I recently received an advanced copy of the first volume of Saints. The four-volume series will represent the new and official history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This publication is significant for many reasons.

• We haven’t had an official Church history published since 1930.
• This history represents years of extensive, collaborative work by historians and other experts. (Search a catalog of resources at http://churchhistorycatalog.lds.org/)
• It is written in a simple-but-thorough and accessible narrative form that can appeal to people of all ages. It reads more like a novel (you’ll probably hear people saying things like, “When will more be available?” “I can’t put it down.”) — but everything is historically accurate.
• The series takes advantage of the internet age in which we live. At history.lds.org, readers can currently find chapters from volume one with hyperlinks to each reference. Each volume will be available in print form (available for pre-order via various booksellers and at store.lds.org, in various languages); online at saints.lds.org (free); via the Gospel Library app (free — including audio book formats in English, Spanish and Portuguese); in eBook format (on Amazon Kindle, Apple iBook, and Kobo); and in English and Spanish on Audible. From saints.lds.org, you can access companion videos to enhance learning experiences.
• The history will be available to read in multiple languages: Cebuano, Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Samoan, Spanish, Tagalog, and Tongan.
• These books can be used for home and personal study, and also in Sunday classes and youth Seminary classes.

There are currently seven chapters available, but Volume 1, The Standard of Truth, will be available in its entirety on September 4, 2018.

With the start of school, a sick child, and the craziness of helping a daughter get ready to move away to college, I’m only just beginning the journey of exploring this book. But I can tell you already that besides being an accessible, engaging read, I’ve already received impressions that have been important for me. I can tell that reading this series will be more than just an experience in learning history. It will be a personal spiritual experience. God has things to teach me about Him and His plan and His Son. One such impression came so strongly reading one of the chapters that I didn’t even finish the chapter in that sitting. I just sat in what God had taught me.

Elder Steven E. Snow said,

Saints is not just about imperfect people in the past who became better with the help of the Lord. It is also for imperfect people now who want to always remember Him. It will help you remember how merciful the Savior has been to His people, how He has made weak people strong, and how Saints around the globe have joined together to further God’s work.

Take a look at saints.lds.org and tell me what catches your attention. I’m sure there are more layers to the richness of this effort that I haven’t yet learned about. I’m grateful for all those who have put so much into creating these resources for us.

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It’s late on a Monday night when my husband hangs up the phone and says, “Will you go to the hospital with me? A member of the church was traveling through our area and was in a car accident. They are releasing her from the hospital, she is injured, alone, and doesn’t have anywhere to go.”

When we arrive at the hospital I ask the nurse at the desk if she could help me find Susan*. “We’re giving her a ride, but I’ve never met her before,” I explain.

The nurse looks at me strangely and then tells me that Susan is waiting in her room. We follow another nurse through a maze of curtains, automatic doors and miscellaneous hospital equipment until we are standing near a large nurse’s station. She points to a curtained area next to us and says, “She should be back in a minute.”

My husband and I stand and wait by the empty bed, wondering if each person that passes by might be the one we’re looking for. Then a woman, whose back is to us, turns from her conversation with several nurses. She has a black eye and a cut over her nose.

“Are you Susan?” my husband asks.

“Oh! Are you here to pick me up?” Her hand goes to her face, covering the painfully swollen black and purple area. “I look horrible.” She seems to be on the verge of tears.

As we talk with Susan, trying to assess her needs and situation, it is easy to see that she needs a soft, quiet, safe place to rest her head. As we drive her to a nearby hotel she tells us about the series of traumas that have happened throughout her day, the car accident was just the most recent. Our heart goes out to her and we are happy to be in the right place at the right time to help.

“After they examined me at the hospital they asked if there was anyone they could call, anyone I knew in the area. I said, ‘No, no one’. I felt so alone, I didn’t know what to do. Then I remembered who I am!”

She looks me in the eye with a bright smile, which contradicts the painful injury on her face, and says, “I told them ‘I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints!’ That’s who I am!”

After she repeated her declaration of faith to the hospital chaplain, he contacted a local leader in the church, who then called my husband because we live near the hospital.

Susan isn’t the only one grateful for her membership in the LDS church. It was a blessing to my husband and I to be of help to one of our fellow saints. It gave me the same assurance that Susan felt, that I am a loved and cared for child of God. He let Susan know that no matter where she is or the difficult circumstances she encounters that He is aware of her needs. Sometimes we are asked to endure things that are difficult, but God will send comfort and support as he asks us to bear up under our trials.

Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

– Matt 10:29-31

*name has been changed

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