However, the reality is that sleepovers aren't always innocent. Here are five terrifying things that may actually happen to your child while he or she is away for the night at a friend's house.

1. Internet porn

Technology is a lot different now than it used to be. While the possibility of a child discovering a stash of pornographic magazines at a friend's house was fairly small 20 years ago, easy Internet access, especially via mobile phones, opens up a completely different world of hardcore pornography, some of it violent or unnatural. Despite the shame or guilt your child feels for watching it, pornography is addictive and your child could end up developing an unhealthy attachment. What's worse, that shame or guilt that comes with watching the stuff may keep your child from telling you about it.

2. Molestation

According to research, about 60 percent of sexual predators are known to their child victim, but aren't family members. A quick Google News search of "sleepover sexual abuse" returns more than 7,000 stories of children being molested at a sleepover by a parent or peer. Age doesn't seem to be a deterrent either. The biggest problem? If your child doesn't report it, that doesn't mean it isn't. Some children may be so ashamed or afraid of his or her parents' reaction or a threat from the predator that they delay disclosure, often until adulthood.

3. Learning from older siblings

You may know your child's friend and his or her parents, but you may not know the rest of the family. If an older brother or sister is a bad influence, he or she may introduce your child to things you wouldn't want him or her to go anywhere near. Plus, you may not know it until your child has already developed the bad habits.

4. Sneaking out

Whether it's to go "doorbell ditching," toilet papering or something more sinister, your child may undergo peer pressure to do something he or she isn't inclined to do on his or her own. While they're out and about, the chances of something bad happening increase exponentially.

5. Drugs

If your child's friend's parents have alcohol in the fridge or an older sibling or fellow sleepover pal has access to drugs, your child's curiosity may get the best of him or her if there's an opportunity to try them. Again, it's unlikely you'll hear of this and it may turn into a long-term problem.
Whether or not you decide to allow your children to attend sleepovers, understand the risks and be prepared.

Get to know the family where your child is staying. Talk to your child about potential pitfalls and encourage him or her to call you if they come across something that makes them uncomfortable.

While you can't prevent all bad things from happening, a little preparation can go a long way to protecting your child from harm. One way you can be prepared is by downloading the WebSafety app to monitor your child's online and other activity on his or her mobile phone. This app comes with many features, such as monitoring which websites your child visits, to protecting multiple devices. You can feel better about letting your child attend sleepovers and other activities by using WebSafety. Click here to find out more information or to download the app.

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1. Don't argue constantly

There's something about that virtual filter that makes us feel emboldened to say things we wouldn't otherwise say to a person's face. But just because you have an opinion about everything doesn't mean it has to be heard on every topic every day.

Keep in mind; you may lose friends by constantly being aggressive in your arguments. Above all, avoid personal attacks as you discuss topics that are important to you. Learn to maintain your opinion about something while also respecting the opinions of others.

2. Don't send game requests

As much as you need that extra boost in your mobile or online farm or city or amusement park, don't send game requests to your friends unless you know they already play the game. Given the prevalence of friend requests at times, it can be annoying enough that people will unfriend you.

3. Don't bully

As social media has become a mainstay in our social lives, so has cyberbullying. Teens and adults seek validation from the things they post, and using that platform to attack them with ethnic slurs, personal insults, or other harassment is unacceptable in any form. What's more, if you notice someone being bullied, report it.

Most children and teenagers are at the center of cyberbullying. Kids will post mean photos, spread rumors online, and even take over their friend's account to post embarrassing things. Most parents don't know about their children's activity, but that can change. With WebSafety, parents can stay up-to-date on all their child's online activity. The WebSafety app can alert parents about bullying, inappropriate online behavior, and more.

4. Don't use social media as a sales platform

It's not a bad thing to try to start your own business. Whether you're trying to sell essential oils, candle warmers, leggings, or your own handmade wares, avoid overt sales tactics on social media. This includes adding friends to your direct sales Facebook "party" without their permission, posting about what you're selling multiple times a day and adding old friends you haven't talked to in years just to see if they want to buy what you're selling.

