From Barren to Blossoming: Abding in the Vine

The Law that Leads to Liberty and Love

What if obedience isn't about restriction, but relationship? This week on enLIGHTen, we explored how every commandment is an invitation to say, "God, I trust You." Jesus taught, "If ye love me, keep my commandments," and Elder Holland reminds us that Christ is the Lawgiver—the perfect giver of laws whose purpose is to increase our happiness and our capacity to love. The more I study the scriptures, the more I see that obedience isn't about losing freedom. It's about abiding in God's love, receiving more light, and trusting the One who sees farther than we can.

Let There Be MORE Light

What if one small ray of light could change everything . Today on enLIGHTen Jacqueline Andersen shared how Christ’s light doesn’t wait for our lives to be perfect before entering in . Before the world was fully formed God said “Let there be light” . And maybe that’s how He still works with us Not waiting until we have everything figured out Not waiting until the darkness is completely gone But meeting us right in the middle of it . We talked about opening the curtains to let light in Shabbat candles and what they symbolize how scripture becomes a lamp unto our feet and how even one small drop of light can begin to push back the darkness . One of my favorite reminders from today: “You can’t borrow light. You have to seek it daily.” . Whether through prayer the temple the scriptures serving others or simply choosing goodness again and again Christ is always inviting us closer to His light

Receive His Word & Trust HIs Grace

Sometimes God does not speak through the earthquake the fire or the storm. He speaks through a whisper. A quiet nudge a scripture that burns in your heart a feeling that will not leave. “Hear Him” means more than listening. It means trusting Him enough to follow. God will often lead us out of comfort and into growth. Not to punish us. But to sanctify us. The more intentionally we seek Him through prayer scripture the temple and stillness the more clearly we begin to hear Him.

When Hungry Hearts Turn Heavenward

Jesus never asked us to be perfect first. He asked us to seek Him first. Hungry souls that turn toward heaven will never leave empty. He is still the Bread of Life. Still nourishing, still filling, still multiplying the little we place in His hands.

Breaking, Binding & Blossoming in Christ

Today’s enLIGHTen felt like standing beneath the branches of the Tree of Life and remembering that God is always reaching toward us. 🌿 With Dianna Istook Abbott, we talked about trees, temples, priesthood power, spiritual treasures, and the beautiful truth that growth often happens in hidden places first. Just like roots stretching deep underground before fruit appears, so much of what God is doing in us happens quietly before it blossoms. One of my favorite thoughts from today: The branch that seemed “imperfect” was the very branch reaching down closest to the ground… reminding us that Christ meets us exactly where we are. 🤍 We talked about how the Tree of Life begins in Genesis and appears again in Revelation… how light overcomes darkness… how the Savior nourishes us little by little… and how every covenant, every prayer, every small act of turning toward Him is part of our journey back to the presence of God.