After nearly two years of limited operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Latter-day Saint temples will begin to return to full operation. The announcement was made by The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Tuesday in a letter shared with Church leaders around the world. The letter reads: Dear Brothers and Sisters: Thank you for your patience during restricted temple operations that occurred because of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are eager to return the temples to full operation as soon as possible. Now that more people are immunized, we are pleased to announ ..read more

Thousands of Latter-day Saint couples around the world face unprecedented challenges when it comes to their wedding as the COVID-19 pandemic rages on. With temples closed around the world, the sacred opportunity to be sealed in the temple is delayed for many. Because of varied circumstances, many couples have chosen to be civilly married in private ceremonies at home during the quarantine. How can you invite the spirit of the temple when you’re getting married at home or in your backyard? Here are three easy ideas couples can implement. Speak on the power of the temple. Have someone speak on t ..read more

We’ve gathered 10 themes to help you plan an LDS bridal shower your bride (and all of her guests) will love. Whether you’re an official maid-of-honor or just a friend looking to help out, these themes are full of creativity and fun that the entire family can enjoy. 1. She’s a Gem Help your bride feel priceless with a gem-themed bridal shower. Focus on using opulent jewel-tones and sparkly accessories. Serve gem-shaped cookies and sandwiches, rock candy, ring pops, and other hard candies. For a craft activity, make gemstone soaps from silicone molds. Because there are so many gemstones, you can ..read more

Enduring relationships are built on the principles of trust and honesty. However, many Latter-day Saints struggle to disclose and discuss past sins and transgressions with their future spouse, especially as it relates to the Law of Chastity. Some even wonder if they need to broach the subject at all if one has fully repented. The decision of how and when to share such personal information is ultimately up to you and must be guided by the inspiration and revelation of the Holy Ghost. Still, marriage experts and Church leaders agree honesty is the best policy. Elder Neal A. Maxwell once said of ..read more

Modest ball gown wedding dresses are fit for a fairytale! Full of volume, they feature a slim bodice to trim the waist and a large bell skirt. The cut compliments most body types, drawing the eye to the most narrow part of your waist. It can especially help brides with larger busts find balance to their shape. However, petite brides may feel heavy and swallowed up in all the fabric. If you’re dreaming of a ball gown for your big day, here are 25 modest ball gown wedding dresses to check out. Today, many ball gowns have reduced the fluff and fall somewhere between a true ball gown and the more ..read more

The unity candle ceremony is a popular tradition for weddings. With a little bit of adaptation, Latter-day Saint bride and grooms can use the simple act of lighting candles to involve their families in their ring ceremony while symbolizing the light of the gospel. We’ve written out our candle lighting ideas below to help you get started, but feel free to make changes or additions based on your personal circumstances. The Candles & Other Items   Most unity candle ceremonies involve three candles. One taper candle represents the groom, one taper candle represents the bride, and a pillar ..read more

Nestled away from the bustling activity of downtown Salt Lake City, Memorial House combines old-world charm with modern-day elegance. Originally used as a stable and equipment storage shed in the early twentieth century, Memorial House was transformed in 1926 when prominent architects completely redesigned the building. With nearly a century of experience, and alongside renewed efforts to restore and preserve the house and grounds, Memorial House continues to build on their celebrated history of hosting weddings, receptions, and luncheons. We talked with our friends at Memorial House to give y ..read more

The mermaid wedding dress silhouette is wonderful for brides looking to make a statement! If you’re interested in this style, check out these 25 modest mermaid wedding dresses. Where available, we’ve provided the purchase information for the dress. A mermaid wedding dress is one that hugs the body throughout the bodice and down past the hips and thighs. Then, a beautiful flare of fabric extends at or below the knee. These flares are often dramatic and designed to show off your curves. Two other wedding silhouettes, the trumpet and “fit and flare”, are similar to the mermaid and used interchang ..read more