Category: Joseph Smith

“Only faith that He suffered for our sakes will help us endure to the end.”

November 4, 2021

In 1952, Florence Chadwick attempted something no woman had attempted before: swimming the Catalina Channel. It was cold and extremely foggy the whole time she was in the water. She could barely even see the support boats swimming beside her. Fifteen hours in, she decided to quit. She went to get into the support boat, … More “Only faith that He suffered for our sakes will help us endure to the end.”

You can’t do everything and be everything to everyone – we have a Savior for that.

March 15, 2021

There is a Greek myth about a boy named Phaethon. He went to his father, a God named Helios who was charged with carrying the sun across the sky every day. The father swore by an oath that he would grant his son one request. Phaethon asked to drive his father’s sun chariot. The father … More You can’t do everything and be everything to everyone – we have a Savior for that.

“His laws are a manifestation of His love for us and obedience to His laws is an expression of our love for Him.”

March 12, 2021

I was belting along with a song in the car last weekWhen my 2-year-old daughter said in a long-suffering voice,“I love you, Mom, but you’ve got to stop singing.” I laughed (since I know she got that phraseology from me…) Though it did make me think more about the expression:“I love you, but…” I realized … More “His laws are a manifestation of His love for us and obedience to His laws is an expression of our love for Him.”

“As we emulate His perfect example, our hands can become His hands, our eyes His eyes, our heart His heart.”

February 19, 2021

During a World War Two bombing, a statue of Christ was damaged. Experts were able to repair most of it, but the hands were damaged beyond repair. The people in the city ultimately decided to leave it as it was and beside the statue, they put a plaque that read, “You are my hands.” I … More “As we emulate His perfect example, our hands can become His hands, our eyes His eyes, our heart His heart.”

“Often, the answer to our prayer does not come while we are on our knees but while we are on our feet serving the Lord.”

February 11, 2021

There once were two boys trying to get home. They got halfway across the field and a bull started charging at them.  One boy said “I’m going to stop and pray” The other boy said, “you can do what you want, but I am going to run and pray! Run and pray.  This story reminds … More “Often, the answer to our prayer does not come while we are on our knees but while we are on our feet serving the Lord.”

“If you seek God’s truth, that which now may appear dim, out of focus, and distant will gradually be revealed.”

February 4, 2021

Anyone else use sleep to solve all their problems?Angry—sleep.Sad—sleep.Overwhelmed—sleep.The other day, I was in a funk and my husband said “sleep.” So I went into my room to take a nap and decided, you know what? No. I’m going to read my scriptures and write a post or two. Feeling quite proud of myself, I … More “If you seek God’s truth, that which now may appear dim, out of focus, and distant will gradually be revealed.”

“In order to have a healed and faithful heart, we must first allow it to break before the Lord.”

January 23, 2021

There was once a man out playing catch. His glove was so broken-in that it could almost make the catch on its own without him doing much of anything. The man realized that maybe having broken heart is more about having a broken-in heart. A broken heart can seem non-functional. But with a broken-in heart … More “In order to have a healed and faithful heart, we must first allow it to break before the Lord.”

There is joy in sorrow, light in darkness, hope in failure, redemption in sin, a balm for pain, a way when lost. His name is Jesus Christ.

January 21, 2021

Joseph Smith’s first baby passed away at birth. Emma almost died after the delivery as well. And just two weeks after this tragic time in Joseph Smith’s life, he learned that Martin Harris had lost the Book of Mormon manuscript. Joseph began to sob. “Oh, my God, my God,” Joseph groaned, clenching his fists. “All … More There is joy in sorrow, light in darkness, hope in failure, redemption in sin, a balm for pain, a way when lost. His name is Jesus Christ.

“If you want to give a light to others, you have to glow yourself.”

January 19, 2021

One day, when the Smith family was experiencing some religious conflict, Lucy Mack Smith “retired to a grove of handsome wild cherry trees not far distant and prayed to the Lord.” Sound familiar? Maybe that experience inspired Joseph, years later, to do similarly when his mind was heavy with internal religious conflict. If so, Lucy’s … More “If you want to give a light to others, you have to glow yourself.”

“Imperfect people are all God has ever had to work with.”

January 16, 2021

Being discouraged for “frequently falling into foolish actions.” (JSH 1:28) Man, I can relate to Joseph on this one. It is frustrating to fall short again and again. To see the gap between what you should do and what you actually do. But God doesn’t have a prerequisite of perfection to do His work. “God … More “Imperfect people are all God has ever had to work with.”

“…You have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future”

January 16, 2021

About three years ago, I lost my keys at the park.  I was locked out with two kids during lunch/nap time.  I knelt down and prayed. Got up, looked for two hours, and still didn’t find my keys.  The next day, after locking the house up and getting the kids in the car, I lost … More “…You have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future”

“He has not abandoned you. He will not forsake you.”

January 14, 2021

A missionary was laying on her bed in the middle of the night, praying through her sobs, “I have done everything I can, I have fought for so long. Why haven’t you helped me?”  For three years she had been struggling with an eating disorder. But she had never used the words “eating disorder”. Laying … More “He has not abandoned you. He will not forsake you.”

“Diamonds are formed under pressure. And bread dough rises when you let it rest.”

January 12, 2021

I was sitting, nursing my daughter last night. She was doing the “suck, suck, desperate, hungry wail” on repeat. And I just cried. Because that feeling of being empty. Of my child needing me and me being depleted…it felt like my last week instead of just that heart-wrenching moment. I have so many things I … More “Diamonds are formed under pressure. And bread dough rises when you let it rest.”

We need less contests of opinions and more love without condition.

January 9, 2021

“Creating no small stir and division among the people.” Those words from Joseph Smith History weighed on my heart this time around. Joseph Smith described what caused the division, “good feelings […] being lost in strife of words and contests of opinions.” The problem was people cared more about their opinions than their neighbors. We … More We need less contests of opinions and more love without condition.