An Unexpected Visitor

Sun shining behind blades of wheat.

During a difficult time for my family, an unexpected visitor brought us hope when we needed it most. Who is my light at the end of the tunnel? I could give you the standard answers—my mother, my father, my boyfriend, my bishop. You probably wouldn’t expect it to be the… Continue reading

Gaining Maturity by Cultivating Appreciation

field of flowers

The often-forgotten virtue of appreciation can transform your relationships with others and with God. Think of all the people you’ve interacted with today. Regardless of whether you’re related to them, whether you’re friends with them, or whether you just met them, did you treat them with kindness? Did you say… Continue reading

Emergency Prep 101: Six Tips

an image of a green emergency sign in a room

Whether there’s an unexpected storm, power outage, earthquake, or flood, preparing for emergencies can help keep you and your family safe. If you find yourself worrying about wildfires, tsunamis, or other natural disasters, preparing can help you stay safe and calm. The Gospel Topics section of LDS.org teaches that “preparation, both spiritual… Continue reading

The Divine Role of Women in the Church

an image of a woman holding a sparkler in her hand

Women are daughters of God with an integral role in Christ’s restored Church. All people born into this world are children of God and, as such, have great worth. The words “I am a child of God,” found in a beloved Latter-day Saint children’s song, are true for all men,… Continue reading

Joseph Smith’s Handwritten Account of the First Vision

portrait of Joseph Smith Jr.

Joseph Smith’s 1832 account of the First Vision preserves personal and intimate details that are not recorded elsewhere. The only known account in Joseph Smith’s own handwriting of his early spiritual experiences—including the First Vision—are included in his 1832 personal history. This unique history can be read on The Joseph… Continue reading

A Trial of Faith: The Beginning of Plural Marriage in Nauvoo

Nauvoo temple

Joseph Smith’s Nauvoo journals include brief references to the revelation about plural marriage that tried his faith and the faith of the Saints. How can we make sense of plural marriage or explain it to others? One place to begin is the introduction to Joseph Smith’s Nauvoo journals found on… Continue reading

Generating Happiness, Rather than Just Consuming It

A womans smile

How can we find the road to happiness in our turbulent world? Happiness comes from righteousness, selflessness, service, and inner peace. In our constant search for happiness, we experience life’s endless ups and downs. While serving as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Elder James E. Faust  (1920–2007)… Continue reading

Space for Agency: Loving Our LGBTQ Brothers and Sisters

An egg with the words "Come Together" and a wreath of flowers painted on it.

God’s call to love one another and his call to stand for truth seem to clash, but that’s only because we don’t understand that we can love people without conforming to their choices. When I reconnected with an old friend online, she stated that she was saving up for sex… Continue reading

The What, When, and How of the Book of Moses

an image of a book open on a table with a white background

The Book of Moses came to Joseph Smith as a revelation from God, eventually sparking the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible. Why is it that only The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a book of scripture named after Moses? Doesn’t the world already have books of… Continue reading

Magnifying Your Calling from Home: Service during COVID-19

A photograph of a woman video chatting with a man; both are wearing cloth masks

During the COVID-19 outbreak, the world needs our service. Here’s how you can magnify your calling in these turbulent times. During the COVID-19 outbreak, how can we magnify our callings if we can’t meet together?  Sister Sharon Eubank, the first counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency, sheds light on… Continue reading