Mormon Life Hacker

Learning to Trust the Master’s Hand // Sister Tamara Runia’s “The Sculpting of our Souls”

Guest Author — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 20:36:40 +0000

Want to see my slides? Check them out below.

October 2026 EQ lesson by John Dye

Today, I taught our Elders Quorum lesson on Sister Tamara Runia’s message about trusting God through circumstances we cannot fix. Her words prompted a discussion about family burdens, grief, and allowing the Savior to shape us—even when we do not understand what is happening.

I began with Isaiah 64:8: “We are the clay, and thou our potter.” I loved the connection between that scripture and Sister Runia’s message. It reminded me that we are not simply trying to endure life’s challenges; we are also learning to place ourselves in the hands of a loving God who sees who and what we can become.

In this talk, Sister Runia described herself as a fixer, and I could relate. I shared that I am at a stage of life when my children and stepchildren face challenges while my mother deals with concerns of her own. I want to help everyone. Sometimes I want to straighten everything out. But I cannot control every circumstance or make decisions for the people I love.

One point I emphasized was that letting go does not mean we stop caring. We continue loving, serving, and praying. What we surrender is the belief that everything depends on our ability to fix it.

We watched the currant bush story from Elder Hugh B. Brown, which came to mind when I heard Sister Runia’s talk. The gardener cuts back the bush so it can eventually bear fruit. We discussed how that pruning can resemble disappointments in our own lives. One brother acknowledged being tired of getting pruned—a feeling many of us understand. Trusting the gardener does not make the cutting painless.

For me, one of the most powerful moments was Sister Runia’s account of her son Ryan’s sudden death, leaving his wife and four young children without a husband and father. Her words captured the heart of the lesson for me: “Not understanding is not the same as not believing.”

I invited the brethren to think about their own circumstances. We arrive at church dressed neatly, but each of us carries burdens others cannot see. Their comments reinforced how much we need empathy rather than assumptions about someone else’s life.

We also discussed our circle of influence. I cannot control my adult children’s choices, but I can control how I love them, pay attention, and respond. Calmness and compassion are meaningful actions, even when solutions of any kind remain beyond my reach.

We concluded with Sister Runia’s story about her brother learning to sculpt. Only after he invited his instructor’s help did the clay become what he could not create alone. The work was drastic and involved a lot of intervention, but it brought the sculpture to life.

I closed with my testimony of the refiner’s fire. I do not understand every difficulty in my life. But I believe that, as I rely on the Savior, He can help me grow through it. My task is not only to get through the experience, but to let Him help me become more like Him.

Third Episode of ‘Dedicate’ Is Now Available

Guest Author — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 14:53:32 +0000

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Third Episode of ‘Dedicate’ Is Now Available

The six-part series explores the Salt Lake Temple renovation through the eyes of young adults

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has released the third episode “Dedicate,” a new video series created as part of the global Salt Lake Temple Celebration.

Episode 3

Dedicate Episode 3 Premieres in Mexico

Episode 2

Episode 1

For the release of the first episode, Church leaders, series participants, young adults and invited guests gathered the following day for a premiere screening at the Legacy Theater on Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah, on October 4, 2026.

Downloadable B-Roll & SOTs from the premiere

From Family Locket to the Big Screen: “Brother Joseph Again” Finds Its Audience

Guest Author — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 19:43:16 +0000

The documentary’s promising debut brings new attention to a disputed photograph—and the deeply personal question of whether it reveals Joseph Smith’s actual likeness. YOU BE THE JUDGE!

“This was originally just going to be a 20 minute YouTube video,” Patrick Bishop said, “and it’s turned into something amazing.”

For the independent researcher, the theatrical reception of Brother Joseph Again marks an unexpected turn in a project that began with a historical mystery. Now, with additional locations planned beginning Oct. 16, according to the filmmakers, more audiences will have the opportunity to consider its central question: Could a photograph preserved in a family locket show the actual face of Joseph Smith?

