Lesser-known accounts of Joseph Smith’s First Vision provide greater insight into the event and can strengthen your testimony. When Joseph Smith was 14 years old, God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him in a grove of trees. Following this event, Joseph recorded his experience four times during his lifetime—each… Continue reading
Many people talk about missionary work, but what about the time leading up to a decision to serve? Preparing for a mission can be daunting. There can be so many voices trying to influence your decision. So what can you do when the choice feels out of your reach? In… Continue reading
We can become whole and find healing through Jesus Christ, despite the brokenness of this world. In my last two months serving as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, my body started to seriously falter. I could barely walk and I struggled to get up… Continue reading
Sometimes God feels distant and unknowable, but he doesn’t have to be! Restored scripture and prayer can show us what he’s like. Humanity has wondered about the nature of God for thousands of years. The stories in the scriptures sometimes endear him to us, but other times seem to paint… Continue reading
Peacemaking requires courage, restraint, and faith as we respond to conflict in a way that reflects the Savior’s example. Recently, while reading comments on a news article, I watched an argument spiral. One person tried to calm everyone down, but they were quickly dismissed. “Now is the time for action,”… Continue reading
Isolation can be overwhelming, but it is never all-encompassing; Christ’s love is greater than our loneliness. Tears rolled down my cheeks as I listened to the sacrament hymn being sung around me. But I wasn’t crying because I felt the Spirit—I was crying because I felt nothing at all. Physically,… Continue reading
Prayerfully communicating with the Lord on how we can be more careful in our gospel worship leads to lasting happiness. As I finish my senior year in college, life feels overwhelmingly busy. A few months ago, I was juggling jobs, classes, assignments, applications, and everything in between, and prioritizing gospel… Continue reading
How can we get over the shame of talking to our bishop? Trusting in God’s desire for us to return, despite imperfection, can lead us to healing, worthiness, and deeper discipleship. Recently, I’ve felt God’s presence strongly in my life. I work hard throughout the day, and at night as… Continue reading
If you keep working and waiting without getting anything back, don’t give up. You may be making a long-term investment. “What’s the use? What am I getting out of this? Am I really willing to keep working even though I’m getting nothing in return?” President Henry B. Eyring, while serving… Continue reading
Jesus doesn’t just understand young-adult life, he has lived it—perfectly. When we imagine the Savior, we typically visualize him as an adult––full beard, broad shoulders, and traces of wrinkles showing the joys and sorrows of 33 years. Kent F. Richards instead paints us a portrait of Jesus during his young-adult… Continue reading
