The parables of Christ contain a wealth of guidance, but the deeper meaning of His words can sometimes be difficult to decipher. Now, best-selling authors Hank Smith and Kathryn Jenkins—known and loved for their ability to approach gospel topics in a clear, light, and understandable way—take a careful look at the finer points of the Savior's stories. They uncover the profound spiritual lessons hidden within and illustrate practical and accessible application for our day. In Living the Parables: Applying Christ's Teachings to Our Lives, readers are presented with commentary from generations of Church leaders and religious scholars, as well as modern-day interpretations of the underlying significance of each account. This volume will inspire followers of Christ to draw on the power of His Atonement by embracing a deeper understanding of His parables.

    When filled with God's love, we can do and see and understand things that we cannot do and see and understand on our own. As our own hearts are softened by these blessings, our overriding desire becomes to help others experience this joy also. But how do we do that in the normal course of our everyday lives? Presented in the form of an experiment undertaken by eight friends, this step-by-step guide helps us discover the one change we can make within ourselves that will automatically increase our ability to feel the love of God and to extend that love to others.

    And so is Elder Brandon Mace—from a mission in Texas. After two years as a devoted pen pal, Molly has dreams of a bright future that include attending BYU-Idaho, rooming with her cousin, and best friend, Shannon, and most of all, falling in love with Brandon—the guy who has made her heart flutter since high school. But college life throws Molly numerous twists—feelings of jealousy toward her beautiful roommate Elena, comical encounters with the always unannounced, but ever-diligent home-teachers, Ernie and Bart, to the joys of ballroom dancing with Gordon the goofball. Will college life ever settle down enough for Molly to find the true love she has been seeking? Enjoy this highly anticipated, true-to-life tale full of laughter, love, and lessons of life. Dreams really can come true when the Holy Ghost is allowed to be our guide.

    And with the eclectic cast of characters in her world, there's tons of potential to play "connect the friends." Lauren sets out to introduce Nick, her carefree singles' pastor, to Ruby, her neurotic coworker who plans every second of every day. What could possibly go wrong? Just about everything.

    But her two best friends have other ideas. Lucy is seriously steamed when she realizes they’ve signed her up to be a contestant on the reality dating show Soulmates, but she decides not to renege and soon finds herself in Los Angeles—a small-town Mormon girl vying for the love of millionaire bachelor Ethan Glass. At first this cute, smart, fun young woman, who would rather pray than party, bewilders Ethan. But his interest and admiration grow with every encounter. However, the conniving associate producer is determined to stir up some made-for-TV drama and takes strides to make this reality television show anything but real. When the show finally airs, Lucy has been recast as someone she unquestionably is not. Lucy is left humiliated in front of the world, and Ethan is left wondering who the Lucy is that he was falling in love with. Will the duplicities that have created this humiliation ever come to light? And will the truth emerge too late for the would-be soulmates?

    Jessie Benn has everything—except Mr. Right. There’s only one problem. The one guy who intrigues her is completely wrong. She’s a veterinarian specializing in horses with a thriving practice nestled between her family’s Arizona ranches, looking for a nice, dependable guy who can take her to the eternities. He’s a visiting Australian business tycoon who’s just a touch bitter, a touch wild, and way more than a touch fascinating. What’s a girl to do? Jaclyn M Hawkes ROCKS! I love all of her books! Each is equally great. I can't think of anything negative to say about anything I have read of hers. This was another great story that had it all; great characters, fun, happiness, love, suspense, sadness, triumph, family, and joy. I'm not worried about letting my teenage daughters read anything Jaclyn writes. Thanks for another great read and please keep them coming! Couldn't put it down.... Jacklyn has a gift for giving her characters a fullness of personality, spirit and intellect that make them come to life. Her dialogue is quick, real and witty. I can only imagine what her life is like to have spawned the ideas, wisdom and humor she brings to her books This the fourth book of Jacklyn's I've read this week... I had read her first two books and then lost track of this author, not knowing she had four new books out. Found out - downloaded them, and have not quit reading since. Her emotional intelligence and wisdom come through in every chapter. This woman obviously has an amazing array of experience from which to pull her stories. She crafts characters anyone can relate to; they are thoroughly human yet their ideals are lofty. And who cannot relate to that? Each book was an engrossing read. I was transported into the lives of each character. Now I am sad there are none of her books left on my bookshelf that have yet to be read. I cannot wait for her next book! Fantastic as always! Fantastic, magnificent and beautifully written. Amazing! I have never read a book before that had me captive from the beginning. I cried, have laughed and felt her deep grief and confusion. What a wonderful book and a wonderfully exceptional writer. I can't wait to read more of Jaclyn Hawkes books! I'm becoming a really big fan of Jaclyn Hawkes, I love the way she writes! I enjoyed this book a lot. She touches on real things that we face and how we can overcome with the help of others who are put here to help us on our journey through life! I highly recommend this book and all her books! I always get the feel that it’s like a modern day western. I love it! And am always reading her books as soon as they come out. This book was great. It is a fun read that warms your heart and makes you feel just as awesome as the characters. A love story with depth and characters you want to meet This new book from Jaclyn Hawkes was delightful!

