Our Identity Gives Us Purpose

A group of people standing in a line, supporting each other and facing away.

Our identity isn’t determined by worldly labels or arbitrary divisions. We all inherit a divine identity and purpose from our eternal parents. I’ve always had a lot of identities. I’m a Southern Californian, a redhead, an oldest sibling, a student, a book-lover, a woman, and a daughter. There are so… Continue reading

Called to Be an Apprentice

A man using woodworking tools.

Because we are not yet masters, God has not asked us to produce a masterpiece. Instead, he invites us into his workshop as apprentices to Jesus Christ. At age 17, I struggled to pound and twist and mold my messy life into a masterpiece. Alone, I strove to right my… Continue reading

Embracing Our Quirks on the Path to Perfection

An aerial view of many different, multi-colored ceramic bowls

Our quirks and peculiarities are a strength as we strive to become more Christlike. I wear a dinosaur backpack around my college campus. I always arrive ridiculously early to the airport. Every year I celebrate several made-up holidays, such as the anniversary of the first time I got stitches. My… 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

What Is True?

Man grabbing head in frustration

When you are flooded with conflicting messages and instructions, faith it ‘til you make it. Discerning truth can be difficult. Years ago, Elder Bruce R. McConkie shared some valuable insights that are just as relevant today as they were then. In his Brigham Young University devotional discourse “The Seven Deadly… Continue reading

Learning What Inner Beauty Looks Like

A woman stands in front of the sunset while looking up to the sky

I believed beauty was only determined by what is on the outside, but I have learned that it is our inner goodness that makes us beautiful. “Suck in your stomach.” “Straighten your hair.” “Those clothes don’t look good on you.” Hearing these comments from those around me was normal. Physical… Continue reading

How Do I Know if I Am Worthy?

man in black hoodie sitting on bench near green trees

Feelings of doubt and guilt can make us feel as if we aren’t doing enough to be worthy. If we are honestly trying our best to follow Jesus Christ, we are worthy. In the struggle of mortality, it can be hard not to stumble over even the tiniest of things.… Continue reading

Believe that You Are Beloved

Christus Statue

Truly believing in and accepting the constant care of the Shepherd empowers us to become more like him and share his love.  You are held, supported, and adored by the Good Shepherd. You are his lamb. Jesus loves us eternally, but sometimes we imagine that Jesus will love us less… Continue reading

Foreordination: An Invitation and a Promise

Girl standing on platform as train speeds by

Foreordination is a doctrine that we cannot fully understand in this life, but learning what we can will empower us to have faith in God’s plan for us. In Elder Neal A. Maxwell’s BYU address “Meeting the Challenges of Today,” he explains the importance of trying to understand the doctrine… Continue reading

Our Worth in God’s Eyes

Sunlight shining over the horizon of the planet Earth viewed from space

Knowing we matter to God can help us to accept who we are. We may think that our imperfections make us worthless, but we are everything to God. The magnificent things that surround us—the universe as a whole—may sometimes make us wonder how our value can be comparable to all… Continue reading