If you’ve been going to church long enough…you have surely heard someone tell a variation of a story about how just after they paid their tithing, there appeared an extra five hundred bucks in their back pocket. In many of these similar stories, the person telling the story feels that they are been rewarded financially because…
Some of my friends and I used to go to McDonalds a lot when I was in college. At this McDonalds, there was an item on the menu that was free: “Smiles are Free!” It said it right there on the menu. It cracked us up! Generally we’d get to the window and the person…
Have you ever looked forward to a general conference because you were certain in your mind that the apostles were going to address some of the crazy issues that are taking place in the world? “There’s got to be some big announcement this time” we might say. “Maybe this is the year we’ll be asked to…
I don’t have a clue when it comes to music. I couldn’t recognize a chord, a string, or a note if my life depended on it. When I was young, I used to make fun of musical people. The band, the choir, the orchestra…they were all just a bunch of “nerds.” What a gall dang idiot…
Albert Einstein once said that “Coincidence is God’s way of remaining anonymous.” Well there’s one “coincidence” regarding the life of Joseph Smith that I just can’t get over. When looked at in the context of what this prophet was supposed to do…it’s almost incomprehensible. The day before Joseph Smith was born was the twenty second of…
I have only a faint recollection of the first time I went to the temple. I really had no idea why I was going and what it was going to do for me. I guess I should have paid better attention in temple prep class…but honestly, I can’t remember that class either. All I know is…
Over the years I’ve had the great opportunity to do business with lots of good Christian people. For the most part, I’ve loved doing business with these people. They are generally honest and upright. Kind and reasonable. Patient and understanding. Truly…it’s been a pleasure. But once in a great while you come across a bad apple….
Just last week we had a Stake Conference and about halfway through the meeting we stood to sing “Called to Serve.” Up to that point in the meeting we heard some of the most simple, humble, and powerful testimonies I’ve heard from the pulpit in a long time. The spirit was strong. When we stood…
I know were not supposed to rank callings in the church…but I’ve got to do it here. I think I’ll be justified in this case seeing as that Paul does the ranking for me when he’s addressing the Corinthians. Have you ever asked someone what their calling was and noticed the difference in their reply depending…
Asking someone to read a 532 page small print book in the day of digital media is a tall order. We’ve become so accustomed to 140 characters, entertaining short videos, and animated GIF’s that sitting down to study and ponder a complex book seems like torture. Back in the day, people got as excited about…

