This time of year, our hearts and minds naturally turn to the crucifixion and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ. In a world where each generation seems to witness increasing darkness, this is a sacred time to pause and reflect on Him and on the infinite sacrifice He made to provide a way for us to return to our Heavenly Father.

In my own journey, there have been times when the world felt heavy with endings. Dreams that went to pieces, innocence wounded, broken relationships due to betrayal or misunderstandings, and heavy losses. At times, even faith can momentarily feel as though it has been laid in a tomb. We all know what it is to stand in the shadow of something that seems finished, yet the message of Easter, and the message of the gospel itself, is that in Christ, endings are not always endings. They may be the place where resurrection begins.

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is not merely a beautiful story meant to comfort the sorrowing. It is the central miracle of all eternity; the witness that Jesus Christ broke the bands of death, overcame the grave, and lives still. Because He rose, death is not the end, and hope is not impossible. Because He conquered the tomb, no darkness is final.

Matthew 28:6 gave us words that would change the history of the world and the meaning of our lives.

“He is not here: for he is risen, as he said.”

The Resurrection Is Literal, Glorious, and Universal

For Latter-day Saints, the Resurrection is not symbolic alone. It is physically real; one of the great pillars of our faith. Jesus Christ rose with a glorified body of flesh and bone, and through Him all mankind will be resurrected.

The Book of Mormon teaches this same message:

“Now, there is a death which is called a temporal death… if Christ had not risen from the dead, or have broken the bands of death that the grave should have no victory, and that death should have no sting, there could have been no resurrection.” Alma 11:42

Through this we are given the promise:

“The spirit and the body shall be reunited again in its perfect form.” Alma 11:43

By this, we know that every grave will one day yield its dead because every separation caused by death is temporary, and every ache of parting will one day be answered by the power of the Living Christ. That is not poetic exaggeration; it is the promise of heaven.

Paul wrote:

“For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” 1 Corinthians 15:22

Why the Resurrection Matters Now

The Resurrection isn’t just a promise for the afterlife; it is a lens for this life. It tells us that injustice is only a temporary ruler and that suffering, however loud it screams, is not the author of our destiny. Because He rose, we are no longer defined by our gravity, the weights that pull us down, or the weaknesses that hem us in.

This lens becomes even clearer when we actually turn toward Him. When we reach out for His comfort in our grief, seek His help in our struggle, or offer repentance in our quietest moments of regret, the blurry edges of our lives begin to sharpen. By doing so, the blurry edges of our lives begin to sharpen. We start to see that we aren’t just waiting for a future heaven; we are being actively mended in the present—invited into a light that doesn’t hide our flaws, but instead makes us whole.

The Resurrection declares that God is in the business of restoring what seems lost. No wound is beyond His reach, and no life is too shattered for Him to gather. Jesus said:

“I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.”

John 11:25

This is true physically, eternally, and literally, but there is also a pattern in it for the soul. If His power can call a cold body from a grave, it can certainly call a weary soul toward a new beginning.

Putting Off the Old Self

While we should not confuse spiritual rebirth with the literal Resurrection, the two are deeply connected in meaning. Christ’s victory over death shows us the pattern of divine transformation. Because He rose, we know that what is fallen can be raised, what is broken can be remade, and what seems lost can live again. The scriptures often speak of this inner rising as becoming a “new creature.”

Paul wrote:

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

2 Corinthians 5:17

And to the Saints at Rome:

“Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:11

That phrase is so powerful: dead unto sin, but alive unto God.

There is a kind of death that must happen in all of us. The old pride. The old bitterness. The old fear. The old need to control, to retaliate, to cling to pain as identity. The fallen self does not surrender easily. But Christ invites us into a holy exchange: to let the natural man die so that something holier may rise.

In my own journey, there was a time when the old self in me had to die; the part shaped by pain, fear, and brokenness. Through Christ, I began to rise into something new. He did not simply help me survive; He changed me. What felt buried began to breathe again, and I came to understand that because of Him, renewal is real.

Mosiah 3:19 expresses this as well:

“For the natural man is an enemy to God… unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord.”

This is one of the clearest descriptions in scripture of what it means to spiritually rise. We put off one nature and begin to take on another, not by our own willpower alone, but through the Atonement of Christ.

Becoming More Spiritual While Still Mortal

It is important to understand that we do not stop being human, nor should we despise our humanity. Jesus Himself came in mortality and sanctified human life by living it perfectly, showing us that it is humanly possible to be like Him. The goal is not to become less human but to become holy in our humanity; to have the spirit govern the flesh rather than the flesh govern the spirit.

