…and Why I Wrote Them.
#10
Nothing too profound here. I was just inspired one day while teaching Sunday School by a particular verse in the Book of Mormon about the symbolism of Jesus Christ as our shepherd.
The Shepherd Who Runs
Do you ever feel like the sheep in this video? I definitely do–more often than I’d like to admit. I make the same mistakes again and again. I am rescued and run right back to my…
READ MORE#9
I have always been inspired by the doctrine contained in Christmas carols. When I focus on the substance of those songs, I feel the Christmas spirit so much more deeply. A few years ago I started a series of posts about these messages and called it Christmas Carol Theology based on a phrase shared by Jeffrey R. Holland in one of his Christmas messages.
Christmas Carol Theology: Fitting Us for Heaven
The focus of Christmas is most often the infant Christ who carried the promise to change the world as a man. That change absolutely occurred; however, the most important change He came to offer was individual–one…
READ MORE#8
The events at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021 really bothered me. I was also bothered by what I saw as misguided reaction by some members of my church. This was a look at what I thought our call to action really is as members of the Church of Jesus Christ.
“The Staff upon Which the Nation Shall Lean”
This is not the post I intended for today (that one will wait). When speaking about Doctrine & Covenants 101, Joseph Smith said, “Even this nation will be on the verge of crumbling to pieces and tumbling…
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This is a personal eulogy of sorts that I wrote in honor of my paternal step-grandfather who passed away in December 2021. He was my last living grandparent, three of whom died in 2021. These personal eulogies not only fall in my Top 10, they all fall into my Top 5 most read blog posts.
The Farm Was His Classroom
When I was about 7 or 8 years-old, my brother and I received a letter in the mail with a half a dozen or so hand drawn pictures of different adventures that were awaiting us on…
READ MORE#6
When I was teaching seminary, we spent more than a few lessons on Lehi’s dream because of the depth of the message and the power it had on the students. This is one of a three part series.
Clinging vs. Continually Holding: The Rod in Lehi’s Dream
A rope swing taught me more than I expected about Lehi’s dream. There is a difference between grabbing hold and holding fast. One keeps you moving. The other gets you home. The distinction is more important…
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I wrote this post after hearing from several friends and loved ones over a short period that they felt as if they were not measuring up. Around the same time, I was inspired by the song “You Say” and wanted as many people as possible to hear it.
“Remind Me Who I Am”
You ARE enough. The world we live in provides continuous message bombardment of what success means—- Do this. Do that. Think this. Think that. Look like this. Look like that. Be this. Be that. These messages…
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This is a personal eulogy of sorts that I wrote in honor of my paternal grandmother who passed away in February 2021.
The Day I Became a Great Cookie Baker
My grandma passed away this morning just a few months shy of her 97th birthday. She was a widow for almost 30 years. I’m glad she gets to be with my grandpa again, as well as…
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This is a personal eulogy of sorts that I wrote in honor of my maternal grandmother who passed away in July 2021.
God Will Help Us through the Tight Spots
A river pilot, a sudden storm, and a quiet prayer offered miles away. This story reminds us that even the most experienced among us need help beyond our own strength and that God is present in…
READ MORE#2
On a trip to Italy several years ago, I was inspired by the story of Michelangelo’s last work, left unfinished when he passed away. But more so, I was moved by a sonnet he wrote about his own conversion.
Michelangelo’s Greatest Work
When Stone Becomes Story 516 years ago this month, Michelangelo unveiled his commissioned work, David — one of the most recognized sculptures in the world and often celebrated as his greatest masterpiece. Even more impressive, Michelangelo…
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As the COVID-19 pandemic continued to impact us in all aspects of life, I felt strongly about following the council of our leaders. I became disheartened as I watched members of the church blatantly dismiss, disregard and disrespect the council in favor of their own understanding, opinions or political views.
