If you asked me what my favorite book is in the Old Testament, it would have to be Esther. Ironically, God isn’t mentioned once in the entire 10 chapters, but He is everywhere in Esther and the people of Israels’ story. I reflect on Esther’s story often, and I look forward to meeting her in heaven someday because I have a lot of questions for her. I wonder what she imagined her life to be as a young orphan being raised by her Uncle. I imagine that she probably had her own dreams and vision for her life. The Lord’s hand was writing her story every moment, and He placed her in the exact position she was in at just the right time to save her people. Her mantle and calling were heavy- she was asked to lay down her life for her people to plead for them before her husband, the King, at the risk of being put to death for entering into his court without being summoned. I feel fairly certain this wasn’t in her life plans, and yet, she rose to the occasion with courage, bravery and complete submission.

How did she do it? How can we too act with courage as instruments in the Lord’s hands to bless those around us? How can we take the Savior’s words to heart when He said, “For whosoever will save His life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.”^[1]

I believe the answer to the how is in the Who. In 1 John 4:8 we read, “God is love.” In Moroni 7:47 we read, “But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.” In 1 Nephi 8 and 11 in the Book of Mormon, in Lehi’s vision, we learn that the tree of life is “The love of God ,which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men; wherefore, it is most desirable above all things…yea and the most joyous to the soul.”^[2]

What force makes a man run into a burning building to rescue people trapped inside? What drive causes a mother to lend all of her strength to bringing her child into the world and keeping it alive and safe in those most fragile first few months? What beats in the hearts of soldiers willing to go to war for the freedoms of their country and their people? What compels doctors, nurses, surgeons and other healthcare professionals to study for decades to spend their lives caring for people on the worst days of their lives? What compels a person to choose moral courage over social approval, or to donate an organ to a total stranger? What calls us to step outside of our comfort zones and to answer the prompting and serve one another? What constrains us to forgive each other, even when we are feeling hurt?

The answer? It is love. It is charity. It is the love of God, it IS God. God is never mentioned by name, and yet He is in every line of Esther’s story – from her ladies in waiting fasting alongside her, who were not Jews themselves, to her willingness to enter into the King’s court and open her mouth at a great personal cost.

So, how do we get to this place too? How can we be filled with such Charity- with the love of God- that we are courageous and strong and can serve as instruments in the Lord’s hands- even when it isn’t what or how we imagined for ourselves? Even when it is inconvenient, or costs us something- especially when it costs us something? We start by seeking the gift of Charity, which is a spiritual gift. In Moroni 7:48 we read that we receive it as we “pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that [we] may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of His Son, Jesus Christ.”

My good friend Tom Christofferson, in his book “A Better Heart” writes, “The experiences of our lives teach us to see the world in a particular way, and yet, in order to truly be of one heart with those around us, to love our neighbors deep, especially the ones who see and understand the world differently, we have to be willing to think in new ways. To open our minds and our hearts, and finally, our arms. This is true regardless of any unkindness or contempt they may have shown us. If our concern is for healing, if our hearts are set on obtaining the gift of charity, than our imperative is for continuous engagement. Only by persistently demonstrating genuine empathy can we rise above a conversation of contention, to one centered on sharing where we find meaning in life. Our sources of peace and of joy.”

I believe we need to be actively engaged in keeping the Spirit close- beyond reading our scriptures and repenting, which are important. Self mastery and self control over the natural man are paramount. We need to guard our thoughts, words and actions carefully, as we are cautioned in 1 Corinthians 10: 5 “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”

When Elder Bednar was here last month, he taught something that has stuck with me, and while I can’t quote him directly, I will summarize. He taught that the most important part of overcoming the natural man is not to never encounter our baser instincts, or to always have our first reaction be the best one. He taught that it’s in the rebuking- the pushing away of that which offends the Spirit that is important. He mentioned getting comfortable with being alone in a crowd. It is so much easier to never stick our necks out for each other, to never risk disapproval from others. Our current cultural and political climate magnifies the fear of ostracization. Tribalism abounds, and each of us are hard wired with the instinct to belong. Remembering who we really are, and whose we are can alleviate this feeling and allow us to stand in holy places and be not moved. Esther was a Jew among Persians. She revealed her true identity to her husband the King at great risk. Could it have not gone well? Could Esther have perished? Absolutely- like many martrys such as Abinadai. But I can’t help but recall Christ’s words again in Matthew 16: 26- “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”

The great news today is we do not need to risk our lives to love one another. We don’t need to strive for heroism. We don’t even have to be perfect at rebuking the Adversary and overcoming the natural man. We just need to try. We need to pray and be watchful, keeping the Holy Spirit close and asking for the spiritual gift of Charity. We need to respond when we are prompted.

I want to close by sharing a personal story with you. It is actually about a time in which I failed to act. I was at the Denver airport last summer, flying home from performing in a concert in Salt Lake City with my friend Alex Sharpe from Celtic Woman. I was getting ready to start nursing school two weeks later, and so I was sitting at the gate practicing dosage calculations questions for an entrance exam I was about to take. Just a few minutes earlier, when walking to my gate, I observed a mother, seated on the floor outside of a children’s play area with her tee shirt covered in vomit. Her son had fallen off of a structure and was being treated by medical personnel, and had vomited in the process. As I started calculating IV drip rates, the Spirit nudged me: “Go and buy that Mom a fresh tee shirt to wear from the gift shop.” I felt at once intimidated by the prospect of buying a shirt for a total stranger and handing it to her- how would she react? What if it wasn’t the right size? Am I just trying to make myself feel good about myself- is this a pride thing? I really need to practice these problems- I have work to do. I’m too busy.” I talked myself out of it. The Spirit nudged again, this time more firmly, repeating the words, “Go and buy that Mom a fresh tee shirt to wear from the gift shop.” So. I packed up my pencils and my calculator and my suitcase and I walked over to the gift shop. I purchased a tee shirt for $30, which I thought was a lot to spend. I started walking back to the play area. The Mom was gone. There was only a clean up crew left. I asked the custodian- “Where did the Mom go whose son was being treated?” “Oh- they just got into an ambulance- she’s gone.” I could have cried right there on the spot. I clung to the tee shirt, and walked back to my gate. I could feel my cheeks burning as hot tears did start to fall. I had missed my chance to serve. I had missed my chance to give a small comfort and to let that Mom know God’s love through me. I carry that tee shirt in the trunk of my car every day as a reminder to never dismiss a prompting again.

Friend, don’t be like I was. Be like Esther. Stand tall and courageous in the knowledge of who you are and whose you are. Let’s never be afraid to love and serve- to be courageous and exceedingly generous with our charity and grace towards each other and those beyond our meetinghouse doors.

Read Read The Book of Esther

Recall What is the Lord prompting you or calling you to do to serve His children?

Reflect Have you missed opportunities or denied a prompting because you weren’t sure if it was from God?

Reclaim Decide today to live so God can use you and feel the joy!

^[1] Matthew 16:25

^[2] 1 Nephi 11:22-23

Even though I am no longer Catholic, I still practice giving something up for Lent every year. This year, I gave up social media from Ash Wednesday until Easter Sunday 4/5. I gave up posting and scrolling. I have had a public online presence since 2016 when I started my skincare blog, “The Skincare Belle” as an Esthetician who was constantly moving for my husband’s medical training. It was a wonderful way for me to connect with my clients after I moved away from them. In 2020 I received a prompting to turn my Instagram account into a missionary account, sharing Gospel truths, scriptures, my books and my music. It’s been a great 10 years- and now-I feel prompted to shift and step back. I have found my destiny and my calling as a NICU/STAB nurse.

Through my rotations in nursing school I have encountered many nurses who advised that having private settings on all social media platforms is the most professional and best option when working with children and their families. It feels right, and, I knew it was coming. I will still occasionally post on IG as well as share this newsletter with you, but with much less frequency and under private settings.

I want to share with you what I have reflected on during my 40 days “in the wilderness” without social media (I say this in jest, of course- social media is not a necessity!)

In this world of opposition in all things- there is both virtue and vice in ALL things. (From food to TV to work to social media, you get the idea). I have tried exceedingly hard to remain on the “virtue” side of social media (sometimes to my detriment- I have been accused of being a performative, virtue-signaling, humble-bragging, attention-seeking “influencer” (all of the melt emojis!). Those of you who truly know me and know my heart know that’s not what I’m about.) But- I did ponder on it a lot during my 40 days.

