The Holy Spirit: Our Light and Our Life

Last updated on: September 21, 2022 at 6:14 pm By Sharon Black

In a poetic masterpiece for children, Hello Earth (2021), Joyce Sidman assumes children’s voices, asking the earth questions about its feelings and its relationship to them. Puzzling about earth’s “bigness” and their own “smallness,” the children say, “We need to figure out/the way/we fit together” Earth itself does not answer questions, but earth’s creator does. This blog considers things Hello Earth’s children, as well as things we as earth’s adults, benefit from knowing. Christ helps all of us understand... Read more

The Judging Temptation: Not Easy to Change

Last updated on: September 14, 2022 at 3:31 pm By Eric D. Richards

When scribes and Pharisees brought to Christ a woman taken in adultery, claiming a law that she should be stoned, He said to them, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. All of them withdrew. The Savior refused to condemn her, saying simply, “go, and sin no more.” Judging others is easy to do—pointing fingers or assuming guilt—but often not easy to overcome. Easy to Point Fingers In a crowded store, a... Read more

Wisdom, Love, and Protection to Share

Last updated on: September 7, 2022 at 5:36 pm By Jennifer Platt

On a cool summer evening, Larry greeted our family at the door, dressed in a western shirt, with a scarf around his neck, jeans, and moccasins. As we walked through his house, he showed us treasures from events in his life, including his military service. We reached the back yard where Larry’s 20-foot beautifully hand painted tipi was waiting for us, as we circled a gas-lit fire to share stories and s’mores. This was Larry’s secure, loving place, where he... Read more

A Friend With Infinite Love

Last updated on: August 31, 2022 at 5:28 pm By Brad Wilcox

A beloved hymn of longing for peace in pain includes the words “In my Gethsemine/ Savior and Friend.” In the grief of Gethsemine or the joy of the empty tomb, Christ invites us to look to Him as a friend: loving us perfectly, helping us commit and obey with love, and guiding us to be open and honest with others. With a Friend, We Give and Accept Love As He taught his apostles about love, the Savior assured them, “Ye... Read more

Trust to Rescue Souls

Last updated on: August 24, 2022 at 4:35 pm By Sharon Black

There is much to doubt or fear in today’s world: including hopes that COVID is easing up and awareness that violence in nature as well as people seems to become worse daily. To save our hopes and our sanity, we must trust in Christ, who knows and cares about all peoples and the nature in which we live. He has told us, “Look to me in every thought; doubt not, fear not (D&C 6:36). Many have prayed in trust to... Read more

Change That Converts and Endures

Last updated on: August 17, 2022 at 6:41 pm By Eric D. Richards

When told by Christ that “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God,” Nicodemus argued that literally this would not be possible.” The Savior explained that a man must be “born of water and of the Spirit.” Eternal progression requires change that includes covenants made in the waters of baptism and spiritual guidance by the Holy Ghost. Lasting change goes beyond basic improvement to convert and re-form the individual—change that may endure through generations. Change... Read more

A Light in Darkness

Last updated on: August 10, 2022 at 6:13 pm By Abe Mills

We had been in the cave before. We had been part of a tour with hundreds of middle school students, accompanied by many adult chaperones, and led by a professional who knew and understood the layout of the cave, the dangers, and the risks. Now as a group of about seven 11-12-year-olds, we were excited to return to the fun and excitement we had felt. Since we knew what we were doing, we skipped the cautions of the chaperoned trip... Read more

Lead Me Home

Last updated on: August 3, 2022 at 5:42 pm By Hilary Weeks

When I was in kindergarten through fourth grade, we lived in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The neighborhood was called Orchard Valley, but there were no orchards. There wasn’t a valley either. Just houses on dirt roads within walking distance of the elementary school, with a short cut through a field from our house to the school. Not much of a threat, unless you are a young child needing an answer for an unexpected crisis, and must turn to a trusted source. One... Read more

Pottage Now

Last updated on: July 29, 2022 at 10:54 am By John Hilton

Most bible readers are familiar with Esau, who returned from his hunt feeling weak with hunger and passed his brother, Jacob, who was preparing pottage (think soup). When Esau asked for food, Jacob responded, “Sell me this day thy birthright” (Genesis 25: 29-34). Being a few minutes older than his twin, Esau would inherit a substantial birthright portion at his father’s death. But Esau was hungry at the moment, and his father would live much longer. So he quickly... Read more

Trees for Joy or Sorrow

Last updated on: July 20, 2022 at 5:54 pm By Sharon Black

“[God] hath made every thing beautiful in his time” (Ecclesiastes 3:11). The bible’s word division is meaningful. Every thing is individually beautiful, not absorbed into an overall label of beauty. Every one of God’s creations can bring beauty and meaning into our lives. When I need to renew inspiration and strength, I find myself blessed with Christ’s comfort in looking to four large trees in my own front yard. Meaning in Trees Christ often spoke of an item or process... Read more