Improving Our Time

I’m occasionally asked to introduce myself to a new group, such as a class or work team. Typically, the request is to share a few facts like my name, alma mater, current job, career history, hobbies, etc. Sometimes as part of this casual stream of innocuous pieces of information, I’m asked for “my pronouns.” Perhaps you’ve also been asked this, and, like me, have been puzzled about a good response which honors eternal truth. I’ll share mine. This has taken the form of a progr

"It is not in harmony with the Gospel spirit that God, except in special cases, should reveal things that man by the aid of his natural powers may gain for himself." John A. Widtsoe, Joseph Smith as Scientist , chapter 1 "[Theology] is the science of all other sciences and useful arts, being in fact the very foundation from which they emanate. It includes philosophy, astronomy, history, mathematics, geography, languages, the science of letters, and blends the knowledge of all

The following questions are an invitation to learn by reflection, a valuable exercise I’ve learned more powerfully through my Jesuit...

There are no true atheists. Everyone worships something. To worship is to ascribe providence—one's happiness, hopes, survival, liberty,...

God allows us to experience opposition in many ways. Though we encounter plenty of adversarial opposition, there are plenty of ways we see complementary opposition in the majestic mastery of the universe our Father governs. Most buildings have perpendicular sides to their foundation. This is formed by an opposing set of opposing sides, or four sides arranged in two sets of two. Why all the opposition? Isn't opposition bad? No, it's not always bad. It's always required for

Imagine an unbroken chain being formed between God, and you, even while walking here on the Earth. Wouldn't it be nice to have such a...

The Lord has promised that He will fight our battles for us. He will protect us from harm, that not one hair of our head be lost. (2...

The following is a comment of mine on the First Amendment and educational environments in America. It is taken from a discussion board in...

In our fallen state, we are not usually given to know the things of God beyond any reasonable doubt . Rather, the burden of proof in...

I gave the following brief address in a fireside meeting on the evening of June 8, 2025. ----- I know that to be the Lord’s, we must be...

In 1829, John the Baptist appeared in resurrected wholeness and conferred the Aaronic priesthood upon two humble seekers of truth. This...

To enhance your study of The Parable of the Train , I suggest a few songs that have increased my enjoyment. I know there are many...

Not all blessings given by the authority of the Priesthood are for the same purpose, or have the same result, though all manifest the...

In my family, we occasionally enjoy watching a television program showing old, unusual or rare items being brought before appraisers who...

(The following is an expanded version of an address given in a sacrament meeting of the Independence 1st Ward, Independence MO, on March...

In reading the records of the Nephites in the Book of Mormon, we see the organization of the Church of Jesus Christ by Jesus Himself...

“How beautiful are the noble children! … Indeed, indeed, I might have remembered that the children of kings are men from the beginning.”...

I wonder if the circular illustration included with the Book of Abraham, presumably taken from an ancient Egyptian hypocephalus (an...

Among the greatest teachings given through Joseph Smith, the Prophet, Seer, and Revelator, is a contribution to theology that effects an...

Imagine the hardest thing you've overcome. Maybe you don't consider yourself as having actually "overcome" this trial. Perhaps you just...

While a missionary in California, I knocked on more than a few doors. I quickly learned to knock firmly enough to be heard. Sheepishly...

Joseph Smith taught that the American Civil War (1861-1865) would open the commencement of the wars and plagues that would culminate in the destructions preceding the Second Coming of the Savior. In 1832 he wrote: “Verily, thus saith the Lord concerning the wars that will shortly come to pass, beginning at the rebellion of South Carolina, which will eventually terminate in the death and misery of many souls; And the time will come that war will be poured out upon all nations,

“Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.” Amos 3: 7 ----- Prophetic teachings...

Surrounding the place I live are many people with a keen interest in the latter-day building up of the Kingdom of God. Jackson County,...