Thinking Critically about Our Faith

scriptures

Faith and scrutiny don’t have to be at odds. Careful reasoning and critical thinking can encourage experiences that deepen our faith. Can critical reasoning and religion work together? Science and the process of critical reasoning are often depicted to be at odds with theology and religious thought. But Dr. Ed… Continue reading

Pulling Life’s Weeds by Facing Trials

A father and son kneel next to each other as they work in the garden.

Sometimes the trials we face feel too heavy for us to carry, but those very trials are what strengthen us.  While I was growing up, “spring break” meant “spring cleaning” at my house. We lived on just under two acres of land, and those two acres put up a fight.… Continue reading

Confronting Uncertainty the Right Way

an image of a bench in the middle of a forest

When we confront uncertainty in our lives, there are three ways we can face it. Which will you choose?  At some point, we learn that not everything is in our control. We become aware that there is a gap between the real and the ideal. And with these realizations, uncertainty… Continue reading

Finding Joy in the Process

an image of a man and woman hugging each other in a black and white photo

Fact: life can be tough. However, as we look toward Christ, we can find the joy we need to endure even the most difficult trials. We never think that we will be the ones who will have to suffer through a particular challenge or trial—until it is staring us in… Continue reading

The Miracle of Peace

star-filled colorful night sky with a person silhouette

When we face trials, Heavenly Father can help us. But the solution we want isn’t always the solution we need.  Sometimes our prayers are answered quickly and predictably. But for Brittany King, miracles haven’t always come so easily. In her Ensign article “Not the Miracle We Wanted,” Brittany reflects on the struggles she… Continue reading

Ann Romney at BYU

Ann Romney at BYU

Ann Romney spoke to the hearts of the grieving and the discouraged at her book release at BYU. Ann Romney, wife of former presidential candidate Governor Mitt Romney, released her new book, In This Together: My Story, at BYU on Thursday, October 1. The Deseret News reported from the campus. Ann spoke… Continue reading

Turning Trials into Temples

Silhouette of man sitting on grass field

Revelation can come at any time in our lives—even the hardest times—if we stay close to Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father. I was preparing to go on my mission when the COVID-19 pandemic started. My life was turned upside down in a matter of days, and I was miserable… Continue reading

He Won’t Give Up on Me, So I Won’t Give Up on Him

girl staring out at hot air balloons

We must let our love for Heavenly Father, not the challenges of this life, define us. With a can-do attitude and unwavering determination, Marianne Fisher has accomplished amazing things in her life. Now in her eighties, Marianne has received two master’s degrees, has sung in a world-renowned choir for 17 years,… Continue reading

Living Happy, Living Now

Woman with blue shirt flapping in the wind

I was working toward worthy goals. But a gentle reminder of the blessings that I currently had showed me that I didn’t have to wait for joy. I needed to finish two papers, study for a math test, call some of the girls in my Young Women class, and figure… Continue reading

Simple Acts of Faith

sun rays through the clouds

What do the small and simple things have to do with the trials we find ourselves facing?  For some reason, we balk at simplicity. As humans, anything too easy makes us suspicious. With this tendency, sometimes we overlook the building blocks of the gospel, even though these building blocks are often what we need… Continue reading