Sourdough and the Savior

 

I recently read this book and it was so engaging.

The author shared her journey on learning to make sourdough and related it to navigating the hard things we all face in life.  

You can't let sourdough just sit and not feed it and hope that

your bread will be wonderful; creating a beautiful loaf of bread takes work and commitment...  She then shared some times in her life when she needed to thoughtfully feed and 

nurture her relationship with her Savior to have it be a flourishing relationship.

There was so much about this book that just felt so

comfortable, maybe because all of us have been in

situations where we weren't quite sure of 'what's next'.

I took a sourdough class and came home knowing that

I would never try it!  After reading this book, and gaining more helpful insights of this craft, I might embark on the sourdough frenzy and see what it's all about!

As I read this book, I also felt deeply that it was time to be more purposeful in my relationship with my Savior.  She gave some wonderful, hard-earned insights on how to do that.

This book was an easy read.  It was comfortable.  I had a hard time putting it down.

I give it ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Places of Refuge

There have been so many times in my life when I have been in need of a refuge from the storm.  

Psalm 91 says that the Lord 'is my refuge and my fortress'.  Isaiah 25 tells us he is 'a refuge from the storm'. Many of those times have been when I needed spiritual strength given to me.  

As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I often find the spiritual strengthening and refuge I need in holy temples, in our church meetings, in reading my scriptures, in the peace that comes through priesthood blessings, and in moments of sacred prayer with my Father in Heaven. 

I tend to find refuge and strength when I'm with our family.  Because I know they love me, I know I can be strengthened by them and feel that things will be ok.  Maybe not perfect right now, but 'eventually'.

I also feel my Savior strongly when I am in a position to enjoy nature and to feel Him in my surroundings. 

And then there are days when a place of refuge looks like this:

On our morning walk one day it was very overcast and foggy.  Rain was predicted, but we looked at the radar before we took off and felt that we would be ok.  And then the rain started just as we were passing a construction site that just happened to have this most welcome sight right next to the road.  We hurried over and barricaded ourselves inside.  We were there for 15-20 minutes before we heard the rain subside.  We laughed about this literal place of refuge from the storm, but we were oh, so thankful! 

We continued our walk, and when we turned around to head back home, we found ourselves a little ways past our place of refuge when the rain started again.  My husband suggested we go back to the safe place.  I was ready to get home and convinced him the storm would ease soon and we should just keep walking.  Suffice it to say that by the time we got home, we were both soaked and freezing! 

I'm not sure why it was so hard for me to take advantage of the gift that had literally been placed 

right in our path! 

 I'm sure I do this too many times in my walk through life - asking for His help, then going on by myself when he is trying so hard to make things easier for me!

I have found that getting through the storms of life is never as easy if we convince ourselves that our way will be ok and we should just keep going.  

Things always turn out better when I include the Lord and the protections and strength that he so graciously offers me.  

Resilient Relationships - Forever Friends

I recently had someone 'find' me on social media that I had known when she was a teenager, probably 30-ish years ago.  She was a teenager at the time and I was over the youth group in our church serving as the young women's president.  She got married and moved on with life.  We eventually moved from the area and we hadn't had any connection with her for years!

Earlier in the week, I received a private message on fb messenger.  "Hi, this is (no name needed).  You were my young women's leader.  Do you remember me?"

And from that first message, we have been catching up on what life has brought our way over the many years since our last interactions.  The heartaches, the illnesses, the things in life that have taken therapy and lots of searching to sort out, the joy of having one consistent thing that has been their anchor (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), and the importance of relationships that stay with us.

I asked her why she tried to find me and decided to reach out.  This is what she said, and it touched my heart deeply. 

 "I looked up to you as a teen.  I have always been grateful for the kindness you showed me.  You have and always will have, a special place in my heart." 

You just never know what it is that you are doing as you are just living your life that may have an impact on someone else.  I pray that most of my interactions with others are like this one.  But I'm sure there are some who remember me because they felt I didn't treat them well.  

I believe this is what heaven will be like.  

Connecting  

Remembering  

Embracing

Loving  

Our high school class recently held our 50 year reunion.  There were people there that I hadn't seen, literally, since graduation night.  People I was acquaintances with, but weren't really 'friends' with.  But especially with one sweet person that was there, I feel like I have made a friend!  