While there may be people more willing to take a look, you may lose some friends in the process if they feel like you're taking advantage of their friendship.

5. Use hashtags correctly

The hashtag is a great tool to find out who else is talking about a certain topic or issue, but using several in one post can be frustrating for those who read it, especially if you put an entire sentence behind one. This video by Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake shows just how silly it is when hashtags are misused.

6. Don't add people you don't know

It can be weird for someone to receive a friend request on Facebook from someone they've never met before. They may wonder about your motive, and their conclusions are likely never good. And while you think this may not apply to networks like Twitter and Instagram, where you can follow people without them following you back, avoid following someone you don't know with a private profile. There's a reason they want only their close family and friends to see their posts.

7. Don't over post

Regardless of the social network, no one likes to see their feed filled up by posts from one user, including retweets and shared posts. If you find yourself the perpetrator of breaking this law, ask yourself whether you might be spending too much time online.

If you're over posting constantly, and if these posts include personal details or inappropriate photos of your night out on the town, think about taking those down.

Being aware of and keeping these unspoken social media laws can help you maintain a good relationship with your online friends.

If you're a parent and are worried about your teens breaking social media rules or being victims of cyberbullying, check out and download WebSafety, an app that lets you monitor your child's Internet and social media

You can receive notifications when vulgar or derogatory words are used or when inappropriate images or websites are being visited. Visit WebSafety to download the app or to learn more.

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If you haven't come across pornography yet, you will. It's salacious content not only has the power to make you curious, but it can also become addictive. So let's talk about what to remember when you come in contact with it, whether it's for the first time or it already has you in its grip.

Pornography isn't real love

Love is about selflessness and mutual respect. Pornography, however, comprises the opposite. Men and women are depicted as objects with sexual gratification as their only purpose.

In fact, there's an organization out there called Fight the New Drug with the slogan, "Porn kills love." That's because sex is a bonding experience between two people who love and care for each other. The more you let pornography become the standard of what sex is like, the harder it is to recognize it as a fake. Soon, true love becomes dull against the backdrop of the false excitement of pornography.

Hiding it won't make it better

Whether you're seeing pornography for the first time or the hundredth, don't be afraid to talk to us about it. Hiding it and lying to family and friends will only make it harder to cope with what you're feeling. You may feel ashamed by what you see. You might even question your self-worth, but seeing this stuff doesn't make you worthless, and it certainly doesn't make you any less loved. The sooner you talk to us, the more heartache you will be able to avoid in the long run.

Pornography can destroy you

If you're not careful, pornography can destroy everything you care about: your faith, your family and your sense of self. There are countless stories of married men and women who have hidden their addiction to pornography from their loved ones, only for it to come out and break the family apart from all the lies and betrayal.

Pornography can also rob you of your self-esteem by making you feel bad or uncomfortable. It can make it difficult to stay focused on what really matters, as it may come to a point where the only thing that does matter is satisfying the sexual urges pornography provides.

You're not alone

Again, whether you just saw pornography for the first time through a friend or a harmless Internet search, or you're already hooked to its titillating material, you may find it both revolting and satisfying. But before you begin experiencing a feeling of filthiness or perversion, or if you feel you're the only one with this mindset, know that you're not alone.

Millions of people feel the same way, whether they want to or not. It doesn't make you filthy; it makes you human. So please, don't feel inferior. The sooner you can talk to us about what you're feeling, the sooner you can feel better.

Real love still exists

As your peers, and especially boys, get sucked into the falseness of pornography, you may begin to wonder if there's even a point to resisting it. After all, if this is what everyone else expects, won't you be an outsider if you don't do the same? The truth is, real love still exists. There are men and women who, like you, don't believe that pornography is the right way to display love. As you grow older, you will meet men who don't need pornography to feel loved or express it to others. Trust me, the best things in this life are worth the wait.

