Giving the Gift of Receiving

As we give gifts to bring happiness to the people around us, we must also receive gifts cheerfully and thankfully, especially the ones from God.  About 1,990 years ago, Jesus Christ suffered in Gethsemane and died on a cross. His life on Earth was spent giving gifts of joy and… Continue reading

The Blessings of Owning Your Testimony

When we learn to take charge of our own testimony of Jesus Christ, we’re able to overcome life’s daily struggles.  In her Fall 2022 address to BYU students “Eternal Perspective Through Owning Your Testimony,” Peggy S. Worthen shared a story about a rabbi and the prophet Elijah.   On their journey,… Continue reading

My Second Life … As a Latter-day Saint

The Salt Lake City Temple

The first time I heard the story of Joseph Smith and the First Vision was at Temple Square in Salt Lake City during a guided tour. I believed it. But my family didn’t. My father said it was the most bogus story he had ever heard. I was crushed and… Continue reading

Understanding the Symbol of the Cross

A cross on top of a large building

Latter-day Saints do not normally wear physical crosses, but instead take up a symbolic cross in order to come unto Christ. Why do Latter-day Saints not wear crosses? I recently talked about this question with a fellow member of the Church. She told me that she did wear a cross… Continue reading

Six Simple Steps to Develop Divine Confidence

Stained glass window

Developing confidence can be difficult. Start today with these small and simple steps. Sometimes I struggle with knowing where I stand. I tend to become anxious when I think too much about what my purpose is in my friend group, among my roommates, or with my coworkers. Even though I… Continue reading

Heavenly Support in Our Hardships

Ukrainian flag in front of dark forest and blue sky

Even when the world around us is falling apart, God is always by our side. The first temple in the former Soviet Union was announced only eight years after Ukraine opened to Latter-day Saint missionaries. It would take another decade to build, but the Ukrainian Saints were faithful and patient.… Continue reading

How to Avoid the Rut of Spiritual Apathy

Green mountains

Remembering God’s love will strengthen your spiritual resilience and protect you from the trap of spiritual apathy. I peered out through the dense fog at the Ribeira da Torre Valley of Santa Antão, Cape Verde. As the clouds parted and sunlight illuminated the view, my jaw dropped. Enormous mountains covered… Continue reading

Divine Daughters of Heavenly Parents

Women sitting while talking.

As women, it can be easy to forget our purpose and place in God’s eyes, but the foundational truths in the Young Women Theme can remind us that we are divine daughters of our Heavenly Mother and Father.   When I was a teenager, I participated in the Young Women program.… Continue reading

Are You Headed in the Right Direction?

Boy walking on paved road

Though we may experience different challenges and opportunities, we each have divine potential and the ability to choose the right direction for our lives. At times we may feel that our starting place determines our destiny; feeling that we’re already behind, we lose hope in leading a successful life. I… Continue reading

Where Are the Miracles?

Man holds a journal while looking into the distance

The scriptures are bursting with miraculous experiences—manna from heaven, people raised from the dead, and enemies conquered. Reading about these miracles can cause each of us to wonder, “Where are the miracles in my life?” A few years ago, I was given an assignment to create or do something that… Continue reading