Month: January 2015

10 Ways to Decorate with DIY Pillows

10 Ways to Decorate with DIY Pillows

Pillow fight! Just kidding . . . But what is more fun that a bunch of big, fluffy pillows? If you’ve just moved into a new apartment or home, a quick way to make your new space feel “homey” is to make some spunky pillows for any room. Currently, 

Flourless Chocolate Muffins

Flourless Chocolate Muffins

With one month almost gone by in the New Year, my resolution to not eat chocolate every day is slipping. That’s right, I am used to eating chocolate every day (my husband says I am a chocoholic). My resolution was made in an effort to 

10 Ideas for Decorating with Mirrors

10 Ideas for Decorating with Mirrors

Decorating with mirrors can add elegance or edgy-ness to any home, apartment, or rental. Mirrors create the illusion of space, airiness, openness—making this decor choice perfect for small spaces, like hallways or tinier bedrooms.

A current trend is decorating with multiple mirrors on the same wall. The mirrors can be the same size or various sizes. Use frames of the same color or design, or try very different patterns and textures for contrast. Another fun decor idea to try is to create patterns with the mirrors on the wall.

The more different the style of the mirrors, the more eclectic the feel of the space in which you are decorating will be.

In contrast, the more uniform the style of the mirrors, the more refined and elegant the feel of the space in which you are decorating will be.

—Katie, Stance: Studies on the Family

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Pinterest Win: Lemonies

Pinterest Win: Lemonies

It is January. The glitter from New Year’s has faded, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is quickly becoming a memory, and all we have to look forward to is THE GRIND. Trust me, I feel the January blues. My way to counteract them is with 

Emma Smith: How Much Could One Heart Take?

Emma Smith: How Much Could One Heart Take?

Emma Smith is a source of contestation and conflicting viewpoints for many within the LDS community. A popular song (at least amongst missionaries I served with) about Emma Smith has the refrain “How much could one heart take?” as it’s main theme. The popularity of the song concerns me. Not because of hatred or ill-will towards Emma, but because the theme of the song seems to be justifying actions that move us away from the Church as long as our lives are hard. A sentiment that does not seem to be scripturally supported (God will not suffer you to be tempted above that which ye are able, anyone?) and is potentially damaging.

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This is not to say however that we should shift the pendulum to the other side and judge Emma or anyone else for their choices, because we do not understand what they are going through and what experiences led them to make the choices that they did. We should strive for a middle ground, where we seek to understand and empathize with others, without judging or justifying their behavior, two-sides of the same coin. Both of these place us in a position where we make a final determination about someone’s intentions or worthiness, which is well beyond our place as mere mortals, flawed and trying to find our way in this crazy world.

Section 25 of the Doctrine and Covenants is revelation specifically for Emma, however it closes with the following verse: “And verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my voice unto all. Amen” (D&C 25:16). All can draw from the counsel given to Emma and apply the principles in our own lives.

“And verily I say unto thee that thou shalt lay aside the things of this world, and seek for the things of a better” (D&C 25:10). We can “lay aside the things of this world” by ceasing to justify or judge ourselves and others and “seek for the things of a better” by seeing the potential that we all have. We must look past the flawed choices that others make to find the intentions and motivations that drove them. We must seek understanding, so that we can love one another.

—Conor Hilton, Stance: Studies on the Family

Moroccan, Islamic Women and Latter-day Saints

Moroccan, Islamic Women and Latter-day Saints

When I first read the title “Moroccan Women’s Integration of Family and Religion,” I was at once piqued. I am always eager to learn new insights into other cultures and religions, and Donna Lee Bowen gives an insightful account of her findings from the women’s 

10 Children’s Room Ideas

10 Children’s Room Ideas

It’s true—decorating or even updating decor can be stressful. But when you decorate this special space, the process does not need to be complicated! What you need is specific idea in mind. For example, try picking a theme or a color. Consider questions, such as the 

Happy Winter 2015

Happy Winter 2015

Winter 2015 Stance