What Can We Actually Do to Build Zion?

Four friends with their arms wrapped around each other, facing away from the camera

Building Zion seems like a massive undertaking, but there are many ways we can contribute in our own wards and branches. Have you ever not known where to start with a work as lofty as building Zion? Recent Church publications have focused on this theme of building Zion, but it… Continue reading

Building Belonging Through Friendships

A sign on a building that says "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Visitors Welcome"

In order to welcome others into our communities, we must actively build “higher and holier relationships.” Attending a new ward for the first time can be nerve-wracking for anyone. This can be even more true for people who look and act differently due to disability, gender presentation, or fashion and… Continue reading

Relief Society: A Covenant Community

Group of women in dresses sitting down listening to a man in a suit speak

The Relief Society was formed to encourage women to participate in the work of the Church. Today, women in the Church continue to change the world through God’s power. In March of 2025, the Relief Society General Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints met in the… Continue reading

Words Matter: The Hurting and Healing Power of What We Say

Black and white tiles with random words on them are scattered around

We have all heard the phrase “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Elder Rasband reminds us that words have great power, to harm or to help. “Ridiculous” “Disgraceful” “Shame” “Repugnant” These are some of the words that were directed at a classmate of… Continue reading

Five Ways to Practice Gratitude at Thanksgiving and Beyond

A surface is shown from above with fall leaf decorations, a mason jar, and the words “give thanks.”

Gratitude is the parent of all virtues. Here are five specific, actionable ways to practice gratitude and increase thankfulness all year long. It’s easy to look backward and feel gratitude—after all, hindsight gives way to insight. When I was a sophomore in college, I experienced consistent failures in my academic… Continue reading

Faith Like King Lamoni’s Wife

Artist's depiction of King Lamoni being mourned over by his wife.

When I needed advice, King Lamoni’s wife provided an example that taught me how to receive personal revelation. One courageous woman in the Book of Mormon who sometimes gets overlooked is the wife of King Lamoni. Her husband believed what the missionary, Ammon, taught him about Jesus Christ and his… Continue reading

Not So Bad

an image of a person in black rain boots splashing water

When life doesn’t make it easy to sing “all is well,” try “not so bad.” Science and religion agree about the benefits of gratitude. Research and scripture alike show that grateful people are happy people. But what about when I fail a test, have a bad day at work, or… Continue reading

Christ, the Universal Savior: Lessons from Third Nephi

Christ visiting the Nephites in Third Nephi

Jesus Christ’s presence as an active character in Third Nephi proves the Book of Mormon’s purpose of inviting all to come unto Christ.   When I was a missionary, my companion and I met every week with a recently baptized young adult. Our friend struggled with reading, so we would study… Continue reading

Navigating Grief and Death: Finding Hope Through Jesus Christ

A graveyard on a hill

It’s never easy to lose a loved one, but with a sure understanding of Christ’s Atonement, we can find peace and hope while in the midst of grief and death.  Imagine being one of Jesus’s disciples standing on the hill of Calvary witnessing his Crucifixion. Their friend, teacher, exemplar, and… Continue reading

How Can I “Think Celestial”?

The Christus statue from the Salt Lake Temple visitor's center

In the face of adversity, it can be difficult to believe that God loves and wants the best for us. We can manage this doubt by thinking celestial. I had a rough year in 2019 (little did I know what 2020 had coming for us all!): my family moved from… Continue reading