5 online gems that will revitalize your scripture study
In the April 2017 general conference, then-President Thomas S. Monson invited every member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to read from the Book of Mormon every day. In a recent worldwide devotional for youth, President Russell M. Nelson built on this invitation. He said, “As you continue to read daily from […]
How to get your Utah camping fix without actually camping
You get it — Utah is a great place to get outside, pitch a tent, build a fire, sleep under the stars, climb mountains, live off the land, yada yada yada. But what if camping just isn’t your thing? What if you think the outdoors are just fine but you’d rather stay within walking distance of […]
10 FHE lessons that will take your family outside this summer
Utah may be known for its snow, but summers here are pretty darn great too. Who wants to stay inside for family home evening when the mountains are calling? Here are 10 ways to teach gospel lessons to your family while enjoying the great outdoors, complete with links to Utah County JustServe service opportunities for your […]
7 anniversary destinations close to home
“Oh, they say when you marry in June you’re a bride all your life” — or, at least, you can celebrate your nuptials every time “spring, spring, spring” rolls around. If you’re one of the June brides who celebrates her anniversary this month, it’s not too late to plan your romantic getaway. Here are seven anniversary […]
6 ways to keep kids learning over the summer
For nine months out of the year, elementary school students practice reading, writing, art, social skills, science, technology, physical education and more. They have an established routine, and they grow rapidly. And then summer break comes, allowing kids more time to just be kids — and more time to forget everything they learned during the […]
12 ways having your 4th child is different from your first
Ah, having a baby. It’s a magical time, a stressful time, a happy time, an emotional time. Whether it’s your first baby or your tenth, there’s something special about every baby and every birth. But as I prepared to give birth to my fourth child, I noticed a few differences between this birth experience and […]
7 companies that hire for work-at-home jobs
Remember 20 years ago, when going to work always meant leaving the house? Or even 10 years ago, when telecommuting was barely a thing? These days, office work is so 2007. If you like the idea of part-time work (and extra income) but can’t feasibly work outside the home, you might try looking into jobs at […]
Ideas for teaching children about the last week of Christ’s life
Easter can be a tricky holiday for Latter-day Saints. Traditional celebrations include the Easter Bunny, eggs, candy, Easter egg hunts and new clothes. Religious celebrations have nothing to do with these rituals, but instead focus on Jesus Christ and His atonement. It’s up to each LDS family to choose how to celebrate Easter. But if […]
8 new restaurants opening in Utah County in 2018
Utah County had just over 592,000 residents in 2017. Over the next 50 years, new projections estimate that number will triple to more than 1.6 million. As this growth accelerates, several new businesses and restaurants are opening in Utah County. Here are eight restaurants to be on the lookout for in 2018. 1. Strap Tank Brewing Co., […]
Countdown to conference: 10 ways to prepare
Believe it or not, general conference is just around the corner. And if it seems to you like it came faster than usual this year, you’re right — it falls on March 31 and April 1, which are the earliest possible dates for the conference that is always held during the first weekend of April. […]
5 great parent/toddler classes in Utah County
Population estimates say that more than 250,000 children under 5 are living in Utah County. That’s a quarter of a million kids who aren’t yet in school and who love to play. If you have one or two (or more!) of these children living in your house, check out some of these fun parent/toddler classes in […]
Pleasant Grove father creates FHE app
In the 103 years since LDS Church President Joseph F. Smith instituted family home evening as a tradition in the Church, parents have done their best to “gather their boys and girls about them in the home and teach them the word of the Lord.” Some have been successful, others less so. But as Elder […]
What 5 U.S. presidents have said about the LDS Church
When Joseph Smith met with then-U.S. President Martin Van Buren in 1839, the interaction wasn’t great. LDS Church members had recently been forced out of Missouri, and Smith met with the president in pursuit of justice. President Van Buren’s response? “Your cause is just, but I can do nothing for you. If I take up […]
What I learned when I had lunch with President Nelson
On the first Tuesday of this year, President Thomas S. Monson passed away. On Tuesday, Jan. 16, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced President Russell M. Nelson as its new president. And on a Tuesday afternoon in January eight years ago, my husband and I sat down to have lunch with President Russell M. […]
What comes next?: What to expect when the new prophet is sustained
With the passing of President Thomas S. Monson, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are at a crossroads. While members mourn the loss of their beloved prophet, they also look to the future of the Church. A major part of the Church’s immediate future is the sustaining of a new prophet. […]
Helpful resources for 2018 Priesthood and Relief Society curriculum