Paul said:

“For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” Romans 8:6

This is the great work of discipleship; to live in the body without being ruled by the appetites of the fallen world. We strive to feel deeply without being consumed by darkness, to suffer and still choose faith, to be wounded and still choose love, and to be mortal and yet carry heaven within us.

Latter-day scripture teaches the same principle:

“For notwithstanding they died, they also rose again, a spiritual body.”

D&C 88:27

And also:

“Ye are little children and cannot bear all things now; ye must grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth.”

Doctrine and Covenants 50:40

This growth expands line upon line, not instantly. Through Christ, we are changed over time, giving the soul opportunity to begin rising above old bondage. This promotes a softer heart and a clearer mind. A once-fractured life can begin to reflect the image of Christ. This, too, is a kind of rising.

I have come to know this in my own life. There were seasons when I could not bear all things at once, when pain, confusion, and the weight of mortality seemed too much to carry. Yet the Savior did not ask me to become whole in a day. He invited me to walk with Him, and in that walk He has taught me slowly, mercifully, and with great patience. Through Him, what was once broken has begun to mend, what was once clouded has begun to clear, and the old self has gradually made way for something more refined, more faithful, and more filled with His light.

The Daily Resurrection of the Soul

There are many tombs other than the grave. Some people live in the tomb of shame or resentment. Others in addiction, or in grief so deep it numbs the light. Some are trapped by old stories about themselves that were written by trauma, rejection, or sin. But Christ still calls people out of tombs.

He called Lazarus by name, and Lazarus came forth. That miracle was a witness of Christ’s divine power over death, but it is also a tender reminder that the Savior speaks personally to each soul. He does not merely rescue humanity in the abstract. He calls individuals, and He knows us all.

Because He Lives, We Can Rise

The message of the risen Lord is not only that we will live again after death, though thank God that is true. It is also that through Him, we do not have to remain buried in regret, fear, or anger. Christ rose with a glorified body, triumphant over death forever. Because of that, every one of us may look forward to a literal resurrection through His grace. But until that day, He also offers us a spiritual rising: the chance to become new, to be born again, to put off the old and walk in newness of life.

Paul wrote:

“Even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:4

And the Savior declared to Martha:

“I am the resurrection, and the life.” John 11:25

He is the Resurrection, and because He lives, hope lives also. Healing lives in Him, and so does the promise of becoming something more than we once were. No faithful soul is beyond renewal through His power. The stone was rolled away long ago, and because it was, we too may rise—not just once at the end of time, but every single morning that we choose to reach for Him.

There is something sacred about the first breath of spring. After months of stillness, the earth awakens. The air softens. Light lingers longer in the sky. Buds begin to form where there was once only barrenness. It feels like life itself is returning—quietly, steadily, faithfully.

And with it, something awakens in us: hope, energy, and a desire to move, to grow, and become. We begin to feel aligned—closer to God, more aware of His hand, more intentional in our efforts to live Christlike lives. We serve more, we forgive more, we try again.

It feels like we have stepped into a new season.

That is what it has felt like these past two weeks. An early spring wafted in on the heels of winter–and then, without warning, a snowstorm came, ushering in high winds and extreme dips in temperature–all warmth was stripped away. Within hours, the joy that had been felt was gone.

How often is this the pattern of our spiritual lives? We step forward in faith… and resistance meets us. We choose light… and darkness presses in. We begin to heal… and old wounds resurface. It can feel confusing and so unfair.

Why, when we are trying to do good, does opposition seem to increase? Yet this pattern is not accidental. It is eternal.

“For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things.” — 2 Nephi 2:11

Spring does not cancel winter nor does light eliminate shadow. Growth does not come without resistance. Rather, opposition is often the very evidence that growth is taking place.

Storms Do Not Mean Failure

When the storm comes, it is easy to believe something has gone wrong.

We may think:

• I was doing so well…
• Why is this happening now?
• Wasn’t I moving in the right direction?

But what if the storm is not a sign of failure—What if it is a sign of movement? Elder Jeffrey R. Holland once taught:

“So be kind regarding human frailty—your own as well as that of those who serve with you… Except in the case of His only perfect Begotten Son, imperfect people are all God has ever had to work with.”

And yet—He still works with us. Even in the storm–especially in the storm.

The Adversary and the Rising Wind

There is something else we must understand. When we begin to live more Christlike lives—when we forgive, when we serve, when we seek light—we become a threat to darkness, and darkness does not remain still. It pushes back.

