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History Revisited

Filled to overflowing: The lasting impact of seeing the Church bring fresh water to communities in need
By Gerry Avant
The scriptures tell of the Savior's promise of living water. I witnessed how water brought physical, as well as spiritual, blessings to people in a village about 40 miles from Accra, Ghana.
Before Ghana's village of Katapor had access to fresh well water, boys hauled polluted water from a nearby river. In many parts of Africa, women and children walk long distances to bring water to their homes.
What it was like finishing President Hinckley's Book of Mormon challenge at Joseph Smith's birthplace
By Gerry Avant
Elder Russell M. Ballard and I walked and talked near the granite shaft at Sharon, Vermont, near Joseph Smith's birthplace. It was Dec. 23, 2005, the 200th anniversary of the Prophet's birth.
President Gordon B. Hinckley, left, and Elder M. Russell Ballard speak to members of the media during a press conference at the birthplace of Joseph Smith near Sharon, Vermont, Thursday, December 22, 2005. In a satellite broadcast on Dec. 23 from the Joseph Smith Birthplace Memorial Visitors Center, President Hinckley and Elder Ballard delivered addresses carried throughout the Church.
President Monson died 1 year ago today. Here's how his 'legacy of love' lives on
By Danielle Christensen
It's been one year since President Thomas Spencer Monson, 16th President of the Church, died on January 2, 2018, in his home in Salt Lake City. Here are a few highlights from his life.
President Thomas S. Monson’s casket is draped with flowers before the start of his funeral at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018.
Here's a quick timeline of when young men have been ordained to the priesthood over the years
By Sarah Jane Weaver
Ages for ordaining young men to priesthood offices are not “doctrinally mandated” and have varied throughout Church history, according to materials released by the Church. Following is a historical list of ages for priesthood ordination.
The First Presidency announced changes Dec. 14 to the timeline children and youth in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will complete Primary, move from one class or quorum to the next and attend the temple for the first time. The changes, effective January 2019, also impact when young men may be ordained to priesthood offices.
Why Franciscans in Bethlehem wanted the Tabernacle Choir to sing in Bethlehem's Shepherds' Fields
By Gerry Avant
I once stood in Shepherds' Field near Bethlehem and heard an angelic chorus singing of the Savior Jesus Christ. It was in 1993. I was covering the Tabernacle Choir on its tour to the Holy Land.
The Tabernacle Choir prepares to sing in Shepherds' Field during the filming of a documentary in January 1993.
What historians, scholars and Church members are saying about the Joseph Smith Papers on its 10th anniversary
By Trent Toone
Here's a look at how the award-winning Joseph Smith Papers project has given scholars and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints greater access to original sources for Joseph Smith's life and his teachings.
Shannon Kelly Jorgensen is a lead editor for the Joseph Smith Papers. She was photographed in her office while working on a forthcoming volume of the Joseph Smith Papers.
Elder Uchtdorf shares message during Volkstrauertag: A German national day of remembrance
By Marianne Holman Prescott
Elder Uchtdorf speaks during the Volkstrauertag event at Fort Douglas Military Cemetary in Salt Lake City on Nov. 18. The gathering pays tribute to German prisoners of war — and others — who are buried there.
Gov. Gary Herbert , Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, General Adjutant General of the Utah National Guard Jefferson Burton and James Burton salute after placing a wreath during the German Day of Remembrance (Volkstrauertag) at Fort Douglas Military Cemetery in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018.
Elvis Presley's copy of the Book of Mormon ain't nothin' but a forgery, Church history experts say
A copy of the Book of Mormon preserved in the historical collections of the Church for 30 years that was believed to be signed by Elvis Presley is a forgery.
This 1972 file photo shows Elvis Presley, the King of Rock 'n' Roll, during a performance. 
The 'electric' feeling when President Hinckley promised Fiji a temple
By Gerry Avant
Standing before some 5,000 Latter-day Saints in Fiji on an October afternoon in 1997, President Gordon B. Hinckley asked if they would like to see a temple built in the Pacific Island nation.
President Gordon B. Hinckley and his wife, Sister Marjorie P. Hinckley, enter National Stadium in Suva, Fiji, on Oct. 15, 1997. They are escorted by one of Fiji's first members of the Church, Joseph Sokia. Fiji was one of eight islands of the Pacific that President Hinckley visited on a week-long tour.
Music and the Spoken Word: Celebrating 100 years since the end of World War I
On the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, we remember not just those who fought but what they fought for.