I have wondered- has social media turned us all into over-sharing, visibility seeking, external approval and validation hunters? And for those of us with children- as we document their private lives publicly- what are the implications of this in the long term? The presence of online predators utilizing their photographs, AI, the permanent nature of the internet, our childrens’ inability to consent and the long-term consequences of intimate details (often sensitive medical in nature) shared with strangers truly concerns me, especially as a future pediatric advocate. I don’t have any answers for you, but here are the questions on my heart.

Is it possible to “live out loud” without getting sucked into the vices of it all? Pride? Self-obsession and self-glorification? Fame and recognition seeking? Social climbing? Status signaling? Priestcrafts? And most importantly- am I doing these things in my heart under the guise of sharing the Gospel and life as a modern Latter-day Saint woman?

What lack I yet, Lord?1

Lord, is it I?2

Does sharing special, private moments online turn the sacred into the profane- making our lives and the preciousness of them common? Does the monetezation of everything turn our hearts to the things of the world rather than the things of the Spirit? Can we discern between posts and reels that are rooted in fact, or from the ones that have ulterior motives, that intentionally emotionally manipulate us for profit and change how we see and love our neighbors? Can we separate fact from fiction? Reality from AI?

In terms of our brain health- will we one day discover that scrolling is the new smoking? Will we learn more about the detriment of constantly hitting and bathing our brains with dopamine, then rage, then dopamine again? How about the addictive nature of social media in its very design? What about the effects of seeing graphic violence in real time while we live out our daily lives- physically removed from the violence yet not psychologically or emotionally- unable to truly do anything about what we are seeing? What about the effects of witnessing this on our children, whose brains are not yet developed and ready to process these traumas? What about the trolling and the arguments and the hardened hearts that will seemingly never change? How do we respond?

How about our connectedness with those miles from us, and yet our attention is diverted away from those who are right in front of us? Our children- as they look up, are we looking down?

How about the cankering effects of online fame on our spirits? Do our brains start to go into hierarchical mode- as if having more followers and recognition somehow makes us more valuable, more special, more productive than our peers? Or, conversely, as we strive for online success, has our inspiration and our aspiration become our exasperation that maybe others are just happier than us, richer than us, healthier than us, smarter than us, luckier than us- pulling us into the vice of constant comparison? Is our striving for things of little worth and our bitterness over not having them mocking God and the abundance of blessings He has poured upon us, if we would only stop to count them?

Is social media the new form of self-worship and navel-gazing? Are selfies the reflection of Narcissus that will eventually drown out our souls?

Should everyone have access to us and our private lives? Is it necessary for us to share our opinions and perspectives publicly in the form of “hot takes”? What about the consequences of the fact that these “opinions”- with intelligence- will shift and change over time as we gain more knowledge, experience and insight? And yet that reel with the hill we will no longer die on remains. (allll of the melt emojis).

What, then, truly is the meaning of God’s marvelous work and a wonder- to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man?3 Is social media just a poor, counterfeit substitute to the glories of the Celestial Kingdom and exaltation (which is why we are drawn to it) but it will never truly satisfy? Do the perfect filters and the perfect lives, faces and bodies of those we follow and those we strive to be keep us on a hamster wheel that mortality can never truly satisfy- but we are willing to sacrifice our time and attention just for a taste of it? And how this is translating into the real world through surgeries and GLP1’s and eating disorders and ostentatious displays of wealth that give us the feeling that we are important, rare, and of infinite worth. What would give us a greater glimpse? How do we find the celestial joy that lasts? How does the perfection of Christ take hold in our hearts and how do we keep our eyes fixed upon that- that which is actually eternal. How do we remember that we are of SUCH great worth to God, that He gave His only Son to atone for us on the cross.

Let’s ponder this together sweet friend. I would love to hear your thoughts. Please comment or send me a message.

Read Matthew 19: 13-30; Matthew 5

Recall Take inventory of your social media use- its effect on you, how you use it, what you put into the world on it.

Reflect Pray and ask the Lord, “What lack I yet?”

Reclaim How do you stay focused on that which is eternal?

Hello my sweet friend. How I love you. How my heart has been aching to share what’s on my heart with you this week. It’s been on my heart for the last few weeks, actually. Yesterday’s event in our nation brought more tragedy and heartache.

Since 2020 I have treaded very carefully with my words shared in a public space, such as on social media, and since 2022, here in this space.

Today, I am very lovingly not going to mince words, but boldly testify of the doctrine of Jesus Christ.

This week’s Come Follow Me has us in Genesis 3-4 and Moses 4-5. In Genesis 4 and Moses 5, we meet two brothers, offspring of Adam and Eve- Cain and Abel. We see the two brothers divided- in beliefs, in ideology and in spirit. Abel walked in holiness before the Lord1, and Cain loved Satan more than God2.

Cain rose up against Abel, his brother, and slew him.3 When the Lord asked Cain “Where is Abel, thy brother?”4 Cain replied with a lie and a retort- “I know not. Am I my brother’s keeper?5”

Now is the time to decide whose side you are on. Now is the time to decide if you truly love God. Now is the time to decide what you will answer.

When you witness injustice and murderings and lyings and whoredoms happening around you…do you turn a blind eye and say “I know not”?

Do you absolve yourself of responsibility of the mantle you have taken upon you of your own free will and choice- the name of Christ- to mourn with those who mourn and to weep with those who weep and to comfort those who stand in need of comfort- because you do not feel you are the keeper of this particular group of brothers (because they don’t look like you, speak your language, worship like you, insert difference here….)

Do you justify and excuse evil because it is done by people whom you support politically, nationally, religiously or ideologically?

When you witness atrocities do you immediately jump to justification of the other parties’ crimes rather than staying sensitive to the enticings of the Spirit that caution you to reject evil in all forms and in all ways?

Are you comfortable with the level of death and destruction our nation is allowing both within our gates and beyond?

Are you numb to the suffering of others as it is found on your social media feed or are you deeply troubled and appalled by what you see?

Do you heed Isaiah’s warning- “Woe be unto them who call evil good and good evil!”6 or are you as Cain, who “hearkened not.”7

Are you your brothers’ keeper?

I would be my brother’s keeper;

I would learn the healer’s art.

To the wounded and the weary

I would show a gentle heart.

I would be my brother’s keeper—

Lord, I would follow thee.8

Read Genesis 3-4; Moses 5; Isaiah 5; Matthew 25:35-40; Alma 5:1-32

Recall Where is your heart? What is your compass set to? Man? Or God?

Reflect Pray and ask Heavenly Father where your blind spots are, and to remove them. Pray for your heart to be softened where it may be hardened. Reflect on the infinite mercy of Christ, who loves all.

Reclaim Reclaim righteousness. Join the ranks of the Lord’s called, chosen and redeemed. Love God more than anything else-more than popular opinion, political party, fame, money, identity… love what is good and true.

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Hi sweet friend. As the year ends, I have been studying the chapters of Moses in The Pearl of Great Price. I have been pondering SO many things, but something specific has been on my heart.

I’ve been thinking a lot about our agency to either choose Heavenly Father’s plan and glorify God, or to choose Satan’s plan and glorify ourselves.1

This world wields itself to the latter- our own glorification offers material riches; status; the respect and admiration of others; fame; and even happiness gained from this (albeit a temporary happiness). Satan has been banished to earth and he will stop at nothing to make his plan seem so much more alluring and attractive to us here.

But don’t ever forget what you knew before you came here. You knew better. You knew when you heard it which was the better plan. You know that you chose Heavenly Father’s by virtue of the fact that you are here right now on earth reading this.

Heavenly Father offers us more than fame and fortune and worldly glory. Self glorification and success will shrivel to dust when we cross from the veil and discover what is actually waiting for us.

He offers us exaltation.

Exaltation is defined as a feeling or state of extreme happiness; and the action of elevating someone in rank, power, or character. The example given is “the resurrection and exaltation of Christ”.2

“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”3

If you’ve been reading my letters for a while, you know that I am a classical singer. I prepared for my entire life for this career, getting my degree in Vocal Performance from The Boston Conservatory in 2005. Everything that I did was for my art. And, I realized something recently as I have reflected on the last 20 years of my not making it my main career. (If you would like to read THAT whole story in my guest blog post for the Exponent ii “Letting Him Prevail”.)

