LDSPMA

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Faith & Mindset

Book of Mormon Picture Books for Young Families

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Kennedy Kofford ran into a familiar problem for many Latter-day Saint parents: she wanted to teach her children gospel stories, but the books available were either too simple to be meaningful, too complex for young minds, or too long to finish before children lost interest—or fell asleep.

Kennedy saw this challenge as an opportunity. She shared her idea with the women in her family, and what began as a simple conversation quickly grew into a collaborative family business called Faithful Chapters. Together, five women—Kennedy, her sisters-in-law Kenzie, Kaylie, and Laylah, and the family matriarch, Camille—create illustrated Book of Mormon board books that are doctrinally sound and visually engaging for young families.

From Concept to Creation

With no entrepreneurial experience, the women taught themselves the necessary skills through Google, ChatGPT, and community resources to navigate everything from obtaining business licenses and ISBNs to finding printing companies and designing packaging.

“We didn’t know much about starting a business,” Kenzie admits. “It felt pretty intimidating, and we didn’t know if we could do it.” For aspiring entrepreneurs, Kenzie offers encouragement: “There’s so much help out there now. Anybody can do it—and there’s room for everyone to succeed.”

Then Camille became involved. “We’re making this happen,” she said. “It’s going to be awesome—and I’ll finance it.” So, they pressed forward.

Kennedy credits Camille’s financial backing as crucial to their enterprise. “We all have young families and don’t have extra money to throw into a business.” The women agree that it has taken every one of them to bring their vision to life.

Camille adds, “We really, truly need each other’s support and contributions to make this happen.”

The women gathered to select Book of Mormon stories, focusing on principles rather than retelling narratives. Camille explains their approach: “For us, it’s about the message. The tree of life teaches about returning to Christ and feeling God’s love. The brass plates teach obedience and persistence—even when answers don’t come immediately.”

Kennedy and Camille draft each book, keeping them to twelve pages or less, then pass manuscripts back and forth for revisions. When the story feels strong, they bring it to the whole group for final edits and fresh perspectives. This collaborative effort ensures each book reflects the combined voice, testimony, and insight of all five women.

A careful balance of doctrine, clarity, and creativity shapes how the team adapts scripture for a broad audience. Toddlers are drawn to the illustrations, while children around five or six years old engage more deeply with the text. Even parents can discover details they hadn’t noticed before.

Camille laughs as she recalls reading one story aloud: “Two of my grown children stopped me and said, ‘Wait—that happened?’”

Finding the Right Illustrator

Finding the right illustrator was their next challenge. They posted on Instagram and reached out through personal networks, asking several artists to submit sample sketches. After praying for guidance, Kaylie felt prompted to search through BYU’s illustration program portfolios, where she discovered Abby Shumway’s work. Kaylie had envisioned images with “a sort of Alice in Wonderland vibe,” and Abby’s art fit that specification perfectly.

But it wasn’t enough for the art to be beautiful. The Koffords knew they needed an illustrator with a testimony of the stories themselves—and Abby’s faith is evident in her art. “It’s just so happy and draws your attention,” Kenzie says. “We really connected with her work; it was whimsical, bright, and full of life.”

The women all worked together to adapt the visuals for a G-rated audience. To soften intense moments in Nephi’s story, Abby illustrated Laban asleep in polka-dotted underwear with a pot carefully placed in front of his head—or lack thereof! The depiction adds humor while leaving room for parents to teach the story in age-appropriate ways.

Design and Production

Each book’s QR code links to family home evening resources formatted and overseen by Laylah, who spearheaded the lesson structure. Families can access her quick five-minute lessons or more detailed discussions, along with printable coloring pages—making the books flexible for varied schedules and ages.

The books also feature an interactive element inspired by Kenzie’s childhood love of finding hidden CTR rings in The Friend magazine. Faith the Mouse serves as the series’ mascot, hiding on every page for children to discover.

The women wanted books that could survive diaper bags, toddlers, and years of use while still teaching sacred stories. They initially designed the board books at 5×5 inches but then realized Abby’s detailed illustrations lost their impact at that size. “You couldn’t see Faith the Mouse or the bite mark in the fruit,” Kenzie said. They resized to 6×6 inches and continued refining. “It’s a process,” she adds. “You just keep trying until you get it right.”

Looking Forward

Faithful Chapters plans to ship directly to customers who order through Instagram. Despite her faith in their endeavor, Laylah admits she was a little nervous about their launch. “I just worried that we wouldn’t get any orders,” she says. But those concerns quickly vanished. “We get the notifications on our phones, and we get excited every time! It’s very heartwarming to feel the support.”

Internet sales are just the beginning. “Our goal is to get into brick-and-mortar stores,” Kenzie says. “We’re still fresh—we’re focusing on getting our books out to friends and family first.”

The Kofford girls plan to move chronologically through Book of Mormon stories, eventually offering themed bundles and expanding into Bible stories and Church history.

Divine Guidance and Greater Purpose

Beyond business goals, the Kofford women feel a deeper spiritual calling. Laylah explains, “Obviously, we’ve had hurdles, but God always guides us to a solution.”