In this March 24, 2017 file photo, a view of rows of crosses of American World War I soldiers at the Meuse-Argonne American cemetery in Romagne-sous-Montfaucon. It was America's largest and deadliest battle ever, with 26,000 U.S. soldiers killed and tens of thousands wounded. A hundred years ago, the Meuse-Argonne offensive contributed to bring an end to of World War 1.
The surprising connection between Napoleon Bonaparte, Egypt and the newest Joseph Smith Papers volume
By Trent Toone
If you ask Robin Jensen, there's one major thing that sets Joseph Smith apart from other 19th century historical figures.
This facsimile from the Book of Abraham is among the images found in "Revelations and Translations: Vol. 4" of the Joseph Smith Papers.
Egypt, papyri and manuscripts all part of the newest Joseph Smith Papers
By Scott Taylor
Volume 4 of the Joseph Smith Papers Project’s "Revelations and Translations" series — which focuses on the Book of Abraham and related documents — has been published and officially released Monday, Nov. 5.
This printing plate was used for publishing a facsimile from the Book of Abraham in the Times and Seasons in 1842. The image is among many found in "Revelations and Translations: Vol. 4" of the Joseph Smith Papers.
From the Vault: The 2 great principles of the gospel, according to Elder Marion D. Hanks
By Aubrey Eyre
On Sunday Oct. 4, 1992, Elder Hanks addressed the congregation of the Church over the pulpit at general conference and spoke of the nature of a God who is loves His children and is with them in in all things.
Marion D. Hanks speaks during the Sunday morning session of general conference on Sunday, Oct. 4, 1992.
Here's a snapshot of what it was like being friends with Sister Hinckley
By Gerry Avant
On assignments in the United States and several other countries, I had the opportunity to develop a special friendship with Sister Marjorie Pay Hinckley.
Sister Marjorie P. Hinckley, center, with a daughter, Kathleen H. Barnes (now Walker), at the dedication of the Accra Ghana Temple on Jan. 11, 2004, followed by President Gordon B. Hinckley and then-Elder Russell M. Nelson. Sister Hinckley missed April 2004 general conference due to illness and passed away two days later.
From the Vault: Sister Elaine S. Dalton's 'Arise and Shine Forth'
By Danielle Christensen
Modesty has to do with more than dress and appearance, said Sister Elaine S. Dalton during her 2004 BYU Women’s Conference address. It is also includes actions, speech, thoughts, desires and a condition of the heart.
Elaine Dalton, Young Women general president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, at Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah.
What general conference looked like over 100 years ago and how it's changed
By Valerie Johnson
What did general conference look like 50 years ago? 100 years ago? This semiannual tradition of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has seen many changes over the years ever since a group of 27 Church members gathered in June of 1830.
Crowds gather for General Conference in April of 1911. Note the sign above the entrance to Temple Square "Beware of Pickpockets" The old Deseret News building is seen across the street. Deseret News Archives
A look back at the vital role of women's voices during general conference
By Marianne Holman Prescott
With the general women’s session of conference to be held on the evening of Oct. 6 during the former priesthood session spot, women around the world are looking forward to gathering together to hear from their auxiliary leaders.
A painting of Lucy Mack Smith by Sutcliffe Maudsley was on display at the Church History Library for an exhibit featuring artifacts and documents from Relief Society History in the days leading up to and during general conference in September and October 2001.
Elder Renlund and Elder Cook on why 'Saints' is for you
By Trent Toone
Standing near a display of foreign-language copies of the new history book, "Saints: The Standard of Truth," two members of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints responded to the question of "why?"
Elder Dale G. Renlund and Elder Quentin L. Cook, members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, look over different language editions of "Saints: The Standard of Truth," in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018.
How 'Jane and Emma' film puts racial tensions, Church history in the spotlight like never before
By Aubrey Eyre
The new "Jane and Emma" movie portrays one of the most powerful and unexpected friendships in Church history.
Actresses Danielle Deadwyler who plays Jane Manning James and Emily Goss who plays Emma Smith in "Jane and Emma."
From the Vault: Bishop J. Richard Clarke's 'The Value of Work'
By Aubrey Eyre
“Work is a blessing from God,” Bishop J. Richard Clarke said as he shared stories and examples of the importance of hard work in God’s eternal plan for progression in his April 1982 general conference address.
Screenshot from LDS.org of Bishop J. Richard Clarke from general conference in April 1982.
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