Love,

Mom and Dad

WebSafety helps parents by keeping them alert about patterns in their child's social media usage and activity. Parents can know if their child is watching pornography by tracking the URLs their child visits. Parents can also know when their child is talking to their friends on social media about the photos they see online. After being alerted about their child's issues with pornography or other online behavior, parents can then know how to have the right kind of conversation with their children. Visit WebSafety's Kickstarter page for more information on how to receive alerts and know more about what your child is watching or doing online.

The post Dear daughter, what I wish you understood about porn appeared first on FamilyToday.

But every once in a while, some colleges get more than they bargained for when an applicant takes his or her essay to the next level. The result is a hilarious bunch.

*Source: Imgur.com

The Cat and the Toast

Some people got really creative with their essay ideas. One online commenter wrote about a friend's college essay that is not-so-normal.

He wrote, "The University of Chicago lets applicants choose their own essay question, so my friend decided to write a thousand words debating the question "If a piece of toast always lands butter side down and a cat always lands on its feet, what would happen if you were to attach a piece of toast butter side up to a cat's back?" He explained the theory of "cat/toast equilibrium" and went into detail explaining what he believed would happen. He got in."

Joking with the judges

The people who read and judge your essay and application can be pretty tough. One Yale applicant kept his answer short and sassy. His parent was a famous actor, so he acted a bit more relaxed in his essay.

Yale's essay question was "Why Yale?" The applicant wrote, "Dear Yale, you're great. There's no need to fish for compliments."

He got in, and when he met the Dean on one of his first days, the Dean said, "I really enjoyed your essay."

Jell-O and the meaning of life

One applicant at Occidental, a private liberal arts college, wanted to show off their philosophical chops. As you'll be able to tell, it fell flat:

"I believe in jello; a silly greeting, tasty dessert, or the answer to life as we know it?

"Factor #1: Have you ever tried to make jello? It takes patience. First you have to boil the water; then mix it with powder, stirring for two minutes; then finally adding the cold water and putting it in the fridge for 45 minutes. Think about the creation of people."

This metaphor was probably a little too far-fetched for readers, and just a bit weird.

The "make up your own question" essay

BroBible listed funny college application stories, and this one was definitely interesting: "When applying to college we were told about a kid that applied to Harvard. Their prompt asked them to propose their own question and answer it. The kid asked himself "Do you play the trombone?" His answer: "No." Of course he got in. I'm not sure what the moral of the story was"¦maybe to think outside the box?"

The most interesting candidate in the world

In the early 90s, a New York University candidate felt that making himself unique was the key to getting accepted. So he went overboard.

"I am a dynamic figure, often seen scaling walls and crushing ice. I have been known to remodel train stations on my lunch breaks, making them more efficient in the area of heat retention. I translate ethnic slurs for Cuban refugees, I write award-winning operas, I manage time efficiently.

"Occasionally, I tread water for three days in a row. I woo women with my sensuous and godlike trombone playing. I can pilot bicycles up severe inclines with unflagging speed, and I cook 30-minute brownies in 20 minutes."

The candidate goes on, with more outrageous claims, including that he's an outlaw in Peru, was scouted by the New York Mets and receives fan mail despite being a private citizen. In the end, however, he writes about the one thing he has yet to do: "But, I have not yet gone to college."

Succeed in your graduate studies

Now that you've been entertained by these hilarious, not-so-ordinary essays, it's time to start thinking about your own. Even more, it's time to start thinking about the next step in your life, including education.

College essays may sound boring, but they're necessary to help you succeed in getting you into the college of your choice. Regardless of your background and essay writing skills, consider BYU Graduate Studies to help you succeed beyond your essay.

The post 5 hilarious college applications that you won’t believe are true appeared first on FamilyToday.

When raising young kids, whining usually comes with the territory. Whether it's having to go to bed at a reasonable time, getting two scoops of ice cream instead of three, or being forced into that slave labor parents like to call "chores," children use whining to express their discontent. Unfortunately, the tone of that expression can cause parents to respond with anger, or by ignoring the child altogether. It's important, however, to understand that there are things parents can do to prevent whining in the first place, and most of them involve teaching children by example to communicate.

