National Sock Day celebrates the rare joy of a perfectly matched pair while tracing the long history of socks from ancient animal-hair coverings to silk stockings for nobles, to modern machine-knit socks thanks to William Lee’s 1589 knitting invention that helped spark the Industrial Revolution. Today socks come in every fabric and design, from practical wool to the colorful pairs famously worn by President George H.W. Bush, and companies like Pair of Thieves mark the day by donating hundreds of thousands of socks to the homeless. With fun nods to lost socks, dogs who steal them, and mismatched fashion trends, the day reminds us that as we take steady steps of faith, the Lord always matches and magnifies our efforts more than we could on our own in His Story today.

Read the full article here: https://familyschool.org/spotlight/sock-day-7

This episode was created using Notebook LM voice-overs and original research by Rosemary Pollock, historian and published author, who holds an MA in U.S. History and an MA in U.S. History with a focus on the History of Science and Medicine.

Produced by Isaac Okawa with American Heritage Worldwide.

On December 3, 1777, Quaker mother Lydia Barrington Darragh bravely warned the Continental Army of a planned British attack after secretly overhearing officers meeting in her home, risking her safety to walk miles through snow under the pretense of getting flour so she could pass the message to Patriot contacts. Her intelligence reached George Washington in time to prepare for the assault at Whitemarsh, saving countless lives and earning her a place among Revolutionary-era heroes. Despite differing versions of exactly how her message was delivered, her courage remained unquestioned, and she continued supporting her family until her death in 1789. Lydia’s quiet bravery reminds us that doing what is right often requires risk, conscience, and courage, inviting us to “dare to do right” in our own choices in His Story today.

Read the full article here: https://familyschool.org/spotlight/lydia-daragh-6

This episode was created using Notebook LM voice-overs and original research by Rosemary Pollock, historian and published author, who holds an MA in U.S. History and an MA in U.S. History with a focus on the History of Science and Medicine.

Produced by Isaac Okawa with American Heritage Worldwide.

King Camp Gillette revolutionized shaving when he patented his razor with disposable blades in 1901, a breakthrough inspired by his experience as a traveling salesman and advice to “invent something people use and throw away.” After years of difficulty creating thin, hardened steel, inventor William Nickerson helped produce the first successful Gillette safety razor, which quickly spread nationwide—especially after the U.S. military issued millions of razors during World War I. Though Gillette also promoted bold utopian ideas and pursued other inventions throughout his life, his greatest legacy was innovation that transformed daily living. His story encourages us to be inventive and proactive, echoing Elder M. Russell Ballard’s reminder that the Lord expects us to act, create, and solve problems with inspiration in His Story today.

Read the full article here: https://familyschool.org/spotlight/gillette-razor-5

This episode was created using Notebook LM voice-overs and original research by Rosemary Pollock, historian and published author, who holds an MA in U.S. History and an MA in U.S. History with a focus on the History of Science and Medicine.

Produced by Isaac Okawa with American Heritage Worldwide.

Joseph Smith, his brother Hyrum, and several companions were imprisoned in Liberty Jail from December 1838 to April 1839, suffering bitter cold, poisoned food, and unjust confinement while the Saints faced severe persecution in Missouri. In this dark setting, Joseph poured out his pleas to God and received the revelations now found in Doctrine and Covenants 121–123—teachings that remind us that adversity is “but a small moment” when endured with faith. Their eventual escape and the later reflections of leaders like Elder Jeffrey R. Holland show that Liberty Jail stands as a symbol of spiritual refinement, assurance of God’s awareness, and the promise of deliverance. As we face our own trials, Liberty Jail invites us to seek the Lord’s peace, trust His timing, and remember that He walks with us through every hardship in His Story today.

Read the full article here: https://familyschool.org/spotlight/liberty-jail-7

This episode was created using Notebook LM voice-overs and original research by Rosemary Pollock, historian and published author, who holds an MA in U.S. History and an MA in U.S. History with a focus on the History of Science and Medicine.

Produced by Isaac Okawa with American Heritage Worldwide.

