Experiment upon the Words of God

As we implement the commandments in our lives, we can understand the blessings God promises to the obedient. As a chemist, my dad tests hypotheses about compounds to better understand how they react with one another. He doesn’t know the outcome of an experiment until he completes the procedures. Just… Continue reading

Building Healthy Community through a Gospel of Beauty

Building a healthy community may mean asking for help—Minerva Teichert did just that, helping her paint a gospel of beauty through her art. Building a healthy community means supporting one another, but it begins by having the courage to ask for help. In Laura Paulsen Howe’s article “I Have Dreamed… Continue reading

Hear, Hearken, Obey: A Pattern to Overcome Adversity

Person sitting on a dock looking at a lake

When it feels like our life is cracking under pressure, how do we continue? Sometimes the answer is to submit to the will of God. I was 12 years old when I lost all my friends—for the second year in a row. Another move, another state. With burgeoning depression, I… Continue reading

Planning Like the Prodigal Son

Time management

I may not be spending my money in ways that drive me from God like the prodigal son did, but how am I spending my time? Nearly every Christian knows the story of the prodigal son, but many may not know what prodigal actually means. If you had asked me… Continue reading

3 Concrete Ways to Apply Jesus Christ’s Atonement

For the times when life seems hopeless, here are three concrete ways to apply the Atonement of Jesus Christ. When discussing how to overcome trials in Sunday School, I frequently hear the comment, “Just apply the Atonement.” But when a crisis hits, I often wonder, “How do I apply the… Continue reading

Jesus Christ’s Beloved Enemy

Jesus washing the feet of his disciples

During his Last Supper, Christ washed the feet of Judas Iscariot. By doing so, Christ set the ultimate example of what it means to “love your enemy.”  For over a millennium, the teachings of Jesus Christ have inspired spiritual growth for those who study and accept his words. During his… Continue reading

Doing as Dancers Do to Make Meaningful Life Changes

Dancer

How can we become in tune with ourselves and focus our attention on what matters most?  “Abby, point your toes, tuck your pelvis, and drop your hip.” Growing up as a dancer, I would often hear these comments from my teachers as I spent countless afternoons in the dance studio.… Continue reading

But How Can I Know He’s a Prophet?

In an era oversaturated with access to information and opinions, is it possible to know for certain whether a prophet is called of God? The first time I questioned my testimony about Joseph Smith was during a bike ride with a district leader on my mission. I still vividly remember… Continue reading

The Book of Mormon Reaches 200 Million Copies

The hastening of the work continues as the Book of Mormon reaches a historic publishing milestone. The Restoration started with a book—a book published in Upstate New York in 1830 with a print run of five thousand copies. Realistically, a book that obscure should be long forgotten, possibly not even… Continue reading

Perfection Is Not a Prerequisite

puzzle pieces

Focusing on God’s promises can help you access the power of Jesus Christ—even when perfectionism tells you you’re not enough. My friend was doing everything she thought she should be—attending church regularly, praying and studying the scriptures daily, and striving to keep her covenants—but she still felt like she was… Continue reading