Spring, spring, spring

It's been a pretty cold spring in Utah. But then there are some absolutely glorious spring mornings.

[It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood]

[All of those tulips, though.]

[Oh haiiiiii.]

[And the lovely Jessica.]

[Perks of living in SLC--getting to attend Stake Conference in the Assembly Hall.]

[Consensus: more spring sunshine is always in style and always needed.]

Be still and know.

[london england temple.]

"Press forward. We will all, in the course of this brutal and beautiful mortality, find ourselves in dark places. We may find ourselves unsure and disgruntled and full of sincere and frightening doubt. Don't ever feel ashamed of that. Don't ever try and hide it. The question is not 'why,' but rather 'why not.' Without those moments, without those experiences, we do not and cannot begin to understand Godhood. Those times will come. Those times may be right here, right now. But the key is to press forward; to hold to the rod and press forward, however powerful the urge may be to cease our journey and pitch our tents forever in the wilderness. Just keep pressing forward.

[. . .] 

And that is why I need to tell you, with a gratitude that I cannot express, and with a surety that I cannot articulate, that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is real. I learned that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is as much for the innocent as it is for the guilty. I learned that as much as the Atonement is for those who have broken laws, and broken commandments, and broken covenants--it is for those who have broken hearts." -- Denise Wilkinson, Reading England Stake Relief Society President 

Tonight I am grateful for faith. 

For my own and for others'. 

For the experiences that we share which strengthen and bind. 

And for the way that faith can shine into a broken heart. 

God be thanked that we have each other

as we stumble, fall, and climb in this blessed, broken 

experience we call mortality. 

My comfort by day, and my song in the night

I don't really like meeting for church at 1 pm. It's soooo late (especially on Fast Sundays. Ah.).

But one of the perks of meeting late (and of living in Utah) is that you can go to things like "Music and the Spoken Word" in the Tabernacle on Temple Square.

So that's what I did with some friends today.

[Look at that sky. A perfectly blue September sky.]

I hadn't listened to "Music and the Spoken Word" for awhile (and it had been ages since I had gone up to a broadcast), and it was a beautiful, refreshing experience. 

They sang "My Song in the Night," and I was just enraptured with its beauty. It just was--it was just perfect. 

So yes. There can be some good things about meeting for church at 1 pm. 

(I mean, I still stand by my argument that 9 am is better than 1 pm. But whatever.) 

A Place of Love and Beauty

"And ye are to be taught from on high. Sanctify yourselves and ye shall be endowed with power, that ye may give even as I have spoken." -- Doctrine and Covenants 43:16 

"For the word of the Lord is truth, and whatsoever is truth is light, and whatsoever is light is Spirit, even the Spirit of Jesus Christ." -- Doctrine and Covenants 84:45

Last Friday I had the incredible honor and opportunity to attend the temple with my dear friend Madison. Madi has decided to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and has been called to serve in the Romania Bucharest Mission.

I am thrilled for her. Missions are life-changing, sacred experiences. I truly believe that they are a way that God shows His love for all of us--both for the ones serving and for those missionaries are called to serve and love.

I also believe that the temple endowment is a gift of God's love and knowledge to His children. It is something that He wants all of His children to receive. There is power which comes from making and keeping promises with God.

It was a sacred privilege to help prepare Madison for her first experience at the temple (although most of that preparation came on her own through her life and her thirst for light and truth). I am simply grateful that I was able to share this special day with her.

Truly, the temple is a place of love and beauty.

"And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things." -- Doctrine and Covenants 88:67