President Russell M. Nelson has said:

“The Lord does not require perfect faith for us to have access to His perfect power.”

But the adversary knows this. He knows that even a small step toward Christ invites power into our lives, and so he seeks to disrupt it. Not always with dramatic destruction. But often with:

• discouragement
• fatigue
• doubt
• distraction

A sudden storm after the warmth of spring, and yet beneath the surface something else is happening. Storms, though harsh, serve a purpose. They strengthen roots, deepen resilience, and test what is truly anchored

A tree that has never felt the wind cannot withstand it just as a soul that has never faced opposition cannot fully understand faith. What feels like regression may actually be refinement.

A Wider View of the Season

If we step back, we begin to see spring was not lost or taken from us. It was only interrupted—briefly—by a necessary part of the process. Because true growth is not a straight line. It is a pattern:

Light → resistance → deeper light Each cycle strengthening us more than the last.

What We Can Do in the Storm

So what do we do when the storm comes? We do not abandon the path or retreat into fear. Instead we do what we were already doing in the light:

• We pray
• We serve
• We forgive
• We trust

Even when it feels harder, especially when it feels harder. Because that is where transformation happens.

We are promised that the storm will not last. It never does, and when it passes, something remarkable becomes visible. The roots are deeper, and the branches are stronger. The light feels even more precious than before, and we realize we are not the same as we were when spring first came. We have become something more.

If you find yourself in a storm today, after a season of light, do not lose heart. You have not done anything wrong. You may, in fact, be doing something very right. Because the path of becoming like Christ has always included both:

the warmth of spring

and the refining of the storm

Both are necessary to become what He sees in us.

A few months ago I was in Nauvoo, Illinois, taking a stroll around the parking lot of the church. I was in one of those modes of trying to figure out where I fit in. It’s a meandering thought that plagues all of us throughout our lifetime. We have these moments where we don’t feel like we belong or understand where we fit in. The question becomes even more profound after we have experienced trauma, therefore, after the abuse I suffered as a child, I was in a constant mode of feeling like I didn’t belong to anything or anybody. I thanked God that I have a jolly heart. I leaned on that, riding the wave of life, trying to be as happy as I could, but there was always a lingering pull toward some destination I had no idea of. It was an unnamed territory. This left me feeling lost and unsure of myself.

I would watch many friends around me engage in routine social pleasures, but I often stayed aloof. A good portion of myself was happy to be alone because I was still in my safety box. I’ve always been an introvert with extroverted tendencies, someone who craves social interaction and fun yet values the times I can crawl into my shell and hide from everyone. There’s a particular scene in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer where Rudolph is trying to find his parents and his girlfriend. As he travels, he begins to grow, and along the way, he finds a couple of polar bears to play with, but his joy doesn’t last long because he hears the roar of the abominable, and he has to move on. That is how it always felt. I had an unstructured childhood, constantly on the move, staying in places for a little while, making friends, and then we would move again. Today, I’m constantly on the move, doing firesides and meeting new people. I’m not complaining at all; it’s one of the most amazing blessings in my life, but still, there’s that little part of me that wonders where I fit in, and that was my question for that day: where do I fit in because I do not feel like I fit into the world?

After becoming a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I was propelled into a world I wasn’t prepared for. That is not to say I was not happy, quite the opposite. But suddenly, this shift required me to be out of my safety box. That is when I began to do the firesides, standing in front of hundreds and sometimes thousands of people and speaking about the importance of following the Holy Ghost in all things, aligning yourself with the Savior, and forgiveness.

Fast forward 20 years later, I have learned much on this journey and grown exponentially. I understand the mission I’ve been given to reach out to people and help heal hearts and in the process I’ve healed as well. But there I was on that hot summer day musing in the parking lot of the church. I looked up at the Nauvoo Temple and silently said, “I have never felt like I fit in. Never. Even though I have good friends and feel close to people, I just don’t feel like I fit into the world.”

I no sooner uttered the question when a voice said to me, “you didn’t come into this world to fit into it you came to change it, all of you did.” In that instant, my longing for worldly connection and acceptance faded, replaced by a broader perspective. This isn’t our home we came to, this is a place we are hoping to teach, learn, and grow so that we may return to our heavenly home. We are here to purify our hearts and help change the hearts of others. Though we are often reminded to be in the world and not of it, this truth can be difficult to grasp when raised in a culture that values conformity. Those who choose a different path may inevitably feel isolated. Many who walk the way of Christ and try to emulate him will feel this way, after all, He was rejected by the world. So it’s natural to feel like you don’t fit in. I valued what I had learned that day in the church parking lot, but imagine my joy when, during the October General Conference, Brother Brad Wilcox made the statement “do not let the world change you, you came here to change the world!” I nearly fell off of my chair and I had to I smile.

