Testifying

General Conference Notebook

Parenting, Studying, Testifying Leave a comment

Screen Shot 2019-10-04 at 3.52.37 PMThis blog has been quite neglected, but those who know me well will not be surprised that General Conference is all it takes to revive it.

I was inspired by the coloring pages at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saint’s Facebook page, an Instagram post by my friend Jocelyn, and my long history of conference love and preparation, so I compiled this 11-page packet. It’s a simple notebook my tween and teens will use to take notes at conference. They can color the apostles if they want or just write notes by their picture, and they can also record any impressions they have about goals for the new youth initiative.

So here you go. You’re welcome to download, print, and use if you’d like.

General Conference Notebook

I love general conference so much and my heart is thirsty to be taught this weekend. I love the testimonies and the expressions of hope, and I also love being called to repentance. I know that sounds odd, but it’s so nice to know what to work on so that I can grow spiritually and progress in alignment with God’s will. I wish you all a wonderful conference weekend, with a very special dose of what Elder Holland calls “a personal, prophetic epistle just for you.”

Screen Shot 2019-09-07 at 4.07.11 PM

Here’s a little update on my new book, Learn of Me. It is held up at press for another week or so, but should be in stores by the middle of October. You can still order it on Amazon and it will ship when it’s available.

Advertisement

“When saw we thee a stranger?”

Testifying, Thinking View all 2 comments
849463109_orig

If you browse through the archives of my blog, including the past seven years on my older blog, you will not find any political posts. Not one. You would, however, find a bucket-load of posts about my testimony of following the counsel of living prophets. So with that in mind, I’d like to attempt a commentary upon recent prophetic direction, with the cautious understanding that the issue at hand is very political to some.

Since the scriptures lay out very clear, dismal prophecies about the state of our world in the years leading up to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, the current events involving war and terror and the failing hearts of men should not be a great surprise to us. The news is sad and shocking, to be sure, but not unexpected. One of the somber results of these events is the ongoing crisis of refugees–individuals who are fleeing war-ravaged and dangerous homelands in search of safety and some measure of peace. Their stories and suffering are heartbreaking.

In fact, a recent letter from the First Presidency states,

“It is with great concern and compassion that we observe the plight of the millions of people around the world who have fled their homes seeking relief from civil conflict and other hardships.”

That same letter encourages members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to make donations to the Church Humanitarian Fund, which will be used to aid refugees throughout the world, and also asks members to “participate in local relief projects, where practical”(emphasis added). I cannot find anything in their statement that makes any distinction about the religion of said refugees. Continue reading →

Roles, Revelation, and Grace

Learning, Parenting, Testifying, Writing Leave a comment

Twenty years ago this month, President Gordon B. Hinckley presented “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” for the first time. To celebrate, a handful bloggers are hosting two weeks of posts about the doctrine of the family. [More info here.]

I was invited to contribute as a guest blogger, so I slipped out of my writing sabbatical and hit the keyboard with my testimony of personal revelation and grace in helping me find my own place in God’s plan. I addressed how sometimes our own reality is at odds with prophetic counsel regarding family, but peace and confidence can come as we understand the doctrine and seek Heavenly Father’s will for us personally. You can find the post here: http://www.cranialhiccups.com/2015/09/roles-revelation-and-grace.html

Imprimir

A tribute: the life and testimony of President Boyd K. Packer

Learning, Studying, Testifying View all 3 comments

When an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ passes away, it feels like the loss of a friend. These are men who have uplifted us and brought light into our lives through testimony and example. President Boyd K. Packer passed away on July 3, 2015 after serving as an an apostle in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for more than 45 years. I have studied his life and a large body of his teachings and I want to share some of my favorite things about him; this is his legacy that will live on in me as I continue on my own journey of discipleship.

President Packer came into his testimony of the gospel while he served as a fighter pilot in World War II. He studied the Book of Mormon purposefully for the first time and began to truly believe its divine message. I appreciate what he taught about answers and testimony sometimes coming slowly. He has taught me to trust in good feelings and be patient for clarity and answers to come.

packer9

I also love his testimony of the scriptures. Elder Nelson once commented on how much Elder Packer’s knowledge of the scriptures has influenced the direction of the church. When the Quorum of the Twelve has weighed out problems and issues in their councils, he has searched his mind for relevant teachings from the Book of Mormon and shared them with the Brethren.  “Without the Book of Mormon,” Elder Nelson said, “Elder Packer couldn’t be the prophet he is. Continue reading →

The best of Elder L. Tom Perry

Testifying View all 3 comments

Tom11Like many others, I was sad to hear of the passing of Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. My children were sad, too, but recognized that a 92-year-old man—especially a man as good as him—was probably well prepared to make his way to heaven. I don’t dare to pretend that I have any connection with Elder Perry that is more special than anyone else’s, but I’ve studied carefully the lives of the apostles as I’ve taught Living Prophets for the last few years and I have grown to love each one. They feel like family because I learn so much from them and admire their lives and their teachings;  they hold a place in my heart because the things I’ve learned from them are a part of who I am becoming and what I know to be true.

Hundreds of people have posted their own experiences of meeting Elder Perry or shaking his hand, and they all witness of his kindness and encouragement. Elder Perry happens to be the only apostle I have spent some time with in person, and I had a couple experiences that are pretty unique. Namely, 1) we made chili together Continue reading →