Mark Twain—born Samuel Langhorne Clemens on November 30, 1835—grew up along the Mississippi River, where the sights, characters, and struggles of frontier life later shaped his classic American novels. Leaving school at 11 to work as a printer’s apprentice, he developed a love for words that carried him from riverboat piloting to mining to writing, eventually adopting the pen name “Mark Twain,” a river term meaning safe depth. His breakthrough stories, worldwide travels, marriage to Olivia Langdon, and deep observations of human nature led to works like The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, which captured the changing America he witnessed. Despite personal tragedy and financial hardship, Twain’s humor, insight, and storytelling continue to invite us to reflect on our own experiences and how they shape the stories we share in His Story today.

Read the full article here: https://familyschool.org/spotlight/mark-twain-6

This episode was created using Notebook LM voice-overs and original research by Rosemary Pollock, historian and published author, who holds an MA in U.S. History and an MA in U.S. History with a focus on the History of Science and Medicine.

Produced by Isaac Okawa with American Heritage Worldwide.

Louisa May Alcott was born on November 29, 1832, a month she jokingly called “disagreeable,” just like her character Jo in Little Women. Raised in a thoughtful, creative home in Concord, she learned from thinkers like Thoreau and Emerson, acted in family plays, and developed her talent for writing despite her family’s financial struggles. Her experiences as a Civil War nurse, her early published stories, and the rich relationships within her own family all shaped the creation of Little Women, the beloved “story for girls” that brought her worldwide recognition. Her advocacy for women’s suffrage and her example of duty, resilience, and devotion to family continue to inspire us to cherish our own homes and remember that the family is central to God’s plan in His Story today.

Read the full article here: https://familyschool.org/spotlight/louisamay-alcott-6

This episode was created using Notebook LM voice-overs and original research by Rosemary Pollock, historian and published author, who holds an MA in U.S. History and an MA in U.S. History with a focus on the History of Science and Medicine.

Produced by Isaac Okawa with American Heritage Worldwide.

On November 28, we celebrate National French Toast Day—a dish that began as “lost bread,” or pain perdu, when people soaked stale bread in milk and eggs to avoid waste, a practice that dates all the way back to ancient Rome. Over centuries, this simple recipe spread through Europe under many names, from England’s “French toast” to Germany’s “poor knight’s pudding,” eventually becoming the beloved breakfast favorite we enjoy today with syrup, fruit, or any topping we choose. As we celebrate this warm and comforting dish, we also remember the Savior’s promise that He is the Bread of Life, offering us spiritual nourishment far greater than any meal. His invitation to “come and never hunger” continues to bless and guide us in His Story today.

Read the full article here: https://familyschool.org/spotlight/french-toast-5

This episode was created using Notebook LM voice-overs and original research by Rosemary Pollock, historian and published author, who holds an MA in U.S. History and an MA in U.S. History with a focus on the History of Science and Medicine.

Produced by Isaac Okawa with American Heritage Worldwide.

The first Thanksgiving took place in 1621 when Pilgrims and Wampanoag families gathered for three days to give thanks to God for a successful harvest, a tradition rooted in the Pilgrims’ belief that days of fasting and thanksgiving were sacred times to acknowledge His providence. Edward Winslow’s famous letter preserves the details of this celebration, describing feasting, friendship, and gratitude to God for providing more than they needed. Over time, Thanksgiving grew into a national observance—first proclaimed by George Washington in 1789 and later established as an annual holiday by Abraham Lincoln, who called the nation to offer “Thanksgiving and Praise” to God. Today we continue that legacy as we gather with loved ones, express gratitude for our blessings, and remember that thankfulness draws us closer to the Lord, a message that still inspires us in His Story today.

Read the full article here: https://familyschool.org/spotlight/thanksgiving-day-7

This episode was created using Notebook LM voice-overs and original research by Rosemary Pollock, historian and published author, who holds an MA in U.S. History and an MA in U.S. History with a focus on the History of Science and Medicine.

Produced by Isaac Okawa with American Heritage Worldwide.