What my grandparents’ Easter recipe teaches me about the Savior

In my book, Real Moms: Making It Up As We Go, I’m really insistent about NOT giving advice. I think social media has overcorrected modern mothering in this area. The last thing we, as an American parenting society, need is one more article telling us what to do or not do. But I do believe in being reflective and honest when talking about our parenting experience with other mothers. (Clearly by using the term “parenting experience,” I’ve been influenced by this saturated parenting market. Blegh. I’m disgusted with myself.) So, in my quest to be honest, I will reveal a few items (I won’t number them because that would make it seem more like advice, which I’m not suggesting it is) that I wish I myself had known three kids ago (or five) as I raise my pack today.

One Sunday, when our 14-year-old son, Brian, attempted to sit through sacrament meeting, he lost control and began making squawking noises. He turned to us in anguish and said, “Do you think people know how hard it is for me to be here? Do they know how hard I try?”

Latter-day Saints are obsessed with Star Wars. In fact, that fact is so apparent that The Washingon Postwrote an entire feature on the topic back in 2015. And who wouldn't want to be associated with an epic franchise that transports viewers to a vivid, exciting, and intricate galaxy far, far away?

During the BYU Women's Conference on May 3, Sisters Sharon Eubank and Reyna Aburto, counselors in the general Relief Society presidency, discussed ways we can overcome our differences in the Church and better minister to one another. These acts of love and reaching can be simple, they taught, and more creative than we might realize.

Sister Jean B. Bingham, the general Relief Society president, offered a prayer for the unity of the nation at the White House on the National Day of Prayer on May 3.

A recently married couple shared everything they had, even their passwords to their emails. While this was initially a sign of trust, over time they gave into the fear most couples have and began asking themselves “Is my spouse faithful?” Instead of trusting their partner, they began checking each other’s emails and phones when the other was not looking for indications of unfaithfulness. Yes, there are times, when prompted to do this. Yet is this done because of lacking trust in self or in the other. And inevitably you find what you are looking for. When you only dwell on one idea, you become that idea. In this case, one partner cheated and the other found out and cheated too, just to get even. Their trust diminished and replaced with fear.

What happens when a child misbehaves? As a daughter of God, I mess up and frequently fail. It happens every day. This process of falling down and transgressing doesn’t shock or surprise my Father. He knew I would not always get things right. It’s part of a process on the ideal path of learning that God established for all His children. He provided a Savior, and in doing so He ensured all His children the chance of success, regardless of our sins or transgressions. So why have so many of us forgotten His love? How did we go from rejoicing about the Father’s plan in that premortal family council meeting to thinking we were sent to earth to never make a mistake and that if we did, He would withhold His love? When did we start thinking that God would love us and accept us only if we were perfect?

While interviewing Latter-day Saints in Nairobi, Kenya, after President Russell M. Nelson's recent stop there during his world tour, Mike Headrick spoke with a Latter-day Saint who shared how listening to the prophet saved his life and his family.

The Joseph Smith Papers recently published its17th volume associated with the life and works of Joseph Smith. The project, which began with the work of a single individual, has grown in scope and influence over its first decade. Along the way, the project has changed in numerous ways, overcome challenges, garnered unprecedented popularity, secured academic prestige, and set the stage for a new era of Mormon history.