In this mortal world there is opposition in all things- virtue and vice. There is virtue and vice in all of the things that we can do in this world. Before I had the Gospel I must confess that so much of what I did and pursued leaned more towards vice. My singing and performing was mostly for self-glorification. I wanted to be seen and heard and known and to receive the satisfaction that I thought only wild success could bring. I thought that if I achieved that, I would be happy and fulfilled and reach an ultimate goal of happiness. I would “arrive”. I didn't know that I was actually designed to arrive- but not in the terrestrial sense. We come wired for heaven. We come into the world with an inner light oriented toward a pilgrimage to celestial glory. It is part of our makeup.

I have learned that while our talents and gifts from God may bring us worldly glory, the pursuit of worldly glory will always lead to dissatisfaction, emptiness, and ultimately, unhappiness. It is a cup that never fills and we never arrive. It fuels other vices such as competition, comparison and covetousness. I have found that a quest to use my talents to glorify God is the only truly fulfilling path. The Lord asked me to lay down my dreams at His feet and to set them aside so that I could become who He created me to be and who He envisioned for me become. It is humbling and sometimes painful, as learning to be like the Savior often is. But it is eternal and worthwhile, for the promises in return are unimaginably wonderful.

In a world that so desperately needs all the light it can get, please do not minimize the eternal light God put in your soul before the world was.” -Elder Jeffrey R. Holland4

Imagine for one minute… after you read this, close your eyes and imagine doing something that you love most. Maybe it’s singing like me, playing an instrument, creating beauty in the home, baking, writing, organizing events, medicine, nursing, research, teaching, public speaking… anything! Close your eyes and imagine that every single time you begin, that you first pray and ask for Heavenly Father to consecrate your efforts to glorify God in the name of Jesus Christ. I almost cannot fathom how much more beauty will exist in the world and how much the Lord will magnify our talents and our efforts if we do this. How much more full will our hearts will be in our endeavors? How many lives will be touched with the Spirit of God when we live and do to glorify Him?

I invite you to try this this week. Please write to me and let me know what happens- I want to know! 5

Read Moses 4; Romans 8; Psalm 16:11

Recall Are there any areas of your life in which you are seeking glory for yourself and not for God?

Reflect How does it feel to lay down your talents for God’s glory?

Reclaim For the next week, strive to glorify God in all that you do.

Hi sweet friend. Please forgive me that it has been since October that I have written you. Nursing school has been incredible- I’ve been getting lessons on how to be a real life ministering angel. It has taken all of my heart and soul and time and energy and any that is left has gone to my sweet husband and our four girls and my calling. I appreciate your understanding. I have SO many thoughts and reflections to share with you today.

My second term brought me to my geriatric rotations where I learned to care for older adults in a rehab and long term care facility. I will not share any details to protect the privacy of the patients and comply with HIPAA, but when I say “long term care facility” I am sure you get a picture in your mind— the sick, the elderly, the frail and deteriorating-many of whom are alone with no visitors or family as they approach the end of their lives and cope with their own disease and aging processes.

This experience has changed me and has helped me to grasp an inkling of the majesty of the love of God.

Firstly, I used to dread aging. I couldn’t even imagine growing older. I felt a lot of fear around watching my body break down and approaching my own death, or having my mind deteriorate and fearing being a burden to my family, or left alone in a facility to be watched around the clock and unable to leave. I always felt a sense of dread thinking of my own death.

I looked at the elderly with a sense of pity, and I would often overlook and not truly see those of an advanced age, for fear of looking the mortality in the eye. Do you do this too? Maybe you are wiser than I and don’t- but I did.

And now, I have seen the grace of God with my own eyes. I have tasted the love of God and it is “most sweet above all.”1 I have seen humanity in a new and beautiful light.

On my first day for my rotation I was anxious. Anxious was an understatement. Would I be helpful? Would I remember all I had learned in our simulation clinic with mannequins instead of real patients? Would I be of service? I had volunteered in The Palliative Care Unit at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, New York when my husband was a medical student- I was familiar with death and dying- but I taught meditation as a volunteer- I did not serve the patients as a student nurse. The stakes felt so much higher—my skills and knowledge put to the test as the work more impactful and critical on their health and wellbeing.

As I approached the nursing desk, just past I could see the patients sitting in the Day Room- a community room where meals could be taken, board games could be played and people could visit. As I gazed through the windows, the Spirit whispered, “I know each of them by name, for they are each mine.” Suddenly, I felt the truth of that statement, but also, The Savior and our Heavenly Parents’ abiding love for them. This moment changed my vision forever- almost as if the Spirit adjusted my eyes from a myopic lens to a celestial one.

As I moved through my days on this rotation, I felt I saw each patient as They saw them, and I felt the love of God for each individual. Those who were there alone weren’t truly alone. Although I could not see them, I could feel the presence of ministering angels and the Spirit of the Lord with them. I gained a sure witness that those who have hopes and dreams that will never be realized on this side of the veil have a Savior who sees them and knows the desires of their hearts. The Spirit testified to me that by the power of the Atonement the Lord would grant them their dearest dreams in eternity.2 In these small and quiet moments I was moved to tears (subtly and privately of course, so as to not take attention away from my patients.) My heart swelled with Charity, the pure love of Christ3. In sickness, death, in sad circumstances and in suffering, the Good Shepherd knows each of His sheep. The Love of God is constantly flowing and reaching to us. He really does have every hair on our head numbered- He really meant it when he said,

“But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.”4

We are each of infinite worth. We are seen and known and held in the love of our perfect God. The Love of God is made manifest in Jesus Christ. As we anticipate this Christmas and the Second Coming of Christ into the world, we can rest in the peaceful assurance that we are loved perfectly by a love so deep and so profound that God sent His only Son into the world5 for our sake- to help us, to heal us, and to bring to pass our immortality and eternal life6. I understand why in the scriptures we are told so many times to ‘Fear not’—

“For perfect love casts out all fear”7

Read 1 John 4:9; 1 Nephi 8, 11; Luke 12:7, Matthew 10:31; Moses 1:39

Reflect Ponder on just how loved we must be that the Savior came into the world

Recall Do you feel the love of God for you? For others?

Reclaim Today when you see others, look at them through the lens of this love and feel it in your own heart!

“Our theology begins with heavenly parents. Our highest aspiration is to be like them.”1

I joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at age 35 as a convert from Catholicism. As a Catholic, I grew up with the theology of Mary, the Mother of Jesus Christ as once a human woman and is now an exalted being- the venerable Queen of Heaven.2

Imagine my delight upon joining the Church and learning the cherished and distinctive doctrine that we have a Mother in Heaven. This doctrine brought my soul so much joy that I dedicated three years of my life to issuing three books celebrating Her- you can find them in this footnote3.

Along my journey as an author I have given firesides; talks and lessons; attended conferences and have spoken with Latter-day Saints across the United States and there are some feelings around this doctrine.

Firstly, I want to validate feelings. Everyone’s experiences in Zion are unique and real. Here are some of my observations and direct quotes I have heard in my conversations; (these are some examples, this list is not exhaustive) ;

Feeling #1- Fear

Apprehension. Tip-toeing around the subject. Concern about “doctrinal drift” and “dangerous speculation”. Concern that celebrating this doctrine will cause someone to lose their testimony or fall away from the Church. Fear that this doctrine is “too feminist- too woke- too left”. Concern that a belief in the Divine Feminine is blasphemous or heresy. The belief that “She is too sacred to talk about and Heavenly Father is protecting Her from the various blasphemies and defiling of Her name that He and Jesus Christ so often face in the world.” The concern that asking questions or celebrating or studying this doctrine is somehow taking away from our worship of Jesus Christ.

Feeling #2- Anger and Hurt

“Heavenly Mother is invisible, uninvolved and disconnected from Her children- I don’t aspire to be like Her.” “If Heavenly Father and Heavenly Mother are equal partners in Heaven, then why don’t we see this modeled more often in the Church, in our homes, in mortality?” “Are there multiple Heavenly Mothers? The thought of Heavenly Father being a polygamist makes me angry as a woman!” “Where IS She???”

Feeling #3- Apathy

“Why should I care about this doctrine?” “If the brethren (meaning, the First Presidency and Appstles of the Church) don’t give further revelation on this topic or discuss it, then it is not relevant to me.” “I am a man- why should I care about this doctrine?”

My favorite antidote to pain, suffering and apathy is truth.

So, first, here is the truth. (And then I’ll tell you why it matters!)

