Directing a tour to the Holy Land was a blessing for me. I loved being able to teach about the Savior at the Sea of Galilee and in Jerusalem—the places He lived and served during His mortal ministry. But many of the sacred places have been covered by churches and other buildings, changing the scenes dramatically from their appearance two thousand years ago. Those in our group who had come to “walk where Jesus walked” found this walking often impossible.... Read more
Ohhhh summertime is so much fun. Especially after a long, harsh winter in Rexburg, Idaho. Our family loves getting outside to feel the warmth of the sun. Summer is our time to explore and discover new ways to recreate. And recreation can result in valuable progress and development, which include learning and perfecting skills, competing along with cheering for others, and approaching progress and victory from an eternal perspective. Learning and Practicing My kids love to try everything, participating in... Read more
For years we have been a wrestling family! We love football, track, and basketball too, but it takes a special level of commitment to be a wrestling family. For several seasons we’ve eagerly followed the wrestling careers of my three oldest sons. This last year my daughter, Mariah, decided to join them. Who could have predicted that a singer/dancer would compete with high school boys and teach them how to win. An Unexpected Competitor My wife and I probably... Read more
“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.” (Matthew 5:13) From early Old Testament rituals, to the Savior’s teachings, and to modern usage, considering salt as a metaphor and a symbol can impact our lives and our connections with the Savior. Old Testament Ritual The earliest recorded scriptures include... Read more
I don’t love waiting. You probably don’t either. I’ve never heard someone say, “I really enjoy waiting! The longer, the better.” But waiting is something we do. A lot. We wait in lines at the grocery store and for the traffic light to turn green. We wait at the bus stop for the kids to come and in the lobby for our dentist appointment. We must often wait for people, for answers, for the time to pass. We tend to... Read more
When I’m watching sports, I love to see the underdog win. There have been lots of winning underdogs. For example, a horse named “Mine That Bird” came from behind to win the Kentucky Derby, against odds 50–1 against him. Also I know of an unranked college football team, the Appalachian State Mountaineers, that defeated the fifth ranked Michigan team. Spectators couldn’t believe the upset! Recalling the Lord’s concern for individuals who have disadvantages, weaknesses, or a thorn in the flesh,... Read more
I love the hymn “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing. When I hear it, I sometimes think of its author, Robert Robinson, who, as a fatherless teenager working to support his family, joined a negative peer group planning to heckle a popular preacher in front of a congregation. But Robert listened to the sermon and chose to repent. In 1757, as a 22-year-old minister, he wrote this hymn of love, grace, and gratitude that worshippers of many denominations for more... Read more
To the well-known incident of the woman taken in “the very act” of adultery, whose accusers were dismissed by the Savior’s invitation for the one without sin to cast the first stone, the Joseph Smith translation adds “And the woman glorified God from that hour, and believed on His name” (John 8:3-11). Knowing Him and feeling His love for her changed her life. We too can be taught, comforted, and transformed as we feel Christ’s love as this repentant woman... Read more
The word “talent” may immediately suggest a gift for creating music, poetry, or visual arts. More thoughtful consideration includes such abilities as working well with people or responding effectively to certain spiritual challenges. This usage of the term developed from the Savior’s parable of the talents. Weight of a Gift Many of today’s readers underestimate the bounty of the wealthy master who went into a far country. In Hebrew measurement, a talent of silver consisted of 3,000 shekels (see Exodus 38:25–26),... Read more
My wife and I recently enjoyed dropping our oldest son off at college. We were excited to spend time with him exploring the area around the school, sharing some of the unique sights and sounds in that college town. The beautiful campus, in Hawaii, was landscaped with varied tropical plants, including vibrant colorful flowers. Everything was carefully cared for and clean—except for that trash. A Flaw in Paradise As we took our son to his dorm on the first day... Read more
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