Mormon Bloggers

~by Julie Pettit When my littlest one turned eight months old, she found a new tool to help herself drift off to sleep.  As I rocked her in my arms, she would sing-hum an almost meditative “om.”  Often it started as an “ahhhh” that lasted for a few seconds before she ended with a louder, punching “AH!”  Then she would take a breath and start over.  Sometimes she would just hum the /m/ sound. One January morning I rocked her before her first nap. Her eyes started looking towards her forehead, her eyelids took longer blinks, and she started her meditative song. “ahhhhhhh…..AH.   ahhhh……AH.” Her head was nestled in one of her favorite places, my left armpit.  I lifted my elbow to bring her ear closer to my lips. “ahhhh….” I chanted with her. She switched to “mmmmm…” I followed. I giggled a bit.  A not-yet-toddler not-baby and mother, seemingly meditating together. “ommmmm….” While we were humming, I remembered  the word ‘namaste’ from my... Read the rest of this entry »

~ by Ginna Some of my friends have thoughtfully picked out words or quotes to inspire them for the New Year. I think this is a fun idea, though I hesitate to pick one for myself. I don’t know why. Maybe I’m just not that organized. Maybe things have just been so crazy for us the last few years that each year feels kind of like ten. Maybe I just don’t ever know what’s going to happen next. My friend, Megan finally pushed me over the edge and made me really think about it. She picked the word RELAX. I really like that. In fact, I was just going to go ahead and steal it from her and make it my word, but something else kept popping into my head. It’s that scripture–you know, the one in Psalms 46:10: “Be still and know that I am God.” It also shows up in Doctrine and Covenants 101:16: “Let your hearts be comforted concerning Zion; for all flesh is in mine hands; be still and know that I am God.” Of course what kept coming to mind was... Read the rest of this entry »

Question: What are some of the family traditions of the Mormon religion? Are there any rules you have to follow and such? ~Answer by Michelle** This is a great question. One of the things that I love about being Mormon is the focus on family. We receive guidance and counsel that I feel make a significant difference in our family life. I was thinking tonight about how grateful I am for what church teachings regarding family life have done for our family. It isn’t about a list of rules in my mind; it has become a way of life that enables us to feel God’s influence and power in our home and our lives, and helps keep us focused on keeping our family strong. Following are some of the things Mormon families are encouraged to do regularly. At the end of the post, I include some links to content on our site where women talk about these different practices. Usually on Monday nights, most Mormons have what we call Family Home Evening (or Family Night). We sing and pray and learn and play... Read the rest of this entry »

By: Janelle My daughter, Elizabeth, is seven years old and is learning to write paragraphs at school. Lately, I have found her practicing writing paragraphs at home and she presented two to my husband  that I thought were really sweet. I scanned in the originals, but will provide a translation for you below. My DAD I like my dad. I like my dad because he is very sweet. I like my dad because he will take me to work. I think that is nice. Wouldn’t you? You answer. When I was sad, he would always make me laugh. He would always tell me things that were so funny I would almost wet my pants. He will always make me as happy as can be. He may even do this for you. I’m sure he will. I like my dad! My MOM I like my mom. I like (my mom) because she wanted to bring me into this world. She was 25 when she had me. She thought I was beautiful even though I was small. I thought that was very nice to say. My mom was 23 when she was married. So two years later I was born. She has two brothers... Read the rest of this entry »

By: Heather L. Lue It is so easy in this busy, sometimes crazy life to feel alone; to feel like no one understands, or cares. It is easy to believe we are left to ourselves, if we don’t lift our eyes and hearts to God. And yet, when we take the time to call upon His name, we can know that God is there. Over the past few months, I have been overwhelmed with the challenges I faced. Focusing on those challenges, my weaknesses, and what seemed hopeless to overcome, I forgot to look up. I wallowed in self-pity, fear, and neglect. I felt alone. A talk at church reminded me of the importance of kneeling to pray (my prayers had become those horizontal, half-asleep kind you offer if you try to pray lying down). I decided to try it that night, and knelt to pray on my bed, with a talk by our prophet, Thomas S. Monson on in the background because I knew I needed to pray, but couldn’t reach to turn it off. The worries and concerns that had plagued me filled my heart as I closed my eyes. I had barely... Read the rest of this entry »

