Last year, I trained for my first half marathon.

I had never been a runner beforeI was always more of a sprinter. As I began building my endurance, each long run became the longest I had ever completed.

One summer morning, I was walking with my parents when we saw someone jogging past us on a trail. He wasnt moving fastjust a steady, slow pace. As we passed him, we found ourselves judging him because of how slow he was running. Shortly after, we all felt bad about it, and I said, Hey, we never know what mile someone is on. That thought stuck with me, and I found myself returning to it each time I ran.

We truly never know what mile someone is on. The person we pass could be on their 14th mile, pushing through the final stretch. They might be recovering from an injury or simply choosing to take it slow and steady. We just dont know.

As more time passed in my running journey, I began to see how this idea applies to life. We never know what mile someone is on in their personal journey. Someone could be facing their biggest trial, experiencing their happiest moment, or just having a tough day. This realization helped me understand that we often have no idea what others are going throughso instead of judging, we should offer encouragement.

This reminds me of a quote from Sister Freeman. In April 2026, she gave a talk called

She said, Because of Jesus Christ, no matter how bad things are right now, your best days are ahead. In other words, the next mile is ahead. Everyone will make it through the mile they are on, whether its their best day or their hardest.

Through Christ, we are helped. He comforts us in our worries and fears. Jesus Christ is our strength. No matter what mile someone else is on, our role is not to judge, but to offer strength and encouragementjust as He would.

This semester I had the chance to be in BYUs production of the musical The Light in the Piazza.

It was an awesome show that I did not know very well beforehand. One interesting thing about it is that although it is a contemporary show, the music is written like a classical golden age piece. The music was actually some of the most challenging I have ever had to learn, but through lots of effort and support, I was able to get it down.

The night of our second performance, during one of the final duets of the show, a musical track came in a little earlier than expected. In an attempt to keep on with the music I accidentally started my verse of the song a full measure early, as I was singing, I realized that I was ahead of the track and was thinking of the options that I had to correct the mistake. I decided that the smartest thing to do was just to finish the verse, and hope that my partner on stage would wait out the next measure before she started hers.

So thats what I did, I got through the rest of the verse and waited for my partner. She, having correctly heard that I started early, waited out the measure and started her verse, and we were right back on track. At that moment, I looked at my partner and felt a lot of joy. I knew that if I messed up, someone had my back. I was not at all embarrassed, or nervous about the rest of the number, in fact I actually felt more prepared for the rest of the song than I had up to that point. Rather than being worried that someone else may have to help me, I was so excited by the idea that somebody would if I ever needed it.

We often take on a lot on our own. While it is important to be able to take care of yourself, and achieve things on your own, I think we sometimes imply that reliance on others is weakness. Instead, I think that reliance on others only frees you up to be the best version of yourself. Whenever possible, Id highly recommend taking a moment to realize who you have in your life, who has your back, and who is there to help you through whatever you are going through. Even in the times that you dont feel you need that support; it could free you more than youd expect to know that its there.

Spring is my favorite season.

There is such beauty in the changing of the seasons, and something sacred in the new and renewed life that rises as the weather becomes warmer. I love watching buds appear on trees, listening to the birds return, and feeling the sun on my face after a long winter. It is not lost on me that spring is a perfect analogy of the Saviors Resurrection, a time when life rises again, stronger and brighter than before.

For me, winter often seems to drag on. And while I love the snow, seeing nothing but empty trees and scraggly, sad bushes makes me miss the leaves, the sunlight, and the sound of birds returning again. The world feels still, almost lifeless, and I cant help but long for warmth and color. I think thats how life can feel too, the moments that are quiet, lonely, or painful can make us miss the joy and vibrancy of what we hope is coming.

Life, like the earth, has its seasons. We are born into our own proverbial spring, full of promise and new beginnings. We pass through the summers of our lives, with growth, learning, and experiences that shape us. And just as surely as the seasons change, we face our autumns and winters, times of trial, loss, or sorrow. One day, our earthly lives will come to an end. I often find myself wondering what life would be if that were it, the end.

I think it would suck.

But thankfully, life is not like that. Just as winter is not everlasting, our death is not eternal. We have a Savior who died and resurrected for us. He lives. Because He lives, we will live. Because He lives, we can return again. Because He lives, families are not lost, only separated for a time. Because He lives, we can repent, find peace in our sorrows, and discover joy even in our trials. Because He lives, eternal life is possible.

Because He lives, I dont have to fear the winters of my life. Even in moments that feel heavy, cold, or empty, I can hold on to hope. I can remember that spring always comes, that the earth renews itself, and that my soul can be made new again. I can see the beauty in life, even when it feels hidden, and trust that brighter days are ahead.

Because He lives, I know we will live again. I know that families are forever, that love endures, and that peace and joy are real promises, not just wishes. Because He lives, I can face the challenges and trials of life with courage, hope, and gratitude.

I am so grateful this Easter season for a Savior who loves us, and for a Savior who lives. Because He lives, life is full of promise, hope, and renewal, not just for a season, but for eternity.

