In My Afflictions: Missionary Trainer for Two

After spending weeks as a missionary punching bag, I stopped fighting and got down on my knees to call for backup. I bit back my words as the three of us walked to our apartment. The tension between us was palpable and strangled any patience I still maintained. I was… Continue reading

The First Vision Goes Global

Want the whole story? Differing accounts of Joseph Smith’s First Vision are now available in 10 languages. Contrary to popular belief, the First Vision account included in the scriptures is not the only version available. At least four accounts were written by Joseph Smith or recorded at his request. Five more… Continue reading

What Is Your Spiritual Superpower?

Discovering and developing our spiritual gifts, or spiritual superpowers, will help us recognize our heroic identities and purposes. We are all superheroes. How? As Doctrine and Covenants 46:11–12 states, “There are many gifts, and to every man [and woman] is given a gift by the Spirit of God …. that… Continue reading

Judging to Save, Not Destroy

As future leaders of the rising generation, we must learn how to judge in Christ’s way, which is “merciful, loving, and redemptive, not condemning.” When speaking to young adults, President Russell M. Nelson has said, “you are the future leaders of the Lord’s Church!” It is thus our sacred opportunity to… Continue reading

Overwhelmed by Church Expectations

The story of the rich young ruler can help us understand that Church standards are not requirements from the Church, but rather encouragement from the Lord. In young adulthood, many of us struggle to hold on to our faith. There are many things that people question when their faith falters,… Continue reading

Faith in a Modern World

Woman praying beside tree

Faith in the living Christ can conquer any mountain we face. But how do we go from believing this truth to actually living it? At a time when hardship looms like mountains all around us, it’s no wonder that people are losing faith. Countless sources offer guidance for rekindling faith,… Continue reading

How Jacob 5 Helped Me Cope with Sickness and Grief

Trees in field

Jacob 5 isn’t just a story about some olive trees and a few blue-collar workers; it’s a testament that Christ loves each one of us and that he, the Lord of all, rejoices and weeps with us through our mortal experience. In October 2018, I was diagnosed with a lifelong… Continue reading

You Can Find Peace amid Mental Health Trials

Man sitting at a table covering his face with his hand

God cares about our mental health, and he hopes that through these trials we will choose to lean on him and trust in his healing process. Facing unrelenting fear can be destructive. When I was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, I experienced days where I couldn’t function emotionally or physically.… Continue reading

7 Tips for Making Righteous Judgments

Man on tablet

We are sometimes required to pass judgment on other people and on important decisions in our lives. These seven principles outline how we can make righteous judgments. In Matthew 7:1, Christ commands us not to judge. Through the Joseph Smith Translation, however, we see that not all judgment is bad.… Continue reading

Instruments of Revelation: Translating the Book of Mormon

scriptures

The translation of the Book of Mormon was a miracle of modern revelation. When most of us hear the word translation, we think of bilingual dictionaries, conjugation charts, and Google Translate. If we need to verify that something is translated correctly, we might ask a native speaker or someone who… Continue reading