Christ as the Good Shepherd

Understanding the roles of Christ as the Good Shepherd and Lamb of God helps us more fully trust his guidance and care. My favorite of Christ’s names is the Good Shepherd. There is something about that title that has always felt especially personal and reassuring to me. In his address...

A Safe Place to Land

As disciples of Christ, we must show empathy and compassion for those driven from their homes—because Christ taught us to relieve human suffering. As a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I taught the gospel to Cambodian Americans in Tacoma, Washington. They were the most welcoming...

We Can Be the Works of God

Every person on earth will face the trials of mortality, but we can have the works of God manifest in our own lives, and we can help manifest them in the lives of others.  The complex heart defects I have had all my life have at times felt like a...

When Faith Opens Our Eyes

Through personal revelation, simple experiences become opportunities to recognize God’s guidance. Life is full of seemingly ordinary moments—quiet mornings, routine classes, conversations with friends. Yet these simple experiences can carry profound meaning, often revealing God’s presence and guidance in ways we might not immediately notice. Faith allows even the smallest,...

Finding Growth Through Failure

Experiencing failure is part of our mortal existence, but through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can grow through those mistakes and progress toward perfection. We will all make mistakes and experience failure at various points in our lives. It is an inevitable part of being a human in this...
The Book of Mormon: Worth More than Gold

The Book of Mormon: Worth More than Gold

Oliver Cowdery explains in a letter the true worth of the gold plates that were translated into the Book of Mormon. In 1827, Joseph Smith learned from an angel named Moroni that a record of ancient inhabitants of the Americans was hidden in a hill in Manchester, New York. He...
How to Focus on What’s Important

How to Focus on What’s Important

We are constantly surrounded by distractions. When we take time to think about our goals, the Lord will guide us in achieving all he has planned for us. Today, distractions are everywhere. Social media, streaming platforms, and time-wasting games surround us, demanding our attention. To complicate matters, not all distractions...
Finding Inspiration through Art

Finding Inspiration through Art

Creativity can encourage us to seek out beautiful inspiration around us, helping us grow closer to our Heavenly Father.
The Leopard’s Lie: Do People Really Change?

The Leopard’s Lie: Do People Really Change?

Even with our knowledge of the plan of salvation, it can be difficult to see others as God sees them—especially when they seem unwilling or unable to progress toward achieving their divine potential. Is permanent improvement possible? Clinton Duffy, an American prison warden known for successfully rehabilitating prisoners, certainly thought...
Becoming Whole Through Broken Hearts

Becoming Whole Through Broken Hearts

When we offer our broken hearts to God, he can mend them and transform our brokenness into beauty. The first time I saw a piece of kintsugi pottery, I was struck by the gold cracks in the bowl. Once broken, the bowl was laboriously made whole again by a master...
3 Ways to Make a Great Life

3 Ways to Make a Great Life

What’s the secret to a happy, fulfilling life? It all comes down to three simple things.   Have you ever wished there was a key to making a good life? We all want to have a happy life with meaning and purpose, but we also have a difficult time figuring...