Mormon Bloggers

Modesty is very important to me.  My church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormons), has said this about modesty: Modesty is an attitude of propriety and decency in dress, grooming, language, and behavior. If we are modest, we do not draw undue attention to ourselves. Instead, we seek to “glorify God in [our] body, and in [our] spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:20; see also 1 Corinthians 6:19). Our clothing expresses who we are. It sends messages about us, and it influences the way we and others act. When we are well groomed and modestly dressed, we can invite the companionship of the Spirit and exercise a good influence on those around us. Central to the command to be modest is an understanding of the sacred power of procreation, the ability to bring children into the world. This power is to be used only between husband and wife. Revealing and sexually suggestive clothing, which includes short shorts and skirts, tight clothing, and shirts that do not cover the stomach,... Read the rest of this entry »

My passport has expired.  I’d lost my driver’s license and was hunting for the legal documents I needed to replace it when I came across the well-worn little blue book.  I opened it up to take a mini-trip down memory lane and instantly felt a dagger of pain tear through my traveling soul.  I let out a scream and started to cry.  My husband came running to see what was the matter and then stood in a stupor fearing I’d finally completely lost my mind.  I felt like my life was over. The truth is that my life has been changing.  I’ve noticed over the past few months that my travel-planning is more of an afterthought.  The dreams are constantly in my mind, but the opportunities pass and I’m left reflecting on how I let practicality or financial responsibility make the decision for me.  Where in the past I would have spent the last two months spontaneously road-tripping, the farthest I’ve actually been is 2 hours from... Read the rest of this entry »

If You’re Friends and Kids Acted the Same I once read an interesting article by Erma Bombeck about how we should treat our children the same way we treat our friends—with love, respect, and kindness, rather than harshness. For some reason the disciplinarian has become the default mode for many parents, rather than the loving, understanding confidant. Here’s what Erma said:   “On TV the other day, a leading child psychologist said parents should treat their children as they would treat their best friend…with courtesy, dignity and diplomacy. “’I have never treated my children any other way,’ I told myself. But later that night, I thought about it. Did I really talk to my best friends like I talked to my children? Just suppose…..our good friends, Fred and Eleanor, came to dinner one night and…… “’Well, it’s about time you two got here! What have you been doing? Dawdling? Leave those shoes outside, Fred. They’ve got mud on them. And... Read the rest of this entry »

Jerry, a friend, Harry & Alien When we were asked to open up our home to some Chinese boys, I didn’t want to! I was too busy. I was behind, and my house wasn’t up to par. After much justification and being resolved to say no, my conscience got the better of me. After all, I lectured myself, I’ve been so blessed with a nice home, a comfortable living and I need to share and be hospitable to others. I knew that. And these were young teenagers too. So I reluctantly -out of obligation to my way too active Jiminy Cricket conscience- said yes. These boys actually came from smack dab, right in the middle of mainland China. I was surprised they could even come. They have no brothers or sisters, and for the most part have no cousins nor aunts and uncles. That’s hard to imagine, isn’t it? Each family is only allowed one child. These boys were able to travel abroad because they are under 18 and came on a short, study abroad program. After 18,... Read the rest of this entry »

There was a family in the store the other day.  They had a 2 year old that was whining and crying.  “I want candy! I want candy!”  And the mom kept telling her no.  I passed them in several aisles and the little girl was still crying.  Finally, the dad said, “We will get some candy when we get to the candy aisle.”  The look on the mom’s face was absolute defeat.  Her husband just undermined her authority, and the child just learned that crying and whining work.  I wanted to go up and first, shake the dad and explain to him what he just did.  And then I wanted to go to the mom and tell her to stick to her guns. It’s okay to tell your kids no!  Read More →

The Echo ‘Twas a sheep not a lamb That strayed away in the parable Jesus told, A grown-up sheep that strayed away From the ninety and nine in the fold. And why for the sheep should we seek  And earnestly hope and pray? Because there is danger when sheep go wrong: They lead the lambs astray. Lambs will follow the sheep, you know,  Wherever the sheep may stray. When sheep go wrong,  It won’t take long till the lambs are as wrong as they. And so with the sheep we earnestly plead For the sake of the lambs today, For when the sheep are lost What a terrible cost The lambs will have to pay. -C.C. Miller, as read by Elder Richard J. Maynes, Establishing a Christ-Centered Home  Read More →