The documentary opened Oct. 9, earning $36,248 across 10 theaters—a $3,625 per-location average, according to Box Office Mojo. Its Utah engagements included Megaplex Thanksgiving Point, Jordan Commons, Legacy Crossing and Pineview, along with Cinemark Provo.

According to the filmmakers, Brother Joseph Again ranked No. 1 at all five locations on Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Over the opening weekend, it led Cinemark Provo and finished second behind Other Mommy at Thanksgiving Point and Legacy Crossing. At Legacy Crossing, it achieved that standing without a screening after 5:30 p.m.

Director Daylen Pollard said he was “thrilled and overjoyed by its reception.”

Those results represent local successes, not a national box office breakout. Still, they suggest that a documentary about faith, history and an unresolved identity can attract audiences alongside larger Hollywood releases.

Ticket sales cannot establish whose face appears in the photograph. They can, however, demonstrate an interest in examining the evidence.

For Bishop, reaching those audiences matters more than the financial returns.

“Over the last few days I’ve had some friends mention to me that it’s great that the film may actually turn a profit. But to me, it’s never been about the money. It’s about getting the research to the people so that they can come to know the Prophet a little bit better,” he said.

At the heart of Brother Joseph Again is a daguerreotype passed down through Smith’s descendants. Bishop and artist Joseph Brickey investigate whether it depicts the founding prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, building their case through historical research and forensic comparisons.

The identification remains disputed.

For historians, the question turns on evidence: Can the photograph’s provenance and the facial comparisons withstand scrutiny? For Church members, the possibility also carries deeply personal significance—the prospect of seeing an actual image of the prophet who restored a faith tradition woven into their hearts and lives.

Brickey described that connection to The Salt Lake Tribune: “It looks like a man who could have lived the life that Joseph lived, someone you felt like you could follow into battle rather than salute in the pews.”

An independent researcher and artist who appears throughout much of the documentary, Brickey said his priority was to make the case accessible to viewers.

People can “clearly understand and follow and judge for themselves the strength of the forensic case of Joseph Smith’s likeness,” he said in a statement. “This was always my primary goal with this project.”

The film’s expanding theatrical run extends that invitation: “judge for yourself if this is Joseph.”

Behind the opening-weekend numbers and plans for more theaters remains the mystery that started it all—a face inside a family locket, and the possibility of finding a more human connection to a very familiar (a extremely revered) name.

New chart showing First Presidency and Quorum of the 12 Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints | October 2026

dyejo — Sun, 04 Oct 2026 11:49:06 +0000

April 2026 #GeneralConference Chart of LDS Church Leaders

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April 2026 #GeneralConference Chart of LDS Church Leaders

An updated chart of general authorities and general officers highlights leadership transitions in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints following the April 2026 general conference. English, Spanish, Portuguese and French versions are available below for viewing or downloading.

The chart incorporates the following updates:

Primary general presidency: After being sustained in April 2026, President Rosemary K. Chibota and her counselors — Sister Nina M. Garfield, first counselor, and Sister Theresa A. Collins, second counselor — assumed their responsibilities on Aug. 1. They succeeded President Susan H. Porter, Sister Amy A. Wright and Sister Tracy Y. Browning, who were released.
Presidency of the Seventy: Elder Benjamin M.Z. Tai joined the presidency on Aug. 1, succeeding Elder S. Mark Palmer. Elder Tai was sustained as a General Authority Seventy in April 2019. Elder Palmer, whose service in the presidency began in 2021, was among seven General Authority Seventies granted emeritus status this year.
Other changes among General Authority Seventies: Joining Elder Palmer in receiving emeritus status were Elders Craig C. Christensen, Eduardo Gavarret, Brook P. Hale, William K. Jackson, Erich W. Kopischke and Peter F. Meurs. The chart also reflects the death of Elder W. Mark Bassett in May.
New General Authority Seventies: The eight leaders sustained in April were Elders Christian C. Chigbundu, Matthew J. Eyring, Hutch U. Fale, James O. Fantone, Kevin J. Hathaway, Thabo Lebethoa, Jeremiah J. Morgan and Paul H. Sinclair.