Some of my classmates from the class of '75

Everyone we meet along our journey has the potential of  making a difference in our lives.  Maybe they are there for a lifetime, and maybe just for a season.  Everyone of them is so important.

If I could give advice to my teen-age self - it would be to be friends with more people - to make my circle bigger, not smaller - and to be the kind of person that helps everyone feel that they are of worth.  

Foggy mornings are as beautiful as clear ones.
They each serve a purpose.

Baptism Quilt - Number 6

I have not been doing a good job of keeping up with posts!  Yikes!  Lots to say about why, but let's just focus on this really good day that happened earlier this year.  Another grandchild who chose to be baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Another quilt to help him remember this special day, made by me - grandma!

He wanted the main color to be the light aqua/teal color.  It's very hard to find those colors that are more masculine.  I bought several fabrics and brought them home.  He said no to a couple of them.  Then it was off to the fabric store again.  I would pick out a few more patterns then take a picture and send to his mom so he could approve them before I bought them!  They get so opinionated at about this age - 8!   

I love the opportunity to make something that will help them remember the covenants they have made with their Father in Heaven and the desire to follow the example of Jesus and be baptized.   

Worn and Weathered

 

I loved my flowers this summer. The bright colors of the Cone flowers, the Knockout Roses, and the Zinnias brought me a lot of joy when I walked outside.  I could just look at them and feel happiness.  

At their peak, they reminded me of my younger self.

Reaching for the stars - and expecting to be able to catch them!

Being involved in ALL of the stuff.  

Involved with friends, building forever relationships, working, creating a beautiful family, involved in all of the church things, teaching myself different skills and finding new hobbies...all the things.

And then one day I looked in the mirror and came to the realization that I look and feel more like this...

this is my time of life now!

A little more worn and weathered.  A lot more tired! 

  

I  have kept this vase of flowers on my kitchen countertop,

because when I look at these flowers, I don't just see dried up, dull, useless flowers 

(how I feel some days at this stage of life).

I see flowers that have fulfilled the measure of their creation.

Flowers that have brought me joy every day, just because they exist, not just when they were in their prime!

Flowers that have endured scorching sun and heat; cold, almost freezing nights; bugs that tried to destroy them; not getting enough water and at times - too much water!  oops!

When I look at these flowers I see resilience.  

I see a quiet beauty that speaks of strength that came because of all of the challenges.

I see a beauty that doesn't feel like it has to be as it was during the bright summer days - this is a beauty that reminds me that we all have to walk through this 'getting older' phase of life,

and really, what a privilege that is!

There are days when I feel like I'm not enough and I'll never be what I was intended to become.

Then I remember that I worship a God who just wants me to do my best.

On those days when I can shine and bring joy to someone else, that's wonderful!

On those days when it's a chore to just show up and exist.... 

the fact that I do show up is enough.  

Some days, the 45% that I feel I have to offer, is the 100% of what I could give on that day.

And what an incredible blessing it is to know that this is enough!

Baptism Quilt #5 (and #2!)

She was SO excited to get baptized!  Her birthday is the latest in the year of all the grands, and she always feels like she has to wait an extra long time to celebrate...but this year there was even more excitement.  She made the choice to be baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

She told me last year at her birthday to remember that her favorite color is purple!  I hoped it wouldn't change between then and her next birthday - and it didn't!

She is such a ray of sunshine to all around her and it was fun to spend this special day with her.

Happy 8th birthday sweet Katie - we love you!

It dawned on me that I didn't post Parker's quilt!  

Sheesh!  Better late than never - right?!  I'm only 3 years late in getting it posted.  

He loves blue, so that was the base color for his quilt.  

I love how they are all similar, but are so different as they are taylored for each specific grandchild.

Oh, how we love them!

Easter Thoughts

Because of Gethsemane,

Golgatha,

and the Garden Tomb 

We have HOPE!

I am so very grateful for Jesus Christ and His desire to do all that He did for each one of us!  

I'm grateful for a Savior who doesn't expect perfection from me, but will meet me where I am and will help me to become more than I could ever imagine.

I'm so thankful to know that He loves me - even in the messiness of life.

