When your efforts feel invisible and your calling feels heavy, how do you keep going? This reflection on Alma’s experience in Ammonihah reminds us where joy really comes from — not from results, but from faithful, wholehearted effort.

Speaking about those preparing to leave on missions, Joseph Smith prayed during the dedication of the Kirtland Temple: “And we ask thee, Holy Father, that thy servants may go forth from this house armed with thy power, and that thy name may be upon them, and thy glory be round …

The Lord tells us in Doctrine and Covenants 88:6: “He that ascended up on high, as also he descended below all things, in that he comprehended all things, that he might be in all and through all things, the light of truth;”  ALL.  There is nothing that Christ did not descend below. Why did He willingly do that? …

Transfers during your mission can be hard, but in the long run they bring a lot of joy.

Sometimes we may not see the results of all of our efforts. This might cause us to get discouraged or tired. We may be tempted to give up. But there is a promise made to those who stay the course: "Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing⁠, for ye are laying …

Joseph Smith received Section 45 of the Doctrine and Covenants at a time when many were not investigating the Church because of some rumors and misunderstanding about the Church. I don't know if the Saints were discouraged or what, but the Lord gave them a little glimpse into what lay …

A few weeks ago you mentioned something about so much emphasis on the Book of Mormon. I've been thinking a lot about that and some of my thoughts are below. I'll just focus on three of those for now. The Book of Mormon Is a Second, Clarifying Witness I imagine …

No matter who or where you are, no matter how or when you struggle—there is always hope.

We often hear the phrase “an eye single to the glory of God” associated with what qualifies someone to be a missionary (see D&C 4:5). Yet, the Lord uses the phrase in D&C 27 when explaining what we use as the emblems of the sacrament is not as important as …

In Doctrine and Covenants 24 the Lord gives a promise to Oliver Cowdery as he continued to bear Christ's “name before the world” (D&C 24:10): “And at all times, and in all places, he shall open his mouth and declare my gospel as with the voice of a trump, both …

Joseph and Oliver must have been excited to share the message of the newly restored Church of Jesus Christ on the earth. However, intense persecution started almost immediately after the Church was organized. I can imagine it must have been intimidating to carry the burden of proclaiming the gospel in …

When people say they “know” something is true in a testimony, what does that mean? How do they actually “know”? The answer seems to be pretty simple and straight forward and it comes directly from the Lord to Oliver Cowdery in Doctrine and Covenants 18: “Behold, I have manifested unto …

"Timing is everything" is how the saying goes. In other words, doing something at the right time is critical. Dallin H. Oaks said, "In all the important decisions in our lives, what is most important is to do the right thing. Second, and only slightly behind the first, is to do the right …

My first mission president passed away last week. President Goodman had an immeasurable impact on my life. Before I left for Italy, I was given a blessing where I was told that my mission would bless me with a strong testimony of the Lord’s work and lay a foundation for …

A few months ago, a friend asked me some advice about missionary work ethic. In the context of Doctrine and Covenants 4, he asked me what I thought it meant to "serve Him with all your heart, might, mind, and strength." I gave three points of advice based on my …