Returning for the Brass Plates: Learning From Nephi’s Experience

Recently, I was reading in the Book of Mormon where Nephi and his brothers return for the brass plates. For anyone unfamiliar with this story, Nephi and his immediate family recently fled from Jerusalem. Then Nephi’s father, Lehi, sends Nephi and his brothers (Laman, Lemuel, and Sam) back to Jerusalem to get the brass plates.…… Continue reading Returning for the Brass Plates: Learning From Nephi’s Experience

A Focus on the Essentials at the Temple

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been trying to concentrate better as I attend the temple. During my last two visits to the temple as a patron, it has hit me how important it is to focus on the essentials or the basics of the temple covenant. What Do I Mean by the Essentials? If…… Continue reading A Focus on the Essentials at the Temple

New Church Definition of a Young Single Adult

Yesterday, the LDS church announced that they are redefining “Young Single Adults” as it applies to unmarried members of the church. Previously, Young Single Adults (YSA) were unmarried members of the church who are 18-30 years old. They’ve now upped that to include those up to 35 years old. Being in a Single Adult (SA)…… Continue reading New Church Definition of a Young Single Adult

Sacred Versus Secret: Do They Mean the Same Thing?

Lately, I’ve been thinking about the difference between sacred and secret. On the surface, some people may think that something that is sacred is secret. After all, things that we hold sacred are things that we often don’t share with other people. Yet, I think it’s important to differentiate between the two. I don’t have…… Continue reading Sacred Versus Secret: Do They Mean the Same Thing?

Abish: A Woman of Faith

Over the last few weeks, in “Come Follow Me,” we’ve been studying the stories of people such as Alma the Younger, Ammon, King Lamoni, and Lamoni’s father. These are names well-known by most people who’ve read the Book of Mormon, especially those who have read it multiple times. Almost hidden in Alma 19, is a…… Continue reading Abish: A Woman of Faith

Trust Not in Man, But Trust in God

Several well-known church members have chosen to leave the church in recent years. Many of them, at least in the public eye, appear to be strong members of the church before suddenly announcing their departure. This reminds me how important it is to have my trust in the correct source rather than allowing the world…… Continue reading Trust Not in Man, But Trust in God

My New General Conference Commitment

This last weekend was stake conference for me. One of the members of the stake presidency talked about how he’s listened to the general conference talks multiple times already. That, of course, made me feel a bit guilty. I’m usually good about reading the general conference talks once the “Liahona” comes out. I have started…… Continue reading My New General Conference Commitment

Better to Prepare for the Storm That Never Comes

This morning, school was canceled in our area because of a projected blizzard. The storm never came, and some people mocked the situation a bit. Yet, these same people would have been mad if the storm had happened and school hadn’t been canceled. It hit me that it’s better to prepare for the storm that…… Continue reading Better to Prepare for the Storm That Never Comes

Hitting 40: How Life Didn’t Turn Out as Planned

This week was a monumental sort of birthday for me. While the day itself wasn’t especially memorable, the significance of the number hit me a little hard. Let’s just say that I was halfway between 20 and 60 earlier this week, but every second that goes by, I get a little closer to 60 and…… Continue reading Hitting 40: How Life Didn’t Turn Out as Planned

General Conference is Over- What I Learned- Now What?

Last week, I wrote a bit of a pre-General Conference post. I talked about some of the reasons that I looked forward to General Conference. Now I’d like to focus on what I learned from the most recent sessions as well as how my excitement matched up with each thing that I was excited about.…… Continue reading General Conference is Over- What I Learned- Now What?