Being Creative through Christ

God gave us all the potential to create. With the power of creativity, we can light up the world. I am an artist, and I love to draw. Usually, I draw as a pastime for personal enjoyment, but sometimes I draw for other people because I like establishing friendly relationships.… Continue reading

First, You Gotta Want It

Person walking through snow

With countless worldly voices vying for our time and attention, shifting our focus and priorities toward eternity is more important than ever before. The key is desire. As human beings, what do we really want? We all have basic human needs—food, shelter, sleep, friendship (to name just a few). Most… Continue reading

The Beauty and Value in Messiness

Life is messy. Luckily, there is holiness in the mess. In her essay titled “This Holy Mess,” Sharlee Glenn shared an experience she had while in Italy. Glenn’s tour guide said something that struck her as they were rushing to make it to mass: “Hurry!… We can’t be late for… Continue reading

Inclusive Language: The Key to Promoting Belonging at Church

Promoting belonging at church requires examining why certain people feel isolated and implementing more inclusive language. Differences in ethnicity, heritage, profession, age, and many other characteristics are what make each community member unique, and this diversity has tremendous potential to cultivate meaningful connections between church members specifically. However, these differences… Continue reading

Overcoming Self-Doubt with Positive Self-Talk

sidewalk chalk

How you speak to yourself can greatly influence not only what you believe but what you achieve. As children of God, we have incredible divine potential. Our Heavenly Father sees it; we need to see it in ourselves too. Having a negative mindset can damage all areas of our lives.… Continue reading

“A Savior With Scars”

Jesus Christ kept His scars to remind us that He can heal ours.  Every person we interact with has challenges we cannot see. Some people may face small challenges like not getting a job they applied for or living with mild anxiety. Others might be dealing with deep scars from… Continue reading

Mountains Out of Molehills

Our situation may seem rough in the midst of our trials and hard decisions. Who can we turn to for help? Mountains are beautiful; in many parts of the world they surround us with their towering peaks and treacherous slopes. We often see these slopes as a challenge and try… Continue reading

My Second Life … As a Latter-day Saint

The Salt Lake City Temple

The first time I heard the story of Joseph Smith and the First Vision was at Temple Square in Salt Lake City during a guided tour. I believed it. But my family didn’t. My father said it was the most bogus story he had ever heard. I was crushed and… Continue reading

We Seek After These Things

Group of children

There are many different cultures and perspectives within the Church, and sometimes those appear to divide us; however, we are all sons and daughters of a loving Father. While I did not personally serve a mission, I have heard countless stories from missionaries who had to adapt to different cultures… Continue reading

Spiritual Wonder in a Stressful World

Misty sunrise looking down on a green mountainside

Too much homework? Upcoming job interview stressing you out? Find peace in what nature has to offer. When I was 12, my family held a reunion at Itasca State Park, Minnesota. Cousins, aunts, and uncles came from all over the country to spend time together in the majestic forest. For… Continue reading