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches that all human beings, male and female, are beloved spirit children of heavenly parents, a Heavenly Father and a Heavenly Mother. This understanding is rooted in scriptural and prophetic teachings about the nature of God, our relationship to Deity, and the godly potential of men and women. The doctrine of a Heavenly Mother is a cherished and distinctive belief among Latter-day Saints.

In 1909, the First Presidency taught that “all men and women are in the similitude of the universal Father and Mother, and are literally the sons and daughters of Deity.” Susa Young Gates, a prominent leader in the Church, wrote in 1920 that Joseph Smith’s visions and teachings revealed the truth that “the divine Mother, [is] side by side with the divine Father.” And in “The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” issued in 1995, the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles declared, “Each [person] is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny.”

Prophets have taught that our heavenly parents work together for the salvation of the human family. “We are part of a divine plan designed by Heavenly Parents who love us,” taught Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. President Harold B. Lee stated, “We forget that we have a Heavenly Father and a Heavenly Mother who are even more concerned, probably, than our earthly father and mother, and that influences from beyond are constantly working to try to help us when we do all we can.”

Latter-day Saints direct their worship to Heavenly Father, in the name of Christ, and do not pray to Heavenly Mother. In this, they follow the pattern set by Jesus Christ, who taught His disciples to “always pray unto the Father in my name.” Latter-day Saints are taught to pray to Heavenly Father, but as President Gordon B. Hinckley said, “The fact that we do not pray to our Mother in Heaven in no way belittles or denigrates her.” Indeed, as Elder Rudger Clawson wrote, “We honor woman when we acknowledge Godhood in her eternal Prototype.”

Just as we have a Father in Heaven, we have a Mother in Heaven. As Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has said, “Our theology begins with heavenly parents. Our highest aspiration is to be like them.”4

The truth is, we have a Mother in Heaven just as we have a Father in Heaven. Here is why this truth matters-

Because the truth is, They sent their Only Begotten Son down to earth to live and die for us. The truth is, He is leading us back to Their presence. The truth is, every human being, male and female, was created in the image of God- and God is Heavenly Father AND Heavenly Mother. The truth is, Jesus Christ is evidence to us that their love knows no bounds, that our worth as their children is infinite and irrevocable, and that we become like them through Him.

The truth is, you don’t have to hear a talk every conference expounding upon a point of doctrine in order to care about it and treasure it in your heart. You do not need to worry about your desire to search, ponder and pray about this doctrine to discover more of what the Spirit will teach you about Her (and/or about Heavenly Father too!)

The truth is, bearing testimony of our doctrine, this or any doctrine, is always appropriate when done with a spirit of reverence. The truth is, knowing who the Sisters’ in the Church’s Mother is might inspire more reverence towards them from the brethren. It might invite a spirit of collaboration and equality, as this is a celestial pattern. In contrast, male- centrism and a male centric theology is a by-product of living in a fallen world and the natural man’s tendency towards unrighteous dominion. It is not divine. Knowing this truth invites the Spirit to tutor us in how we can live up to our privileges as sons and daughters of Heavenly Parents and model this in our homes, in society, and within the restored Church of Jesus Christ.

The truth is, it is human nature to want a full understanding and clear cut answers about the nature of God. The truth is, for me, I’m not sure if God would inspire as much awe in my heart if I had all of the answers and no room for mystery. However- truth is reason, truth eternal tells me I’ve a Mother there.”5

Read Prayerfully read and study the Gospel Topics Essay Mother in Heaven this week- ask the Spirit to tutor you about this doctrine.

Recall Record any promptings from the Spirit that you have experienced

Reflect What do you feel?

Reclaim Feel the love that your Mother in Heaven has for you!

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It has been a very dark week in our nation this past week. We have and continue to witness horrific acts of violence- against our children, against politicians and public figures, and those who have come to our country for refuge. We are seeing the wages of sin that comes from hatred in the hearts of men.1

The week before this terrible week, I attended the temple to perform an Endowment for my husband’s Great Grandmother. The Spirit tutored me voraciously in this particular session, and I am now understanding why there was one particular lesson that really stood out to me- it is regarding enmity.

In Genesis 3, verse 15 and in Moses 4:21 we read;

“And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, between thy seed and her seed;

The Spirit taught me very plainly that enmity, as defined as “the state of being actively opposed or hostile to someone or something”2 is a gift from Heavenly Father to us, only as it is wielded towards Satan and all manner of wickedness.

It was not intended to be wielded towards one another.

The Spirit made it abundantly clear to me- Do not hold enmity in your heart towards any child of God.

I can hate the things a person’s says. I can hate the things a person does. I am commanded not to hate the person themselves.

This completely eliminates the possibility of tribalism being effective towards positive change, about any issue. Pointing at different groups of people because they are different- act differently, believe differently, even express their humanity differently and saying, “It’s the [insert group, political party, etc here]’s fault!” is the currency of enmity that Satan uses so that we are constantly infighting instead of banding together towards our common enemy- him and all manner of sinfulness that displeases our Creator such as oppression, violence, unfairness, unrighteous dominion and inequality.

I don’t know about you, but this lesson has forever changed my vision and it is changing my heart. Instead of being quick to judge a person by what they post, say, or believe, I pause. I ask questions. I get curious. And if I absolutely hate what they have to say or what they believe, I am free to do that. But the days of my mental categorization of others and feeling that enmity towards them rather towards than the beliefs and ideas that they hold, are over.

I believe that we, as a nation, and we, as Latter-day Saints will not continue to spiritually progress and thrive until we learn to yield this enmity towards the only one who truly deserves it, until it is done away with.

In Doctrine & Covenants 101: 26 we read about when Christ returns;

“And in that say the enmity of man, and the enmity of beasts, yea the enmity of all flesh, shall cease from before my face.”

This isn’t an easy road. In fact, when I sang the opening hymn that I picked today for our ward, these words jumped out on the page at me;

Jesus said, “Be meek and lowly.” For ‘tis high to be a judge;

If I would be pure and holy, I must love without a grudge.

It requires a constant labor All His precepts to obey.

If I truly love my neighbor, I am in the narrow way.3

Read Genesis 3; Moses 4; Romans 12:9; James 4:4; Matthew 5:44

Recall Gut check: When was the last time you read something someone posted or re-posted online and immediately felt hatred towards that person?

Reflect How can you truly fulfill the Lord’s greatest commandment to love your neighbor? Not judge your neighbor, not hate your neighbor, not have enmity toward your neighbor, but to truly love them. What does this look like for you in practice?

Reclaim Remember Christ’s words- “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you.”4 Make no one your enemy but Satan and reclaim the freedom and joy that comes from being obedient to God!

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Are you familiar with the doctrine of “Calling and Election”? It is one of the most exciting and awe inspiring doctrines that we have in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The topical guide describes it;

Righteous followers of Christ can become numbered among the elect who gain the assurance of exaltation. This calling and election begins with repentance and baptism. It becomes complete when they “press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end.” (2 Nephi 31:19-20) The scriptures call this process making our calling and election sure (2 Peter 1:4-11; D & C 131:5-6)

On the Covenant path we get baptized, we receive the Holy Ghost, we go through the temple and receive our Initiatory and Endowment, we may be sealed to our spouse, AND we can receive a witness before we die- an assurance on earth of our exaltation and eternal life through Jesus Christ. Joseph Smith taught;

Though they might hear the voice of God and know that Jesus was the Son of God, this would be no evidence that their election and calling was made sure, that they had part with Christ, and were joint heirs with Him. They then would want that more sure word of prophecy, that they were sealed in the heavens and had the promise of eternal life in the kingdom of God. Then, having this promise sealed unto them, it was an anchor to the soul, sure and steadfast. Though the thunders might roll and lightnings flash, and earthquakes bellow, and war gather thick around, yet this hope and knowledge would support the soul in every hour of trial, trouble and tribulation.” - Joseph Smith

I would exhort you to go on and continue to call upon God until you make your calling and election sure for yourselves, by obtaining this more sure word of prophecy” (DHC1, 5:388-389)

As the world presently is in its turmoil and wickedness, how does the promise that we could receive the peaceful assurance of our place in heaven make you feel? In a world filled with sorrow and loss and heartbreak… In a world that makes us strive to belong, to be valued, included…to prove ourselves, what if we make this our greatest measure and our greatest hope? What if we prayerfully seek this surety from the Lord? Joseph Smith taught;

“It is one thing to be on the mount and hear the excellent voice (2 Peter 1:17)…and another to have the voice declare to you, You have a part and lot in that kingdom.”2

If you are already familiar with this doctrine and have already received this, or if this is something you are already striving to obtain, wonderful! If this is the first time you have heard of this doctrine, I have an invitation for you!