She adds, “As I’ve been rereading the Book of Mormon, I’ve noticed so many things I missed before. I feel strongly that this is what God wants us to do: introduce His children to the Book of Mormon earlier.”

For Kaylie, the books meet a deeply personal need. “My husband left the Church about four years ago, and I have four kids ages one to eight,” she shares. “Even with a supportive husband, it’s sometimes hard to pull out the scriptures and teach the stories by myself. These board books are such a tool in my belt—something simple, engaging, and beautiful.”

Faithful Chapters is intentionally designed to meet families where they are, supporting households of different beliefs with equal care.

This shared sense of purpose fuels the sisters’ commitment. “We hope that when kids go to Sunday School,” Kenzie says, “they already know the stories because of our books.”

Beyond creating products, Faithful Chapters has strengthened family bonds. “We’re all busy,” Kenzie adds, “but starting a business together has been so meaningful, and we’re all in it together.”

As Faithful Chapters moves forward, the women are building more than a business. They’re creating a foundation of faith for the next generation—one colorful page at a time.

Headshot of Kami Pehrson.

Kami Pehrson

Kami Pehrson lives with her husband and five teenage children in Stansbury Park, Utah. She recently finished her master’s degree in English and creative writing and has written three novels—but is still trying to figure out what to do with them. She loves editing, reading, and playing word games on her phone. She also enjoys listening to audiobooks while half-heartedly doing Pilates in the living room.

    Working Through Creative Block

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    Over the last few years, I’ve experienced a creative block in an unexpected place: my life.

    Can you get a creative block in life?

    Writer’s block is something I’m all too familiar with. Either I’d spend hours staring at a blank page, or I’d type and delete paragraphs in an attempt to figure out where the story was supposed to go, despite having a detailed outline. Other times, I’d already finished entire drafts of the same story and nothing had changed up to that point, so I really knew where it was supposed to go. Despite believing my story should be working, I couldn’t get it to budge.

    Fun fact about me: I’m extremely stubborn. When I think a problem has a reason and a solution, I will figure them out. I don’t just want to trudge through the situation and get past it. I want to understand why it’s happening, and I want the experience to be smoother the next time around, thanks to what I’ve learned.

    That said, I didn’t conquer my writer’s block until I figured out how to break through the creative block as it applies to life.

    There are times in life when I feel stuck. Maybe I have goals and a plan, but everything suddenly feels wrong anyway. I feel paralyzed and unable to move forward with anything. I struggle to decide what steps to take next, whether it’s about a job, school, parenting, or my writing career. Nothing makes sense, and I can’t understand why.

    Over the last couple of years, I have taken this uncertainty to God. With His help, I’ve worked through why I was experiencing this form of creative block, and since then, I’ve found that the process that got me through it helps me with other creative blocks as well. I’ll walk you through my process here.

    1. I examine what I believe to be true.

    The first thing I do is identify misconceptions about where I am. In list form, I write statements that highlight my beliefs about reality. Seeing the list in front of me helps me think through the process and feel out what’s not quite right.

    Here’s an example of a list I might make when trying to figure out what’s holding me back from moving forward in life:

    • I’m going to try to traditionally publish my novel.
    • I’m going to attend a family ward instead of a young single adult ward.
    • I’m going to wake up early to write and work out before work every day.
    • I’m going to drive my sister to work and pick her up every day, even though it may interfere with my work schedule.
    • I need to look for a new job.

    As I go over the list, I pay close attention to how I feel emotionally and spiritually. When I land on a statement that needs reconsideration, it feels as if I have struck a nerve. Whether it’s anxiety or a spiritual sense that something is wrong, it’s clear to me which “truth” is not fully true.

    2. I write why I believe this statement is true.

    Usually, the problem is not that the statement is fully false. Say the troublesome statement is, “I need to look for a new job.” Maybe I don’t actually “need” to do that. The problem might lie in my approach to that belief. To discover what the deeper issue is, I start listing out other mindsets and beliefs related to that statement, such as:

    • I need a new job in the next month.
    • I want a job in retail or event management.
    • I have to make at least $18/hour and get benefits.
    • I don’t want to work on Sundays.
    • I’m looking on Indeed.

    There’s often more than one perspective I need to reevaluate, so I don’t stop listing them until I feel I’ve spiritually considered everything that’s relevant.

    3. I consider alternatives to those statements.

    Each statement that feels significant gets its own bulleted list. As I brainstorm changes I could make to those mindsets or goals, eventually one or more options will feel right. Maybe it’s that I don’t need to rush to find a job. Or maybe I need to consider a career change. Maybe I’m undervaluing my time. Maybe I need to explore other platforms or reach out to my network. I consider multiple possibilities for each statement, and they often require more than one change.

    By the end of this process, I usually start to feel excited again. Things are beginning to make sense, even if the necessary changes aren’t what I’d hoped for. Since learning to apply this process to my creative block in life, I’ve also successfully used it to overcome writer’s block and other challenges. Once I begin implementing these changes, everything starts to flow in new ways.