Service Doesn't Have to be a Big Deal

When I was growing up our family lived in the country next to a gravel road. One summer they decided our gravel road needed to be blacktop. I was probably 8 or 9 and the neighbor boy a year younger. We set up camp on our front porches and were intrigued watching the men and the big equipment transform our road. There were big willow trees around our house and when they would take breaks or stop for lunch they would come sit in the shade of the willows. Mom told us not to pester them, but we would go sit with them and listen to their stories.

The next day as they moved further away from us, I remember thinking how hot they must be. There were no willow trees to provide shade for them. We enlisted the help of my mother and we made chocolate chip cookies and put some Kool-Aid in a canteen and headed out on our bikes when we saw they were taking a break. They were gracious and invited us to stay and have lunch with them. They were out of sight by the end of that day and we never saw them again.

The 2nd floor apartment I lived in that first year of school overlooked a house that was next door to us. From our living room window, we could look down into their living room window. There was, what appeared to be an older woman and her husband who lived there. She would see us watching them and would get up and close the drapes. She looked a little scary and we, not so kindly called her the witch lady.

One evening after she had pulled the drapes yet again, we got to talking and wondered how many times she’d had to sacrifice sunshine and light for her privacy from the eyes of the many girls who had lived in those dorms over the years. Our hearts were pricked and we decided that we needed to apologize. So, of course we made some chocolate chip cookies and knocked on her door. To say she was surprised to see us there would be an understatement. She did invite us in and we had a wonderful visit with she and her husband who she so lovingly cared for. Her name was Helen and after that day we would stop by often and say hello. She would invite us in and we would have the best visits. We made a new friend when we began to consider what her feelings might be. We grew to love Helen and I was sad when I left that apartment and moved to Logan, because I knew I was going to miss her.

If you have a thought that you should do something for someone – do it! Don’t wait. One such day I needed the prompting three times before I acted. When I showed up at the door of someone that I knew would be working, instead of being met with silence, the door opened to a tear-stained face and the words “I knew you would come.”

Halloween Quilt

I've had a whole pile of Halloween fabric sitting in my craft closet. Left-overs from quiet books, trick-or-treat bags and other miscellaneous projects. I decided it was time to whittle it down a bit, so I made this cute wee quilt! The blocks started out at 4 1/2". I had everthing I needed to create it except for the binding fabric and a little warm and natural. There's always a way to use fabric leftovers. I'm thinking I might need to do a wee quilt for Christmas! But I think I'll start it next spring and do something other than just the diagonal pattern I've done with all my quilts. Do you have a favorite, easy quilt design? I have so many different ones pinned, but I get a little overwhelmed. I'm not a terrific quilter - my blocks don't always line up....but sometimes the beauty can be in the mistakes, right? But seriously - if there's a quilt pattern you love that would be good for a beginner - please share!

Recharging

It's been hot in the valley. And you know how you feel when you find yourself stuck in the routine of the daily things that are required of you? You know what I'm talking about: laundry, dishes, preparing meals, cleaning up after meals, etc. It just never goes away. That's why sometimes we need to take ourselves away and have the opportunity to slow down, to breathe deeply, to look at the sky and to relax so we can remember why we are here.

Some of our family headed to the mountains for part of their stay-cation and invited us to join them for the evening. When we found the perfect campsite for them (we headed home later to sleep in our own beds!), we saw that someone had left fun things for us to enjoy. It felt a little 'Flintstone-like' if you know what I mean!

It was a perfect time to 'step away' from our routine, enjoy some family, relax and remember what it feels like to connect. Not just with nature, but with our family and with our creator.

And to be a little silly in the process!

Another Beautiful Day - Another Baptism Quilt

It was another beautiful baptism day for one of our grandchildren. This is the 4th baptism quilt that I've made and I always seem to make little adjustments along the way. I consider these practice pieces so I can perfect some of my techniques for a quilt I have on my mind to do, and they don't mind at all. They seem to really look forward to this special gift from grandma and grandpa. I love making them! It was a wonderful day, and he was so excited!

He chose the color scheme for his quilt. He had also picked green as a color to include, but when I laid it out with the green blocks, we both decided that it was not going to work. So glad I asked him about it before I started sewing it together. My friend stitched his name and his baptism date on a block so it will aways be a reminder of the day he made a commitment to our Father in Heaven to be baptized into his church and to follow Him.

There was this one year...oh wait...it was more like five years, when almost every week something would happen that would feel like this!  It's that 'oh my word - are you kidding me?' feeling!   (by the way, isn't she adorable)?