Teach responsibility

Everyone must learn responsibility sooner or later, and the sooner parents can teach their children, the fewer whining episodes they'll be forced to deal with. For example, if a child begins to whine about why he or she has to do chores, instead of growling "Because I said so," parents should take a moment to help the child understand that it is important for everyone in the family to contribute. Parents should also consider giving children an allowance for chores that are done properly, showing them that being responsible for things in their stewardship is rewarding.

The same goes for homework. For example, parents already know that playing with friends is much more desirable than doing homework. But children may not yet understand that taking responsibility in their homework will prepare them for success later in life. It's up to parents to help their children learn to manage homework time and play time and to ensure ther children are doing good work rather than just the minimum to get by.

Don't give them everything they want

Children who are used to getting everything they want usually have a hard time understanding when a parent suddenly says no, causing them to whine in an attempt to get their way. This can be avoided by managing their expectations and teaching them to be satisfied with what they have. This can be difficult, as all parents want their children to have a better childhood than they did. However, it is essential to understand that "better" does not necessarily have to mean "more."

Do give them your attention

Most kids make whining a habit when they don't feel like they get the attention they need. This problem can be solved by parents giving their child's questions and predicaments their undivided attention. They should take the time to understand why the child is upset and should avoid treating him or her as a nuisance. Additionally, parents should be sure to also give their kids their undivided attention at times when they aren't in crisis mode, otherwise children will come to realize that the only way to get the attention they want is to throw a fit.

Be fair

Children don't like it when they feel someone is being treated better than they are. This includes when parents hold themselves to different standards than they hold their children. Instead of expecting children to do all household chores, parents should work alongside them. In addition to making their children apologize when they are rude or dishonest, parents should do the same when they mess up.

If discipline is needed, parents should ensure that the punishment fits the crime. For example, if a child tries his or her hand at recreating the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel on the living room wall with crayons, taking away the child's crayons for a week would be a more fitting punishment than taking away television time for a week. Furthermore, parents should avoid doling out punishment arbitrarily or out of anger. In all things, it's important to remember that discipline is meant to help a child improve, not to make a child pay.

In all of this, it is important for parents to remember that their children are simply that — children. While they are incredibly impressionable, they are still developing mentally, emotionally and socially. Whining is generally an automatic reaction to the discomforts and inconveniences of their young lives, and they often don't do it purposely. Having a proactive parent instead of a reactive one can help a child to be directed in the correct way to communicate his or her problems before they become crises.

The post The secret no one ever told you to get your kids to stop whining appeared first on FamilyToday.

Here are five things to watch out for:

1. If she's not getting enough 'likes'

For teenagers, Instagram isn't so much a platform to stay connected with their friends, as it is a way to showcase themselves and their lives. When scrolling through the home feed, a quick double-tap on a picture is a way to show you approve. So when your daughter isn't getting as many 'likes' as her friends, she may think it's because something is wrong with her. There may even be times when her "friends" deliberately withhold likes as a form of cyber-bullying.

2. "Why don't I look like her?"

As your daughter scrolls through her feed every day, it's likely impossible for her to do so without comparing herself with the other girls and women she follows. Almost unconsciously, she starts to feel inferior because she doesn't look as pretty or as skinny or whatever else as the person she's following. Before you know it, she'll do just about anything to look like the girls on her screen.

3. Filters, filters, filters

In a society where photoshopping and airbrushing models is typically cause for a widespread uproar, Instagram offers more than 20 filters your daughter can use to alter her pictures to look the best she can. The problem is that she can become so reliant on filters that she is no longer able to accept herself simply as she is.

4. False expectations

Life isn't perfect. But you'd never guess that by looking at your daughter's Instagram feed. The result is that your daughter may feel like her life isn't fair if everything isn't going her way all the time or her life isn't quite as picture-perfect as that of the people she follows. In fact, a massively popular Instagram "star," Essena O'Neill, recently quit Instagram to prove to her followers that "social media is not real life." It's far from it.

