Only Jesus Could Be the Christ

White statue of Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ is the only one who could have atoned for our sins, and there are four important reasons why he is our Savior. The Atonement of Jesus Christ is a miraculous gift that provides us all with the ability and power to improve. Because Christ atoned for each one… Continue reading

The Active Aspects of Peacemaking

Two hands, one passing a cut out paper heart to the other that is open to receive it.

As I’ve implemented President Nelson’s invitation to be a peacemaker, I’ve found that it’s not about avoiding conflict or staying quiet—it’s about actively spreading love, joy, and understanding, even in the middle of chaos.  Being a peacemaker is energetic, intentional, and often messy—it’s choosing kindness, patience, and encouragement every single… Continue reading

Back to the Basics: The Power of Primary Songs

a boy in a blue and green vest listens to music on his headphones while standing in a yellow forest

Primary songs teach simple truths that bear powerful testimony of God’s love and can guide and comfort us during difficult times. The greatest building blocks of faith often come from the most basic truths. Through music, those basic truths can be better identified, remembered, and shared. Songs that are taught… Continue reading

The Miracle of Self-Forgiveness

White and purple crocuses poking out of dead winter leaves.

Through Christ’s Atonement, we can remember our past without letting it define who we are. I sometimes wonder if I’ve been truly forgiven. Even after praying, repenting, and striving to apply the Savior’s Atonement, I still feel weighed down by guilt. I know Christ can forgive others—even me—but that truth… Continue reading

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

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

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