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.)

Which best describes you on a typical Sunday morning?

1
You get to church 15 minutes early. You straighten the songbooks in the pews. You decide to open the door for everyone as they filter into the building. You spend time greeting people and chatting. You select a seat near the front so you won't be distracted. Your mind is focused because you already spent time in prayer at home before you arrived.

2
You get to church 15 minutes late. You tiptoe into the sanctuary, trying not to draw attention to yourself. You slip into a seat in the back row, hoping not to disturb anyone. You try to concentrate, but you're brain is still slow — your a.m. cup of coffee hasn't fully taken effect yet. You're having trouble following the message because you missed the first part.

Although it's not quite October yet, we're starting with marriage-related Miracle Mondays. Thanks to everyone who contributed! The first story is from Sister KarenJo Pandone.

The week before GMBA Campout 1991, I received a phone call from the brother who was in charge of seminars asking me if I could teach a seminar for one day.

First of all, I'm not a teacher, and that's not something that comes easily to me. Second, I was already in charge of registration. Anyone who has had this responsibility at GMBA camp knows how busy the last week gets with preparing the registration packets and getting last minute things done.

Today, we're bringing a slightly new dimension to the Good Word weekly memory verse — portrait orientation. Hopefully this will make it easier for you to save the images to your smartphones so you can memorize the verse. It's also a great ratio for pinning — just so you know. Make sure to let us know how it works out for you.

I'm a personal trainer, so part of my job is to help motivate my clients to exercise. Everybody needs motivation regardless of what they're doing.

For example, at least part of your motivation to go to work every day is getting a paycheck. Maybe your motivation for tackling a rigorous hike is enjoying the gorgeous view at the end. Perhaps you dream of fitting into a pair of jeans that you haven't worn for years, so you exercise every day.

The more motivation we have, the more likely we are to do what's necessary to get us to that goal.

I find it easier to pray for others with the faith James talks about. I find myself storming the gates of heaven for other people with such fervor and such a broken heart that I just can't muster for my own self.

James 1:6-7 states, "But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord."

I came to the conclusion that there is a difference between knowing that God can and knowing that God will. Based on this scripture, when I go to God, and I'm waffling in my faith, I shouldn't expect God to answer me.