The article discusses how followers of Jesus Christ around the world celebrate His birth with displays of light, such as stars, candles, and twinkle lights. Elder David A. Bednar is quoted, emphasizing the role of Jesus Christ as the light in darkness. The article shares personal stories from individuals in Canada, Italy, Mexico, Brazil, Japan, and Vermont, illustrating how Christmas lights have a special meaning and bring joy, peace, and a reminder of the Savior's love. The lights serve as a symbol of hope and comfort during the festive season, and the tradition of lighting candles in windows is highlighted as a way to offer refuge and warmth to travelers. The article underscores the unifying aspect of Christmas lights in celebrating the Light of the World, Jesus Christ.

The article discusses the personal Christmas traditions of author Jason F. Wright and a family named Sommer. Jason Wright has a tradition of hanging reading glasses on his Christmas tree as a reminder to see others through a 'godly lens', an idea he calls 'Godly Glasses'. The Sommer family, after a failed attempt to launch a teddy bear company which left them in financial distress, started decorating their Christmas tree with teddy bears as a symbol of gratitude for the simple things in life despite their hardships. Both stories highlight how nontraditional ornaments can serve as reminders of the goodness of God and the true spirit of Christmas.

The article discusses the importance of studying the miracles of Jesus Christ to recognize miracles in our own lives and to strengthen our relationship with Him. Rob Ferrell, a young single adult stake president, found that focusing on the miracles of Jesus helped young adults with their testimonies and applying the doctrine of Jesus Christ in their lives. He encouraged them to study the miracles with three introspective questions. One young adult, initially wanting to leave the Church, changed her mind after studying the miracle of the man with palsy. Elder Carlos A. Godoy of the Seventy suggests that each miracle points to larger truths about God and His work. The article concludes by affirming that miracles continue to occur today and encourages personal study of Jesus's miracles to better understand and witness them in our lives.

The article discusses the importance of recognizing and nurturing the potential in young adults, using the metaphor of a golden Buddha statue that was discovered beneath a layer of stucco and glass after an accident. Robert Ferrell, a mission president in Lima, Peru, uses this story in his Seek course to emphasize the need to help young adults see their inherent worth. The article provides practical advice on how to connect with young adults through positivity, such as giving genuine compliments, identifying and pointing out their strengths, listening without judgment, and creating trust. It also includes personal anecdotes and references to religious figures to reinforce the message of valuing and trusting young adults to help them realize their potential.

The article discusses the importance of cultivating gratitude, especially in challenging times marked by wars, natural disasters, and political strife. The author acknowledges the difficulty in maintaining a grateful mindset amidst the barrage of negative news and the consumerist messages from advertisements and social media. Professional counselor and Brigham Young University professor Heather Johnson offers four strategies to foster gratitude in the home: focusing on the value of gratitude, giving credit to something larger than oneself, creating daily gratitude practices, and replacing comparison with joy. The article emphasizes that gratitude can lead to a more peaceful life and improve mental and physical well-being. It also highlights the role of gratitude in reducing negative emotions and enhancing personal growth. The author suggests starting with one gratitude practice and building upon it to create a sustainable habit.

The article discusses a Seek class taught by Yunga Webb, titled 'Learn Singing as Worship,' which aims to help individuals sing with more joy and confidence, regardless of their singing ability. Yunga Webb, a member of the musical Bonner family, emphasizes that singing is a form of worship and encourages participation in singing hymns during church services. She shares techniques for sight-singing and the importance of understanding hymn lyrics to enhance spiritual worship. The article also mentions the upcoming release of a new hymnbook, 'Hymns—for Home and Church,' and provides advice on how to approach new music. Kalo Latu, a piano teacher at BYU and the accompanist for Yunga's Seek course, suggests listening to recordings to become familiar with new hymns. The article underscores the idea that the act of singing in worship is more important than vocal perfection.

The article discusses a method for studying the messages from the general conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, emphasizing how it can be more than just a weekend event but a guide for six months. Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shares his personal study pattern, which includes focusing on doctrines and principles, invitations to act, and promised blessings. He uses this approach to apply the teachings of the prophets to his life. The article also references a Church News podcast interview with Elder Bednar and his Instagram post detailing his study method. The author of the article applies Elder Bednar's pattern to study Sister Bonnie H. Cordon's message and uses the Gospel Library app for note-taking. Elder Bednar highlights the importance of being tutored by the Holy Ghost through this study pattern.

