By Nettie H. Francis
We recently downsized everything…(except children). One less car, one less payment, less television, one less phone contract, one less hobby, less shopping, one less school, one less weekly commitment, less media. In short, we simplified every aspect of our lives that we could. Not because of the struggling economy (although that is a great motivator), but because my husband just read “Little House on the Prairie,” by Laura Ingalls Wilder. He was inspired by the fact that the Ingalls family had fewer things and more time, less money and more land, fewer distractions and more quiet moments. In other words, theirs was a House of a Little Less.

Continue Reading »

It was time to celebrate. After a difficult time with my health, my family, and other issues, I felt spiritually famished and had a difficult time feeling grateful for much. Then I faced a major project that took every ounce of strength to finish.

Continue Reading »

By Ken Craig
When I’m at work I spend a good amount of time networking. Meaning that I am constantly trying to meet new people, even if it is only over lunch or chatting a few minutes at a social gathering. And inevitably, the subject of family will come up.

Continue Reading »

By Tammy Schneider
Completely submerged and frantically trying to swim my way through the regular ocean of laundry the other day, I began rehearsing my usual “this family can’t possibly go through this many clothes in two days” lecture. I felt helpless, harassed and more than a little put out. With a house full of boys, the myriad of assorted sports clothing, from soccer shorts and baseball socks to swim trunks and football jerseys come custom designed each day with chlorine scented, grass stained, dirt grimed patterns. These along with Dad’s dress shirts and baby’s milk stained rompers, the task seemed endless and I seemed doomed to the dark dredges of washroom depression for the remainder of my harried life!

Continue Reading »

By Sherrie Mackelprang
Christmas is like magic. The unexpected can brighten and beautify a heart.

Continue Reading »

by Krista Ralston Oakes

Our Heavenly Father designed a great plan to bring to pass our immortality and eternal lives (Moses 1:39). The Book of Mormon describes this plan as the “plan of happiness” (Alma 42:8, 16) and teaches us that “men are that they might have joy” (2 Nephi 2:25).

Continue Reading »

by Melva L. Gifford

The symbol of the high five, the slapping the palms of a team member, friend or family member is a good representation of appreciation. We high five when we gain a victory. We high five when we meet friends in the hall or may high five when our family has accomplished a common goal. It is a symbol of unity, appreciation, gratitude.

Continue Reading »

by Dave Jackson

As a convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints there were a few things missing from my Mormon résumé when I joined the Church. Among the missing were my family history and a heritage of pioneers crossing the plains. Obviously I couldn’t do much about the pioneer thing, except stew over it. Which I did. I’ll explain.

Continue Reading »

by Dave Ellis

The 4th of July is special in my family. Not only is it my brother Jason’s birthday but it is also my daughter Hattie’s birthday. We spend that day being thankful to live in a country where we can show our patriotism by setting off fireworks and waving flags that were both made in another country. But the most funnest (it will be a word if we all start using it) part of the day is lighting off fireworks!
Who here loves fireworks? Raise your charred limbs high!

Continue Reading »

By An Anonymous Serviceman

The following recent letter is reprinted with the permission of the soldier and his wife.

Dear Family and Friends,

Continue Reading »

During this patriotic time of year, we collectively pause and give thanks for our nation: from its tenuous beginnings, upheld by the hand of the Almighty; to its rise in wealth and power; to the restoration of the gospel with the ordinances and covenants that lead us to eternal life. In counting the blessings of our lives and of this land, our list is long indeed.

Continue Reading »

by Danielle Ellis

During his missionary labors, the apostle Paul experienced much trial and tribulation. He was often in the company of those who sought his life. He was arrested, beaten, plotted against, imprisoned for years, and shipwrecked. And yet he gloried in his trials.

Continue Reading »

by Danielle Ellis

“Too often we bask in our comfortable complacency and rationalize that the ravages of war, economic disaster, famine, and earthquake cannot happen here. Those who believe this are either not acquainted with the revelations of the Lord, or they do not believe them. Those who smugly think these calamities will not happen, that they somehow will be set aside because of the righteousness of the Saints, are deceived and will rue the day they harbored such a delusion.
“The Lord has warned and forewarned us against a day of great tribulation and given us counsel, through His servants, on how we can be prepared for these difficult times. Have we heeded His counsel?” (Ezra Taft Benson, “Prepare for the Days of Tribulation,” Ensign, Nov. 1980, 34) emphasis added.

Continue Reading »

by Marilyn Richardson

If you’re looking for a peaceful summer getaway, a visit to the quiet town of Manti, Utah may be the perfect answer. Manti is 287 miles from Las Vegas, and it is a great place for a family vacation. Especially if you include a stop at the Freemont Indian Museum on Highway 70 as you head toward Manti via Richfield, Utah.

Continue Reading »

by Lorene Plumb

Two weeks ago my son Allen called to tell me his divorce was final; he is forty-seven. Today he called and announced, “I finally got up the courage to ask a lady for a date. I was so nervous I got a sick stomach.”

Continue Reading »