Familiarity Among Strangers

Image of sunrise through destroyed buildings

We should develop an appreciation for the diversity around us and see everyone as fellow citizens in the household of God. Anyone who has visited another country may attest that it can be deeply disorienting to exit the plane and find yourself immersed in an unfamiliar culture. I know the… Continue reading

The Greatest Blessing

person folding hands

In a world where distractions constantly compete for our attention, giving our whole selves to the gospel of Jesus Christ leads us to receive the greatest blessing—the gift of eternal life. In Mark 10, when the rich young man denies the Savior’s counsel to sell all his belongings, take up… Continue reading

Finding Happiness in Being Single

woman wearing a hat and red lipstick smiling

Let’s face it: being single can sometimes make us sad. But if we focus on that too much we miss out on all the other good things happening in our lives. “How do I know if a girl is interested in me?” I didn’t expect to receive this question from… Continue reading

Embracing Our Quirks on the Path to Perfection

An aerial view of many different, multi-colored ceramic bowls

Our quirks and peculiarities are a strength as we strive to become more Christlike. I wear a dinosaur backpack around my college campus. I always arrive ridiculously early to the airport. Every year I celebrate several made-up holidays, such as the anniversary of the first time I got stitches. My… Continue reading

Should We Think About Gratitude in a Different Way?

Two people praying together.

Perhaps focusing on what we are grateful for is the wrong approach. Have you ever tried counting your blessings? Counting your blessings can be uplifting, but what if you lose some blessings on your list? Perhaps you lose a prized possession or a loved one.  Life changes quickly, and we… Continue reading

Faith in the Giver of Blessings

A fire lighting up the darkness.

When our faith is placed not in blessings but in the God who gives them, we will find strength to withstand our trials. Three young men found God in a furnace. Thrown into the flames for sustaining their religion, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego grasped for faith with their words, “Our… Continue reading

God’s Love Is There—I Promise

gold ballon that spells the word love

Find God’s love in your own life. I promise you, it is there. “Brothers and sisters, do you know how completely God, our Heavenly Father, loves you?” Sister Susan H. Porter, First Counselor in the Primary General Presidency, shares this sentiment in her talk “God’s Love: The Most Joyous to… Continue reading

Learning What Inner Beauty Looks Like

A woman stands in front of the sunset while looking up to the sky

I believed beauty was only determined by what is on the outside, but I have learned that it is our inner goodness that makes us beautiful. “Suck in your stomach.” “Straighten your hair.” “Those clothes don’t look good on you.” Hearing these comments from those around me was normal. Physical… Continue reading

Enduring with Cheer: Aurelia Spencer Rogers, Founder of the Primary

group of pioneer children

Through trials of faith and heartaches, Aurelia refused to give up, using her love heightened by loss to help the children of the Church. After her mother’s death, Aurelia Spencer Rogers (1834–1922) and her older sister cared for their four younger siblings for two years while their father was on… Continue reading