My brother and I served missions at the same time, even overlapping our MTC stay. I served in Australia: a wealthy country with established peace and safety. Jacob served in a different part of the world where he was exposed to extreme poverty and to regular violence. One of his first letters home included this little description titled “Kids.” It hurts me. Every time I see one searching through the garbage, it hurts me. I walk through town and they greet me in English — children no more than nine. They want to talk to me, touch me, a mzungu. “Pesa?” they ask, only knowing that I represent a wealth…

I have been working my way through Jeffrey R. Holland’s book “Our Day Star Rising,” and a few weeks ago, I came across his commentary on Matthew 9:36-38: But when [Christ] saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto the disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. Like many of you, I have always read these verses as applicable to missionary work and missionaries in the traditional sense. But I loved how…

In thinking about the Church’s Light the World initiative, some recent personal experiences, this week’s GROW on compassion and empathy, and some stories and experiences of others I’ve seen recently, I’ve been struck by just how much good people do for each other. Are there struggles and hardship and moments of darkness? Yes. But there are also so many points of light shining through it. So many selfless acts and kind words and caring hearts that lift and bless and bring the light of Christ into the world. This past week, Elder Renlund shared a video talking about reopening temples. He said, in reference to proxy work in the temple,…