Recently, I was reading in the Book of Mormon where Nephi and his brothers return for the brass plates. For anyone unfamiliar with this story, Nephi and his immediate family recently fled from Jerusalem. Then Nephi’s father, Lehi, sends Nephi and his brothers (Laman, Lemuel, and Sam) back to Jerusalem to get the brass plates.…… Continue reading Returning for the Brass Plates: Learning From Nephi’s Experience
The Girls We Sent Away: Hidden Pregnancy (4.5 Stars)
Recently, I finished reading The Girls We Sent Away by Meagan Church. This story, which takes place in the 1960s, involves Lorraine, who’s sent away to hide her teen pregnancy. What You Should Know Lorraine is about to start her senior year of high school when the story starts. She’s the only female lifeguard at…… Continue reading The Girls We Sent Away: Hidden Pregnancy (4.5 Stars)
The Spiritual Wisdom of the Youth
A couple of weeks ago, I got the chance to work with some of the youth of the church for a few days. Having been a temple worker for a little over six years, I’d seen how spiritually prepared those who are in their late teens and early 20s can be. These high school students,…… Continue reading The Spiritual Wisdom of the Youth
My Three Super Short Writing Contest Losers
This summer, I entered three very short writing contests. Unfortunately, I didn’t win any of them. Here’s a look at each contest entry. The First Contest For this contest, I had to write a story of no more than 50 words. It had to include a ticket. I considered several tickets: a parking ticket, a…… Continue reading My Three Super Short Writing Contest Losers
The Wife You Know: Secrets and Lies? (4.5 Stars)
Last week, I finished reading The Wife You Know by Chad Zunker. The basic plot is that Ashley saves several children from a daycare center fire. The whole brave rescue is caught on video and shared across social media. When Ashley finds out, she freaks out and disappears with her young daughter that night. Her…… Continue reading The Wife You Know: Secrets and Lies? (4.5 Stars)
Idaho Fall: So Many Reasons to Want Her Gone (4.5 Stars)
Last night, I finished reading Idaho Fall by D. J. Maughan. This book will be published Oct. 1, 2014. It’s the story of a lady, Rita Burch, who started her own clothing company. Over the last few years, she’s let the power get to her head. Now, she’s become a bit of a jerk. Because…… Continue reading Idaho Fall: So Many Reasons to Want Her Gone (4.5 Stars)
Three Lessons from President Nelson’s Birthday Celebration
On Monday, President Russell M. Nelson turned 100! He is the first president of the church to reach this milestone. To celebrate President Nelson’s birthday, there was a birthday celebration broadcast online. If you haven’t already watched it, I would encourage you to watch it. While some people might have gotten something else out of…… Continue reading Three Lessons from President Nelson’s Birthday Celebration
Attractive on the Outside But Not in a Deeper Way
Several years ago, I was in a YSA ward where we had a lady I’ll call Patricia (not her real name). Patricia was very physically attractive. She had also done something that gained her a bit of local fame. Because of this, many of the guys in the ward wanted to go on a date…… Continue reading Attractive on the Outside But Not in a Deeper Way
Stonebridge: Gothic Mixed With Some Other Odd Elements (4 Stars)
A few weeks ago, I finished reading Stonebridge by Linda Griffin. I won this novel with a Gothic feel earlier this year in a Goodreads Giveaway. I have mixed feelings about this book. An Intro To This Gothic Novel Even though it’s set in 1958-1959, this book has a very Gothic feel to it. I…… Continue reading Stonebridge: Gothic Mixed With Some Other Odd Elements (4 Stars)
A Focus on the Essentials at the Temple
Over the last few weeks, I’ve been trying to concentrate better as I attend the temple. During my last two visits to the temple as a patron, it has hit me how important it is to focus on the essentials or the basics of the temple covenant. What Do I Mean by the Essentials? If…… Continue reading A Focus on the Essentials at the Temple