Trials and Tribulations as Disguised Mercies

A man slumped.

When the burdens on your back are overbearing, remember that our stumbling blocks are God’s gifted stepping stones. Pandemic. Job loss. Family division. Controversy. Wars. Rumors of wars. We are all affected by the turmoil of the world right now, and it is scary. Some people shake their fists at… Continue reading

Faith as a First Response

Image of house interior with windows

Life is hard. Faith makes it easier. In Elder Rex D. Pinegar’s October 1982 general conference address, “Faith—The Force of Life,” he shares an experience when his daughter was departing for college and was just now understanding the extent of the responsibilities lying ahead of her. After considering them all,… 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

Testimony: Another Thing That Makes You, You

When we share our unique testimonies, we contribute meaningful insights to others’ lives. We are all unique people with individual life experiences. It makes sense that our testimonies are unique too. In a general conference address entitled “The Power of a Personal Testimony,” Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf helps us recognize… Continue reading

What Is Your Spiritual Superpower?

Discovering and developing our spiritual gifts, or spiritual superpowers, will help us recognize our heroic identities and purposes. We are all superheroes. How? As Doctrine and Covenants 46:11–12 states, “There are many gifts, and to every man [and woman] is given a gift by the Spirit of God …. that… Continue reading

Understanding the Gift of Pain

Recognizing the purposes for pain can help us see it for what it really is—a gift from our loving Heavenly Father. Have you ever thought about what it would be like to never feel pain? As appealing as this sounds, Brother Derrel Higgins, a professor at BYU-Idaho, explains why pain… Continue reading

Never Forget These Five Things

The five petals of the forget-me-not flower symbolize five things to remember that will help us find joy as we live the gospel and face the trials of life and the challenges that come. Instead of getting caught up in life’s challenges, we can choose to find joy in them… Continue reading

Millennial Advice: Reach Up

While facing the trials of young adulthood and making eternally important decisions, we must look up to Heavenly Father for help, peace, and direction.  The faith of many millennials has been tested as they have seen peers stray from God’s path. Elder Robert D. Hales speaks to young adults in… Continue reading

Finding Joy in the Process

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