More than the Tattooed Mormon

by Al Carraway

The temple has blessed literally every aspect of my life.

Holding on to the promise that if I continued to put God first everything else would fall in to place, I decided to stay focused on what really mattered to me, hoping if I did that things would eventually work out how they ought to. If I stayed close to God, He would bless me.

During our first week of dating, I was on the cover of LDS Living Magazine for two months, and my most popular blog post, “Tattooed Mormon,” was released, reaching over a million views in just half a day.

That’s what marriage should be: a team to make the journey back to God easier and more fulfilling.

The most important relationship we will ever have is with our Heavenly Father, but through Him all other relationships in our life will strengthen.

If you haven’t been already, you will be blessed with a companion who will help you in the ways you need, even if sometimes you feel like that person doesn’t exist or you’re asking for too much or you’re too picky. Don’t allow passing time to bring doubt or cause you to settle. Don’t lose patience and miss out on what He has in store for you. And in the meantime, don’t hold yourself back from learning and growing and experiencing other things. Just hold on, and don’t lose confidence. Heavenly Father knows what’s important to us and what we need.

Don’t waste your thoughts comparing yourself and defining yourself by what you aren’t and others are. Don’t allow yourself to...

Heavenly Father will never forget about us or keep us from the best blessings He has to offer.

life is what you make it. Or it could be what you allow God to make of it for you. What will you choose?

We cannot afford to let God be an afterthought.

Today and every day, choose happiness. To choose happiness is to choose God. Choose to keep going. Choose to trust. Choose to have faith, to keep your hope. Be happy and stay patient. Live and love today.

Don’t let opposition drag you down.

Do not let people stop you from trying, from succeeding, and from making a difference.

Stay focused on what truly matters.

Don’t let negative comments and remarks (even from members of the Church) slow you down.