MORMON SOPRANO

To say I do a lot of reading would be an understatement. Books, magazines, newspapers, blog posts, articles, commentary…online and offline…you name it, I can be found turning, flipping, scanning and scrolling down. Often during these ‘word feasts’ I come across a quote that sticks in my brain, and then churns around and around until it’s soft, and warm, and smooth as homemade butter taffy. (more…)

“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. ” – Plato

Never give up, never give in! You were born to win!

A Mormon Message for everyone running the race of life.

Recently my heart has become tender as I ponder the bitter-sweet truth of being a parent.

Our babies grow up.

On one hand, it is a thrill to see Baby reach milestones . We celebrate her very first step, the first word, the first loose tooth and the first day of school, among a long list of other “firsts”. Indeed, our child exponentially gains knowledge, skills, talents and personality beyond our wildest imagination. It is pure joy to watch the miracle of our creation in partnership with God!

And yet, on the other hand, there is a price which must be paid. The currency required is Time. A sadness softly creeps into my heart knowing as milestones are met and passed, they never return. The beloved pacifier and blankie are left behind for toys, and play-dates. These are then discarded for car keys, prom dresses and real dates. As the fingerprints and smudges disappear from our home, the shiny glass and walls left behind seem hollow and empty.

We turn around, and discover our babies are grown and heading off on their own. This conundrum is called “the Circle of Life”. It is part of a grand plan of God for us to be born, to grow, to live and to die. And yet, no matter how necessary or logical, the process is never easy. Especially on a mother’s heart.

The difficulty of experiencing a major “season change” has become very personal recently. In a few short weeks I will be placing my own little child in the car and then driving her to another city where I will help her move her things into a dorm room, and then be expected to kiss her goodbye, and drive away.

In that brief moment, our family and our life as we know it will change forever. I have reached a chapter which I yearn to keep writing, but soon must close.

Of course, I feel boundless joy in celebrating my child’s great achievements. She has soaring hopes, amazing dreams, and a bright future! She’s beautiful and vibrant and eager to spread her wings. She’s ready and capable to fly. What more could a mother hope for?

And yet, I feel a heavy tug at my heart which threatens to break my resolve to be a reasonable and rational mother, and just lock her tightly away in a tower!

I know the circle of life will continue to turn, no matter how hard I may try to stop it. Therefore, every moment I have between this day, and that fast approaching day in August is priceless. These are days to be treasured, savored and never forgotten. Oh, how I wish I could have internalized this perspective the moment she arrived eighteen years ago, when all six pounds nine ounces of her was gently placed into my arms. I imagined then that there would be oodles of time together. So, I wasn’t careful enough, and I turned around.

After-Note: The song “Turn Around” was written in 1959 by Harry Belafonte, Alan Greene, and Malvina Reynolds. Thank you to McMahonBJ for creating this exquisite video.

President Eyring

This beautiful advice for daily living is taken from an excerpt of a talk given by LDS apostle President Henry B. Eyring entitled “O Remember, Remember“.

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Easter

Suffering Pain

Mocked in Vain

Falsely Accused

Sorely Abused

Walked Alone

To Atone

Dying Breath

Permitting Death

Morning Refrain

Lives Again!

~ Mormon Soprano – April 2009 ~

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May each of you feel the love of Easter. Today, and Always.

Set to an arrangement of the song “O Be Joyful In The Lord”, this  MoSop Movie proclaims the beauty of God’s ultimate creation, and the divine purpose of life.

“And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord: it shall rejoice in his salvation!” - Psalm 35:9

When the Savior walked the earth, He taught these profound words of hope and encouragement:

“…rejoice, because your names are written in heaven”

- Luke 10:20

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (“Mormons“) believe that each human being is a literal child of God. Our spirits lived before we were born on earth, and they will return to God after this life. Our soul is eternal, and our mortal lives are a  gift. The family is the most sacred unit on earth. In holy temples throughout the world, families can be united together not just until death parts them, but for all eternity!

O Be Joyful!

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God our Father has a Gameplan, and we’re all on the team! If He had a “playbook”, He might borrow a few play titles straight from daytime TV; “As The World Turns“, “One Life To Live“, “Guiding Light“, and “All My Children“. He could certainly include “Search For Tomorrow“, and “Another World“. For simplicity, this is Our Family Story.I love hearing, and sharing, and reading and telling the story of our Heavenly Father’s plan. I’m in good company, too. Apostle and scholar, (more…)

In my last post rant, I’m afraid I came across quite a bit cranky and less than patriotic. That was not my intention. OK. I admit I was cranky. But I want to reassure you that I still love my country very much, I am eager to see good things come from our new administration (there is always hope), and contrary to my attitude problem, I do not believe we have reached doomsday.

Therefore, I apologize for the downer post.

As penance, this morning I awoke with a scene from one of my favorite movies GroundHog Day running through my mind (over, and over, and over…).

I was replaying the moment when the character of Phil Conners (actor Bill Murray) has kidnapped the town groundhog and is speeding down the road in a stolen truck with the police in hot pursuit.

Bill sardonically lectures the groundhog: “Don’t Drive Angry! Don’t Drive Angry!” I got the message, and said to myself:

“MoSop, Don’t Blog Angry! Don’t Blog Angry!“

Therefore, today I give thanks for the wisdom of the groundhog. There’s no use in letting ourselves get frustrated on the road of life. I know this. It is actually one of my oft repeated mantras here at the site. A theme, if you will. In the end, we are all going to end up at the same destination (well, at least initially), so we might as well travel with grace.

I have resolved to think happier thoughts. To the left I have provided a “happy box”. To start things off, I will add a couple. Then, I invite you to please add some of your own via the comments. Don’t hold back. (We can always get another box if we fill this one). I think we could all do with some happy thoughts right now. Don’t you?

#1. Wisdom from Pooh Corner:

“When late morning rolls around and you’re feeling a bit out of sorts, don’t worry; you’re probably just a little eleven o’clockish”.
– Winnie the Pooh

#2. A commercial from the U.K. that I think is brilliant

Joe The Dog

Some of you may not have been introduced yet to Joey, our red heeler. If that’s the case, you may want to read “It All Works Out” or “No Empty Chairs” in your spare time. This particular post is the latest in the saga of our dog’s life, and his subsequent misadventures. Forget Joe The Plumber, we’ve got Joe The Dog! Here is the latest “teaching moment” he has provided us:

The Parable of The Dog and The Chili Can

A few weeks ago (more…)