As my summer to-do list keeps growing exponentially, I decided to take a minute in my impending overwhelm to take some deep breaths and objectively look at the tasks on my list. While I couldn’t delete anything from that list, that moment of quiet contemplation helped me in optimizing the to-do list. I remembered why each item mattered to me and gave a quiet reassurance that by taking one step at a time and casting my burdens on the Lord,... Read more
After an epic showdown with idolatrous priests, the prophet Elijah learned that Queen Jezebel intended to kill him. Finding that something the soul needs in the wilderness. But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers. And as he lay and slept under a... Read more
Last week I got to teach 100 young women aged 11-18 about scripture study and revelation. Leaders at camp divided the girls into four classes based on age and each class length was an hour and a half, providing ample opportunity to really dive into various aspects of the whys and hows of scripture study and revelation. I assumed the girls had sat through many classes and talks about why you have to study your scriptures (because I have,) so after praying... Read more
For me, the Book of Judges records the most troubling scripture stories, including the most horrible story that most revolts my soul. As I read Judges 19 again this week, I paused. It records a gruesome story of a woman who had left her husband and went to her father’s house, but returned with her husband when he came and spoke friendly things to her again. On the way to their home, while staying overnight in a strange town, she... Read more
Old Testament giants have fascinated me since my first hearing of David’s faith and slingshot defeating gigantic Goliath. During later readings of the Old Testament, I met giants with other names like Og of Bashan and Sihon, the Anakim, the Nephilim, and even Lamhi, Goliah’s brother, slain by Elhanan. I never found any real answers to my giant questions until the internet provided opportunities for new understanding. And when the Church’s online search came online, I found Hugh Nibley’s 12-part... Read more
Sharing powerful thoughts about ways we judge ourselves, Raquel Cruz pointedly asks us to throw out comparisons to others and to see ourselves through the lens of the Savior’s Atonement and Heavenly Father’s unfailing love when we wonder, “Am I good enough?” Am I Good Enough? By Raquel Cruz I attended BYU-Idaho as an undergrad, and I had a religion professor who started class by asking us to raise our hands if we thought that we would make it to... Read more
Today we celebrated the life of one of my heroines. Dee Brown fiercely loved her family and the Lord. She was a healer of broken things — hearts, people, bad ideas, sad days — and a champion of the most vulnerable. Dee taught special needs kids in the community and then taught teachers how to teach special needs kids. She served on the state board advocating for best practices in the industry. She made a difference. Dee Brown – What... Read more
Do you know what happened at the brooks of Arnon? My scripture study this week included Numbers 21. Verse 14 really struck me. Wherefore it is said in the book of the wars of the Lord, What he did in the Red sea, and in the brooks of Arnon…. I scanned the verses. What happened at Arnon that compared to God’s miracle at the Red Sea? I really wanted to know, and looked in the usual look-up spots in... Read more
Last year, Public Square Magazine asked me to write a piece on motherhood for Mother’s Day. I agonized over the invitation and prayed for guidance. How did I, a woman without children, define motherhood? Could I put into words my conviction that every woman expresses an eternal nature of motherhood? My concept of motherhood bore fruit as doctrinal clarity came. Words followed. I rejoiced in the divine opportunity I have as a covenant woman of God to participate in the... Read more
Because of some life experiences I had, I didn’t really trust in the eternal nature of the family until I asked the Holy Ghost to teach me. When the Holy Ghost confirmed the truth to me, not only did I feel the doctrine, but I felt like I could trust and understand the doctrine. I pray that the Holy Ghost will fill all of us with truth and light to deepen our understanding of the eternal nature of families. Eternal... Read more
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