In our Seminary class, the students and I have read the Lord’s counsel verse after verse to “fear not.” I’ve challenged them to face and overcome their fears. I have ancestors who joined the Restored Church during the New York and Kirtland eras (that we’re reading about in Seminary) and I’ve thought a lot about how they reacted to these “fear not” verses and why the verses were necessary in the first place. How did they increase their faith in... Read more
My third great-grandmother Eliza Chapman Gadd crossed the plains in the Willie Handcart Company without joining herself to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. However, a week after a rescue party brought the Willie Company into the Salt Lake Valley, Eliza requested baptism. As I read her patriarchal blessing, having peered through the tiny historical window into her life, I felt her strength and greatness even more. After arriving in Salt Lake City, Brigham Young assigned her family to... Read more
In 1856, during this week, my ancestors suffered severe trials on the Western plains as members of the Willie Handcart Company. I’ve thought especially of my third great grandmother Eliza Chapman Gadd who made the journey to Zion as an unbelieving, unbaptized spouse of an ardent believer. Her husband Samuel and two sons died on the plains. Eliza and her six surviving children entered the Salt Lake Valley on November 9, 1856. A week after arriving in Utah, Eliza asked... Read more
For several years of my childhood, my dad farmed alfalfa and cotton outside of the tiny town of San Simon, Arizona. When I was 5, I got one of two most memorable horse rides of my life. My dad invited me to check the irrigation with him on horseback. He swung himself into the saddle and then reached for my upstretched arms and lifted me up to share the saddle with him. Sometimes I rode behind the saddle holding on... Read more
Traversing this mortal journey isn’t easy. I admire the real, honest experiences people share that testify that the Lord provides guideposts to help us along our journey and ways to find and follow those guideposts. For this friend, Sha-Lei Kamauu, the guideposts that helped her during this particular experience were the words of living prophets. She searched for an answer to her concern, felt the truth of the prophets’ words, and followed the guidance, finding peace and joy on her... Read more
Among several challenges, President Russell M. Nelson challenged the women of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to read the Book of Mormon, noting all verses describing Jesus Christ, His characteristics and mission, and to establish a regular temple attendance habit. He made significant promises if we took the challenge. As part of his Book of Mormon reading challenge, he promised, And, as you prayerfully study, I promise that the heavens will open for you. The Lord will... Read more
Sunbursts through clouds over the ocean delighted me. My husband, parents, and I sat perfectly situated to watch the canvas of God’s grace. Colors burst across the sky. Hues changed dramatically as the sun fell towards the horizon. But while the source of light disappeared in a matter of minutes, its impact lingered. I bounced out of my seat to capture the scene from every available angle. My heart sang Hillsong United’s I can see Your heart in everything You... Read more
“[P]rove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” General Conference has always felt like a weekend of revelation. But now, it feels like a firehose opens and every talk substantially applies specifically to me. New announcements breathe life into past the revelatory changes that became ordinary. Watching specifically for new directions keeps me engaged and tuned in to every word. I am partaking of the... Read more
I loved this engaging teenager’s talk on family history and thought you would, too. From Jesse Welling. Brothers and sisters, buenos dias and aloha! My name is Jesse Welling and after six weeks of preparation, I can now fluently say good morning in Spanish. In case you missed the announcement, or had better things to do, I will be leaving to serve a mission in Guayaquil, Ecuador, around Halloween. I couldn’t ask for a more loving or supportive ward as... Read more
I’m not a huge fan of practical jokes after one of my teenage practical pranks went sideways and I really hurt a best friends’ feelings. But this porta potty prank caused me to analyze some of the basic social premises hardwired into my system. The Classic Porta Potty Prank The line of girls and leaders waiting to use a porta potty wrapped up the dirt road to camp. Five porta potties were available, why was the line so long? Shanna... Read more
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