Plans change, and we may not always know why. By applying faith and a commitment to the commandments, we can overcome any unexpected changes. We all have plans—and we’ve all had to adjust them occasionally. Take Elder Dallin H. Oaks, for example. When he was seventeen years old, he was called… Continue reading
In the aftermath of one of the world’s darkest hours, President Hinckley encouraged the world to stay optimistic. That advice still applies today. As told in scripture, in the last days there “shall be . . . wars and rumors of wars, and the whole earth shall be in… Continue reading
We must have faith that things will work out—but if they don’t work out according to our desires, we need to trust in God and in his timing. During the April 2004 general conference, I listened to a talk by Elder Dennis E. Simmons that literally made me stop in my… Continue reading
When my friend Malori passed away, my beliefs about life after death were put to the test. Did I really believe in the spirit world? We all will eventually face the reality of losing a loved one. Until recently, though, I had never had to experience that pain. It was… Continue reading
I wasn’t even close to being a disciple of Christ, but I was able to fake it. Fortunately, God saw straight through me. I think you should know right off the bat that I was born into a super-normal Mormon family. We went to church, we had family prayer, we… Continue reading
Sometimes change, whether expected or unexpected, can be a very difficult trial. How can we learn to deal with it? Change is an inevitable part of life. Whether we’re starting college, going on a mission, graduating and starting a career, or getting married, change can be difficult to handle. Sometimes… Continue reading
“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches that all human beings, male and female, are beloved spirit children of heavenly parents, a Heavenly Father and a Heavenly Mother.” Our Mother in Heaven is real but is rarely discussed in Mormon culture. A recent article on LDS.org, however, directly addresses… Continue reading
When it comes to your faith, don’t shy away from paradox—embrace it. A honeybee is a dangerous creature. It can effectively poison its predators by stinging them, but not without losing its own life. Why does such a creature exist? Why did the process of natural selection not continue to… Continue reading
Understanding why we do what we do in church and in our lives can help us find a more meaningful path. There’s no getting around it: life is busy. It’s easy to get caught up in a never-ending list of things that demand our attention. When was the last time… Continue reading
When depression feels like it is taking over, faith can make our trials worth it. I could see sympathy in the doctor’s eyes as she explained to me, “It’s not uncommon for the medication to not only heighten your symptoms of anxiety and depression, but also to hinder the effectiveness… Continue reading
