The Most WONDERFUL Time Of The Year

English: Dwight McCann, http://dwightmccann.co...

Mathis: Image via Wikipedia

The distinctive voice of Johnny Mathis crooned through my radio, declaring “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of The Year!” The popular Christmas song went on to list exactly what makes it so wonderful, such as holiday greetings, being with loved ones, caroling, “parties for hosting”, and even “marshmallows for toasting” Continue reading

Tragedy Or Destiny In Texas?

It’s the worst nightmare any parent of a young Mormon missionary would have to face; learning your child who has dedicated two years of their lives away from home for church service will never return. Last night, not just one, but two families received this devastating news. Today, our world-wide community of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are grieving for the tragic loss of two exemplary young men struck down in their prime on a rural road in Texas. Continue reading

Conference Highlights – October 2011

The Conference Center, SLC Utah

It is impossible to give true justice to a General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with a mere summary. However, for the sake of my many readers who may not have had the opportunity to watch or hear the conference yet, or for those who would like my perspective – here are a few of my personal observations and highlights from the recent October 2011 Conference weekend: Continue reading

Temple Announcement Fulfills A Dream

View of Conference Center spire taken from sou...

LDS Conference Center - Image via Wikipedia

The first two sessions of the 181st Semi-annual General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints have just concluded, and they were wonderful as usual!  Here’s a brief recap of today’s Temple Announcements, including President Monson’s dramatic entrance. :) Continue reading

Decorating For Conference

Fall in Salt Lake City is definitely my favorite season of the year. I love the crispness in the air and watching the mountains become a beautiful living canvas of red and gold, growing bolder and more vibrant each day. For me, Fall is a season of romance and love. My husband and I met in October, and got engaged in October two years later. Fall is also a season of spiritual renewal, bringing the October semi-annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – something I never miss! With the holidays of Halloween and Thanksgiving just around the corner, and the crowning glory of Christmas following close behind, who couldn’t love this very special time of the year?

I have been personally preparing Continue reading

He Is Risen!

The Resurrection of Christ by Carl Bloch - image courtesy Wikimedia

“Of all the things for which I feel grateful, I am most thankful this Easter morning for the gift of my Lord and my Redeemer. This is Easter, when, with all of Christendom, we commemorate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. This was not an ordinary thing. It was the greatest event in human history. I do not hesitate to say that.

If a man die, shall he live again?” asked Job (Job 14:14). There is no question of greater importance than this. Continue reading

Holy Saturday: Jesus Visits The Dead

Painting by Fra Angelico "Christ's Journey To Hell and Release of Old Testamentary Persons, beginning with Adam" - image via Wikimedia

Where was Jesus for the 30-35 hours between His death on Friday, and His Resurrection on Sunday?  The answer unlocks the mystery of death and gives us a glimpse of God’s Great Plan of Happiness for all of His children. Elder Spencer J. Condie of the Quorum of the Seventy stated:

“…the significance of what He [The Savior] did during those hours provides the  doctrinal foundation for building [Latter-day Saint] temples across the earth. Furthermore, a testimony of what He did can greatly console those who mourn the death of a loved one.” Continue reading

My Easter Story

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Jesus resurrected and Mary Magdalene
Image via Wikipedia

When my heart

Cries out,

“I am alone!”

I look at the cross to my left

And Jesus is there.

Since Friday

He has been

Quietly sharing

my pain

And when I listen

I hear Him Say,

“Lo, I am with you…

Alway.” Continue reading

Being Like Jesus

Jesus is considered by scholars such as Weber ...

Image via Wikipedia

Some of the most sublime and thought-provoking teachings of Jesus can be found in the 5th Chapter of Matthew , in the New Testamant – called The Sermon on The Mount. Not far from the city of Nazareth, a large crowd gathered on a hill. They had a commanding view of the beautiful Sea of Galilee as they listened to the man who had calmed its waves and walked upon its sparkling water. Continue reading

Remember Easter

I believe that Easter is the most sacred and important holiday of the year. Sadly, its meaning and significance is often forgotten. The new video entitled “His Holy Name – An Easter Declaration” says everything I could, and more. ~ MoSop

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Read President Thomas S. Monson’s full address, entitled  ”He Is Risen!”

What is so important about Jesus? Find out, here.

The Handmade Gift

There’s nothing sweeter than receiving a handmade gift. The thought of someone taking the effort to choose materials, and invest their time and energy to personally share their talent is touching. In our busy modern world, it’s become rare, which makes this gift all the more special.

I’ve been trying to remember the last time I gave a handmade craft as a gift. When I was in High School, our family invited a foreign exchange student from Finland to live with us for the school year. Matti’s passion was ice hockey, and he was good, leading a local team to victory. From the beginning he and I were competitive with each other. I suppose we were jockeying for position in the family hierarchy. We didn’t always see eye-to-eye about the world either and had several lengthy “debates”. But, like any ”sibling rivalry”, underneath it all there was respect and love. When Christmas time approached, Continue reading