Letting Our Trials Refine Us

Christ, God's In Charge, Mortality

I’ve been feeling a little put upon lately. Well, to be honest, for the past several years. And it’s been ticking me off so much that I’ve gained 40 pounds. And that ticks me off too. And in the midst of my ticked-offedness this morning, I read this verse of...

Memorial Day

Mortality

Here in the United States, on the last Monday in May, we honor those who have given their lives in active military service. This is the official observance of our Memorial Day. For many of us, however, it has also become a day when our thoughts are drawn to other,...

What Part of Imperfect Do We Not Understand?

Mortality, Perfectionism

We, as committed Latter-day Saints, are just as mortal as everyone else on the planet. We are prone to fear, codependency, doubt, worry, sin, and all the other beliefs and behaviors that lead to addiction and compulsion. When we find ourselves in these negative...

Addiction or Atonement—There Are Only Two Choices

Addiction, Christ, Mortality, Recovery

When you boil life down to the basics, you only have two choices for dealing with the discomforts of mortality. Either you choose addiction to dull the pain or you choose the peace of God and live (Alma 37:47). You can choose to become and/or remain an addict to...

Letting Go of “Terminal Uniqueness”

Keep Coming Back, Mortality, Recovery

Think of your brethren like unto yourselves, and be familiar with all… (Jacob 2:17) These words remind me of one of the most healing effects of twelve-step recovery work. Only after entering the program did I begin to see “my brethren” (other people) like unto...

Taking the Wind Out of Our Sails

Mortality, Perfectionism

I bear my testimony to you that what we were sent away from our home and the direct association and protection of our Heavenly Parents not to learn that we could stand on our own two feet, but actually, to learn the exact opposite. We came here to be humbled, to be...