During this past semester break, I had one goal: Recenter and refresh myself for the new year and upcoming semester.

Arriving at this goal wasnt immediate and it took an approach that I wasnt anticipating, but I was able to learn some valuable lessons in the process. Some of the lessons come from a book, titled Be Where Your Feet Are, by Scott ONeil as he discusses personal experiences/lessons that help to keep him grounded in a fast-paced life. The mixture of my own ideas and what I learned from this book both helped me to be able to enter this semester refreshed and ready to tackle the demands that seem to be never-ending.

Here are a few of the lessons that I learned and have worked to apply this semester:

While these are only three of the lessons that I learned from reading Be Where Your Feet Are and from my own reflection, I have been able to let them shape me this semester. Taking the time to deeply reflect on what I could change wasnt easy; it was a little uncomfortable if Im honest. I had to realize and accept that I had space to grow into and that I wasnt where I wanted to be. So, my personal reflection and desire to reach my goal of a refresh helped me to find things to change.

In Scott ONiels book, he talked about the idea of having a Core Four or determining your personal Whats Most Important. This idea has helped me to focus on 3-4 of the biggest areas of my life and make them what I focus on. Whether it includes faith, education, family, service, or any other area, this has been something that has allowed me to stay connected to what I value most. It has also helped me to see what really matters right now as compared to just going with the flow without a defined direction.

Both from my own experience and also from what Be Where Your Feet Are teaches, I have learned that failure is not meant to define us. Instead, I am learning to use failure and unmet expectations as a continuous feedback loop for improvement. This can be used in any area of life work, school, family, relationships, etc. The Agile meetings we all are familiar with have taught me a lot about this, especially retrospectives. When we take time to review what happened, identify what went wrong, accept it, and move forward, we are choosing to fail forward and create an environment for growth.

More than anything, a strong connection to the Lord can anchor us when nothing else seems to provide that. With so many choices and decisions to make, we can choose to hold on tight to the relationship we have with the Lord. The peace that I have felt from this relationship in my life has helped to sustain me when the other lessons from this list havent. I know that the Lord can give us the guidance and answers to our deepest desires when nothing else seems to be working.

So, whether you are looking for a refresh or just looking to feel more grounded in a busy college life, take some time to slow down and reflect. It may be a little uncomfortable at first, but the peace, clarity, and growth that come from it are worth it.

I wanted to write about a story that, although not my own, made a real impact on me and on my outlook towards life, especially the hard times of life. This story was shared by Mike Gibson.

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All hands meetings are already a highlight of being on the Agile team here at OIT. I love getting to know the team better and learn from my team and leaders. But I feel this last time was especially good. Mike got up to share professional development tips from his long and successful career as a father, businessman, and BYU alumni. His simple tips turned out to be hard-hitting life lessons. One lesson and story he shared really stood out to me.

The Hill is where you Win. That was the one-liner hook of his beautiful story. The story of a devoted cross country coach that shaped the life of Mikes younger years and, in effect, his entire life.

Mike was, and still is, an avid runner. When he was in high school he ran for his school on the cross country team. During his time running on the team, he improved in his abilities, largely in part to the wonderful coaching he received. His coach was wonderful and took the time to train his team to become winners. As most good coaches do, he had a mantra to accompany his teaching. His was simple - The hill is where you win.

Mike probably heard that simple phrase a hundred times in his time running for the school. But, Mike soon discovered, and continued to learn over the course of his life, that deeper meaning is found in that simple phrase. The hill is where you win. The meaning of that phrase becomes evermore meaningful when you are yourself, literally or figuratively, running up a hill.

Its when your legs are burning, lungs bursting, and the run is getting steeper and steeper that you make the decision to keep going and win. Its when life starts feeling like a marathon and one more step seems too much. Its when uphill battle starts to take on personal meaning. Its when your tank is empty and you are running on fumes.

Thats when you win.

Not when you cross the finish line and not when you pass the person in front of you. You win on the hill. Mikes coach understood that. His mantra was more than encouragement to win a race, but a lesson on when our efforts matter the most. When perseverance leads to victory.

Unfortunately, Mikes coach tragically passed away recently. Mike made a song to commemorate his life and he sang that song in our meeting. It was fantastic. Words cant describe how the Spirit filled the room. Everyone listened intently and even halted their incremental bites of delicious J Dawgs to listen to the beautiful melody. Its impossible for me to convey through writing the emotions he delivered when he sang, but I hope the message has been received. The hill is where you win.

Thanks be to Jesus Christ who climbed the Hill of Calvary while carrying the pains and sorrows of every one of us. Because of Him, there is hope to finish the race although it may feel like the finish line is too far and everyone else is passing you. Because of Him, we never have to run completely alone although it may feel like we are completely isolated. He is our perfect coach and I am sure when He sees us struggling to topple our own individual hills, no matter how big or small, He is repeating the same mantra of Mikes coach. The Hill is where You Win.

When President Oaks came for his devotional 2 weeks ago, his third point he gave was to seek help from others.

