Mormon Bloggers

The topic of redefining and recapturing beauty is on many people’s minds. For example, we hope you had a chance to read yesterday’s post about the Beauty Redefined project. We’ve mentioned here the “Recapturing Beauty” campaign that the Women’s Services and Resources department at Brigham Young University held last semester. Stephanie Nielson (otherwise known as NieNie) was the kickoff speaker. The video of Stephanie’s presentation is available on BYU Women’s Services’ website. Speaking of BYU Women’s Services, they want to hear *your* thoughts and experiences about this topic of defining and discovering what beauty means to you. As a follow-up to their recent Recapturing Beauty campaign, they are holding an essay contest. From their website: Tell us about your journey to discover your own unique beauty. Where are you in that journey?* *this means you don’t have to be the poster child for self acceptance. We want to know about... Read the rest of this entry »

Keeping with our week’s theme of true and inner beauty, following is a video that includes parts of President Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s talk, “The Reflection in the Water.” Using Hans Christian Andersen’s story, “The Ugly Duckling” he urges us to remember who we really are — “glorious sons and daughters of Almighty God” — and remember our true worth and value. Faith in God and His plan and His love can help us see beyond our own foibles and also endure the trials of life. Because He is merciful and loves His children, God has given again in these latter-days the truth about where we came from, why we are here, and where we are going. [T]his knowledge allows you to see your own reflection in the water. It assures you that you are not ordinary, rejected, or ugly. You are something divine — more beautiful and glorious than you can possibly imagine. This knowledge changes everything. It changes your present. It can change your... Read the rest of this entry »

Yesterday, we shared links to the “Recapturing Beauty” campaign. Today, we wanted to highlight the 10-day Challenge that all women are invited to take. (Actually, it’s a nine-day challenge since we won’t be able to attend the event for Day 10 that already occurred.) The challenges range from taking a break from the media to taking time to exercise just for pleasure to “spend time getting ready on the inside.” Be sure to have a journal handy as well. If you didn’t get a chance to see it, watch the video on yesterday’s post where Dr. LaNae Valentine talks about the value of writing in a journal. What helps you connect with and be grateful for your body? What helps you feel and foster your inner beauty — to see beauty as more than just your looks?  Read More →

Women’s Services and Resources on the Brigham Young University (BYU) campus is running a campaign — called “Recapturing Beauty” — this semester to help women “shift our attitudes about beauty away from those promoted in popular culture.” The campaign started with a kickoff gathering where Stephanie Nielsen (also known as NieNie) spoke. They expected 1,000 attendees; 3,000 people attended! To hear clips of Stephanie’s talk and to find out more about the Recapturing Beauty campaign, see the following video.  Read More →

I’ve never been the kinda women that looks like what you see on all the beauty magazines. In truth, I tend to feel like a daisy amongst rose after rose after rose. And that’s okay. Because I’m just as Heavenly Father made me to be. I think too often, we as ladies, when we get up in the mornings, we look at ourselves in the mirror with the intention of finding what we need to fix or correct, and not acknowledge seeing the beauty that is there by simply being who we are. Instead, we anxiously have to make sure our teeth are as white and pretty as possible. Or we have to have on every “anti wrinkle, sun spot, blotchy skin, anything that makes us appear old” cream possible. Or we cringe at acne, hairs on our face where they are not supposed to be, and under eye bags. Rarely do we get up in the morning, look in the mirror and as Happy Days’ “The Fonz” would do when he’s just about to comb his hair, say “Hey!” with confident approval... Read the rest of this entry »

I’m not sure where media came up with the idea that beauty has something to do with weight, but it’s not true. Actually, I think media has knowingly taken upon itself the role to make sure that the general population is ugly. In reality, they know nothing about beauty at all. The problem is, they’ve convinced us that their “standards” of beauty should be sought at all costs. As a rather ugly guy, I’ve actually thought a lot about this. The world’s whole approach is to create totally meaningless standards that can only be met by the consumption of products and services that only they can provide. The only way they can keep the demand so disgustingly high is to make sure that 90% of the population is way below the expectation. All the while, God keeps telling us, “Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; …for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” Of... Read the rest of this entry »

A picture of the Crab Nebula, the remnants of a supernova approximately 6,000 miles away.  Space may indeed be cold, inhospitable and (as of yet) devoid of other worlds like our own to act as oases for life to flourish, but it is also a place of tremendous beauty, with masterpieces to rival our wildest imaginations. Filed under: Musings  Read More →

The words, “inspired by a true story,” often mark a movie or novel. When my manuscript is published, the cover could read, “inspired by a real plant.” I received a hibiscus plant at Christmastime several years ago from a woman receiving hospice care for cancer. I met Lily through my husband when we visited her home [...] All Content Copyright (C) 2007-2009 TJ Hirst. No content may be reproduced without the copyright owner’s express written consent. The Plant That Inspired My Novel  Read More →