"Home can be a heaven on earth." It can be, but unfortunately, that is not always the case. What can you do to bring greater peace to your home? What is within your control to access the divine peace that comes when we feel the spirit? Whether we live in an apartment, a house, or one room, we can find peace, and others will feel it also, as we do our part to invite the spirit into our lives. 

Sins come in all shapes and sizes. Some are more serious than others, but any misdeed can lead to a loss of opportunities. We will all make mistakes, commit misdeeds, and fall short. And that means there will be consequences. Thankfully the blessing of repentance is available to learn from our errors and to be determined to respond differently the next time. We can do and be better no matter what has happened in our lives. 

One Word Wednesday: Rest

"When and where have you taken a much-needed break from the chaos of life? How did it help you to  move forward?"

Life is chaotic! Yet, sometimes we think that if we're not rushing around, we're not getting anything done. But the opposite is the truth. Too much busy-ness breaks us down, dampens our spirit, and decreases our energy. Do you need a break? Even a few minutes on a park bench? Take it! You'll be glad you did!

One Word Wednesday: "Darkness"

"What changes have you made in your life to minimize exposure to the spiritual darkness in the world today?"

If light brings hope and direction, then darkness can cause us to lose our way. We rely on physical light every day to determine where to go and how to get there. Spiritual light is even more important. Without Divine Light, we can end up in darkness leading away from the sources that will bring us home to our Father in Heaven. Always seek this Divine Light in your life to avoid the darkness. 

One Word Wednesday: "Self-Image"

"Do you ever compare yourself at your worst with others at their best (a frequent Sunday phenomenon in many congregations)? What would help you stop comparing yourself with others?"

Mirrors can feel like both an enemy and a friend at times. Looking and feeling good? A mirror will reflect that. Feeling disappointed, depressed, or in despair, the mirror will reflect that also. But when we look to the mirror of God and see our true identity as His children, then we can be filled with peace, whether on a good day or a bad one. Don't let the mirror be your enemy. Look to God for who you really are. 

One Word Wednesday: "Journals" 

"How can you use your journal to strengthen your testimony? How have you been uplifted by the journals of others?"

Did you keep a journal as a teenager? Most of us cringe at what we wrote back then. But even these innocent writings can be a blessing in our lives. And if we are lucky enough to have access to journals from our ancestors, we feel a little less alone - knowing that they struggled with some of the same issues we face today. If you're not keeping a journal currently, you might want to reconsider. Your descendants will thank you! 

One Word Wednesday: "Scriptures" 

"Think back to some of the more challenging times of your life. Were the scriptures a part of your life then? If so, what verses proved to be a blessing and anchor for you? If not, which passages of scripture could have helped you through those times?"

Most of us know exactly where our scriptures are: on a shelf, in a box, or, more than likely, on our phone. So losing our scriptures probably isn't a problem. But losing interest in them just might be an issue. We have greater access to the Word of God than any previous generation. Peace is right there, literally in our hands, if we open them up and feast on the scriptures the Lord has provided. 

Do you ever feel like you pathway to peace is two-steps-forward, three-steps-back? Then you're not alone. Nephi shares his own pathway to peace in 2 Nephi chapter 4 in the Book of Mormon, often referred to as the Psalm of Nephi. He shows us that although this path may be difficult, it is possible - for him, but also for us.

Each week, I will add a video related to one of the chapters of the book. You can view them here, or subscribe to my channel, www.youtube.com/@IronRodPress.