“Let us follow Jesus Christ’s invitation to bring ourselves and our afflictions to Him. When we come to Him and bring those we love to Him, He sees our faith. He will make them whole, and He will make us whole.” —@reynaiaburto, general conference, Apr. 2022 Art: "The Gate" used with permission from the artist Jenedy Paige

The Book of Mormon teaches us to “mourn with those that mourn” (Mosiah 18:9) as Jesus Christ did. He lifted up the brokenhearted and wept with those who grieved. Here’s how we can do the same.

“The Lord expects us to teach that inclusion is a positive means toward unity and that exclusion leads to division.” —Elder @garyestevenson, general conference, Apr. 2021 How has someone in your church community helped you feel included? Tell us in the comments.

One year ago, leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints joined representatives from @naacp and the @uncf to announce three educational and humanitarian initiatives to benefit the Black community.   This #Juneteenth, we take the opportunity to provide an update on how these efforts are blessing the lives of God’s children.   “These efforts represent an ongoing desire of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to teach and live the two great commandments — to love God and neighbor.” — President @russellmnelson   See the link in bio for more about this important initiative.

“Seventeen years ago, I became a father when my wife, Bri, and I welcomed our son into this world. When I saw him, I felt overwhelmed. In an instant, my priorities shifted to helping him grow, learn, and become a kind, respectful, caring, and loving son of God. Since then, our family has grown, with each new child bringing me a renewed focus to be a better father.   “As a father, I am responsible for teaching my children about the gospel and our ancestors. This is why in America I teach my kids about Juneteenth. For 246 years, my ancestors were enslaved merely because of the color of their skin. I’m reminded of President @russellmnelson’s thoughts on this: ‘I assure you that your standing before God is not determined by the color of your skin. Favor or disfavor with God is dependent on your devotion to God and His commandments and not the color of your skin’ (“Let God Prevail,” general conference, Oct. 2020). I know through the Atonement of Jesus Christ my ancestors’ pains and hardships have been eased by His ultimate sacrifice.   “I have an unwavering belief in and love for my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. It has motivated me as a father and son of God to teach and to example for my kids that no matter where we live we must be kind, loving, respectful, and helpful. By so doing and through our agency, I believe no matter where we live we can be the hands of the Lord in lifting those around us regardless of religion, beliefs, ethnicity, or gender.” —Ronell Join Ronell’s family in our stories as they takeover and share their day with us!

“Fatherhood is rewarding, but there’s also new challenges every day. As your kids are growing, you’re growing right with them. Everybody thinks they know a lot. But you have to humble yourself a little bit and ask yourself, “What are you trying to teach me?” Sometimes as a parent, you have to be quiet and observe. God does the same thing with us. We make our mistakes, and He sits back and observes. “We aren’t perfect either; parents make mistakes. My father wasn’t present when I was a child, but his story isn’t my story. What you think fatherhood is before you become a father I think is a misconception. Once you’re a father, you start to understand that you don’t know as much as you thought you knew. Not only about your kids but about yourself as well. Parenthood is an undertaking and something you really have to work on every day. Even though you’re grown, you have to understand that you’re progressing just as much as your kids are. “Christ’s disciples were all so different, just like your kids. Christ observed his disciples and saw their flaw and what would be their strength. You’re teaching your kids just like Christ taught his disciples to do the proper thing. It’s not an easy job! “Church is a good place to be grounded. Putting God first is the whole thing. If you don’t know the commandments, you can’t follow them. You have to know them. You have to practice it. You have to actively seek that change every day. This is what we do when we go to church every week—we’re actively looking for change. We are trying to figure out what we need to do to become better people, to become more like God, our perfect Heavenly Father.” —Rolando

