“Do you actually believe in GOD? Do you PRAY to him? Do you think he lives in the clouds?” These were the chants of my parents’ students in Shandong, China upon learning that Mom and Dad were Christians. The questions mocked–as though the askers had been collectively coached in how to deride religion. But outside the classroom, the questions and the tones changed. The year was 1980, just a decade after the Cultural Revolution. Mom and Dad, accompanied by my... Read more
I shared this only with those who requested it for a few days, but am now letting everyone in. Click here if your Christmas isn’t quite creepy enough. Read more
This talk was given by Kristen Blair, my niece, on Sunday, December 14th, 2014. Quintessential Truth: Metanoeo I could never put my mission experience into words. It means everything to me. But the closest I can come to describing the miracle I experienced is by talking about what I would call the quintessential representative of my mission: movement, which is another word for repentance. I never really applied the word “quintessential” until I served a mission. The concept, sure, I... Read more
Here are the photos of Jane Manning James and her husband, Isaac. Though the two were divorced, Jane welcomed Isaac back into her home during the last year of his life and cared for him until he died. His funeral was held at her home. I am told that today, November 23, 2014, President Dieter Uchtdorf spoke of Jane Manning James in a conference which was broadcast to church memberrs in Africa. Some have asked that I share a few... Read more
My husband, Bruce, turned sixty-four yesterday. Quiz question #1: Why would we do a big Beatles-themed party for someone turning 64? These were the table decorations. Identify the item, the song it refers to, and which album it’s on: Album? Which song? How many of the truffles can you name? Whose sweet tooth did this song refer to? Why did we have a “flaming pie” rather than the traditional birthday cake? How many items on this birthday spread can you... Read more
I was bitter. I felt cheated. I was finding reasons to justify myself and cling to the victim’s role. I found myself wanting to soak my soul in self-pity and swaddle myself in depression. I managed misery for a few days. But then I needed to do my temple shift. I can’t take such feelings into the temple. They simply won’t fit. At one point during my temple service, I was contemplating some words from Exodus 40: And thou shalt... Read more
Or the ones I wanted to see: I want to see Bishop (now President) Jermaine Sullivan teaching Elder Dallin Oaks to step dance. I heard Elder Oaks talk about trying to do the hula when he at BYU Hawaii. He even demonstrated. One of the funniest things I’ve ever seen. Because, man, he don’t got it. The demonstration was an act of utter humility. In the same talk, Elder Oaks recounted about visiting an island–possibly Samoa–and having people bring him... Read more
Please come with me to Africa. We will visit Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo; Johannesburg, South Africa; Accra and Elmina, Ghana. Day one: Suitcases. Guess which one I chose to hold clothes for children in a poor school, a bridal gown, my own clothes, and a few gifts. Which would you have chosen? Danor Gerald will be posting photos of our trip via instagram, and John Ternieden will use social media to document our adventures. Your seat cushion can be... Read more
My husband told me this morning, “You are missing the caution button. Somehow, you didn’t get it. You just dive in.” I confess. It’s true. In my maturity, I am not as foolish as I have been, but one example of my “leapingly intuitive” nature (as Bruce has described it) is that I leap into languages, fully willing to make a fool of myself and knowing that I will. And so it is. I am leaping into French. I thought... Read more
Editors’ Note: This article is part of the Public Square 2014 Summer Series: Conversations on Religious Trends. Read other perspectives from the Mormon community here. We learn narratives from our parents. These narratives are sometimes harsh and sometimes fantastical. They go from “you can’t trust anyone” to “Santa will come tonight!” and beyond. If we believe that we can’t trust anyone, we soon learn that it’s true, because we don’t trust anyone and we pay particular notice when someone is... Read more
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