The Challenge of Choices

Every decision we make leads to a domino effect that eventually determines our destiny. In the new Book of Mormon videos, Nephi is one such character who has conquered the challenge of choices. I grew up next to a horse farm, with a big old farm gate at the fence.… Continue reading

My Mother’s Prayer

I’ve seen the fulfillment of the Lord’s promise in Doctrine and Covenants 19:38 many times. That blessing was particularly meaningful one night on a train in Europe. When I was a junior in high school, I and 80 classmates in AP European History went on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Europe.… Continue reading

Personalizing a Prophet

Attending President Monson’s funeral and the announcement of the new First Presidency changed the way I saw President Nelson. I remember as a young girl when President Gordon B. Hinckley passed away and President Thomas S. Monson became the prophet. I wondered how anyone could ever replace my beloved prophet.… Continue reading

Loving the Sinner

It hurts when those closest to you fall into sin. Although there are probably many ways to help them, the best thing to do is love them. Throughout life, you’ll run into many people who are making wrong choices. Making mistakes is, after all, part of the human experience. Sometimes,… Continue reading

Cultivating a Spirit of Thanksgiving

porcupine among food

During a two-month internship in Brazil, I had difficulty developing feelings of gratitude for the very things that made my experience so amazing. As I stood under the pathetic, lukewarm trickle of the shower, struggling to rid my hair of the last of the fruity shampoo suds, I was struck… Continue reading

How to Serve Even When We’re Busy

Two people putting groceries in car

Even when you have a lot going on in your own life, there are always opportunities to serve. When the Savior taught that we should “lose our lives for [his] sake,” he was telling us to dedicate our time to serving others (Luke 9:24). While we want to follow this… Continue reading

The Wisdom of the Aged

We may cherish physical strength, but the Lord knows what strengths his leaders need. Seeing President Thomas S. Monson be able to give only a couple of short talks at general conference is saddening. His physical abilities are declining, and the weaknesses of old age are apparent. But old age has its strengths—strengths that are so great… Continue reading

Family History: How Do We Even Start?

Young adult woman holding temple cards

We know we need to do family history, but the mere thought can be overwhelming. What should we do? Why should we care about people who exist as little more than names on a piece of paper? Recently, President Russell M. Nelson has emphasized the importance of gathering Israel and… 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