Finding Peace in Imperfection

A harvested field

Why should we even try to be perfect when we have been taught that perfection is out of reach in this life? Many of us find the concept of reaching perfection incredibly confusing. We are told to try to be like Jesus, but we are also told that Jesus was… Continue reading

They Have Done What They Could

The Widow's Mite

Christ instructs us to be “perfect,” but when we study his words and actions, it’s clear that he looks at our effort more than our outcomes. The modern world preaches that outcomes are the key indicators for success. What counts is whether or not we hit a metric, achieve a… Continue reading

Healing from Addiction

Hand reaching to the sun through the trees

When pornography addiction makes us feel broken, we can find healing through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. When a plague of fiery serpents befell the ancient Israelites, the Lord gave Moses a solution: make a serpent of brass, fix it to a pole, then invite those who have been bitten… Continue reading

No Trial Is Wasted

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Just as our Savior came to know us through his suffering, we come to know and love our Savior through our trials. A few years ago during a scripture study, I realized that as the Jaredites traveled across the sea, they encountered “furious wind” that created “mountain waves.”  This must… Continue reading

Where You Look Is Where You’ll Go

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Setting our focus on our Savior and our eternal potential can give us the direction we need to help us navigate our lives. Eat. Sleep. Work. Repeat.  There are times when that is all my life feels like. I go to work, I go to class, I come home, and… Continue reading

It’s Not Bad; It’s Just Wrong

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When we act badly, we sometimes think we are bad. But more often than not, the root of our bad actions is misunderstanding. By increasing our knowledge, we increase our ability to do and be better. Many people at the time of Christ thought the Messiah would save them from… Continue reading

Our Patient Savior

field of red poppies

The Savior is on our side, and he gives us as many second chances as we need. Peter once asked Jesus how many times he was supposed to forgive his brother. Peter suggested seven as a reasonable answer. After all, forgiving someone seven times for the same mistake seems like… Continue reading

The Beauty and Value in Messiness

Life is messy. Luckily, there is holiness in the mess. In her essay titled “This Holy Mess,” Sharlee Glenn shared an experience she had while in Italy. Glenn’s tour guide said something that struck her as they were rushing to make it to mass: “Hurry!… We can’t be late for… Continue reading

Doctrine in Doubles

Eternal truths can be found when we understand the blessings of Gospel doctrines. We’re very familiar with the phrase in James 2:17: “Faith, if it hath not works, is dead.” But we’re less familiar with the truth that agency without responsibility is also dead—and becomes just a series of decisions.… Continue reading