Church Disciplinary Councils: Acts of Love

Christ comforts the woman taken in adultery

High-profile cases of Church discipline have recently made national headlines, leading some people to question the need for excommunication. Church disciplinary councils lovingly invite those who seriously transgress to repent and start over with the full blessings of the gospel. Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve… Continue reading

How Prophets Help Us Differentiate Skunks from Kitty Cats

an image of a couple of skunks walking around a tree

The adversary tries to make good appear evil and evil appear good, but if we listen to our prophets, we won’t be fooled.  In his conference address “Deceive Me Not,” Elder Gary E. Stevenson tells the story of his sons who wanted to go outside to play at their great-uncle’s… Continue reading

How to Prioritize Your Happiness

an image of a group of people standing on top of a hill

Put your happiness first by balancing spiritual, personal, and temporal responsibilities. Despite hectic schedules filled with work, school, church, and social responsibilities, living every day with joy in our hearts is possible. It’s a common belief that we need to be busy to be productive and valuable. But our value… Continue reading

They’re Your Feet on the Path

an image of a path in the woods with a light at the end

Growing up, people used to tell us to follow our dreams. Now they want us to “be realistic.” However, it’s fully realistic to live a life that includes following our dreams. “You have brains in your head, you have feet in your shoes, you can steer yourself any direction you… Continue reading

Claiming Priesthood Blessings: A Single Mother’s Experience

an image of a painting of a woman leading a cow in a wagon

Her husband was dead. She was alone with her children crossing the plains. But Mary Fielding Smith quieted her fears. She protected and empowered her family by relying on the power of the priesthood. Mary Fielding Smith (1801–52), best known as the wife of Hyrum Smith and mother of Joseph… Continue reading

An Antidote for Pride

an image of a couple of people on a mountain holding hands

We all know pride is a problem, but how do we avoid it? President Eyring has a suggestion. Moroni warned that our dispensation would struggle with pride: “Behold, I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. . . . I know that ye do… Continue reading

The Three Pillars of Eternity: Creation, Fall, and Atonement

space dust

By learning about these three great events of the plan of salvation, we can better understand God’s eternal plan for us. In a 1981 Brigham Young University devotional, Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915–85), then serving as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, teaches about the “three pillars of… Continue reading

Bringing Peace to Those Around Us

an image of a man talking on a cell phone while standing on a street corner

The gospel of Jesus Christ can bring peace into both our personal lives and the larger world. Conflict and contention exist at every level of our fallen existence: international conflict, civil unrest, prejudice, discrimination, and broken homes are all around us. As disciples of Christ, we should seek resolutions to… Continue reading

Treasures from the Wentworth Letter

an image of a painting of a man in a forest

Discover the original document containing an account of the First Vision, the Standard of Truth, and the Articles of Faith. In 1842, John Wentworth, editor and owner of a newspaper, Chicago Democrat, asked Joseph Smith to write a summary and history of the early Church. Joseph took this opportunity to… Continue reading

It’s Not Where You Serve, but How You Serve

an image of a group of people standing around a room

After being reassigned to a new mission and then leaving the field early, a conference address helped me put things into perspective.  In April 2017, I was in the Missionary Training Center when I got a major concussion and sprained my ankle. Consequently, a week later I was reassigned to… Continue reading