Work for Peace; Triumph through Trust

an image of a sky with clouds and sunbeams over a forest

As we build bridges of trust, we direct our thinking toward the importance of peace, the central feature of what disciples may hope to achieve.  Discipleship grows when we place peace at the center of our decisions. As we work for peace, the key to triumph is trust. We can come… Continue reading

The “Be” I Will Always Remember

Photo of orange maple leaves.

President Hinckley taught us many things to be, but out of them all, the one I have learned the most from is “be grateful.”  President Gordon B. Hinckley addressed young adults in a general conference talk “A Prophet’s Counsel and Prayer For Youth.” In this talk, he introduces six “B’s” to… Continue reading

Facing the Future in Uncertain Times

Small plant coming up through rocks

When we face uncertain times, we can combine the Savior’s grace with hard work to propel ourselves forward toward a better future. The COVID-19 outbreak has made 2020 a tough economic year. No one has it easy. My roommate just finished his master’s degree in statistics. He had a full-time… Continue reading

What Can I Do to Help?

an image of a woman and child standing under an umbrella

“For those of us who have watched news of recent events and have felt helpless to know what to do, the answer might actually be right before us.” —Bonnie L. Oscarson What can one person do against the impossibly dark flood of war, disease, poverty, and hate? Christ answers with… Continue reading

Eliza R. Snow: A Childless Mother in Zion

eliza R. Snow

Though Eliza Roxcy Snow never bore children, she sacrificed her time, risked her health, and used her extensive education and remarkable poetry to bless the lives of the Latter-day Saints. Called “Zion’s Poetess” during her lifetime, Eliza R. Snow (1804–87) penned poems, organized three different organizations, and taught the Saints… Continue reading

In Our Eyes Too

Group of people taking photo near brown tree

We often separate ourselves into categories based on our differences, but these categories do not define our inherent value as eternal children of God. We often repeat the scripture that says “the worth of souls is great in the sight of God” (see D&C 18:10). However, sometimes the perceived differences… Continue reading

You Were Meant to Be Different

Assorted sliced citrus fruits on brown wooden chopping board.

You may feel you don’t belong in church because you are different, but God designed you to be different, and he needs you and your unique strengths in his plan. There may be some times in the Church when you feel like you don’t belong. But you do belong—of course… Continue reading

Emulating Christ’s Ministry to the Margins

Silhouette of people on hill photo.

To become better disciples of Christ, we must have “the courage to confront our own prejudices and to challenge the assumptions we make about ­others.” —Phillip D. Rash We may feel we belong when most of the people in our communities look like us and have similar experiences to us.… Continue reading

He Will Give You Rest: Recovering from Abuse

person walks and looks into distance.

Jesus Christ eases the burdens and pains of abuse. You can find hope and healing as you recover. My journey to recovery after suffering abuse in my early twenties has been one of the most difficult experiences of my life. Even when I removed myself from the abusive situation, I… Continue reading

What Is Fasting (and Why Should I Do It)?

an image of a table with napkins and silverware on it

We can draw upon the powers of heaven when we fast according to three gospel principles. Latter-day Saints aren’t the only people who associate fasting with spiritual meaning. Many other Christians, as well as many believers who practice Judaism or Islam, abstain from eating at certain times of the year to… Continue reading