I’ve heard many say that the LDS church doesn’t allow women to be leaders. But on this International Women’s Day, I want to set the record straight. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does have women leaders. And I’d like to tell you about my favorite three; Jean Bingham, Sheri Dew, and Emma Smith. In the LDS church, the Prophet and First Presidency are men. But the LDS church has equally heavy callings (AKA church jobs) for women... Read more
Death is an inevitable part of life. It’s a part that many fear, but the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have a unique understanding of the afterlife, thanks to restored doctrine. And that understanding takes away my fear of death. No Ghosts No Purgatory We lived in Heaven with God before we were born here on Earth. And we will return to Him again when we die. Many believe in Ghosts, but those who have... Read more
Pioneer Day is such a fun holiday. For my family, it’s a chance to remember our pioneer ancestors and gather to enjoy delicious food. As I prepared for this article, I was curious so I looked at my family tree. I’m lucky enough to have 8 sets of Great something grandparents who were pioneers. They accomplished amazing things, traveling thousands of miles for a new life. Education, remembrance, and treats As part of the celebrations, there are three key aspects... Read more
Why do we celebrate Pioneer Day? Good question! Many outside the LDS church aren’t aware of the terrible treatment the early Saints endured. When the Church was brand new and Joseph Smith was still alive, being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was difficult. The Saints in other lands were bullied, beaten, and murdered. So Joseph Smith, and later Brigham Young encouraged the members of the church to gather together, they called it Zion. Gather... Read more
Online scriptures are an important part of my regular worship. Do you remember the saying “If you want to talk to God, pray? And if you want God to talk to you, read the scriptures?” That is a very true statement. There are many times I will be reading my scriptures and thoughts will come into my head. The thoughts don’t always relate to the scriptures I’m reading. But they often answer personal concerns, and they always give me peace.... Read more
I love Independence Day! The fireworks, parties, and celebrations are all wonderful. But did you know that America’s independence was foretold in the Book of Mormon? I will show you, and I have added a few parentheses to help you see what I mean. In 1 Nephi 13: 16-19 it says: 16 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld that the Gentiles who had gone forth out of captivity (The Early Settlers) did humble themselves before the Lord;... Read more
Father’s Day is celebrated in every US congregation of the LDS church. And like any holiday, each family has their own traditions they add to the celebration. Typically on Father’s Day Sunday, there is a special service. Those giving talks discuss their view of the importance of fathers and father figures. And like every Sunday, we also remember our Heavenly Father, who is the ultimate example of a perfect father figure. Father’s Day at church After the Father’s Day service,... Read more
Parenting is a vital and significant job. And for the LDS faith, parenting has eternal significance. We believe we lived before this Earthly existence. We lived with God in a family unit encompassing all of us- one giant family. God is the father of our spirits. And His example is one we try to follow as parents. God organized us into family units to help strengthen and support us on our earthly and eternal journeys. Parenting is a natural progression... Read more
I was a honeymoon baby. For those unfamiliar with the term, I was born exactly 9 months after my parents got married. I never anticipated that I would have any struggles with infertility or that I would need a miracle to get to be a mother. When I got married I assumed I needed to be careful so I could get to know my husband a little bit before we started our family. My parents never told me that my... Read more
The night our tree came down was very stormy and windy. A huge thunderstorm blew in and literally shook the house. There were a few gusts strong enough to move the walls. I was worried it would take off the roof, or damage our fences. And I prayed God would watch over us. And then I remembered the big trash can was still out in the front yard. The last storm had thrown it down the street. So I opened... Read more
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