Searching for truth, recognizing goodness, and balancing life

Searching for truth, recognizing goodness, and balancing life


Recent Posts

Lessons from Jane Manning James

Lessons from Jane Manning James

What do you know about Jane Manning James? I was recently asked a question about her and decided that since I was putting so much time and thought into her story, I should share those ideas here. Jane has been trending lately. Between Elder Ballard’s tribute […]

My Much-Less-Blind Faith in Mormonism

My Much-Less-Blind Faith in Mormonism

I haven’t written anything for a long time, but not because my interest in all-things-Mormon has waned.  In fact, I am still almost obsessive in my quest to understand LDS history, doctrine, and culture.  I’m listening to hours of podcasts and voraciously reading books and […]

Did the LDS Church Sell Indexed Names to Make a Profit?

Did the LDS Church Sell Indexed Names to Make a Profit?

There are times when I can’t quite figure out how my mind works.  Last Saturday, I woke up way too early, thinking about a conversation I had had nearly two years ago.  At that time someone was making the case that the Church of Jesus […]

Reflections on My LDS Faith Journey

Reflections on My LDS Faith Journey

Just over a year ago I started this blog with the lofty goal of posting once a week. Recently, I was asked if I had given up on writing since it has been such a long time since I added anything new.  This question has […]

Is Mormonism a Cult?

Is Mormonism a Cult?

In response to a previous post, someone—we’ll call him David—wrote the following: “Jana, you may be a nice person but you don’t know squat about your cult.” Today I’d like to respond. First, there is the question of whether I’m a nice person.  Well, David, […]

Questions about the Lord’s Prayer in The Book of Mormon

Questions about the Lord’s Prayer in The Book of Mormon

Recently a dear friend asked me a question that I had never heard or considered before.  As nearly as I remember, she worded it something like this, In the Lord’s Prayer in Bible, it says ‘lead us not into temptation’. This line is the same […]

Is there Any Truth in what Critics of the #LightTheWorld Campaign are Saying?

Is there Any Truth in what Critics of the #LightTheWorld Campaign are Saying?

Last year I participated in the LDS church’s #LightTheWorld campaign, along with millions of others.  The goal is simple; focus on Christ and try to be more like him during the Christmas season.  The LDS church just makes this easier by providing a scripture reference, […]

What I Didn’t Know About Mormonism

What I Didn’t Know About Mormonism

I’ve always been a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and by that, I mean that I have been actively participating for more than half a century—attending three hours of services on Sunday, serving in many callings, and going to years […]

Does God Really Answer Prayers?

Does God Really Answer Prayers?

Several weeks ago I woke up in the middle of the night with this question, “Had there ever been a time when I was absolutely sure that God had answered my prayer?” It was a strange experience because, while I am a vivid dreamer and […]

When was the Gospel Restored?

When was the Gospel Restored?

A few years ago, if someone had asked me when the restoration of the gospel took place, I would have racked my brain to come up with the dates that correspond to the first vision (1823), the translation of The Book of Mormon (mostly 1829), […]