Category: Daily Devotionals

“I found that when we’re earnest in creating a life plan for ourselves, we need to allow the Lord to be the architect of that plan. When the Lord is the architect, long-term benefits result and connect us to additional opportunities and experiences that accelerate our capacity for growth.” (W. Craig Zwick, “Ponder, Pray, Perform, Persevere,” New Era, May 2007).

I am a planner. I like to know where I am headed, and what to expect. I tend to get anxious if I don’t have a plan in place–for my life, for my kids, for the next month or the next 5 years. I will spend copious amounts of time researching and creating these life plans and when they inevitably don’t go as I had planned them, it can shake me up a bit.

When I was in high school I went on an amazing rip to Europe with my mom. We spent a few days in Paris and I fell in love with the city. I set a goal that I would someday live in that amazing city. In college I had it all planned out. There was a BYU study abroad in Paris and I was going to go during the fall of my sophomore year. I was studying at BYU-Hawaii and as winter semester moved along, I went through the application process for the following fall. I also really wanted to stay for spring term in Hawaii. I wanted to move off campus with a friend of mine and I really just didn’t want to leave the island I had come to love as my home. These 2 great desires of my heart were competing because if I was going to France, I needed to go home and get a job so I would have the money I needed for the study abroad semester and wouldn’t be able to stay longer in Hawaii. (I know, I know… tough life…). I prayed and prayed that I would somehow be able to do both, but never doubting that I would be spending the fall in France and fulfilling a dream I had been counting on.

The envelope came. I was an alternate. I wasn’t accepted into the study abroad program.

I was devastated. All my hopes and dreams (the dramatics of being 19) were shattered. I picked myself up and made plans for a great spring term in Hawaii, but my heart was a little broken and I wasn’t sure how I would be able to fit my Paris dreams into my college plans any more.

The second week of spring term I got a phone call. Someone had dropped out of the study abroad program and there was a spot for me. It was too late to drop my spring classes and get out of my lease so I stayed in Hawaii for spring AND had an amazing fall experience in France.

My God had plans that I didn’t know about. All along He was orchestrating it so that I could do both of the amazing things I wanted to do that year. I just needed to trust that He would work everything out for me if I was trying my best to do His will.

Now, it doesn’t always work out so seamlessly. Sometimes those plans and deep desires just aren’t God’s will for us—I certainly have had many other experiences where I have made plans, they have not worked out, I have been devastated and prayerful and they still didn’t work out. But in those situations, God’s plan has always turned out WAY better than the amazing plan I thought I had worked out. In time I have learned to make plans, but make them flexible and not let it destroy my world when they don’t work out. God always has something great in store for me if I keep the faith and just hold on a little longer. And He has great things in store for you as well if you will allow Him to be in charge.

Meditation and Journaling Prompt: What is your big plan? Your secret wishes? Have you prayed to know what God’s plan is for you? What are His secret wishes for your life? Can you remember a time when your plans didn’t work out, but it was better in the long run or your desire was fulfilled in another, unexpected way?

 “But behold, I, Jacob, would speak unto you that are pure in heart. Look unto God with firmness of mind, and pray unto him with exceeding faith, and he will console you in your afflictions, and he will plead your cause, and send down justice upon those who seek your destruction.” Jacob 3:1

“As victims, if we are faithful, we can take great comfort in knowing that God will compensate us for every injustice we experience. Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin stated: “The Lord compensates the faithful for every loss. … Every tear today will eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude.” (“The Healing Ointment of Forgiveness” Kevin R. Duncan, April 2016 conference)

If we come to the Lord in faith, if we trust Him, trust in Him, and believe that He can and will do what He said He would do, we can find comfort in any affliction. Our trials often seem unfair, unjust and undeserved – especially when those trials come to us by way of another person’s poor choices. But through our faithfulness and reliance on Christ, we can receive comfort in knowing that God is just and He will make everything right for us in the end if we will just trust in Him and follow Him.

Meditation and Journaling Prompt: Do you believe that Christ can and will do what he says He will do? Where could your faith, or faithfulness be improved? Do you need consoling now?

Call to Action: Where you find your faith lacking, pray for more faith.

Mindfulness Tip of the day: As you practice today, notice when doubt or hurt come into your mind. Try to release it without judging yourself for your doubt.

“And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: … And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony” Revelation 12:9, 11

I know I am not the only one reeling, yet again, as we watch the aftermath unfold of ANOTHER mass shooting. Another senseless tragedy. Another act of evil. These events, now coming so often that we are becoming used to them, still leave me feeling broken and afraid. How do I send my children out into a world where this is happening with such horrifying frequency? What can I do, as just one person in a small city in Utah. How do we stop this from happening again and again and again. More death. More blood. More fear. Where these events should bring us together, they just as often tear us apart as political arguments erupt and blame is thrown around.

Elder Quentin L. Cook has said, “Agency is essential to the plan of happiness. It allows for the love, sacrifice, personal growth and experience necessary for our eternal progression. This agency also allows for all the pain and suffering we experience in mortality, even when caused by things we do not understand and the devastating evil choices of others. The very War in Heaven was waged over our moral agency and is essential to understanding the Savior’s earthly ministry.’

