We Always Have a Place with God

Although sometimes we may feel like we do not belong, we always have a place as God’s children.  Deserved or not, lasting or temporary, major or minor, we have all probably had the terrible experience of feeling like we don’t belong. It’s an emotion to which we humans are all… Continue reading

Going the Extra Mile to Minister

When we go the extra mile to minister, the Lord blesses us with the ability to serve others and live a full life. If you’re like me, the new ministering program announced last year has held more confusion than revelation. With such an open-ended directive to serve each other, this… Continue reading

Life Got You Down? Lose Yourself in Service

Life gets more stressful year to year. But President Gordon B. Hinckley describes a simple way we can overcome that stress. Sometimes day-to-day life gets really overwhelming. I, for one, seem to have problems left and right: the 8:00 a.m. bus is hot and crowded, the elevator quits working when… Continue reading

Stop, Drop, and Try to Understand

When you stop saying unkind words, drop your assumptions, and try to understand, you can save others and yourself from unnecessary hurt and regret. The advice to “seek first to understand, then to be understood” is one of the key habits in Stephen Covey’s famous book The 7 Habits of… Continue reading

An Unexpected Visitor

Sun shining behind blades of wheat.

During a difficult time for my family, an unexpected visitor brought us hope when we needed it most. Who is my light at the end of the tunnel? I could give you the standard answers—my mother, my father, my boyfriend, my bishop. You probably wouldn’t expect it to be the… Continue reading

Ordinary Wonder Women

Wonder women in comic form

Sometimes we feel like we’re the only ones who’ve faced our particular challenges. Luckily, we can look to examples of wise, strong, and courageous women who have overcome enormous challenges themselves. When I was younger, the women in my ward guided, served, and loved me with astounding strength and wisdom.… Continue reading

4 Life-Changing Lessons about Love

Cherry blossoms in the shape of a heart

It’s easy to get discouraged about our weaknesses and shortcomings. But God doesn’t beat us down; he lovingly invites us to improve. Our weaknesses sometimes seem  insurmountable. But when we learn to discern God’s love for us, we’ll realize that his grace is sufficient to make weak things strong (see… Continue reading

How a Priesthood Blessing from a Stranger Changed My Life

A woman getting a priesthood blessing

After endlessly praying for help on a life decision, my answer came in a completely unexpected way—a priesthood blessing from a stranger. Continue reading

4 Ways to “Be One”

People crossing hands forming a square

Why is the anniversary of blacks receiving the priesthood still relevant today? On June 1, 2018, the Church held the worldwide event “Be One,” celebrating the 40th anniversary of the revelation extending priesthood rights and blessings to blacks. During this event, Church members were encouraged to renew their commitment to… Continue reading