Weekly Promises, Daily Decisions

Through the sacrament, we invite the Savior’s influence into our week, one decision at a time. A few years ago, I sat in a church meeting and silently prayed that my friend would understand at least part of what each speaker was saying. She had recently moved to the United...

Is Marriage Worth It?

The world says marriage is risky. Religion and research say it’s the key to happiness. So, is marriage worth it? In a time of high divorce rates and cultures that celebrate independence, marriage can feel like it brings more pain than happiness. I’ll admit, I’ve been afraid of marriage myself....

Laboring in the Eleventh Hour

The parable of the laborers in the vineyard isn’t just a lesson about unfairness; it’s about how Christ promises to make all things fair. As I read the parable of the laborers in the vineyard found in Matthew 20: 1–16, the unfairness of the situation stood out to me. On...

All or Nothing? Physical Health Is Not About Extremes

Physical health should not be a spectrum of extremes, but how can I be healthy when extremes feel like the only options? I consider myself an athlete. I’ve played nearly every sport under the sun and find immense joy in being physically active. But when I graduated high school and...

Accessing the Enabling Power of Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ’s divine grace is available to all of us, but we have to be willing to put in the effort to access it. When Isaiah told Hezekiah, the king of Judah, to prepare for death, Hezekiah cried out to the Lord. He asked the Lord to remember his righteousness,...
Eyes to See: How We Can See Others More Clearly

Eyes to See: How We Can See Others More Clearly

A blind musician learned to see people for who they truly are. He believes there is more that binds us than separates us. In Mark chapter 8, Christ lectures his disciples for doubting his power. Even though they had witnessed his miracles, they were still blind to who he truly...
Your Endowment: A Lifelong Journey

Your Endowment: A Lifelong Journey

Your covenants give you more power than you think—heaven is behind you.  When you hear the word endowment, what do you typically think of? If you think of going to the temple to ‘get your endowment out,’ you would be in the majority; however, it isn’t something you ‘get out’...
Learning to Love the Commandments

Learning to Love the Commandments

The commandments may seem restrictive, but if we can recognize them as a gift from a loving Heavenly Father, we can see them in a new light.  We live in the world of the individual. We take pride in our personal freedoms, explore our unique interests, and direct our own...
Changing Life Directions?

Changing Life Directions?

Life circumstances change constantly. Sometimes we get caught in an unexpected flow, but we can make that a good thing. In a devotional given at Brigham Young University, Sister Janet G. Lee told a poignant story about her daughter’s kindergarten registration. When Sister Lee and her daughter Stephanie arrived at...
Upholding Your Standards When Others Might Mock You

Upholding Your Standards When Others Might Mock You

It can be hard to stand out in a crowd as a disciple of Jesus Christ, but we are promised great blessings if we rely on Christ anyway. In our often intellect-based world, we can place a lot of value on being seen as “smart” and “logical.” Anything that doesn’t...
Engaging Autistic Church Members

Engaging Autistic Church Members

Sometimes it can be difficult to help autistic kids be active in the church. What can parents, ward members, and Church leaders do?