The History of Joseph Smith by His Mother

I recently finished reading The History of Joseph Smith by His Mother.  It was very interesting to me.  I felt like it was important to read firsthand accounts of some of the events that shaped the early days of the Church.  The things that the Saints endured are almost unimaginable.  Lucy Mack had a great personality - I'm sure that helped her through all of their hardships.

Hawaii

The Church is celebrating 150 years in Hawaii.  Coincidentally, my aunt is on her way to the MTC today to prepare for serving a mission at the Polynesian Cultural Center for the next year and a half.  I'm excited for her!  {And I just realized that I've made 1500 posts on this blog.  Whoa.}

Indianapolis Temple

The Indianapolis Temple recently opened, and from what I can see online, it looks so beautiful.  The murals were done by Michael Albrechtsen.  (He's my favorite.)  The main design motif is the blossom of a tulip poplar tree.  I love the designs and the colors.

General Conference

I liked this picture of the Conference Center, and I'm looking forward to General Conference this weekend.  I hope you enjoy watching and/or listening! 

Because of Him

Friday Featured Art: Michael Albrechtsen

Michael Albrechtsen is an artist from Utah who now works at Hallmark.  He painted the murals in the Kansas City temple, and they are so beautiful.  He really captured the beauty of the landscape in that area.  I am really enjoying learning more about his work.  (The painting at the bottom is one of his field studies titled All's Well.)

Family Proclamation Printable

I taught the lesson in Young Women's on Sunday, and it was about strengthening the family.  I was excited to find this cute printable of The Family: A Proclamation to the World on LollyJane.  It's available FREE in different sizes with brown or pink type.

Friday Featured Art: Greater Love Hath No Man

I was fascinated by this painting when I saw it in the Ensign.  Casey Childs is working on a diptych of the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith.  This half is finished and is called Greater Love Hath No Man.  It depicts the scene in the bedroom of Carthage Jail.  The other half will show the scene outside the door.  I spent time at Carthage last month, so I find this portrait especially riveting. 

Friday Featured Art: Winter Quarters

My sister drove back home with me from Utah - only sisters can be happy together for four days on the road!  On our journey we stopped at Winter Quarters near Omaha.  There is a beautiful monument in the Pioneer Cemetery there, designed by Avard Tennyson Fairbanks.  I had forgotten how lovely his work is.

Friday Featured Art: Manti Temple Murals

I have not been to the Manti Temple, but I'm starting to think that I need to plan a visit.  Apparently they have murals by C.C.A. Christiansen AND Minerva Teichert.  This is a sketch by Teichert for one of the walls (borrowed from here).  The color looks so amazing.

Missionaries

Today would have been my first husband's 36th birthday (he passed away 11 years ago tomorrow).  This year we made a donation to the General Missionary Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in his honor.  There are more missionaries serving now than ever before!

"And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work." -D&C 4:5

Sis. Oscarson

Have you read about the new General Young Women Presidency?  Sis. Oscarson is on Pinterest!  I've been perusing her boards, and she has found some awesome and funny things.  Check it out here.

Thursday Tunes: Let Zion in Her Beauty Rise

When we were in Utah, we attended Music and the Spoken Word at the Tabernacle.  It was really great.  One of the numbers that the choir performed was Let Zion in Her Beauty Rise.  I couldn't find a version by the Tabernacle Choir on YouTube, but I found this one of a combined Institute choir.  (They often sing this hymn for General Conference, so be watching this weekend!)

Thursday Tunes: Stand in Holy Places

Last night was our New Beginnings program for Young Women's.  The girls sang Jenny Phillips' Stand in Holy Places as a special musical number.  Our ward sang this song (with the Young Men) for the stake standards night.  It will stay in your head forever.  (We took it a little faster than this version...)  Very nice.

Friday Featured Art: Arise and Shine Forth

Sorry this is late - Thursday and Friday were crazy around here.  This is a lovely poster by Steve Nethercott with the 2012 mutual theme.  The YW stake leaders had it at our training last week, and I really liked it.

Brigham City Temple Open House

The open house for the Brigham City Temple is going on now.  (My sister has already been!)  I've seen the outside many times as it's been under construction.  I can't wait to visit it now that it's complete.  It looks so beautiful.  The peach blossom is a common motif, as in this beautiful window.  And don't you love the bride's room?

Thursday Text: The Book of Mormon

Did you know that the Book of Mormon has been published in over 100 languages (including Arabic)?  We visited the site of the original printing office when we were back east.  A cute missionary girl from southern Utah gave us a lovely tour.  You can request a free copy of the Book of Mormon here.

Thursday Tunes: Music and the Spoken Word

When we were in Utah, we got to attend a broadcast of Music and the Spoken Word.  During the summer, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir performances are held in the Conference Center.  It was a neat experience.  (Don't worry - I took pictures at the end, when they said we could.)

Emma Smith's Quilt

We went on a day trip to Nauvoo for our anniversary on the 12th.  It was a very lovely day.  While we were there, we visited some of the Community of Christ sites, which include the Smith family properties.  Although we did not see the quilt, their gift shop has a kit with a pattern for making a wall hanging of Emma Smith's quilt.  It looked like a fun project.

Friday Featured Art: Salt Lake Temple Model

Have you been to Temple Square lately?  The South Visitors' Center has an incredible scaled model of the Salt Lake Temple.  Go here to read more about it.  Peter McCann Architectural Models Inc. created the model.  It is very informative and beautiful.  Here are some pictures from the Peter McCann web site: the whole model, the side cutaway, the celestial room, and the baptistry.