    Creativity is one of the most divine traits we can access, and so I recognize obstacles as evidence of dissonance between my human limitations and an omniscient, all-powerful Father in Heaven. Being stuck doesn’t mean I’m failing. It only means I have more to learn and new ways to collaborate with the Divine. This process has provided me with so much clarity in moments of frustration. I would love to hear from you if you try it and find that it helps you achieve your own breakthroughs, no matter what types of blocks you encounter!

    A headshot of Mariah K. Porter.

    Mariah K. Porter

    Mariah K. Porter is a member of the LDSPMA and the author of Tomorrow I Will Make a List: Managing the Depressive Habit of Procrastination. In addition to her nonfiction, she has also written That Prince Guy, This Glass Heart, and These Extraordinary Thorns, which are fairy tale retellings. You can learn more about her here.

      Five Ways to Get Your Scrooge on This Christmas

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      The word “scrooge”entered the English language around the year 1899, more than fifty years after the publication of A Christmas Carol. The word, to no one’s surprise, means “a miserly person” and feels very apt when we think of portrayals of the character Mr. Ebeneezer Scrooge by actors like Jim Carrey and Michael Caine.

      But in our modern culture, we seem to have forgotten that while Scrooge may have started off as a miser—a “squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner” as Dickens says—he did not stay that way (2). In fact, the reason why A Christmas Carol still resonates with audiences around the globe is because Scrooge changes.

      At the end of the short novella, Scrooge is a different man, one who was generous with everything he had, who reconnected with his family and those around him, and who “knew how to keep Christmas well” (68).

      As Elder Gong has said, “Why don’t we remember that [new] Mr. Scrooge? Are there those around us, perhaps we ourselves, who could be a different person if only we would stop typecasting or stereotyping them as their old self? . . . Let’s give the new Scrooge in each of us a chance to change” (Christ, Our Savior, Is Born, 2023).

      In the spirit of a miserly man who changes into a truly generous soul, here are five ways we can be more like Ebeneezer Scrooge this Christmas:

      1) Reconnect with Family and Friends

      In any version of A Christmas Carol, the audience sees Scrooge’s extremely affable nephew, Fred, visit his uncle at his place of business, inviting him to Christmas dinner. But Scrooge, of course, refuses.

      However, the Ghost of Christmas Present shows Scrooge his nephew celebrating Christmas with his family. And while Fred does make Scrooge the object of a joke, Fred is also trying to defend him. “His offences carry their own punishment, and I have nothing to say against him,” says Fred (45).

      At the end of his journey, Scrooge reconnects with Fred, who was so excited to see him that “it was a mercy he didn’t shake his arm off” (67). Scrooge did his best to love and support his nephew and, of course, Tiny Tim.

      What can you do to reconnect with your friends and family? Perhaps you can text someone you haven’t for a while, or call an aunt or uncle who lives far away. Be like Scrooge and reach out to your loved ones this Christmas.

      2) Give Generously

      My favorite part of A Christmas Carol is when Scrooge becomes a generous man. He buys a prize turkey for the Cratchit family, raises Bob’s salary, and gives to all around him. This is perhaps the most obvious sign of Scrooge’s change—that he goes from keeping a tight grip on all his wealth to being generous with everything he has because he learned from the Ghost of Christmas Future that he could not take any of his possessions with him. So, he gives.

      Perhaps you could visit one of the Giving Machines throughout the world or donate time through JustServe. Perhaps you can donate to a charitable cause or spend time making blankets for local children in need. Be like Scrooge and give generously this Christmas.

      3) Let Go of the Past

      Perhaps the saddest part of Scrooge’s story is when he sees his fiancée, who tells him, “. . . another idol has displaced me; and if it can cheer and comfort you in time to come, as I would have tried to do, I have no just cause to grieve” (27).

      Scrooge never mentions this long-lost love again, but I think it is telling that he says to the Ghost of Christmas Past, “Why do you delight to torture me?” (28). By the end of his journey, Scrooge has made peace with his past and is trying to move on despite what happened to him. He tries to be a friend to others, he gives of himself, he keeps his family close instead of pushing them away . . . these are all evidence that Scrooge has let go of the past to find peace in his future.

      What can you do to let go of the past? Perhaps there is someone you need to forgive. Perhaps it is yourself. Perhaps it is time to let go of possessions or other memories that have become a burden to you and move forward with faith. Be like Scrooge and let go of your past this Christmas.

      4) Mentor Others

      One of the most crucial moments of Scrooge’s journey was when he saw the too-pure-for-this-world Tiny Tim. “‘Spirit,’ said Scrooge, with an interest he had never felt before, ‘tell me if Tiny Tim will live.’” (40). The line “with an interest he had never felt before” is telling—Tiny Tim awoke a protective urge in Scrooge he had not felt previously with any of his tenants and their problems, nor with his employees.

      Tiny Tim helps motivate Scrooge’s change, resulting in Scrooge becoming “a second father” to Tiny Tim (68). He mentored and admired Tiny Tim because he thought of others more than himself. 

