How to Combat Perfectionism

Yellow flower on a brown wooden table.

The pressure to be perfect can be immense, but because of Jesus Christ and the power of repentance, a second chance is always available.  From chasing impeccable grades to creating seemingly flawless social media accounts, young adults face intense and exhausting pressure to be perfect. I have often worried that… Continue reading

A Safe Place to Land

A group of people sitting around a bright fire in a refugee camp.

As disciples of Christ, we must show empathy and compassion for those driven from their homes—because Christ taught us to relieve human suffering. As a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I taught the gospel to Cambodian Americans in Tacoma, Washington. They were the most welcoming… Continue reading

We Can Be the Works of God

Two people reaching out to hold hands.

Every person on earth will face the trials of mortality, but we can have the works of God manifest in our own lives, and we can help manifest them in the lives of others.  The complex heart defects I have had all my life have at times felt like a… Continue reading

When Faith Opens Our Eyes

A woman wearing a maroon shirt and tan skirt sits on a rock in the grass reading in front of some trees.

Through personal revelation, simple experiences become opportunities to recognize God’s guidance. Life is full of seemingly ordinary moments—quiet mornings, routine classes, conversations with friends. Yet these simple experiences can carry profound meaning, often revealing God’s presence and guidance in ways we might not immediately notice. Faith allows even the smallest,… Continue reading

Finding Growth Through Failure

Scrabble tiles on a white background that spell out “learn from failure.”

Experiencing failure is part of our mortal existence, but through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can grow through those mistakes and progress toward perfection. We will all make mistakes and experience failure at various points in our lives. It is an inevitable part of being a human in this… Continue reading

The God Who Notices

an image of a woman blowing a dandelion in a field

Even when life feels overwhelming, God sees me—every effort, every struggle, and every step forward. My senior year of college has brought unexpected changes—new roommates, shifting schedules, and feelings of isolation. Loneliness can weigh heavily, especially when it seems like no one notices or understands. In those moments, life seems… Continue reading

What Can We Learn from Children and the Bible?

Jesus Christ sits with a young child.

Embracing childlike qualities can help us see who we really are. This fall, I’ve been reading a lot of children’s literature for one of my classes, and it has caused me to reflect deeply on what it means to be childlike. In her general conference address titled “Become as a… Continue reading

Broken and Better for It

A broken plate, mended with gold in between the cracks.

The wounds that seem too deep to heal are what Christ uses to make us the best version of ourselves. In his general conference address “Broken Things to Mend,” Elder Jeffrey R. Holland speaks to people who feel their lives are broken beyond repair. After nearly losing a loved one… Continue reading

Avoiding Conflict or Creating Peace?

Multiracial group of people eating pizza, chatting, and having fun together.

Is avoiding conflict enough, or does true peacemaking require action? When I first heard President Russell M. Nelson’s general conference address “Peacemakers Needed,” I felt called to be a peacemaker in my relationships. I’ve learned as a middle child to see both sides when there are disagreements in my family.… Continue reading

Three Gifts That Guide Our Journey Back to God

Three lit candles on dark and rainy windowsill.

Our journey to return to our heavenly home is not aimless. God has provided us with several gifts, including scriptures, prophets, and personal revelation, to help us return to him. Every New Year’s, my family watches The Lord of the Rings. I’ve always loved the sweeping story, not just for… Continue reading