Foreordination: An Invitation and a Promise

Girl standing on platform as train speeds by

Foreordination is a doctrine that we cannot fully understand in this life, but learning what we can will empower us to have faith in God’s plan for us. In Elder Neal A. Maxwell’s BYU address “Meeting the Challenges of Today,” he explains the importance of trying to understand the doctrine… Continue reading

“I Wasn’t There for the Weeds”: When Duty Becomes Devotion

A man and a woman working in a garden

When we make Christ the center of our lives, our thoughts and actions become motivated by devotion rather than duty.  When we take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ at baptism, we promise to exemplify Christlike attributes and to share his teachings and love with all. However, our busy… Continue reading

The Path to Creativity and Growth

Young child with paint-covered hands

Creativity is often viewed as a rare gift, but it is in fact a mastery of skills. Such mastery is exactly what we need to be intentional with our growth. This life is a time for us to learn and grow, but often we struggle to know how to achieve… Continue reading

How to Take Control of Your Life through Active Decision-Making

Woman with Pen

We have been given the incredible gift of agency from God. When we use this agency to actively make decisions, we enable ourselves and the Lord to guide our lives.  A few years ago I was accepted into a study abroad program, and I had a decision to make: if… Continue reading

The God Hypothesis

Closeup of Microscope

You don’t have to reject science to believe in God. But to prove a spiritual theory, you need spiritual evidence. I recently heard of a chemist who strongly opposed the existence of God. He claimed that his belief in science was so intense, it could never coexist with religious faith.… Continue reading

Remembering Our True Identity

Person standing in the middle of a road

When we remember our true identity, we’re better prepared to serve our spiritual brothers and sisters. I’m the type of person who, during a one-hour drive, can listen to all sorts of music—classical, country, rock, indie, pop, opera, and Broadway. So, I easily connect with people who also love all… Continue reading

The Beauty of Broken

Picture of a broken window through which you can see a beautiful, old building.

Though the feeling of being broken can be heavy, there’s beauty in that brokenness. It creates space for Christ to fill in the cracks and make us even stronger vessels than before. Have you ever felt lost, hurt, or helpless? Have you ever done something you regret? Not necessarily a… Continue reading

How to Manage Stress by Turning to Christ

When the pressure and stress of daily life are overwhelming, we can turn to Christ to find peace and relief. He promises that with his help, we can persevere and grow through our trials.  Something that I’ve recently learned about myself is that I can find a reason to be… Continue reading

Education: A Sacred Endeavor

Friends Throwing Graduation Caps

Education is considered a modern commodity, but how often do we consider its role in reaching our divine potential? Life is full of learning opportunities. But the knowledge gained from formal education is unique in that it refines not only the mind, but the whole person. This transformative knowledge should… Continue reading

Eyes to See: How We Can See Others More Clearly

Wall art of jazz musicians

A blind musician learned to see people for who they truly are. He believes there is more that binds us than separates us. In Mark chapter 8, Christ lectures his disciples for doubting his power. Even though they had witnessed his miracles, they were still blind to who he truly… Continue reading