Download the chart in English here.

Download the chart in Spanish here.

Download the chart in Portuguese here.

Download the chart in French here.

The Church News has prepared an updated chart of Church leaders that includes the eight new General Authority Seventies sustained in the April 2026 general conference. Also sustained at general conference, but not effective until August 1, were changes to the Presidency of the Seventy and a new Primary general presidency.

View or download the updated chart in English, Spanish, Portuguese, or French.

The leadership structure of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was updated following the death of President Russell M. Nelson on Saturday, September 27.

President Dallin Harris Oaks was announced as the 18th President and Prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Tuesday, October 14, 2025. He was sustained and set apart earlier that day. This announcement was broadcast live from Salt Lake City, Utah.

The selection followed the Church’s established process: upon the death of a Prophet, the First Presidency dissolves, and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles—led by the most senior Apostle—assumes leadership until a new Prophet is chosen through divine inspiration and revelation.

A new chart updating this new structure will be available for download when updated and available.

Download a PDF of this chart in English.

Updates in leadership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since the October 2024 general conference are now depicted in an up-to-date chart of general authorities and general officers. This chart is accessible for viewing and downloading in PDF format.

You can access the complete chart in PDF format.

The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on February 6, 2024. Front row, left to right: President Jeffrey R. Holland, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Elder David A. Bednar, Elder Quentin L. Cook, and Elder D. Todd Christofferson. Back row, left to right: Elder Neil L. Andersen, Elder Ronald A. Rasband, Elder Gary E. Stevenson, Elder Dale G. Renlund, Elder Gerrit W. Gong, Elder Ulisses Soares, and Elder Patrick Kearon.2024 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

In August, Elder Alexander Dushku was appointed as a General Authority Seventy, and his sustaining will take place during the October 2023 general conference.

Three General Authority Seventies who are turning 70 this year have been granted emeritus status, effective August 1. These individuals are Elder Benjamín De Hoyos, Elder Juan A. Uceda, and Elder Kazuhiko Yamashita.

Commencing their service on August 1, the new Young Women General Presidency consists of President Emily Belle Freeman, Sister Tamara W. Runia as First Counselor, and Sister Andrea Muñoz Spannaus as Second Counselor.

The updated chart of Apostles, General Authorities, and General Officers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints now reflects changes that have been effective since August 1, 2023.

For more information about the Church’s organizational structure, please refer to the General Church Leadership section.

New Area Seventies were sustained and released during the general conference leadership meetings on Thursday, September 28. The First Presidency sustained two new Area Seventies, Elder Rogério Boschi and Elder Kirt L. Hodges, and released Elder Youngjoon Kwon and Elder Henry J. Eyring from their positions.

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Changes to the leadership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are reflected in an updated chart of general authorities and general officers, available to view or download in English, Spanish or Portuguese below.

View or download the updated chart in English here.

Cambios en el liderazgo de La Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Últimos Días anunciados en la conferencia general de abril de 2023 se reflejan en un cuadro actualizado de autoridades generales y oficiales generales, disponible para ver o descargar en inglés, español o portugués a continuación.

Ver o descargar el cuadro actualizado en inglés aquí.

As mudanças na liderança de A Igreja de Jesus Cristo dos Santos dos Últimos Dias anunciadas na conferência geral de abril de 2023 estão refletidas em um gráfico atualizado de autoridades gerais e oficiais gerais, disponível para visualização ou download em inglês, espanhol ou português abaixo.

Veja ou baixe o gráfico atualizado em inglês aqui.

