The other day, while filling up my Honda at a gas station, I noticed a large, burly man in a beat-up pick-up truck a few fueling stations away. Out of the corner of my eye, I watched him grab a paper towel and the window squeegee and start walking over to my car. I was the only other car at the station, and I was a little nervous as he drew nearer, intimidated by his size.

I was opening my car door to get in and lock-up, when I heard his gruff voice say, "Excuse me." Halfway into my car, I turned my head to look at him as he began to speak.

Today's marriage-related Miracle Monday is the story of Sister Donna Repcheck. It shows how God writes the perfect love story.

Many years ago, I said a small prayer asking the Lord that if there was someone out there for me, that He would put him in my path. I used to be quite shy in larger groups and uncomfortable starting conversation, so i knew it wouldn't be easy finding a mate.

Today's Good Word is Brother Saul Arellano's favorite scripture. Brother Saul is a young person from Tijuana, Mexico. He's thankful for this opportunity to share God's Word and His blessings.

Share Your Favorite Scripture

Send us your favorite scripture from the Bible or the Book of Mormon, and we'll turn it into our next Good Word!

What are Gospel Lessons? Read the first one here!

Today's reading: 1 Samuel 17

"And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine." (1 Samuel 17:40)

Today's lesson really isn't so much about metaphor itself as it is an examination of what the rock in this story stands for. Some of us have heard the story of David and Goliath since we were young. David has recently (and secretly) been anointed King of Israel. Still tending his family's flocks, his father sends him to deliver food to his three older brothers who are soldiers in Israel's army, which is in battle against the Philistines.

Have you ever wanted to do more spiritually? When I felt this way, a chapter in the Book of Mormon came to mind: Alma 29.

Alma starts by saying he wishes he were an angel so that he can speak with the trump of God and cry repentance unto all people. His goal is that they'd repent and be redeemed so that sorrow could cease.

Recently, my family and I attended a wedding reception. As often happens now when people get together for occasions at which everyone looks nice, cell phone cameras popped out to take pictures of various groups of people — two in this picture, three in that one, etc. Of course, after each picture is taken, everyone has to see it to make sure they look good. If you'd overheard the conversation at our table, it would've gone something like this:

One of the people (OK, one of the girls) in the photo with me: "I don't like the expression on my face — take it again."

Today's marriage-related Miracle Monday is from Brother Kevin Murphy. As your Gospel Blog editor can personally attest, the inability to conceive a child with your beloved spouse is exquisitely painful, but it doesn't mean that God isn't in control. Read about His beautiful plan for the Murphys.

I pray this is an encouragement to anyone trying to have a child. My wife, Stacy, and I were trying so hard to have a child. It seemed like it wasn't going to happen. I thought perhaps it was due to the fact that I was much older than she (11 years). We certainly made it a matter of prayer as often as we found ourselves on our knees.

This week's memory verse comes from yesterday's first Gospel Lesson by guest teacher Brother Ben Hemmings. He's teaching a series of lessons that explore the metaphor of rocks in scripture.

If you didn't get a chance to read Part 1 yesterday, then you should check it out. The five-part lesson series will pick up every Thursday until mid-November. Be sure to check the bottom of each lesson post for next time's reading assignment. 

Today is our first Gospel Lesson! Your teacher is Brother Ben Hemmings, and his topic rocks! Wait, his topic actually is rocks...

Today's reading: 1 Peter 2:5-9

Every day we walk over them. They are pieces of earth that we don't always consider. They can comprise the footpaths we walk on or the area where we park our cars. They are still used as weapons and still stacked to build the walls and foundations of our houses.

Have you ever prayed like this: "Lord, please stay by my side all day" or "Walk with me wherever I go today"?

I prayed this the other day, and a very interesting thought occurred to me. Why, I thought, would God ever leave my side? What could possibly induce Him to step away from me or leave me alone?

If I could have any job in the world, it would be to own a tiny bookshop with hardwood floors and shelves of books. Floor to ceiling, novels would be lined up and ready for spine-cracking. I'd serve free hot tea and Italian cookies in the back and make recommendations to those needing help selecting one among the thousands.

Today's marriage-related Miracle Monday is from Sister Gelsa Staley. Many times, when we think of getting married, we think of young people, but this testimony shows how God can provide a mate at any stage in life.

In my late 40s, I found myself a single woman living alone and very lonely. My consistent prayer to God was "If you want me to remarry, then place a man of God in my life, or give me the strength to be alone."

Next week, we're starting something new! From time to time, we're going to host Gospel Lessons taught by guest instructors. Our first teacher is Brother Ben Hemmings from San Diego, Calif., formerly Pennsylvania. 

Starting Oct. 9, Brother Ben will post a study-style lesson every Thursday for five weeks. Brother Ben chose a theme for this lesson series. He's exploring the different ways that rocks are used as metaphors in scripture. Rock of revelation? Rock of offense? Rocks used to slay giants. Rocks aimed at sinners. There's a lot to unpack! 

In preparation for the first lesson, read 1 Peter 2:5-9. Look at the bottom of each post for the following week's reading assignment (kind of like the Summer Reading Challenge).

We're so excited about this and hope it helps you dive deeper into scripture!

Last week, we shared a testimony from the Levittown Branch about how the wine spilled during the Lord's Supper and something most unexpected followed. Today, we're sharing a similar but different experience that happened in the mission field.

PLEASE NOTE: We are trying something different with this article. It presents an interpretation of a portion of scripture that is the opinion of the author and does not necessarily represent the view of The Church of Jesus Christ. It is intended to promote thought and perhaps discussion on this topic. Please consider this before leaving any comments. – Gospel Blog Ministry Review Team

I've always loved the Bible and Book of Mormon but have felt uncomfortable when reading scripture that says, "...after they had dwindled in unbelief they became a dark, and loathsome, and a filthy people, full of idleness and all manner of abominations." (See 1 Nephi 12:22-23; see also Alma 3:6, 2 Nephi 5:21-22, Jacob 3:8, 3 Nephi 2:15-16, among many others.)