It never feels good when we are going through a trial, trying to fix a life-altering problem, dealing with something that often feels like a solo mission destined for failure, and we approach General Conference with the hope of some kind of relief or answer, and the answers don't come. To the contrary, there may … Continue reading When a talk in General Conference offends us, what do we do?
An open letter to all my Latter-Day Saint Bishops
Dear Bishop(s), First and foremost, I need to tell you something that has been on my mind and is long overdue. With the recent media coverage of the Bishops interview questions and the news around it I just have one thing to say- Thank you. Thank you for taking the time out of your busy … Continue reading An open letter to all my Latter-Day Saint Bishops
The hymn Christ and His Apostles sang at the Last Supper may surprise you.
Christ and His apostles are present at the Last Supper where He institutes the sacrament and tells them it is in representation of His infinite sacrifice that He will soon perform. It is the first day of Passover and both Matthew and Mark recount what happens next: "And when they had sung an hymn, they … Continue reading The hymn Christ and His Apostles sang at the Last Supper may surprise you.
The miracle at Rocky Ridge: How Andrew Young Smith saved my 4th Great Grandfather
During the winter months of 1856, my 4th Great Grandfather Joseph Mckay found himself near death traveling in the Willie handcart company while crossing Rocky Ridge, and he collapsed on the frozen ground waiting to die. He had trekked thousands of miles from Europe, eagerly awaiting for the arrival to the Salt Lake Valley. He, … Continue reading The miracle at Rocky Ridge: How Andrew Young Smith saved my 4th Great Grandfather
The surprising reason Christ chose John, not His own brothers, to take care of Mary after His death
We all know the scenario: Christ has endured suffering, pain and anguish in the Garden of Gethsemane, is taken before unrighteous judges to be punished, is spat upon and ruthlessly hung on the cross. Amidst this pain, His thoughts turn to His mother, worrying about her well being- "Now there stood by the cross of … Continue reading The surprising reason Christ chose John, not His own brothers, to take care of Mary after His death
Why we shouldn’t judge “Doubting Thomas”
Most Christians, without having to look him up, are familiar with the biblical apostle "Doubting Thomas". He needed to see for himself the resurrected Lord, feel the prints in His hands and feet to know for sure it was Him. Multiple accounts recall the events leading up to, during, and after the last week of … Continue reading Why we shouldn’t judge “Doubting Thomas”
The lesson I learned in sacrament meeting from a crying child
During the sacrament hymn at church today, a young child in our congregation started getting fussy, something not unusual on Sundays. He started quietly, and grew increasingly louder in frustration. By the time the blessing for the water came around, he was still crying with his full, tiny lungs. The parents to their patient credit, … Continue reading The lesson I learned in sacrament meeting from a crying child
I knew something was wrong with my back the minute I heard it pop. I was helping someone move heavy furniture and felt my lower back pop multiple times. The pain shot down my spine, went to my pelvis and down both legs. After a few weeks of trying to ignore the constant pain and … Continue reading “After all we can do” is never going to be enough, and that’s OK
“After all we can do” is never going to be enough, and that’s OK
What I wished I told my grandpa before he passed away
I had a prompting a few days before my grandpa passed away two years ago to write a blog directed at him to try and help him not fear death. Unfortunately I didn't heed that quiet prompting and so I am writing this as a memorial to him with the hopes of righting a wrong … Continue reading What I wished I told my grandpa before he passed away
How do we minister to loved ones who have left the church?
There's a phrase in the LDS community that's used almost too casually these days- "Oh he left the church a long time ago." Or-"She doesn't want anything to do with the church anymore." We may know someone who has either talked about a family member who does not go to church anymore, we may have … Continue reading How do we minister to loved ones who have left the church?