Every member of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints posed for an iconic photograph in the Rome Italy Temple visitors center in Rome, Italy on Monday, March 11, 2019. Front center are President Russell M. Nelson and his counselors in the First Presidency, President Dallin H. Oaks and President Henry B. Eyring. Also included are members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: President M. Russell Ballard, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Elder David A. Bednar, Elder Quentin L. Cook, Elder D. Todd Christofferson, Elder Neil L. Andersen, Elder Ronald A. Rasband, Elder Gary E. Stevenson, Elder Dale G. Renlund, Elder Gerrit W. Gong and Elder Ulisses Soares.

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FREE General Conference Packet from LDS Daily (printables, coupons, and more!)

The Quorum of the Twelve of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The Quorum of the Twelve is a group of men who hold significant positions of leadership within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These individuals are called as Apostles, and they work alongside the First Presidency to guide and direct the Church.

The Role of the Quorum of the Twelve

The Quorum of the Twelve holds a critical position in the hierarchy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This group of individuals serves as the governing body of the Church, and they are responsible for overseeing the work of the Church throughout the world. They are called as Apostles, and their role is to bear witness of Jesus Christ, help preach the gospel, and assist in administering the covenants and ordinances of the Church.

The History of the Quorum of the Twelve

The Quorum of the Twelve was first organized in February 1835, when the Church was still in its infancy. At that time, the Prophet Joseph Smith called twelve men to serve as Apostles, and they became the first members of the Quorum of the Twelve. Over the years, the Quorum has undergone significant changes, with individuals being added or released as necessary. Today, the Quorum of the Twelve consists of fifteen members, each of whom is considered to be a prophet, seer, and revelator.

Individuals Who Have Served in the Quorum of the Twelve

Throughout the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, there have been many individuals who have served in the Quorum of the Twelve. These men have been chosen based on their faith, dedication, and willingness to serve.

Current Individuals in the Quorum of the Twelve

M. Russell Ballard

President M. Russell Ballard has served as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter–day Saints since October 6, 1985. He was sustained and set apart as Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles by President Russell M. Nelson on January 14, 2018.

Jeffrey R. Holland

Jeffrey R. Holland was ordained a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on June 23, 1994.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Dieter F. Uchtdorf was sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church on October 2, 2004.

David A. Bednar

David A. Bednar was ordained and set apart as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on October 7, 2004.

Quentin L. Cook

Quentin L. Cook was sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on October 6, 2007. Called as a General Authority in April 1996, he served in the Second Quorum, the First Quorum, and the Presidency of the Seventy.

D. Todd Christofferson

D. Todd Christofferson was called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 5, 2008.

Neil L. Andersen

Neil L. Andersen was named an Apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 4, 2009.

Ronald A. Rasband

Ronald A. Rasband was called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on October 3, 2015.

Gary E. Stevenson

Gary E. Stevenson was sustained to serve as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on October 3, 2015. At the time of his call to the Twelve, he had been serving as the Presiding Bishop of the Church since April 2012.

Dale G. Renlund

Dale G. Renlund was named to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on October 3, 2015.

Gerrit W. Gong

Gerrit W. Gong was sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on March 31, 2018.

Ulisses Soares

Ulisses Soares was sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on March 31, 2018.

http://threestory.com/apostles/

Can You Go Inside the Salt Lake Temple? Seven Countries, One Sacred Space = Dedicate, a new series

Guest Author — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 17:21:47 +0000

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For most, the Salt Lake Temple has been a building to look at, not a place to enter.

Its familiar silhouette belongs to the American West, but its interior is something that people outside the faith rarely see in real life. A forthcoming documentary series begins at that boundary.

Dedicate, premiering October 4, follows seven young adults from seven countries as they explore the renovated temple, meet leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and consider what sacred space means in their own lives.

Unlike Sunday meetinghouses, Latter-day Saint temples are set apart for worship, learning about Jesus Christ, and making promises with God. Their rituals connect faith to family and to the possibility that human relationships extend beyond death. The six-part series approaches those beliefs through the questions of a generation discovering its place within them.