I will be graduating early this winter. Trying to figure out the ins and outs of that seemed very daunting and unrealistic at first. I didnt even know if it was a possibility until I went and talked to one of accounting school advisors. She helped me come up with a plan that made it possible to graduate early.

There have been many hic ups in my education since then and I have seen many tender mercies throughout the process. I cant count the number of times I have been checking my graduation plan, and I see something that I believe will ruin the whole thing. Every time this happens, I go to my advisors office and together we have made changes to the plan to still allow me to graduate in December.

There is no doubt in my mind that if I wasnt for her help, I wouldnt be graduating. This goes back to the message President Oaks shared, sometimes we need to seek for and allow help form others. Often, I find that I would rather just try it on my own rather than asking help from someone else. More often than not when I dont ask for help, I do worse than if I would have gotten assistance.

Currently I am in classes with students a year above me as part of my plan. Even though I shouldnt feel nervous about the first day of class I remember being extremely nervous the first day of the semester. I didnt think I would know anyone in the class and maybe the material would go over my head. Fortunately, I met someone who is also graduating early, and we have become good friends this semester. It is thanks to his help that I have really come to enjoy and succeed in those classes.

Whether it is my advisor or a friend in my classes, I have learned this semester that I need help. As I have sought guidance from others, I have learned a lot more and grown more this semester. I invite all of us to not be shy or ashamed about asking for help and assistance when we need it!

While I was studying Come, Follow Me in Dec, I read the story of Jane Elizabeth. She was a Black woman in the early days of the Church. At that time, the priesthood was not given to Black members. Because of her race, she was refused a seat on a wagon traveling from Connecticut to Nauvoo. And because of that, she had to walk more than 500 miles to get there.

Even after she arrived in Nauvoo, her situation did not become easier. No one in her family held the priesthood. She could have felt angry or unfairly treated, and that would have been understandable. However, instead of focusing on the unfairness, she chose to be more faithful.

Jane believed that this was part of Gods plan, even though she did not understand it. In uncertain and painful circumstances, she remained devoted to the Church and to her faith.

Jane passed away at the age of 95. During her lifetime, she never saw the priesthood given to Black members of the Church. Many years later, President Spencer W. Kimball announced Official Declaration 2. It declared:

Jane herself did not receive these blessings during her life. However, because she remained faithful, her family and her descendants were later able to receive the blessings of the priesthood and the temple.

Her story made me think about my own life. As a student and an international student, I often feel uncertain about my education, my career, and my future. Many times, I have wanted clear answers and strong reassurance from God. When I felt like there was no clear guidance, I sometimes felt disappointed or frustrated.

Through Janes example, I learned a deeper meaning of faith. Faith is not always about receiving immediate answers. Sometimes, it is about trusting God without conditions and without full understanding. Janes life taught me that sincere and consistent faith can bring blessings, even if we do not see them right away. Her story reminded me that Gods timing is different from ours, and that trust itself can be an act of faith.

As Christmas gets closer, Ive caught myself thinking about presents, not just the ones that show up under decorated trees, but gifts that make lasting impacts after the season is over. Most gifts are things that simply happen to us. We open them, enjoy them, and move on with our lives. But every now and then, a gift changes the way you see yourself or the way you move through the world. Thats the kind of gift C.S. Lewis was pointing toward when he wrote about toy soldiers. In Mere Christianity, Lewis compares people to toy soldiers and tin men. Toy soldiers are well made and look the part, yet stiff, lifeless, and obviously, lack humanity. With this in mind, Lewis explains how grace can change these tin men into humans that can act and change. The fascinating claim of Christianity is that God isnt interested in better-looking toys; He wants real, living people. And the even better news is that the hardest part has already been done. As Lewis says, The Son of God became a man to enable men to become sons of God. The change from toy soldier to human being isnt something we have to figure out or earn. Its already been done for us. Whats left is learning how to live as if its true. Thats where action comes in. Toy soldiers get moved around by someone else, placed where theyre told, and packed away when theyre no longer useful. Humans arent meant to live that way. Were meant to choose, to respond, to take responsibility for how we show up in the world. Lewis isnt asking us to sit around waiting to feel transformed. Hes pointing us toward actually living, toward acting instead of being acted upon. Over time, thats how the gift becomes real in us. So this Christmas, alongside all the other things we unwrap, it might be worth remembering this gift too. Its already been given, and it doesnt need batteries or assembly. We dont become more human by staying rigid on the shelf. We become human when we step forward and act, leaving the toy soldier behind and learning how to live fully alive.

About two months ago, I was called as an Elders Quorum teacher. Having taught before, my "tried-and-true" method usually involved coasting until Saturday, skimming the talk, and throwing together a slide deck at the last minute. However, the presidency threw me a curveball during our orientation meeting. Instead of the usual "good luck" pat on the back, the counselor, Hunter, laid out a specific, detailed plan for success that included deep study, intentional coordination with the other teacher, and strict stake guidelines. I left that meeting stunned and frankly a bit skeptical about whether all this extra homework was actually necessary.

