesus? Was it a single point in time? Was it over a period of time? Did you simply just grow up with it? What experience or feeling gave the testimony? Please share your thoughts and experiences.

(Research for my upcoming EQ lesson)

The Apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans is a profound exploration of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and nowhere is this clearer than in Romans 1–8. One principle that stood out to me in this week’s study is found in Romans 5:1: “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” This verse teaches that justification—being declared righteous in the sight of God—is not based on our own works, but is a result of faith in Jesus Christ.

Context of Justification in Romans

Paul opens his letter by addressing both Jewish and Gentile Christians in Rome, emphasizing that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). He establishes that no one is inherently righteous and that justification cannot come through the law alone. This would have been a radical teaching for his audience, especially for those who placed great emphasis on the Mosaic law. Paul shifts the focus from external observance to internal faith, highlighting that righteousness is a gift from God through the atonement of Jesus Christ. “For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law” (Romans 3:28).

The concept of being justified by faith brings immense freedom. It suggests that we are no longer under the weight of condemnation or endless striving to prove our worthiness. Instead, we are invited to rest in the peace that comes from knowing we are accepted by God because of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice. This doesn’t mean our actions are irrelevant—Paul makes it clear that grace is not a license to sin (Romans 6:1-2). Rather, our good works are a natural outgrowth of a heart transformed by grace, driven by gratitude rather than obligation.

The Transformative Power of Peace

In Romans 8, Paul continues this theme, explaining how living by the Spirit transforms us: “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:16-17). The peace we experience through justification by faith is not merely a psychological comfort; it’s a spiritual reality that redefines our identity. We are no longer bound by the limitations of the flesh but are invited to walk in newness of life through the Spirit (Romans 6:4). This peace is not an absence of trials, but a confidence that "nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:39).

Practical Application and Personal Reflection

Embracing this principle has been transformative in my own life. I used to feel immense pressure to "get it right" in all aspects of my spiritual journey, from daily scripture study to living the commandments with exactness. While striving for goodness is important, I’ve learned that perfection is not the prerequisite for God’s love—it’s faith. Accepting this truth has freed me from the anxiety of constantly feeling inadequate. Now, I approach repentance and growth with hope rather than dread, knowing that God’s grace is sufficient for my weaknesses (2 Corinthians 12:9).

I’m reminded of Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s powerful statement: “Salvation cannot be bought with the currency of obedience; it is purchased by the blood of the Son of God” (“The Gift of Grace,” April 2015 General Conference). This teaching aligns perfectly with Paul’s message in Romans. Obedience, then, is not about earning God’s favor, but about demonstrating our love and gratitude for the Savior’s infinite atonement.

Invitation for Reflection

How does the principle of justification by faith change your perspective on spiritual growth? Have you experienced moments when God’s grace brought peace amid feelings of inadequacy or failure? What role does the Spirit play in helping you live out the gospel with authenticity rather than perfectionism? I’d love to hear your insights, testimonies, or personal experiences in the comments below.

As we reflect on Paul’s words, may we all find renewed hope in the Savior’s grace, embracing a faith that is both liberating and life-changing.

Hi! I was asked to speak this Sunday and am wondering what is the most appropriate way to handle this with my 4 month old. My husband is in the bishopric and so he sits on the stand. Is it alright for me not to sit on the stand and instead sit in a pew with my 4 month old baby? And, what should I do when it’s time to speak. Would it be too distracting to hold my baby while I give my talk? Or, would it be more appropriate to hand her off to my husband who will be sitting on the stand? If my baby is sleeping I would keep her in the car seat for a nap, but the past many weeks she’s been wide awake during sacrament meeting and not happy sitting in her car seat.