Soon, the invitation will extend beyond the seven participants. The Salt Lake Temple Celebration begins April 5, 2027, welcoming the public for tours, exhibits, music, and a look inside the temple itself. More free ticket reservations open October 1, 2026, at 6 p.m. MDT at TempleSquare.org.

EXCLUSIVE: Emmaus Road Media Eyes 2027 Theatrical Release for Biblical Epic ‘The Ten Virgins,’ Shot on Location in Morocco

Guest Author — Mon, 07 Sep 2026 19:48:34 +0000

The faith-based production company, including by a DreamWorks and Pixar veteran, is betting big on dramatized parables as the next frontier in religious cinema.

Emmaus Road Media, the faith-driven production company behind the Angel-distributed short The Good Samaritan, is setting its sights on a theatrical release for its next project — The Ten Virgins, a feature-length dramatization of the biblical parable filmed on location across Morocco. The company is targeting a 2027 release window, according to founding partner and producer Jonathan Farrell.

Farrell, whose résumé includes stints at Pixar (WALL·E) and a seven-year run at DreamWorks Animation — where he served as a character effects artist on Madagascar, Mega Mind, and Mr. Peabody & Sherman — revealed details about the ambitious production during a recent interview with media consultant John Dye.

The project is part of what Emmaus Road calls the Parables Project, a long-range initiative to dramatize the roughly 30 to 40 parables of Christ found in scripture. “Not all of those would be producible,” Farrell acknowledged, “but there were several that could be produced as full-length narrative stories.”

The Good Samaritan, the company’s proof of concept, debuted on the Angel platform in early 2026 after passing the Angel Guild with what Farrell described as “a tremendous score.” Its warm reception gave the team the confidence — and the creative mandate — to scale up.

And scale up they did.

For The Ten Virgins, the production team bypassed domestic options, including the Texas sets used by The Chosen, in favor of Morocco — a location Farrell called “a movie Mecca” that has hosted shoots for Ridley Scott’s Kingdom of Heaven, Gladiator, and most recently Christopher Nolan’s Odyssey. The North African country offered what no single U.S. location could: deserts, olive groves, first-century period sets, and an authenticity of extras and environment that stretched every production dollar.

The shoot was not without its hazards. Farrell recounted needing a dedicated snake charmer on set after an Egyptian cobra appeared during production. “That was his job,” Farrell said. “We had at least two occasions where we had snakes visit our set.”

Language barriers between the English-speaking American crew and the Arabic- and French-speaking Moroccan team also presented daily challenges, though Farrell credited local production partner Oz Films with keeping the operation on track.

Director James Dalrymple, who also helmed The Good Samaritan, is steering the creative vision. “There are really three components to media that is successful,” Farrell said, channeling Dalrymple’s philosophy. “It should entertain, it should inspire, and at some level it should educate.”

Emmaus Road is positioning The Ten Virgins not just as entertainment but as an entry point for younger audiences who may never crack open a Bible. “A lot of young people are not picking up a Bible today and reading it,” Farrell said. “Maybe we can help them get into the scriptures through this media.”

A specific release date has not been announced, but all signs point to 2027 as the year Emmaus Road takes this parable to the big screen.

BYU-Idaho Radio · New film to bring parable of the 10 virgins to life

When Your Worst Day Isn’t Your Last Day

dyejo — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 01:43:39 +0000

Reflections of Christ

Walking on Water

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I asked the men in our elders quorum to close their eyes (and not fall asleep).

Then I gave them President Emily Belle Freeman’s simple exercise: think through the decades and recall your best days. Now recall your worst. The space between the two, I believe, is where the gospel often takes hold in our lives.

Our anchor text was Luke 22 — Peter’s triple denial and the devastating moment when “the Lord turned and looked upon Peter.”

I pulled up Carl Bloch’s famous painting of the scene and zoomed in progressively, closer and closer to Christ’s face, until (I believe) it became clear that Bloch had painted something deliberately ambiguous (see slides below).

