As we teach and learn together, we must distinguish between Church doctrine and local culture. I see a disconnect sometimes, especially in online echo chambers, between my lived experience and the lived experiences of others within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These differences are often benign or… Continue reading
How do we stop living in the future we’re trying to plan, and start living in the moment? There’s nothing I love more than a warm, sunny day at the pool with a cold glass of lemonade in hand. I’m a California girl through and through, and I was always… Continue reading
Every spring, the earth testifies of Jesus Christ’s Atonement and reminds us that everything and everyone can begin again. I feel in nature, more than almost anywhere else, the presence of God. Walking in the lush temperate rainforests of Western Washington, I can sometimes catch glimpses through the trees of… Continue reading
The things I thought were failures in my life were actually my best opportunities to grow—and God didn’t love me any less for them. We all have those moments when something we have heard our entire lives finally clicks, really sinking into our minds and hearts. I had that… Continue reading
By objectively setting new goals to become more like our Savior, we will gain confidence and become more dedicated disciples of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Recently, I felt the fire of my faith burning low and felt a dire need to feed its flame. As I turned to my sweet… Continue reading
The peace we receive from accepting our weaknesses gives us the power to conquer our trials—not just endure them. When the sons of Mosiah began their missions to spread Christ’s teachings, they prayed to have the Spirit to guide them (Alma 17:9). They knew many people would mock them, hate… Continue reading
We can know through the example of the brother of Jared that the Book of Mormon is a radiant source of light, guiding us through life’s darkness and illuminating the path ahead. What does absolute physical darkness actually look like? It’s hard to imagine that kind of darkness when modern… Continue reading
We don’t need grand gestures to grow spiritually—just steady flecks of faith, love, and kindness each day. Recently, I attended the temple for the first time. I was surprised by how much of the experience was about progression. Going through the temple was a powerful reminder that spiritual growth doesn’t… Continue reading
Sometimes, you’ll feel like you are going through the journey of life alone; God promises you aren’t. When I was a freshman in college, a young girl in my home ward took her own life. I hadn’t been very close with her growing up, but we had gone to church… Continue reading
“You don’t have to be perfect or the greatest person who ever graced the earth or the best of anything to be with Him.” —Elder D. Todd Christofferson I often make the mistake of equating productivity with self-worth. There are obvious problems with this kind of thinking—one being that humans… Continue reading
