Mormons have this semi-annual thing called General Conference. It’s a meeting for all members of the LDS church around the globe. It’s held in two, 2-hour sessions on Saturday and two, 2-hour sessions on Sunday. Since church headquarters are in Salt Lake City, the Conference Center on Temple Square in Salt Lake City is the [...]
{ 1 comment }
Three days ago, Sam was playing basketball in the gym at our church — one congregation against another. The other team forfeited so a pick-up game ensued. The scheduled referee, probably in his late 50s, jumped up to fill out the losing team. A while later, as he was dribbling down the court, without any [...]
{ 14 comments }
Today I came across a post I should have written. Matt Kimberley spoke of how to make everything easier, but I swear he’s been listening in on conversations with my children. I’ve been dishing out this advice for longer than they can remember. They’re sick of it, but maybe you aren’t. I have a daughter who [...]
{ 10 comments }
The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior. This quote makes my kids crazy. When they are incredulous because I think I know what they are going to do in a given situation, that is my response. When you’ve known someone from the exact moment of birth, it doesn’t take psychic powers to anticipate [...]
{ 10 comments }
Every Christmas Eve we gather our family together to have a musical, spiritual remembrance of the real meaning of Christmas: Jesus Christ. We dress up (with bathrobes and sheets and towels and broom handles and foil crowns and anything else handy) and act out the story of the nativity. Over the years, I developed a [...]
{ 3 comments }
Rather than have a more traditional big holiday meal, on Christmas Eve, while reenacting the nativity, we have a shepherd’s feast. We sit on a blanket on the family room floor and eat by the light of the fire. While the food isn’t authentic to shepherd’s of Christ’s day by any means, it’s still a way [...]
{ 4 comments }
Cynicism about spirituality is all the rage in Hollywood and academia, and it filters into the culture at large. What these finger-pointing folks don’t seem to realize is that they already have their own religions: global warming, money, fame, sex, indulgence, excess, self-promotion. They’re all value systems and pursuits ascribed supreme importance. They just avoid [...]
{ 1 comment }
As a child I was always fascinated by advent calendars. The first one I ever say was a standup cardboard calendar that my dad bought from a door-to-door salesman. It had little paper windows to open each day to reveal a picture behind. Over the past few days I’ve posted seven Christmas advent calendars that [...]
{ 9 comments }
Purchase a long, tapered candle. Paint 24 dots down the length of the candle. Each night as you read the scriptures, let the candle burn down one marking. Discuss the Savior’s character as revealed by the scripture. December 1 Matthew 18:4 Humble December 2 Colossians 3:13 Forgiving December 3 1 Corinthians 16:14 Charitable December 4 [...]
{ 3 comments }
If you’re looking for a more involved advent calendar this Christmas, this one is perfect. Each day there is a passage of scripture that reviews the Savior’s mission. This is followed by a related song or hymn. Then there is a suggestion of something to do that will help you draw closer to the Lord. [...]
{ 4 comments }
Purchase a small tree and tiny ornaments to go with each scripture. Alternately, make a Christmas tree wall hanging and small, felt ornaments that can attach to the tree with velcro. We have three little trees with white lights in our family room and the kids are going to draw a picture of each item [...]
{ 5 comments }
The perfect advent calendar for family discussion, this calendar features scriptures about Christ and questions to talk about each day. Help your family focus on Christ during this holy season. December 1 Luke 1:26–33 Who told Mary that she would have a baby? December 2 Luke 1:26–27 Where was Mary living? December 3 Luke 1:39 [...]
{ 10 comments }
This is a simple advent calendar that involved just a few scriptures each day leading up to Christmas. It’s perfect for families with small children (or just short attention spans!) or for those who like less formal reading and lots of discussion. An fun option is to make a table wreath with four candles. Light [...]
{ 1 comment }
What better way to praise the Lord than through song? Use this advent calendar to celebrate Christmas all month long. Each day read a scripture and then sing of him with a related carol or hymn. December 1 Isaiah 7:14 Angels We Have Heard On High December 2 Isaiah 9:6 Away In A Manger December [...]
{ 5 comments }
We’ve all heard about the state of real estate in these trouble economic times. Foreclosures are everywhere. Yesterday I read that now lots of people who can afford to pay their mortgages are walking away from them — allowing the banks to foreclose — because the values have gone down and they’d rather take the [...]
{ 0 comments }
In the quest for civility and a moderately refined society, I have come up with a three part plan of action for the senior editorial staff at the University of Utah student newspaper: Grow up. Get out of the boys’ junior high locker room. Buy a thesaurus. When I was on the newspaper staff at [...]
{ 5 comments }
Foreclosure rates have been skyrocketing and are expected to continue to rise through the end of the year. This is a tragedy. While I have never lost a home myself, some close relatives have. Just a few weeks ago the folks who lived across the street from our lot were forced to move due to [...]
{ 17 comments }