      What can you do to mentor others? Perhaps you can help your children perform Secret Santa for someone else. Perhaps you can talk with a sibling, a friend, or a coworker about what they’re going through in their life. Be like Scrooge and mentor others this Christmas.

      5) Honor Christmas in Your Heart

      Scrooge’s change was cemented when he promised the Ghost of Christmas Future, “I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach!” (62).

      This is the culmination of his entire arc—he learned how Christmas could change people as they celebrated the holiday as families, drawing closer to each other. The Ghosts are the Ghosts of Christmases Past, Present, and Future, after all. Scrooge learned to honor Christmas and did so not only on the day of Christmas, but every day throughout the year thereafter.

      What can you do this year to honor Christmas in your heart now and throughout the year? Perhaps you read the Christmas story every few months to remember why this season matters. Perhaps you keep a reminder on your desk of the Savior to keep Him in your thoughts. Be like Scrooge and honor Christmas in your heart—and try to keep it all the year.

       At the end of Scrooge’s journey, he had a tough road ahead of him. To the gentleman who had asked for donations the day before who was now completely incredulous at Mr. Scrooge’s greeting to him, Scrooge says, “That is my name, and I fear it may not be pleasant to you” (66). Scrooge had to work to help others realize he had changed.

      We can help continue Scrooge’s good work by showing others the best of this remarkable character, helping others see that he had truly become a good man—“as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man as the good old city [ever] knew” (68).

      All book quotes from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, Dover Thrift Edition 1991 reprint of the 1843 edition.

      KaTrina Jackson

      KaTrina Jackson loves penguins, cross-stitching, chocolate, and piano music, and spends much of each day trying to fit those loves in around her jobs as a freelance editor and as a project manager for Eschler Editing. She graduated with a degree in editing and publishing from Brigham Young University because she couldn’t get enough stories in her life. She’s also a member of three different writing groups, attends and teaches at multiple writing conferences yearly, volunteers with LDSPMA and has since 2021, and is currently working on publishing her first novel. When she’s not writing, editing, or reading, she can be found practicing yoga, teaching piano lessons or performing with her husband, or watching Disney movies while working on a cross-stitch project. She and her husband live in Olathe, Kansas.

        A Complete Life of Color

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        I can’t remember a time when art hasn’t been part of my life. It’s always been more than just a hobby—it’s been a way for me to make sense of things that words can’t really explain. It taught me how to slow down, give details the attention they deserve, and prioritize quality over just a completed product.

        Learning these qualities helped with my perfectionism. I have a desire for excellence that honestly isn’t always healthy and threatens to turn my hobbies into chores. But art taught me to enjoy the process rather than fixating on getting everything perfect. The more patient I was with myself and the process, the more I could enjoy creating and developing my skills.

        The lessons I learned through my paint, canvas, colored pencils, and sketchbooks served as metaphors for life. Through the application of color, I learned to appreciate the whole spectrum of human experiences. I can apply that artistic mindset to every challenge and triumph. That perspective helped me realize that just as I use complementary colors like yellow and purple to create depth, life is built on that same principle of contrast and opposition.

        But it’s a lot easier to understand this principle than to live it. Opposition isn’t just something that we must endure—it’s a fundamental truth that has existed since the beginning of time. The world needs night to have day. Animals graze, and predators prey on them. Summer gives way to winter. Life guarantees we’ll face opposition, and the wise understand that struggles are actually a gift, that enduring hardships helps us live a richer life.

        Good artists know that complementary colors create depth because they’re opposite each other on the color wheel, making them more vivid when placed side by side. Life works the same way—if we never experience the deep purples of sorrow, we can never fully appreciate the brilliant yellows of joy. Without one, the other loses its meaning. A life carefully sheltered from hardship might feel safe and comfortable. Some might argue that it is not worth the risk of another failed relationship, trying out for the team again, or taking a chance that might result in pain, but I invite you to appreciate your heartbreak. A person who avoids all adversity can’t fully experience the depth that struggle makes possible.

        The next time sadness comes—and it will—try to resist shaking your fist at it or rushing past it. Instead, take time to feel it. Notice what emotions are moving through your heart and soul. With time, something good will eventually happen. One day, someone good will come around, you’ll make the team, or you’ll triumph in some way. Your spectrum will be complete, and you will live a life full of all the best colors.

        In contrast to your previous sadness, this good thing will illuminate your soul in a way that shallow pleasure never could. There’s no replacement for that happiness—the joy that comes from emerging through genuine sorrow.

        I’ve walked through my share of dark valleys. I felt the grief of my friend’s drowning, and the loss of my grandfather when I was thousands of miles from home. Each brought intense pain—the deep purples and blues of my emotional spectrum. Yet the worst moments of my life were when I shut down completely, and my spectrum converted to grayscale.

