Finding belonging can be difficult, especially for those who are shy. By identifying with our true identity as a child of God, we can find true belonging as we become more like him. When my husband and I—both shy introverts—attended our first nonstudent ward for the first time as a… Continue reading
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Your covenants give you more power than you think—heaven is behind you. When you hear the word endowment, what do you typically think of? If you think of going to the temple to ‘get your endowment out,’ you would be in the majority; however, it isn’t something you ‘get out’… Continue reading
