Choosing the Safer Path: Avoiding Temptation in a Covenant Life

The Savior didn’t debate temptation—he dismissed it. When we do the same, his strength will help us overcome our weakness. In our world today, we are surrounded by distractions and worldly pleasures that seek to turn us away from the covenant path. One of the proverbs of Solomon teaches a...

Your Testimony Is a Weapon, a Defense, and a Refuge

We can share the gospel with greater confidence when we recognize the power of our testimonies. Your testimony is a weapon, a defense, and a refuge. And it’s powerful. When I was a missionary in southern Argentina, my mission president taught an important truth from a scripture I now hold...

Using the Book of Mormon to Understand the Old Testament

In his day, Nephi studied and cherished the Old Testament record. Because of what Nephi left behind, we can too. The Old Testament can be a difficult read for many, and it definitely is for me. Not only is it the oldest scripture in our canon, but it sometimes seems...

Humility Deepens Covenant Connections

Christ is the ultimate example of handing his will to God in humility, and we can follow his example in our covenants to draw closer to God. As a newly endowed member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I found—and sometimes still find—the temple covenants to be...

Choosing to Be Chosen

Being an “agent unto yourself” balances doing things of your own will and seeking God’s will. When we think about agency, we imagine the divine gift of the right to choose for ourselves. We often hear of agency in connection with being an agent, someone who actively makes decisions and...
Seeing, Stopping, and Surviving Suicide

Seeing, Stopping, and Surviving Suicide

You or someone you know may be thinking of suicide. Learn how to tell, how to help, and how to heal after a suicide attempt.  According to Dr. Kenichi Shimokawa of LDS Family Services, suicide is the second-leading cause of death among people between 15 and 29 years of age...
Louisa Barnes Pratt: Early Sister Missionary in French Polynesia

Louisa Barnes Pratt: Early Sister Missionary in French Polynesia

Louisa Barnes Pratt served as one of the first sister missionaries of the Church in French Polynesia.  While her husband was serving a mission in the Society Islands in French Polynesia, Louisa Barnes Pratt was called to join him there as a missionary—along with their four daughters. After receiving the...
Eleven Techniques for Time Management

Eleven Techniques for Time Management

In order to manage our time, we first must manage ourselves. Throughout our lives we will find ourselves momentarily trapped by time. School, work, or other activities begin to drown us, and although we may want to ignore a problem, disregarding it is ineffective. Instead, practicing better time management skills brings...
How to Serve the Poor and Needy Even When You Are Poor and Needy

How to Serve the Poor and Needy Even When You Are Poor and Needy

Heavenly Father knows and cares about each person’s needs. If we prayerfully seek guidance, then we’ll know how to fulfill these needs. As Latter-day Saints, we know that God asks us to care for the poor and needy. Though this commandment is important, it can also be overwhelming at times—especially...
I Was a Stranger: The Call for Relief

I Was a Stranger: The Call for Relief

“Reaching out to others with love matters to the Lord.” This is why Latter-day Saint women announced a new refugee relief effort called “I Was a Stranger.”  “Have I done any good in the world today?” Thus began the General Women’s Session of the April 2016 general conference of The...
3 Steps to Find Peace in Trying Times

3 Steps to Find Peace in Trying Times

Although we can’t control our life’s circumstances, we can find peace throughout any trial by relying on Christ. Peace is something the majority of people search for in life. We have likely felt peace at some point, but we have probably also felt its absence. The social and civil unrest...