        By the end of my senior year, the numbness from school pressures and responsibilities had turned into creative burnout. I was making art for portfolios and grades—not because I was inspired or excited to do it. Each piece was assigned to me, so every brushstroke seemed forced. I wasn’t connected to my work anymore. My art, which had taught me about patience and joy, had become just another source of stress. During that time, I felt nothing at all. Not sadness, not joy, not even anger—just a dull gray that stretched across my landscape. I would have given anything to feel sadness again, to feel anything. I needed to know I could still feel. I pleaded with God, “Please just let me cry again.”

        I learned that even the darkest colors are necessary. My struggles were specific to me and my journey, and they became essential preparation for what came next.

        At the beginning of summer, a friend asked me to paint his copy of the Book of Mormon. It felt like an epiphany. It was a way for me to step back into art, to use one of my talents to serve other people. I made an Instagram post offering to paint custom copies of the Book of Mormon for friends who’d received mission calls, and I got a lot of excited responses.

        When I paint those books, I make them as specific as possible to each person so my friends know they mean something to me. For one of my friends serving in New Mexico, I painted the state flag, with hot chili peppers and colors that capture that New Mexico vibe. For my friend who had won the state championship in a track-and-field relay with his teammate—who was also called to the same mission in Australia—I painted a hand exchanging a baton over two different books. When you put them together, you get the whole picture, all in Australia’s colors.

        The Spirit prompted me to write a letter to one of my friends in his book. He later texted me, saying, “That message really meant a lot to me. I was going through a really hard time.”

        I may never know how much receiving a painted book truly means in the moment. I’m sure my friends are grateful and think it’s cool. But I hope they realize later that it came from my desire to serve my Lord. As the scriptures say, “When ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your God.” I serve others because I love Him and because I love the people I’m serving.

        I learned that darkness is necessary in life and art, and that creating without purpose and intention makes the process feel incomplete. Because I knew what it felt like to be disconnected from my gifts, I now treasure the connection between creativity and service. The gray numbness I experienced helped me recognize color and feeling as sacred gifts. The contrast is what makes it meaningful—the purple makes the yellow more brilliant.

        Painting those books didn’t just reignite my love for art. It taught me, in the most tangible way, what it means to live a Christlike life—to embrace the full spectrum as He did. Christ is my ultimate inspiration for creating art and living fully. He is the first creator and encourages us to be creators as well. He is the light and the life of the world. His birth brought light, and his death brought darkness. He taught us that sadness is often the price we pay for lasting joy, and that the contrast itself is sacred.

        That’s how you live a beautiful, full-spectrum life. It’s actually pretty simple—but simple in a grand way, as all profound truths are when you take everything else away. Not by avoiding the hard colors or muting them, but by embracing them as essential parts of the complete picture. When you do, you discover that the contrast isn’t just bearable—it’s beautiful, and it’s what makes life worth living.

        A headshot of Aidan Pehrson.

        Aidan Pehrson

        Aidan Pehrson is a track-and-field athlete competing for Snow College. In addition to running, he enjoys painting, boating, surfing, and spending time with friends and family. He plans to leave on an LDS mission this summer.

          Writing with Faith: An Interview with LDS Author Gale Sears

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          Gale Sears’ path to becoming an acclaimed LDS historical fiction author began with writing screenplays. She earned a bachelor’s degree in playwriting from BYU and a master’s degree in theater from the University of Minnesota. For decades, Gale’s creative life revolved around the stage—acting, directing, and crafting stories for live audiences.

          “I didn’t start writing novels until I was almost 50,” she shares, yet storytelling had always been part of her nature. “When I was about seven or eight years old, just after I’d learned about words, we had a little shed out in our backyard in Lake Tahoe, where I grew up. It was a magical place. I’d go out there with paper and pencil and write stories.”

          Exploring Different Genres

          The transition from playwriting to novel writing came naturally. “I had a story in my head that I thought would be a very cool play, but it was kind of epic, and it didn’t fit the genre,” Gale explains. “So, I started jotting down thoughts and a skeletal outline of chapters for a book, which I’d never thought of before because my mind always thought in terms of plays. I had to learn a different writing process because plays are composed of dialogue, but novels must include descriptions of place and setting.”

          That story became Autumn Sky, the first book in a trilogy published by Covenant Communications.

          Writing as a Divine Calling

          For Gale, writing is a sacred practice, centered on divine guidance. “I pray constantly. I have no ego when I’m writing my books. I believe that EGO stands for Edging God Out, and I’m not ever going to do that. When I dedicate my work and consecrate it to His purposes, I must include Him in the process.”

          The Spirit guides Gale throughout her process. “It’s as if I’m walking along and all of a sudden, I stumble, and something makes me pause. I stop and say, ‘Okay, something’s wrong here. Either I’m pushing it too much, or I’m not telling the right story, or I’m not going in the right direction.’ That’s how I know.”

          The Power of Research

          This spiritual foundation shapes every aspect of Gale’s work, especially her research approach. She is tenacious about accuracy. “If you’re going to write historical fiction, it needs to be true to the history,” she emphasizes.

          For The Silence of God, which explores communism and Christianity in revolutionary Russia, she immersed herself in Russian history and communist theory. “I wanted to tell the story of what a society looks like when they rip God out of their lives,” she explains. She thought she’d have to create a fictional Orthodox Christian family—until she experienced what she calls a “God wink.”

