Planning Like the Prodigal Son

Time management

I may not be spending my money in ways that drive me from God like the prodigal son did, but how am I spending my time? Nearly every Christian knows the story of the prodigal son, but many may not know what prodigal actually means. If you had asked me… Continue reading

3 Concrete Ways to Apply Jesus Christ’s Atonement

For the times when life seems hopeless, here are three concrete ways to apply the Atonement of Jesus Christ. When discussing how to overcome trials in Sunday School, I frequently hear the comment, “Just apply the Atonement.” But when a crisis hits, I often wonder, “How do I apply the… Continue reading

5 Daily Reminders

A woman sitting on a hill looking toward the bright sun.

We have all felt at times like we are inadequate and should just give up, but the Savior knows each of us and knows that we are worth enough to die for. We all have so many things that we have to juggle on a daily basis that we sometimes… Continue reading

Our Patient Savior

field of red poppies

The Savior is on our side, and he gives us as many second chances as we need. Peter once asked Jesus how many times he was supposed to forgive his brother. Peter suggested seven as a reasonable answer. After all, forgiving someone seven times for the same mistake seems like… Continue reading

The Beauty and Value in Messiness

Life is messy. Luckily, there is holiness in the mess. In her essay titled “This Holy Mess,” Sharlee Glenn shared an experience she had while in Italy. Glenn’s tour guide said something that struck her as they were rushing to make it to mass: “Hurry!… We can’t be late for… Continue reading

How to Overcome the World’s Distractions

An Island inside a lake.

The world will always try to distract us from our spiritual pursuits, but we can learn to overcome worldly temptations while building a life centered on what our Heavenly Father wants for us. Have you ever wondered how you can have a life filled with deep, abiding joy? We can… 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

Strength in the Struggle

hiking on a snowy mountain

Recognizing repentance as a divine gift of hope and healing can transform the way we view our mistakes. One Tuesday evening as I sat in the back row of an institute class, I read a sentence from Elder D. Todd Christofferson that changed my life: “Real repentance, real change may… Continue reading

How Do I Know if I Am Worthy?

man in black hoodie sitting on bench near green trees

Feelings of doubt and guilt can make us feel as if we aren’t doing enough to be worthy. If we are honestly trying our best to follow Jesus Christ, we are worthy. In the struggle of mortality, it can be hard not to stumble over even the tiniest of things.… Continue reading

The Surprising Lesson We Can Learn from Pickles

Pickles

Cucumbers become pickles through a deliberate process of transformation. Similarly, each of us must be transformed, or born again, through Jesus Christ. I still remember the day I learned that pickles used to be cucumbers. As a young girl, I couldn’t fathom how one food could turn into another with… Continue reading