August 2026 EQ lesson by John Dye

What exactly is in that expression?
Disappointment?
Sorrow?
Or something closer to commissioning — a look that says, I still know who you are going to become?

The class offered layered answers. One participant framed Peter’s failure as a collapse under unprecedented fear — a man who had always been able to turn to Christ for answers suddenly watching that source be taken away.

Another drew on his professional experience as a school psychologist, citing Elder Lawrence Corbridge’s talk “Stand Forever” to reframe the denial not as weakness but as wrongness — a miscalculation about self-interest, the kind every person makes when the gap between belief and truth has not yet closed. “Peter wasn’t evil,” he said. “He was just wrong.”

One class member reflected on his own tendency to stay silent rather than risk being asked questions he can’t answer — a quieter, subtler species of denial.

Another spoke about failure as a teacher, noting that Peter, having lived through the worst test of his life, would never fail it again.

Yet another shared how his late wife’s dialysis years earlier had reshaped his daily habits and, perhaps, his entire purpose — a worst day whose meaning he is still discerning.

I kept thinking back to Pres. Freeman’s crucial insight: perhaps Christ’s gaze at Peter “was not a look of failure, but instead a look of enabling strength meant to carry Peter through the worst moments ahead.”

An Elder shared an anecdote from Elder Christofferson, who once called the monument marking Peter’s denial his least favorite place in the Holy Land. “Who would build a monument,” he asked, “to someone’s biggest mistake?”

I closed with what I believe most deeply: no person should be defined by their worst day. Our worst days can help shape us into the people we need (and the Lord needs us) to become.

Because of Christ, our best days are ahead — even when the road between here and there demands we fall to our knees.

WATCH: Preparing for the Salt Lake Temple Celebration

dyejo — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 19:31:24 +0000

What took the pioneers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 40 years to complete the first time has now taken six years to renovate and revitalize. The Salt Lake Temple is almost ready to host the world at an open house that leaders are calling a full celebration.

On this episode of the Church News podcast, Elder Brent H. Nielson, an emeritus General Authority Seventy, and Richard Sutton from the Church’s Temple Department, join guest host Sheri Dew, executive vice president of Deseret Management Corp. and a former member of the Relief Society general presidency.

The three discuss the unparalleled nature of the upcoming Salt Lake Temple Celebration and the many opportunities it provides for individuals to learn about the historic and holy structure and its purpose in Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation.

What Does Hanging Art of Jesus in Your Home Do for You?

dyejo — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 22:48:38 +0000

Walk into a home with a piece of Jesus art on the wall, and you feel it before you can name it. The room carries a certain calm. For millions of families, religious artwork isn’t decoration in the ordinary sense — it’s a daily anchor, a quiet reminder of faith that works on you a little at a time. But what does hanging art of Jesus in your home actually do for you? The answer touches your spiritual life, your mental well-being, your family culture, and even the way guests experience your space.

A Daily Visual Reminder of Faith

Faith is easy to affirm on Sunday and easy to forget by Tuesday. That’s the truth of busy modern life. Jesus art solves a simple problem: it keeps your beliefs in your line of sight.

Psychologists call this environmental priming — the idea that what you see repeatedly shapes what you think about. When an image of Christ hangs in your entryway or living room, you’re gently prompted toward gratitude, patience, and prayer dozens of times a day without even trying. Over weeks and months, those small moments compound into a more consistent spiritual practice.

It Sets the Emotional Tone of Your Home

Every home has an atmosphere, whether you designed it intentionally or not. Sacred art shifts that atmosphere in ways families notice quickly:

Calm during conflict. Many people report that arguments feel different — softer, shorter — in rooms where a meaningful image of Christ is present. It’s hard to stay heated under a reminder of grace.
Comfort during hard seasons. Grief, illness, job loss — during difficult stretches, a familiar sacred image becomes something to return to, like a visual prayer you don’t have to compose.
Peace at the end of the day. A piece hung in a bedroom or reading nook can become part of an evening wind-down routine, signaling to your mind that it’s time to rest.