For the next four Sundays before General Conference, seek further light and knowledge on the subject as you study your scriptures. Review the talks from April 2025’s conference and look for this doctrine. Then, look for it in this coming October 2025 conference. Seek this blessing if you haven’t already.

I love you! It is so great to be back writing from my summer hiatus!

Read “Making One’s Calling and Election Sure” Marion G. Romney; 2 Peter 1; D & C 88:3-4

Recall Have you heard of this doctrine before? When did you learn of it? How did it make you feel?

Reflect Ponder on the promise of eternal life and the magnitude of this blessing through the Atonement of Jesus Christ- are you ready to receive it? Is your lamp filled with oil?

Reclaim Seek your election and calling diligently and prayerfully if you haven’t already. Live rejoicing in the promises of Jesus Christ and the hastening of His return!

Featured Artwork is “Unborrowed Oil” by Malory Fiso

I’ve noticed with our Church being in the media more and more as of late that there has been an uptick in the amount of anti-Mormon content on social media. As a convert, I am no stranger to meeting opposition, attacks and even persecution from those holding myths and misconceptions about the Church, our beliefs, and our practice of Christianity. Many debates stem from whether or not we even are, by definition, legitimate Christians.

I recently had a conversation with someone who converted from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the Orthodox Faith- the conversation began in the comments section of a post and moved into DM’s. The person is a doctoral candidate in theology, so this discussion absolutely delighted me. It is much easier to dialogue when the aura of the conversation is friendly- finding common ground but also accepting each other’s differences in belief. His points, while salient and well articulated, did not move me from what I know to be true. This wasn’t the only conversation I have had this week—many more not quite as friendly. On Thursday as I sat in Inklings Institute class Michael Craig brought up a quote from Joseph Fielding Smith which felt like divine providence;

“Could you turn one of these women away from their convictions in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? Could you darken their minds as to the mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith? Could you blind them with reference to the divine mission of Jesus Christ, the Son of God? No, never in the world could you do it. Why? Because they knew it. God revealed it to them, and they understood it, and no power on earth could turn them from what they knew to be that truth….My soul, where are these women now?” 1

We are right here. I am one of those women. If you are reading this, I suspect that you are too (or men!)

I cannot depart from what I know to be true, come ruin or rapture. My steadfast and immovable faith is built upon the rock of my Redeemer. I’ve had too many witnesses and experiences to move me otherwise, and I can still respectfully hold space for those practicing their faith differently than me.

The Lord cannot return to the earth unless His people are prepared to meet Him. Let us remember to be those women who not only talk about their faith, but live their faith. Let us persecute and attack no one. Let the fruits of our faith be Charity; stone catching, peacemaking; allaying of contention and the promotion of righteousness. Let us press on with a perfect brightness of hope!

Read Moroni 7:40-42; Revelation 7:14-17; Helaman 5:12

Recall How have you responded when your faith has been challenged and tested by others?

Reflect What do you know to be true?

Reclaim Sing the song of Redeeming love and feel the joy of Christ. Let Charity swell within your heart. Stand steadfast and immovable.

This will be my last post before my summer hiatus! Love you so much and thank you so much for being here.

I’m so honored to share my latest music video with you—Souviens-toi, a lullaby from the French Latter-day Saint hymnbook.

This tender hymn is a whispered prayer to a baby fresh from heaven—a reminder of the veil still thin and the nearness of our Heavenly Parents. It speaks of divine memory, eternal friendship, and the light of Christ still shining in a newborn’s eyes.

My favorite verse imagines us, hand in hand before mortality, joyfully choosing the plan of agency and promising to reunite.

More than a song, Souviens-toi is a sacred remembrance—and it is my hope that as you listen, you’ll feel not only peace and joy, but the gentle, radiant love of your Heavenly Mother.

Watch the video here:

#SouviensToi #HeavenlyMother #SacredMusic #CelestialLullaby

A song for babies fresh from Heaven

…and for the rest of us who still long for Home.

“Can anyone doubt that good music is godly or that there can be something of the essence of heaven in great art?” —Gordon B. Hinckley

I knew from a very small age that I wanted to be a singer. I saw a stage at my preschool and immediately knew what it was, what it was for, and that I belonged on it. Music, and in particular singing, has been my most cherished connection with Jesus Christ. I have a neurological condition called synesthesia- when I hear music I see colors, patterns, shapes, landscapes, heavenly skies filled with sunsets and billowy clouds and vivid images of people I know. The Spirit often communicates with me through these images- I experience the world and all of its beauty as sound and images in my mind’s eye.

As a child I sang in the choir that my parents directed in our local Catholic parish from age 6 until I was 10 when they stopped attending church. I never lost my connection with Jesus Christ from my foundation of worshipping Him through song. At the age of 16 I spent the summer away from home for the very first time at The Boston University Tanglewood Institute in Lenox, Massachusetts as part of their Young Artist’s Vocal Program. While there, our choral ensemble sang many pieces of sacred music that praised Jesus Christ. I met young ladies from California who were evangelical Christians who explained to me that when Jesus Christ was dying on the cross, He was thinking of me specifically. When I returned home that summer I’m i got my driver’s license and I started driving myself back to the Catholic Church my parents had left 6 years earlier every Sunday. I never once lost my connection to Christ because He kept reaching for me through my love of music and the people I met along the way.

I fell in love with the music of classical composers from Bach to Mozart to Debussy and Satie that my mother played on our piano and that I was exposed to in the summer program, as every night they would bus us to Tanglewood to sit on the lawn and hear performances from world class artists from around the world. I later made the French impressionistic style of singing poetry my focus as I received my degree in Vocal Performance from the Boston Conservatory. And yet, my favorite pieces to perform years later were still the sacred- I performed Bach’s “Quia Respexit” from the Magnificat and “Laudate Dominium” from Mozart’s Vespers- a Latin mass sung in praise of Jesus Christ for my Senior Recital. I etched these words on my heart and still do to this day- the words of Mary as she said “Behold, the handmaiden of the Lord” and “Praise the Lord all you nations, for His mercy is conferred upon us now and forever.” It was at the conservatory that I met my husband, a picture of Jesus holding a lamb on his desk; and my best friend Kari from Bothell, Washington who was a self proclaimed born again Christian. She invited me to the conservatory Bible study group called “The Tent” and we had endless walks and conversations about Jesus Christ. Her friendship renewed my testimony of and faith in Jesus Christ.

Performing music brought me closer to Christ because He became my partner in each piece of music. Firstly, because He created my body and the instrument that I use to create my art. Secondly, because He is lending me my breath- the most essential component of music to a singer. Thirdly, from age 5 until this day I would always bow my head and say a small prayer to ask for help with my performance, and once again bow my head and pray immediately after in thanks or in seeking comfort and refuge from the Lord if my performance or audition didn’t go as well as I had hoped. President J. Reuben Clark Jr said “We get nearer to the Lord through music than perhaps through any other thing except prayer.” My Catholic Grandmother often quoted St. Augustine when she would say “He who sings prays twice.”

In Alma 30:44 we read; “all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth⁠, and all things that are upon the face of it.” and D & C 93:36 states “The glory of God is intelligence.”

The Lord created the earth, all things that appeal to our senses such as sound and music, and all of the people in it. Through scared knowledge and intelligence, which is the glory of God, the people here on earth created instruments and developed a system of organizing sound through music theory using mathematics such as the circle of fifths, harmonics, chromatics, intervals and modes- notes on the treble or the bass clef, and key and time signatures- organizing them into unique creations and combinations of sound that move the spirit. A universal language. A language accessible to all who are willing to learn and participate in the creation, as well as a universal method of communication that can convey emotion where words and language fail. President David O. McKay said, “Music is truly the universal language, and when it is excellently expressed how deeply it moves our souls.”

There is a quote from. President Spencer W. Kimball that reminds me of an experience I had as a conservatory student. He said, “We are in a position, as musicians, to touch the souls of those who listen.” The chair of the Division of Music at the Boston Conservatory, Dr. Karl Paulnack once told us during a back to school invocation- “Just across the River at Harvard University- medical students are learning how to open and heal the body using surgical instruments. Here, we are learning how to open and heal the soul using our instruments.” That really resonated with me and I know that it is true.

