As a child growing up on the U.S. East Coast in a home without religious teachings, I learned Christmas carols at school (legal in times way past) and in the neighborhood. With enthusiasm we sang, “We Three Kings of Orient Are.” We didn’t know where “Orient-Are” might be. The verses mentioned gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Gold was not a problem. Frankincense was a weird word that the song related to deity. The song gave “bitterness” and “gloom” for myrrh—not... Read more
When Jonah finally accepted his calling to cry repentance to the people of notoriously wicked Ninevah, all of them—including the king (and at the order of the king)—fasted in sackcloth and ashes. God accepted their repentance and their petition; the city was saved. Today some people dread fasting as a time of affliction—a monthly sackcloth and ashes. This is not the Lord’s intent (Isaiah 58:3-11); Ninevah was extreme. Fasting is a form of sacrifice, balanced abundantly in our favor as... Read more
Six months before He was to give His life, Jesus took Peter, James, and John to a high mountain. There they were transfigured, with their mortal bodies temporarily changed to withstand an intense spiritual experience. Many outward details have been recorded, but of human language we have only Peter’s short comment, beginning “Master, it is good for us to be here.” Some may wonder why the statement was so simple and direct, considering the complexity, depth, and significance of the... Read more
He gave me my eyes that I might see The color of butterfly wings. Children have been singing these words by Clara McMaster since they were written in 1961—and they still do. The blessing of being able to see is a supreme gift of a loving God. But not everyone sees things the same way. They might not distinguish the... Read more
My kindergarten student held out an autumn leaf that was part green and part red. “Look Teacher—it’s lost half its chlorophyll!” he exclaimed. The class had wondered why leaves change color. During the dinosaur age, before classrooms and teachers all had personal computers, I wrestled after hours with an encyclopedia. As days are shorter in autumn, the (green) chlorophyl in the leaves is burned off, and the leaves’ inner colors show. I enjoyed sharing wonders with my five- and six-year-olds.... Read more
“Welcome to Godhood 101.” Every semester I start the Eternal Family class I teach at BYU Idaho the same way. From this somewhat unusual beginning, we explore the Church of Jesus Christ’s doctrine of the family, with emphasis on God’s intent to bring us back to Him: exalted—as He is. Then Max, a lost photography student, found his way into my classroom, eventually sharing with me his insightful view of a lens for eternity. My Class Lens To give... Read more
In approximately 1884, widowed Sarah Winchester, heiress of a world-renowned fortune, began building her house. As its only architect, responding only to her whims and passions, she heedlessly tore down and rebuilt. A 7-story tower was rebuilt 16 times. The house once had 500 rooms, though the San Francisco earthquake reduced it to 160. With no planning, many windows were jammed against walls, and doors and staircases led nowhere.* Folklore regarding ghosts and death threats are untrue; but the facts... Read more
The anti-Christ Korihor traveled throughout the land, his “great swelling words” proclaiming lies and blasphemy among the people. When Alma withstood him brilliantly, Korihor demanded a sign, and the Lord’s sign was to make him unable to speak. Without speech Korihor had to beg for food and was soon trampled to death as he did so. As Christ and his prophets have warned, the tongue, like fire, has tremendous destructive power in a time of abuse, but the gift of... Read more
Some of my songs have a creation story. Some just come to life and I can’t remember quite how. My first song, a14-year-old’s attempt to write music for a friend’s poem about friendship, did have a story: a poem written on pale pink paper, love for my friend, and a song that wasn’t very good. I’m not sure what sparked the idea for “Dancing in the Rain,” but I love the joy of expressing more of who I am and... Read more
Cross country was the first sport for every one of our kids. My wife started each of them distance running when they were very young. Now all who have reached the age of 12 have run in a cross country race, to endure what I consider one of the toughest mental battles on earth. You learn many lessons in cross country, but none are more important than these two: to think of your blessings and to endure to the end.... Read more
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