No Trial Is Wasted

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Just as our Savior came to know us through his suffering, we come to know and love our Savior through our trials. A few years ago during a scripture study, I realized that as the Jaredites traveled across the sea, they encountered “furious wind” that created “mountain waves.”  This must… Continue reading

How to Build a Boat to Handle Life’s Storms

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The storms of life can be plentiful and scary, but when we build a strong boat, even the biggest storms become easier to handle. One summer day at a beach in the Puget Sound, two of my brothers and I decided to build a makeshift boat. We borrowed some rope… Continue reading

Becoming Ambitious for Christ

Busy street crowded with taxis and people

The world demands that we be ambitious if we want to be successful, but what would happen if we focused our ambitions on Christ? When American academic William S. Clark went to Japan in 1874, he left his students with a rousing speech. The most famous part of that speech… Continue reading

One Way to Help Loved Ones Come Back to Jesus

two friends holding a third friend. All of them are excited and happy

Sometimes helping our loved ones come back to Jesus seems impossible. How can we help them on their journey? We all know someone who has followed a path that leads away from Jesus Christ. We strive to love them, support them, and eventually bring them back to the Savior—but all… Continue reading

Finding Belonging as a Child of God

One dandelion in a field of purple flowers

Finding belonging can be difficult, especially for those who are shy. By identifying with our true identity as a child of God, we can find true belonging as we become more like him. When my husband and I—both shy introverts—attended our first nonstudent ward for the first time as a… Continue reading

Conquering Comparison

One person holding a large pineapple holding it next to someone holding a much smaller pineapple

“Charity renders powerless this temptation to compare.” –J. B. Haws  If you have ever been caught in the trap of self-demeaning comparison, you are in good company—it’s a shared human weakness. If we are to become like Christ, we need to overcome the tendency to compare ourselves to others. But… Continue reading

Navigating Nuance: The Value of Inquiry

folded hands over an open Bible

Deep and serious reflection about religious concerns can feel both daunting and unavoidable;  however, embracing this complexity may be the key to finding peace with your spiritual identity. Navigating young adulthood is a continual process of inquiry and change as individuals encounter major transitions such as graduating, entering the workforce,… Continue reading

Struggle and Faith: Finding Joy as a Queer Member

Silhouette of person with arms outstretched standing at the bottom of a waterfall and rainbow power couple

Our struggles don’t negate our faith—they build it. Questioning your sexuality, especially as a member of the Church, can be scary, but I have found that there is joy to be had for queer members of the Church. When I began questioning my sexuality, the first thing I felt was… Continue reading

One Thing You’re Forgetting When You Pray

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If you’re praying for God’s healing Balm of Gilead, remember that other people are too. You might be surprised how serving others will call down the power of heaven on your own behalf. Mortality is hard for all of us—nothing we do can earn us a pass from the “sore… Continue reading

Being Creative through Christ

an image of a table with many different paint brushes and paint cans

God gave us all the potential to create. With the power of creativity, we can light up the world. I am an artist, and I love to draw. Usually, I draw as a pastime for personal enjoyment, but sometimes I draw for other people because I like establishing friendly relationships.… Continue reading