The Importance of Temples
All through my life, I’ve known the importance of temples. I’ve known they are necessary for us to know where we came from, why we are here, and where we are going after this life, because the temple ritual is a review of God’s Plan of Salvation. Temples are also...
Priceless
Many people enjoy this time of year. Spring brings pleasant temperatures, beautiful flowers and shrubbery, and a break from the cold. What’s not to like? I ran across a priceless gift my son gave to my wife a couple of years ago. It was lying face down on the...
Becoming Kindness Givers
I came walking upstairs from the basement the other day and found this simple yet profound message made from pipe cleaners hanging on the wall: Princess Julia, as I call her, our household joy spreader, made it and placed it on the wall as a reminder for...
Become the Rock
We may feel like we are fighting too many battles, but there are those who need the calm we bring. We may be saving spiritual lives.
In the Likeness of the Father
"You look exactly like your dad!" While my parents served an 18-month mission in the Santiago Chile East Mission, I visited them twice. The first time was with Daciana to "pick up" our returning sister Destinee who flew at the end of her 18-month mission from...
Finding Silence for Daily Personal Reflection
I have been spending a lot of time lately thinking about—well, time. Where my time is going, if I’m using it effectively, and how I can gain better control over it. All those questions we’re prone to in this fast paced world we live in. In one of my pondering moments...
Keeping a Journal
He said to write in my journal? He said it was a commandment! So, that means if I don't do it, Heavenly Father will get mad?! I hate that! I don't want to write in my journal! I don't even HAVE a journal, anyway! I've seen other people's...
A Higher Perspective: Seeing Marriage From a Different View
While talking to a friend the other day about some struggles she was having in her marriage, she told me of a remarkable experience that she created for herself and her husband where she was able to see her marriage from a higher perspective—and I believe it has...
Tell Them
I have thought long and hard about this article. In my mind, I began writing it months ago, but for various reasons it did not come together or progress well. Okay... To be honest… I had a problem with the article I could not seem to address—but more on that later....
Worldly Distractions or Background Music for God’s Melody?
I’m writing this on my laptop in my car on the grounds of the Sacramento Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. My husband volunteers to clean the temple every Monday morning (the temple is closed on Monday). I come with him to walk the grounds for...
The Mark of The Beast Isn’t What You Think
I was driving yesterday with my son and we had an interesting conversation. Someone in his third grade class told him that the number of the beast was 666 and the number of God was 111. Interesting. The things kids talk about! Well, I don’t think there is any...
When Life Gets Hectic, Remember a Miracle
When life gets hectic, I need to stop and remember a miracle, that not only are miracles possible, but I worship a God of miracles! Remembering times when I see the hand of God in my life reminds me that: I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth...
Involve Children in Making Family Decisions
“The power to choose is one of the greatest gifts God has given humanity. " ("10 Ways to Teach Values in the Home") Ask anyone who has ever had his or her freedoms forcibly taken away—no one wants to be forced to do something. Especially a child! This is a...
How to Dispel Fear
I've said it before and I'll say it again: I am a very anxious person. It's not a quality I'm particularly proud of — I'm not exactly bragging about the ridiculous scenarios that run through my mind every time my husband is late coming home from work or the...
Face the Fear That Keeps You Frozen
One of my favorite parts of life in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the occasional epiphanous experiences God gives to me in His beautifully divine engineering of mortality. The almost ten years of my marriage have brought those more frequently than...
What If All Our Sins Had Smells?
A Note from Walter: This guest article is from one of the finest men that I know. He is an Institute teacher and actually now teaches Institute teachers. I have had the good fortune of rubbing shoulders with this friend for 16+ years now. Sound like a long time? Not...
My Five Best Decisions
I recently listened to a devotional given by Clayton M. Christensen titled “Decisions For Which I’ve Been Grateful.” He describes the five best decisions he’s made, and how they have affected his life. As I listened to the devotional, my mind wandered to what my five...
Graduating From Earth
My aunt is graduating this week — from Earth. And even though it hurts, I am happy I know where she is going. But it’s amazing what grief does to you. For me, it makes me tired, antisocial, and dehydrated. But it has also given me a clearer vision of what matters in...
Ingredients in God’s Recipes
My pantry is full of treasures. Some of those treasures, like black beans and salsa, have become old staples for me. Some treasures are gifts from friends. For example, last week while helping a friend pack up her pantry of treasures, I noticed beautifully colored...
Freedom of Religion
President Dallin H. Oaks, an apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, gave an address on freedom of religion at the Chapman University School of Law on February 4, 2011. In this address, then-Elder Oaks said that all organized religions need to band...
Email Updates
Come Blog with Us!
