Favorite dish

Our ward just started doing the "linger longer" socials after church, usually once a month.

I noticed that, generally speaking, family members usually go after their own dishes first. I wonder if that's because they've had time to think about it and build up an appetite. Or it could be that they think that other ward members are rotten cooks.

I don't think I should ask.
 

Lounging around

Why do some wards provide really nice mother's lounges while other don't? But they all have that funny smell!
 

Sketchbook: Home away from home

It's probably just coincidence, but when all five of our boys were in the Young Men's program at the same time, it seemed like our opportunity to clean the church came around a lot more often.
 

Honoring Fathers

I'm pretty sure the April 2017 talk from Elder Uchtdorf is one of the most quoted address by a general authority in recent history.
 

The usual signs

As we approach general conference, I've been pondering what it means to sustain someone. My assumption is that we're all trying our best whatever our calling. Sometimes that "best" is going to look different, and it won't meet with everyone else's expectations. 

When Jacob is teaching the Nephites in this week's Come, Follow Me, he says that he doesn't really want to preach the sermon that he's going to give — but the Lord commanded him to deliver this message. They might have expected to hear "the pleasing word of God," but got an entirely different talk about pride and chastity. 

As we participate in general conference this weekend, let's sustain our leaders. Let's hear the messages the Lord wants us to receive. Listen with an open heart and open mind. You might just get the message that you need to hear!

Sketchbook: Improvement Era

A few decades ago, Hank Ketchum had a gag in the original Dennis the Menace. Dennis and his family were sitting in church. Alice, his mom, was looking at him in a mix of shock and embarrassment, while the people in the pews round about were chuckling. Dennis said, "Because I know 'Yankee Doodle' better, that's why!"

That cartoon has always stuck with me as an example of a cartoon coming in at the perfect moment in the middle of the story. We know what happened moments before, and that makes it all the more amusing.

This sketch is, yeah, a blatant ripoff of that cartoon. But with the pervasiveness of Taylor Swift and her influence with teen/tween culture, I thought it might be fun to explore. At least in the sketchbook.
 

Close to you

Our ward is now leaving the accordion doors to the overflow closed in an effort to get more people to sit closer. The back rows are still the first ones taken.
 

Sketchbook: Ahead of her time

I have an acquaintance who had to be awakened from a deep slumber so he could stand and be sustained for a calling. That was at about eight minutes into the meeting. 

There is something about the pews that just brings it on!
 

The times they are a-changin'

I don't think our ward has been so collectively excited as when the bishop announced that we're moving from the 9 o'clock start time to the primo 10:30 slot.

And don't take this as a slam on families with kids —anybody can be late! Our family is living proof that no matter the circumstance, we can walk in the door any time before, during or after the opening prayer!
 

It's our turn

With stake conference this weekend, we've been asked to kick it up a notch...
 

It was not in the wind

This was never a problem when we had church at home. Anyway, I always use the paper towels. It's safer that way.
 

Protect yourself, protect others

I told myself that I wouldn't be doing any more cartoons with face masks, but I liked this idea too much to let it go. 

The question is, would helmets make church basketball safer or even more dangerous?
 

Sketchbook: I think it’s going to be a long, long time

I noticed yesterday how long it took to clear out the church after meetings were over. Yeah, we may still have three hour church. 

In the foyer

We have five boys. I'm surprised that my house is still standing.
 

Uncommon consent

There are a few times that I wish I would have tried something like this. I'm certain I could have gotten a substantial number of votes!
 

Straight from the source

Looks like some of us will be spending a little more time doing church at home.
 

Looking for feedback — er, feedbag

Maybe I'll test this out...

Masked benefits

When wearing masks first became a thing, a friend sent me an article that said masks were going to pose a challenge to cartoonists. It would be very difficult to indicate who was talking.

I thought about that as I drew this cartoon. The intent is for the wife to be saying that to the husband. But it could work equally as well — if not better — if the conversation went the other way!

Sounds of silence

Some folks started the Phase I of returning to church this past Sunday. I imagine there was a lot less whispering than usual!

Going back

The guidelines for going back to church have been released, and some wards have been cleared to meet again. Things are looking up!