5. The disappearance of self

Your daughter's sense of self is in danger when she spends her time projecting the part of herself that exists only at a superficial level. Soon it gets to the point when she can no longer be her true self around others for fear that it won't coincide with how others perceive her. Eventually she may even lose touch with her true self and identify as her false self.

The bottom line

Whether or not your daughter can see social media for what it is, it can be difficult for you to know. Be in the know with VISR. This is an easy to use, app that can help you notice trends in your daughter's social media use that might affect her self-worth and point out bullying situations. VISR works to warn you of possible issues with your child's social media use in an effort to help you facilitate discussions and protect the self-worth of your child. Download VISR today!

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The challenge of a bucket list isn't in the making but in the doing. Finding time to travel the world or go to graduate school can be difficult, but there is no time like the present to start.

If you created your bucket list long ago but have yet to start crossing things off, you're not alone. Here are 10 reasons to start living your dreams now:

1. You're not getting any younger

The older you get, the harder it can be to do the things you really want to in life. Work gets busier, kids come along and your health begins to wane. If you wait too long, you may not have the time or health to do what you want. And let's face it, skydiving is much more fun in your 30s than in your 90s.

2. No one's going to do it for you

If you're waiting for an inheritance, a raise or a fun travel companion to come out of no where so you can work on your bucket list, you may end up waiting a long time. Try to spend more time focusing on what you can control and the opportunities will come.

3. There's never going to be a perfect time

It's easy to wait for life's circumstances to be just right for us to do what we really want. The fact is, life rarely creates the perfect opportunity; that's your job.

4. There are no guarantees in life

As morbid as it is to think about it, death or disability may be around the corner for all of us. While the likelihood is extremely slim, it makes a good case for living in the moment, albeit responsibly.

5. You'll be happier

Life often requires putting others' needs before our own. Though it's not healthy to always act in your self-interests, taking time to do something for yourself now and then can boost your happiness. Even the most unselfish people deserve a chance to cross off their bucket list.

6. Procrastination is your worst enemy

Waiting until the last minute to finish school or a work assignment may be your strong suit, but when it comes to your bucket list, the only person you're accountable to is yourself. Without the pressure of a grade or job security, putting it off may lead to you never achieving your goals at all.

7. You'll meet amazing people

When you're motivated to pursuing your goals, you'll automatically attract other high-achievers who have your same interests. Then, when you're struggling with complacency, you'll have friends to help keep you motivated.

8. You can inspire others

The world is full of influencers, and the common denominator with most of them is that they simply followed their dreams. Staying motivated to reach your goals can inspire others to do the same.

9. You deserve it

No matter how busy you are, everyone deserves to have opportunities to improve their life. You don't have to cross off all your bucket-list items at once, but starting now can put you in a position to live your life the way you want to.

10. You won't regret it

The worst question you can ever ask yourself is "What if?" Spending your whole life aspiring to do things you want and never following through can leave you full of regret. So, get busy and start crossing off your bucket list now. It will be the one thing you will never regret.

Graduate school is a common bucket list item. Whether you're trying to enhance your career or you're simply in it for the accomplishment, Brigham Young University offers 85 plus graduate programs to help prepare you to full fill your dreams.

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It's not easy to say "no" to your kids. For many, fears start bubbling up as soon as they ask for something. If you say "no," you might feel like you're a bad parent, or that they won't love you and will always resent your authority. Or it could be that you're just tired of dealing with what happens when you say "no," as if the word alone is a catalyst for a volcanic meltdown.

But as a parent, it's your responsibility to help your children develop at a time when they need it - and you - the most. Here are three reasons your children need to understand the meaning of the word "no."

They're not equipped to make reasonable decisions

If you were to ask any 3-year-old out there what he or she would like to eat for every meal, ice cream and macaroni and cheese would probably be at the top of the list - never mind the obvious health risks we know that would impose. But that's the thing: Your kids aren't flipping out when you say "no" because they think you're the meanest mom in the world — they simply can't comprehend it. Even as your kids are in their teenage years, their brains still aren't developed enough to balance risks and rewards. It is your responsibility to guide them and to help them condition their brains to expect to hear "no" sometimes. As they become older and they continue to develop mentally, they'll begin to understand the value in it.

