The Power of Porter

Imagine standing alone in absolute darkness. You can see nothing. Your heart beats faster, your breath becomes shallow, and your mind starts to race with unseen dangers. Fear, worry, and doubt cause you to want to shrink. You reach out, but there is nothing. Only emptiness and uncertainty. In that moment, what you long for most is simple :  light.  Why are we scared of the dark? It’s simple. Darkness doesn’t have an origin. The definition of darkness is literally the absence of light. This is why Satan is so closely associated with darkness. He cannot generate darkness the way God generates light. Instead, he works by removing, blocking, or distorting light and truth.  The Lord said “I am the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” (D&C 93:2) We are all filled with the light of Christ, which is why we naturally seek truth, goodness, and clarity. The light of Christ brings understanding and assurance, while darkness brings confusion and fear. As...

I want to share an experience that completely changed the way I think about this life. This is a deeply personal and sensitive subject, but I will be vulnerable and hope this message resonates with someone out there. My family went on a hike, and I was sitting alone in the car. I wasn’t sad or upset at all. In fact, I was happy to stay behind and spend some time studying. I’d rather they enjoy the hike without me than miss out because of me. While they were gone, I had time to reflect on something my mom asked me earlier that day. We had been talking about the “what ifs” of skydiving. What if the parachute doesn’t work? What if I’m not strapped in right? In an effort to make my brothers laugh, I jokingly said, “I hope it happens.” But deep down, a part of me genuinely wanted it. That part of me feels like a burden, like my death would be freeing. Not just freeing for me, but for everyone I love. In my mind, it seemed like a way to escape my future that I fear, the limitations of my bod...

A small wave during low tide. You reach desperately to wash away the footprints of the world, but can never erase the imprints of guilt and regret on your own. Due to your nature, you are forever too weak, no matter how hard you try. But do not despair, for there is an infinite and eternal source of water on your side, always within your reach. You are important to the ocean, and every little wave’s cry is heard. If you follow the Master ocean and repent, the healing high tide will come. In the promised and wise timing of the Great waters, every hole, no matter how big, will be washed away. Perfected. As if it were never there. The ocean will not remember the imprints, and all guilt and regret are completely gone. All sin, all afflictions, all infirmities, all weakness, all imperfections, and even death itself is overcome by the Holy ocean. Forever. This is an unchanging truth. Never give up, little wave, and never forget who you belong to.