On a Saturday evening in autumn, I drove to a nearby city to attend a broadcast of the General Relief Society Meeting with my mother. The spirit of the messages and music left me with a softened heart and a desire to do better, and as I drove home afterward my mind began processing what I had heard and felt. As is usually the case with me, my desire to be a more righteous woman led to thoughts of perfection, inevitably leading to discouragement for a mere mortal gal such as myself.As my car Read More.

The disintegration of Jake’s life took him by surprise. It happened early in his junior year of high school, while he was taking three Advanced Placement classes, running on his school’s cross-country team and traveling to Model United Nations conferences. It was a lot to handle, but Jake — the likable, hard-working oldest sibling in a suburban North Carolina family — was the kind of teenager who handled things. Though he was not prone to boastfulness, the fact was he had never really failed at Read More.

The full text of the original “Serenity Prayer” written by Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971)GOD, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,  Courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.  Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardship as the pathway to peace.  Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is,  not as I would have it.  Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will;  That I may be Read More.

Devotional Talk Given at Brigham Young University-HawaiiMarch 2, 2011 I would like to begin by giving you a pop quiz.  I do not want to test your mind.  I want to test your heart.  I will read six very brief statements.  As I read them, please pay attention, not to what you think, but to what you feel. I am he who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people.  Behold I am Jesus Christ.  (Ether 3:14). I came into the world to do the will of my Father (3Nephi 27:13). I have Read More.

I’ve heard it said that people change and spiritually progress for two main reasons: Either their minds have been opened, or their hearts have been broken. When both happen, just imagine the growth that can take place…Fallen world forcesWe live in a fallen world. Because we live on this telestial planet, we have to abide by telestial law, which thrusts us into realms of CONTRAST. If we experience light, we must experience darkness to become aware of the difference. To truly enjoy health, we must Read More.