Dear Mother Earth

Being stewards of the earth is one of the best ways we can practice our discipleship. Dear Mother Earth, who day by day Unfoldest blessings on our way, Alleluia! Alleluia! The flow’rs and fruits that in thee grow, Let them his glory also show, Alleluia! Alleluia! (“All Creatures of Our...

Can Gratitude Bring Happiness?

Genuine happiness feels so hard to find sometimes—but maybe if we slow down a bit and consider our lives with gratitude, we can be “made glorious.” Everyone wants to experience happiness—but sometimes we get so caught up in searching for it that we forget to appreciate what we already have....

Finding the Voice of the Shepherd Through the Spirit

We must learn how to recognize the Holy Spirit to recognize the voice of the Shepherd. Jesus teaches, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27). To be a disciple of Christ, we need to know his voice—but what if we don’t recognize...

Finding God in Stillness

God always has time for you, but do you make time for him? Like many young adults, I often find myself absolutely swamped with various school and work responsibilities and social obligations, which come with an overwhelming sense of stress. Only one thing truly eases that stress for me and...

The Process of Becoming

Many people talk about missionary work, but what about the time leading up to a decision to serve?  Preparing for a mission can be daunting. There can be so many voices trying to influence your decision. So what can you do when the choice feels out of your reach? In...
Seeing Ourselves Through Christ’s Eyes

Seeing Ourselves Through Christ’s Eyes

How can we feel loved even during hard times when we may not believe in ourselves? A few years ago, I felt completely alone. I was living far away from my family, I didn’t have any close friends nearby, and I was confused about my future. After weeks of feeling...
How to Build a Boat to Handle Life’s Storms

How to Build a Boat to Handle Life’s Storms

The storms of life can be plentiful and scary, but when we build a strong boat, even the biggest storms become easier to handle. One summer day at a beach in the Puget Sound, two of my brothers and I decided to build a makeshift boat. We borrowed some rope...
A Gospel of Questions

A Gospel of Questions

We should always be willing to ask questions in this life, and being mindful about the questions we ask will help us progress. When was the last time you asked an earnest question? Not a rhetorical or half-hearted question, but a question to which you truly wish you had an...
My Struggle with Scripture Study

My Struggle with Scripture Study

Prioritizing scripture study is a choice that can heal us. I had been home from my mission for three months, and I was already having trouble reading scriptures. I had read scriptures for an hour every day on my mission and had promised myself upon returning home that I would...
Peace, Love, and Religious Freedom

Peace, Love, and Religious Freedom

There is more peace in the world when all individuals have the freedom to practice their religion. In today’s world, religion is often portrayed as a scary thing. We watch or read news reports about attacks by radical religious groups. In our history classes, we learn about religious sects fighting one another. On social...
Church Disciplinary Councils: Acts of Love

Church Disciplinary Councils: Acts of Love

High-profile cases of Church discipline have recently made national headlines, leading some people to question the need for excommunication. Church disciplinary councils lovingly invite those who seriously transgress to repent and start over with the full blessings of the gospel. Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve...