The Blessings from Connecting with Our Ancestors

hands opening a black and white family picture book

Connecting with and learning from our ancestors is a simple way for us to receive a multitude of blessings, including increased faith and strength. Family history work—the act of learning and discovering more about our ancestors—is a way that we can connect with our family. The simple effort of researching… Continue reading

Creating Peace on Earth

Two candles labeled peace and joy sit on a reflective black surface.

As Christians, we can honor Christ by striving to develop peaceful characters—and through that, create more peace for the world. Christmas is my favorite time of year for a variety of reasons, but what I love most is how my priorities get realigned. There’s lots to do, of course—the holidays… Continue reading

Three Gifts That Guide Our Journey Back to God

Three lit candles on dark and rainy windowsill.

Our journey to return to our heavenly home is not aimless. God has provided us with several gifts, including scriptures, prophets, and personal revelation, to help us return to him. Every New Year’s, my family watches The Lord of the Rings. I’ve always loved the sweeping story, not just for… Continue reading

10 Blessings of Gratitude

woman in an orange suit jacket holds open a book with orange flowers sitting inside

Even the smallest expressions of gratitude can have the biggest impact on our lives. Life can often seem chaotic and stressful, where avoiding the downward spiral towards fear and anxiety can be really difficult. Whenever I feel overwhelmed by everything happening around me, I always find peace and comfort by… Continue reading

Empty Hands to Full Hearts

Sunflower with sunlight behind it.

Here’s a formula for having a mighty change of heart and turning to Christ—even when we feel that we have nothing left to offer him. When we come unto Christ, returning as did the prodigal son, we often come back with broken hearts. We are desperate; we plead for Christ… Continue reading

Having Faith to Continue On

Clouds over a valley.

As we strive to have faith through trials, obedience can help our faith grow stronger. Recently, I have had challenges with infertility and other health problems that have made it a little harder to continue with faith and to continue with the belief that everything will work out. It’s been… Continue reading

“Jesus Wept”

Person on the end of a pier

Life can be unfair, painful, and uncertain. When we or our loved ones find ourselves in those times of grief or frustration, we can rely on the Savior and his perfect example of empathy. In his BYU devotional, “Hard Sayings and Safe Spaces: Making Room for Struggle as Well as… Continue reading

“I Went to the Woods”: The Beauty of Living Simply

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In a busy and chaotic world, living simply can help us feel peace among the stress. The old adage is true: less is more. In 1845, Henry David Thoreau famously moved to Walden Pond to escape the chaos of the world. He lived there for two years, gardening, writing, and… Continue reading

Following the Spirit to Comfort Others

Sun behind white wispy clouds drifting over a blue sky

Sometimes a little comfort is all you need to make it through a particularly bad day, week, month, or even year. The Holy Spirit is quiet, but if we let it, it can make a powerful difference in our lives. Not only does it help us to make hard decisions… Continue reading

Our Intuition Is a Gift: Judge Righteously

a gavel on a white marble background

Spiritual promptings and our own intuition are gifts from God to keep us safe. Let us trust ourselves while still respecting others as children of God. Recently, I took my car to the dealership for a routine service appointment when an older man approached me and struck up conversation. As… Continue reading