Looking up

We always look up to our missionaries, no matter how tall or short they are!

Plain language, people!

I've just been translating stuff from jargon into English for our procurement section. I wonder if that had any influence in the creation of this cartoon?

The area book

Occasionally I'll get what I think is a great idea for a cartoon, and then sketch out the bare bones and write down a couple of key words. Then when I go back to it, the idea is less clear than it was.

That's what happened with this one. It had this basic shape and "area book, Vol. 2." Try as I might, I can't recall what made Vol. 2 so special — this is the best I could come up with. Have you got a better idea?

Fill in the gaps

There's something about going to the dentist's office that makes me want to repent. I wonder why that is?

Sketchbook: Remember your heritage

A speaker I heard once asked the question, "How would the world be different if we acted like we actually believed that all of us were indeed children of God?"

On Memorial Day we remember our earthly heritage, but let us always remember our divine heritage — and treat each other accordingly.

Mirror, mirror*

That's roughly nine months, or about half of a sister mission. Or approximately how long my companion wore his lucky baptism socks. That's another story for another day.

*Apologies if this headline led you to expect a Classic Star Trek reference!

Power tools

They warned us there was going to be some sort of test.

Happiness is...

Amen.

(Spiritual) Safety is Job No. 1

One of my favorite Nephi stories is how he got his brothers to help build the ship. I like how he says that after all the other miracles the Lord has done, "how is it that he cannot instruct me, that I should build a ship?"

Wondering why we called you here

My son's mission president goes home at the end of June. Word is that he has an appointment to meet with a member of the Quorum of the Twelve soon after he arrives back home. The collective imagination of the mission is running amok as they consider what the interview will be about.

Sketchbook: Hagoth the Horrible

This gag asks three big questions:

• Who was Hagoth?
• What is a Raingutter Regatta?
• Did Nephites actually have rain gutters?

That's too many questions for one cartoon!

Fool me twice

Have you ever noticed how many times disguises are used in the Book of Mormon? My favorite is when Abinadi returns to the city in dissguise, then announces, "It's me, Abinadi! In disguise!"

I'd call that less effective.

Step by step

As I was reading Jacob 5 the other day, I began to wonder what it would be like to use Jacob's gardening methods today.

Happy feet

One of the great blessings in life is being able to let your feet run free!

Service risks

There's always that bit of a gamble when someone else cooks for you...

Sketchbook: For our day

Because there are some things that we need to know. 

The best presents are surprises!

There were a few years where I had to closely supervise what the kids got mom for Mother's Day. Otherwise she'd wind up with Pokémon cards, the latest video game, or a bag of Flamin' Hot Cheetos.

They do better now. Last year she only got one bag of snack food!

You shouldn't have

You know how in school or Primary, kids often make the best handmade presents for Mother's Day? That got me to thinking that there weren't a lot of shopping options for Lehi's family out there in the desert. So naturally they'd make their presents for Sariah, right? And Nephi is best known for making (a) a ship, (b) a bow, and (c) gold plates. Which of those would make the best gift for mom out there?

Ready for anything

For me, sometimes it's a stretch just to get out in the morning.

When one door closes...

They always say that extending the invitation is the important thing, as far as missionary work goes. Does the same principle apply to dating?

Can't touch this

Because yeah, it's the place of arms.

Sketchbook: Counting sheep?

Technically, this is not a spoiler. Although if you've seen Endgame it makes a lot more sense than if you haven't. I suppose it also helps if you've read the Book of Mormon and know about Helaman and his stripling warriors.

The prevailing theory is that 3,000 is the number of the total running minutes of all the Marvel movies. Who knew?

UPDATE: According to an article in the Deseret News, "I love you 3,000" is a phrase that Robert Downey Jr uses with his kids. And now you know the rest of the story!

May the Fourth

Yes, it's May the Fourth — Star Wars Day — so it's time once again for our safety messages from a galaxy far, far away. As an homage to Peter Mayhew, this year our messages are Chewie-themed.

Drive carefully!

In memory of Peter Mayhew

May the Force be with him.

Punch it, Chewie!

Up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right

Did you know that you can switch out the icon on your Gospel Library app on your iPhone? Some may call it a secret combination, but it's just a fun little easter egg that a developed dropped in there. Kudos!

When the chips are down

You've got to get a foot in the door in order to make that connection, right?