Despite my apprehension, I decided to trust the process. For the first week, I immersed myself in the talk, cross-referencing scriptures and feeling a genuine love for the material grow. I coordinated with the other teacher, whose excitement matched mine and who offered insights I never would have found on my own. By the time I sat down to outline my lesson a week in advancea personal recordI found myself revising and refining until the final plan looked nothing like my first draft. By Saturday morning, I had a simple slide deck ready, not as a crutch to read from, but as a compliment to a lesson I actually knew inside and out.

The real payoff came the next day in church. As I sat through Sacrament meeting, it felt like the speakers had peeked at my notes; they were teaching principles that perfectly aligned with my prepared lesson. For the first time, I wasn't sweating over slides or worrying about filling time. Instead, I felt like the windows of heaven were opening to aid me. I realized I had never felt this prepared, excited, or spiritually connected to a teaching assignment before.

I share this story because, frankly, I didnt know what it meant to magnify a calling until that experience. I learned that magnifying is much more than just hitting the minimum requirements and bringing a bag of donuts to distract from a lack of preparation. I learned that it means taking ownership of the outcome, seeing the people you serve through the Saviors eyes, and preparing honestly. As cheesy as it sounds, simply doing your best allows the Lord to bless your efforts; He opens doors that may have felt locked for decades.

Importantly, this principle doesnt end at the chapel doors. In my short time here at the Office of IT, Ive realized that the same rules apply to our professional lives. Magnifying your job isn't just about clocking in and doing the bare minimum. It means taking ownership of results, considering the people who benefit from our work, and preparing thoughtfully to give our best effort every day.

Consider how many mundane tasks we do at work on a day-to-day basis. The stand ups we attend, the documentation we create, even the time cards we submit. Consider how your thoughts towards these tasks might change if you desire to magnify your work. Asking questions like How can I bring more energy to the meetings I attend? or Could I add a little humor or insight to the report that Im writing? or even How can I make this process smoother and more efficient? is a key to magnifying. Simply put, taking initiative to create positive change, no matter how small, can be a way for God to magnify your efforts from Monday to Friday and on Sunday.

I invite you to consider how you can magnify your work just as you would a church calling. Really, everything we do should reflect our desire to glorify Godeven our spreadsheets, our emails, and our mandatory meetings. My invitation is to make our 9-to-5 a testament to our faith, not just a way to pay the bills. I promise God will bless us in ways we didnt know were possible.

Recently I was at a stake conference where our stake president had us think about the most important things in our lives.

He said if we are too busy for the most important things in our lives then we are too busy

All of us are working part time as well as going to school while trying to live a social life and so time can be a scarcity.

I am not perfect at time management, and it is always something that I am trying to improve on. When my stake president mentioned we can be too busy it made me think of if there were any things in my life that I might have been neglecting.

President Oaks once gave a famous talk titled Good, Better, Best. I realized that there may have been some good things that I was doing but there may be some of the best things I could be focusing on.

Personally, I want to be better at making time for dates with my wife. Whether it be going out to eat or going bowling or just going for a small picnic, time spent where we can just talk is very important to us. There are some things that I may need to sacrifice to make sure I have time to spend with my wife.

Its like this lovely picture you see here of the jar with rocks and sand. In primary I was taught that as you put the sand first then the rocks everything doesnt fit, but if you put the rocks first then the sand then everything fits.

As I think of what my priorities are I am trying to put the most important things first and then the things that arent the most important I am fitting in around them.

I am trying every day to be a little better so that I am never too busy for the most important things.

During a class of mine called Character Mask (a class in which we dress in black, put on masks that have large or interesting expressions, and act as though we are these characters), I was lying on the ground behind a wall of blocks, holding a stuffed animal with one arm just above the blocks to make it look like an alligator was swimming around to the audience on the other side of the wall. After doing this for about a minute, I had to take a moment to just laugh. My professor came and poked his head over the wall, asking if I was alright. And I said, while still laughing what am I getting a degree in?

As I have been in the process of applying to masters programs, Ive been forced to take a lot of time to look at myself and my life. A major part of this application process, as it is with most graduate degrees, is my statement of purpose. Writing an essay expressing why this field is so important to me, and why I belong in the masters program that Im applying to. Outside of just that essay, some of the applications ask me even more questions, things like what kind of shows do you enjoy? Or what are some things youve done to fulfill this passion outside of school?

If you ever have a spare minute, I think that its worth asking yourself some of these things. Because when you know who you are, and why youre doing what youre doing, youre much better able to answer the question of where to next?

As Ive spent time working on this, Ive been able to remind myself why it is that I perform, and Ive reminded myself just how much my life depends on that. Whatever field it is that youre in, everything that you do today is going to take you to where youre going next. So give yourself some time to pause, perform a sort of internal retrospective, and then keep going, youre gonna be better off.

At the end of my class, my professor came up to me, with an answer to my somewhat rhetorical question. He told me that while its crazy, and weird, when we do these things, and we have the skill and dedication needed, all of these steps we take create magic and joy for those watching. I believe that that is true in my field, and I believe that there are equivalent answers for every other field. Once you figure out what that is, there is very little that can stop you.