Why is it that we often can't see the blessings that come from walking through trials until we are through the trial - or at the least - towards the end of it?  It was five years of employment frustrations, health frustrations, worrying over many things.  It was HARD!  But these are some of the things that as we reflected back over that time that we learned.  These things that have become part of who we are.

• No matter what we have to do, we can't do it alone!
• Prayer works.  Our personal prayers and the prayers of others in our behalf.
• Faith is sustaining.
• God loves us, knows us and wants what is best for us.
• There is great power in priesthood blessings.
• Having righteous priesthood leaders is a strength - a bishop, a ministering teacher, etc.
• Personal revelation is real and necessary.
• The importance of relying on our family members and close friends.
• Forgiving is vital to moving forward.
• Recognizing that there is evil around us - the adversary won't stop at trying to get to us.
• It's ok to ask others for help.
• Our prayers - for ourselves and for others - need to be very specific and heartfelt.
• Those that be with us are greater than those that be with 'them'.  
• Ways are provided for our escape.
• Our burdens have been made light, and our ability to bear them has increased.
• Don't hold on to what is holding you back. Don't look back.  Move forward.
• Don't let how others treat us affect who we are.
• Let go and let God....  there are some things that we just need to turn over to Him.
• Don't let our doubts and fears block the blessings that our Father in Heaven desires to give to us.
• Look for and appreciate the blessings that we have.  Enjoy the vistas even when the journey is difficult.
• Fasting brings spiritual strength.
• The temple can bring peace and strength - answers and confirmation of answers often come while in the temple.    

What are some lessons learned or blessings you have received because of trials in your life?

Lather, Rinse, REPEAT

I love this picture of spring flowers.  I know as the snow is melting, the soil is getting warmer and the sun shines just a little brighter, that we will soon see the influence of spring in our valley.  It happens every spring.  And every spring it brings a little joy to my heart.  It's a rhythm that I can count on.  I watch for the early greenery to start peeking up through the dirt.  The cycle repeats each year.  

I heard a story once about a one word change made to the directions for using shampoo.  Up to this time the directions had just said: 'Wet hair; apply shampoo and lather well; rinse.'  Supposedly a marketing person suggested adding one simple word to the directions: REPEAT.  Did the company's income increase?  Yes, it did!

It got me thinking about the things in our lives that would be increased, or made better, if we continually repeated the process of doing them. 

Here are just a couple of my thoughts:

Kindness... If we were to be kind to everyone we came in contact with on a certain day, I imagine we'd feel pretty good about our day, and I'm sure the people who we had been kind to would have had a better day because of our kindness.  In repeating that giving of kindness every day the differences made not only in our lives, but in the lives of other people would be amazing!  

Prayer...  I struggle sometimes with my personal prayers.  We have great couple prayers, but often my personal prayers are just spoken in my head or out loud at various times during the day while I'm doing other things.  What if I set aside 10 minutes every morning and evening to have a real conversation with the Lord?  To thank Him.  To plead with Him for things and people that are important to me.  EVERY morning and evening!  20 minutes total!  I feel like I have a decent relationship with God - but how much would it improve if I really set aside that personal time EVERY DAY?!   It makes me excited to think about it.  I believe I'll write it in my planner and repeat it as a daily 'to do'.  

This list could be endless - the possibilities are never-ending. It's exciting to think about!

What could become of your life if you chose to consistently REPEAT things that are important to you that maybe you aren't giving persistent attention to?  

Start small.  Choose one thing.  Be mindful of it for the next week.  Record how you feel and if you've noticed any changes in your life.  As it becomes a habit and something you just naturally make time for, or do as part of your daily walk, select something else to make a priority in your life. Then notice what changes happen in your life.  

Be of Good Courage

 

We are often asked to do hard things.... 

• ....to say no to a marriage proposal because it doesn't feel right
• ....to say goodbye to friends who aren't really being good friends
• ....to walk away from a job that has blessed you and/or your family because...
• ....to struggle with a disease or injury that will be with us, maybe forever
• ....to lose a spouse or a child because of sickness or injury

These are just a few examples - so many more can be added to this list.  We've all struggled through them.  And usually, we come out with blessings that we couldn't even imagine would have come from the struggle.

