Familiarity Among Strangers

Image of sunrise through destroyed buildings

We should develop an appreciation for the diversity around us and see everyone as fellow citizens in the household of God. Anyone who has visited another country may attest that it can be deeply disorienting to exit the plane and find yourself immersed in an unfamiliar culture. I know the… Continue reading

In Our Eyes Too

Group of people taking photo near brown tree

We often separate ourselves into categories based on our differences, but these categories do not define our inherent value as eternal children of God. We often repeat the scripture that says “the worth of souls is great in the sight of God” (see D&C 18:10). However, sometimes the perceived differences… Continue reading

Creating a More Welcoming Church Community

Four girls sitting in a grassy field, facing away from the camera, holding their hands together to form hearts

Everyone has a place in the Church, and as disciples of Christ we can help new and returning members feel like they belong. When my family first moved to Southern California, I found it challenging to figure out how to fit into the new community. When we joined The Church… Continue reading

Doubting My Place, Placing My Trust

How do we find belonging when we feel out of place? At a time when I didn’t think I could ever be—or even wanted to be—the “ideal LDS woman,” I often asked myself, “Do I really belong here?” At that time, my testimony in Christ as my Savior and in… Continue reading

Blessings of Religious Diversity

person looking at a view of old city and sunset

When we realize that Latter-day Saints don’t have a monopoly on spiritual truth, we can learn truth and insight from members of other religious beliefs. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints make up less than one percent of the world’s population. This means that over seven billion… Continue reading