How to Become like the Savior While Still Being Yourself

Boxes of fruit in a market

Becoming perfected in Christ (see Moroni 10:32) is a celebration of individuality, not conformity. When reading “Come unto Christ, and be perfected in him” (Moroni 10:32), I sometimes wonder, “As I become more like the Savior, will I become less like myself?”  Julie Crockett answers this question in her BYU… Continue reading

Choosing to Trust God Unconditionally

Ocean waves and a zipline over a beach.

When we learn to trust God completely, we can move forward with faith, knowing that he will support and guide us through life’s most challenging moments.  The higher I climbed, the more I questioned my sanity. It was the end of summer break, and I had decided to go zip-lining… Continue reading

Choosing to Identify as a Child of God

Jesus walking with a child in a forest.

When we identify first and foremost as children of God, we are able to see ourselves as God does—individuals with eternal divine worth. When I was five years old, I believed with the utmost confidence—as only a child can—that I was Heavenly Father’s favorite child. As I grew older, however,… Continue reading

You Can Have a “Happily Ever After”

you can have a happily ever after

The world may teach us to stop believing in “happily ever afters,” but Heavenly Father has encouraged us to believe otherwise. As children, we were taught to hope. We believed in happy endings. But as we grew up, hope started to seem juvenile, and happiness felt impossible. “Happily ever after” became… Continue reading

Remembering Who You Are

Young Japanese girls in graduation kimono

“Many traditions can reinforce gospel standards and principles.”  —Elder Donald L. Hallstrom When I was growing up, my family didn’t celebrate a lot of the traditions of our Mexican culture. I think a lot of it was because my parents and extended family members didn’t want to stand out more… Continue reading

The Second Miracle: Made Confident through Christ

Jesus hugging the man who was born blind

There’s no shame in simply starting with what you know. If you just continue moving forward, Christ will help you build your confidence. When we doubt, we may think that we lack faith; however, we do not need to be ashamed of our doubt. The story in John 9 about… Continue reading

Remembering Our True Identity

Person standing in the middle of a road

When we remember our true identity, we’re better prepared to serve our spiritual brothers and sisters. I’m the type of person who, during a one-hour drive, can listen to all sorts of music—classical, country, rock, indie, pop, opera, and Broadway. So, I easily connect with people who also love all… Continue reading

A Humble Roadmap to Reach Perfection

Question marks on colored paper

While achieving perfection may seem like an impossible feat, the perfect first step is asking our Heavenly Father, “What lack I yet?” Becoming perfect can seem daunting, but perfection is ultimately required by our Heavenly Father if we want to return to live with him. So how do we accomplish… Continue reading

Faith in Christ, Faith in Yourself

an image of a woman sitting at a table with a cell phone

When you feel you’ve fallen short, you can combat discouragement by having faith in Jesus Christ and by remembering that he has faith in you.  We hear repeatedly that faith is the first principle of the gospel (see Articles of Faith 1:4). Most of us are pretty good at remembering… Continue reading

Letting Your Light So Shine: Uncovering Your Spiritual Gifts

A small candle is lit on a wooden fence, with a few other candles blurred in the background

We don’t need to wander in darkness—by learning to recognize the Spirit’s influence in our lives, we can uncover and use our spiritual gifts for good. During Christ’s Sermon on the Mount, he teaches us to let our “light so shine before men” as an uncovered candle shines its light… Continue reading