Finding God in Our Storms

an image of a lightning storm is seen in the sky

In our storms, God is with us. Though he doesn’t always calm the storm, he can calm us to be able to bear the storm. Have you ever felt like a sailor lost at sea in the middle of a storm, like your life is chaotic and frightening and lonely?… Continue reading

Healing Mentally with God in Mind

an image of a word made out of wooden blocks spelling anxiety

When we struggle with mental health, God is an option. One day a friend of mine visited me. He told me that God knew what I was going through, that God could help me, and that God loved me. This message reminded me that there was hope for me, not… Continue reading

The Healing Power of Grief

an image of a man and woman hugging each other on a bench

In abandoning public expressions of grief, we lose opportunities to heal and grow as a community. I remember the first time I stepped up to a door that had a white slip of paper posted to it. The characters were incomprehensible to me, but my Japanese companion quickly explained that… Continue reading

My Second Life … As a Latter-day Saint

The Salt Lake City Temple

The first time I heard the story of Joseph Smith and the First Vision was at Temple Square in Salt Lake City during a guided tour. I believed it. But my family didn’t. My father said it was the most bogus story he had ever heard. I was crushed and… Continue reading

Forgiving the Wayward: Finding Peace

Sunset with shrubbery

When you forgive someone who wronged you, you aren’t just helping them—you’re also healing yourself.  We have all had moments when we have felt wronged and the person who wronged us hasn’t appeared apologetic in the slightest. Whether it was a small incident, like someone cutting you off while you… Continue reading

“A Savior With Scars”

an image of a man in a white robe is holding his hands out

Jesus Christ kept His scars to remind us that He can heal ours.  Every person we interact with has challenges we cannot see. Some people may face small challenges like not getting a job they applied for or living with mild anxiety. Others might be dealing with deep scars from… Continue reading

Trying: Improving Our Efforts by Taking the Name of Christ

Desert highway

As we try our best during trials, we can lean on Jesus Christ for support. We fortify our relationship with Christ as we direct our energy to service. “I’ve been having a hard time adjusting I had the shiniest wheels, now they’re rusting … I just wanted you to know… Continue reading

Where Is My Happily Ever After?

A woman holding an apple

It may be hard to believe that our imperfect families can be happy together forever, but if we are able to forgive, we will see blessings. Families can be hard to live with. Whether it’s trying to understand someone we don’t get along with or talking to family members who… Continue reading

Understanding the Symbol of the Cross

A cross on top of a large building

Latter-day Saints do not normally wear physical crosses, but instead take up a symbolic cross in order to come unto Christ. Why do Latter-day Saints not wear crosses? I recently talked about this question with a fellow member of the Church. She told me that she did wear a cross… Continue reading

Mountains Out of Molehills

an image of a person standing on top of a mountain

Our situation may seem rough in the midst of our trials and hard decisions. Who can we turn to for help? Mountains are beautiful; in many parts of the world they surround us with their towering peaks and treacherous slopes. We often see these slopes as a challenge and try… Continue reading