In between sessions Check out these movies, books and CDs for Latter-day Saints of conference.

Blacks in the Scriptures

3 hrs. (two discs), $34.95, released by Blacks in the Scriptures

"Blacks in the Scriptures" is a filmed version of a two-person, four-part lecture presented by Latter-day Saints Darius Gray and Marvin Perkins. The lecture discusses the presence of persons of color among Biblical tribes and nations, and the substance of references to skin color in the Bible and Book of Mormon. There is also a comprehensive discussion of the history of blacks in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and in Utah.

Gray and Perkins, both of whom are black, self-produced and released their presentation on DVD late last year. They want to deal frankly and scripturally with the perception of racial bias in the LDS Church that has lingered since the Civil Rights Era, when it became widely known that black males were not permitted to enter the LDS Church's priesthood. A landmark revelation announced in 1978, when Spencer W. Kimball was president of the church, changed the policy, but didn't change some people's minds.

Perkins, 44, thinks the DVD has value for people who are not LDS but have questions about the faith. The most important audience, however, is Latter-day Saints. "Our desire is to cleanse the inner vessel first," he said, referring to a metaphor used by the warrior Moroni in the LDS scriptural volume the Book of Mormon.

Perkins wants church members to know what to say when people curious about the LDS faith ask them why black men couldn't hold the priesthood before 1978, or whether Latter-day Saints believe that dark skin is a curse. "We're keeping thousands of people out of the church each year because the members don't know the answers."

-- Cody Clark

My Dear Sisters: Inspiration for Women

Covenant Communications, hardcover, 80 pages, $16.95

The spirit of the late Gordon B. Hinckley, beloved former prophet and 15th church president, lives on in this expression of love and encouragement to the women of the church. Hinckley reviewed the manuscript and design for the book, which includes artwork from more than 20 LDS artists, prior to his death at age 97 on Jan. 27.

The content of the book is drawn from a variety of addresses and articles written by Hinckley during his long tenure in church leadership.

The book was designed by Heather Wiscombe, whose work was personally approved by Hinckley. Wiscombe said she made a point of doing the best work she could do: "I wanted it to be as beautiful as possible to appropriately honor such a great man."

Putting the book together was deeply moving to Wiscombe, who said, "President Hinckley had so much respect and love for the women of the church. My great admiration for him grew, as I created the book and read the quotes, on a daily basis."

The tone of the book is captured in remarks made by Hinckley in general conference in October 2004, about six months following the death of his cherished wife, Marjorie. (Marjorie Hinckley was, in fact, a contributor to "My Dear Sisters," with quotations from her own writing and speaking interspersed throughout the book.) "How thankful I am, how thankful we all must be, for the women in our lives," Hinckley said. "God bless them. May His great love distill upon them and crown them with luster and beauty, grace and faith."

-- Cody Clark

Son of Man: King of Kings

Greenwich Press, hardcover, 56 pages, $16.95

LDS artist Liz Lemon Swindle has spent more than six years of her career painting the Savior, and she's not done yet. This is the third volume in the "Son of Man" series she has produced with Provo author and Brigham Young University professor Susan Easton Black, and the two are working on a fourth volume.

"King of Kings" focuses on the last week of Jesus's life and includes depictions of his death and resurrection. The book tells the story of that week through Swindle's paintings and sketches and Black's narrative. To create the paintings, Swindle staged elaborate scenes with costumes, some on site in Israel, and took pictures to work from. Black draws on her knowledge of historical texts to depict the scene accurately.

The fourth volume in the series, which is not yet scheduled for release, will include art from the first three volumes plus new paintings of Christ. The new work will span Christ's mission from his calling in heaven to his birth, life, death and resurrection. Some of the new paintings will focus on his visit to the Americas, as told in the Book of Mormon.

-- Logan Molyneux

Since last conference, the choir has released three new CDs on its own record label. Here they are, in reverse chronological order.

Called To Serve

15 tracks, $16.98, Mormon Tabernacle Choir

This collection of missionary songs highlights the LDS Church's long focus on spreading its gospel. It includes the choir's rendition of the title song as well as "I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go" and "I Believe in Christ." The choir also sings "This Is the Christ," the text of which is former counselor in the First Presidency James E. Faust's testimony of Christ.

Mack Wilberg: Requiem and Other Choral Works

12 tracks, $16.98, Mormon Tabernacle Choir

Mack Wilberg was recently named interim director of the choir because of director Craig Jessop's unexpected retirement. In addition to the many works he has created for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square, his music has been performed and recorded by choral groups throughout the world. This album highlights six Mack Wilberg compositions, including Requiem, which features solos by Welsh opera star Bryn Terfel and American mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade.

Spirit of the Season

16 tracks, $18.98, Mormon Tabernacle Choir

Norwegian-born singer Sissel joined the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square for their annual Christmas concerts in 2006, which were captured on this album. The album has been nominated for two Grammy Awards this year -- Best Classical Crossover Album of the Year and Best Engineered Classical Album.

-- Logan Molyneux