Unknowingly Prepared

an image of a group of people walking down a sidewalk

I had no idea the Lord had been preparing me to enter the temple. Now I see how he led me step by step. I guess you could say I was in a rut. I did the same thing every day: school, work, homework, sleep. Meanwhile, my friends were going… Continue reading

Calling in Reinforcements

an image of a man sitting in the grass reading a book

When all seemed lost for the Taylor brothers as they battled PTSD, they learned to seek God and ask for his help. Mitch and Chris Taylor are brothers who served in the military. They describe in a blog post on the Mormon Channel how their tours of duty in Iraq… Continue reading

When the Waves Come Crashing

an image of a large wave is coming in to shore

When life is really hard and we feel like we’re drowning, God will help us if we cry out to him. Waves were crashing around me—monstrous waves. I couldn’t breathe. I was drowning. Panicking. Flailing. I was on my bed, anguishing about the storms in my life, when Ether 2:24–25… Continue reading

Why Your Greatest Accomplishments Can Be Small and Simple

an image of a man sitting on a concrete wall reading a book

We often think we need to change the world in order to feel accomplished. In truth, it’s the small and simple things that are harder to achieve and more glorious in reward. In “Small and Simple Things,” President Dallin H. Oaks reminds us of a familiar scripture: “By small and… Continue reading

Standing in Holy Places outside of Holy Places

an image of a large white building with a lot of spires

Going to the temple and attending sacrament meeting won’t guarantee us eternal life; blessings come when we make all times and all places holy. If I attend the temple once a month and prepare to worthily partake of the sacrament each week, why do I feel like I’m living below… Continue reading

7 Ways Not to Write Your Missionary

an image of a person is placing a mail in a wall

Keep in contact with your missionary without complicating the work. It’s Monday and your inbox is bombarded with weekly missionary emails—stories of being chased by dogs, sprinklings of foreign jargon, and endless retellings of miracles. Now it’s time to write your missionary a response. Missionaries love receiving letters, but could… Continue reading

7 Tips for Newlyweds After the Honeymoon Stage

an image of a man and woman holding hands with flowers

Falling in love is easy. Staying in love is hard. However, through persistence, humility, and love, a couple can maintain their close relationship and overcome the trials that occur within marriage.   For most couples, the first few weeks of marriage are total bliss—love, laughter, and happiness abound. However, that… Continue reading

“He That Is Not Against Us Is for Us”: Finding Unity with Other Religions

an image of a person holding a yellow flower in their hand

Relations between different religions can be difficult, but the blessings of working together can be enormous. Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to visit and worship with members of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. I was at the worship service on assignment from my world religions professor, and I was,… Continue reading

You Are Enough

an image of a white sheep standing on a lush green field

I realized that even in the darkest of times, God is always available to me. We are never too unworthy to talk to God. The Paris train station was getting more crowded by the minute as I made my way through customs. It had been a phenomenal trip, but the… Continue reading

Small and Simple or Large and Difficult?

an image of a person walking down a road towards a mountain

We may think the small things don’t matter, but in reality they add up to something more. Go to church, read your scriptures, say your prayers. Seems easy enough, right? What happens when we forget to do these steps? In the general conference talk “Small and Simple Things,” President Dallin… Continue reading