There and Back Again

       Few things in this world bring me more peace than the knowledge that our families can be perpetuated beyond the grave.         Recently, my family and I lost our patriarch. He was (and continues to be) our rock, our exemplar, and our hero. He was everything to us in so many ways. It's hard to remember a single time where my grandpa wasn't there for me. He's shown up to all of my events and practices, he came over every day, and he taught us so much. I learned how to wash dishes, do the laundry, be a supportive family member, a professional, a loyal sibling, take initiative, write my name in cursive, and so much more from this man. I remember him always making sure we made it to church on Sundays when my dad worked and staying at our house from O'dark early to late at night. He was truly selfless and did everything he could to support me, my brothers, and my dad through all of our troubles.         Losing my grandpa has been painful, but I know the first thing I f

       I'll bet I really don't need to get into the details of what sparks this question. There's a lot happening right now, and if I'm being frank, it's only going to get worse from here. A lot of people-saints and non-members alike are understandably overwhelmed, frustrated, and desperate for any type of resolve. For saints who are striving to be Christlike and honor their covenants, it's really hard to find our footing. Shouldn't we be mad about injustice? Whose counsel do we follow? Where's the balance between standing up for ourselves and seeking stillness? A lot of people are asking themselves (and me!) these questions. I wanted to share my research as we come to our own conclusions.  3 Nephi 12:22 Vs. Matthew 5:22        In 3 Nephi 12:22 , we read, "But I say unto you, that whosoever is angry with his brother shall be in danger of his judgment. And whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council; and whosoever shal

The Beginning        My name, Elisabeth, is the germanic variation of the Hebrew name, Elisheva (אלישבע). The meaning of my name is translated roughly to "consecrated to God" (we can do a Hebrew lesson later). This name, let me tell you, has proven to be the most beautiful, sacred aspect of my life.         God has been far kinder to me than I will ever deserve. Certainly, when I am in the celestial kingdom, I will be even more humbled having a full understanding of what all he's done on my behalf. I need to acknowledge that before I start this story. God is so merciful.         I was born into the church. My mother's a descendant of Danish pioneers who came to America with nothing but faith and then walked across the country to help settle Utah and build up the church. My dad, a marine descended from Irish immigrants, converted to the church when he was about 23 years old. I was raised with stories of brave, faithful people who were continuously brave in the face of

       Dear Female Ancestors,                 It's 2020 and society at large still can't stop talking about our bodies; specifically, how we dress. If we choose to cover up, we're seen as prudish or even oppressed by men. People assume that because we covered up, we did so because we were told our bodies were distractions or stumbling blocks for men. They think we were somehow bullied into wearing something that covers our shoulders and hides cleavage. If we show more skin, we're seen as wild. Heaven forbid we're showing our shoulders or knees when abuse comes our way, the things that would be said of us...        If only they knew that we do not live in modesty out of shame or guilt. We wear clothing that makes us feel dignified and honored, yes. But do they understand that modesty is an intention? As we strive to live the law of chastity, we make an effort not to step into a provocative mindset as we get dressed and present ourselves to the world.         "W

       Brothers and sisters, the first thing you need to know if you are feeling alone, disconnected from the spirit, or abandoned by God is you are not  alone and you are not  to blame. I hope you don't feel any sort of shame or guilt in association with this struggle. I hope you know that while you may be struggling to feel so, you are very much loved.         If you love someone who has confessed to struggling to feel the spirit, let me tell you right now that they. are. doing. enough. They have prayed. They have fasted. They have asked what they need to do to do better. They aren't ignoring the spirit to find specific answers. They're trying  and if they've opened up about it...they're probably at their wit's end. Be kind. Listen to them. Don't feel like you need to solve their problems or have the perfect answer. More than anything, they need support, not accusations. Take the time to focus on being Christlike and understanding.  Christ Felt Alone, Too

       Eternal marriage is central to the Plan of Salvation. The bonds of matrimony are intended to create a safe setting wherein we can learn about selfless service, charity, integrity, etc. with a loving partner by our side. For something so beautiful and perfectly-designed, I've noticed that a lot of individuals don't quite know what it really takes to make one last! While most eventually figure it out, I wanted to explore the concept and help others find confidence in their abilities to be strong eternal partners. I hope this entry helps everyone to be a little more prepared for their future family, or motivates them to be better in the family they've created!         Before we get into the attributes of good spouses or healthy marriage habits, there's something very important I want to talk about that a lot of people leave out of the marriage discussion. The sealing ordinance is a blessing ! When we physically enter into covenants, we unlock spiritual doors for our