“One of the key ways that we learn…is by asking questions. Some seem to believe that faith and questions are antithetical. Such could not be further from the truth. The Restoration itself was unfolded by the proper and necessary melding of both. The Prophet Joseph Smith had both faith and questions. Indeed, the passage of scripture that led Joseph to the Sacred Grove experience includes both a question and the promise of an answer based on the asker’s faith. I marvel... Read more
Sister Brynlee Ashton shared her struggle to change the self-condemnation in her relationship with God into a motivating force for action and positive change. This is a subject I’ve pondered a lot and I really enjoyed the way she shared her discovery and results. By Sister Brynlee Ashton, England Leeds Mission Let’s talk, shall we? My brain does a wonderfully terrible thing! Whenever I don’t do something I’m supposed to, or I don’t do something up to the standard I... Read more
I love how nature becomes a ready metaphor to teach such amazing lessons! Alma testified that all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator. Kurt Johnson paints a picture-perfect metaphor of one of my favorite images. Grow Where You Are Planted Have you ever seen a tree growing out... Read more
Who is your Book of Mormon hero? My friend Rena Phung invited me to join a group of her friends and family in reading the Book of Mormon before October General Conference. People have shared insights as we’ve read through the Book of Mormon to reach our goal. One day, Rena asked the group, “Who is one of your Book of Mormon heroes and why?” I loved Rena’s own emphatic and joyful declaration of her Book of Mormon hero. I... Read more
We all travel the pathway of life. And while our journeys are uniquely personal, we all share in the generalities of life’s journey. How do you view life’s peaks and valleys, the brambles and blooms? I have a collection of poems written by my second great aunt Roberta Flake Clayton (19 August 1877 – 12 January 1981.) Her 143rd birthday rolled by this week. The Pathway is one of my favorites in the collection. I have been both travelers on... Read more
While reviewing letters my grandmother wrote to my grandfather on his mission, I came across a long, sweet letter telling the happenings of her week. She closed the letter, “Love to you from someone who is lonesome for you but who is glad you are having the glorious privilege of a mission.” Then she added a hasty postscript, “I am enclosing a poem I thought you might like. Love again.” She underlined “Love again” heavily. I turned the page curiously... Read more
When a warring people called the Anti-Nephi-Lehies learned about their Savior Jesus Christ, they promised the Lord to never use their swords again, ever. Because of that promise, many of them were killed when enemies came against them. They moved to a previous enemy’s land where they were welcomed and given protection. In return, the Anti-Nephi-Lehies provided the armies protecting them with food and other necessities. The war between their old people and their new people grew fierce. They felt... Read more
Do you have a Family Title of Liberty? I’m really impressed at the impact Come Follow Me can have on multi-generations and how it reminds me that I’m always my parents’ child. Isn’t that awesome? My mom shares her insights with us, her grown children, and invites us to growth and introspection. This week, mom shared an impassioned plea for us to regroup as needed and come together as a family to prepare for the last days. I thought I’d share... Read more
My friend Rena sent a few miracle stories from her missionary son’s letter I could share! Reading them reminded me how many times I’ve offered up my little prayer to Heavenly Father and received an answer through another person or a song or an experience. Elder Jay Phung was called to serve in the Thailand Bangkok Mission and, because of COVID-19, has been reassigned for now to the California San Diego Mission speaking Thai. He’s incredibly musically talented and often shares... Read more
When our dog Stig rides in the back of our Toyota FJ, he only looks out of the windows on the driver’s side of the car. Sometimes when I know he’d love to see something interesting on the passenger side, I call him and try to convince him to look out those windows, but he just doesn’t. I feel like he misses a lot of different perspectives and interesting visual opportunities by choosing to limit his view. My friend Kathy... Read more
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