Faith & Life

God’s Power

I recently moved some items. While there were a few light items I could carry with ease, there were others I simply couldn’t move on my own. As several of us joined forces to carry them, I found myself thinking how unexpectedly limited human strength can be. At the same time, I was struck anew by the greatness of God’s power. “He spreads out the northern skies over empty space; he suspends the earth over nothing.” Job 26:7 When I think that God who suspends the Earth in space is our Parents, my heart overflows. I’m filled with the firm conviction that nothing is impossible with God. As I walk the path of the gospel, I continually feel the helping…

Lee Dae-u from Gyeongsan, Korea

How Many Languages Are There in the World?

As I watched brothers and sisters spreading the gospel across the globe, I found myself reflecting on language. How many languages are there in the world? It is said that there are roughly 7,100. But the number I have in mind is about 8 billion—the population of the world. Each person speaks from a unique life shaped by their own experiences, values, and inner world. Even in the same situation, people often arrive at different conclusions. A single word or phrase can be interpreted in countless ways depending on who hears it, just as each person has their own way of expressing thoughts and emotions. Because we all communicate from such diverse perspectives, truly understanding one another is never simple.…

Ju Yeong-ho from Seoul, Korea

When Jesus Saw Their Faith

Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Mark 2:3–5 The reason the paralyzed man was forgiven of his sins was that Jesus was pleased with the faith of those who brought him. While sharing the truth, I sometimes encounter people who respond sharply, unable or unwilling to understand. In such moments, I may feel tempted to give up and walk away. But…

Kim Nam-suk from Changwon, Korea

A Hand Reaching for Salvation

I watched a video of people rescuing fish from a drought-stricken lake. The water had nearly dried up due to a lack of rain, and countless fish had already perished. In the remaining puddles scattered across the lakebed, fish huddled together, barely able to breathe, their mouths gasping at the surface. People used nets to scoop them into large water tanks in order to transport them to a lake with sufficient water. However, if too many fish were placed in one tank, oxygen would quickly run out, making it critical to move them swiftly before they died. In short, it was impossible to save all the fish at once. Once a tank was full, the rescuers had no choice but…

Yu Nam-cheol from Seoul, Korea

First He Must Suffer Many Things

It was a time when I was weighed down by various worries and troubles. I felt so weary and burdened that I wanted to give up—even on the blessings of God. Around that time, during a sermon, a verse was shared that brought to mind the path of suffering our Father walked before us: “But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.” Lk 17:25 I reflected that we, who are full of faults, deserve to suffer, but our Father, who is without sin, walked this path of suffering first for our sake. Our Mother, too, walked this path before us and continues to walk it even now. In that moment, the weight of my worries…

Jeong Jae-u from Namyangju, Korea

Created by God for Joy


Though my bank account looked healthier thanks to a new job, my spirit was anything but. The constant disconnect between the work I did and what my heart longed for left me exhausted. Complaints slipped from my lips more easily with each passing day. As the months wore on, a heavy fatigue settled over me, and tears would rise without warning—often for no clear reason. Eventually, the weight became too much to bear. Alarmed, I sought medical help, only to learn that my depression levels were dangerously high. Even time spent with my Zion family no longer lifted my spirits. My smile had faded, and the shadow that clouded my face felt out of place in the bright, joyful atmosphere…

Kim So-jeong from Jeonju, Korea

To Meet the Lord in the Air

“How fast must we travel to overcome gravity and escape Earth?” This was the question posed by our professor during a lecture on gravity. I had no sense of the answer and was stunned to learn that it requires a speed of 11.2 kilometers (6.96 mile) per second, about 50 times faster than the average airplane. Yet even that pales in comparison with the velocity needed to leave the solar system: a staggering 42.5 kilometers (26.4 miles) per second. Such speeds are almost beyond comprehension. And yet, the Bible describes the moment of being caught up from this earth with astonishing simplicity: After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in…

Jo Yeong-seo from Yangsan, Korea

What Kind of Place Is the Heaven Prepared by God?