In late 2017, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced a change to the Relief Society and Melchizedek Priesthood Sunday curriculum. Starting this year, the “Teachings of Presidents of the Church” series will no longer be the core curriculum. Instead, quorums and auxiliaries will study primarily from the teachings of living apostles and prophets. […]
President Thomas S. Monson Dies at 90
President Thomas S. Monson, 16th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died on Jan. 2 at 10:01 p.m. in his home in Salt Lake City surrounded by his family. At the age of 90, he died of causes incident to age. Funeral arrangements will be announced later this week. The Church’s […]
10 New Year’s resolutions from the prophets for 2018
The Christmas decorations are put away, the gifts unwrapped, the holiday treats devoured. Now it’s time to turn over a new leaf, to set new goals, to start fresh. According to a recent report by YouGov, the three most popular 2018 New Year’s resolutions are to (1) eat better, (2) exercise more, and (3) spend […]
LDS Apostle Robert D. Hales dies at 85
Elder Robert D. Hales, member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. He was 85. The LDS Church announced he died from causes incident to age, passing peacefully at the hospital surrounded by his wife and family. Elder Hales was sustained as […]
The conference talk that changed my life
General conferences of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are meant to inspire and uplift people around the world. Addresses teach doctrine, give council, provide encouragement, and uplift listeners. And sometimes a talk even changes someone’s life. A few Church members responded to an informal survey about which conference talks were game-changers for them. […]
Modern pioneers: 3 countries where first-generation Saints are thriving
If Pioneer Day brings to mind images of 19th-century converts pushing handcarts across an unforgiving prairie floor, you’re not alone. And you’re right — the pioneers who came to Utah in the late 1800s are important to remember and left a heritage all Utahns (and all Church members) can appreciate. But pioneers exist today all […]
What LDS Girls Camp is like around the world
When Young Women Camp began, a small group of young women from Salt Lake City went into the mountains near their homes for a weeklong excursion. Since then, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has grown to millions of members from all around the world. Today most church members are not within hiking distance of […]
5 ‘follow the prophet’ traditions to start right now
The April 2017 general conference is now two months behind us. In conference, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints shared uplifting messages and gave directions on how to improve our lives. With two months past, we can now ask, “What have I done with what I’ve learned?” All five of the traditions listed […]
What I learned when the Spirit took me on a detour
As a writer, I’ve learned that some stories must be told. I’ve also learned that some stories are maddeningly difficult to tell. The story of Katherine Love Paxman was, for me, both. I’d spent the better part of a day in the Church History Library reading room shuffling through archives in an effort to root […]
10 things to do for Young Men activities now that Scouting is over
When The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints cut ties with the Boy Scouts of America for young men ages 14–18 on May 11, 2017, a new era in the Church began. For a century, young men activities and Scouting activities have been almost synonymous in the United States. In a press release, the LDS Church said the […]
10 lessons I wish I’d learned in Young Women
It’s been more than a decade since I graduated from Young Women into Relief Society. I remember fondly the pre-“Come Follow Me” lessons that referenced dance halls and that mostly quoted apostles and prophets from the 1970s. I also remember the foundational doctrinal teachings I learned during that formative time in my life about the […]
Beyond email: New service helps parents listen to their LDS missionary’s experiences
The idea is simple: On P-days, a missionary calls a toll-free number, talks to a machine for five minutes, then hangs up. A link to the recording is then emailed to the missionary’s friends and family. The implications are exciting: Families can hear their missionary’s voice, the missionary doesn’t have to spend as much time on email, […]
The 8 stages of general conference with little kids
Parents in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints “have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, … and to teach them to … observe the commandments of God,” according to “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.” So when general conference rolls around, it’s up to Mom and Dad to […]
3 Mormon celebrities who have spoken in general conference
Today speakers for the general conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are chosen from among the general authorities and general officers of the Church. Other Church members with significant influence are given other opportunities to address certain groups, but this happens in Face2Face chats, firesides or other venues. General conference is […]
7 things Relief Society doesn’t do anymore (and 3 it does)
The Relief Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints turns 175 years old on March 17th, and women around the world are celebrating with activities, service projects, dinners and more. But the original members of the Relief Society — those who were in Nauvoo in 1842 when Joseph Smith founded the organization — […]