Grand Council In Heaven: The Cost of Love
Long ago we gathered together as spirit children of our Father in Heaven, in the grand council. While my mortal eyes prevent me from remembering, through scripture, revelation and the spirit, I can image that we gathered in a grand hall; and at the great Elohim, our Father at the focal point. Just as President Monson presides the church here on earth, adorned with his faithful counselors; Jehovah, known in mortality as Jesus Christ,...
Making Friends with Despair
It was another Sunday, another weekend, another week. Another endurance of medical problems, illness, financial struggles and despair. I thought life was going to be different than this. I never imagined that at nearly 40 I would continually be facing greater and greater challenges. On our weekend date, my husband and I drove around a lot. We talked a lot. I cried, he doesn’t like that. He was frustrated with my despair. I didn’t...
LDS Policy Change: I was born of a gay father and faithful LDS mother.
I was born of a gay father and faithful LDS mother. The great storms of identity development and security were rocked as I learned that my dad died from AIDS when I was just ten. He left the church right after my birth and lived a homosexual life in New York City. I remember confiding in a just a few friends the real origin of my dad’s death, there were layers of shame and fear and loss and sadness. I didn’t feel safe...
Legacy of Faith, My Pioneer Heritage
There are many ancestors… generations upon generations who have come before me. Today is a day of reflection. Looking in the mirror I see my Grandma Cannon’s blue eyes. I see my mom’s callick in my brown hair. I feel the fervor of faith gifted from my Grandma Joy. The the golden embers of Italian skin after an afternoon bathing under the golden sun, which comes from my paternal Grandpa Rizzo who immigrated to New...
For Our Time
This week has been monumental and historic. Here is just a taste of this national and international news stories: Planned Parenthood executive is recorded to be selling the remains of human babies for the highest bidder. The United States, along with many other world leaders lifted its sanctions on Iran in a deal to prevent the longtime known terrorist country to making nuclear weapons. Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu has been...
Easter Sunday
It would be a great blessing to adequately put into words the feelings of my heart on the blessed Easter Sunday. My name is Sarah Johnson. I am a wife, a mother, a sister, a daughter and a friend. I have had a witness that Jesus Christ is our great Redeemer. As spiritual children of our Heavenly Father, the great plan of happiness was presented, and taught in the preexistence. I can imagine a beautiful place, where we created...