It Teaches Your Children Without a Lecture

Children absorb what they see far more readily than what they’re told. A home where Jesus is visibly honored communicates values no sermon can match in consistency. Kids ask questions about the art — “Why is He on the water?” “Who are those people with Him?” — and those questions open natural conversations about faith, courage, and trust.

This is one reason narrative scenes are especially powerful in family spaces. A depiction of a Gospel story invites retelling. Consider this beautiful painting of Jesus walking on water from Art & Olive — a scene like that isn’t just an image, it’s a story your children will ask you to tell again and again, and one that carries a lesson about faith over fear that they’ll remember long after they’ve left home.

It Declares Your Values to Everyone Who Enters

Your walls speak. Guests read a home the moment they cross the threshold, and religious art communicates who you are without a word. For many families, that’s exactly the point — hospitality and witness woven together. Visitors who share your faith feel instantly at home. Those who don’t often find themselves curious, and some of the most meaningful conversations about belief begin with a simple “I love that piece — where did you find it?”

It Supports Mental and Emotional Well-Being

Research on religious imagery and well-being consistently points in the same direction: visual reminders of faith are associated with lower stress, greater feelings of security, and a stronger sense of meaning. You don’t need a study to confirm what believers have known for centuries, but it’s worth noting that the benefits of sacred art aren’t only spiritual. Looking at an image that represents protection, forgiveness, and unconditional love has a measurable effect on the nervous system. It tells you, several times a day, that you are not carrying life alone.

Where Should You Hang Jesus Art in Your Home?

Placement matters more than most people realize.

A few guidelines:

Entryway: Sets the tone the moment anyone walks in and blesses every coming and going.
Living room: The heart of family life — ideal for larger statement pieces.
Dining area: Reinforces gratitude at mealtimes.
Bedroom: Supports evening prayer and peaceful rest.
Home office: A grounding presence during stressful workdays.

Hang the piece at eye level, give it breathing room on the wall, and consider soft lighting that draws the eye naturally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the style of the artwork matter? Choose what moves you. Classical oils, modern minimalist renderings, and narrative Gospel scenes all serve the same purpose if the image genuinely draws your heart toward Christ.

Is it okay to hang Jesus art in every room? Absolutely — though many families find one or two intentional, well-placed pieces more meaningful than many scattered ones.

Can religious art really change my habits? On its own, no. As a daily prompt that nudges you toward prayer, gratitude, and patience, yes — the evidence and centuries of tradition both say so.

Hanging art of Jesus in your home does more than fill a wall. It steadies your days, shapes your children, comforts your hard seasons, and quietly tells everyone who enters — including you — what your home is built on. Choose a piece that tells a story you want to live inside, hang it where life happens, and let it do its slow, faithful work.

VIDEO: Could this be a real photograph of Joseph Smith?

dyejo — Sat, 04 Jul 2026 23:40:18 +0000

Could this be a real photograph of Joseph Smith?

Brother Joseph Again: Restoring the Lost Likeness of Joseph Smith Jr. is a new book and feature documentary coming to theaters October 9, 2026.

Get tickets: https://brotherjosephagain.com/

The film investigates Dan Larsen’s remarkable daguerreotype and one of the most compelling questions in Latter-day Saint history: Was Joseph Smith ever photographed?

For generations, no confirmed photograph of Joseph Smith has been known to exist. But this image has reopened the question. Could it be an authentic from-life photograph of the Prophet Joseph Smith, or does it only resemble him?

Through historical research, daguerreotype analysis, eyewitness accounts, death masks, skull photographs, facial comparison, and forensic reconstruction, Patrick Bishop and Joseph Brickey examine the evidence from every angle.

#JosephSmith #BrotherJosephAgain #JosephSmithDocumentary #LDSHistory #ChurchHistory #Daguerreotype #MormonHistory #LatterdaySaints