I’ve always been captivated by the cosmos. My bookshelf is lined with shimmering auroras, celestial photographs, essays penned by astronomers, and investigative reports on the latest breakthroughs in astrophysics. As a child, my fascination with the stars once inspired me to dream of becoming an astronomer. But as I delved deeper into the field, I realized that astronomers spend far less time stargazing than I had imagined. True observation happens only under optimal conditions—clear skies, finely tuned telescopes, and scheduled time slots. Most of their work is spent analyzing vast streams of data. Ironically, the more we study the universe, the more elusive its answers seem. Scientific reports are filled with tentative phrases like “It is projected that . .…

Jo Seong-ye from Cuiabá, Brazil

It Is More Blessed to Give Love Than to Receive

While tidying up my bookshelf, I came across a thick stack of papers—language study materials a sister prepared for me when I was getting ready for overseas mission work. At the time, language was the first and most daunting hurdle. Aware of my limitations, I reached out to someone who had already experienced preaching overseas. A few days later, she handed me a neatly compiled packet she had created herself—a set of foreign-language preaching practice materials. Each word was thoughtfully annotated with phonetic transcriptions and accent marks to aid with reading and pronunciation. Whether in person or over the phone, she patiently answered my many questions. Thanks to her tireless support—both emotional and practical—I was able to prepare well and…

Gahng Ji-yeon from Gimje, Korea

I, Too, Have a Mother

I was so young when I was separated from my mom that I can barely remember her face without looking at a photograph. Perhaps because of that, even hearing someone call out “Mom” always felt unfamiliar and distant to me. When I saw friends chatting about their day with their moms, I couldn’t imagine what that felt like, and yet, I deeply envied them. But now, I, too, have a mother. At seventeen, I met Heavenly Mother in Zion. The emptiness I had carried for so long was suddenly filled, and my heart overflowed with joy. I still vividly remember how I prayed over and over, giving thanks with all my heart. Since then, I’ve never felt envious of anyone.…

Lee Ha-yeong from Daejeon, Korea

A Chance to Prepare Oil

It was during a holiday visit to my parents who live in the countryside. The roads were more congested than I had anticipated, and we spent long stretches at a standstill. Our estimated arrival time kept getting pushed back. Hoping to save time, I decided to delay refueling until the tank was nearly empty, passing by several rest stops along the way. Even when the GPS announced that the next stop would be the last service area on that highway, I drove past it, thinking that once I entered a different expressway, another rest area would soon appear. But then the unexpected happened. With only one bar of fuel left, I searched for the nearest gas station only to find…

Park Dong-gyu from Seongnam, Korea

A Precise Diagnosis

One early morning, I suddenly woke up with a sharp pressure in my upper abdomen. It was a type of pain I had never experienced before, and I panicked, wondering if I had come down with some kind of illness. I hurriedly searched online, but even the so-called ocean of information couldn’t provide an answer. I tried to go back to sleep, but the pain wouldn’t subside, and I spent the entire night tossing and turning. By morning, the discomfort and burning sensation around my upper abdomen still lingered. The pain was so intense that even drinking water—or simply swallowing—became difficult. I immediately went to a nearby clinic. The doctor couldn’t identify the exact cause either, and simply advised me…

Hong Jeong-eun from Yongin, Korea

The Power of Gratitude

I currently serve as a social service worker. Thanks to this role, I’ve had the opportunity to participate in a work mission group, even while still a university student. At first, everything felt unfamiliar and difficult. Each morning, I could only think about wanting to go home, and I found myself admiring the other members who faithfully showed up to work every day. What changed me was something quite simple: a gratitude journal. The members of our Work Mission write and share gratitude journals every day. Whether it’s something small like being thankful for clear skies or a cup of coffee from the boss or something more serious, they always found something to be grateful for, even in the midst…

Kim Ga-gyeong from Gwangju, Korea

Who Has the Right to Forgive?

