Civic Knowledge “by Study and by Faith”

Our leaders have always encouraged us to be civically responsible by independently exercising our right to vote. As I scroll on my phone and get notifications from online newspapers, there is a distinct feeling of dread that weighs on my shoulders at the end of each day. Faceless accounts spit...

Choosing the Safer Path: Avoiding Temptation in a Covenant Life

The Savior didn’t debate temptation—he dismissed it. When we do the same, his strength will help us overcome our weakness. In our world today, we are surrounded by distractions and worldly pleasures that seek to turn us away from the covenant path. One of the proverbs of Solomon teaches a...

Your Testimony Is a Weapon, a Defense, and a Refuge

We can share the gospel with greater confidence when we recognize the power of our testimonies. Your testimony is a weapon, a defense, and a refuge. And it’s powerful. When I was a missionary in southern Argentina, my mission president taught an important truth from a scripture I now hold...

Using the Book of Mormon to Understand the Old Testament

In his day, Nephi studied and cherished the Old Testament record. Because of what Nephi left behind, we can too. The Old Testament can be a difficult read for many, and it definitely is for me. Not only is it the oldest scripture in our canon, but it sometimes seems...

Humility Deepens Covenant Connections

Christ is the ultimate example of handing his will to God in humility, and we can follow his example in our covenants to draw closer to God. As a newly endowed member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I found—and sometimes still find—the temple covenants to be...
How Does the Resurrection Affect my Discipleship?

How Does the Resurrection Affect my Discipleship?

Having a knowledge of the Resurrection gives us hope and strength to live the gospel more fully. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ was one of the most important events in human history. It was an integral part of the plan of salvation, one that prophets looked forward to for centuries....
Our Heavenly Father’s Checklist

Our Heavenly Father’s Checklist

We may wonder whether Heavenly Father has a plan for the world. The Restoration shows us he’s had everything planned out from the start.  Many of us have learned about the Restoration of the Church, beginning with Joseph Smith’s First Vision of the Father and the Son. However, some of...
Death, Patriarchy, and the Struggle of Discipleship

Death, Patriarchy, and the Struggle of Discipleship

The answer is not to give up when tough questions arise—but to understand that the struggle is part of something greater.  From one overthinker to another, I’m going to be real with you: this time, you’re not overthinking it. Being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints...
You Are Allowed to Believe in the Magnificent

You Are Allowed to Believe in the Magnificent

There are miracles all around us that we take for granted. Recognizing the incredible in the everyday can help us believe in the magnificent aspects and promises of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We live in an era that is dominated by secular thought, and sometimes it’s hard not to...
A Formula for Healing

A Formula for Healing

Healing is possible for all people and all problems through courage, action, and the Savior’s grace. In a world of ever-increasing suffering, many of us find ourselves searching for relief. Some feel marginalized as we struggle to overcome challenges that may be considered uncommon, extreme, or even taboo. For example,...
Marriage: Then and Now

Marriage: Then and Now

By using “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” as our standard, we can see how far off-center the world’s idea of marriage has become, how it got there, and how we need to define marriage today.  A judicial system has to balance social and individual interests—the good of the...