Soms hopen we op een oplossing voordat we zelf in beweging komen, maar de praktijk leert vaak een andere les. Dit weekend ontdekte ik opnieuw dat de weg zich pas opent op het moment dat we oprecht bereid zijn om onze plicht te vervullen. Geloof is geen passieve verzekering, maar een actieve cirkel waarin onze bereidheid om te handelen de weg vrijmaakt voor de steun die we nodig hebben.
Soms zit de diepste les verstopt in een heel gewone situatie. Dit artikel gaat over twee mensen die een technisch probleem oplosten — en over wat dat zegt over wie we kunnen zijn op onze beste momenten.
Soms vind je iets wat je niet zocht — en beseft het alles te betekenen. Een schilderij aan de muur, een stukje brood in je hand, en een inzicht dat beide met elkaar verbindt. Over de boom des levens, het avondmaal, en waarom het doel dichterbij ligt dan je denkt.
Godsdienstonderwijs blijft iets wat enorm veel waarde kan meebrengen. Dit wegcijferen zou wel eens tot spijtige resultaten kunnen leiden.
In tegenstelling tot de visie van Stephen Fry zou een wereld zonder enig lijden ons uiteindelijk beroven van onze menselijkheid en ons veranderen in willoze figuranten in een soort 'Matrix'-bestaan. Ware groei en keuzevrijheid ontstaan juist door de weerstand van het leven, waarbij we niet zoeken naar een god die de storm wegneemt, maar naar de kracht om erdoorheen te varen.
Echte groei ontstaat pas wanneer we de vrijheid hebben om zelf keuzes te maken en de gevolgen daarvan te ervaren, ook als die pijnlijk zijn. God fungeert niet als een wensvervuller die alle ellende wegneemt, maar als een bron van onuitputtelijke kracht die ons helpt om elke uitdaging om te zetten in vooruitgang.
Faith in Christ offers a powerful foundation against loneliness through the combination of a personal relationship with Him and the tangible support of a community that truly cares for one another through ministry. Moreover, by serving others in small, simple gestures, you transform your own isolation into valuable connection and renewed self-esteem.
Good intentions often fail due to the pressure of perfection, but the parable of the talents teaches us that Christ primarily values that we simply get started with what we have received. By using the weekly communion as a moment for sincere adjustment, failure does not become an endpoint but an opportunity to realign in prayer with God's plan for our growth.
True connection begins where digital noise stops and we dare to be truly present for the person right in front of us. The Savior's example of seeing people 'one by one' offers a timeless compass for sincere leadership and daily ministry. Making Jesus visible again does not require grand gestures, but the silent revolution of undivided attention in a fleeting world.
What do we know about Kolob and what is speculation? A look at a fascinating question with (too) many answers.
Critics often claim that heaven is a place of physical separation and sorrow for families who do not meet all requirements. However, revelation suggests one shared place where our social bonds persist, but the degree of light and joy differs per person. The ultimate barrier is therefore not physical, but a consequence of our own spiritual capacities and the choice to accept the gifts of Christ.
2026 is the year in which we must take back control ourselves. We already have the script. In this way, we decide for ourselves in which world we want to live. My wishes and blessings for 2026.
Elder Holland was a rare thinker who bridged the gap between a sharp mind and a sincere heart. His message reminds us that we don't have to be perfect saints, but 'dented cars' that can grow in all vulnerability. I will always remember his lasting lessons on gentleness, spiritual perseverance, and continuing to trust in the light.
My Christmas gift of 2025: come and see. Learn the compass that gives direction and joy to my life.
Let's use this Christmas not to be too hard on ourselves or on others. Between wheat, weeds sometimes grow that we can only prune away thanks to Christ and practicing celestial thinking.
The alleged geographical error in Alma 7:10 about the birthplace of Jesus turns out to be, upon closer inspection, powerful evidence of authenticity. Archaeological findings in the Amarna letters show that Bethlehem in ancient times was effectively part of 'the land of Jerusalem', precisely as the prophet Alma described it. The fact that Joseph Smith never altered this text despite fierce criticism shows that he held onto a historical reality that was only confirmed decades after his death by...
Communal church attendance significantly prolongs your life and protects you against depression and despair much more strongly than individual spirituality can. The current crisis of Christianity, however, is mainly rooted in the breakdown of marriage and the disappearance of the present father, leading to a wave of loneliness and faltering faith transmission. The most powerful way to pass on faith to the next generation is not through formal lessons, but through authentic...
The enormous pressure to perform and the 'everything must' culture lead to increasing numbers of burnouts among thirty-somethings and even mayors. Besides rest, I believe that the spiritual power of serving others offers an essential solution. By dedicating oneself to 'ministry', the focus shifts from one's own achievements to charity, which helps to truly recover mentally.
'Lift up your head and feast on His love.' In uncertain times, this verse from James is not passive comfort, but an an active invitation. God's love is not a light snack, but sustenance for those who sincerely seek. But how do you stand firm in the storm? For me, 'being unshakeable' is no coincidence, but the result of a conscious pattern: focus, study, and perseverance. Therefore, I advocate active faith: your desire is the start, your quest the path to steadfastness.
I do not believe in a static faith but in an 'open canon' where God still provides new insights. Because we ourselves are imperfect people who are still very much under construction, the church must also continue to evolve to effectively bring us to Christ. For me, this makes religion not a rigid view of the past, but a dynamic process of infinite growth.
Reasonably Faithful: believing in a secular world 
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