I believe that all of the beauty in the world reflects the glory of God- beautiful music can help us to capture the majesty and glory of our Savior Jesus Christ- we can bear testimony and tell His story as we sing, we can learn the language of God as scripture passages are set to music, making it easier for us to write them on our hearts. The creation of music and the collaboration of voices and instruments glorify Him. The Spirit can testify to us through the echoing overtones of voices in a large conference hall, or through the 12 note trill of a wood thrush at dusk, or even through the silence found as an orchestra rests before the next movement. President Spencer W. Kimball taught “Some of the greatest sermons that have ever been preached were preached by the singing of a song.”

2 Nephi 22: 2, 5

“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust⁠, and not be afraid; for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song⁠” “Sing unto the Lord; for he hath done excellent things; this is known in all the earth.”

Through singing unto the Lord I have received a witness that He is the Christ, I have felt His redeeming Love and have gotten glimpses of His glory through the beauty of music.

So… stay tuned. The above photo is from my music video with The Divine Music Project and it is being released THIS WEEK! I will share a link to it as soon as it drops! I feel that I was born to sing this song and to do this project and I cannot WAIT to share it with you!!

Read 2 Nephi 22; Alma 30:44; Doctrine & Covenants 93:36

Recall How has music strengthened your testimony of Jesus Christ?

Reflect Even if you do not consider yourself to be a musical person, how can you include sacred music more in your life?

Reclaim Put on a beautiful piece of music that helps you to feel the Spirit and feel the joy of Jesus Christ!

This post was taken from a talk that I was asked to give on Sunday, April 27, 2025 in my ward.

Happy Palm Sunday sweet friend. On this day over 2,000 years ago, the Savior entered the walls of Jerusalem riding a donkey that had never been ridden before. In the scriptures we read;

“And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.

“And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

“And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?

“And the multitude said⁠, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.”1

We are among this group of believers, shouting Hosanna to the highest and helping people to recognize Him. We raise our palm branches high in the air exalting our King and our Redeemer, welcoming Him when He returns.

In his most recent message to us, President Nelson invited us to “to take intentional steps to grow in your confidence before the Lord.”2

Are we ready? Do we have the confidence to be among those who will welcome Him when He comes again? Do we have Charity overflowing in our hearts to smile at Him with clear consciences- not holding anything back and without any shame through the gift of repentance? Do we have the courage to greet Him- to face Him with love for all that He did for us? Are we taking the time to gather our palm leaves, ready for Him?

I believe that now is the time for us to get ready. Now. Today! Our Beloved Savior is returning soon. Let’s prepare our hearts and hold up our palm leaves and welcome Him!

Read Matthew 21; “Confidence in the Presence of God”https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2025/04/57nelson?lang=eng by President Russell M. Nelson; Matthew 22:37-40; D&C 45

Recall What qualities, attributes and attitudes do you think the people who welcomed the Savior into Jerusalem had? How did they prepare themselves?

Reflect Search your heart- are you ready to welcome Him? Do you want to be among those who welcome Him as they did on Palm Sunday?

Reclaim Feel the Joy of the love that the Savior has for you!! Just as you prepare to welcome Him, He longs to embrace you, too!

Hello sweet friend! A few days ago I went on a beach walk with a dear friend. As we were walking, I found a perfect sand dollar. This is very rare where I live- usually they are already broken or picked apart by the many beautiful birds that live here. This one was PERFECT. Whole and beautiful. A true treasure. I tucked it into my pocket to take it home and forgot about it.

I remembered that it was there yesterday afternoon, and quickly pulled my coat from the closet. I reached into the pocket only to find that the sand dollar had been smashed and broken apart. My perfect sand dollar! Broken open. Ruined.

At first, I felt so sad! Another crushed treasure…perfection disrupted by decay, degeneration and destruction. Until the Holy Spirit whispered…

Inside of this sand dollar are the Doves of Peace… they represent the five wounds that Christ endured on the cross. You can’t get to them unless the sand dollar is cracked open and left broken. This is also much like your heart. Christ wants your broken heart because when you crack open your heart- the proud tunica externa, the rebellious tunica media, the fearful tunica intima… under all of those layers is… Christ.

And what of this broken vessel we carry, flawed and imperfect, sometimes in scattered pieces… what is the Lord’s answer to us when we offer it to Him? God answers;

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”1

This perfectly formed heart that we think takes occupancy beneath our ribs is actually much like the dried up and hardened exoskeleton of the sand dollar. The amyloidosis of our soul’s heart hardened by this fallen, broken world itself, begging to be made new by the Healer Himself-Our High Priest of Good Things to Come. Our hearts rent of their rigid, desiccated and fragile frame are now prepared to be made new- soft and pliable and tender to Christ, allowing Him to circumcise our hearts to love, and to love Him.2

Our broken heart is our road to Christ… our soft heart is ready for the Master’s hand.

Read Ezekiel 36; Alma 5:12-13; Mosiah 5:2; Deuteronomy 36; Helamen 15:7; Psalm 51:10

Recall How would you describe your heart right now?

Reflect Where do you need the Lord to break down the walls of your heart? Is it pride? Rebellion? Fear?

Reclaim Pray and ask the Lord to give you a broken heart and contrite spirit, and a new heart. Reclaim the joy of being made new through Him.

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Happy Sunday sweet friend. It is almost the beginning of Lent- my soul has started looking forward to the time leading up to Easter even more than Christmas.

It is a reminder to me of the temporary nature of mortality, of our sorrows, our separation from loved ones, our afflictions and our burdens.

Years ago, when I studied the Buddhist Dharma with Khenpo Lama Migmar Tseten Rinpoche, he taught the definition of patience according to the dharma. Patience, he taught, is a virtue; the antidote to anger and aversion; and it is the ability to tolerate unfair treatment from others.

Jesus Christ was our ultimate exemplar of this virtue, as was His Mother Mary; both during His earthly ministry and His subsequent suffering and cruxifixction. His words from the cross, “Forgive them for they know not what they do”2are a powerful example of His mastery of patience.

I’ve been pondering lately- how can I cultivate this virtue more into my life? How can I let patience have her perfect work within me?3

I know that as Latter-day Saints we typically don’t give things up for Lent- the former Catholic in me will always love this practice- because it truly does give me a chance to exercise patience. In this season I wait on the Lord’s timing and His miracles, I offer Him my broken heart and contrite spirit as I give up something each Lenten season beyond treats or little indulgences- but by giving up the things which hinder my spirit. Here are some examples-

We could give up contention. We could give up our prejudices, biases and hidden hatred for anyone other than Satan. We could give up gossip, or backbiting, or competing and comparing with others. We could give up idleness, laziness, and putting our time and energy into things with little to no value. We could give up the things which are not eternal. We could give up and offer up the three things that are certain to cause pride in our hearts- prosperity, possessions, and ease. We could give up our leisure time to serve others, or give up scruples and servile fear and replace them with our pure love of the Lord and our desire to please Him. We could give up worry and replace it with prayer.

I look to Jesus Christ and His Blessed Mother to let patience have her perfect work within me this season. Please let me know how you will be doing this preparation in your heart for this coming blessed Easter day and the eventual return of our Savior in the comments.

Read Psalm 37:7; Proverbs 14:29; Ecclesiastes 7:8; Matthew 18:22; Luke 21:19, D & C 101:38; Romans 2:7; 1 Thessalonians 5:14; Mosiah 3:19; Alma 17:11

Recall What is one thing you could give up this Lent that would help you to gain patience?

Reflect How will patience have her perfect work within you?

Reclaim Feel the joy of being freed from the burden of the myopic vision of mortality and reclaim the acuity of the Spirit- all sorrows are temporary through the Atonement of Jesus Christ!

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My family and I recently watched the musical “The Color Purple”. It is one of the best musicals and movies I have ever seen! I haven’t been able to get these song lyrics out of my head ever since;

“Dear God, dear stars, dear trees, dear sky
Dear peoples, dear everything
Dear God

God is inside me and everyone else
That was or ever will be
I came into this world with God
And when I finally looked inside

I found it
Just as close as my breath is to me”

What does it mean to experience the fact that the Spirit of God really does live inside of us? How does this knowledge shape how you behave, how you speak, how you see others?

I’ve been pondering about this all week, and here’s what I think:

It means that we are each holy.

Each of us are sacred.

Our sins and mistakes, our flaws and our weaknesses do not define us.

Our differences do not dictate how we treat one another. As God is “no respecter of persons”2— what would the world look like if we treated each other as holy? If we looked into the eyes of the refugee, the sick, the impoverished, the widowed and the fatherless and we saw the Savior’s eyes. How would we behave if we truly saw God inside?

