Jesus Christ: The Coauthor of Our Story

A woman sitting and writing in a notebook.

Having a hard time forgiving yourself for past mistakes? Let the Savior help rewrite your pain into your purpose. I saw the arrow turn green and I accelerated while glancing down at my phone’s GPS. I expected to be able to look up in time to turn. Instead, my car… Continue reading

The Author of Agency

A woman sits at a desk and uses a green typewriter next to a manuscript and writing materials.

I wanted God to be the author of my faith, so why wasn’t I receiving the direction I was seeking? In her talk “Invite Christ to Author Your Story,” Sister Camille N. Johnson points to Hebrews 12:2 to remind us to let Christ guide our lives. She explains, “We can… Continue reading

Seeing God Through His Holy House

The Cardston Alberta Temple during winter, a white granite building with snow covered grounds and frost covered trees surrounding it.

Like our homes reveal who we are, temples can reveal who God is. Since the Old Testament times, God has encouraged his people to “seek His face in the temple,” as BYU Professor Andrew C. Skinner says in his article “Seeing God in His Temple: A Significant Theme in Israel’s… Continue reading

Learning Through Grief and Finding Happiness

A melancholic woman sitting in a windowsill, looking sad and worried.

In a world full of unexpected grief and trials, finding happiness comes not from avoiding sorrow, but from turning to Christ in the midst of it. I often ask myself how to hold on to joy when tragedy strikes. In moments of helplessness, optimism feels out of reach. I felt… Continue reading

Compassion: A Meaningful Way to Love and Serve

A woman in a striped shirt with short blond hair in a ponytail cradles the head of another woman with dark hair in comfort. They are both sitting on a bed.

When those we love are suffering, we may not be able to remove their struggles, but we can still offer something truly valuable. When a close family member was grieving a sudden, unexpected job loss, I felt useless as I watched them struggle. Without financial resources, professional connections, or extensive… Continue reading

Turning Tragedy into Victory

Person stands on a mountain and looks over more mountains with a river running through them

Our trials may seem senseless, but by transforming them from tragedy into victory, we can find inherent meaning. My life has taken many unexpected turns, often as a result of sudden challenges. One of my toughest moments was when I started my full-time proselytizing mission in March of 2020—just ten… Continue reading

Hope Is a Call to Action

Graffiti on an electrical box that says "Be the Change" with a heart.

God doesn’t expect us to sit and hope for heaven—he expects us to hope as we work to make heaven here on Earth. Take one look at the state of the world, and it makes sense why so many in our generation deal with anxiety, depression, and despair: think chaotic… Continue reading

Cultivating Your Spiritual Gold Rush

Hands gently holding a small yellow flower, symbolizing humility, growth, and simple offerings.

We don’t need grand gestures to grow spiritually—just steady flecks of faith, love, and kindness each day. Recently, I attended the temple for the first time. I was surprised by how much of the experience was about progression. Going through the temple was a powerful reminder that spiritual growth doesn’t… Continue reading

In Our Moment of Need

Sunrise on yellow flowers in the desert

No matter where we are, Jesus Christ will always be right on time. When I turned 14, my family was preparing to move and leave behind everything I had ever known, and I felt lost. I didn’t know where to go or what to do, but the Lord was aware… Continue reading

The Spiritual Power of Pausing

Man in a red jacket standing in the outline of a circular rock formation overlooking three mountain peaks.

When restlessness and anxiety rise within us, we can take a deep breath and remember the words “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). If I had been asked what I missed most while on my mission, my answer might have been surprising: Google. I’m naturally curious,… Continue reading