Just another Jess

  “And when thou art converted, strengthen thy bretheren.”   Jesus Christ (Luke 22:32) I’ve been thinking a lot lately about religious conversion and retention, particularly among our young members. I think it started conference weekend when President Nelson admonished, “Stop increasing your doubts by rehearsing them with other doubters” ( Christ is Risen; Faith in Him Will Move Mountains , 4 April 2021). Immediately following this statement, the progressive church community decried it as ridiculous while the orthodox community lauded the instruction inspired. This isn’t the first time we’ve heard this type of partisan rhetoric about doubt at General Conference. In October 2013, Elder Uchtdorf famously coined the phrase, “Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith,” which garnered similar backlash from self-proclaimed doubters ( Come, Join with Us , 5 October 2013). While I understand the sentiment, my feelings about it are complicated. Essentially, I fear that members o

And thus God breaketh the bands of death, having gained the victory over death; giving the Son power to make intercession for the children of men ... being filled with compassion towards the children of men, standing betwixt them and justice; having broken the bands of death, taken upon himself their iniquity and their transgressions, having redeemed them, and satisfied the demands of justice. Mosiah 15:8-9 This talk, "Easter and What it Means: The Savior's experience in the garden and on the cross" was written for and given in the Grove YSA ward of the Alpine, Utah YSA stake on Sunday 11 April 2021. My boyfriend and I have been dating for four years. Between our two families, we’ve been in four weddings, welcomed four nieces and nephews (with two more on the way), and attended four funerals. Recently, we realized that the best time for a funeral, if there is such a thing, is Easter time – when Christ’s victory over death is at the forefront of our minds and spirits.  A