The Mesa Easter Pageant, Jesus the Christ, has been a beloved tradition in Arizona for 88 years, beginning as an Easter sunrise service in 1938. Since then, it has grown into the largest annual outdoor Easter pageant in the world. Having grown up in Mesa, it has always been one of my favorite Easter traditions. Four years ago, the Church asked for the entire production to be rewritten and for a new soundtrack to be created. One song in particular (based off a poem by Frederic

I must confess, lately I’ve been asking the question: “Is being a peacemaker worth it?” When there is so much injustice in the world, is being a peacemaker doing any good? Especially this year, as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the war that followed, I find myself wondering if picking up the sword is sometimes required to effect necessary change. Then, I learned a valuable lesson from the source of many of life’s grea

The Book of Mormon repeatedly tells us to remember. Do you remember 2020? I do. It was a rough year. You will remember the pandemic, the protests, the election, and the incredible societal tension. For completely unrelated and personal reasons, it was the most difficult year I have ever had. In the autumn of that year, the Church announced that President Russell M. Nelson would be making a statement online. The way this was promoted made me anxious to tune in. I was expecting

In a political climate marked by increased callousness and even cruelty, loving your “opponent” can feel like an act of beautiful defiance. I’ve found it remarkably healing to choose connection over division. After a particularly contentious election years ago, I found myself walking through a grocery store mentally putting people in boxes based on how I thought they had voted. I recall moving through the aisles surrounded by people who I assumed were operating with a complet

As many of us are stretching into warmer days, and with the recent Artemis II mission, I have been thinking and marveling at our Earth. My heart turned toward gratitude — especially in a week where we’ve celebrated Earth Day. It’s a fitting time to reflect on the beauty of creation and the responsibility we carry as stewards of it. I think back to growing up in the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains, where the rhythms of nature shaped so many meaningful moments. Snow-covered

In the beginning of the Book of Mormon, we are introduced to two prophets: one mature, and one who was in so many ways still a boy. Lehi, the older, receives a vision that Jerusalem will be destroyed, but his reaction is not to pack his bags and run as far away from the city as possible. Rather, he immediately walks into the streets and preaches repentance to anyone who will listen. No one does, but his faith in a people so doomed to wickedness and destruction is significant

On September 15, 2001, a local gas station owner here in Mesa, AZ, Balbir Singh Sodhi, was planting flowers on the perimeter of his property for an event that weekend honoring those lost in the 9/11 attacks just four days prior. He was shot five times in what was considered the first retaliatory hate crime committed in response to 9/11. On the 20th anniversary of his horrific death, I had the beautiful opportunity to sit at the memorial service remembering the life of this i

I’ve played the cello for almost 20 years now. My childhood and high school years were filled with private lessons, school orchestras, community orchestras, and improv playing with my musically talented family and friends. Throughout college and more recent years, my cello has collected dust only to be brought out a few times a year and is now, very sadly, sitting in its case in my closet. Despite my neglect, I have a deep love for the instrument. You may have heard of the

Jesus Christ is powerful. But His power looks different from worldly power. His power is found in virtue, in peace, in forgiveness, in mercy, in true justice (not vengeance), and in love.

Every March, my husband and I attend a St Patrick’s Day breakfast in Boston. The event is social and political theater — imagine the world depicted in every stereotypical Boston film or TV show, and you would not be far off. The room is crowded, the accents are thick, the chatter is loud, the auction is raucous and the jokes roll out. Typically, governors, mayors, members of Congress and countless local and state politicians all sit cheek by jowl in a very small and crowded s

On a recent date night with my husband, I was busy rattling off all the things that were causing me stress. Every good date starts with a complaint session — I’m sure this is included in the expert advice to keep the spark alive in a marriage after 25 years, right?! Thankfully, he is compassionate and well trained, so he patiently listened to my list. I concluded my rant with “writing a Sabbath Devotional for work” as one of the most dreaded tasks on my list. I started in on

On Saturday morning I woke to the news that my country had bombed another country which was notorious for its determination to bomb still other countries. I have spoken with enough armed dissidents to believe that war and bombs are complicated things. And, indeed, this news felt very complicated. Because I really hate violence. The prospect of bullets or bombs being turned against real, breathing humans is so horrible. But last year, my husband interviewed dozens of people i

“Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you” (Matthew 5:43–44). This radical love is not unique to Christianity. The Buddha taught the practice of METTA- or Loving Kindness. The Dalai Lama taught that our enemy can be our best teacher. The Quran instructs Muslims to "re

Ultimately, the work of peacemaking means staying committed to seeing the humanity, complexity, and value of each person– even in the midst of pain and shortcomings.

The key to healing is choosing to forgive. Our covenantal relationship allows us to partner with Christ who will provide the way for us.