So, what does this mean? Is it beneficial to feel like an outsider? Not necessarily. However, it’s important to understand that as a follower of Christ, you may often experience a sense of disconnection from the world. This feeling is not a negative reflection on you but rather a testament to your unique mission. Rather than trying to find out where you “fit in,” look for what your purpose is. Finding your purpose will naturally draw to you people and situations that fit who you are and why you are here. In this manner, you will find connection and feel valued and needed. Once that happens, you will understand that you never came here to conform to the world but instead to bring positive change and purify hearts so that people can conform to Christ instead of the world.

This past weekend, April 25-27^th, we held The Women’s Retreat. It is an event that has been ongoing for many years now. My son and I took it over about eight years ago, and there was a slight pause when COVID-19 hit. Because of moving and health issues, it took time to start back up. We were happy that after four years we could start doing it again.

Every Nauvoo Women’s Retreat has been amazing. We have had guests that range from Alan Osmond to Jenny Doan of Missouri Star Quilt Company, and many other individuals who have experienced good and bad major events in their lives. They come and share how they were blessed and strengthened through faith with every experience they endured. There hasn’t been one year that it has been disappointing in any way.

Starting up again was a challenge because we couldn’t use the venue we used the years before. We usually have everything ready to send out so people can sign up in October. But it took until January of this year to get the event pulled together. It was short notice for many, especially for finding speakers. I am generally not one of the keynote speakers, but I do a fireside on one of the evenings of the event. This year, however, I had to fill in because we couldn’t find a fourth speaker in time. It turned out to be a blessing.

I’ve been working on a book about forgiveness and the faith crisis in the Church of Jesus Christ of latter -day Saints that has been surging in past years. People are having a crisis for varying reasons. Some have lifestyles that cause conflict, some have a conflict with the church’s past history and leadership, and some have a conflict with the leadership of today. My primary focus is the issues people are having with history. The focus is on the importance of trying to process those emotions, find a place of forgiveness, and let those issues go, focusing on the missions we came to fulfill. As such, my talk was about the heart and the need to purify it in view of the times we live in and the times that are coming. The only way to live with our Father in heaven is to strive to have a purified heart. This includes having a heart of forgiveness. We all know it isn’t easy at all to reach that point. The Savior never said it was easy but the scriptures say it is necessary. I don’t have the answers to help everyone solve their issues of the past, but I do know that it is pivotal to find a way to process anger so it doesn’t turn to hatred and bitterness. That can mean something different for everyone; therapy, scripture study and prayer, meditation…whatever it is, find the route that works for you.

The other speakers were lined up for a specific theme, Overcoming Through Christ. We each spoke about traumas we have been through and how the Savior and focusing on the Holy Ghost helped us endure those experiences, making us stronger. My sister who is a convert also spoke of her journey out of lesbianism and abusive relationships. Another speaker talked of her life and how she has dealt with emotionally abusive situations including racism. The last speaker was an amazing therapist who rounded everything up by giving us tools to handle the pressures of the times that we live in and the times that are coming. She spoke of how to hold on to our faith and keep our family strong.

Although this retreat was thrown together quickly it turned out to be one of the most powerful. If anyone is interested in purchasing the talks send me an e-mail and I will get you the information. The proceeds go to support the retreat. As with my firesides, the retreat has become a mission of sorts. I do not get paid to do it, neither does my son. The speakers do not get paid, however, they do get the travel expenses and food paid as well as lodging. In other words, it’s a two-day, three-night trip to Nauvoo for them. So many speakers have been gracious to give up their time to come, and not having to pay anyone allows us to keep the cost of the retreat at a less expensive level so people who generally can’t afford to attend these events can come. We will have the information for next year’s retreat out by October. For information you can join the Nauvoo Women’s Retreat page on Facebook.

I am going to be busy putting together a podcast and getting this book finished so that I can use every means possible to get the message out about the importance of forgiveness. In my last blog post, I expressed the feelings that had been put to me by the spirit, that 2024 will be filled with many changes and challenges. I think we can all agree those things have already started but there will be more. One thing that’s been conveyed to me as I’ve been writing my book is that you can’t have your arms wrapped around the past for too long, because you can’t hold on to it and hold on to the Savior. This will also keep you from seeing what God has before you to do, so if you’re looking behind all of the time you won’t see what’s waiting in front of you.

