Category: Jesus Christ

“Don’t forget how you once felt. Don’t distrust the experience you had … Don’t give up when the pressure mounts. Face your doubts. Master your fears. Stay the course and see the beauty of life unfold for you.”

January 11, 2023

I’ve always assumed that the star leading the wise men was a clear and constant guide, but the more I studied, the more unlikely this seems. The wise men saw the star at the start of their journey, but it seemed to only provide a general direction, judging by the fact that that they asked … More “Don’t forget how you once felt. Don’t distrust the experience you had … Don’t give up when the pressure mounts. Face your doubts. Master your fears. Stay the course and see the beauty of life unfold for you.”

Our redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ, came to pay a debt He didn’t owe, because we owed a debt we couldn’t pay.

November 26, 2022

In 1741, George Frideric Handel composed “Messiah.” Handel had all the proceeds for the performances go to releasing people who couldn’t pay their debts from debtor’s prison.  Because of his donation, one hundred and forty people were released from debtor’s prison.  An appropriate use of funds for a song about the Messiah, wouldn’t you say? … More Our redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ, came to pay a debt He didn’t owe, because we owed a debt we couldn’t pay.

“As we come into Him, God will come to our rescue, whether to heal us or to give us strength to face any situation.”

January 30, 2022

There is a well-loved story about a man who is walking along the beach when he sees a boy throwing starfish in the water. He asks the boy why he is doing it, and the boy explains that it is low tide—and if he doesn’t, the starfish will die. The man explains to the boy … More “As we come into Him, God will come to our rescue, whether to heal us or to give us strength to face any situation.”

“Choosing repentance is choosing change.”

January 26, 2022

I was cutting multiple onions yesterday with a blunt knife and pretty much immediately started crying on onion number one. I tried to blink through it—but it was stinging so bad that I briefly contemplated how much the recipe actually needed onions. In a moment of desperation, inspiration hit: I moved the cutting board to … More “Choosing repentance is choosing change.”

Pay more attention to your Creator than your critics.

January 21, 2022

A young boy was journeying through his village on a donkey with his grandfather. They passed some villagers who loudly discussed what a shame it was that the boy was riding the donkey while his elder walked. Embarrassed, the boy got off the donkey and had his grandfather ride it, only to hear another group … More Pay more attention to your Creator than your critics.

“When you can’t give more, when you’ve gone beyond your ability to give, then sit still.”

January 8, 2022

It was probably a hard day for Jesus. He had just been accused by the pharisees. Questioned by a large group of people.  And had stones thrown at him. He escaped from the crowd.. And went beyond Jordan. To the place He had been baptized. Where He heard God’s voice and made sacred covenants (John … More “When you can’t give more, when you’ve gone beyond your ability to give, then sit still.”

“We need women who have the courage and vision of Our Mother Eve.”

January 7, 2022

I am ok if Eve had everything planned out in her mind before eating the fruit, and I am also ok if she didn’t. I feel that either way you look at it, you have to do some mental gymnastics. Conference quotes and even the actual scriptural accounts of the fall just don’t all perfectly … More “We need women who have the courage and vision of Our Mother Eve.”

“You have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love”

November 21, 2021

I was going to the temple last week and took a wrong turn. My phone said “recalculating” and then it said something along the lines of “unable to recalculate.” I tried again. And again. Still, no connection. I finally hit my steering wheel and thought in my head “THIS IS NOT HOW THE TEMPLE WORKS! … More “You have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love”

“The Savior loves to restore what you cannot restore; He loves to heal wounds you cannot heal; He loves to fix what has been irreparably broken.”

October 23, 2021

Guest post by Taylor Ricks On the days I feel the smallest, I can know He has felt smaller. In the moments I feel most weak, I believe He has felt weaker. In the times I feel most alone, I know He has felt more lonely. When pain of body, mind, or spirit course through … More “The Savior loves to restore what you cannot restore; He loves to heal wounds you cannot heal; He loves to fix what has been irreparably broken.”

“With God, comfort replaces pain, peace replaces turmoil, and hope replaces sorrow.”

October 21, 2021

In the 1950s, a rather brutal experiment was done. Rats were put in a glass of water and swam until exhaustion. On average, they lasted about 15 minutes before they sank. But just as they sank, the scientists took them out, dried them off, let them rest for a few minutes, and then put them … More “With God, comfort replaces pain, peace replaces turmoil, and hope replaces sorrow.”

“The world sees peace as the absence of pain, but Jesus offers solace despite our suffering.”

September 14, 2021

An impenetrable fortress of peace— You know those random visuals that your head comes up with that just stick? This is one for me. An impenetrable fortress of peace. In the big things that come my way occasionally or in the small problems that come my way consistently—I want nothing to come between myself and … More “The world sees peace as the absence of pain, but Jesus offers solace despite our suffering.”

“Christ is willing to join with us in the yoke and pull in order to lighten our burdens. Christ is rest.”

July 25, 2021

There was a veterinarian who was called to go to a client who farmed with a yoke of oxen. The young oxen were broken by being yoked with a ten year old, sturdy ox named Clyde. Clyde would lead them through the work. The young oxen that he treated had pressure sores on their back—as … More “Christ is willing to join with us in the yoke and pull in order to lighten our burdens. Christ is rest.”

“I don’t think anyone can grow unless he’s loved exactly as he is now, appreciated for what he is rather than what he will be.”

June 26, 2021

My brother and dad came to visit me during my freshman year at BYU. My brother, Luke, was seven at the time. I took them to the Carl Bloch paintings of Christ exhibit. My dad and I were looking at a piece of art and realized that Luke was gone. Panicked, we started looking everywhere … More “I don’t think anyone can grow unless he’s loved exactly as he is now, appreciated for what he is rather than what he will be.”

“Because He gave His life, you can change yours.”

May 4, 2021

God called Enoch to preach to a wicked people. A people that His fierce anger was kindled against.A people who, “from the day God created them, for MANY generations,” had gone astray.A people who denied Him and devised murder.A people God had prepared a Hell for if they didn’t repent. (Moses 6:28) Who was this group … More “Because He gave His life, you can change yours.”

“God does not begin by asking about our ability, but only our availability.”

May 2, 2021

Let’s talk about lichens, shall we? A lichen is actually a symbiotic relationship between a fungus and an algae.  Alone, a fungus can survive.However, it cannot photosynthesize.But when it combines with an algae, it can. Together, it becomes something new—a lichen.Together, the algae can gather moisture and nutrients.It provides an anchor for the fungus.But importantly, … More “God does not begin by asking about our ability, but only our availability.”

“The Savior is never closer to you than when you are facing or climbing a mountain with faith.”

April 27, 2021

Lucy Smith was leading a group of Saints to Ohio, and they were in desperate need of help. They had already traveled five days down the Erie Canal and were hungry, cold, and exposed. So, when the haggard group saw they were stranded on an ice-locked harbor in Buffalo, they started to complain and argue … More “The Savior is never closer to you than when you are facing or climbing a mountain with faith.”

“When you understand the atonement, then you understand the joy of being rescued.”

April 19, 2021

A young father was swimming a short distance across a lake with his daughter on his back when he suddenly panicked. He could feel the water pulling him down to the bottom of the lake. He knew he didn’t have much longer left. He cried for help, but no one heard him or was close … More “When you understand the atonement, then you understand the joy of being rescued.”