Yesterday I had the great privilege to teach a lesson at church on family responsibility (basically, parenting).  A week ago I was irrevocably convinced I was the last person on earth qualified to teach that particular lesson and almost called to back out.  As the week progressed I thought to myself, “If any of my neighbors are in class on Sunday, I’ll have to feign immediate illness.”  They would surely call me out as a completely unqualified hypocrite.  But the Holy Ghost does wonderful things when you turn over your life in humility.  When it was all said and done, the 35 minutes I spent in front of the class was the most spiritual time I’ve ever felt while teaching. Here are some of the things the spirit taught to me:  My kids are children of our Heavenly Father.  They have His spirit, and their spirits studied with Him, learned from Him, and grew to maturity before they were given the opportunity to come to me. When... Read the rest of this entry »

Here’s another in our series where members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints share thoughts and experiences regarding the Book of Mormon. Today, J., age 12 shares his testimony. (Links added.) The Book of Mormon is one of the best books I have ever read. I know that this is a true book abridged by Mormon the prophet. I know that it contains a record of the early people in the Americas. I know that it contains a true record of the coming of Jesus Christ the Savior [to the American continent, after His death and resurrection]. I know that the book is true. I have received this confirmation many times. I am so grateful for this book and everything that it has done in my life. —— Other Book of Mormon posts in our series: “The Book of Mormon…changed my life” Latter-day Saint Women Write about The Book of Mormon: Amanda “The Book of Mormon…was made for me” What the Book of Mormon means to me  Read More →

Editor’s note: This is part of our continuing Book of Mormon series, where members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints share thoughts about, and experiences with, the Book of Mormon. (For previous posts, see below.) Today’s post comes from an 11-year-old Mormon girl. ~by R., age 11 The Book of Mormon is very special to me because every time I do my scriptures in the Book of Mormon I find something new. I love it! And reading it just makes me feel good. My favorite story in the Book of Mormon is of Lehi’s dream about the tree of life. I like that story because of the symbolism and I love symbols.   Other Book of Mormon posts in our series: “The Book of Mormon…changed my life” Latter-day Saint Women Write about The Book of Mormon: Amanda “The Book of Mormon…was made for me”    Read More →

A quote from my daughter, who has recently moved on her own for the first time (previously she’s either lived at home or in college apartments with roommates): “I don’t like asking other people for help, except you.” I’m flattered, of course (I guess), that my daughter wants my help. And she’s half-joking, because she did actually get someone else to do the thing she said I could do when I came to visit. But there is a broader point: part of the independence we hope our kids will learn is building their own systems of support apart from their parents. It’s not that parents don’t want to help (we do!), but we also know our kids will not always have us to rely on. If the helicopter parents of the world had their way, their children would never have to do anything for themselves. Bad, bad idea. I know my wife was a little proud inside when our oldest complained that he was the only one among his freshman roommates who knew how to clean a bathroom. She was proud, of... Read the rest of this entry »

I have an invitation for you!  I’m going camping and I want you to come along…WAIT…I know you don’t live near me, but keep reading…it’s going to be exciting! Camping has always been a fun activity for me, my friends,and my family.  Growing up I was a proud member of Campfire Boys and Girls and have innumerable memories of the camping trips that made it possible for me to participate in (most of the trips involved being soaked in the rain and eating food we thought was disgusting, but they still make me laugh and smile). In high school my parents rented a group campsite at our local lake and allowed each of my sisters and I to invite friends for a weekend of outdoor adventure.  It was a first camping experience for several of the kids who came along and we felt like the luckiest family on the planet! And now that I’m grown?  I still love camping!  In my early (and poor) married days my husband and I made it a priority... Read the rest of this entry »

My husband is in California today.  He had to get up at 4AM, wait at work for his unreliable boss to show up and take him to the airport, and get on a plane to fly to Sacramento.  He’s doing 2 hours worth of work there and then driving a box truck (think Uhaul) across Nevada and arriving back home sometime tomorrow.  Oh, and did I mention that he just sent me photos of himself sitting in the co-pilot’s chair in the cockpit of the jet he flew on?  I have no idea what that was all about but the grin on his face tells me that something extraordinary happened to him this morning. What was I doing when the photo arrived?  Reprimanding my toddler for wiping his bum without toilet paper.  Losing the argument that he needed to use HOT water to wash his hands.  Insisting that he go get clean underwear instead of running around the house naked.  And hearing him tell me after he’s run on the carpet that he’s found poo on his feet,... Read the rest of this entry »