No matter how hard we try in life, it will be hard to achieve our full potential all by ourselves and under our own power. I have had a number of experiences this year that have taught me this - from a 100-mile bike ride over the summer to finding success as a new college student. From these experiences, the reality of working with others has been reinforced so many times this year.

I had set a goal early this year to complete a 100-mile bike ride before heading off to college, but I didnt realize how hard that would be. (As a piece of background, my whole family is big into cycling so this wasnt too crazy for us, but it was still a big goal and my parents were more than happy to support me through this.) However, I found that through all my training and preparation for the big ride, I struggled to remain motivated because the goal still seemed so dauntingly large. Thats when my dad helped me realize that if we just went step by step, mile by mile, the 100 miles would slowly go down to zero. So when it came to the day of my attempt, my dad and I did exactly that, and it was awesome! We rode side-by-side for the whole 100 miles and encouraged each other when things got hard, and we reached our goal together!

Returning to college after my mission has been a big change for me, and its been a humbling experience, but I am learning that this is another area that I must reach out to others to reach my full potential as a student. I came into the semester under the idea that I could do this all by myself, but I have learned very quickly how wrong that idea was! There is a whole community built to support us and magnify our success, so we might as well take advantage of it!

We have all had a time where someone else has helped us become greater than we would have been all on our own, and we are so grateful for that person. So, as we remember how grateful we are for that person who helped us, lets be ready and willing to help someone else when they come to us looking to achieve their full potential!

When I first applied for my program, I felt confident I would be accepted. I went about my days without much worry, sure that everything would work out. But when I received the news that I had been placed on the waitlist, reality hit me hard. Suddenly, the possibility of not getting in felt real and with no Plan B that matched my career ambitions, I was left frustrated and unmotivated about the future.

Still, I held onto a bit of hope. I reached out to a few professors, asking for guidance on possible alternatives in case things didnt go as planned. I made it clear that this program was my first choice and truly what I wanted. A few days later, my waitlist status turned into a denial. That moment was devastating. I started reflecting on all the things I could have done differently but the truth was, it was too late to change the past. The only choice I had was to focus on my next step.

I soon learned that this years applications had been more competitive than ever before. That gave me a strange sense of encouragement not as an excuse, but as a reminder that I was capable of succeeding and might have been accepted in a different year. Fueled by this, I decided to reach out to the professors again. I told them how much this program meant to me, shared how the news had shaken me, and asked for advice on what I could do to still succeed in my field.

To my surprise, they respected my persistence. One professor even hinted that there might still be a chance for me to get in, despite the denial. The next day, I received an email saying I had been accepted into the program after all.

That moment felt like more than just luck or timing. I couldnt help but see the hand of Heavenly Father in it answering my questions, calming my fears, and blessing my efforts. It reminded me that diligence isnt just about working hard; its about holding onto faith when the outcome isnt certain.

Now, Im thrilled to start this program, especially knowing Ill be learning from the very professors who believed in me. This experience taught me that when we combine persistent effort with trust in Gods timing, the results can be better than we imagined.

When asked what they missed most about childhood, a few people said:

I miss not having a care in the world and not feeling an underlying responsibility.

I miss the simple joys that children feel.

I miss feeling protected.

I miss being with my siblings and attending their concerts, sports games, and life events.

I miss not having adult responsibilities.

Its easy to understand why.

Childhood was Saturday mornings with music echoing through the house while the whole family cleaned together. It was the thrill of looking out the window, with the hopeful suspense of a snow day. It was the excitement of walking into a classroom full of friends, stoked for another day of school, instead of having feelings of dread. It was sitting on the curb with a popsicle in hand, racing daylight, laughing until your sides hurt. Life felt whole and colorful, even in its smallest details.

Beyond these small experiences, what else are we missing?

Children are endlessly curious, full of wonder and imagination. They arent rigid in their beliefs. They love quickly, support freely, and dream vividly. Theyre proud of their passionsdrawing, singing, dinosaurs, clouds, whatever it isand they dont downplay it to fit in. Their relationships are simple and trusting. Children dont worry about bills or timelines or if theyre too late for anything. They dont hide behind ego.

Theyre inspired by those around them. I can remember looking up to my parents with a longing desire to be just like them and a determination to make the steps to get there without fear of falling short. They see the world not as something to compete with, but as something to explore. They are full of faith and humility. Have you ever heard a child pray? Their soft and simple words are signs of trust and pure intentions.

What if we brought more of that into our lives now?

We could ask more questions instead of pretending we already know the answers. We could explore new ideas without needing certainty or immediate results. Relationships might become more honest. Workplaces might become more human. We might stop seeing others as competition and start seeing them as teammates again. We can carve out space for simple joys again.

We might realize that this version of ourselves has not been abandoned. Those desires for simple joys, those vivid childhood dreams, or even a craving for a popsicle might still be holding on to us. Maybe its time to give them a little more attention.

Growing up in Provo, I always drove to school in the mornings. Back in 2017, Cougar Boulevard didnt have a median barrier separating the two directions of traffic. It was extremely convenientespecially when I wanted to grab lunch from some of my favorite spots like Noodles & Company, Mooyah, or Don Joaquin. I could easily head from class straight to food without much hassle.

