The Works of God are Manifest, Sometimes in Whipped Cream

It was a cold day just before Christmas, a year and a half ago. I sat in my car, on the side of the road. I was panting and sweating from deflecting the blows of my large, mentally disabled preteen son, Jack, and holding him from climbing into the backseat and hurting his younger brothers.

Jack had had a violent outburst as I ordered his fries at a drive-through window, and everything went horribly awry. He attacked me, relentlessly, as I tried to drive us home to safety. When we reached a busy intersection, Jack kicked the gearshift into reverse. The car stalled. I screamed. Cars barreled past. Jack punched and kicked me. He bashed his head against the car window and tried to unlock the door to escape.

“Lord, help me!” I yelled.

It was the first, but not the last time I have shouted a prayer.

Jack suddenly quieted down. He stopped hitting. He began to cry. Miraculously, no cars hit us in the intersection. I put the car in drive and pulled off the road to call my husband, Jeff, to come help us.

Writing My "Last Words" -- A Sincere and Sacred Experience

Several years ago, my friend and Relief Society president concluded a year-long process of ministering to a terminally ill sister in our ward. For her first Sunday lesson following the funeral, my friend gave inspired counsel—things she learned during the final days of this less-active sister's life. There were several powerful takeaways from her lesson, but the one that touched me the most was the suggestion to write last words for your loved ones. The Spirit confirmed to me the importance of this exercise. That said, I dreaded what I knew would be an emotionally taxing experience. But after a good, long, ugly cry my task was complete. Since then I've had another baby, so I sat down recently and wrote last words for my youngest son. While it's a solemn topic, I know that it can be a wonderful spiritual experience. I would like to share five reasons why you should consider writing last words for your own loved ones.

5 Favorite Lists Used Within the LDS Church

Listicles became popular about five years ago and quickly began being consumed by people all over the internet. They are defined as being "an article on the Internet presented in the form of a numbered or bullet-pointed list." A combination of a list and an article. The idea has gained popularity because it is so quick and easy to get all of your desired information in just a few short bullet points.

Listing tips and helps isn't something new. Even the Lord likes to makes lists--to help us. Below are a list of five lists common used and read in church that I love. Their teachings reach further and deeper than the few short words used.

Here are my favorite lists used within the LDS Church...

Eight General Conference Talks about Motherhood and Women

Mothers Who Know, Julie B. Beck – October 2007

When mothers know who they are and who God is and have made covenants with Him, they will have great power and influence for good on their children...

Mothers who know are leaders. In equal partnership with their husbands, they lead a great and eternal organization. These mothers plan for the future of their organization.