Happy Birthday Joseph Smith

I’m not really sure where to take this (I’ve started, stopped, and erased at least four times now). Maybe it’s best just to say “Happy 204th Birthday, Joseph!” and leave it at that.
Then again, maybe it’s important to say what’s really on my mind….
I thought for a time of bearing my testimony of the Prophet [...]

Read Full Post »

Fixing a Broken Promise

Kids are incredible.
Last night Katherine was being quite hyper, jumping and running and bouncing off the walls. It might have something to do with Christmas being so very close, but we still have to keep a tight rein on that kind of noise out of respect for our tenants. Yes, I know… our tenants are [...]

Read Full Post »

Doctrine of the Family

I heard an interesting thought that I hadn’t quite grasped yesterday during church. While someone was being set apart, the speaker for the blessing mentioned that while the world is growing increasingly wicked, the Law of Opposition demands that the world also grows equally righteous. I had often heard the idea before, but never in [...]

Read Full Post »

Finding Perdition

Last night, I spent a good chunk of time working with a person who has largely given up on life. Strike that, he hasn’t quite given up, but the world has given up on him. I spent the evening pondering his situation and speaking with many priesthood leaders, but especially my dad, about his situation [...]

Read Full Post »

Importance of Marriage

In my continued efforts to be silent no longer, I thought I’d post this nice piece on marriage written by a former divorce judge from Georgia.
In so many ways, she nails it right on the head.

Read Full Post »

A personal relationship with the Savior

When we ponder the eternities, what is it that we see? A similar question came up in priesthood on Sunday specifically related to our relationships with our families. Most of the comments ranged from living in peace with our families to continuing the work on the other side. While surely those answers would be part [...]

Read Full Post »

Elder Oaks Speech: Religious Freedom

I wish I had more to say in the way of commentary (I don’t). He says it far better and clearer than I ever could.
All I will say is this–We have the right and responsibility to be true to our faith, whatever faith that is.
Romans 1: 16–For I am not ashamed of the gospel of [...]

Read Full Post »

Encountering Islam: Snow

Our training with the Malaysian team continues, and we’ve had a relatively funny occurrence. An early winter storm tore through the area yesterday leaving the mountains white and pristine. All day long, they’d look out the window and just stare at the snow with a mix of giddy excitement and apprehension. I assume the excitement [...]

Read Full Post »

Encountering Islam

At work, I’m training a team of Malaysians for the next two or three weeks. Most of Malaysia practices Islam, and our guests are no different. Personally, it’s the first truly close encounter I’ve ever had with the religion, and I’ve enjoyed the encounter. Here’s just a few random thoughts….

Our guests are deeply devoted to [...]

Read Full Post »

Listing to Obey

In my daily scripture study, I encountered a hopeful gem the other day. I’ve read it a dozen times I’m sure, but it really stuck in my mind this time both as a measure of hope for what I’m trying to become and a reminder that there is still plenty of things that need to [...]

Read Full Post »