Go Go Go Joseph
Thanks to Broadway, there's a Bible story we all know just a little better than most: the story of Joseph, his coat of many colors, and his brothers of many jealousies. It strikes chords of common experience in practically every human with a pulse. The story of Jacob's family rivals any reality TV show of today in drama, and there's something for everyone to relate to and learn from in studying it. Joseph was my favorite Bible story long before the fabulous musical came alon
Laureen Simper
Mar 245 min read
The Reality of Zion
The world's a little weird right now, don't you think? You've probably noticed; the shift is real. Things are not as they've always been, and changes are coming faster. To me, it kind of reminds me of when you're about to deliver a baby. One minute, you know the baby is coming any day, but everything is still the way it's always been. Then quite suddenly, the baby is coming TODAY. And once that hard labor starts, you are living in an intensity you're pretty sure you're not g
Laureen Simper
Mar 145 min read
Invest in the Right Climb
Several months ago, I learned that a young adult in our neighborhood had changed the pursuit of her professional career. After graduating from college in a rigorous and competitive field, she realized that path wasn't for her, and set about to discover where to go next after such a heavy investment of her time and money. I've found myself thinking of that brief conversation often. I admire her deeply for her pluck. It's generally counter to human nature to invest highly in an
Laureen Simper
Jan 305 min read
"You Are Not the Voice in Your Head"
Knowing I have a Heavenly Father who created me for a reason (see Colossians 1:16) has given me a very important project: learning what He sounds like so I can recognize His voice. I mean, if He created me because for some incomprehensible reason He needed a “Me”, I don’t want to miss any important messages, instructions, or assignments. I wish I could tell you I had this one down, but there’s been a pretty steep learning curve. I’m definitely getting better, but can’t say I
Laureen Simper
Jan 256 min read
"He Knows Changes Aren't Permanent... But Change Is"
"Always hopeful, yet discontent, He knows changes aren't permanent But change is." Neal Peart & Pye Dubois, "Tom Sawyer" I can't believe when truth tumbles out of a rock song. It does happen from time to time. I can't get this line from Rush's Tom Sawyer out of my head: "Changes aren't permanent... but CHANGE. IS. Those six words declare one of the hardest truths of eternity, in my estimation. Absolutely nothing stays the same, except the fact that nothing stays the sa
Laureen Simper
Jan 204 min read
The Place We Hate to Start
Elder Gary E. Stevenson gave an important talk in general conference in October last year called "Blessed Are the Peacemakers." ( https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2025/10/12stevenson?lang=eng ) In it, he stressed a pattern which defines direction. It's terribly important to recognizing the Lord's way of doing things, particularly in contrast to the world's way of doing things. Elder Stevenson doesn't suggest a vast, overarching program to promote w
Laureen Simper
Jan 125 min read
From One Stranger Thing to Another
It’s true, I’m a Stranger Things junkie. Big time. Nearly ten years ago, my son - who had recently left home to start his military career - texted one day, instructing me to check out a new show on Netflix. “I think you’ll really like it, Mom,” he wrote. “It’s X Files meets Super 8 meets Stand By Me.” I comprehended and appreciated two of those three references - X Files and Super 8. From the very first seconds of the first episode, I was hooked. The opening setting of the s
Laureen Simper
Jan 23 min read