President Thomas S. Monson once said this:

"I wonder how we would have felt if we lived in Nauvoo with our beautiful brick home with all of the comforts of life - and then heard the call to move westward, to leave our homes, to leave our families in some cases, to leave behind the beautiful greenery and put our vision westward to the valleys of the great Salt Lake, where one tree greeted us upon our arrival as pioneers.  Yet, where would we have been today were it not for the courage of the Latter-day Saints to expand the frontiers of the Church?"

Consider the hard things that you have had the opportunity to struggle through.  In the middle of the struggle, it's hard to see the blessings, but as you look back on the experience, what gifts were you given because of it?  Do you have more compassion and empathy for others going through something similar?  Do you more immediately recognize the hand of the Lord in your life or in the lives of your family members?  Have you come to cherish relationships more?  

"...know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.  The Son of Man hath descended below them all.  Art thou greater than he?"   D&C 122:7-8

Photo courtesy of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Baptism Quilt

Grandchild #3 was baptized in May.  He told me that his quilt needed to be red!  It's his favorite color.  I did what I could to oblige.  He was so excited to get it, that when we went to his house after the baptism, he saw I was carrying the quilt and came running to me with arms outstretched and said: "Come to papa!  "Funny boy!

I cut each of the blocks 9.5" square, so when they are all sewn together they are 9" blocks.  I only chose one fabric that was minky.  The kids love how it feels, but I don't like sewing with it so the majority of the blocks are flannel as well as the backing.   I have a good friend who stitched his name and baptism info on a block and I chose a fun, coordinating cotton fabric to bind it with.  

I'm still not a great quilter, but I'm getting better.  I'm glad I can do this for our grandchildren and they genuinely seem to appreciate them!   

 

It's not the packaging, but what's inside -and- Chocolate Chip Cookies

 A little while ago I was making some cookies.  I needed 3/4 lb of butter (and yes, the cookies are fabulous!).  I finished one package and opened another.  I was struck by the appearance of the two sticks of butter.  One is more 'short and stocky' while the other is more 'tall and slender'.  But do you know what?   They both contain the same amount of butter!  

Both packages of butter will accomplish the same purpose.

Although they look different, their value is identical (to help make the best chocolate chip cookies ever)!

So - why do we do it?

Why do we look at someone and judge them because of their appearance?  Do we know anything about them?  Do we understand their story?  Do we know what they have to offer?  Do we know their heart?

My guess is no - we don't.  

Do we really want Jesus to judge us by our outward appearance, or are we hopeful that he will look upon our heart?

I know I don't always present myself well.  For example, I struggle with some anxiety and sometimes if I'm leaving a gathering, I just go.  I don't tell anyone I'm leaving, I just walk away.  Doing all of the hugging and saying goodbye and making sure I don't miss anyone is exhausting to me (and I love hugs).  But sometimes I just walk away.  

I know that Jesus knows my heart.  He knows I don't always try as hard as I should, but He also knows that often-times I do better than I ever thought I could.  

Let's be a little less judgmental, a lot kinder and pull more people into our circle, not less.  And let's do it over a warm chocolate chip cookie!

TRIPLE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

Cream together:

3 cubes butter (3/4 lb) softened                

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup brown sugar                                    

2 eggs

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

Mix well and add:

4 cups flour                                                

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

1 1/2 tsp salt

After ingredients are all mixed well, add:

1 pkg milk chocolate chips                        

1/2 pkg semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 pkg white chocolate chips

Mix well and place on baking sheet.  Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes.  (I usually leave them for 15).  You will want to remove them when they are 'lightly' browned, but may still seem a little gooey in the center.  Let them rest on the cookie sheet for 3-4 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.  They will finish setting up as they cool.  I have three large baking sheets, and sometimes I just pull one from the oven and leave the cookies on the baking sheet and put in another batch on a different one.    

Baptism Quilts

I've been working on baptism quilts for our grandchildren.  It is such a special time for them and I wanted to make something so they could always remember their special day.  I didn't get a picture of the first quilt I made all by itself, but you can see how happy this sweet girl is with her quilt.  It's just the perfect size for snuggling.

I let them choose their color scheme and make the quilts from a combination of flannel and minky fabric.  The squares are cut 9 1/2 inches square.  I use 6 colors or color/pattern combinations.  The quilt is 5 squares wide x 6 squares long.  I also have a friend embroider their name and the month of their baptism on one of the corner blocks.  