Later that year, construction began. The city started building a concrete barrier between the left and right sides of the road, which made it impossible to cross all four lanes directly. My days of making quick left turns to Don Joaquin were over. Now, I had to make a U-turnsomething my impatient teenage self considered an annoying and unnecessary detour. Most of us high schoolers thought the barrier was just a pointless obstacle keeping us from our end goal.

Fast forward eight years. One Saturday afternoon, I was driving again on Cougar Boulevard and tried to turn left at the same spot where that barrier now stands. I caught myself thinking,

Almost instantly, a thought came to my mind:

I remembered how often Id seen or heard about accidents on that street before the barrier existed. Some of those crashes were seriouslives had been lost. The presence of the barrier made a visible difference. That small moment led me to reflect on how often we view barriers in life as annoyances rather than lifesaving structures.

Two key lessons stood out to me:

1. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is like that barrier. God has given us commandments not to limit us, but to protect us. Some may view religious rules as controlling or arbitrary, but in reality, they keep us on a steady, safe path. Just like a road divider prevents head-on collisions, the teachings of Christ guide us away from destructive choices and bring peace, purpose, and safety to our lives.

2. Agile structure is a professional barrier that serves a purpose. In project management, especially within Agile frameworks, certain practiceslike daily standups or structured sprint planningcan sometimes feel tedious or like obstacles to quick progress. But these barriers actually help keep projects on track, foster collaboration, and prevent costly missteps. What feels like a slowdown is often a safeguard.

Barriers, whether spiritual or structural, arent always convenientbut they are almost always purposeful. What once frustrated me now reminds me that safety, growth, and progress often come from the things that keep us from taking the easy way.

Last week, as Easter was approaching, I listened to a devotional by Elder Dieter F Uchtdorf that helped me see things differently. He talked about how sometimes our expectations do not match reality, and that really spoke to me. Like many people, I have experienced moments when life did not go the way I hoped. I had goals and dreams, but things turned out differently. It is hard not to feel disappointed when that happens.

Elder Uchtdorf explained that the gospel of Jesus Christ is full of high ideals such as hope, peace, and eternal joy. But our everyday lives can feel messy, difficult, and unpredictable. He reminded us that we should not give up on those ideals, but we also should not ignore reality. We need to accept both.

One part of his message really stayed with me. He talked about the two thieves who were crucified next to Jesus. One of them asked Jesus to save them all. But the other thief, even in pain, simply asked Lord remember me. He trusted Jesus even without seeing a miracle. Elder Uchtdorf said that this kind of faith, believing in the Lord's timing, is what helps us through hard times.

This reminded me not to rush or complain when things do not make sense. There are moments when I want answers right away, but sometimes the better choice is to be still, to trust, and to wait. As the scripture in Ecclesiastes says, I want to be more careful with my thoughts and words before God.

This Easter season, I am learning to hold on to faith even when life does not go as planned. I want to keep believing in the ideals of the gospel while facing reality with courage. I trust that the Savior knows what is best for me, and I will try to follow Him with patience and hope.

This semester has been the most difficult semester of my college career. I have enjoyed it, but there has been an overwhelming feeling of stress and anxiety. From difficult exams and personal illness to car troubles, sick family members, sleepless nights, and stressful family emergenciesnot to mention endless hours of homeworkthese past few months have been exhausting. Not to mention, Ive been planning a wedding throughout all of this.

I think there was a moment a few weeks ago when I felt like I had reached my limit. I was so burnt out and tired, and I felt like I couldnt give anymore than I had already given. I felt utterly hopeless. In that moment, I decided that in all this insanity, I had neglected my scripture reading. I wanted something that could make me feel better, and the scriptures always do, so I decided to look up scriptures about hardships. I think my exact search was something like Scriptures to make me feel better when things are hard or something like that. A little on the nose, I know. And the first scripture that popped up was Matthew 11:28-29, which reads:

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

This was incredibly comforting, I started to feel better. Knowing that I am not going through life alone and that I have the Savior to lean on at all times was really powerful. As I have gone through the weeks since then, life has not gotten much easier. I am still overwhelmed constantly, but keeping that scripture in my mind at all times has helped me to get through it and continue striving to be the best person that I can be.

I guess the moral of this story is to never give up hope, because no matter how hard it gets and how low we feel we have sunk, there is always the Savior to lift us up when we are down. Good luck with finals, everyone!

I've been thinking a lot lately about joy and what it means to live a joyful life.

Its so easy to fall into the trap of believing that certain jobs, situations, people, relationships, or things can bring us joy. And while they might bring temporary happiness, thats not the same as real, lasting joy.

Joy and happiness arent the same thing. Happiness is fleetingit comes and goes. But joy? Joy is eternal, a higher happiness if you will. C.S. Lewis said it best: Joy is the serious business of Heaven.

The temporary things of this world wont bring us true joy. I really believe that joy comes when we take the focus off ourselves and instead look outwardtoward others and toward God. When we live with the intention to serve and see life through Gods eyes, we start to notice joy in the simple and in the humble.