Katie Cheesman, a nurse with a passion for geriatrics, has been inspired by her experiences with elderly patients to help others preserve their family histories through video recordings. She has created a course, Modern Genealogy: Filming Your Loved One’s Life History, which teaches people how to document their loved one's life stories. The course includes tips on preparation, interviewing, filming, editing, and storing videos. Katie provides a free questionnaire to facilitate the process. The article's author, a producer with Seek courses, shares their personal experience of filming their aunt using Katie's guidance and reflects on the emotional and connective power of video documentation. Katie emphasizes the importance of preserving memories and believes that listening to others' stories can foster empathy and compassion.

The article discusses a session from Deseret Book's 'Questions Worth Exploring' series, where BYU professor Barbara Morgan Gardner spoke on accessing power through temple covenants. Gardner, author of 'The Priesthood Power of Women', emphasizes that asking questions is a key part of spiritual growth, as stated by Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf. She explains that making covenants with God is essential to accessing priesthood power, which is not limited by gender or marital status. Gardner encourages personal study of the scriptures and words of living prophets to understand the powers obtained through the priesthood. She concludes by posing further reflective questions to guide individual contemplation and study. The full address by Gardner is available as a digital event recording from Deseret Book.

The article discusses the importance of following the Lord's prophets, as highlighted by Sheri Dew in her book 'Prophets See around Corners.' It emphasizes that prophets have the ability to see beyond what is immediately visible, providing guidance and wisdom that can change lives. The article offers a conversation guide designed to help individuals and families internalize the knowledge about prophets and their role today. This guide is structured into four sections, allowing for discussions to be spread over multiple days or completed in one sitting. The aim is to encourage ongoing conversations about the guidance of the Lord's prophets in homes and communities.

Adam Miller, author of 'Original Grace an Experiment in Restoration Thinking', spoke at Deseret Book's 'Questions Worth Exploring' event, discussing the concept of love as a divine commandment rather than a reward. He used the parable of the prodigal son to illustrate how love is often misunderstood as something to be earned, leading to feelings of shame and hopelessness. Miller argues that love should be seen as a constant, unconditional commandment, not contingent on one's actions. The article reflects on the author's personal experiences with this concept during their time as a missionary and how a correct understanding of love can lead to a more fulfilling life. Miller's full address will be available for download from Deseret Book.

Sister Reyna Aburto, formerly of the Relief Society General Presidency, addressed the issue of imposter syndrome in a recent event hosted by Deseret Book's 'Questions Worth Exploring' series. Imposter syndrome is the fear of being exposed as a fraud and can lead to feelings of isolation. Sister Aburto shared her personal experiences and related them to biblical figures like Peter, emphasizing that our worth is not determined by physical circumstances but by our intrinsic value as children of God. She offered five ways to combat imposter syndrome by focusing on spiritual gifts, relying on Jesus Christ's grace, and trusting in Heavenly Father. The message aimed to provide guidance and reassurance to those struggling with self-doubt, reminding them of their divine identity and purpose.

The article discusses the importance of a growth mindset for embracing change and learning from life's challenges. The author reflects on the shift from summer to fall as a time for renewal and the opportunity to pursue change differently from New Year's resolutions. Psychologist Carol Dwek's perspective on fixed versus growth mindsets is highlighted, emphasizing the value of the process over outcomes. Melinda Brown's Seek course on developing children's agency is mentioned, providing three growth mindset building blocks: viewing life as practice, approaching experiences as experiments, and focusing on patience, process, and progress rather than perfection. The author shares personal anecdotes to illustrate these concepts, such as her husband's teaching methods and her son's internship application process. The article concludes with a call to embrace problem-solving as a key aspect of growth, both in parenting and personal development.

The article discusses Deseret Book's 'Questions Worth Exploring' sessions, a series of events where speakers address complex questions related to faith and gospel. The third installment featured speakers Barbara Morgan Gardner, Adam S. Miller, and Reyna Aburto, with Laurel Day as the moderator. Topics such as accessing power through temple covenants, overcoming imposter syndrome, and understanding love as a commandment were covered. Attendees, including Elaine and Jamie, found the sessions enlightening and in line with their personal studies. The series aims to strengthen faith by engaging with challenging questions and encouraging further study. The article also previews the topics and speakers for the upcoming fourth session and reflects on the previous ones. Deseret Book plans to make the sessions available in various locations and offers video downloads of the events.

The author, Paige Sommer, reflects on her experiences after traveling for nine months across Asia and South America. She discusses the stark contrast between the comforts and privileges enjoyed in the United States and the poverty and hardships faced in other parts of the world. Sommer highlights the ignorance and disconnection of people in the U.S. from global suffering, and the superficial nature of their curiosity about her travels. She emphasizes the responsibility of the fortunate to acknowledge and assist those less lucky, and encourages self-education on global issues. The article serves as a call to action for greater compassion and awareness of the struggles faced by people in less developed regions.