This is an email I wrote in reply to the Young Women’s presidency in my ward wanting some feedback as to good quotes/resources for teaching about chastity – which is the theme this month. So this is the quick email I responded with: sorry it’s written in a somewhat discombobulated way: I know which scripture should NOT be read is the one in Moroni 9:9. That is a rape/pillaging scripture and should not be used to teach about normal sexual... Read more
Here is the Relief Society lesson I’ve prepared for Sunday, July 14th. My favorite quotes and scriptures from the lesson: I was hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me… Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of... Read more
I was recently part of this great bookclub discussion. Very interesting and well written book about the conversion process for individuals and its effects on family systems. Conversions: Two Family Stories from the Reformation and Modern America with Craig Harline Craig Harline, a native of California, is a cultural historian and a professor of history at BYU. He teaches courses on the Reformation, the history of civilization, film, and Christianity. He has also taught seminars on miracles and toleration and persecution.... Read more
Wherever there is the potential for joy, therein also lies the potential for pain. And so here we are on the eve of yet another mother’s day. After working with so many women (and men) over so many years – I have come to understand this is a complicated day. After all, we are women coming to the table with varying, complicated experiences. For many, mother’s day at church is one of the only places they find the edification, support... Read more
Written by LDS poet, Kerri B. with permission to publish. Bipolar Every emotion so strong Feeling everything and every moment Ups and downs and in betweens Coloring my world Joy and heartbreak Energized and drained Passion and apathy Never knowing what the day will bring Days, weeks, months in tears Then fine Driving others away No, pay attention to me Sex drive up Sex drive gone Angry at everything I want to scream Depression swallowing me whole Misery so... Read more
Check out my latest podcast on Mormon Mental Health: Natasha Helfer Parker interviews Kristin Hodson regarding her experience as a member of the church who chose to have an abortion in her teens. This is not meant to be a pro-choice or pro-life discussion. The purpose of this podcast is to share a personal story in the hopes of reaching other members of our church who have been affected by abortion in one way or another, and offer a supportive... Read more
Relief Society Lesson I taught on November 11, 2012 From Teachings of Presidents of the Church: George Albert Smith, Lesson 21 My Favorite Quotes from the Lesson: I pray that the love of the gospel of our Lord will burn in our souls and enrich our lives, that it will cause husbands to be kinder to wives, and wives to be kinder to husbands, parents to children, and children to parents because of the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is... Read more
I was recently involved on a panel discussion over at Mormon Matters regarding “virtue.” Here is the description from Dan Wotherspoon: So often in Mormon discourse, the term “virtue” is treated almost exclusively as relating to sexual purity, chastity, and virginity, completely missing its much broader and wonderfully expansive meanings. Similarly, most talk about “morality,” “passion,” “modesty,” and “sensuality” are spoken about almost solely in terms of sexuality. We receive, without careful parsing, statements about how molestation and rape victims... Read more
I’ve been married 32+ years to a wonderful woman. We married early, she was 20 and I was 24. We were both in college but her family was critical and unsupportive when she was baptized (prior to dating me): she felt very alone. When we began dating, I was in heaven; she was [is] so beautiful and I felt so lucky that she would have anything to do with me. It wasn’t long before I popped the question but she did not give me an answer right away. I think I understood... Read more
I will be presenting at the upcoming Sunstone Kirtland Conference in Ohio taking place this coming weekend. I will be speaking in regards to how faith transitions can be normalized by viewing them through a developmental model and identity formation lens. Still time to register. Symposium Registration I added this further explanation as a comment: I use the term faith transition to describe any type of conversion process – whether towards or away from any religious or spiritual practice... Read more
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