          “I thought to myself, I’m never going to find an LDS Russian family back in that time,” she recalls. “Well, I was at the Church History Library and found this article about the Lindelof family—the one and only LDS family in Russia during the Bolshevik Revolution.” This moment of divine serendipity became central to the novel.

          For Letters in the Jade Dragon Box, set in China under Mao Tse-Tung, she studied Chinese culture and government systems. The book juxtaposes Mao’s communist regime with the gospel as experienced by early Latter-day Saints in Hong Kong.

          Belonging to Heaven draws from George Q. Cannon’s actual journal entries about his mission to Hawaii, exploring his relationship with Jonathan Napela, one of the first Hawaiian converts to the Church.

          Her novella, Brilliant, required research into autism, Indian culture, mathematics, and Eastern philosophy to authentically portray its protagonist—a young autistic college professor from India. Gale met with Indian families and individuals who understand autism and reviewed autobiographies to ensure accuracy.

          But Gale doesn’t just rely on books. She travels to the locations she writes about—Italy, Russia, Hawaii—with her husband, George, acting as photographer and videographer. She interviews people from the cultures she depicts and visits ethnic markets.

          “I’ll go up to people and say, ‘Do you have a minute? Can we talk about Indian food?’ or whatever I need to learn,” Gale explains. “Most of the time, people are gracious and thrilled to help.”

          “It’s so important in historical fiction that readers feel as though they’re there,” she says. Whether it’s the food her characters eat, the clothes they wear, or the streets they walk, Gale ensures every sensory detail rings true. Each book ends with an extensive bibliography and notes explaining the historical context. “I stick to the facts as much as possible, but if I need to deviate because of the story, I let readers know.”

          Blending Faith and Story

          When depicting conversations about faith, Gale uses a subtle touch. “I want to tell the story of God’s Saints in a way that all my readers can appreciate, and weave in Christ’s teachings without beating people over the head with the gospel.”

          For example, in The Silence of God, the LDS character Agnes discusses the law of consecration with her Bolshevik friend, Natasha, while chopping cabbage for borscht. The exchange feels natural rather than preachy. “You can push doctrinal discussions too far to where readers feel like they’re in a Sunday school room, or you can just put a little flavor of it,” Gale explains. “You have to honor your readers and trust that they’re smart enough to interpret the story through their own lens.”

          This approach has connected with readers beyond the LDS community. “I have a lot of readers who are not LDS who appreciate the structure of the story and how I involve Christ in it,” she says. Universal themes of faith, courage, sacrifice, and family resonate across religious boundaries.

          Writing Process and Craft

          Despite her theatrical background’s emphasis on structure, Gale describes herself as “pretty much a pantser.” However, she acknowledges the value of structure, particularly in historical fiction, where “the journey has to go through certain historical processes.”

          “Normally, I start with a character,” she explains. “Then I ask, ‘What is this character’s journey?’ With historical fiction, that journey is kind of mapped out for me.”

          Character development comes through revelatory moments. In Letters in the Jade Dragon Box, the protagonist, Chen Wen-Shan, receives a box from her grandfather containing paintings and letters. This catalyst unfolds her family’s story under Mao’s regime.

          Advice for Aspiring Writers

          For young LDS creators and writers, Gale offers perspective gained from her unique journey:

          • Don’t worry about starting late or about success, fame, or money. Just stay true to the story you’re called to tell.
          • Focus on impact, not numbers. If your book only touches 10 people, that’s wonderful. If it only touches your family and they love it, that’s wonderful too. Remember, it’s a success just to get your story down on paper…Well done, you!
          • Remember the importance of the individual reader’s testimony. You’re planting a gospel seed, and you may not see it grow, but someday the Lord will use it. Eternity is long.
          • Write stories that inspire. For example, if you’re writing fantasy, you can still include the quest for good against evil. Your character’s struggles and triumph can encourage and lift a young person who’s questioning their abilities and whether life is worth the effort.
          • Consecrate your work. “When I dedicate my books to the Lord, I say, ‘Lord, take this little offering that I’m making and do with it what you want.’ I might not have a huge readership, but that’s not my path, and I don’t really mind.”    

          A Legacy of Faith

          Gale’s work now extends beyond novels. Her children’s book, Christmas for a Dollar, based on her father’s experiences during the Great Depression after losing his mother and contracting polio, has been adapted into a Christmas movie.

          No matter what form her writing takes, Gale ensures it is an act of discipleship. She reminds fellow writers that life is a tapestry, and we’re only seeing the back side. In seasons of trial, the threads look tangled. But eventually, God will turn that tapestry around, and we will see His divine design. Until then, authors can help readers through difficult times by writing good stories that show them there is light ahead.

          “These stories, these people’s lives—what a blessing it is for me to be able to share them,” Gale reflects. “And hopefully, prayerfully, the stories will resonate with someone and help them and strengthen them. That’s what I want.” 

          Headshot of Kami Pehrson.

