By Leigh Dethman
It was a rainy, lackluster Sunday, December 2, 1979, when a gregarious Apostle of God with his long and purposeful stride entered the dreary Dresden hospital in the German Democratic Republic. The moment was quintessential Thomas S. Monson. Following a prompting, he had flown more than 5,200 miles and crossed behind the Iron Curtain at Checkpoint Charlie for one purpose – to give Inge Burkhardt a blessing.

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By Heather B. Moore
“Don’t you dare step into that Mormon church. You will go to [bleep]!” Carole’s mother had said more than once.

The sentence didn’t need to be finished for my good friend, Carole. She was Catholic and I was Mormon. Yet, we’d become the best of neighbors in a small apartment community in sunny Southern California.

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By Danielle Ellis
Church members in the Las Vegas area have been taking more responsibility for weekly building maintenance for several years, but the transition will be complete on August 1, 2010. On that date, the Church Facilities Management will officially turn over all weekly cleaning responsibilities to the members. Weekly housekeeping includes cleaning bathrooms, wiping doors and glass, sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, trash removal, etc.

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By Leslie Albrecht Huber
In July, many of us turn our thoughts to the pioneers who made their way to Utah during the mid-1800s. When we think of these pioneers, we imagine their journey beginning in Nauvoo, Illinois. But for many of the Utah-bound pioneers, the journey started long before they ever took a step beside a covered wagon. Many had already been traveling for months and for thousands of miles. For thousands of early LDS converts, the journey to Zion began in Western Europe. One of these immigrants was my great-great-great-grandmother, Kerstina Nilsdotter.

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By Danielle Ellis
For anyone interested in going to college, there are plenty of questions. Which classes should I take now? Where should I apply? How do I pick a major? How do I choose a career? Should I go to a big university or a small college? Is it even worth going to college now?

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