Spreading God’s Love on Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day can be a lonely holiday for many of God’s children, but we can help the people in need all around us to feel God’s love on this holiday. When I was young, Valentine’s Day was my favorite holiday. My mom would get up early in the morning to...

The Best Christmas Gifts Only Christ Can Give

The truest desires of our hearts often can’t be bought and placed under the Christmas tree, but they can become a reality because of Jesus Christ. I have a very distinct memory of asking my dad what he wanted for Christmas one year. He simply said, “I just want you...

Christ, the Universal Savior: Lessons from Third Nephi

Jesus Christ’s presence as an active character in Third Nephi proves the Book of Mormon’s purpose of inviting all to come unto Christ.   When I was a missionary, my companion and I met every week with a recently baptized young adult. Our friend struggled with reading, so we would study...

Get on Your Knees and Face It

When life is beating you down, relying on the Lord through prayer can help you confront your trials. A highlight of this week’s Come, Follow Me lesson is the classic scripture 3 Nephi 5:13, which starts off, “For behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.” It’s clear why this...

Lessons from Pahoran: Accepting Feedback with Humility

If we follow Pahoran’s example and practice humility, we can improve our lives and collaborate better with others.  One of the most unexpected lessons I’ve had to learn as an editor is that I need to be just as comfortable receiving feedback as giving it. Editing is a collaborative effort,...
Leading As Christ Would

Leading As Christ Would

Our mission as leaders in our families and communities is to actively apply the gospel of Jesus Christ in each of our daily interactions.   Powerful leaders have often left destruction and sadness behind them in their quest for control and power. But Jesus Christ, the perfect example and leader,...
Chasing Perfection 

Chasing Perfection 

One of Satan’s most convincing lies is that we can become perfect on our own. Buying into this lie will trap and overwhelm us, but turning to Christ will make us whole.    Being hardworking and ambitious are common characteristics of disciples of Christ. Unfortunately, in our quest to “be ye therefore...
Perfection Is Not a Prerequisite

Perfection Is Not a Prerequisite

Focusing on God’s promises can help you access the power of Jesus Christ—even when perfectionism tells you you’re not enough. My friend was doing everything she thought she should be—attending church regularly, praying and studying the scriptures daily, and striving to keep her covenants—but she still felt like she was...
3 Dos and Don’ts for Asking Effective Questions

3 Dos and Don’ts for Asking Effective Questions

Do you use effective questions when teaching the gospel at church or at home? Imagine you are in Sunday School. Your teacher wants the discussion to go a certain direction that works with his or her notes, but also wants to ask a question to get people involved. In order to drive the discussion,...
When God Sent Me Tulips

When God Sent Me Tulips

I needed to feel God’s love, and he answered me in just the way I needed. Buzz. I glanced at my phone, then to the manuscript on my desk. Instead of answering, I picked up a red pen and continued my work. The call was from my brother, who left...
Work for Peace; Triumph through Trust

Work for Peace; Triumph through Trust

As we build bridges of trust, we direct our thinking toward the importance of peace, the central feature of what disciples may hope to achieve.  Discipleship grows when we place peace at the center of our decisions. As we work for peace, the key to triumph is trust. We can come...