…“We all participated in the councils of heaven that provided for moral agency, knowing that there would be mortal pain and even unspeakable tragedy because of the abuse of agency. We understood that this could leave us angry, bewildered, defenseless, and vulnerable. But we also knew that the Savior’s Atonement would overcome and compensate for all of the unfairness of mortal life and bring us peace.” (“Personal Peace: The Reward of Righteousness, General Conference, April 2013)

God cannot, and will not ever take away the agency of another. Even if that agency allows an evil person to commit unspeakable, horrific acts of violence on innocent and unsuspecting people. But the way we respond to such acts matters. We cannot argue and fight and blame. We MUST come together. We must carry our Light of Christ into the world and shine it brightly. We have to love harder, serve more and declare Him. Christ is the only way. The Atonement will bring peace to us, to those around us, even in an increasingly evil world. Satan was beaten and cast out once before. We did it then, and we can do it now through the Atonement of Christ and “by the word of [our] testimony.”

Meditation and Journaling Prompt: Pray for peace. Pray for love. Pray for the Spirit to be with you and then go and shine your light today. Make a list of 10 ways you can show the love of Christ to others today – in your home and family, in your community, at the grocery store etc. And pray for Las Vegas and the families who are mourning today.

“But behold, I say unto you that ye must pray always, and not faint;” 2 Nephi 32:9

When I read this scripture today the word “faint” jumped out at me. When someone faints, they suddenly drop out of consciousness. It is jarring and drastic. While I am sure there are people who have stopped praying in that way—praying one day and not the next—there is another definition of the word faint that I think is more applicable.

A faint whisper, a faint chance, a faint hope. To be faint is to be weak, slight, lacking in strength or enthusiasm. It is half-hearted and cowardly.

Are our prayers sometimes faint? Are they half-hearted because we are in a hurry or tired. Perhaps they lack enthusiasm because we don’t really have the faith that we are being heard or that our prayers will be answered. Maybe we think that God has better and more important things to do than listen to our little, seemingly insignificant payers.

President Gordon B. Hinckley said, “Never forget who you are… You are in very deed a child of God… He is your Eternal Father. He loves you. You can go to Him in prayer. He has invited you to do so…What a wonderful thing this is. He is the Greatest of All. He is the Creator and Governor of the universe. And yet He will listen to your prayer.” (Stand True and Faithful,” 93; Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley, Ch.6)

Meditation and Journaling Prompt: How are your prayers lately? Are they faint? Are you praying with vigor?

Call to Action: Set aside a time today, outside of your usual prayer routine, to kneel and pray OUT LOUD, fervently, with strength of heart and vigor to your Father in Heaven. If you aren’t sure what to pray about, just speak with Him as if He were your best friend who came to visit.

Mindfulness Tip: Every time you are at a red light today, start counting your breaths. 1 in, 2 out, 3 in, 4 out etc. When you get to 10, start over. 

“God blesses us according to our faith. Faith is the source of living with divine purpose and eternal perspective. Faith is a practical principle that inspires diligence. It is a vital, living force manifest in our positive attitude and desire to willingly do everything that God and Jesus Christ ask of us. It takes us to our knees to implore the Lord for guidance and to arise and act with confidence to achieve things consistent with His will.” (Ulisses Soares, “Confide in God Unwaveringly,” General Conference, April 2017).

Faith is not passive. Faith does not only REQUIRE action, it IS action. Often times we think we need to have the faith before we can act. We wait to act, to change, to repent until after some elusive attribute falls upon us. But what if instead of waiting until we have faith to act, we just act! This doesn’t necessarily mean we have to “fake it ’til we make it,” but we take our mustard seed of faith and we act on it — change our attitude, pray more, serve more, and forgive more. I believe that when we do so, when we choose to act, our faith is increased and the blessings come.

Meditation and Journaling Prompt: Is your faith alive today? How are you acting on your faith? Do you have something you would like to change in your life? What are you waiting for? What is holding you back?

Call to Action: Make a list of 5 things you would like to change in your life right now. For each of those 5 things, make a list of 5 ways you could act on those changes. Pick one and DO IT today!

Mindfulness Tip: If you are feeling distracted today, take a few minutes to make a list of what you are grateful for. This is a great way to boost your mood and get you focused on the present.

“Know ye not that he was holy? But notwithstanding he being holy, he showeth unto the children of men that, according to the flesh he humbleth himself before the Father, and witnesseth unto the Father that he would be obedient unto him in keeping his commandments.”    (2 Nephi 31:7)

In this scripture, Nephi is talking to his people about Christ’s baptism. Christ was baptized, not because he was unclean and needed to repent and have his sins washed away, but because it was part of the plan. He did it because God commanded it.

Sometimes there are commandments that are hard for us to understand. It may seem unnecessary or unimportant. Maybe, for you, parts of the Word of Wisdom seem unnecessarily restrictive. Perhaps there is another commandment that you just can’t seem to understand the purpose of.

