The Church of Joy: Little Things to Foster Connection and Belonging
FEATURES
- You Mormons Are Ignoramuses: Appreciating the Restoration Doctrine That Adam and Eve “Fell Up” by H. Craig Petersen
- Shamar: What It Means to “Keep” the Commandments in Hebrew by Steve Densley, Jr.
- Currents: Marie Osmond on Alan Osmond’s Death; Most of the Cast of “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives: Orange County” Are Not Members; Radical Left Podcaster Justifies Murder and Looting; and More by Meridian Magazine
- When Symbols Become Idols: Remembering What Points Us to Christ by Spencer Anderson
- Why the Fertile Crescent Matters: A Map That Unlocks the Bible’s Geography and History by Daniel C. Peterson
- Finishing Exodus, Furnishing a Home – Why Exodus Ends with Upholstery by Patrick D. Degn
- The Secret Life of Trees—and What It Teaches Us About Zion by Paul Bishop
- A Country Doctor’s Healing Encounters with the Hereafter by Daniel C. Peterson
- Becoming Brigham, Episode 14 — The Prophet’s Shadow by The Interpreter Foundation
- How Has Retention Changed over Time? by Deseret News
















Comments | Return to Story
Steve DoneganOctober 29, 2024
I used to send postcards to speakers in our sacrament meetings. They would thank the speaker for their topic, then something they’d said would be mentioned. It would end with encouragement to keep speaking out from their heart. I now sit in the foyer due to my Eternal Companion’s illness and can’t hear the speakers well enough to write a card. I miss it…
Corey D.October 23, 2024
Some years ago our ward boundary took in half of a large mobile home park and unfortunately the kids that lived there went to different schools than most of the kids in the ward. I family moved in and they had a number of teenagers, unfortunately they were not welcomed very well. The youngest daughter in this family got called into one of the young women class presidency's, very nice girl, somewhat shy. The subject of youth council one Sunday was how can we be more inviting, more friendly, more accepting (there had been an incident where one of the youth in the ward had used the phrase trailer trash with one of the children in this family), to this day I will never forget the quiet, simple comment this girl made, she said, "just saying hello can mean a lot to a teenager".
MichelleOctober 22, 2024
This is an excellent article! Makes me think about the YW recently being asked to be door greeters before sacrament meeting each Sunday. It's important for ward members and visitors to feel seen and welcomed each week. On the flip side, it's so important for ward members to make the YW feel at ease as they attempt to greet people each week--the YW in our ward are very uncomfortable being greeters and stepping out of their comfort zones. Ward members that initiate a handshake or conversation at the door means so much to these girls and takes some of the pressure off.
KA MillerOctober 22, 2024
I really appreciated the suggested actions in this article, and I plan to incorporate them, and to share them with others.
KathleenOctober 22, 2024
Out of small things proceedeth that which is great. Never suppress an opportunity to love, encourage or serve kindness. Thank you for some helpful reminders. We can all improve.
Jenny SvendsenOctober 21, 2024
Thank you so much for this eye opening article, we have such wonderful loving members in our Branch of about 30 attending members, and everyone seems to make sure we are all made welcome and loved
JuliannOctober 21, 2024
Thank you so much for an excellent article. I struggle to attend a ward I’ve belonged to for 40 years. Your recognition of the whys and your encouragement to be the light in someone else’s darkness has given me renewed determination to keep trying. I just sent a thank you to last week’s RS teacher commending her for how she welcomed and appreciated comments during her lesson.
MaryKaren SolomonOctober 21, 2024
these are beautiful points. If only we could all follow them, each in our own way, our sacrament meetings would become a festival of joy.
JohnsonOctober 21, 2024
Amen to this awesome and amazing article..... I'm bullied in my ward and want out but the church has insisted on me staying.... facing my bully each week. It's extremely difficult to feel the Spirit.
ADD A COMMENT