BYU Broadcast – What a Resource!

As much as I love the Internet and the possibilities it brings, I find myself constantly amazed at just how much stuff you can really find online. I knew about the church website, and the ability to download Conference and other talks (most notably the Relief Society and Young Women’s annual meetings). But a friend of mine recently clued me in on another site I hadn’t thought to seek out – BYU Broadcast. I actually went to the BYU radio page in search of the talks about Isaiah she had told me existed. But the more I explored, the more … Continue reading →

Take Advantage of Your Church Library!

My first calling in the church led me to realize that most members just don’t take sufficient advantage of the branch or ward library. We tend to use it for lesson preparation, and not much else. Occasionally, we might check out a video, though most of the time we only do so for class. But most church libraries are well-equipped, even in smaller branches. What can you find in your ward library? Here are just a few great materials I have utilized over the ten years I have been a member: Books – I’ll start with what should be the … Continue reading →

Children’s Journals

After Miriam’s great blog entry on journal writing, I’d like to take the next step and challenge everyone to encourage their children’s self-expression. Think your kids are too young? Hence the challenge! Last summer, while my kids were 5, 3 and a half, and 18 months, I decided that my older two were ready to create a journal of their very own. My daughter had just started reading and writing, and both kids love to color. Since I also homeschool, I thought a journal would not only be an excellent way to teach the kids young to follow the counsel … Continue reading →

Read the Instructions!

Let me start this blog by saying I am both a nerd and a convert. Oh, yes, and a readaholic. When you add those three together, you get someone who did an amazing amount of research into the church both before and after joining. I’d like to take a great resource that you may have overlooked – your manuals. The church has provided an amazing number of resources throughout the year. My first calling in the church was as the ward librarian, and I was amazed at the number of books available. (I’m one of those people who has to … Continue reading →

Scripture Study and Small Children

One of the most lasting lessons I hope to teach my children is a love for the scriptures. I spent two thirds of my life without the Book of Mormon, and when I read 3 Nephi 11 for the first time, I felt the Spirit than I have ever felt it before; I could not deny it, even though until then I doubted the existence of the Holy Ghost. I know that I am far, far from perfect, and that many of the lessons I try to teach my children have been filtered through my perspective and experience, things which … Continue reading →

The Benefits of the Perpetual Education Fund

The church has always placed great importance on the value of education. You can see this through the four colleges that the church operates as well as many of the LDS academies that the church operates in other countries in poor areas. You can also see this in the adult literacy programs that the church has offered throughout the world. In the past few years the church has started another way to help church members achieve their education goals. It is the Perpetual Education Fund. This is a great opportunity for members to have the opportunity to gain an education … Continue reading →

A Review of “Before the Dawn” by Carol Warburton

“Before the Dawn” by Carol Warburton is an enjoyable historical novel. The novel has bookends with the story of Jessica Taylor who is trying to complete family history research. The story is about Clarissa who married hastily to escape the advances of a next door neighbor. Clarissa soon realizes the mistake she made in marrying someone she could not entirely trust. As the story opens she and her husband have moved away from her family to Oregon and just set up a new homestead. Her husband Jacob leaves her to go to California and search for gold. Clarissa realizes that … Continue reading →

Interview with author Tristi Pinkston

Today I decided to interview Tristi Pinkston, a wonderful historical fiction author within the LDS market. Her books inform, entertain and are quick to stir up controversy – all of which make the writing worthwhile. From her website we learn that: “I’m a stay at home mom and a homeschooler (visit www.uhea.org) I spend lots of time ignoring my dirty house and hiding laundry in weird places. I specialize in moving things from one place to another, and then back again. I love Flylady’s housework routines (visit www.flylady.net) and I sometimes even do them. In my spare time, you know, … Continue reading →

Writing and Rationalization

I’ve had cause to consider this topic many times over the last few years and now it has coalesced into a pretty solid opinion on the subject. As writers, we are able to turn loose of the reins of our imaginations and simply soar through life collecting stories and morphing them into the written word for all to enjoy. There are so many genres and sub-genres that there is something for every type of reader. This is a good thing in my opinion as I enjoy reading numerous genres and sub-genres, learning from both fiction and nonfiction alike. I was … Continue reading →