My brother Shane was often teased for being fat. As a kid and as an adult. Why do we tease fat kids? Why do we make fun of those who don’t fit in? Why do we bully those who are different than we are, be it their race, religion, sexuality, ability level, income, politics, language, or any other area? BUT THAT’S NOT ME! But, wait you say, you wouldn’t tease, shame, or bully a fat kid. Or anyone else for…
When Naomi Randall wrote “I Am A Child Of God” in the middle of the night in 1957, she had no idea the impact it would have on millions of people. Translated into more than 90 languages, millions of children around the world have sung it and discovered the eternal truth they are children of God. That truth has created comfort and peace for Elisa and me. For Elisa, it was simply knowing an eternally loving Father also watched over…
It takes a bit of nerve to share unsolicited advice. This fact does not go unnoticed. Nor did it go unnoticed this past week when I shared some thoughts with the son of a friend of mine. The son had just turned 21 and it felt like sharing some thoughts may potentially mean something. Years ago when I was an older teenager trying to connect with my dad and mom I was the recipient of some unsolicited advice on more…
Few truths are as important nor as applicable as knowing we are a child of God. Such knowledge, as Eliza R. Snow shares in her seminal hymn “O My Father,” helps us know we had “wandered from a more exalted sphere.” O my Father, thou that dwellest In the high and glorious place, When shall I regain thy presence And again behold thy face? In thy holy habitation, Did my spirit once reside? In my first primeval childhood Was I nurtured…
“Home Is Where You Hang Your Hat” A sign with this nostalgic phrase hung above the booth where my dad almost always sat at the coffee shop inside the Rodeway Inn on Main Street in our hometown of Richfield, Utah. The “hotel,” as we always called it, seemed like it was Dad’s second home. Not that he actually lived there, nor do I know if he ever literally hung his hat on one of the hooks, but he did spend…
From the darkness of Golgotha on Good Friday, to the miraculous triumph of Resurrection Sunday, we celebrate with you the gift of Easter, the gift of hope and everlasting peace brought to each of us through the Atonement and Resurrection of our Beautiful Savior Jesus Christ. 🎼🎼🎼 Fair is the sunshine, Fairer the moonlight And all the stars in heav’n above; Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer And brings to all the world his love. 🎼🎼🎼 When the sting of…
In the midst of the confusion and all the unknown connected with the Coronavirus turmoil, my soul is actively seeking elements of peace. My heart found great comfort yesterday listening to words of hope from the leaders of my faith during our worldwide general conference. More than their words, it was the feeling of peace and comfort I felt. As we enter this week between Palm Sunday and Easter, I am also drawn to the peace found in the Holy…
The legacy we pass on is a HUGE reason I continue to share stories of my life and of my family. Writing for the world, so to speak, helps me write in a more compelling and persuasive way. My hope is someday when my family stumbles upon my written words (most likely generations down the road!) they will better enjoy because I write and share compelling stories. This concept of leaving something for our legacy suggests we leave our words…
When a child expresses their desire to do something that seems impossible, or maybe just impractical, there are millions of ways to say it can’t be done… I don’t have time, not now, we’ll do that another day, you’re not old enough, you’re not strong enough, you can’t do it, that’s too far, too hard, what are you thinking, I don’t think so, let’s do something else instead. And the one used most often… No. Right now, thanks to our…
Where is the main source of your love? From whence do you find your light? What has become your Ebenezer? Ebenezer??? The question comes from the first line of the second stanza of the beloved Christian hymn, “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.” “Here I raise my Ebenezer, hither by thy help I come…” The lyrics reference a passage in 1 Samuel 7:12 when the prophet Samuel “took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the…