Attempting to Find My Place in the World

October was the first anniversary of my SA ward. I’ve mentioned this before, but I’ve struggled to find my place in the ward, to fully feel like I belong there. It’s bothered me because often I feel like the more effort I put in, the more I feel like I just don’t fit in. Why…… Continue reading Attempting to Find My Place in the World

At Least It’s Christmas Sock Season: A Look on the Bright Side

I know there are people who are very strict or specific about when the Christmas season starts. Some will argue that putting up your tree before Thanksgiving or decorating for Christmas at all before Thanksgiving takes away from the Thanksgiving celebration. For me, the Christmas sock season starts on November 1, and I was grateful…… Continue reading At Least It’s Christmas Sock Season: A Look on the Bright Side

Returning for the Brass Plates: Learning From Nephi’s Experience

Recently, I was reading in the Book of Mormon where Nephi and his brothers return for the brass plates. For anyone unfamiliar with this story, Nephi and his immediate family recently fled from Jerusalem. Then Nephi’s father, Lehi, sends Nephi and his brothers (Laman, Lemuel, and Sam) back to Jerusalem to get the brass plates.…… Continue reading Returning for the Brass Plates: Learning From Nephi’s Experience

The Spiritual Wisdom of the Youth

A couple of weeks ago, I got the chance to work with some of the youth of the church for a few days. Having been a temple worker for a little over six years, I’d seen how spiritually prepared those who are in their late teens and early 20s can be. These high school students,…… Continue reading The Spiritual Wisdom of the Youth

Three Lessons from President Nelson’s Birthday Celebration

On Monday, President Russell M. Nelson turned 100! He is the first president of the church to reach this milestone. To celebrate President Nelson’s birthday, there was a birthday celebration broadcast online. If you haven’t already watched it, I would encourage you to watch it. While some people might have gotten something else out of…… Continue reading Three Lessons from President Nelson’s Birthday Celebration

Attractive on the Outside But Not in a Deeper Way

Several years ago, I was in a YSA ward where we had a lady I’ll call Patricia (not her real name). Patricia was very physically attractive. She had also done something that gained her a bit of local fame. Because of this, many of the guys in the ward wanted to go on a date…… Continue reading Attractive on the Outside But Not in a Deeper Way

A Focus on the Essentials at the Temple

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been trying to concentrate better as I attend the temple. During my last two visits to the temple as a patron, it has hit me how important it is to focus on the essentials or the basics of the temple covenant. What Do I Mean by the Essentials? If…… Continue reading A Focus on the Essentials at the Temple

Amalickiah and Satan’s Three Tactics to Encourage Sin

Last week, we studied Alma 43-52 for “Come Follow Me.” For me, Alma 47 stands out. This is where Amalickiah uses treachery to obtain the Lamanite kingdom. We might think we’re too smart now to fall for Amalickiah’s tactics, but these tactics are the same ones Satan uses today. Disguising Evil: First Amalickiah Tactic In…… Continue reading Amalickiah and Satan’s Three Tactics to Encourage Sin

I’m Great With Change… Right?

I like to believe that I’m a pretty adaptable person. I feel like I can handle change fairly well. At one point in my early 30s, I realized I had been in a different ward on average every other year up to that point in my life. When people in my area start crying and…… Continue reading I’m Great With Change… Right?

Prompted by the Spirit and It Ends Badly

I recently read an article where someone asked Elder Bednar how they can trust God when they’ve followed a prompting that didn’t work out. I wouldn’t say that a prompting that doesn’t go well would cause me to lose trust in God. Unfortunately, though, when I feel prompted to do something, and I follow that…… Continue reading Prompted by the Spirit and It Ends Badly