Children and Youth Program—Not Just for Kids

Don’t let the name “Children and Youth” keep you from participating in this visionary, goal-setting program. A young mother asked if I was feeling overwhelmed with all the changes to the Church’s children and youth program. To be perfectly honest, I felt like I was off the hook because there… Continue reading

It’s Not Where You Serve, but How You Serve

After being reassigned to a new mission and then leaving the field early, a conference address helped me put things into perspective.  In April 2017, I was in the Missionary Training Center when I got a major concussion and sprained my ankle. Consequently, a week later I was reassigned to… Continue reading

Early RMs, Your Mission Isn’t Over

Many early return missionaries have a lot of worries, but wondering if they’ve “done enough” doesn’t have to be one of them. If you could ask an apostle of the Lord any question, what would you ask? This is exactly what young adults of The Church of Jesus Christ of… Continue reading

Gracefully Accepting God’s Will

We may not understand why certain things happen, but we can be certain that trusting God’s plan leads to eternal happiness. When President Dieter F. Uchtdorf gave the talk “Fourth Floor, Last Door,” I felt humbled and realized his words had completely changed the way I think about my faith… Continue reading

Intellectual Integrity

To truly be intellectually honest, we need to consider the evidence in favor of God’s existence. It’s pretty difficult to make it through life without your faith being challenged at some point; sometimes it happens sooner, sometimes later, but it almost always happens. What we choose to do in those… Continue reading

The Challenge of Choices

Every decision we make leads to a domino effect that eventually determines our destiny. In the new Book of Mormon videos, Nephi is one such character who has conquered the challenge of choices. I grew up next to a horse farm, with a big old farm gate at the fence.… Continue reading

4 Steps to Break the Bands of Debt

Debt can be a terrifying master, but there are resources to help you break free from debt’s chains. Debt can be scary, especially when you find yourself drowning in it. Thankfully, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has several programs intended to help people become financially self-reliant. Here… Continue reading

When What We Want and What We Need Aren’t the Same

We all face choices. What can we do when what seemed like a good plan starts to fall apart? When I got home from my mission, I had it all planned out.  I wanted to leave for college early to see my friends, find a place to live, and settle… Continue reading

Leave Your Garbage in the Dump

Sometimes repenting is the easy part; believing you’re forgiven is what’s difficult. Think about your garbage can. No, seriously. What’s in it? How does it smell? What do you use it for? If you’re anything like me, right now it might contain spoiled leftovers, empty cans and bottles, and a… Continue reading

5 Principles for Making Right Choices With Confidence

How can you be sure you’re making the right decisions for your future? Elder Quentin L. Cook offers five principles to help. Do you sometimes feel bogged down with the pressure that comes from making big life decisions? Or even the pressure that comes from smaller life decisions, each piling… Continue reading