If we look we will find that theres joy in a mothers eyes and joy in the flowers that bloom. Joy in the sunrise and joy in the rain. Joy in the temple and on its sacred grounds. Theres joy in the little moments.

If we go through life looking for ways to serve others and seeking God in the everyday, well find joy. Real and lasting joy.

Recently at stake conference, my stake president introduced us to the acronym RSVP

It stands for:

We are all students, and we know from experience it can be hard to make sure all your priorities can get the attention they deserve.

I have found that using this simple acronym has helped me to stay focused on whats most important. Like most of us I feel like there have been multiple times this semester where it seems like there are a million and one things on my plate.

During these busy times it helps me to get back to the basics. No matter how busy I am, I know I always have time to read my scriptures and pray. By doing these things, no matter how busy I am, it always helps me to refocus and get closer to God.

When we make sure to read the word of God and pray daily, we can find peace. Then, as we regularly attend sacrament meeting and the temple, we can more access to Gods Power.

During my busy times focusing on this acronym has helped me remain closer to God.

This blog post is as much advice as it is a reflection on my last semester. While I have had busy class loads in the past, my Fall 2024 semester was the heaviest I have had up to this point.

Over this last semester, with work, classes and a show, I was spending almost every day of the week on campus from 8 AM to 11 PM. On top of this, for the first two months of the semester I was going through the process of buying a home. Being newly married, the free time that I had went to doing homework and hanging out with my wife.

Despite how busy things were for me, I was happy. I was happy because the time that I was spending was going towards things that I loved, and goals that I wanted to achieve. Looking back at the semester, I see everything that I accomplished and I am very content. I was able to stay content throughout the semester because I was doing everything that I could to see those goals, to see that I was actively working towards achieving them. Each long day I finished, I saw that I was closer to achieving something that I had wanted to.

While I dont think it is healthy to run yourself into the ground, when you are doing what you love it doesnt feel much like you are running yourself into the ground. Balance is important in everything, but if you are staying in the moment, and doing everything you can to appreciate everything youve got as it comes, I feel that you can get through a lot more than you may believe.

Since starting my higher education, it sometimes feels like Ive been studying forever. The challenge of maintaining motivation and giving my best doesnt get any easier with time.

When I returned from my mission in 2018, I was excited to begin this new phase of life. Enrolling at LDS Business College (now Ensign College) felt like a welcome change after two years of gospel study and service. My time there was precious. The challenges stretched me to improve, and I graduated with a great GPA and a job I loved.

As an international student, I could work for a year in my field and relished not worrying about homework or tests. When that year ended, I decided to pursue another degree. In 2022, I began my studies at BYU. The classes were more challenging, and my motivation soon faded. After two semesters, I was exhausted and felt I couldnt give my best anymore.

Thats when a friend offered me advice inspired by Alma 32: "When the people lacked faith, Alma told them to pray for the desire to have faith. Maybe you could pray for the desire to keep going." I took that advice to heart. While Im not perfect at completing homework or attending classes fully prepared, Im better at not giving up. Im grateful for friends who share wise counsel and for scriptural examples that help us keep trying to improve.

Years before I was born, two missionaries knocked on my parents' door, unaware of what was about to unfold. They met my mom, who was young woman and had a 4-year-old daughter. The missionaries introduced the church and invited her to visit with her family. They also asked if they could come back to teach my dad, whom they hadnt met yet.

After they left, my mom went to my dads tire shop, where he worked, and told him about the encounter. She was nervous because shed heard some negative things about the missionaries in the neighborhood, but they seemed kind and she was curious enough to consider giving them a chance. My dad, however, wasnt interested and refused to listen.

The missionaries returned, expecting to teach a lesson to the young family, but it turned out to be more of a casual conversation outside of the garage door, since my dad didnt show efforts and availability. Despite this, my mom felt something positive from their visit and started thinking about how the church could improve their lives. Life in rural Brazil wasnt very exciting, and she felt it could be a good opportunity.

Things at home were difficult too. My dads shop wasnt doing well financially, and they were facing growing concerns about money. This gave my mom the chance to convince him to listen to the missionaries - she believed they had something more valuable than just financial help. Surprisingly, my dad agreed.

After a few lessons, my dad shared their financial struggles with the missionaries. They taught him about tithing and its blessings, and then made a bold challenge: if he sold his large air compressor and other tools around his shop, paid tithing with that money, and took care of the bills, the Lord would bless him with a stable job.

My mom didnt agree with the idea and tried to convince my dad not to sell his tools, even suggesting they stop the lessons. But something in my dads heart sparked, and he decided to go through with it. The next day, he came home in a good mood, handed my mom receipts for the bills he had paid, and said he needed to figure out how to pay tithing. My mom was upset and did not speak to him for a couple of days, but my dad began his job search.

After several frustrating days with no success, my dad told the missionaries he felt the Lord wasnt helping, and they were running out of options. The missionaries assured him that the Lords promise would be fulfilled.

