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

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

How to “Pray Always”

A young woman folds her arms and prays at the table.

We know that we need to pray morning and night, but what does “praying always” look like? Phrases that illustrate the principle of continual prayer are peppered throughout the scriptures: “pray without ceasing” and “counsel with the Lord in all [our] doings.” But how can we realistically apply this principle… Continue reading

Empty Hands to Full Hearts

Sunflower with sunlight behind it.

Here’s a formula for having a mighty change of heart and turning to Christ—even when we feel that we have nothing left to offer him. When we come unto Christ, returning as did the prodigal son, we often come back with broken hearts. We are desperate; we plead for Christ… Continue reading

Never Forsake: How to Help People Through Mental Health Trials

Man hugging child

When we don’t know where to start, how can we let the gospel in and help buoy others through mental health trials? Overcoming mental health challenges is a struggle that no one needs to go through alone. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are called to… Continue reading

What Is True?

Man grabbing head in frustration

When you are flooded with conflicting messages and instructions, faith it ‘til you make it. Discerning truth can be difficult. Years ago, Elder Bruce R. McConkie shared some valuable insights that are just as relevant today as they were then. In his Brigham Young University devotional discourse “The Seven Deadly… Continue reading

We Are Never Alone: God Knows Us and Loves Us

Man Standing on Wood Near Mountain Range

Just because we are spending time by ourselves, the Lord hasn’t left us alone. The past year has been filled with heartaches and disappointments because of the COVID-19 pandemic. I have spent a large portion of the year by myself, and as a result, have had countless moments when I… Continue reading

Gracefully Accepting God’s Will

an image of a woman standing on a beach with her arms outstretched

We may not understand why certain things happen, but we can be certain that trusting God’s plan leads to eternal happiness. When President Dieter F. Uchtdorf gave the talk “Fourth Floor, Last Door,” I felt humbled and realized his words had completely changed the way I think about my faith… Continue reading

How to Talk to God and Know He’s Talking Back

an image of a person sitting on a dock looking out at a lake

What exactly does being prayerful look like? Mari Ann Birch, an employment specialist at BYU–Idaho, gives us some inspiring examples. Prophets have counseled us to be prayerful, but what does that look like? In Mari Ann Birch’s BYU–Idaho devotional, “Be Prayerful,” she shares some of her experiences with being prayerful… Continue reading