Faith to Become

girl looking into distance

As we walk in the twilight of uncertainty, how can we have the faith to become the person God would have us be? Life is full of choices. As young adults, we face a number of uncertainties, such as what we should major in, whether we should take a certain job,… Continue reading

When It Doesn’t Get Easier

an image of a woman looking out a window on a train

When the unrelenting trials in my life were threatening to tear me down, I was reminded by a general conference talk that “hard is good.” By the time the weekend of the October 2017 general conference arrived, I was completely overwhelmed. I felt like I had thirty-five hours of work… Continue reading

The Leopard’s Lie: Do People Really Change?

an image of a leopard is sitting in a tree looking at the camera

Even with our knowledge of the plan of salvation, it can be difficult to see others as God sees them—especially when they seem unwilling or unable to progress toward achieving their divine potential. Is permanent improvement possible? Clinton Duffy, an American prison warden known for successfully rehabilitating prisoners, certainly thought… Continue reading

Perfection—Still in Progress

an image of a man sitting on a rock looking out over a mountain range

We are commanded to be perfect like Christ, but we aren’t expected to attain perfection immediately. It’s easy to see the distance between where we are and where we want to be—and even should be. It’s also easy to be discouraged when we realize how often we fail to “be… Continue reading

Saying Yes to God: Letting Him Help Us through Our Trials

an image of a person standing in a field with their arms outstretched

With God’s help, returning home early from a mission can actually be a building experience. Some situations in life—such as returning home early from a mission—can leave us feeling overwhelmed and inadequate, but if we let God into our lives, we can move past these feelings and use the experience… Continue reading

Instruments of Righteousness: Accomplishing God’s Work

an image of a man standing on a rock with a guitar

We can use our spiritual gifts to fulfill the divine work that God has prepared for us. The Lord has prepared important and specific tasks for us to accomplish. God’s work is “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39), and our divine gifts play… Continue reading

Seeking the Holy Ghost

an image of a woman and a child sitting on a bed next to a fire

We need the Holy Ghost more and more as the last days progress, but how can we make our desire for the Holy Ghost steady and intense? I wanted to stop my own pride cycle. I wanted to seek God without having to be reminded by my spiritual lows. I… Continue reading

Jesus Christ: The Way to Lasting Joy

an image of a lightning bolt hitting through the sky over a mountain

We can find joy even in the midst of trials and disasters when we seek Christ and serve others. When we see news headlines about devastating hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes, or terrorist attacks, it may seem impossible to find joy in life when so much pain exists in the world. But… Continue reading

Building the Church through Friendship

an image of a couple of women sitting on a rock near a lake

Strengthening our relationships with others is a big part of living the gospel. The third hour of my Sunday church block generally goes like this: I walk into Relief Society, grab my usual seat next to my roommates, and promptly leave as soon as the meeting ends. In other words,… Continue reading

I Shall Come Forth as Gold

an image of a tall building with a triangular roof and a sky background

Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, we can rise from our trials to become stronger and more capable. The fire was roaring, engulfing not only the plane and its passengers but also the life that Stephanie Nielson once knew. Whether or not our trials arrive in the form of… Continue reading