You'll save your future

If your children are conditioned to expect a constant stream of "yes" when they are young, don't be surprised if they continue to expect that answer for the rest of their lives. The problem is that when they're older, the toys get more expensive and the needs can be endless. Thus the Bank of Mom and Dad opens its doors, and it only gets harder to close them again.

Not only does this further hinder your kids from becoming self-reliant, but it can take a major financial toll on your own future. At worst, it could put you in a situation where you need to turn to your kids for support, but they're ill-equipped to give it to you.

They'll thank you

It may seem highly unlikely right now, but one day your kids will thank you for appropriately teaching them the word "no."

If you've always given your son everything he wants, he starts to believe that it's because he inherently deserves it.

Teaching them "no" will not only help them to make better decisions, but it will also help them develop gratitude for what they have.

For example, when he's older, he'll be grateful to have a job and will work hard to get where he wants to be, rather than simply expecting his employer to give him a free ticket. In his marriage, he'll respect the needs of his wife, rather than constantly putting his own first. Both of these scenarios contribute to a fuller life where his expectations are better managed and he is able to contribute to his own happiness rather than waiting for others to do so.

As an adult and a loving parent, the duty is on you to appropriately determine when to say "yes" and when to say "no" to your children. While there is no handbook on which is appropriate in every given situation, you know your children better than anyone else - including themselves. By teaching your kids to accept "no" as an answer, one day they'll understand just how much love it took.

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Most people don't get married with the goal in mind to get divorced. Yet, not too long after the honeymoon, you realize that it's hard work to keep a marriage alive.

Both men and women need to understand that joy in marriage doesn't come naturally. Here are 10 things you should avoid doing, unless you want to guarantee your marriage will end in divorce.

1. Stop being intentional

In the movie "Dan in Real Life," Dan struggles to cope with the fact that his teenage daughter is dating. While telling his daughter's boyfriend he needs to leave, Dan tells him, "Love is a dangerous feeling." The boy responds, "Love is not a feeling, it's an ability."

Just like athletic or artistic abilities, if we fall out of practice in loving our spouse, we slowly lose what we once had. Instead of assuming it comes naturally, our love must be intentional.

2. Play battle of the sexes

No, not the board game. In marriage, we sometimes like to point out the differences between men and women as if it's a bad thing.

She's too emotional or he's too primitive.

Forcing your husband to be like one of your girlfriends is a sure way to make him resent you. On the other hand, trying to fix all your wife's problems rather than helping her work through her emotions will do the same.

3. Unlock your heart

When you are first married, the idea is to lock your heart with your spouse inside. Not only should this remind you to be intentional with your love, but it should also lock everyone else out.

If find yourself flirting or confiding emotionally in another member of the opposite sex, you've opened your heart, which makes it harder to lock it up again. This is where the seeds of adultery are sown.

4. Spend too much or save too much

It's no surprise that studies show that money problems put marriages at risk. When it comes to money, it's essential that both spouses are always on the same financial page.

Surprisingly, it's not just overspending that throws a wrench in the works of a happy marriage. Forcing your spouse to be overly frugal can also cause tension. Couples should communicate about what is important to them financially and be willing to understand differences and make reasonable compromises.

5. View pornography

While porn has become more embraced in popular culture, it's also putting more marriages at risk. Research suggests that pornography is a major factor in more than half of divorces in America. Even if you're able to conceal a pornography addiction from your spouse, its effects are quickly revealed as love and tenderness are replaced with selfish lust and a wandering eye.

6. Be a Negative Nancy or Ned

You can complain about anything, but that doesn't mean you should. Sure, you're supposed to be able to confide in your spouse, but negative thoughts and emotions weigh much heavier than positive ones, and it won't be too long before your spouse associates you with feelings of anger, annoyance and frustration.