“It’s an inexplicable feeling when you hold your tiny, fragile, and pure baby for the first time, knowing she, my newborn Sophie, had just come from Heavenly Father’s presence. As she learns and grows, I am humbled to teach and learn alongside her as her father. “She is now three years old, and she makes our home happier and encourages me to be better every day. “A few weeks ago, I picked her up from school. We talked about what she learned that day, I asked her where she wanted to go, and Sophie answered, “I want to go to church.” I asked her why, and she said, “Because you always go there!” How happy I was to know that she wanted to be with me at church! I love being a father! And it’s an honor to have the same title as our Heavenly Father. I’m grateful to know that the same way I love my daughters is how our Heavenly Father loves me.” —Daniel

The Savior speaks to us in ways we will understand. He may speak to us in a variety of ways over the course of our lives. There have been only a few occasions in which I have heard a voice in my head utter specific words. That kind of experience is unusual for me. Most often, I have a thought which blossoms into a calm assurance that I am doing what the Lord wants me to do. It is a lifelong pursuit to identify how He speaks to us personally. How do you #HearHim?

Last week, we asked our followers to share a time when someone in their church community showed kindness. Here’s what a few of them had to say. Tap the link in our bio to learn more about creating a culture of inclusion at church.

“My husband and I were living in different countries for a few years while he was finishing medical school. In 2019, I had the strongest feeling that I needed to move my family to be in Ghana with my husband. I had been pondering, and it took a lot of consideration to make that decision. I had worked so hard for the job I had, and it was a difficult decision to make. But I just had the strongest feeling that we needed to leave. Those around me questioned what I was doing. Then, when the pandemic started, I knew why we needed to leave so we could be together. I know Heavenly Father gives mothers revelation to do what’s best for their children and their families. Now I know if I hear His voice again, I know not to doubt. “Sometimes I physically hear the voice of the Spirit, loud and clear. I’ve felt it in my life through different warnings and promptings. Sometimes it’s a battle, wondering if it’s Heavenly Father telling me or just my thoughts. “If you sincerely ask, God will tell you. He does not want ill for you. After two or three times when I’ve heard his voice and thought, ‘It couldn’t be true; it couldn’t be Him,’ I’ve learned that His voice makes sense. When you start to doubt, the devil gets a chance to creep in. I know if I hear His voice again, whether it be an actual physical feeling of a voice or if I feel it in the depths of my soul, I know not to doubt it again.” —Gifty Share with us a time when you received a specific message from God. #HearHim

In @thebookofmormon we read that as followers of Jesus Christ, we promise to “mourn with those that mourn” (Mosiah 18:9). There will be moments when we see clear ways to help someone or with something. However, many times mourning with those that mourn does not mean having the right answer to a question or giving a person the perfect resource. Many times, mourning with those that mourn involves listening, waiting, and seeking to understand. Many challenges are ongoing and there are no quick solutions. While complicated, we must remember our promise to always help those in need. This can be as simple as a prayer, but like faith it also requires action. “Giving help to others—making a conscientious effort to care about others as much or more than we care about ourselves—is our joy. Especially, I might add, when it is not convenient and when it takes us out of our comfort zone. Living that second great commandment is the key to becoming a true disciple of Jesus Christ.” —President @russellmnelson (“The Second Great Commandment,” general conference, Oct. 2019) Artwork: “Resting On Hands of Those Who Came Before,” used with permission from the artist, Caitlin Connolly

“A few years ago, I knelt to pray for the first time in my life. Earlier that day, I had had my first meeting with the missionaries, and they shared the message of the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ and gifted me a Book of Mormon. “Presented with my first opportunity to ask my Heavenly Father any question at all, I didn’t ask if any of what I had heard or read was true. Instead, I begged Heavenly Father to bless me with the desire to know that what the missionaries were telling me was true. And through that prayer, I was led to the truth—that the gospel and Church of Jesus Christ really had been restored to the earth again. “Regardless of when we joined the Church of Jesus Christ, it’s likely we have had questions or inklings of doubts that have interfered with our ability to access that power of faith. But questions don’t have to limit our faith. “Questions can become wonderful spiritual building blocks that strengthen our testimonies if we embrace them as opportunities to deepen and exercise our faith.” - Claire See the link in our bio to read the five steps Claire took to help give her faith the benefit of the doubt in the face of questions. What helps you when you have questions?