Then, just the next week, my dad received a call from the company that had laid him off months earlier. They wanted him back and even offered him a raise. Hes been working there ever since. This experience taught me that trusting and faith will open the windows in heaven, even when things seem difficult. The journey may be tough, but in the end, everything will work out.

Managing schoolwork, employment, and maintaining a social life can be overwhelming. Balancing these responsibilities, along with additional commitments, often leaves little time for self-care. Personally, I understand how busy life can get when you try to juggle it all. Im currently taking as many credits as possible, working 20 hours a week (and Id work more if I could), fulfilling two church callings, and still making time for social activities, whether with friends or on dates. Add to that the need to stay healthy by exercising, eating well, and getting enough sleep, and it can feel like theres no time left for yourself.

When life gets this hectic, its important to remember that we dont have to handle everything on our own. We have support, whether it comes from friends, family, a coach, or a doctor. Most importantly, we have divine help from our Savior, who is always with us.

The best way to manage stress in such situations is to prioritize our time with the Lord. Organize your life in a way that puts Him first. As it says in Doctrine and Covenants 88:119: Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God. By putting God at the center of your schedule, you will find that your time naturally becomes more structured, leaving space for both relaxation and focus on the important things. If, after doing this, you still struggle with time management, seek the Lords guidance through prayer, asking for His divine help.

If you continue to feel weary or overwhelmed by your responsibilities, remember that the Lord is always willing to carry your burdens. Christ said: Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28). In moments of stress, turning to the Savior will bring peace and perspective. His peace will give you the strength to keep going, while His perspective will help you realize that trials are temporary.

In conclusion, always remember that you can rely on others for support, and even when you feel alone, the Savior is always there, ready to help. I encourage you to make Christ the center of your life. Trust in Him, and trust that He will guide you. With His help, nothing is impossible. My hope is that as you navigate lifes challenges, you will seek His peace and find rest in our Savior.

As a brief Sunday School refresher, Lehonti was a Lamanite leader during the war, while Amalickiah, a Nephite, sought power. Lehonti was stationed on Mount Antipas, and Amalickiah knew that if he could lure Lehonti down from the mountain, he could seize control of his army. Amalickiah requested that Lehonti descend from his position, but Lehonti refused three times. On the fourth attempt, Amalickiah approached the outskirts of Lehontis camp and asked for a meeting. Lehonti, guarded by his soldiers, agreed to meet

him. Although they reached an understanding, Amalickiah eventually betrayed Lehonti by poisoning him "by degrees... until he died," thus taking command of Lehonti's army.

The key lesson from this story is that remaining on the mountaintop is essential, both physically and morally. Physically, high ground in battle provides a strategic advantage by offering a broader view of the surroundings and compelling the enemy to engage on your terms. Morally, maintaining high standards and refusing to compromise is always the wisest choice. Lehontis eventual decision to descend from the mountain symbolizes a slow decline that ultimately leads to his demise. Similarly, when we begin to compromise our values or give in to lesser influences, we risk a gradual downfall. Reversing that descent can be far more difficult than remaining steadfast from the outset.

A consistent theme throughout scripture is that revelation often occurs in elevated places. Moses received revelation on Mount Sinai, Jesus was transfigured on a mount and the Brother of Jared experienced profound revelations on Mount Shelem. Mountains and other high places are frequently associated with divine communication, much like temples are today. Attending the temple is crucial for spiritual growth. President Nelson emphasized this by saying, It has never been more imperative to know how the Spirit speaks to you than right now. Do whatever it takes to increase your spiritual capacity to receive personal revelation. In our times, staying metaphorically "on the mount" is more important than ever.

We are not perfect, and there will be times when we descend from our spiritual heights. In Brad Wilcoxs book, The Continuous Atonement, he explains the concept of perfection and grace. He compares this to the sacrament prayer, which must be recited perfectly, without flaw. However, if a priesthood holder makes a mistake, they are given as many chances as necessary to say it correctly. Similarly, though we may fall short or descend the mountain in life, there is always an opportunity to climb back up. No distance is too great for Christ to help us return to higher ground.

My brothers and sisters, except for Jesus, there have been no flawless performances on this earthly journey we are pursuing, so while in mortality lets strive for steady improvement without obsessing over what behavioral scientists call toxic perfectionism. We should avoid that latter excessive expectation of ourselves and of others and, I might add, of those who are called to serve in the Churchwhich for Latter-day Saints means everyone, for we are all called to serve somewhere.

In that regard, Leo Tolstoy wrote once of a priest who was criticized by one of his congregants for not living as resolutely as he should, the critic concluding that the principles the erring preacher taught must therefore also be erroneous.

In response to that criticism, the priest says: Look at my life now and compare it to my former life. You will see that I am trying to live out the truth I proclaim. Unable to live up to the high ideals he taught, the priest admits he has failed. But he cries:

Attack me, [if you wish,] I do this myself, but [dont] attack the path I follow. If I know the way home [but] am walking along it drunkenly, is it any less the right way simply because I am staggering from side to side?

Do not gleefully shout, Look at him! There he is crawling into a bog! No, do not gloat, but give your help [to anyone trying to walk the road back to God.]

- Elder Holland