Comprehending Death

Rose sitting on a headstone

When my friend Malori passed away, my beliefs about life after death were put to the test. Did I really believe in the spirit world? We all will eventually face the reality of losing a loved one. Until recently, though, I had never had to experience that pain. It was… Continue reading

Choosing Peace in the War of Controversy

an image of a rainbow is in the sky over a city

“Both sides in big controversies . . . should seek to understand the other’s position and seek practical accommodations that provide fairness for all and total dominance for neither.” —Elder Dallin H. Oaks  With the recent legalization of gay marriage in the United States, The Church of Jesus Christ of… Continue reading

Finding Hope for Future Blessings

light at the end of the tunnel

Our Heavenly Parents are forever aware of our trials, and we are never left to face them alone. We receive unwavering help in getting through the darkest moments of our lives when we have hope and faith in them. When Yih Chwin Koay’s daughter, Alexis, was born prematurely at 26… Continue reading

Feeling Trapped? Sacrifice the Things that Bind Us

an image of a woman standing in front of a window

How often do we find ourselves feeling trapped—physically, mentally, and spiritually? Making sacrifices in our lives provides us a way to break free and draw closer to the Lord. Agency is a powerful tool we can use to break free from circumstances that hold us captive; our choices make all… Continue reading

God Loves You

Silhouette of Man standing on rock during sunset

In our modern, ever-changing world, there are many things that can cause us to doubt our self-worth. When this happens, remember that your Heavenly Parents love you. There’s so much going on in this modern world, and it’s so filled with challenges and trials that we can easily find ourselves… Continue reading

Growing Toward the Light

an image of a bird perched on a branch in a tree

Plants grow and thrive in sunlight. We grow and thrive in the light of Christ. I love to be surrounded by green, growing, living things; I often find comfort in the thriving plant life in the outdoors. Unfortunately, I don’t have much of a green thumb, and I haven’t had… Continue reading

Even Our Sins

Sunburst through a cloudy sky

The gifts of Christ’s Atonement extend to cover all of life’s sorrows. It’s easy to talk about the ways that Christ’s Atonement can help us through trials beyond our control. After all, at some point everyone will face challenges that they didn’t ask for. But sometimes, the source of our… Continue reading

Finding Calm in the Storm of Consumerism

an image of a busy city street with lots of billboards

In the midst of a world that grows only more consumer-focused, peace of mind can be found by looking through an eternal perspective. There’s a parking lot near my apartment complex that is currently installing electric vehicle charging stations. The other day, I noticed that all the charging stations are… Continue reading

Anthropological Linguistics and the Gospel

an image of a church with two towers and a clock on the front

What do anthropological linguistics and Amazonian Ecuador have to do with Christ’s restored gospel? Although we may claim, in the words of the beloved hymn, to “stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers” us, it is often too easy to take the spiritual and theological riches of the restored… Continue reading