God can seem like an impersonal, unknowable being in the sky. But we can find peace during our hardest times as we seek to understand him as our Father, who loves us individually. My pre-teenage concept of God was perhaps a little irreverent, but it nonetheless sculpted my dutiful, strained relationship with… Continue reading
We must have faith that things will work out—but if they don’t work out according to our desires, we need to trust in God and in his timing. During the April 2004 general conference, I listened to a talk by Elder Dennis E. Simmons that literally made me stop in my… Continue reading
One night a few years ago, I was busy doing something many teenage brothers find entertaining: annoying my sister. As usual, she tried many things to get me to stop. Eventually, she pulled out her phone and started looking at scriptures. She checked Genesis chapter 6 and moved on when… Continue reading
When depression feels like it is taking over, faith can make our trials worth it. I could see sympathy in the doctor’s eyes as she explained to me, “It’s not uncommon for the medication to not only heighten your symptoms of anxiety and depression, but also to hinder the effectiveness… Continue reading
Although we might prefer our lives be as neat and cozy as a duck pond in a manicured garden, we must navigate the wilderness of uncertainty guided by the Spirit if we are to discover our personal promised lands. While hurrying home one October day, I was struck by the… Continue reading
As life’s trials rock us, we can feel peace and love through songs of the heart. I came to know this truth more clearly than ever before as I grieved my mother’s death. The choice to serve a mission can be a hard decision for many young adults. I left… Continue reading
We are found. We are no longer sheep fallen in a canyon, out of sight and beyond aid. We are found. We have been lifted up by gentle, calloused, scarred hands. We have been embraced. We are now placed behind the Shepherd as we do our best to stumble on… Continue reading
In ancient Israel, the closest male relative was responsible for the well-being of the entire family. He was often the head of the house, but he could also be a brother or an uncle. His responsibilities included making sure the extended family, in-laws, and nonrelatives living with the family were… Continue reading
I didn’t have depression, but it still left me broken and in need of Christ’s healing power. The first time I heard the conference talk “Like a Broken Vessel” by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland in 2013, I was touched. I felt empowered by the usual general conference “afterglow,” but I didn’t give… Continue reading
A general conference talk gave me hope for my wandering son’s future. My husband and I have six children. They all bring us joy, but parenting them has also provided us with trials and learning experiences. In 2003, our fourth child was fourteen and was struggling with many issues. Although I never learned… Continue reading
