Reveling in Paradox

bee on flower

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

Judging Others—Just Stop It

people walking in a city.

“When it comes to hating, gossiping, ignoring, ridiculing, holding grudges, or wanting to cause harm, please apply the following: Stop it!”  Judging others—we all do it, whether we like to admit it or not. In a world full of people who are very different from you, it can be hard… Continue reading

Remember to Remember

dad and little boy in his arm

The principles and ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ cannot change us if we do not remember them. Almost everyone has lost something important—car keys, a cell phone, that thing you just know you saw five minutes ago. The search becomes frantic as memory fades. Then finally, it clicks.… Continue reading

Applying the Savior’s Atonement to My Own Life

Hand in the dark.

I realized that I had been so focused on working to take the gospel to other people that I had forgotten to let the gospel work in me. Early in my mission to Tennessee, my companion shared with me part of Sister Linda K. Burton’s address from the October 2012 General… Continue reading

What I Learned From Not Serving a Mission

an image of a group of women standing on a bridge

While not serving a mission, I learned more about myself, my Heavenly Father, and the places he is leading me.   As waves of missionaries return home, lots of things have changed, such as housing, dating, school enrollment, and marriage. President Thomas S. Monson’s 2012 general conference announcement lowering the ages… Continue reading

God Is Never Hidden, Yet Sometimes We Are

busy train station

“God is never hidden, yet sometimes we are, covered by a pavilion of motivations that draw us away from God and make him seem distant and inaccessible.” As members of the Church, we often feel that although we are keeping the commandments, going to the temple, and praying regularly, we… Continue reading

Be Dedicated, Not Frenzied

boots walking up stairs

Elder Dallin H. Oaks teaches that the best way to live the gospel is through consistent, dedicated effort. In 1952, Illinois governor Adlai E. Stevenson gave a speech in which he said patriotism “is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime.” Elder… Continue reading

Stand Strong in Your Faith

Lighthouse along the beach

The world in which we live makes us face several challenges and temptations. How can we have the courage to stand strong? There has never been a time like ours today. Moral values are ridiculed, sin is applauded, and temptations are disguised as valuable experiences. Many believe that being a… Continue reading

Conference Isn’t Over

an image of a large crowd of people in a church

Remember the messages and promptings from the October 2015 general conference as you read and revisit the messages shared. “Repentance is real and it works.” —Elder Allen D. Haynie “We do not strive for conversion to the Church but to Christ and his gospel.” —Elder D. Todd Christofferson  “If our… Continue reading

Be a Financial Guru

an image of a person holding a pile of coins and a plant

Living on your own? Graduating? Getting married or expecting a baby? At some point we all must learn to manage our own finances. When you’re facing all kinds of expenses—tuition, insurance payments, daily lunch—you might feel flustered. The first step toward improving your finances is simply feeling positive about your… Continue reading