Stop Judging, Start Loving

A vibrant rainbow in pink and blue skies going over a bridge in a lagoon.

When we let the love of God fill our hearts, we find strength to forgive others—and ourselves. It’s easy to notice when others judge, gossip, or hold grudges. Yet recognizing those same tendencies in ourselves can be far more difficult. We often justify our anger as righteous or dwell on… Continue reading

Hearing the Shepherd’s Voice

A white sheep with a black head stands on a rocky mountaintop

The most important decision we can make in our lives is to hear the Shepherd’s voice. In our lives, we are often called upon to make decisions. Decisions about careers. Decisions about family. Decisions about relationships. The decisions we make on a daily basis are innumerable. Yet, the most important… Continue reading

Creating Peace on Earth

Two candles labeled peace and joy sit on a reflective black surface.

As Christians, we can honor Christ by striving to develop peaceful characters—and through that, create more peace for the world. Christmas is my favorite time of year for a variety of reasons, but what I love most is how my priorities get realigned. There’s lots to do, of course—the holidays… Continue reading

Positivity: The Golden Ticket to a Better Life

A roll of admission tickets.

Hardships and trials in life can drag us down. How can we lift our spirits and find access to the golden ticket of life? A year ago I attended Sister Wendy W. Reese’s address “The Power of Positivity” at Brigham Young University where she spoke about the strength that can… Continue reading

The Final Words of a Prophet

President Nelson of the LDS church shakes the hand of a child

What can we learn from President Nelson’s last general conference address and from the legacy he left with us?  President Russell M. Nelson left an impressive legacy, from his amazing career as a heart surgeon to his incredible role as prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.… Continue reading

Why Does It Matter That No One Sits Alone?

We are often encouraged to reach out to those who are alone and forgotten, but what is the true motivation behind that? When I taught a church lesson on Elder Gerrit W. Gong’s talk “No One Sits Alone,” I was struck by something that had never previously occurred to me.… Continue reading

What We Tell Ourselves

A woman with dark hair stares into a mirror

I knew that the words I said to others mattered, but what about how I talked to and about myself? A few years ago, I had a unique opportunity to work as an actor in the Missionary Training Center (MTC) for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Basically,… Continue reading

The Active Aspects of Peacemaking

Two hands, one passing a cut out paper heart to the other that is open to receive it.

As I’ve implemented President Nelson’s invitation to be a peacemaker, I’ve found that it’s not about avoiding conflict or staying quiet—it’s about actively spreading love, joy, and understanding, even in the middle of chaos.  Being a peacemaker is energetic, intentional, and often messy—it’s choosing kindness, patience, and encouragement every single… Continue reading

Gaining Confidence Through an Objective Perspective

A yellow-tinted camera lens/filter is held in front of a camera.

By objectively setting new goals to become more like our Savior, we will gain confidence and become more dedicated disciples of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Recently, I felt the fire of my faith burning low and felt a dire need to feed its flame. As I turned to my sweet… Continue reading

Back to the Basics: The Power of Primary Songs

a boy in a blue and green vest listens to music on his headphones while standing in a yellow forest

Primary songs teach simple truths that bear powerful testimony of God’s love and can guide and comfort us during difficult times. The greatest building blocks of faith often come from the most basic truths. Through music, those basic truths can be better identified, remembered, and shared. Songs that are taught… Continue reading