7. Move in with your parents

Studies show that in-law relationships have an important influence on a marriage. Moving in with your parents can highlight that influence for good or for bad. When disagreements arise or your spouse is being critical of a family member, it's difficult to know which side to be on and you may find yourself on the defensive. Do yourself and your marriage a favor and limit in-law face time to less than 24/7, unless you absolutely need to for financial or caregiving reasons.

8. Be right all the time

There's nothing more frustrating than trying to reach an agreement with someone who has already solved the problem and won't budge. Leave such conversations for Internet comment boards.

In marriage, the relationship takes precedence over being right. Admitting you're wrong or working together to come to a solution are marital virtues required in a happy marriage.

9. Mold your spouse into the perfect mate

Marriage is all about being with the perfect mate, right? The only problem is that while a couple may seem to be a perfect match, that doesn't mean they don't do things that drive each other crazy. Your husband may put on a few (or a hundred) pounds, or your wife may leave a mess in the kitchen. The easy response is to try to change your spouse so they fit you better. However, this typically has the opposite effect and drives a wedge between the two of you.

10. Speak your mind unfiltered

There's nothing wrong with being honest about your feelings. In fact, it's crucial to a healthy marriage. But how you express those feelings has an infinitely more profound impact than the words you say. Sarcasm, contempt, criticism, accusations and defensiveness are all things that should be filtered out as you're communicating with your spouse.

Most couples enter marriage with great expectations. However, it's not uncommon to realize that nothing of high value comes easy. While no one is perfect in marriage and some of these things will certainly rear their ugly heads, a marriage where both spouses are dedicated to making things work can weather just about any storm.

The post 10 ways to guarantee your marriage will end in divorce appeared first on FamilyToday.

1. There are no physical descriptions of Jesus

The only allusion to Jesus' physical appearance is found in Isaiah 53.2, where it says, "He hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him." But that hasn't stopped artists, who have attempted to eternalize his image for centuries.

2. Jesus had brothers

Some denominations believe that Jesus was an only child. However, James, Joses, Juda and Simon are all referenced as brothers in Mark 6:3, along with his mother Mary.

3. The Bible is not a book

Actually, the Bible is a collection of books, which you likely already knew. However, what you may not know is that the Bible canon as we know it wasn't finalized until the 5th century, and it is not in chronological order. There were roughly 40 different writers who contributed to it.

4. It is the most shoplifted book of all time

The most ironic fact about the Bible? Many bookstore owners claim that the book that teaches "thou shalt not steal" is the most popular item stolen from their shelves.

5. You probably quote it every day

The Bible is arguably the most influential piece of literature in the English language. Modern day idioms such as "a broken heart," "by the skin of your teeth" and "go the extra mile" all have their origins in the Bible.

6. There are over 100 English translations

Though most translations of the Bible reflect minor differences, a missed word here and there can change an entire passage. One reprint of the King James Bible in 1631 made a mistake, omitting the word "not" in the sentence, "Thou shalt not commit adultery." The version was appropriately dubbed the "Wicked Bible."

7. We don't actually know how many wise men there were

Tradition has it that three wise men visited the baby Jesus, bringing with them gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. But in fact, the New Testament doesn't specify how many there were. Additionally, many scholars believe they didn't visit the Christ child until he was around 2 years old.

8. Jesus likely wasn't born on the December 25

It can get mighty cold in Israel in December, so it's highly unlikely that shepherds would be "abiding in the field" at this time of year. It also would have been a very difficult time for pregnant Mary to make the 80-mile trip from Nazareth. Some scholars place the actual timing of Jesus' birth in the spring or autumn.

9. Jesus Christ was sold for four months' pay

Judas Iscariot was paid thirty pieces of silver to betray Jesus. Scholars believe this amounts to about 120 days (or four months) worth of skilled labor,.

No matter your background or religious preferences, the Bible has a prolific history and spiritual richness. It still remains a beloved story for hundreds of millions of people across the world and has been told in countless derivations. The story continues to be told in NBC's new series, "A.D. The Bible Continues."

#ADTheSeries premieres Easter Sunday, April 5 at 9/8c on NBC.

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