Making Peace Our Strength

Pink, purple, and orange clouds at sunset.

The peace we receive from accepting our weaknesses gives us the power to conquer our trials—not just endure them. When the sons of Mosiah began their missions to spread Christ’s teachings, they prayed to have the Spirit to guide them (Alma 17:9). They knew many people would mock them, hate… Continue reading

How to Come Up for Air Among the Waves of Mental Illness

Waves Crashing on Rock Near Mountains during Daytime

Even though we may be drowning in the waves of mental illness, our reliance on Christ will help us make it to shore. Around when I started high school, I began to experience anxiety on a level that wasn’t just nervousness or anxiousness. My struggles with anxiety have always made… Continue reading

Your Wonderful, Imperfect Offering

Women holding a leaf in shape of a heart.

“You don’t have to be perfect or the greatest person who ever graced the earth or the best of anything to be with Him.” —Elder D. Todd Christofferson I often make the mistake of equating productivity with self-worth. There are obvious problems with this kind of thinking—one being that humans… Continue reading

How Church Structure Brings Us Closer to Christ

Three Women Laughing

Without loving leaders and members at church, there would be few places for us to be buoyed up and “nourished by the good word of God”.  Sister Reyna I. Aburto was nine years old when a devastating earthquake rocked her home country of Nicaragua. Her brother died in the earthquake,… Continue reading

With Open Arms

Red hearts in a row with one green heart standing out

It’s easy to feel like you’re on the outside, but there is a place for everyone in Christ’s arms. I have never liked giving talks or saying prayers in front of a crowd. I felt like I couldn’t thank the Lord or express my thoughts as well as those around… Continue reading

How to Avoid the Rut of Spiritual Apathy

Green mountains

Remembering God’s love will strengthen your spiritual resilience and protect you from the trap of spiritual apathy. I peered out through the dense fog at the Ribeira da Torre Valley of Santa Antão, Cape Verde. As the clouds parted and sunlight illuminated the view, my jaw dropped. Enormous mountains covered… Continue reading

Finding Comfort in Times of Sorrow

Group of friends standing together

Sometimes, you’ll feel like you are going through the journey of life alone; God promises you aren’t.  When I was a freshman in college, a young girl in my home ward took her own life. I hadn’t been very close with her growing up, but we had gone to church… Continue reading

Steady in Faith

Stormy sea rushing up to a coastline.

Now is the time to build a firm foundation of faith. When strong storms occur, we can stand steady on our rock of faith in Jesus Christ. Because God intends for us to grow and progress in our earthly journey, we will inevitably face trials throughout our lives. Furthermore, we… Continue reading

Who Are You? Identifying the Devil

Thoughtful man looks up from smartphone.

Discerning whether something is from God or Satan will give us the power to make conscious decisions that will help us overcome the devil. One night I was feeling very discouraged. I was in a whirlwind of doubt, self-loathing, and worthlessness until something occurred to me: these thoughts were from… Continue reading