When Should You Judge?

I learned from a friend that our job is to love one another and nurture our spirituality, not try to determine each other’s fate. After I graduated from high school, many of my friends were preparing to leave on missions for the Church. My Sundays became busier and busier as… Continue reading

It’s Not the Mote in Your Eye—It’s the Beam in Mine

If you’ve ever asked, “How is that person married when I’m single?” or “I know that person is great, but they aren’t as righteous as I am,” then you probably need to take a moment to reflect. In the talk “Lord Is It I?” President Dieter F. Uchtdorf discusses the… Continue reading

Lose Yourself to Find Yourself: Service Brings You to Christ

When devastating mudslides destroyed neighbors’ houses, members of the Church left everything behind to help with the cleanup. “Brothers and Sisters, we just found out that the recent rainfall has flooded several houses with mud up Angeles Crest. We ask anyone who is willing and able to go help with… Continue reading

How to Serve the Poor and Needy Even When You Are Poor and Needy

Heavenly Father knows and cares about each person’s needs. If we prayerfully seek guidance, then we’ll know how to fulfill these needs. As Latter-day Saints, we know that God asks us to care for the poor and needy. Though this commandment is important, it can also be overwhelming at times—especially… Continue reading

“He That Is Not Against Us Is for Us”: Finding Unity with Other Religions

Relations between different religions can be difficult, but the blessings of working together can be enormous. Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to visit and worship with members of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. I was at the worship service on assignment from my world religions professor, and I was,… Continue reading

Finding and Becoming the One: Using the Atonement in Relationships

In an imperfect world with imperfect people, how can we choose a partner with whom we can have an eternal, celestial marriage? Marrying a perfect person is impossible—it’s a hard, cold truth that not a single person on this earth is perfect. In fact, we believe that the journey to… Continue reading

Learning to Lift Where You Stand

If you’re doing what God has asked you to do, you’re doing enough. I’ve been in college for a while now—years on years of working part-time and studying full-time. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I have the added responsibilities of fulfilling callings in… Continue reading

Learning Empathy through Our Trials: Christ Sets The Example

Through our suffering, we learn to have Christlike empathy for others. If God loves us, why do we suffer? Most of us have had to face this question, and modern revelation provides sound, intellectual answers. But when we’re struggling through trials, sometimes the intellectual answer isn’t enough to carry our… Continue reading

Peaceful Politics: What Past Leaders Teach Us about Civic Charity

The examples of past American leaders can help us apply charity to politics and further democratic principles. I grew up in a family whose political opinions were quite different from the general opinion of the area. I was and am often hesitant to share my opinions for fear of being… Continue reading

Outside In: The Secret to True Happiness

Happiness is found by turning outward rather than focusing on ourselves. Everyone searches for happiness, but many people aren’t sure how to achieve it. In the talk “Choose Happiness,” Elder Larry R. Lawrence assures us that the Lord wants us to be happy: “Latter-day prophets have taught us that happiness… Continue reading