One night, after working late, I was on my way home when I saw a police car parked along the roadside near my apartment. A quarrel had broken out between a taxi driver and an intoxicated passenger. Curious, I stopped to observe. The passenger had vomited in the taxi, and the driver was demanding over 100,000 KRW (approx. 86 USD) in compensation. Feeling the amount was excessive, the passenger called the police. Initially, I too wondered if the taxi driver was asking for too much. But after hearing his explanation, my perspective shifted. The driver explained that vomiting incidents were not uncommon when transporting drunk passengers late at night. That’s why, before departure, he had clearly warned the passenger: “If…

Jeong Jae-pil from Anyang, Korea

A Spiritual Death Row Inmate

I read an article about death row inmates. It talked about prisoners who had been sentenced to death but remained in prison for years because their executions had not been carried out. The article mentioned that some of them were being transferred to other prison. I felt a chill run down my spine upon realizing that some of these notorious criminals—whose names I instantly recognized—were still alive. The comments section was flooded with criticism. Many people complained that housing them was a waste of taxpayers’ money, and some even insisted that their sentences should be carried out immediately. I found myself nodding in agreement—until I suddenly paused.
 “Aren’t I a spiritual death row inmate too?” People don’t usually feel sympathy…

Choi Hyeong-sun from Cheongju, Korea

My Mom’s Wounds

One afternoon, I received an unexpected call at work. It was the school nurse. “Your child injured his knee during P.E. I think you should take him to the hospital.” My heart dropped. I rushed to school without hesitation, swept my child into the car, and drove off—my mind a blank canvas of worry. Unsure where to turn, I contacted a few friends and was directed to a reputable orthopedic clinic nearby. After X-rays and several tests, the doctor recommended we go to a larger hospital. Thanks to prompt action, my child received surgery without delay. Once the crisis had passed, I called my mom. She anxiously inquired about her grandchild, asking again and again for details. When I finally…

Seo Jin-hee from Busan, Korea

Mom’s Kimchi

It was early winter. When I felt my phone vibrate, I had a hunch it was my mom—and I was right. She was calling to say the kimchi was ready and we should come pick it up. I didn’t even need to check the caller ID, because for the past three days, she’d been calling regularly with updates on the kimchi-making process. A few months earlier, Mom had given me a sack of dried red chili peppers—some she and my brother had grown over the summer, and another sack gifted by the neighbor. She had also left me with a heartfelt reminder: “Sweetheart, if I were still healthy, I’d clean and grind these for you. But I don’t have the…

Gu Yeon-hee from Suncheon, Korea

Mom’s Memory

While our mom was hospitalized, she couldn’t stop worrying about the vegetable patch she had planted. My sister and I confidently assured her that we would take care of everything, and went down to our childhood home. After spending the entire day in the field, our arms and legs felt like lead, and our shoulders and backs ached from exhaustion. That night, as I tossed and turned, my eyes landed on a thick notebook. “Oh my goodness . . . ” It was a journal—meticulously kept by our mom. I remembered how, after selling her modest harvest, she would sit down each evening to write in her ledger. That notebook held two years’ worth of her quiet, challenging life in…

Kim Seon-suk from Chungju, Korea

The Day I Helped My Dad

My dad delivers snacks and beverages to construction sites. It’s physically demanding work—carrying heavy boxes and, at times, even refrigerators—especially for someone over sixty. Although I often worried about him, I never really thought to help, until this past Labor Day when I finally made up my mind to lend a hand. When I told him I wanted to work with him, he laughed and said, “It’s going to be tough. Are you sure you can handle it? Don’t tell me afterward that you’re never doing this again.”
 That morning, just getting out of my cozy blankets to get ready felt like a battle. I kept thinking, “I work, too. Shouldn’t I be able to sleep in and rest on…

Park So-yeon from Seoul, Korea

Visualization Techniques

At work, I received an email offering a birthday gift—any book of my choice. Drawn by its title, I selected a self-help book that seemed light yet insightful. Among its chapters, one section left a lasting impression: Visualization Techniques.
 Visualization, the book explained, is the practice of mentally picturing the successful fulfillment of one’s goal. According to research, students who employed this technique in their studies significantly outperformed those who did not. The key to effective visualization lies in vivid specificity. The human brain responds more strongly to images than to words and often cannot distinguish between imagination and reality. To bring a goal to life, one must paint it vividly in the mind as if the scene were unfolding…

Kim Min-jae from Gwangju, Korea