Faith to Affect and Faith to Accept

The absence of a miracle doesn’t necessarily mean we lack faith—the faith to accept God’s will is an equally valid expression of devotion. President Russell M. Nelson once told the story of two contrasting yet powerful examples of faith. In his April 2021 general conference talk “Christ Is Risen; Faith...

Growing Through Every Season

Through faith in Jesus Christ, we can grow and flourish in every season of life.   Life rarely unfolds exactly as we expect. Plans change, opportunities are lost, and unexpected trials can leave us wondering why life is stagnant. In these moments, we can easily think that God has forgotten...

Ongoing Restoration

Renovations to Temple Square allow for the restored gospel of Jesus Christ to be preached to the world like never before. During my mission at Temple Square, I sometimes struggled to keep Jesus Christ at the center of my conversations. I deeply wanted to share the joy of his restored...

Accepting Weaknesses Gracefully

How can I accept my weaknesses and grow without hopeless self-hatred, anxious disappointment, or worldly sorrow? The Apostle Paul is remembered as a great man of Christ. But in his own writings, he said, “There was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet...

Culture vs. Creed: Thoughts on Our Bodies

As we teach and learn together, we must distinguish between Church doctrine and local culture. I see a disconnect sometimes, especially in online echo chambers, between my lived experience and the lived experiences of others within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These differences are often benign or...
You Are a Child of the Covenant—What Does That Mean for You?

You Are a Child of the Covenant—What Does That Mean for You?

Being a child of the covenant isn’t just an identity. It’s a responsibility and a source of blessings. President Russell M. Nelson has told us that being a child of the covenant is one of our most important identities, but being a child of the covenant can feel like an...
Compassion in Action

Compassion in Action

Christ’s light shines within us when we choose to love others through word and deed. As I come to know my Savior better by reading about his life and ministry, I am always inspired by his capacity to love so abundantly. When Christ healed and blessed those in need, his...
How Burdens Help

How Burdens Help

We do not struggle with burdens alone or in vain. Everybody struggles with their own individual burdens. In Elder L. Whitney Clayton’s talk “That Your Burdens May Be Light,” Elder Clayton discusses how the burdens that affect us can be organized into three categories: burdens that are a natural product...
Comprehending Death

Comprehending Death

When my friend Malori passed away, my beliefs about life after death were put to the test. Did I really believe in the spirit world? We all will eventually face the reality of losing a loved one. Until recently, though, I had never had to experience that pain. It was...
Four Tips to Love Yourself

Four Tips to Love Yourself

Here are some ways you can love yourself, starting today. I hated myself for a long time. I hated my imperfections, my mental illnesses, my poor choices. It became hard to love myself because I believed that everyone around me expected me to be a perfect woman.  One day I...
How Can I Be Optimistic about the Future?

How Can I Be Optimistic about the Future?

In the aftermath of one of the world’s darkest hours, President Hinckley encouraged the world to stay optimistic. That advice still applies today.   As told in scripture, in the last days there “shall be . . . wars and rumors of wars, and the whole earth shall be in...