          Kami Pehrson

          Kami Pehrson lives with her husband and five teenage children in Stansbury Park, Utah. She recently finished her master’s degree in English and creative writing and has written three novels—but is still trying to figure out what to do with them. She loves editing, reading, and playing word games on her phone. She also enjoys listening to audiobooks while half-heartedly doing Pilates in the living room.


                

                


                

                


                


                


                

            Creating When It’s Hard

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            It started off like any typical June day. I drove the one-hour commute to Salt Lake City, worked my eight-hour day proofreading planners, and drove two hours home in rush-hour traffic. By then, I wasn’t feeling too good. I called in sick the next day, put on a comforting movie, and prepared to spend the next two days just recovering from the first long months of a new job.

            Halfway through the movie, my brother video-called me in a panic.

            “It’s Dad,” he said. “He’s fallen. And he’s not breathing.”

            Immediately, all my senses went on alert. I texted everyone in my family, trying to figure out what was going on and trying—but failing—to keep myself calm.

            Less than thirty minutes later, my mother gave me the most devastating news of my life. “He’s gone. Dad just passed away.”

            As creators, we feel driven to put our pen to paper, our brush to canvas, our fingers to our instruments, or to create in our chosen way. This passion drives us and is a part of our very natures.

            But what do you do when everything comes crashing down?

            That June day three years ago, my world fell apart. I’d experienced loss and grief before. I’d had grandparents and an uncle pass away, but losing my dad hit harder. I staggered, reeling from the loss. My dad was my biggest supporter. He believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself. His laugh and his voice were my favorite sounds in the world.

            And now I’d never get to hear them again.

            I fell into a deep depression that summer. I didn’t even touch my writing projects, even though I had several I needed to work on. I could barely cook, much less create.

            But throughout that experience and other hard experiences in my life, I have learned that there are ways you can help yourself create when life gets hard.

            Take Care of Yourself

            Creating is difficult when you don’t feel well—whether that’s physically, emotionally, or spiritually. When I’ve been depressed or severely ill, putting my pen to paper feels as daunting as climbing Mount Everest. You need to prioritize feeling well again.

            For some of us, this may mean that we write or paint or compose purely emotional pieces that are healing for us. Steven Sharp Nelson spoke at LDSPMA two years ago about how Beethoven’s best pieces came right after he had suffered a major trial in his life. One example is the famous Symphony No. 9—Beethoven wrote it after he’d completely lost his hearing, and “Ode to Joy” is one of the most recognized pieces of music in the world. Sometimes getting the emotions out is how you take care of yourself.

            But for some of us, creating when our hearts are aching is the biggest challenge in the universe. If you’re suffering and need a break from creativity, give yourself permission to focus on yourself. When you are well again, you can get back to creating.

            Fill Up Your Creative Well

            During the rest of that awful summer, I filled my days with reading. It soothed my soul to take comfort in other stories. I read more books that summer than I had in a long time, and it was healing. When I did finally attempt to write again, the words I had consumed fueled me.

            Filling up your creative well looks different for different people. Writers might be reading a whole bunch of books—whether in their genre or outside of it. Artists may go to a museum or a craft fair to see what others have done. Musicians may spend all their time listening to new music or going to concerts. Whatever your medium is, spend time consuming it.

            But also spend time doing things outside your medium. Watch some films with your family and analyze the story or appreciate the stunning effects. Go on a trip with some friends to experience things you’ve never done before—even if that trip is only as far as the local escape room. Try a meal you’ve never had before. Think outside the box. You might be surprised what ends up sparking an idea.

            Talk to Other Creatives

            Many creatives work in solitude. It can be part of the process or just part of the creative’s personality—I’ve met many writers and artists who identify as introverts. But even introverts need friends. I love attending conferences and meeting other writers and fellow creatives. It’s cathartic to talk through troublesome issues with people who get it. Other creatives can share their views and enrich how you see and interact with the world.

            A great conference for any Latter-day Saint creator is, of course, the annual LDSPMA conference held in Orem, Utah. For me, this conference is an amazing opportunity to fill up my creative well and talk to other creatives. I always leave LDSPMA feeling spiritually edified and ready to create more.

            But conferences can be expensive. Another great, yet inexpensive, way to talk to other creatives is to find fellow artistic friends in social media groups. Painters could paint together once a week or meet over lunch to discuss techniques. Musicians can ask for advice on composing from other musicians. Writers can do online writing sessions with other authors to help get words on the page. Finding other creatives helps you feel less alone in your journey and can help you heal when it is hard to create.

            Go at Your Own Pace

            You don’t have to write your novel in one day. Nor do you have to paint your whole painting in one sitting. While we’ve all seen images of the inspired creative frantically working through the night, many work very slowly on their projects. Some might only finish one painting in a year. Others might make one hundred in a year. Some authors take ten years to write one book. Others publish four a year.

            It doesn’t matter how long it takes. Take breaks when you need to. Refill your creative well so you have more to give. Remember, creating is a journey, not a destination.