I have a son who always has to know the WHY behind every rule or direction he is given. It can be a great strength because when he understands why he is very willing to make changes and never forgets what he has learned. It can be frustrating, however, as his parent when I don’t have the time or I can’t give him all of the reasons why because he isn’t old enough or mature enough to have all the information just yet, or he just doesn’t have the life experience that would lead to understanding. Sometimes I just need him to obey. We often have the following conversation:

“Do you trust me?”
“Yes.”
“Do you think we have this rule just because I want to control you or I just don’t want you to have any fun or do you think I probably have a good reason for the rule.”
“You have a reason.”
“What is my job as your parent?”
“To teach me and keep me healthy and safe.”
“That’s right. So can you trust me that m reasons are just because I am trying to do that job? Can you trust that I know more about this because I have lived longer and I have more knowledge and experince? Or do I ALWAYS need to tell you all of the reasons whenever I ask something of you?”

If God could speak with us in that same way, what would the conversation look like? Can we just trust Him enough to obey? Can we be like Christ who just followed the commandment to be baptized even though he really didn’t need to repent and be washed clean? Can we trust that God has a reason for all of His commandments, even if we, in our fallen human state, can’t see or understand the reason with our limited knowledge or experience? I can promise you that he has reasons and that every commandment is for our benefit. If we follow them He can teach us and keep us healthy and safe.

Meditation and Journaling Prompt: Is there a commandment you are struggling with? Imagine you are having a conversation with God about it just like a child talking with his parent. What would He say to you? How can you show your faith and willingness to be obedient?

“O, my beloved brethren, give ear to my words. Remember the greatness of the Holy One of Israel. Do not say that I have spoken hard things against you; for if ye do, ye will revile against the truth; for I have spoken the words of your Maker. I know that the words of truth are hard against all uncleanness; but the righteous fear them not, for they love the truth and are not shaken.” (2 Nephi 9:40)

In a social media world seeking truth can be difficult. There are so many opinions and it can be hard to figure out what the truth is. Ask a simple question in a parenting forum and you will be immediately inundated with vehement opinions on what you should be doing and how. And of course they will tell you that doing any differently makes you a terrible parent who is doing irreparable damage to your children. All this could be over something as simple and inconsequential as what shoes to buy for your newly walking toddler. We all know how dangerous it can be to get into a discussion on religion or politics in the social media realm!

While being overwhelmed with opinions at every turn, it can be difficult to find real truth. And sometimes, when we are confronted with hard facts and forced to see that a belief we have held and argued for may not be true after all, it can be extremely difficult to relent our position and admit where we were wrong.

Fortunately, when it comes to the gospel, we are not in it alone. While we try to apply what we know to be true from the scriptures and gospel teachings to the real-life situations we face every day we can call upon the Spirit. Sometimes what we find may make us uncomfortable or may challenge something we thought to be right, but the Spirit will always accompany and will speak peace to our hearts when we find the truth. If we are trying to do what is right, we need not fear the truth. It will only strengthen us. We can study, research and pray and the Spirit will reveal the truth to us.

Meditation and Journaling Prompt: What questions are you struggling with right now? Where can you look to find the truth? Where should you NOT look?

He’s On My Side So I Can Stand Tall

“I’ll stand tall! The Savior is beside me.
He’s always there to guide me.
I do not walk alone, I’ll stand tall!
His Spirit will direct me,
His loving arms protect me.
He’s on my side, so I can stand tall!”

“I’ll Stand Tall”
Words by Jan Pinborough
Music by Janice Kapp Perry

Today was our ward’s Primary program and as I watched 2 of my 3 sons belt these words out at full volume I couldn’t hold back my tears. My boys know this. They do not have any doubt that Christ is on their side. I hope they do not lose their pure faith in their Savior.

YOU do not walk alone. Your Savior walks beside you. No matter where you are, what you are doing, what you have done, what mistakes you have made or will make in the future—your Savior is with you. That is what the Atonement is all about. With His strength added to your own you can stand tall – physically and spiritually.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf said, “We acknowledge that your path will at times be difficult. But I give you this promise in the name of the Lord: rise up and follow in the footsteps of our Redeemer and Savior, and one day you will look back and be filled with eternal gratitude that you chose to trust the Atonement and its power to lift you up and give you strength.

‘My dear friends and brethren, no matter how many times you have slipped or fallen, rise up! Your destiny is a glorious one! Stand tall and walk in the light of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ! You are stronger than you realize. You are more capable than you can imagine. You can do it now!” (“You Can Do It Now!” General Conference, Priesthood Session, October 2013)

Meditation and Journaling Prompt: Make a list of all those in your life who you feel are “on your side.” Be sure to put Christ at the top of your list. These are the people who you can rely on when things are hard.

Mindfulness Tip: Take a minute today to stand and breathe in a “Power Pose.” The superhero pose is a good one: Stand with your legs apart, hands on your hips and head held high. Notice how standing tall changes the way you feel.

For Further Study: If you have never heard the song referenced above, I highly recommend a listen.  You can find it here: https://www.lds.org/friend/2016/01/ill-stand-tall?lang=eng