Halloween scares me. Of course, I’m scared of lots of things—poverty, cancer, rape, gang violence, Satan, etc. I thought I should admit that up front. Make of it what you will.
Author: Kylie Turley
Kylie teaches honors writing at BYU (so watch those errant commas and inscrutable relative pronouns in your comments!) and is also on the staff of the LDS literary journal Segullah. Kylie is a native of the great state of Wyoming and researches Mormon women’s history.
Christian Neighbors
When my neighbor four-doors-down called last night and asked if I could take dinner to my neighbor three-doors-down, I said yes. I’m a Mormon mom: dinner for a single, middle-aged man is no problem. It was the circumstances that made me pause.
Conference Traditions
My son was none-too-thrilled to realize last night that by next General Conference he will be twelve and *get* to go to a two-hour meeting with his dad. We thought that reviving my husband’s tradition
Tattle
Someone feels the need to tattle on us to the bishop every so often.
Rhetoric of Usefulness
“Usefulness” was a coveted characteristic
Too Much Information
My friend was recently invited to an LDS bridal shower, and the invitation came complete with the bride’s personal measurements and sizing. Call me old-fashioned, prudish, and conservative,
Selfishness Pays (Off)
So, what with Utah’s poor Iowa Test scores, I’ve had a few people asking me how I turned all my children into such voracious little readers. “Did you read to them every day when they were little?” friends query. “Why, no. Of course not,” I respond. “I’m much too selfish for that.”
Scandalous Lyrics
The 1980s hit “You’re the Inspiration” makes me think of metallic streamers, balloon arches, and poorly permed hair,
Mormon Manners
Are good manners gospel? I’m wondering
Contentment in Mothering
My mom sent me an LDS mothering book on contentment for a Mother’s Day present. (Yeah, I know. What’s my mom doing sending me a present for Mother’s Day? She’s really awesome like that.) I’m on chapter three and not particularly loving it, but
Strawberries on Sale? How to . . .
“Make Strawberry Wine” (Woman’s Exponent, “Household Hint,” May 1, 1873)
Congratulations
I’ll be attending a wedding later today. The couple will be married in the church, and a new baby will be joining them somewhat sooner than later. For a faithful LDS family, this is difficult.
A Tender Mercy
My 13-year-old daughter came down with Bell’s Palsy last weekend. I was reeling a bit from the diagnosis
When Woman Means Man
When I was growing up, “woman” meant “woman” and “man” meant “human.” Or “man.” Depending on the context.
Relief Society Moment
I ran across this Relief Society moment in the March 15, 1873 Woman’s Exponent. Maybe it will make you smile, too:
Faith and Healing
“And again, it shall come to pass that he that hath faith in me to be healed, and is not appointed unto death, shall be healed. He who hath faith to see shall see. He who hath faith to hear shall hear. The lame who hath faith to leap shall leap.” (D&C 42:48-51)
Intentions
5-year-old son: Mom, he hit me with his backpack! Me: Did you hit your brother? 11-year-old son: No. 5-year-old: Yes, he did! He did!
Intellectual Conversion
Seven Storey Mountain is Thomas Merton’s autobiographical account of his increasing restlessness with a worldly life. He converts to Catholicism and eventually enters one of the most strict (the strictest?) Catholic orders: a Trappist monastery. What has fascinated me
Millennial Vegetarianism
Enjoy that Thanksgiving turkey . . . while you can. You may be a vegetarian during the millennium.
Just Say No (to members)
A few months ago, a sister in our ward asked my daughter to babysit. On a Monday evening. That’s right. Monday Evening. We try to be diligent with family home evening on Monday night, so the answer needed to be “no,†but I was a bit confused about how to convey that message.