My daughter's mission president recently told her that many (*not a few*) missionaries are entering the mission field unprepared for missionary life. I have been reflecting upon how we, as parents, can better prepare our kids for missions, college, and beyond.

In this episode, we discuss the teen years as "the long letting go," and what that entails from a parenting perspective, leading up to the young adult years, where the game completely shifts to "bite your tongue" and nurture your relationship with your young adult child.

Letting go is not easy, but we can trust Christ with our children as they grow, leave home, make mistakes, and learn to become disciples. Let's talk about it!

**Download your free copy of my workbook "40 Things Every Teen Needs to Know Before Leaving Home" right here (no email address required!)

References:

1. "A Prayer for the Children" Jeffrey R. Holland

In the past six weeks, my life has literally turned on its head. Almost everything we thought we knew about our future has changed.

But this is a story of hope and peace and God showing up in so many miraculous ways.

With all the heaviness that has overtaken the world in the last week, I thought it might be a good time to talk about the reality and goodness of God. And this story, while it is still evolving, does just that.

So, today, I invite you to walk with me down my own sacred version of Parley Street.

The firestorm of controversy surrounding women and their role in God's Church and Kingdom has, once again, been brewing on social media. The conversation is heated, as always, with personal attacks and angry defensiveness playing center stage.

While this is nothing new, this latest installment has encouraged me to ponder this question:

As covenant women of God, what is our role in this conversation? Let's talk about it!

Sources:

1. The reel that ignited the latest controversy

2. Confidence in the Presence of God. Russell M. Nelson. April 2025

3. Right Before Our Eyes. Ronald A. Rasband. April 2025.

4. Sweep the Earth as With a Flood. David A. Bednar. 2014.

5. How to Share the Gospel on Social Media - an Interview with David A. Bednar. True Millennials. August 2024.

As a new year gets underway (I know I'm late to the party!), I have been reflecting on 2024, which was unexpectedly challenging in several ways. In this vulnerable episode, I get to the heart of those challenges, the deep questions that have surfaced as a result, and what this means for my life and the future of my work.

And, as many unanswered questions as I have, I also share a few things I KNOW (about Jesus, His gospel, rampant deception on social media and how to protect ourselves, the vital role of women, following the prophet, and keeping faith strong amid SO much opposition).

Listen in for all the details!

When my kids were young, strong-willed, and unwilling to bend on even the smallest issues, I worried constantly about how to help them put their determined spirits to good use. I even thought they might end up in prison one day. (True story!) But now that my kids are mostly grown, I am convinced that strong will is a gift from heaven!

In this episode, I am reposting an interview my husband and I did with our oldest son (the KING of strong will) shortly after he returned from his mission a few years ago. We talk about what he learned amid his evolution, from "I must always have it my way" to putting the needs of others above his desires and leading with love.

It was an evolution for the history books, and his perspective is bound to bring hope to parents of even the most strong-willed kids.

Do you worry about how to prepare your kids for their role in the Second Coming? If so, you're not alone. I think we all feel the weight of that responsibility.

But what if preparing our kids for the Second Coming beautifully overlaps with preparing them to succeed in life?

What if the process includes helping them develop many vital skills in addition to faith?

What if that preparation takes place line upon line and does not need to be overwhelming?

What if creating and abiding by a parenting vision statement makes raising a well-prepared child seamless?

Let's talk about it!

References:

1. Russell M. Nelson. Stand as True Millennials. Oct. 2016.

2. D&C 88:78-80

3. Episode 57: Preparing the Rising Generation to Change the World

4. Episode 78: Raising Modern Stripling Warriors

In the weeks since General Conference and President Nelson's clear invitation to prepare for the Second Coming of the Lord, I, like many of you, have been thinking about what it means to prepare for that "great and terrible" day Joel 2:11).

In my study on this topic, the phrase "abide the day" has repeatedly surfaced, inviting me to dig deeper. What does that mean in relation to the Savior's return?

What I have discovered combines Old Testament prophecy with the Doctrine and Covenants, Joseph Smith's history, and modern revelation, all leading to one place: the temple.

The symbolism I have found is blowing my mind, and I cannot wait to unpack it for you. Together, let's learn to "abide the day" of His coming.

**For daily inspiration, follow along on Instagram

References:

1. Russell M. Nelson. The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again. October 2024.

2. D&C 45:48-66

3. D&C 38:8, 32

4. Malachi 3-4

5. JSH 1:36

6. Joel 2:28-33

7. Isaiah 2:1-2

8. Micah 4

9. Refiner's Fire and Fullers' Soap. New Era. June 2016.

10. Quentin L. Cook. The Songs They Could Not Sing. Oct. 2011.

11. D&C 133:50-51

Have you ever thought about the inseparable connection between physical and spiritual health?

In the Word of Wisdom, the Lord promises "health in the navel and marrow to the bones" to those who follow its principles. Could that symbolize something much higher and holier than physical health alone?

Let's talk about it.

**For daily inspiration, follow along on Instagram

References:

1. Stand with Lynnette, Episode 27: The Only Diet Plan You Will Ever Need

2. D&C 29:34, 88:15, 89, 93:33-34

3. 1 Cor. 6:19-20

4. Russell M. Nelson. Heart of the Matter: What 100 Years of Living Have Taught Me. Chapter 11. 2023. Deseret Book Company.

5. Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith (2007), 211, 214.

6. David A. Bednar. Things as They Really Are. BYU-I Devotional. May 3, 2009.

7. D. Todd Christofferson. Burying Our Weapons of Rebellion. October 2024.

Have you ever felt God's hand guiding you to do something you do not want to do? If so, how did you respond to the dissonance?

This has been the overwhelming theme of my life. While I have learned MANY things as I have repeatedly submitted my will to the Lord's will, it took on a whole new meaning at General Conference last weekend. For the first time, I saw what giving my whole soul to God meant, which was not what I had previously thought.

Tune in to hear the whole story and what it means for YOU.

**For daily inspiration, follow along on Instagram

References:

1. Russell M. Nelson, "The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again." October 2024

2. Neal A. Maxwell, "Why Not Now?" October 1974

3. Ulisses Soares, "Aligning Our Will with His." October 2024

You can tell from the name of this podcast alone that I LOVE the word "STAND."

While I often talk about standing, lately, I have been reflecting on what it means to stand with and for Jesus and why it matters.

Let's talk about it!

(Hint: Standing is a necessary pre-requisite to participating in THE long-foretold Gathering of Israel)

**Want a PDF of every invitation issued at April General Conference? Grab this free study tool here.

For daily inspiration, follow along on Instagram

References:

1. Kristen Walker Smith's reel on patriarchal blessings

2. Nehemiah 2-6 (with emphasis on 6:3)

3. Massimo de Feo. "Rise! He Calleth Thee." April 2024.

4. Isaiah 54:7, 11:11-12

5. D&C 82:3

6. Russell M. Nelson. "Let God Prevail." Oct. 2020.

7. 1 Nephi 14:14

8. Neil L. Andersen. "Temples, Houses of the Lord Dotting the Earth." April 2024.

9. Russell N. Nelson. "Spiritual Treasures." Oct. 2019.

10. Ulisses Soares. "Covenant Confidence Through Jesus Christ." April 2024.

11. Russell M. Nelson. "Rejoice in the Gift of Priesthood Keys." April 2024.

12. Russell M. Nelson. "Drawing the Power of Jesus Christ into Our Lives." April 2017.