Ongoing Restoration

Renovations to Temple Square allow for the restored gospel of Jesus Christ to be preached to the world like never before. During my mission at Temple Square, I sometimes struggled to keep Jesus Christ at the center of my conversations. I deeply wanted to share the joy of his restored...

Accepting Weaknesses Gracefully

How can I accept my weaknesses and grow without hopeless self-hatred, anxious disappointment, or worldly sorrow? The Apostle Paul is remembered as a great man of Christ. But in his own writings, he said, “There was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet...

Culture vs. Creed: Thoughts on Our Bodies

As we teach and learn together, we must distinguish between Church doctrine and local culture. I see a disconnect sometimes, especially in online echo chambers, between my lived experience and the lived experiences of others within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These differences are often benign or...

Even If…

Uncertainty is a reality of life that we all have to deal with. By acknowledging the imperfection of our own knowledge, we can still learn despite uncertainty. “Fear is asking, ‘What if…?’ Faith is saying, ‘Even if….’” My boss once shared this quote with me during a work training, and...

Taking It One Day at a Time

How do we stop living in the future we’re trying to plan, and start living in the moment? There’s nothing I love more than a warm, sunny day at the pool with a cold glass of lemonade in hand. I’m a California girl through and through, and I was always...
Four Words Can Transform Life’s Journey

Four Words Can Transform Life’s Journey

As we follow four important words in Alma 34:32, the purpose of life can become clearer, and our journey through life can become easier. It’s easy to become overwhelmed with all that living the gospel entails. The long list of to-do’s can distract us from the true purpose of life....
The Prophet Teaches Us to Be Teachable

The Prophet Teaches Us to Be Teachable

In President Dallin H. Oaks’s first address as the prophet of the restored Church, he counsels us to come closer to the Savior by being teachable. “Humility is a master virtue, given to help us learn other virtues necessary for us to become what our Heavenly Father and His Only...
Rain-Filled Boots: What Is the Meaning of Life?

Rain-Filled Boots: What Is the Meaning of Life?

“It was as if the spirit said to me, ‘Did you expect this earthly journey not to have struggles?’” —Richard J. Anderson When my trainer completed her mission and went home, suddenly the fire and drive I had as a new missionary vanished, and I was acutely aware of how...
Upholding Your Standards When Others Might Mock You

Upholding Your Standards When Others Might Mock You

It can be hard to stand out in a crowd as a disciple of Jesus Christ, but we are promised great blessings if we rely on Christ anyway. In our often intellect-based world, we can place a lot of value on being seen as “smart” and “logical.” Anything that doesn’t...
Divine Discontent: An Invitation to Improve

Divine Discontent: An Invitation to Improve

Recognizing and welcoming divine discontent will help us gain an eternal and hopeful perspective on our path of progression. Feelings of discontent usually aren’t something we welcome. However, in a general conference address, Sister Michelle D. Craig explains how discontent doesn’t have to be destructive if we use three principles of...
Finding Hope in Jesus Christ

Finding Hope in Jesus Christ

No matter how dark or difficult life becomes, there is always hope through our Savior, Jesus Christ. Have you ever felt like life has gone so wrong it could never be set right? Has something ever felt so hard or so painful that you weren’t sure you would survive? In...