More than a century after the Jews were carried captive into Babylon lived a man by the name of Haman. His story begins in Esther 3 in the Old Testament. King Ahasuerus promoted Haman, putting him above all the princes. The servants of the king in the king’s gate all bowed to Haman, all ...

I was waiting in my car for my kids after school let out this week when I noticed an incoming call from a phone number I did not recognize. I thought it might be a telemarketer, but I felt compelled to answer, so I did. “Hello?” I skeptically asked. “Who is this?” came the reply on ...

Last week, I found myself pondering the idea of gratitude. In doing this, I started thinking of things that I was grateful for. Then, however, a thought came to my mind. What if I no longer had this thing for which I am now grateful? Would I become bitter? Then, another thought came. What about ...

Last week, I had my six-month checkup at the dentist office. As I am sure many can sympathize with, it’s hardly a day I anticipate with eagerness. Thankfully, I don’t dread it as much as I once did. My attitude toward going to the dentist changed about 10 years ago. I had just started ...

When I was on my Latter-day Saint mission in Taiwan, there was a phrase I often heard by the people who we would attempt to teach: “Kao Zi Ji.” Simply put, it means, “Rely on oneself." Respectfully, I just can’t do that. And I’m not ashamed of it. I know that I have a Heavenly ...

My favorite talks in church are the ones in which the speaker draws on personal experiences to provide instruction on whatever gospel subject they are discussing. In those moments, I find my focus completely fixed on the message and I realize how similar the speaker is to me, attempting to ...