Primary kits

This really happened in our ward. Seriously.

Monday Sketchbook: It's all about the service

It's interesting how kids can be grumpy at the beginning of a service project, but they're all smiles once it's underway!

Worn out in the service

It's one of those old adages that proves true in so many situations — if your feet ain't happy, you ain't happy. If you want to make a missionary happy, give him a pair of good socks!

Shining star

We've had a couple of people brighten the heavens recently, which made me think of this old Good Heavens strip.

Curses! Banned again!

One of the things that bothers me most about the Banned Books list is how many of them are books that I really enjoyed and that have meant something to me.

I know that the Harry Potter series has always generated a lot of controversy, but they are well-written, imaginative, explore timeless themes, and make a great place to escape from the Muggle world.

There's only one explanation:

Whaddya gonna read?

Although I'm not in favor of banning books, I do have a simple guideline: "If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things." (Articles of Faith 1:13). Coupled with that is D&C 88: 118 "...seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith."

In my book, that includes quite a spectrum, ranging from Calvin and Hobbes to, yes, textbooks. Rats.

Subversion

One of the books that's become a perennial chart-topper on the Banned Books list is Dav Pilkey's CaptainUnderpants series (which is highly recommended by readers in our home — it got some of them interested in reading!).

It's not just novels that wind up on the banned books list. Not surprisingly, religious texts are often challenged, and a recent trend is folks seeking to ban some comic books — not just graphic novels, but actual comic books.

Be subversive. Read a good book!

See what Dav Pilkey has to say about the topic.

And on your birthday, even!

Yes, it's that time of year again when I get on my soapbox to promote freedom of the press! This is Banned Books Week, in which we celebrate the ability to read.

I'm always surprised at what shows up on the lists of books that have been challenged or banned. One of my favorites that's also a perennial favorite on the banned books list is The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien (No. 40 on the banned and challenged classics).

In case you didn't know, yesterday was the birthday of both Bilbo and Frodo Baggins. I wonder if that's why they chose this week to celebrate Banned Books Week?

Monday Sketchbook: Graduation

The Church EducationSystem recently announced that the requirements for seminary graduation have changed. The goal is to strengthen testimonies.

Loose nuts in the family tree

I have to say that I had my doubts about the new "finding our cousins" feature on FamilySearch.org, but after poking around for just a few minutes, I found a bunch of people who still needed to have their work done. I was amazed! Check it out!

It's all about the dynamite

Self plunder

Aargh! I TOTALLY forgot that today is International Talk Like A Pirate Day! My originally scheduled cartoon had NOTHING to do with pirates!

That. Just. Won't. Do!

So please bear with me as I reach into my archives and pull out a rerun  from a couple of years ago. And happy TLAP Day!

Start the day with a splash

In keeping with the seminary theme, here's a recent Zarahemla Times...just like it happens at our house!

Line upon line

It may just be me, but it seems harder to get to scriptures quickly on my iThings. But that just could be me.

Actually, Scripture Mastery is just one of several apps offered by the Church.

The best part of waking up

Seminary. It gets you going!

Monday Sketchbook: My fellow being

I confess that I've had this thought a time or two...

There's no business like it

Our advisor put the kibosh on this back when I was a priest. I still think it would be a fun idea, although I'm sure lots of folks would find it offensive!

Cease to sleep

I had a companion who used to sing "Hey Jude" in his sleep. That was a little unnerving.

Leftovers: Shopping

One of the other faculty members wanted to be in included, and was very specific about she wanted.

Does anybody really know what time it is?

The kids weren't the only ones who wanted cartoons drawn about their experiences — some of the teachers did, too. This is Mr. Haws' experience of enforcing curfew.

Olympic leftovers

One of our stops in Munich included the Olympic Village. Most of the kids didn't understand the historical significance of the Munich Olympic Games — and not just Mark Spitz!

Leftovers from Europe

Now that school is back in session, the students are asking for more cartoons — that show them. This is from one of the boys who bought just about every Swiss Army knife he could see.

Monday Sketchbook: The Deliverer

We have a lot of interesting discussions around our dinner table. We ordered pizza for delivery; Devon took our order. When the pizza came, the question was asked: "Who was the deliverer?" and it came to this.

Yearning for those days

Snacks, nap time...what's not to like?

Bonus!

In case you needed the answers, here they are!

Something completely different

As I was going through some of my old files, I came across this old game I made a few years ago for a national conference. The idea is to match the state with the picture that depicts its motto.

I'll post the answers a little later, although it really isn't that hard.

Put your shoulder to the backpack

  

Lifted up in service

I can totally see my son doing this.

On the second day...

The first day's all busy and everything is helper skelter and everyone is all excited. The second day, well, they're on their own!

Almost ready...for last year!

Lunches aren't the only things we find hidden in last year's backpacks!

Monday Sketchbook: It's not time

This voice is being echoed all across our school district. Classes start tomorrow!