Category: Church

One in Christ

Richard and I were guests on the last night of youth conference this week. We enjoyed dinner and then watched the youth assemble this work of art. Earlier in the week, each youth was given a rectangle tile to paint with some basic lines and instructions. Most pieces had simple colors and lines with very few clues about what they were actually creating.

As the sun set on the last evening, they lined up to affix their tiles to the large board as we listened to their recorded testimonies expressing why they wanted to walk with Jesus. When the art was complete, we sat quietly as we admired it and listened to music. In a world of virtual everything on small screens, this tangible, large object lesson was refreshing.

The art made me think of the process of building a testimony, day by day. It made me think of gathering Israel, one person at a time. Painting a tile could represent faith that our righteous actions will make a difference. It was also a visual reminder that the church is one in Christ, and each person brings something essential as they walk with the Him. What a beautiful object lesson with so many applications!

For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:12

Also the body hath need of every member, that all may be edified together, that the system may be kept perfect.

Doctrine and Covenants 84:110

Pretty Lucky

“I think I’m pretty lucky to be able to go to Young Women camp.” -Richard

Richard helped represent the bishopric on Friday night, which means he got to hear the girls’ testimonies and see how everyone had bonded during the week. He also enjoyed some wonderful food. Good things happen at Young Women camp.

Exodus

In my recent study of Exodus, I’ve focused on the symbols of Jesus Christ in the Passover, Moses’ ministry, and the means by which the Lord redeemed the children of Israel,

  • Providing huge miracles and wonders,
  • Supplying daily bread,
  • Making water sweet,
  • Leading them to an oasis for rest,
  • Raising up a prophet to point them to the Lord,
  • etc.

This morning I had the idea to place our small Covid-era sacrament trays in my scripture study area. Symbols of Christ surround us in all His creations, and I’m not sure where this visual reminder will lead my thoughts and feelings this week, but we’ll see.

Exodus= from Greek, meaning, “the road out”.

Spiritually, it connotes an escape from bondage to freedom through transformation.

Easter Snapshots

I have a glimpse of family life for your reading pleasure? today.

We saw my parents and extended family on Saturday for my Mom’s Easter egg hunt, then came home to welcome Tim and Queenie who spent the night at our house. Richard mowed the lawn for the first time this season on Saturday evening, and the lawn, blossoming trees, and tulips are beautiful. We stayed up late that night talking to Tim and Queenie about their adventures. Queenie will complete her bachelor’s degree this month and Tim is busy helping his friend Josh build a house and has some stories to tell about being a property manager. They made a trip recently to Arches National Park and Goblin Valley, which were firsts for Queenie.

We had a freeze a few nights this week, and Richard protected his apple tree blossoms with a tarp and heater.

We had our middle kids with us on Sunday. Add to the energy and events of Easter weekend the four sessions of general conference, which we watched while eating cinnamon rolls, Chex mix, and peanut M&M’s. We also visited Daniel and McKenna’s newly remodeled house where they will live after Daniel graduates this month.

Although we didn’t get a complete family picture this Easter weekend, we almost had one on Sunday during a video call. Richard played with filters to delight our grandson.

In my excitement to be with my kids and extended family, I oversupplied them with desserts. After our Easter feast on Sunday, we read passages of scripture around the table to complete our long tradition of opening eggs which hold tiny objects and scriptures. Happy Resurrection Sunday!

On my mind

This was my Austin seminary class on the last day that I taught them in May 2001. Our house was their classroom for 3 years, from 6:00-7 am each school day.

As I study the Old Testament, a few of these kids come to mind like a reflex as I read the “scripture mastery” verses we rapped and sang together to help with memorization.

My heart aches for a few of them. If I could teach them all over again, knowing the things they would face in the future, we would sing even more. I’d have them share their impressions and testimonies more often. I wouldn’t lose touch with them during their adult years.

Even if I had been a better teacher, it was never my job to save them. It’s a comfort to know that the true Savior is still reaching out to them and helping them. I trust Him.

The ladder

Jacob’s Dream at Bethel by J. Ken Spencer

Grief lurks beneath the routines of life and finds its way out from time to time. This week I experienced a resurgence of some grief for Richard’s sister and my grandmother who both passed away 5 years ago, one day apart, during the first week of March.

As I studied Jacob’s dream recently, the detail of the angels stood out to me, perhaps because I have been living with these memories of loved ones. I like the imagery of the Lord directing and overseeing the comings and goings of angels.

Perhaps this dream is my reminder that the spirits of loved ones are busy, still progressing, and are allowed to minister to us from time to time, according to our needs and their life experiences, all under the direction of the Lord.

Jacob is experiencing a rough time. I like in this painting that more angels are coming toward Jacob than are walking away. He has a long path ahead, but it’s an ascent that leads to the Lord.

Maybe you’re discouraged about a loved one’s path and this image could be helpful to you.

Or, you might be the one in a wilderness, sleeping on a rock, looking for personal hope. I have seen that keeping my covenants with God really helps during these times.

As we keep our covenants with God, He promises great things,

  1. I am with thee.
  2. I will keep [protect] thee in all places whither though goest.
  3. I will bring thee again [home].
  4. I will not leave thee…
  5. Until I have done [all things promised to you].

-See Genesis 28:15

Our silent piano

Serve a mission! Anyone who wants a blessed and happy future should consider it. The Lord knows and understands even better than you what you sacrifice and you are compensated for it.

Elder Mark Ross, February 2026

Our temporarily silent piano means that pianos throughout the world have been played by our sons. Our silent piano stands in contrast to their missionary voices sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with others. What a privilege to have a silent piano for a few years while a child serves a mission!

So good.

I serve as a Sunday school teacher right now and I’m reading this excellent book as a supplement to my study of the Old Testament.

Also, this is very good. The hard cover, coffee table book, color edition is out of print, so I bought it used. Deseret Book will print a black and white paperback copy for around $30 but it isn’t the same experience as the original version.

I realize that my life and ideas don’t have the Sirens’ call of a TikTok video. As I read books like this, I grow less trendy, and more like those old men in the ward of my youth who couldn’t stop talking about the Abrahamic Covenant. I’m more aligned with them these days than any other mentors in my life, and I like that about myself.

This is also very good.