There is a scripture that talks about our hearts failing us in the latter days. I used to think of it on a medical level, but I think it is more on a spiritual level because if our hearts are not purified, and we cannot get to a place where we can forgive one another, our hearts will not be able to handle the times that are coming. There will be much spiritual heart damage causing our spiritual hearts to fail.

In the past whenever world events seemed so bad, I would ask myself if things felt close to the end. The overall feeling was a calm that whispered it’s okay, just keep moving, it’s not quite yet. Now it feels like when you’re in an airplane and you know there might be trouble ahead because you can sense the way the airplane is acting. You wonder if something bad is going to happen but you tell yourself it’s okay once the wheels touch the ground you know you’re safe. But now it feels like that moment when we’re all buckled in and they’re telling us to brace. I am bracing, but I’m also aware of God’s word, “be still and know that I am God.” If we are aligned with Him and the Savior, and we are living our lives in a way that the Holy Ghost is always with us, all will be well. I’m grateful to have the gospel in my life and pray that everyone begins to look into their hearts, making sure that they are healthy spiritually and physically.

Why did you come here? To engage in trivial things that are worldly? To try to make some dent and gain recognition in the world? Or is it something much deeper but not transparent?

We are here to be in the world but not of the world. In that journey, we learn all that we can, not just knowledge from study but intellectual and spiritual growth that comes through experience; the kind of growth we undergo through trial, challenge, suffering, joy, and happiness. On that walk, we are to use our gifts, talents, and the knowledge that we’ve gained to help transform the lives of others who are struggling more than, as much as, and less than we are. We are here to show others and ourselves the importance of gaining as much spiritual light and knowledge as possible, ponder upon God’s word, and apply it in ways that change our hearts and the hearts of others. We are here to master the challenge of the first two greatest commandments to love God and to love one another. More than anything, in this time, we are here to help gather Israel and bring people unto Christ.

This is not just a time we were assigned to make something of ourselves but instead grow in the light of Christ and share that light with others. The war in heaven never truly ended. That war rages on inside of us and within the world, thus, we have come in these times as warriors from our Father. We are here in these times to help prepare ourselves for what is here and what is to come. That preparation involves lifting one another, loving one another, learning how to overcome grievances, forgiving one another, and exemplifying the pure love of Christ. This is why we are here. What we make of ourselves when it comes to the pure love of Christ, the gospel, and the light that we have in our lives, is what we will take with us when we leave. We are here to change hearts, including our own. We should learn from the mistakes of those who came before us and put those mistakes to rest, then magnify the good of those same people so that we may build upon the foundation laid before us.

In saying all of this, I am not discounting the importance of hobbies and careers. It is good that we find joy, passion, and growth in such ways, and we have been given gifts and talents to utilize in those endeavors which, by extension, help build relationships and lift and comfort others. It is a difficult balance, this being in the world but not of it. Sometimes the two can become blurred and it is hard to tell where the line is. As long as we know where our primary focus should be and we remain aligned with the Savior, it is a balance that can be maintained…or is it?

Balance is a tricky concept. I do not think I have ever come across anything that actually stays in balance on its own. It takes great effort and continual monitoring so that when the scale leans one way or the other too much it can be corrected. Living our lives in a way that the Holy Ghost is always with us and keeping that alignment with Christ is how we orient ourselves in times of adversity and confusion. I included on my 2024 vision board, goals to read all of the scriptures. I also committed to do this first thing in the morning because in that way I am fortified by the armor of God before I step foot out of the door to meet the world and all of the possibilities it offers, especially the adversarial ones! These are ways in which I will attempt to remain in balance.

In these times remember that Satan is aware of those who are for the Savior, We are cautioned to be watchful of all things and measure every encounter with discernment because, above all other dispensations, this is the one where the adversary has the most to lose. He is fighting hard and sparing no attempt to disarm and mislead us. We cannot let ourselves be impeded by his attempts to pull us away from where the Spirit has led us to be. Always follow the Holy Ghost, who trumps everything in this world and the balance will stay true.

The year 2024 promises to be one of great happenings as well as dark occurrences. It is the way every year preceding has been, only every year gets worse. However, it is a remarkable time to be living. If you are not in alignment with the Savior, start walking that way. Fortify yourselves spiritually so that you can be in the world and not of it with strength and not fear. Keep an eye on your spiritual scale so that you may recognize when it is veering to the left or right and remove what is causing the disturbance.

