Foreordination: An Invitation and a Promise

Girl standing on platform as train speeds by

Foreordination is a doctrine that we cannot fully understand in this life, but learning what we can will empower us to have faith in God’s plan for us. In Elder Neal A. Maxwell’s BYU address “Meeting the Challenges of Today,” he explains the importance of trying to understand the doctrine… Continue reading

Comprehending Death

Rose sitting on a headstone

When my friend Malori passed away, my beliefs about life after death were put to the test. Did I really believe in the spirit world? We all will eventually face the reality of losing a loved one. Until recently, though, I had never had to experience that pain. It was… Continue reading

How Does the Resurrection Affect my Discipleship?

an image of a doorway leading to a stone building with a light coming through it

Having a knowledge of the Resurrection gives us hope and strength to live the gospel more fully. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ was one of the most important events in human history. It was an integral part of the plan of salvation, one that prophets looked forward to for centuries.… Continue reading

You’re Not Stuck to Your Life Story

woman in orange in front of a building

How would you tell your own life story? Many cultures use stories to explain things in life that we don’t understand. Greek mythology often explained trials by blaming them on some god’s whims or personal vendetta. Luckily, our God is not like the gods of ancient Greece. Though our God… Continue reading

Simple Truths in President Monson’s Short Talks

Rose against a white background

I learned a lot from reading the simple truths in the testimony of the Prophet of God.  “Why is the world so complicated?” I asked my husband one day after getting home from school. This question was the result of hours of school discussions, research projects, and social media scrolling… Continue reading

The Good in Grief

Small purple flowers poke through newly fallen snow and dead leaves.

When we understand our part in God’s plan, the pain we feel at the death of a loved one can be more meaningful and help us grow emotionally. We all have our share of everyday setbacks that make us exclaim “good grief.” These troubles can range from just annoying to… Continue reading

Divine Discontent: An Invitation to Improve

an image of a man standing on a ladder holding a kite

Recognizing and welcoming divine discontent will help us gain an eternal and hopeful perspective on our path of progression. Feelings of discontent usually aren’t something we welcome. However, in a general conference address, Sister Michelle D. Craig explains how discontent doesn’t have to be destructive if we use three principles of… Continue reading

Obtaining Salvation for You and Your Ancestors

black and white photographs

By doing temple work for our ancestors, we develop gratitude and love for them and recognize the significant role we play in their salvation. Cynthia Doxey, associate professor of Church history and doctrine at Brigham Young University, says that we are “noble and great ones” who can help our ancestors… Continue reading

“That Part’s My Favorite!”

an image of a woman blowing bubbles in the air on a city street

Christ said, “Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see.” But are we really seeing the wonders of the gospel, or just looking past them? Alsivan was ecstatic when he learned that he could live with his son forever. He is a single father I met on… Continue reading

Don’t Sweat the Details: He Has a Plan

an image of a woman walking down a dirt road with an umbrella

It’s easy to get caught up in the details of the plan of salvation, but don’t let them overshadow the simple and pure truths.   There are so many details about the doctrines and practices of the gospel, and sometimes they lead to more questions than answers. In his conference… Continue reading