Mormon Bloggers

Mormon families take turns cleaning their churches. Warning: Self-disclosure today and it’s not flattering. Have you ever been sorry you answered the phone?  I got one of those calls Friday night,  one I wasn’t in the  mood for.  It wasn’t the worst one I’ve ever answered, but it was a good thing the person on the other end couldn’t see my face. “We signed up for church clean-up tomorrow morning and we can’t make it. Will you take our place?” Tell me honestly how welcome that phone call would be, especially with the short notice? No surge of benevolence went coursing through my veins right at that instant. However, I hid my truer, mortal feelings. “Sure..um..ok” Trust me, asking people to sub for you at the last minute for church cleaning is not an effective way to endear yourself to anyone. I wanted to say no. My house is behind, my life is behind. We just sent off Chinese students who had... Read the rest of this entry »

My parents moved to Alabama.  Two months ago my dad volunteered for a one-week missionary & construction trip serving an area devastated by last spring’s overactive tornado season.  By the time he returned home, the Lord had spoken to his heart and he knew he was being called to dedicate more time to the work and the people in the hills of Alabama.  Everything else just fell into place… Within weeks the finances to cover obligations at home had wondrously appeared, as well as the beginnings of what they would need to move from Iowa to Alabama and modestly survive while they are there.  Circumstances at my mother’s job had been building towards an opportunity for long-term leave for quite awhile and made sense completely as soon as this opportunity was presented to her.  And another family member seeking a new beginning in her own life was right there to take over the day-to-day responsibilities my parent’s would be leaving behind for... Read the rest of this entry »

My 14-year old son has taken a liking for movies about unlikely heroes. With the help of his Clear-Play DVD player and Netflix, he’s watched Schindler’s List and Hotel Rwanda. In both, unlikely heroes surface to do something they would not have assumed they could do beforehand. In sacrament meeting last week, one of the speakers talked about Ester and her being in the right place at the right time to serve her people in a heroic way. I think stories of accidental heroes appeal to us because they reflect on the innate goodness of someone to do the right thing, and that the right thing may have a significant impact. (I’d be tempted to quote 1 Nephi 16:29 in which we read, “And thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things,” except that I’ve always been struck by the irony of that statement. The liahona may have been small in size, but certain not in technology or impact!) I don’t know if my son wonders if he will be an unlikely hero someday, but he... Read the rest of this entry »

Sometimes I think of mortality as the grand delusion. What we human beings describe as being “on top” in regards to success, is what Christ puts on the bottom. Making it to the “top” (World’s puffed up version) Trying to fit in with the world… Adopting Christ’s view of success… I was reflecting this morning how often the scriptures and church leadership try to set the record straight on what matters, from the Sermon on the Mount to warnings in LDS Worldwide General Conference. Some examples: Elder Uchtdorf’s most awesome talk in General Priesthood session (Oct 2010) about the failed doctrine of “Thank God I am more special than you”. Or the intriguing definition of the Greek work Makarios and how “blessed” is quite different in the Lord’s eyes when compared to the world’s view. This morning I came across it again in Matthew 23:5-7,12 5 But all their works they do for... Read the rest of this entry »

Efrain from Peru Elder L. Tom Perry described the New Testament last General Conference in a way that resonated with my soul. “This year all of us have the opportunity to study the words of the prophets in the New Testament in Sunday School. While the Old Testament is a study of prophets and a people, the New Testament is focused on the life and influence of the only Man who came into mortality with dual citizenship in heaven and on earth—our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ.” “The world today is so saturated with doctrines of men that it is easy to forget and lose faith in that all-important account of the Savior’s life and ministry—the New Testament. This sacred volume is the centerpiece of scriptural history, just as the Savior Himself should be the centerpiece of our lives. We must commit ourselves to study it and treasure it!” If I were to pick only one of the most pivotal passages in the New Testament, and if I were limited to only that one... Read the rest of this entry »

“Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon ‘em.”  Shakespeare, Twelfth Night In the world, greatness is usually defined in terms of preeminence, achievement, fame, and fortune.  In contrast, the Lord defines greatness in terms of servanthood; for “[h]e that is greatest among you shall be your servant” (Matthew 23:11).  Service is less about a position or status and more about possessing a willing “heart and … mind” (D&C 64:34). But even great acts of service, if they remain alone, will not make a man (or woman) great.  Greatness can only be achieved to the extent one answers the Savior’s call to become like Him (3 Nephi 27:27).  Thus, in order to move up in God’s eyes, we must first fall to our knees for whosever “humble[s] himself as [a] little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:4). Jockeying for position and seeking to “be accounted the greatest” (Luke... Read the rest of this entry »

