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Random Acts of Sign Language

I’m hoping this topic will be as simple and light hearted as my last was complicated and serious. I think it’s a mistake to expect everything in life to be simple, but some things are, and this is one of them. Pick your current event, the principle applies: The other day I was running on theContinue reading “Random Acts of Sign Language”

Weathering the Storm: Same-sex Marriage, Handbook Changes, and Basic Doctrine

With so much being said about the recent policy additions to Handbook 1, my initial impression was to keep my thoughts to myself. It is easy to feel lost and frustrated in the sea of opinions; so many feelings and experiences translating into the wide variety of views that could only stem from a truly globalContinue reading “Weathering the Storm: Same-sex Marriage, Handbook Changes, and Basic Doctrine”

On Finding Balance

I’ve been thinking about balance lately. As a missionary, I remember thinking mission life was difficult and demanding. It was. (It was also really rewarding, but that’s another topic.) Not long after returning home I found that as hard as missionary life was, “civilian” life was harder. I realized I had been blessed with a unique andContinue reading “On Finding Balance”

Elder Hales and the Shape of Things to Come

Two years ago, Elder Robert D. Hales made a statement in his October 2013 General Conference address that struck me. Perhaps it was the rare moment of attention when I wasn’t dozing off, wrestling a toddler, or grabbing some salsa out of the fridge, but for whatever reason it came so clear and indelible. IContinue reading “Elder Hales and the Shape of Things to Come”

The Songs We Cannot Sing

This past weekend I had the special opportunity to attend a temple sealing. My sister’s recently adopted son was sealed to her family in the Logan, Utah temple. I’ve been to a handful of temple weddings, but this was the first time I’ve seen a child sealed to family after the fact. What a beautifulContinue reading “The Songs We Cannot Sing”

Repent! A Commandment, or an Invitation?

While the scriptures are filled with invitations, the word “invite” or “invitation” only appears a few times, and only twice in in any meaningful way. Both of these are found in same chapter of the Book of Mormon. Alma 5. At a time when the church began to slip into apostasy, Alma, who had been servingContinue reading “Repent! A Commandment, or an Invitation?”

What is the Role of the Atonement in My Life?

This is a question I’ve been pondering lately. On one hand we have our beliefs about Christ, namely that he accomplished the Atonement by suffering for all of mankind and rising on the third day. On the other hand we have the burdens of life: Our sins, of course, but also our trials, questions, andContinue reading “What is the Role of the Atonement in My Life?”

Raising Kids Not Cows

I love mountain biking. I love the beauty and solitude of nature and the challenge of the terrain; I love the effort required to climb a mountain and the thrill of speed on the way back down. It’s my favorite way to get break away from the grind and get a little exercise, and I tryContinue reading “Raising Kids Not Cows”

General Conference Highlights

The Mondays after General Conference are two of my favorite days of every school year. Traditionally we’ve taken those days in seminary to share our thoughts and impressions with each other about Conference. I love to hear the talks, stories, and statements that impacted the youth. So many of the young people are devoted to the prophetsContinue reading “General Conference Highlights”

General Conference Prep, Day 5: Buoyed Up, Not Beaten Down

“If we teach by the Spirit and you listen by the Spirit, some one of us will touch on your circumstance, sending a personal prophetic epistle just to you.” — Jeffrey R. Holland, An Ensign to the Nations, April 2011 Today’s thought is an addendum to Day 3: Intend to Act. I’ve noticed in my interactionsContinue reading “General Conference Prep, Day 5: Buoyed Up, Not Beaten Down”