Why do you think you are here? Whatever the reason, take your gifts and talents and use them to bring light into the world. Let us collectively illuminate the world and bring light to each other. Let us lift hearts and unite one another in the love of our Savior Jesus Christ.

“What was once before was once before and may not ever be,
What is, is now and what you choose, you will tomorrow see
But when tomorrow is itself and seems a dark abyss,
Remember it was you who chose and why today is this.” K.J.S.

Wise choices are so pivotal in our lives, and balance is key when it comes to having a clear head when we are faced with difficult situations or temptations. The choices we make truly determine who we are and what we become. As I have seen Facebook posts and YouTube videos of people violently protesting and anarchists attempting to break apart the foundation of our nation and constitution, I began to question where the balance in all of it is. After all, it is in the balance of all things one will find a solution and make wise choices.

Balance entails coming together, speaking minds even when we do not agree, being heard without yelling or trying to talk over who is trying to be heard. I was reminded that the Spirit speaks calmly and softly, even when we are being warned of danger. In contrast, the adversary speaks in anger, bitterness, loses his temper, screams, and is hateful. If you ever feel these things when venting or expressing opinions, you can bank on the fact that Satan is one step behind you urging you on. Even knowing these things, I am still perplexed concerning the situation we find ourselves in today. So how do we reconcile this?

I believe that balance comes in many ways. First we have to recalibrate our mental and emotional scales. This can happen in many ways. To me, therapy is something we all should experience sometime in our lives. I used to think that I dealt well with stress because I have a strong constitution. Whenever something hard or traumatizing happens, it is in my make-up to get up, brush myself off and get back on the horse, moving forward with intent and crying a bit on the way. After time I would forget about the rough patches, unaware that my body had stored the experiences to relive over and over like a scary movie. The outcome taught me that the affects of trauma and stress do not just go away because you wave them off, or suck it up as they used to say. No, in fact the body has to store it somewhere because it hasn’t been processed and released. It’s what it would be like if one never took out the trash; it would build up into a mess, stinking up and deteriorating its surroundings. In the same way, all of the negative energy from past sorrows took root in my muscles and digestive system, resulting in a menagerie of illness that could not be diagnosed because all of my test results were fine. Only through therapy can we peel through the layers and process emotional and mental struggles. By releasing their attachment we can move forward in peace. There are different avenues to therapy, even the Church offers counseling that is set up through your bishop. Find the path that works for you.

Secondly, mental and emotional balance can be achieved through exercise and meditation. Qigong and Tai Qi are two of many methods of relaxing exercise and meditation. Some instructors generalize their program theme so that all may feel welcome by using the universe as a focal point to invite healing and balance. One can easily replace “universe” with “Heavenly Father.” There are many other kinds of meditation formats available on YouTube. Choosing one that makes you feel comfortable and at peace while not going against gospel principles is key.

Thirdly, you really are what you eat. If you fill your body with junk, you will begin to feel like junk; heavy, no energy, and depressed. It is no different than failing to take proper care of your car. If you do not get it serviced regularly, things will get clogged and begin to break down. It is okay to junk out every now and then, I am speaking about how one eats on a daily basis. Make sure you are eating a nutrient based diet with lots of vegetables and fruits, lean meats and fish. I love the Mediterranean diet the best but it is wise to choose a plan that works well with your body because everyone is different. Visiting with your doctor can help determine which eating plan works best for you. Try and walk a mile each day and work with weights a few times a week, even if it is just dumbells.

Fourth, enjoy yourself. Find things that you love and take time to do them. If you have hobbies you love but very little time to enjoy them, pick at least two times a month where you can squeeze your hobby in. You need to partake of your passions so as not to lose yourself. Connect with friends and have fun, attend church regularly so that you may receive a renewal of the Spirit and spend time with friends and family in worship. Try and go to the park or some place you enjoy once a week; touch base with nature. Connecting with nature is a gift that has been given to us, it is part of what grounds us and brings peace. Shut out the noise of the world, the stresses from work, and the chaotic turmoil of society. Ground yourself.

