God Knows. Why Pray?

an image of a woman sitting on a bed with her hand on her face

God knows our needs, but we still need to pray for them. It’s through our efforts and our Savior that he answers our prayers.  Imagine a child trying to lift a heavy box on his or her own. The child may strain and struggle, small arms not able to reach… Continue reading

Getting Your Feet Wet: The Faith to Act

Feet in water

As you wait for the waters to part, don’t hesitate to start walking. Trust that soon enough you’ll see the dry ground beneath your feet. As a high school senior, I prayed daily about which college to attend, but I did not get an answer from God. Frustrated, I eventually… Continue reading

Spiritual Wonder in a Stressful World

Misty sunrise looking down on a green mountainside

Too much homework? Upcoming job interview stressing you out? Find peace in what nature has to offer. When I was 12, my family held a reunion at Itasca State Park, Minnesota. Cousins, aunts, and uncles came from all over the country to spend time together in the majestic forest. For… Continue reading

Rediscovering My Connection with God

Train tunnel.

When our connection with God feels weak, we can find strength by remembering he is our Father and the Savior is our Redeemer. Oftentimes we’ll go above and beyond to regain a missing internet connection on our cell phone: we’ll try everything that normally does work, and it just won’t… Continue reading

Five Steps to Finding Divine Guidance for Your Life

Blond woman looking out of a car window.

Our Heavenly Father guides us with perfect wisdom and has set up a way for us to find guidance and answers through the gift of prayer. How do we recognize God’s guidance when we need help navigating life’s decisions or struggles? In his general conference address “Learning to Recognize Answers… Continue reading

Choosing to Trust God Unconditionally

Ocean waves and a zipline over a beach.

When we learn to trust God completely, we can move forward with faith, knowing that he will support and guide us through life’s most challenging moments.  The higher I climbed, the more I questioned my sanity. It was the end of summer break, and I had decided to go zip-lining… Continue reading

Are You There, God?

an image of a person holding a loaf of bread in their hands

Sometimes when it seems like God is silent, we need only to be patient, and we will see his hand in our lives. “Are you there, God? It’s me, Mackenzie.” “Heavenly Father, are you really there? And are you hearing and answering my prayers?” I know I’m not the only… Continue reading

To Hear the Savior Pray for You

an image of a person with their hands together in prayer

How would it feel if we could hear the Savior pray for us? As we improve our personal prayers, we can experience what that might feel like.   I walked inside, exhausted. Why do I even go on dates if I always come back so drained? Maybe I’m alone in… Continue reading

Letting Your Light So Shine: Uncovering Your Spiritual Gifts

A small candle is lit on a wooden fence, with a few other candles blurred in the background

We don’t need to wander in darkness—by learning to recognize the Spirit’s influence in our lives, we can uncover and use our spiritual gifts for good. During Christ’s Sermon on the Mount, he teaches us to let our “light so shine before men” as an uncovered candle shines its light… Continue reading

The Absence of Answers

road with rainbow

At times, Heavenly Father does not answer our prayers for guidance because he entrusts us to make decisions for ourselves. As young adults we are often asked, “Where are you going to school?” “What are you planning to do after graduation?” “When are you getting married?” Figuring out the answers to these… Continue reading