The plan

This is a rerun from last year. It seems appropriate to run it again today.
 

A tale of two cartoons

With General Conference coming up and the whole COVID-19 fallout, I've been thinking that Sis. Kerry Jo might have something to say. I played around with a few ideas and came up with this:

I was getting ready to ink it, but something just didn't sit right. It was too negative, too pessimistic. That didn't fit with Kerry Jo's character, and it wasn't the message she wanted to deliver.

There's no other way to describe what happened next. I was hit with inspiration that made a lot of sense — and the message was pure Kerry Jo.

A lot of times we as a people get caught up in the pageantry of General Conference. Thousands of people flock to downtown Salt Lake City. We fill the Conference Center with the faithful. Tickets are a prized commodity. We wait to hear the statistical report to tell us how many millions of members we have, how many thousands of missionaries. We can't wait to hear where the next temple will be.

This General Conference, it's not about the numbers.

As Pres. Nelson told us, it's about having a personal experience, just like the young prophet Joseph Smith.

When Joseph retired to the woods, his concern was to find out which church would help bring salvation to his soul.

His answer came personally.

We see it so often in Jesus' ministry, tending to the one. His interactions are personal. It's all about the one. It's about having your own personal experience coming unto Christ. What better way to do that than through removing the distractions: the crowds, the protestors, the huge (and amazing) choir.

The settings will be intimate. The First Presidency and the speakers in a small meeting room. Each of us in our own home — alone or with friends or family. No large crowds. It will be a personal experience.

Just like Joseph had in the Sacred Grove.

Our Sacred Grove moment can be wherever we are. As a friend recently told me, "All groves are sacred."

Take care. Ask, pray, and be ready to receive.

I think it's going to be a good one.

Radiant beamed the sun above

My son has an alarm clock that mimics the sunrise, including humming bees and sweet birds singing — and it still isn't able to get him out of bed!

One spring day

In the spring of 1820, Joseph Smith was just a teenager looking for some answers. Like most teenagers, he had no idea how his life was going to turn out.

Like a lot of lifelong members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I've heard, told and taught the Joseph Smith story dozens of times — if not more — in a couple of different languages.

I've recently been listening to the Joseph Smith Papers' podcast of the First Vision, and it's enhanced my perspective and understanding.  I highly recommend giving it a listen. Put it on your to-do list!