As a Gospel Doctrine teacher, I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to delve more deeply into the New Testament this year than ever before. It’s been a life changing experience that I am deeply grateful for. Throughout my life in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, my study of the scriptures has primarily focused on the Book of Mormon and I’ve read this sacred text many times. It has singularly become the foundation of my faith and my core beliefs. I feel very close to the prophets Read More.

Ask anyone what the most important things in their life are, and chances are that a spouse or God will be at the top. Ideally, we want to make the journey of life with both of these figures close by our side, supporting us, guiding us, and loving us along the way. But when the unthinkable happens and these two pillars of our life begin to lean in opposite directions, we are suddenly faced with an unthinkable decision, a massive fork in the road. Thankfully, this road does not inevitably lead to Read More.

Compassion is a resource that seems to be getting scarcer by the day, especially in the polarizing climate that seems to dominate our discourse today. We see how easy it can be to dehumanize others and attack them relentlessly, but is the uphill road back to compassion just as simple? Is it even possible for us to develop an increased compassion for others, or is it one of those things that you need to be born with? Current research, though in its nascent stages, suggests that our compassion can Read More.

Realizing that other people are worse off than you is not gratitude. Gratitude requires an appreciation of the positive aspects of your situation. It is not a comparison. Sometimes noticing what other people don’t have may help you see what you can be grateful for, but you have to take that next step. You actually have to show appreciation for what you have, for it to have an effect.And what are the effects of gratitude? Increases in determination, attention, enthusiasm and energy, not to Read More.