The teaching pool

Our local missionaries are doing a great job. They have some excellent people they're working with!
 

A covert from the storm

Does the amount of time I spend on gospel study affect the weather at all? Probably not. Although it might help calm some of the internal storms.
 

Sketchbook: Hidden treasures

When I was a kid, one of my favorite things to do was to snoop through the junk drawer at my Grandma's house. There was always some sort of undiscovered treasure there!
 

Stay connected

You've gotta keep near those hot spots!
 

As far as the eye can see

With posterity as numerous as the sands of the sea, it must have been difficult for Sarah and Abraham  to get a babysitter.
 

A few good men

I love how Abraham tried to negotiate with God to find enough righteous people to avoid Sodom being destroyed. He haggled from 50 down to 10 until God just walked away. And even at that low number they still couldn't find enough good people to save the city!
 

Hi, Abraham. I'm dad!

I mean, this guy named his kid after laughter! Fun fact: The first time that laughter is mentioned in the Bible is when Abraham laughs at the news that he is going to be a dad (see Gen. 17:17).*

There are those who say that this gift of originating dad jokes is how all the world shall be blessed by Abraham's seed!
 

*His wife Sarah is the second person in the Bible who laughs (Gen. 18). Although she just chuckled internally, while Abraham fell on his face with laughter!

Sketchbook: Aftershock

Or maybe it was the Primary President's kids. Either way, it can be a lot for a babysitter to take in!
 

Snowplow

Surprise!
 

Cold, shiver and bronze

Our ward has a lot of hills. Sometimes our elders walk, sometimes they ride bikes. Oftentimes they ask for rides. But they love it on those rare occasions that they get to use a car! 
 

Up, up in the sky!

As I read my scriptures for Come, Follow Me the other day, I noticed something. Pres. Monson told us to "Look up." Pres. Nelson told us to "Think celestial." And God told Abraham to "Look now toward heaven."

I have a feeling there may be a not-so-hidden message in there somewhere!

 

All wet

One of the hazards of living in the Pacific Northwest.
 

Presidents Day special

Because it's Presidents Day in the US, I thought I'd take a look back at a few of my favorite mission president cartoons.

 

I'm ready whenever you are!

There's the oft-asked question: "Where are all my Valentines?"
 

Self-sorting

I learned this week that Noah's Ark could be compared to a temple: It's protected with a covering, it had three stories (similar to how they did the endowment in the early days), and Noah took his family inside to save them.

I started to feel a twinge of guilt about my Noah cartoons. But then I got over it. I think he'd get a kick out of some of them.
 

Feeling carpe

Do you ever get stumped when someone asks how your day went?
 

They check in...

Noah was a brave man among the prophets. Not only did he have to take care of the cute and fuzzy animals, he had to keep an eye out for the creepy bugs and reptiles as well.
 

Sketchbook: Good pitching

There's so much symbolism to uncover in the story of Noah's Ark! Not the least of which is that good pitching wins games.
 

The big one?

It's easy to lose touch of the outside world when you're serving a mission. 
 

I hope I'll be ready to reach and teach

It's true. You can't get in a door if you can't get it open.
 

For your benefit and learning

I'm sure everyone has a subject that just doesn't make as much sense to them as they would like. I liked algebra because we got to make pictures. Well, line drawings and Battleship and Utah addresses. And I loved geometry because we went from lines to shapes. But beyond that, I don't think even a Urim and Thummim could have helped me! 
 

Wibbly-wobbly

Time takes on a different meaning during a crisis or an emergency situation. Ten minutes in the dentist's chair, for example, is a lot longer than ten minutes in the ice cream parlor!

Maybe that explains why my one-transfer stay in Chinju seemed sooooo long!
 

Sketchbook: More or less

This quote from Elder Kearon's fireside stood out for me. Hope scrolling beats doomscrolling any day!
 

City boy

Apparently they just fly off the shelves. 
 

Size matters

 

We're coming for you

Sometimes finding feels like a game of hide and seek, missionaries vs. the area.
 

Car Wars: To boldly go

It's hyperspace if you're in the Star Wars universe, warp speed if you're in the Star Trek universe. Either way, is there anyone who has driven in a snow storm who hasn't thought this?

And, by the way, Tiwi (the device that monitors missionaries' driving) doesn't care which one it is, as long as you're not driving aggressively. To paraphrase Han Solo's words, "Drive casual." 
 

Sketchbook: A rough road

One of the more difficult things cartoonists experience is the challenge of trying to come up with something that's funny, witty, clever or even thought-provoking no matter what is going on in your personal life. If you're sick, on vacation, or reading the headline news, there's always that obligation you have to your readers to bring a little more light or a little more joy to their day.

There's a strip from Zarahemla Times that comes to my mind. It doesn't say everything I'd like to say, but it's a start.

Let's be kind to our sibs, okay?

Watch your step

Doing service was consistently one of the most fun and rewarding activities as a missionary. Whether it was helping someone move or building a new chapel, it was good to be out helping others.
 

That's chill

More inspiration from the Psalms. These verses do a great job of describing the cold!
 

That's pretty slick

Sometimes when you read the scriptures, a verse just pops out at you and gives you guidance or inspiration. Like this one did for me.
 

A long time ago

We've had a couple from our ward who have been out in the mission field for what feels like ten years now.
 

Sketchbook: Super double-secret

Sometimes I have the strangest things go through my head while we're singing hymns.
 

Keeping open tabs

I love it when stuff from the general leadership of the Church comes into my feed. Their content certainly helps beat back the doom and gloom of other sources!
 

Laying on of hands

It's not always testimonies that burn bright in the mission field!
 

Celebrating the call

Some days it's good to remember your blessings.
 

Family lines

I hope I'm not opening up a new telemarketing scheme with this idea!
 

Sketchbook: A time to laugh, a time to cry

What’s sad is when these ideas are based on real life events. 
 

Harvest time is chill

Here in the Pacific Northwest of the United States, the field is wet.
 

The best books

I have to confess, I still prefer books with pictures.
 

Keeping tabs

My mom would have sent one, but Korea was too far out of range!
 

Courage!

It does take a special kind of courage to enter into the waters of baptism!
 

Sketchbook: The kit

The good news is that it comes with a manual.  

2025 Top Ten: The Top Five

 And now for the rest of the 2025 Top Ten! Happy NewYear!

5. This one kind of snuck in there. Stealthily.

4. One inspired by Pres. Nelson.

3. So many layers of white!

2. Turning hearts.

1. The favorite cartoon of the year, and one we can all relate to!

Thank you for your your readership over the years. Here's to a happy 2026!