A Family That Hikes Together, Stays Together! ~by Cheryl Our family loves the outdoors. One of our favorite things to do is hike! My husband and I started hiking while we were dating, and we’ve continued to do so throughout the last 11 years. Hiking is a wonderful family activity because it combines exercise, beauty, photography, discovery, conversation, and laughter. Our kids know that if mom or dad says, “Hey, you guys want to go for a hike?” then chances are, we will end up hiking –no matter the weather! We have hiked in the snow, the rain, and the sunshine. We’ve hiked to waterfalls, lakes, and secluded groves of trees. We’ve hiked with food, without food, and for the point of a picnic. Hiking for us, is just fun! Here are some pictures: ———– What does your family like to do together? Do you have stories and pictures you can share? Email us at mormonwoman(at)gmail(dot)com with your thoughts and photos. For other Family... Read the rest of this entry »

~By Jenny Hiroko is a great woman for us to profile this time of year. Her life is an example of making goals and accomplishing them in the midst of great trials. While Hiroko was raised by parents who were well-meaning, she felt throughout her childhood that she just didn’t measure up. This feeling affected every area of her life, but it especially impacted her relationship with food. Food was used as a means of control in her childhood home, as reward and punishment. During her childhood she was also haunted by depression which followed her throughout life, especially after the births of each of her 4 children. At her lowest point Hiroko weighed 218 pounds and was a size 24. It wasn’t just the weight that meant rock-bottom to her, that was just an outward sign of all that was afflicting her. For years she felt that the depression was her fault, feeling that if she exercised more, prayed more, ate less, or read her scriptures more that her depression would go away. After the birth... Read the rest of this entry »

~ by Heather Last Sunday, I shared my testimony with the three boys in my Sunday School class that if they would seek answers in the Book of Mormon, they would find them. They joked — “Oh yeah, even math answers. You know, that verse in Alma just happens to be the answer to your homework!” I laughed, thinking, “Wouldn’t that be great?!!” But then yesterday, as I arrived at work a few minutes early, the Book of Mormon in my car caught my eye. I had been praying for guidance in knowing how to help the kids I tutor. Could there be an answer about that — especially in the little time I had? I let the book fall open, and my heart leapt with joy to realize that there was indeed an answer on that page for me. Here is what I found in 3 Nephi 11: 4 And it came to pass that again they heard the voice, and they understood it not. 5 And again the third time they did hear the voice, and did open their ears to hear it; and their eyes were towards the sound... Read the rest of this entry »

~by Janelle The past month has been tough for my family. My husband made an extremely costly error at work. My chronic illness left me immobile for several days. My children have had behavior and potty training issues. My husband’s employee fell ill and very nearly died. With the loss of those extra hands on the job site, my husband has been working from 5 a.m. to 12 a.m. daily. One night after returning home late from work, two of my small children awoke at the sound of my husband’s truck pulling into the driveway and followed him into our bed. He welcomed their sleepy embraces and snuggled them tightly. I could see the stress of the day fall off his shoulders as he heard tiny voices chime “I love you Daddy.” Our girls quickly buried under the covers next to my husband, seeking the warm crooks of his arms to use as pillows. He relished the chance to spend a few seconds snuggling with them, taking care not to move abruptly so they could fall back asleep before he carried them back... Read the rest of this entry »

-by Kathryn Elder Henry B. Eyring challenged us in October 2007 General Conference to ask these questions daily: Have I seen the hand of God reaching out to touch me (or my family and friends) today? Did God send a message that was just for me? What can I do to preserve that memory for the day that I, and those I love, will need to remember how much God loves us and how much we need him? We believe in the power of questions. A 14-year-old boy named Joseph Smith once had a question about which church he should join. He also loved reading the Bible and one day he came to this scripture in the book of James: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.” –(James 1:5-6) Later Joseph Smith wrote about the impact of that scripture: “Never did any passage of scripture... Read the rest of this entry »

Enjoy the Church’s “A Brand New Year” website designed for youth, which includes videos, music downloads, printable material (including a T-shirt iron-on and a poster), and other materials. Hear also inspirational stories from youth in different parts of the world. This website illustrates how much The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints cares about the youth, about helping young people grow up with strength, courage, good friendships, and moral anchors and guidance in their lives.  Read More →

~by Kathryn I asked my primary class to bring a family pioneer story to share.  I broadened the definition of pioneer to include any family conversion story. Twelve-year-old Paige brought her mother’s conversion story: When my mom was in college, she went on vacation with a friend to Virginia Beach, USA.  While swimming in the ocean, they lost all of their cash in a plastic cylinder.  Fortunately, my mom’s phone number was in the cylinder and it was found several miles up the coast by a 10-year-old boy who was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS).  He was excited to find the 200 dollars, but he had been taught to be honest by his parents and Primary teachers, and so he returned the money after his dad contacted my mom.  Along with the money he included a copy of the Book of Mormon and a letter asking her to read it and pray about the promise in Moroni.  My mom didn’t read it at the time, but was very impressed by the honesty and integrity... Read the rest of this entry »