Lastly and most important, is scripture study, prayer, and not just meditation but mediation with the Lord. Partaking in daily scripture study and prayer can balance out your whole day from the beginning until you go to sleep at night. You may still run into struggles but you will find them easier to bear. There have been so many times when a scripture I had read in the morning, helped me resolve an issue later the same day. Also, your mind is very clear first thing in the morning, it is fresh and easily absorbs everything you listen to and read. Having such clarity allows you to be focused so that you are able to receive knowledge and inspiration from what you are reading. Prayer and meditation is key when communing with the Lord. I know there are situations where time is limited, but make time to ensure your prayer is not quick. Be thoughtful in your words; seek guidance, give thanks, leave room for silence so that you may hear Him. Mediation is an important aspect of our relationship with the Lord. Our Savior is the Great Mediator. Talk to Him, tell Him about your day as if He is your best friend. Tell Him your struggles and ask for guidance. He wants to be part of your life, invite Him in. He “lives to make intercession” for us (Heb. 7:25)

If you are feeling the impact of the noisy, imbalanced world we live in, find all of the paths available to achieve balance. Recalibrate your spiritual, mental, and emotional well being by growing closer to the Lord and inviting Him into your life in expansive measures. Meditate, engage in your passions, embrace your family, find reasons to laugh…if you can’t find a reason to laugh, make one. Lift one another, love one another. May your lives and hearts be blessed with peace in these times.

Years ago, I was reading the Teachings and Commentaries on the Doctrine and Covenants, a resource that I dearly love. I came upon the account of what moved the early pioneer saints to be willing to sacrifice everything, including their lives, to build up the Church. After reading, I was reminded of the discussion I was in charge of in Relief Society for that month; The Eye of Faith, by Elder Neil L. Anderson. Certain passages of that lesson focused upon the necessity of living in the world without being of the world. While reading the Doctrine and Covenants commentary days later, I remembered that part of Elder Anderson’s talk. Suddenly, I could not help but compare the early Restoration period with our own concerning the distractions of the world. It quickly became clear why many struggle to maintain their faith.

I had never compared the effect of current world distractions on faith and testimony versus that of other periods in history. Moving forward to today and how much has changed in just a few years, it is devastating to see how shifts in world society have caused a distraction from faith for many. I began to comprehend that, even though the early saints faced many physical hardships and threats we do not have to contend with, in contrast, we are presented with challenges on levels beyond what they could have imagined. Satan has upped his game; now that physical threats and intimidation are not the only way to play the game, he has moved on to an even more lethal playing field; the mind.

Firstly, let’s take a look at our pioneer ancestors and the distractions they faced. Just how noisy was their world? Compared with today’s convenience of instant news, radio, television, and other channels of entertainment that come with a click, the world of the average pioneer anywhere in the United States in the mid to late 1800’s was quiet, more reserved, and more settled. That is not to say, however, that things were not tense, it is just that news traveled slower, and they were not exposed to so much trauma and instability worldwide at one time. There are a few exceptions such as people of persecution, and the Latter Day Saint pioneers fall into that category.

Early pioneers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints are not to be considered independent in the category of 19th-century human suffering. People of color were enduring their own trials with slavery, and persecution of the Native American tribes was continually increasing. This type of human behavior is far removed from how Christ taught us to be toward those who we find different or disagree with. For Latter Day Saints at that time, the noise of the world was quite a bit louder than it was for their pioneer neighbors. While they would have been aware of certain events such as the financial crisis of 1837, bank failures, extreme depression, and poverty, they had the added stress of having to be on standby at all times in case of an attack by a mob, or the law as a result of false charges from their persecutors. Though they were continually blessed by the fullness of joy they had received in the gospel of Jesus Christ, the adversary was constantly at their heels ready to devour that joy and try to turn their hearts. It is his greatest skill and is only successful if we allow our faith to waiver and cave in to the struggle.

The tools of the adversary in the 19th nineteenth century were less aggressive. After all, he can only work with what advances we have evolved in. The way that he distracted strong believers was comprised of things that were a physical or visual threat; something that you could see coming, such as a militia or a mob of men with blackened faces carrying torches. Being aware of the possibilities of such threats, families listened and watched for any indication of approaching troubles; torches in the night, twigs snapping, dogs being alerted, and the marching of many men or rushing of horse’s hooves. Then, there were the odd times when members of the Church had friends who were not of their faith that would warn them of planned attacks. This is what the early Latter-Day Saint pioneers had to deal with; the constant threat, always on the ready, and never a moment to truly relax and feel safe. How did they stay strong? How was it that, even though many did fall away and become persecutors as well, the greater number of them stayed true to their faith?

