Rooting Your Testimony in Christ

Large tree trunk in green forest

Despite the whirlwind of challenges thrown our way, we can fulfill our potential by planting and nourishing roots in Jesus Christ. What do a scrub oak tree and a testimony have in common? They both can outlast oppressing conditions—but only if they have deep roots. In the article “Rooted in… Continue reading

“O God, Where Art Thou?”: The Trials of Liberty Jail

icicles on a wooden beam

When everything seems to go wrong, has God left us to face our trials alone? On December 1, 1838, six men, including the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum, were wrongfully imprisoned in the dungeon of Liberty Jail in Clay County, Missouri. One of the other innocent captives charged with… Continue reading

What Did Reformed Egyptian Characters in the Book of Mormon Look Like?

an image of a book sitting on the ground in the woods

Want to see copies of original characters from the gold plates up close? Thanks to The Joseph Smith Papers, you can. From the moment Joseph Smith received the gold plates in 1827, he constantly had to protect them. The angel Moroni gave him specific instructions to keep them safe—not only from… Continue reading

How Do I Keep My Testimony?

Hand grabbing fruit

Though it may seem counterintuitive, the best way to keep a testimony is to share it.  I remember the first time I shared my testimony. I was at recess in first grade, and something about the trees reminded me of what I had learned about the First Vision. When I… Continue reading

The Second Miracle: Made Confident through Christ

Jesus hugging the man who was born blind

There’s no shame in simply starting with what you know. If you just continue moving forward, Christ will help you build your confidence. When we doubt, we may think that we lack faith; however, we do not need to be ashamed of our doubt. The story in John 9 about… Continue reading

7 Strategies for Tackling Tough Spiritual Questions

an image of a man climbing a rock on a mountain

We shouldn’t be afraid to ask tough questions, but we should expect to work hard for a good answer. All Latter-day Saints can expect to face difficult questions regarding the Church and its history. Many people struggle with topics such as gay marriage and polygamy. Most people also have personal… Continue reading

Choosing Faith

A woman sitting on a bed, stressed.

Choosing faith can be difficult, especially in the face of personal doubts and frustrations, but choosing to keep trying will bring us closer to our Savior. Asking questions is good. Asking questions can help strengthen our faith. But there are a lot of thorny questions about Church doctrine, history, or… Continue reading

Taking Back My Faith

man looking at mountains at sunset

I used to believe blindly. But then I found out you can’t believe everything you hear from a Church leader.  Whenever I got a calling, I used to think, “I don’t need to pray about it because of course the answer will be yes.” If I was told something in sacrament… Continue reading

Changing Times, Constant Truths

swirly sky

We live in an ever-changing world, but gospel truths remain constant and help build our faith in God.  The world is filled with doubts and misconceptions, especially when it comes to religion. In his 1980 Brigham Young University devotional address, “The Seven Deadly Heresies,” Elder Bruce R. McConkie reminds us of the importance of seeking a correct understanding of gospel… Continue reading

Remembering the “Why” of the Gospel

person in blue sitting in a field, looking away from camera

Understanding why we do what we do in church and in our lives can help us find a more meaningful path. There’s no getting around it: life is busy. It’s easy to get caught up in a never-ending list of things that demand our attention. When was the last time… Continue reading