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

What Can I Do to Help?

“For those of us who have watched news of recent events and have felt helpless to know what to do, the answer might actually be right before us.” —Bonnie L. Oscarson What can one person do against the impossibly dark flood of war, disease, poverty, and hate? Christ answers with… Continue reading

Where Is My Happily Ever After?

A woman holding an apple

It may be hard to believe that our imperfect families can be happy together forever, but if we are able to forgive, we will see blessings. Families can be hard to live with. Whether it’s trying to understand someone we don’t get along with or talking to family members who… Continue reading

Rein It In: Controlling Our Anger

Lightning in the sky at night above a city

To build a testimony of Jesus Christ, we need to control our anger toward His other children, even when we don’t share the same opinions. When I was a child, one of my father’s favorite spiritual lessons was about bridling passions (Alma 38:12). He would explain what the function of… Continue reading

Giving the Gift of Receiving

As we give gifts to bring happiness to the people around us, we must also receive gifts cheerfully and thankfully, especially the ones from God.  About 1,990 years ago, Jesus Christ suffered in Gethsemane and died on a cross. His life on Earth was spent giving gifts of joy and… 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

We’re Better Together

Group of people making stars with fingers.

Fostering an atmosphere of inclusion and respect will help members of the Church achieve greater unity with one another and with those not of our faith. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a long history of love and service. While its members aren’t perfect, the Church’s doctrinal… Continue reading

Career or Motherhood: You Can Do Both

Woman being embraced by her children while sitting in front of her laptop.

Women frequently think they have to choose either a career or motherhood, but they can enjoy both with support from those around them. The world often insists that women need to raise their children from home, but the world also claims that women fall short of their full potential if… Continue reading

Embracing Mondays and the Mundane

Family making breakfast together in a kitchen.

Happiness and peace can be found daily through Jesus Christ, no matter the circumstances. Monday. It’s safe to say this is one of the most universally dreaded days of the week. With Mondays come blaring alarms, project due dates, long commutes, and the weight of a stressful week ahead.  If… Continue reading