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...
Ministering: A Life Hack for Making Friends

Ministering: A Life Hack for Making Friends

Do you ever wish you were better at building lasting friendships? One morning, I woke up to a big, long text from my ministering sister. You know the type: “Hey! I’m…[insert introduction, exclamation points!!!, and a bunch of personal questions]. What are you up to these days?” At this point,...
Family History: Why Is This Even a Thing?

Family History: Why Is This Even a Thing?

Why should sorting through the names of people I don’t even know be important in my own life? Family history. We’ve all heard of it. But several friends have mentioned to me that family history work just seems too complicated and, honestly, just not worth their time. Since I am...
Suicide Doesn’t Define Eternity

Suicide Doesn’t Define Eternity

When someone we love takes their own life, how do we respond? I always tried to be sensitive to the complex emotions and pain of people who were affected by suicide, but I never truly felt those emotions myself until recently, when a close friend decided to end his life....
Peacemakers and Children of God

Peacemakers and Children of God

As a people who have decided to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ, Mormons should seek opportunities to make peace in the political world. Ernest Benn once said, “Politics is the art of looking for trouble [and] finding it everywhere.” With the political world becoming more and more polarized, it’s...
Why Does It Matter That No One Sits Alone?

Why Does It Matter That No One Sits Alone?

We are often encouraged to reach out to those who are alone and forgotten, but what is the true motivation behind that? When I taught a church lesson on Elder Gerrit W. Gong’s talk “No One Sits Alone,” I was struck by something that had never previously occurred to me....
What Does It Mean to Be the “Seed of Abraham”?

What Does It Mean to Be the “Seed of Abraham”?

Often we are reminded that we are connected to the prophets of old, but how? And why does that matter? If you’ve ever tuned out at the words “seed of Abraham,” this article is for you. With modern-day advances in technology, transportation, and daily living, and the centuries that separate...