Guiding My Daily Life with the 13th Article of Faith

A Mother’s Journey

Life as a mother of seven, a wife, a student, a freelance writer, a Relief Society President, and a Seminary Teacher often feels like juggling flaming torches while balancing on a unicycle. Yet amid the chaos, the 13th Article of Faith anchors me. Its call to seek after “anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy” (Articles of Faith 1:13) has become more than a scripture—it’s a daily compass guiding what I create, consume, and prioritize in every corner of my life.

Adapting The Core Values

The core values of the 13th Article—virtue, honesty, benevolence, and endurance—shape my decisions in practical and profound ways. For my family, this means filtering media, conversations, and even meals through the lens of what is “lovely” or “of good report.” We’ve adopted a “virtuous or veto” rule: if a movie, game, or social media trend doesn’t uplift or inspire kindness, it’s paused. Melanie DuBose’s insight that honesty and benevolence build trust resonates here, reminding me that small, intentional choices nurture eternal values in my children.

In my freelance work, the same principles apply. Choosing projects that align with integrity often means turning down opportunities that conflict with my beliefs. As Ron Kelleher notes, faith-based decisions require courage to confront compromise, even when costly. Whether drafting a blog post or collaborating with clients, I ask: Does this uplift others? Is it praiseworthy? This mindset transforms my work into a form of ministry, not just a paycheck.

Balancing school, church callings, and family life demands relentless prioritization—the 13th Article’s charge to “seek after these things” refines how I spend my time. I gravitate toward resources that edify—scriptures, faith-based podcasts, academic materials—and let go of distractions that drain my spirit. When stress mounts, the Article’s closing promise to “endure all things” becomes a lifeline. As Elder Neil L. Andersen taught, faith isn’t about avoiding storms but trusting Christ to walk with us through them.

Serving as Relief Society President and Seminary Teacher has deepened my understanding of “benevolence” as action. Preparing lessons or organizing service projects, I ask: Does this reflect Christ’s love? The Church News once described the Articles of Faith as a “guiding rod,” I’ve felt that clarity in moments of decision—whether planning a lesson on forgiveness or delivering a meal to a grieving family. Even in marriage, the 13th Article’s call to be “honest” and “true” shapes how my husband and I navigate conflict, prioritizing kindness over pride, as advised in Life Over Coffee’s guide to decision-making.

Hope all things..

But the real test comes in the messy moments—when deadlines clash with sick toddlers or exhaustion threatens my patience. In those times, the 13th Article’s invitation to “hope all things” reminds me that imperfection is part of the journey. Teaching my seminary students, I share how “seeking after these things” isn’t about perfection but persistence. We use exercises from the Friend magazine to internalize phrases like “virtuous” and “praiseworthy,” turning principles into daily habits.

Conclusion

The 13th Article of Faith is a call to align our lives with divine truth. It teaches me that what we create and consume isn’t just entertainment or efficiency—it’s about becoming. Whether I’m packing lunches, writing an essay, leading a meeting, or kneeling in prayer, this principle whispers: Choose what reflects the light of Christ. And in that light, even chaos finds purpose.