As an atheist, I knew nothing about prayer. But when I learned about Joseph Smith and the First Vision, I learned how to get answers from God. I asked God every night for eight years if he was real, and I never got an answer. Growing up as an atheist,… Continue reading
My husband doesn’t know the Church is true, and that’s completely fine with me. When I first watched Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s April 2013 general conference talk, “Lord, I Believe,” I loved Elder Holland’s solemn assurance that I didn’t have to know every gospel teaching all at once. I could just believe.… Continue reading
What is the difference between a doubter and a seeker? The answer is all in the wrestle. The world today seems to draw questions out of dark corners, blurring the lines of morality and casting shadows on the light of faith. When these questions arise, many people may feel uncertain… Continue reading
When aspects of Church history raise doubts, study and faith can help us navigate historical facts and lead us to answers. Sometimes learning about Church history can build testimonies, but other times, it can shake them. In his Ensign and Liahona article “Understanding Church History by Study and Faith,” Keith… Continue reading
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
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
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
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
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
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