    When her boss orders her to take a vacation, she accepts the use of a friend's cabin, only to find he has tricked her just as every man in her life has betrayed her trust. An unexpected surprise awaits her. Being reunited with the one man she'd once wanted to love shatters the protective shell she has built around herself and thrusts her back into the trauma and grief of her childhood. Plunged back into the painful memories and unanswered questions of her past, she must learn to make hard choices concerning her future and protect her son at all costs. Are love and trust even possible for her?

    Her big sister is the most popular girl in school9. Her little sister is a certified genius8. She's in love with her big sister's boyfriend7. She got caught selling celebrity portraits in school6. And now she's being forced to take art classes5. She's just saved the president of the United States from an assassination attempt4. So the whole world thinks she is a hero3. Even though Sam knows she is far, far from being a hero2. And now she's been appointed teen ambassador to the UNAnd the number-one reason Sam's life is over?1. The president's son just might be in love with her

    Separated through adoption, the two boys grow up worlds apart.Greg Ralston, handsome, intelligent, and a talented athlete with a promising future, is the ideal all-American boy. Rafe Collings, on the other hand, is a down-to-earth cowboy who, at an early age, witnessed an unspeakable crime, and has the criminals faceand his horrible threatburned deep into his memory.Then there is Lindsay Diamond, the one person who has figured out the connection between these two young men. While her knowledge has the potential to reunite the long-lost brothers, it also involves dangerous individuals who are desperate to keep hidden truths buried, no matter who gets in the way.

    Instead of taking a gap year before college to find herself, she ends up traveling north to meet what’s left of the family she never knew existed.While there, she meets Micah Allen, a former pastor’s kid whose dad ended up in prison, leaving Micah with his own complicated relationship about the church. The clock is ticking on Pastor Allen’s probation hearing and Micah, now 19, feels the pressure to forgive - even when he can’t possibly forget.As Meg and Micah grow closer, they are confronted with the heavy flutterings of first love and all the complications it brings. Together, they must navigate the sometimes-painful process of cutting ties with childhood beliefs as they build toward something truer and straight from the heart.In Erin Hahn’s Never Saw You Coming, sometimes it takes a leap of faith to find yourself.

    Determined to stick the job out, Julia faces her biggest challenge yet letting go of borrowed light to find her own testimony. Set in the early 1900s, this is one romantic adventure you'll never forget!

    It was her refuge from the deep wounds inflicted by a devastating war, her sanctuary where she knelt before a loving God and prayed for the children who couldn’t understand her silent sacrifices.At eighty-four, Leota is alone, her beloved garden in ruins. All her efforts to reconcile with her adult children have been fruitless. She voices her despair to a loving Father, her only friend.And God brings a wind of change through unlikely means: one, a college student who thinks he has all the answers; the other, the granddaughter Leota never hoped to know. But can the devastation wrought by keeping painful family secrets be repaired before she runs out of time?

    All the time.”The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, numerous, messy, affectionate. And every day from her balcony perch, seventeen-year-old Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them . . . until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs her terrace and changes everything. As the two fall fiercely in love, Jase's family makes Samantha one of their own. Then in an instant, the bottom drops out of her world and she is suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself?A dreamy summer read, full of characters who stay with you long after the story is over.

    She lives for the life of the piece, for each song's story, for the perfect stillness after the endnotes when the vibrations of sound are still humming through her body. If only her love life were that harmonic. But she knew her chances at love would take a hit when she decided to leave her prestigious concertmaster position in the Cleveland Orchestra and move back home to Asheville, North Carolina. She justifies her actions with the fact that being concertmaster for the Asheville Symphony is better than no dates and no job.But when Emma's world collides with piano-playing YouTube sensation Elliott Hart, she finds herself falling for the way he plucks at her heartstrings. Despite a, ahem, not-so-good first impression, the two soon develop the beginnings of a rhythmic relationship. But when Elliott insists they can't be together, it's up to Emma to strike up a little romance. Will she be able to bring their two worlds into harmony, or will she only manage to get herself in trouble?

    . .When Samantha Shade is offered the opportunity to run Nightshade Investigation, her uncle's private detective agency, she jumps at the chance. It has always been her dream to work at the famously eclectic firm. But when a wealthy, eccentric client hires Nightshade to protect a priceless artifact, and the relic is almost immediately stolen from under Samantha's nose, her dream turns into a nightmare. With a long list of suspects and a short supply of experience, Samantha must elicit the help of an antagonistic policeman and the quirky Nightshade staff to solve the case and keep her uncle's beloved agency from disaster.