At Least It’s Christmas Sock Season: A Look on the Bright Side

I know there are people who are very strict or specific about when the Christmas season starts. Some will argue that putting up your tree before Thanksgiving or decorating for Christmas at all before Thanksgiving takes away from the Thanksgiving celebration. For me, the Christmas sock season starts on November 1, and I was grateful…… Continue reading At Least It’s Christmas Sock Season: A Look on the Bright Side

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

Amalickiah and Satan’s Three Tactics to Encourage Sin

Last week, we studied Alma 43-52 for “Come Follow Me.” For me, Alma 47 stands out. This is where Amalickiah uses treachery to obtain the Lamanite kingdom. We might think we’re too smart now to fall for Amalickiah’s tactics, but these tactics are the same ones Satan uses today. Disguising Evil: First Amalickiah Tactic In…… Continue reading Amalickiah and Satan’s Three Tactics to Encourage Sin

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

April 2024 General Conference: What I Think Will Happen

In some ways, it feels like the October 2023 General Conference just happened, but it’s almost time for another general conference. I recently saw two YouTube videos where people made some April 2024 General Conference predictions. The one was fun to listen to and included predictions about who would speak based on which members of…… Continue reading April 2024 General Conference: What I Think Will Happen

Pet Peeve Ponderization: People, Grammar, and the Spiritual

Several years ago, I had a job interview where the person asked me about my biggest pet peeve. Honestly, up to that point, I don’t think I’d put a lot of thought into my pet peeves. I don’t even fully remember my response. I think I said something about people who stand around, waiting for…… Continue reading Pet Peeve Ponderization: People, Grammar, and the Spiritual

Any Church Calling: We Are Called for a Reason

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about church callings. Maybe, part of that is that for the first time in quite a while, I find myself long-term without a ward calling. Yes, I’m a temple worker, but I don’t have an official ward calling. I think we’ve all had times when someone was given a…… Continue reading Any Church Calling: We Are Called for a Reason

The Nauvoo Temple: What Happened To Me There?

In 2011, I was going to grad school at Central Michigan University. Two friends and I decided to take a bit of a road trip during Spring Break that year. This was the last week of March, so it was still very cold. We planned to go to the Chicago Temple, the Nauvoo Temple, other…… Continue reading The Nauvoo Temple: What Happened To Me There?

SA Ward: Still Feeling Like the Odd One Out

About a month ago, my younger sister and I encountered the bishop just as we were heading out to take the dogs for a walk. He asked us if we knew about a meeting the next day, Sunday, for Single Adults 31-45. We hadn’t heard about the meeting, but right away I was pretty sure…… Continue reading SA Ward: Still Feeling Like the Odd One Out

I Swore I’d Never, But… Feeling Like the Outcast

Feeling Like the Outcast has been several years in the making. Back in 2017 or 2018, I started feeling like there was a specific book that I needed to write. I fought that feeling for over a year. I didn’t want to write it. While most of what I write has personal elements, this was…… Continue reading I Swore I’d Never, But… Feeling Like the Outcast