We would truly be Christians.

We would be living what the Savior taught us when He said;

“Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”3

How are we honoring God inside of ourselves? How are we honoring God inside of others?

Are we sitting at home on our phones being keyboard warriors arguing with strangers on the internet to defend our beliefs… or are we taking action? Are we at the soup kitchen? Are we bringing a meal to our neighbor? Are we teaching our children the words of Christ, that they may look to Him to follow rather than the social media influencers and YouTube stars of the day?

Are we truly living as God inside of us- living the sacredness of small and simple acts done with great love?

“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”4

I found God inside of me this year. I see God inside of you sweet friend.

Read James 1; Matthew 25; Romans 8:9; Romans 8; Galatians 2:20; Psalm 46:5; Genesis 1:26-28

Recall Ponder on the truth that we find in Scripture, that we are made in the image of God and that the Lord’s Spirit lives within us.

Reflect What does it mean to you that God lives within you?

Reclaim See yourself and others through the lens of this truth. What will you do this week to put your faith into action?

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Happy Sabbath sweet friend. January has been long, has it not? I suspect I am not the only one who has felt this way. I want to start my post today by having us take a collective deep breath. Exhale slowly. Let your shoulders drop down and away from your ears.

Now, as your faithful writer about Jesus, you know that I will not write about politics or add my opinions, beliefs or arguments to what is already a firestorm in the world and on social media to this space. But I would also be remiss if I did not acknowledge the high level of emotion that we are experiencing collectively right now—regardless of who you voted for or how you feel about the recent transfer of power in our nation and the changes that have begun.

My plea to you today is very simple and I hope it will be received in the spirit by which it is sent. President Monson said it best when he said,

“Never let a problem to be solved be more important than a person to be loved.”2

I had an experience recently where I posted something on my Instagram that has turned into a big political debate- normally I don’t engage but I felt the nudge from the Spirit to declare my stance on the issue. Some of the DM’s that came through from members of the Church were shocking in their rudeness, unrighteous judgement and how very unChristlike their words were. I responded with kindness as best I could, and tried my darnedest to not be offended. We’ve all been there. I learned something and from that is my plea to you.

No matter how strongly you may feel about your beliefs and idealogy- however righteous and justified you feel they may be- my plea to you is do not let your convictions and your beliefs cause you to start “othering” people. When we go down the path of judgement and take up an “us vs. them” attitude, we ALL lose. Making judgements about others always wounds the soul and causes the Spirit to depart. Demeaning another person because you do not agree with them always causes spiritual harm to both parties. In the moment it’s a victory for Satan- we turn on each other for a minute instead of fighting our common Enemy together- him!

Now…this does not mean I policing your tone or asking you to not stand up for what is right or even asking you to be silent when you strongly disagree with someone. I am asking you to remember that the person in your DM’s or in the comments section is a person whom the Savior died for. When President Nelson invited us to interact with others in a higher and holier way in his April 2023 General Conference talk, “Peacemakers Needed”, his counsel echoes in my mind;

As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are to be examples of how to interact with others—especially when we have differences of opinion. One of the easiest ways to identify a true follower of Jesus Christ is how compassionately that person treats other people.

My dear brothers and sisters, how we treat each other really matters! How we speak to and about others at home, at church, at work, and online really matters. Today, I am asking us to interact with others in a higher, holier way.

If a friend on social media has strong political or social views that violate everything you believe in, an angry, cutting retort by you will not help. Building bridges of understanding will require much more of you, but that is exactly what your friend needs.

We can literally change the world—one person and one interaction at a time. How? By modeling how to manage honest differences of opinion with mutual respect and dignified dialogue.3

I think Christ invites us to get curious- to meet someone where they are at and to ask open ended questions such as- “Why did they say that? Why do they believe what they believe? Why do they feel that way?” By listening to their perspective, even if we remain in disagreement, we are changed. We gain spiritual strength by confronting our differences with kindness, humility and maturity. We gain spiritual strength by learning to love someone who may be difficult for us to love. We gain understanding of others by building bridges instead of barriers.

I believe that the higher and holier way that The Lord is asking us for is soft hearts. Soft hearts are like clay in the potter’s hands. Will we let Him change us and mold us? Will we let our own softness and meekness help the Savior to change others’ hearts? I believe this is possible. Not only do I believe it is possible, I have seen it in action.

Satan would love nothing more than for us to doom scroll and subscribe to the chaos and dive into arguments with strangers in the contentious comment sections on our social media feeds, distracting us from the real work to be done. The Savior is returning soon. We have but a moment to gather our brothers and sisters on both sides of the veil to Christ and prepare for that great day. We will abide the day with our broken hearts and contrite spirits- the proud will be burned as stubble.4

Read Malachi 4; 3 Nephi 25; 1 Corinthians 13:11; Helaman 3:33-36; Moroni 7:45; 1 Corinthians 13:4-5; 3 Nephi 11:29; Revelation 12:12; 3 Nephi 13:24

Recall Recall a time in which you chose contention over peacemaking. How did you feel when you walked away?

Reflect Reflect on a time when you chose peacemaking over contention. How did it feel compared to when you chose contention?

Reclaim Reclaim the peace that comes from Christ and keeping His Spirit near.

One of my college friends lost everything in the Eaton fire in California this week. This photo is from his neighborhood. I still reflect and think about those in Western North Carolina who have also lost their homes. My heart breaks for all affected by sudden and unimaginable tragedy- so many having to start completely over. Memories and keepsakes lost. Lives interrupted and livelihoods stalled. Homes completely decimated. Walls that housed moments and laughter and tears and births and first steps… and also illness and cancer and heartbreak and grief.

As I looked at his photo and the photo and video footage of the wreckage, Jesus Christ’s words from Matthew 6 keep resounding in my mind;

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 1

What would you do if you lost all of your earthly possessions and the place where you lay your head down each night? What if you, like Lehi and his family, like Jared and his brother, like Lot and like Moses…suddenly found yourself leaving it all behind and walking through your own wilderness?

I’ve been pondering on this all week…how would I feel... what would I do?

I love to create beauty everywhere I go- I have channeled much of that energy into my home and creating a lovely space for my four sweet girls, my husband, and anyone who walks through the doors. This means I have spent a lot of time, resources and energy on accumulating possessions- photos, decor, furniture, paint, plants, trinkets, holy artwork and scripture, and even some original artwork. I also love fashion- I have spent a great deal of time and resources on curating my wardrobe and accessories. Some things are precious to me because they are costly, and others due to their sentimental value. How would I respond if it all vanished?

The truth is…it will someday. Even if our belongings don’t get washed away in a flood or burned up in a fire, we leave them behind. We don’t take any earthly possessions with us into eternity. We take the real treasure. We take our broken hearts and contrite spirits- a most precious and choice jewel to lay at our Savior’s feet. We take our eternal spirits- shaped and refined in the Refiner’s Fire of mortality and conformed to the image of Christ. We take our families and our most treasured and beloved relationships (A temple president once told me we take our pets too!) We take our knowledge-All that we have learned on the earth both formally and informally and experientially- becomes a part of our soul’s storehouse. For our enduring to the end in mortality by being faithful to our covenants and keeping the commandments, we are promised eternal life and to become joint heirs with Christ.2 Christ promises to recompense us for all of our sufferings on the earth. 3He will consecrate all of our suffering for our ultimate good.4

When I see my earthly life through this lens, any possession or treasure I own pales in comparison to what I am laying up for myself in eternity.

This doesn’t discount the grief of losing earthly things- including losing our loved ones and our own earthly lives coming to an end. I believe we grieve because where we come from IS eternal. We will return to where our flesh becomes incorruptible5- we will return to an unchanging God.6

And all of this…because of Jesus Christ. He makes the sting of loss and death- something that can feel so permanent, so irreparable and everlasting… He makes it temporary and points us to Him, from everlasting to everlasting.7

I praise His holy name for this. For His Atonement. For His infinite wisdom. For the plan of happiness. For His willingness to step in on our behalf and be our Savior. For His conquering of death and destruction. The grave hath no victory. 8Loss will not endure. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.9

Read Matthew 6: 19-21; Romans 8; 2 Thessalonians 1; 1 Corinthians 15:53-55; Malachi 3; Psalm 90; Mosiah 16; Psalm 30; 1 Peter 3:3-6; Doctrine & Covenants 122

Recall What are the treasures the Savior is asking us to lay up in heaven? Do you have them?

