A Mighty Heart Workout

Vibrant pink bleeding heart flowers (Lamprocapnos spectabilis) blooming outdoors in spring.

How to become like Jesus: a transformation made possible through his grace. Love one another as Jesus loves you. Try to show kindness in all that you do. Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought, For these are the things Jesus taught. (“I’m Trying to Be like Jesus,”… Continue reading

Rejoice with Those Who Rejoice

A yellow smiley face balloon up against the sky.

Even in seasons of sorrow and grief, we can rejoice with those who rejoice. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I try to live by the principle to “mourn with those who mourn” and “comfort those that stand in need of comfort,” as taught… Continue reading

It’s Time to Let Go of Your Past

Silhouette of tree against sunset

If we don’t let go of the past, we run the risk of committing the greater sin of focusing on the past  instead of enjoying the present. Do you know what it’s like to have your past mistakes loop through your head repeatedly? I do. After you’ve done all you… Continue reading

What Does God Feel for Millennials?

an iPhone rests against a tree

It’s not easy to live with millennial stereotypes, but knowing who you really are and what God thinks of you can make all the difference. If you are reaching adulthood in the new millennium, society considers you a “millennial.” Modern statistics and surveys provide superficial perspectives on millennials, but in… Continue reading

Accepting Others Regardless of Beliefs

an image of a couple of little girls standing on a wooden bridge

People with different religious views often focus on their differences and push each other far apart. What would happen if we focused on how we are alike? In a speech given at BYU, Barbara Culatta gave seven tips to help us accept those who believe differently than we do. She… Continue reading

The Good You Accomplished Today

an image of a calendar with a marker and a pen on it

Although some days you look at your to-do list and feel frustrated that you didn’t get as much done as you had hoped, take heart that you made more difference than you realized. The Mormon Message “You Never Know” is a good reminder that the most important things you do… Continue reading

I Was a Stranger: The Call for Relief

Jesus holds a little boy in his lap.

“Reaching out to others with love matters to the Lord.” This is why Latter-day Saint women announced a new refugee relief effort called “I Was a Stranger.”  “Have I done any good in the world today?” Thus began the General Women’s Session of the April 2016 general conference of The… Continue reading

“I Wasn’t There for the Weeds”: When Duty Becomes Devotion

A man and a woman working in a garden

When we make Christ the center of our lives, our thoughts and actions become motivated by devotion rather than duty.  When we take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ at baptism, we promise to exemplify Christlike attributes and to share his teachings and love with all. However, our busy… Continue reading

Competition and Contention: Fighting Pride in Our Relationships

Angry woman in front of a poster

 “Pride is ugly. It says, ‘If you succeed, I am a failure.’” —Ezra Taft Benson Today, conflict has become an acceptable aspect of our culture. Society has normalized stereotypes like contentious family dinners and mud-slinging political debates, as if fighting were just a fact of life. But this is not… Continue reading