You Don’t Have to Feel Guilty—Depression Is Hard Enough

Depression diminished my feelings of gratitude and left me feeling guilty, but a talk reminded me that I don’t have to feel guilty for being depressed. Most people think depression is a constant, deep sadness. It’s not. At least, for me it’s not. When my depression is at its worst,… Continue reading

Saying Yes to God: Letting Him Help Us through Our Trials

With God’s help, returning home early from a mission can actually be a building experience. Some situations in life—such as returning home early from a mission—can leave us feeling overwhelmed and inadequate, but if we let God into our lives, we can move past these feelings and use the experience… Continue reading

Finding Redemption through Prayer

Just when life felt unbearable, a man found courage through prayer to keep living and to start changing. At one point or another, each of us has made mistakes that result in the absence of the Spirit, leading to a feeling of darkness. If we don’t address these mistakes quickly… Continue reading

Seeing, Stopping, and Surviving Suicide

two women on couch in mourning

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… Continue reading

Speaking More Positively by Overcoming Negative Thinking

Group of friends standing outside.

You can build better relationships with those around you when your words flow from optimistic thoughts. “Even in the golden age of civilization someone undoubtedly grumbled that everything looked too yellow,” quoted Elder Jeffrey R. Holland during his April 2017 general conference address, “The Tongue of Angels.” Even in the best of… Continue reading

Finding Healing from the Pain of Suicide

Woman staring at the ocean

I learned that being left behind by suicide is difficult and painful—but there is hope. Grief is like the tide: vast, unfathomable, and alternately crashing on the beach or pulling away into the sea. Often without warning, those grieving are fine one moment and broken the next. The morning I… Continue reading

Stronger with the Savior: Battling Suicidal Thoughts

Even when it feels like life is at its darkest point, we can lean on Jesus Christ to receive the strength we need to overcome our greatest battles.  When facing a seemingly insurmountable trial in our lives, it’s easy to feel hopeless and alone. One mother from Iceland shares her experience battling… Continue reading

Why Can’t I Just Be Perfect?

cracked road

From childhood, I had done my best to be “perfect.” But Heavenly Father subtly reminded me that imperfections were steppingstones to eternal life. As a kid, I was always happy and helpful, and as my mother called me “the angel child.” Somehow though, I took that nickname to heart in the worst… Continue reading

Healing Spiritual Depression

Dealing with depression can be difficult, especially when it affects our spiritual lives. But with proper treatment, depression does not need to keep us from feeling the comfort and guidance of the Spirit. The symptoms of depression are fairly recognizable: apathy, sadness, guilt, lethargy, insomnia, loss of appetite, and so… Continue reading