One example of trial by fire was when the Saints were in Missouri during the 1838-1839 period. When persecutions began to rise, many of the men were in hiding or on the run, leaving the women to band together and fend for themselves. In the case of the Smith family there was one point where many men of the family were gone. Joseph and Hyrum were in Liberty Jail, Samuel Smith had taken his nephew Arthur Millikin who had been injured at the battle of Crooked River, and he fled to Illinois because the mob was seeking to take his life. Just before the Battle of Crooked River, Don Carlos Smith had departed for a mission to the east. On October 18, 1838 Just weeks after leaving for his mission, Don Carlos’ wife Agnes was pushed out of her home with her little children. Agnes was fearful of mob attacks since the troubles in Missouri began. She slept with her children and did not undress so as to be on the ready if they needed to move fast. One evening her fears were realized as angry, drunken men burst through the door of her cabin, carried her out on a mattress and left her there. In the cold winter’s night air, she protectively held her new baby and her daughter Agnes who was just two years old was with her. The mob had taken all of her household goods then burned the cabin but she had escaped, “By the skin of my teeth.” She traveled in darkness, leaving footprints of blood in the snow that was over “shoemouth” deep to Big Muddy Creek, a tributary of the Grand River, there she would cross the frigid water which was waist deep. Little Agnes clung to her with legs wrapped around her neck, and she held the babe snuggly against her breast. They arrived at the Cabin of Lyman Wight about an hour before midnight. By the time they arrived they had traveled over three miles. Many other women and children received this same treatment.

I couldn’t imagine having to go through such a traumatic experience! To have the strength to flee in that environment took immeasurable faith and fortitude. She had been very weakened by the birth of her child. It is evident that these pioneers, and many people of faith of that time, had a very strong relationship with the Lord. They truly believed with His support they could push through any trial, and they walked forward in the face of each tribulation, one after the other, enduring and growing with each turn of events. They did not have the distractions we do today. In the evening when everyone was home the time was spent reading the family bible as well as other books. There were discussions at the table or around the fireplace. They engaged in fervent prayer. I remember reading where my 3rd great grandmother, Lucy Mack Smith, spent three hours ill and on her knees in prayer to be relieved of her sickness and she was. My second great grandmother, Emma Hale Smith pressed forward through all of these persecutions, losing children along the way, because she could not deny what she knew to be true. She found most of her strength through constant prayer. These were people who were blessed to receive direct revelation and miracles that saved them many times because of their commitment to the Lord and staying close to Him.

Today, we have those same capabilities of staying strong, but as I said, the adversary has upped his game. He no longer has to stir the anxiety of people using a physical threat like sending a militia. Now all he has to do is stir the minds of people into darkness; porn, dark music, racism, getting offended easily, cries of inequality that bring about criticism against man and God. It all starts out so subtly. Unlike a militia or mob storming into your home, it is subtly seeping into your mind within your home, through your eyes; Facebook posts, fake news that stir hearts against one another, a movie that doesn’t seem harmless at first but there are just a few bad things, you dismiss them because the movie is just that good. Before long many boundaries have been broached and you find yourself dismissing much more than you used to, until finally you have jumped onto the bandwagon that God’s laws are outdated, Joseph Smith and Brigham Young made mistakes so the Church isn’t true, Church history is contradicting itself, etc.

Any excuse sounds like a good reason to walk away so that you can fit in with the world and feel as if you are accepted by those around you. Because, let’s face it, fully staying true to the teachings of Christ sets one apart from the majority…from the world. However, that is exactly what we are supposed to be, set apart from the world while we are living in it. The way that Christ lived His life was at odds with the norm in His society, and He has said that those who follow Him must be willing to accept such an existence. It made Him unpopular, but He found a way to live in the world and not be of it. He has shown us how to do it as well.

Still, even when we are at our strongest, situations can be stirred to bend our faith and break it. An example of how even the most devoted can be tried is when Peter, one of the strongest of Jesus’ followers, had a weak moment when he denied Christ. When you compare that with mistakes that people of God have made since then it is huge. Still, the gospel was not thrown under the bus, Peter repented, they all came together and magnified what the Lord had taught them, continuing to build His church. In other words, they didn’t jump ship because mistakes were made.

How did the early Saints stay true and gain immeasurable strength? They never compromised their beliefs. No matter what was put before them, they could not deny what they had seen and experienced. They stayed in communication with the Lord and prayed endlessly. They studied scripture and continued to cultivate the pure love of Christ. This is how we manage to love everyone; despite their choices in life and what things we disagree on. We can live in the world, not be of the world, yet love every human being. We can stay true to our faith no matter what strangeness or contradictions in history we run into. This world can be a tilt-a-whirl that can spin out of control fast, but the Savior is the balance, and as long as we hold on to Him, we will never fall off.