Continued from Thursday’s post… Scott and Kelly, David’s friends from Wright-Patterson A.F.B. arrive sometime on Thursday. Seeing David for the first time, with all those medical bells and whistles attached is sobering. I remember my own shock through their eyes. Scott and Kelly turn out to be some really good friends and we enjoyed getting to know them and reminiscing about David. It did my heart good. Mental note to myself: Never underestimate the power of a few kinds words and the gift of simply your time and company! The ICU nurses think David will regain consciousness around noon today while they take his ventilator out. We’re all excited. In my head, I’m weighing all the thoughts and emotions best to express to David for the first time. I settle on the simpler ones like “I love you” and “glad you’re OK”… Our anticipation turns to deep disappointment when David has to be sedated again. Have you seen the movie... Read the rest of this entry »

We believe in the same organization that existed in the primitive church, namely apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth. (Articles of Faith 1:6) Most people who have been around the church for a while get a pretty clear view of how things work. The global organization is pretty centrally run – First Presidency, Quorum of the Twelve, Seventies. Locally we have stake presidents and high councils, and bishops in our wards. At the retail level, in the wards and branches, the heavy lifting is done in the day-to-day work of priesthood quorums and Relief Society. Quorums help folks move, cut lawns and trim trees for widows, visit and bless the sick. The Relief Society sends in meals, helps families in crisis manage home duties, and does its own work of visiting the sick and needy. Some of this work comes by assignment in a ward council or priesthood executive committee meeting. Some is arranged by presidencies who see needs and fill them. Some is simply performed... Read the rest of this entry »

Today in the United States, we are celebrating Memorial Day, a time to remember those who have given of their time — and some, their lives — in the service of their country. This documentary includes some information about and reflections from members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who served in World War II. The video includes some stories of faith in the midst of war. We are grateful for those who have served in the military, and their families and loved ones who support them.  Read More →

Grandma Maxine and Grandpa Devar were wonderful examples of service.  Grandpa Devar would always have a quilt set up outside under his carport and up to a year before he died at age 92, he would go out most days and tie quilts.  Grandma would bind Grandpa’s quilts, and they’d send them off to the Humanitarian Center to be given to needy people all over the world.  Service kept them young and kept them going.  About a year before he died, the humanitarian center no longer needed donated quilts and Grandpa stopped quilting.  If he had been able to continue to serve by making quilts, who knows how much longer he would have lived!  The following volunteer opportunity takes up less space and is more convenient than quilting, but service is service and it blesses our lives as much as the lives of those we serve. Here is a great way to volunteer your time to some wonderful causes for the LDS church!  vineyard.lds.org  Read More →

Economical, creative and fun, these plates are definitely a craft Grandma Maxine would appreciate.  Instead of hanging them on her wall, however, I think she would be more likely to pile them with cookies and send them over to a neighbor. I wanted something up on my kitchen wall that would match my curtains, but I couldn’t find anything that was just right so I decided to use the same fabric and paint to make decorative wall plates. Here is what you will need to make your own:Glass plates (Walmart and dollar stores sell them in the dishwares section)AlcoholPicture (from fabric or paper)Decoupage medium (or white glue mixed 3 parts glue, 1 part water)Decoupage brush3 colors of acrylic paintPaint brushSponges 1.  Clean your plate with alcohol2.  Arrange your picture on the front of the plate till you get a design you like.3.  Remove the picture and turn the plate upside down.4.  Apply decoupage medium to FRONT SIDE of your picture.5.  Place your... Read the rest of this entry »

~by Michelle Meet Zack,  a young Mormon boy who was able to raise money last year for people in need of wheelchairs — by selling lemonade and homemade cookies at his lemonade stand, “Zack’s Shack.” This year, at the age of seven, “Zack’s back”! With his mom’s help, the word was spread on Facebook, and Zack was able to get more people to his lemonade stand. In two days he raised enough money to help ten more people receive wheelchairs. I was especially moved by the letter Zack received from a boy in Quesan, Jordan that motivated Zack’s continued efforts. From the Mormon Times story: “This is my special thanks for people in America in general and as a special one for you, my friend Zack,” said Abdulla Monsour Oudah, recipient of a wheelchair from LDS Charities. “I kiss your forehead [a supreme Arabic act of respect]. I am proud of you and what you did for me and for other people who need help. Since we are handicapped, we do... Read the rest of this entry »