Reflect Where is your treasure? Where is your heart?

Reclaim Reclaim the joy of all that Christ is offering you, beyond the mortal and the earthly. Lay up your treasure.

Please donate to my friend Spencer and his family- and please consider donating to other Go Fund Me’s that are circulating on social media.

If the QR code doesn’t work, here is the link: Support Spencer, Emily and Yves

I don’t know about you, but 2024 was an absolute doozy for me. There were some things I got on my BINGO card that I never thought I would deal with! I am not sad to see 2024 go.

I saw something on Instagram that I haven’t been able to stop thinking about. Instead of thinking “2025 is going to be my year!” What if I instead thought, “2025 is God’s year!” It always is anyway- in the words of King Benjamin,

“if ye should serve him who has created you from the beginning, and is preserving you from day to day, by lending you breath, that ye may live and move and do according to your own will, and even supporting you from one moment to another—I say, if ye should serve him with all your whole souls yet ye would be unprofitable servants.” 1

Every year on my birthday (12/12) I always pray and ask the Lord, “What is my great work for this year?” I’ve thought about taking this a step further as we move into the new year. As I set my intentions and created a vision board-what if I ask the Lord for His will and His hand over every aspect of my life? My marriage? My family? My education? My work? My own interests and the things that make my soul come alive? What if I turned it all over to Him- FULLY. What would this look like? What if I fully live my covenant of the law of consecration?

I think it will look like more. More hastening to build the kingdom on the earth and prepare it for His coming. More growth and stretching and healing (which probably means more trials on my 2025 BINGO card) More holiness. More service. More forgiveness. More consecration. More of the temple. More angels. More intercession. More mercy. More light. More knowledge. More of what is eternal. More beauty. More joy. More charity. More of the Holy Spirit. More patience. More obedience. More prayer. More blessings. More miracles. More feasting on the word of God. More revelation. More connection. More humility. More like Him. More of Him.

This is going to be the best year yet… it’s the Lord’s year.

Read Mosiah 2; 2 Timothy 1:7; Ether 12:41; Matthew 10:39; Doctrine and Covenants 78:18

Recall What year did you feel was your best year ever? Why?

Reflect How can you turn this year over and dedicate it to The Lord and your service to Him?

Reclaim Reclaim the joy of losing yourself in the love and service of others as Christ did. See where the Lord will give you an increase.

2

Happy Advent season sweet friend. How I love you! This season I have become an amateur Mariologist- I am doing research for a book that I am writing (more details to come!)

“I have been studying Mary in the scriptures, texts written by scholars and accounts of visions of her life as recorded by various Catholic mystics (if you’re interested to know some of what they saw about her life leading up to Christ’s birth you would love to watch “Mary” on Netflix!)

I came upon a quote that is the heart of my book’s message as well as where my heart has been this Christmas season;

“The principal lesson for us in this life of Mary is that she is above all a model of the interior life, and that only insofar as we imitate her recollection and prayer and charity of heart will we be pleasing to God and capable of serving Him, for only thus will we be united to Him and do His will. Thus too we will become like Mary, and so Christ will be born and grow in our souls. By our progressive self-purification through penitential loving sacrifices by the grace of God we will be able to give Him to others.”1

The Spirit has begged the question of me this season- how am I keeping my covenants by carrying Him this season as Mary did? I can live my covenants by bearing His name and bearing others’ burdens. How am I taking upon me Christ and His magnificent light this season (and throughout the new year?) How can I become a better disciple? Mary’s example is absolutely illuminating.

Now, what I’m about to share is from one of the accounts of the mystics- it is not official revelation nor has it been canonized by the Catholic or any other Church, but oh this is a treasure for you to ponder in your heart and I just have to share it with you!

The Venerable Mother Mary of Agreda (1602-1665 Agreda, Spain) had a holy vision of the life of Mary and recorded words from the Blessed Mother, speaking on the gifts of the Magi that were offered to the Savior. She said;

My daughter, great were the gifts which the Kings offered to my most holy Son, but greater still was the affection with which they offered them and the mystery concealed beneath them. I wish you also to offer up similar gifts…Your ceaseless offer, however, must be love, which is the gold; continual prayer, which is the incense; and the patient acceptance of labors…which is the myrrh. All that you do for the Lord , you should offer up to Him with ardent affection.”2

When Mary was visited by the angel Gabriel and accepted the call to become the mother of the Savior of the world, she said, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.”3 She offered her will to the Lord and allowed herself to be overshadowed by the Spirit. Her gift to Him was a precious and infinite gift to all mankind.

This reminds me of a beautiful quote from Neal A. Maxwell that reads;

“The submission of one’s will is really the only uniquely personal thing we have to place on God’s altar. … The many other things we give to God … are actually things He has already given us, and He has loaned them to us. But when we begin to submit ourselves by letting our wills be swallowed up in God’s will, then we are really giving something to Him. … There is a part of us that is ultimately sovereign, the mind and heart. … And when we submit to His will, then we’ve really given Him the one thing He asks of us.”4

What things could the Lord accomplish through us as we let Him prevail and submit our will to His? How He will multiply our gift to Him!

Read Luke 1; Romans 10:1, 11:7; Galatians 6:16; Ephesians 2:12

Recall Your baptismal covenant and your temple covenants

Reflect How has keeping these covenants helped you to become closer to Christ and to share Him with the world?

Reclaim Feel the joy of God’s love as you offer Him your most precious gifts this season and throughout the new year.

I volunteer in the NICU at the children’s hospital in my home city of Charleston, South Carolina. (I am going back to school to become an RN starting this August) As a volunteer, I walk around the floor of the unit and listen for the cries. Sometimes, this service looks like standing and holding a pacifier for an hour; or having the tiniest hand you’ve ever seen wrap itself around my finger from an isolette and reassuring the baby that they are not alone. Sometimes it’s comforting a baby while they are having their IV placed; or watching over them to make sure they don’t pull out their ng tube; and sometimes it looks like getting to hold a baby for the whole two hours while they sleep. I get to “mother by proxy” for these babies whose Moms can’t always be there for various reasons.

One night I was talking with a friend who is not a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and we were talking about my volunteering. I told her that when I first started working in the unit, that as I was holding a baby and seeing how much they were suffering, I wept. It is very hard to see their immense suffering. I told her, “It is so hard to see them suffer because they don't deserve it.”

“Yes they do.” she replied. I was taken aback. I remember believing this as a Catholic before I joined the Church. She elaborated, “We all do- because we are all sinners.” And that’s when I got to share the restored Gospel with her and the truth about Christ’s Atonement, children, who we really are and how God feels about us.

The Second Article of Faith states, “ We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.”

In Moses 6:54 we read;

“Hence came the saying abroad among the people, that the Son of God hath atoned for original guilt, wherein the sins of the parents cannot be answered upon the heads of the children, for they are whole from the foundation of the world.”

In Moroni 8:12 we read;

“But little children are alive in Christ, even from the foundation of the world;”

They are whole from the foundation of the world and are alive in Christ. This is such a beautiful truth!

Do we suffer in mortality? Absolutely- this comes with living in a fallen world! Do innocent children fresh from heaven deserve suffering? No, they do not. Because of the Infinite Atonement of Jesus Christ, the One who did not deserve to suffer, did. For us. Little children are alive in Him and in His grace they are made whole- God weeps at their suffering.

I have often reflected upon how going from believing in the concept of “original sin” to the truths in these scriptures as well as the divine decree in the Young Women’s theme- “I am a beloved daughter of heavenly parents, with a divine nature and eternal destiny” has affected how I view myself and how I view others. It has made me more loving and patient with others. It has deepened my compassion and empathy and desire to serve. It has deepened my love for the Savior, who was as pure and innocent during His earthly ministry as the tiny babies that I serve.

When Christ visited the Nephites and saw the sick and afflicted among them, He wept. 1When He visited Martha and Mary and saw that Lazarus had died, He wept.2 The Savior weeps with us and mourns with us in our suffering, especially when we don’t deserve it, because He understands!

Read Moses 5-6; 3 Nephi 17; Moroni 8

Recall Remember the worth of your soul and how precious you are in the sight of God.

Reflect Ponder on the Savior’s Infinite Atonement as invited by President Nelson and on the concept of how all children are alive in Christ.

Reclaim Reclaim the joy of your redemption!3

Artwork above is “Mother to Mother” by Katie Garner