Veterans

There is a time distortion vortex that hovers over the MTC. The concepts of hours, days and minutes disappear. The days are long, the nights are short, and the weeks never end — until suddenly it's Sunday. And afterward, the interminable weeks turn into a blink.

You can make the pathway bright

There are those who brighten up a room when they enter, and there are those who brighten up a room when they leave.

Sketchbook: It's closer than you think

It seems to me that as soon as Pioneer Day is over, it's time for back to school. We still have well over a month before classes begin, yet all the stores are having their back to school sales now!

They beat me by just a hair

Tales from the other side

Can't you just see it? A whole series of books based on the character Naughty Nephi!

Mission sounds

This seems like one of those pranks they'd play on new elders.

Rear view mirror

It's good to know where you've been!

Happy Pioneer Day!

So close, but yet so far

Everyone knows what Brigham Young said on July 24, 1847, as his company arrived in the Salt Lake Valley. But what happened in the days just before that?

Sketchbook: Rock solid pioneers

He's not wrong...

Tranquility base

Despite all the practice and training, entering the mission field feels like landing on an alien world.  It takes a lot of faith — and includes at least a few minutes of terror!

Today marks the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing. Celebrate wisely. Take an astronaut to lunch... or a space cadet!

Just plug yourself in

Some of the best testimony meetings I've ever been in have been outside, around a campfire.

Defective gear

Some days the trail just seems to wear you down!

Turning to antiques

Even with the social media fast, it can still be a challenge to go without. Go forth with faith!

The road ahead

Guess what happens the day after that?

Sketchbook: Just like the old days

Sometimes the leaders take the idea of a re-enactment just a little bit too seriously.

Camp clean up

Ironically, the mess kit is clean!

Check your sources

One of the first map reading skills we teach Scouts is how to orient your map to your location. Otherwise you could easily wind up off course, far, far away.

With just a dash of jelly

Sometimes when assignments are made at Scout camp, leaders take for granted that the kids have been trained in some of the basic skills.

Protect your goodies

Kind of an inside joke for scouters — the kids with the blue uniforms and blue neckerchiefs are Bear Scouts

In the beginning

Sometimes young scouts can feel overconfident. It usually isn't justified.

Sketchbook: Let's talk

This was an actual quote from a sacrament meeting I was in. The names have been changed to protect the innocent.

Technological advances

Learning on the road

Road trips are always good for practice time behind the wheel. Or reins. 

Things that go boom

Take care of your ears, and take care of your pets.

Enjoy your Independence Day!

The best and the brightest

What more could one ask for in a holiday?

Let's be safe out there!

Best wishes of the season

Ah, those days of sitting on Uncle Sam's lap with my list overflowing with pyrotechnics...

Sketchbook: up close and personal

We visited a ward on Sunday where the sacrament meeting program was a report on Girls Camp — for the third week in a row, apparently. The bishop said he really wanted the ward to know what it was like. Having been on many a scout camp, I went there.

Sorry, no Canada Day cartoon this year, eh?