I'm working on quilt #3 right now.  He requested every color (except the girlie ones!), but I had him narrow it down to his favorite color - which is red! 

  

 

YET...

 

When I worked at an elementary school, the PE teacher had a word on each of the four walls of the gym...

YET

When she would teach a new skill to the children (like how to dribble a basketball), she would often hear: "I can't do that."

She would respond with: "Yet.  You don't know how to do it yet."

She would explain why dribbling is an important skill to learn if you want to play basketball.

She would demonstrate the skill.

Everyone would be given a ball and a chance to practice.  Some would pick it right up, others needed a little one-on-one time with the teacher.

They would dribble standing in place.

They would practice walking while they dribbled.

Pretty soon they were running back and forth across the gym - dribbling!

Doing the thing they didn't think they could do.

Don't you think each one of us is like those children?  

When we are asked by our Heavenly Father, or our doctor, or someone we trust to do a 'thing'....  

...Maybe it's to pay tithing.  Or to listen better to those we love.  Or to be more focused on studying the example of Christ.  Or to go all in on learning how to decorate cakes!

Maybe it's to eat better, be in better shape, lose some weight.

It's so easy to say: "I can't do that."

We need to remember that small steps and lots of practice will help us accomplish those things that we don't think we can do.  

If a seven year old can learn to be darn good at dribbling a basketball, what might you be able to accomplish?!  It might not be yet, but with practice - it will be amazing!

There's Always Room for One More!

 Quilting Bees!! 

They happened in different homes, and sometimes with different women, but typically it was the same core group of ladies that went from home to home to work on quilts. 

They came to my home when I was a child. I had aunts who were there, neighbors, and ladies I did not know. I remember lying underneath the quilt as they worked and listening to them share stories of their families, express concerns and relay their hopes and dreams. It was a magical time for me. I didn’t know it at the time – but that was my first exposure to the Relief Society in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the sisterhood that comes when you participate in it.

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Fast-forward 40 years.

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 I returned to that little community I had grown up in on a summer day, looking for an older cousin to chat with. I was told she was at the church, quilting. My husband and I went to my home church building, and there on the stage was a beautiful quilt in progress. But even more beautiful were the women gathered around it with needles in hand. Some of them were the same women who had been in my living room those many years before.  Some were the daughters or daughters-in-law of those women.  There were grandmothers, women whose lives had taken some tragic turns, widows, those who had never married, young mothers and newlyweds.

My mother passed away a few short months before I got married, and many of these women were responsible for some of the beautiful quilts that I now enjoy.  Two were made from scratch, and another was given to me by a sweet woman in our congregation who shared with me that my mother had worked on that quilt.  She knew it would be a treasure to me.

This sisterhood had blessed their lives in so many ways throughout the years.  

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 I recognized stability there, and the feeling of being needed. 

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Strength and support from others who had already walked the path that someone else was currently traversing.

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Trust.  A physical, emotional and spiritual source for when it was needed.

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If I could go back to my younger self - one thing I would change would be to include more people in my circle.  There are so many things I could have learned from others if I had only let myself invite them in. 

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So maybe - those lessons learned from under the quilts can be applied to a time such as this...

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We need one another - there is always room for one more!

Just ONE Page.....

Last week I read an article found here.  This article shared how people of many different faiths were asked to read just one page in the Book of Mormon and share their feelings about what they read.  It showed that although people of different faiths/beliefs might worship differently, that there are similarities in those things that we do believe. 

I decided to take the challenge.  I got my copy of the book that I keep in my vehicle, randomly opened it, grabbed my highlighter so I could mark any references to deity, and I read one page.

My thoughts from what I read:

• There is a God.  Jesus Christ is a God
• He will teach us His ways - when we know what He teaches, it is easy to follow Him
• Jesus is the Lord from Jerusalem
• We're admonished to walk in the light of the Lord
• For those who choose to live a wicked life, they will be judged by their works 

I can testify that there is a power in reading the Book of Mormon - by doing so, it will answer questions you have about life - about deity - about faith, hope and charity - about grace and redemption and so much more.  

If you don't have a Book of Mormon and would  like one, if only to read one page, leave your name and address in the comments and I'll get one to you. OR - you can access a digital version by going here.