            Give Yourself Grace

            Above all, give yourself grace. King Benjamin says, “it is not requisite that [anyone] should run faster than [they have] strength” (Mosiah 4:27). Life is hard. It has been three years since my dad’s passing, and I still have days when it’s difficult to make breakfast, much less create. But as Father Lehi said, we are here to have joy (see 2 Nephi 2:25).

            So, do what brings you joy. Sometimes that might mean that your writing gets put on hold as you spend time with your children, and their smiles bring you joy and help your heart heal. Sometimes that might mean you spend an entire summer on vacation and don’t get a single painting done, but your soul feels alive and rejuvenated. Sometimes that might mean you pick up a new hobby that doesn’t require as much creative power. Whatever it may be, remember that you are a creative—even when you aren’t creating. Give yourself time to heal.

            And who knows? That time you spend caring for yourself, filling up your well, talking to other creatives, going at your own pace, and giving yourself grace may lead to your next masterpiece that impacts generations. You’ve got this. Just take it one day at a time.

            KaTrina Jackson

            KaTrina Jackson loves penguins, cross-stitching, chocolate, and piano music, and spends much of each day trying to fit those loves in around her jobs as a freelance editor and as a project manager for Eschler Editing. She graduated with a degree in editing and publishing from Brigham Young University because she couldn’t get enough stories in her life. She’s also a member of three different writing groups, attends and teaches at multiple writing conferences yearly, volunteers with LDSPMA and has since 2021, and is currently working on publishing her first novel. When she’s not writing, editing, or reading, she can be found practicing yoga, teaching piano lessons or performing with her husband, or watching Disney movies while working on a cross-stitch project. She and her husband live in Olathe, Kansas.

              Understanding Life by Studying the Craft

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              In my master’s program in English and creative writing, I took a class called “Studying the Craft.” The coursework explored how elements of dramatic narrative create tension and reveal a character’s inner conflicts. By learning the mechanics of plot and character development, I discovered parallels to our earthly journeys.

              Here are five storytelling insights that can help us understand life.

              1. Themes Shape Our Perspectives

              We can interpret our life stories by reflecting on how external experiences reshape our internal perspectives. Tracing the connections between our challenges and growth helps us find purpose in our suffering, transform limiting beliefs, deepen spiritual understanding, and strengthen our connection to our Creator.

              In Les Misérables, Victor Hugo’s main character, Jean Valjean, is a convict embittered by years of unjust imprisonment. His foil, Inspector Javert, relentlessly pursues Valjean, driven by a strict sense of justice. In contrast, a saintly bishop, representing the story’s moral archetype, forgives Valjean for stealing silver candlesticks and offers him mercy. This act helps Valjean feel God’s love and serves as his catalyst for transformation. Applying the themes of mercy and justice to his story deepens Valjean’s understanding of Christ’s atonement and grace.

              Similarly, we can recognize eternal truths by looking beneath the surface to find the themes in our lives. Our trials often contain lessons for spiritual growth. People who enter our lives may serve as instruments of divine instruction. Even ordinary experiences can reveal extraordinary spiritual teachings when approached with faithful contemplation and an open heart.

              2. Everyone Has a Growth Arc

              Like our favorite literary characters, our motivations drive our actions and shape our personalities. We can’t fairly judge a person unless we read their complete story.

              Take, for instance, Jane Austen’s Emma. If we, by chance, turn to the page where Emma advises Harriet to refuse Robert Martin’s marriage proposal, we might dismiss Emma as snobbish, pushy, and selfish. And while there’s truth to this view, we don’t understand the whole picture. Emma is also bright, witty, a devoted daughter, imaginative (sometimes overly so), a doting aunt, and a philanthropist, though her privileged upbringing makes her naive to the world’s complexities beyond her small social circle.

              When we understand her character within the context of Regency England, with its emphasis on advantageous marriages, we can judge her actions with more empathy. Through her struggles, Emma recognizes flaws in her thinking and evolves. She becomes the woman Jane Austen intended her to be—humble, open to wise counsel, and striving to improve.

              This literary growth mirrors our own lives. We are here to learn from experience, but it’s up to us to change. Austen didn’t want a static heroine. Likewise, God wants us to learn, grow, change, and expand our perspectives continually.

              Sometimes we get so caught up in our character development that we forget others are in the middle of their own arcs. Recognizing this truth reminds us not to condemn people for their actions. Emma wounded many people on her journey to become a better person. Similarly, we will hurt others on our paths to become more Christlike. We hope for their forgiveness, just as we extend grace and love to those who might harm us along the way.

              3. Conflict Makes Our Stories Interesting

              A story where nothing bad happens to the main character would have no purpose. As we read in the scriptures, all things must have opposition (see 2 Nephi 2:11). Without darkness, we can’t appreciate light; without defeats, we can’t understand triumphs. Suffering gives our existence meaning. This knowledge doesn’t make the hard times easy. However, we can endure them well, learn from them, and view them as essential parts of our journey. Often, the most challenging chapters lead to the most significant change.

              Consider the choice faced by Hercules as he stood at a crossroads. In the story, a goddess representing Vice entices him with comfort and pleasure while a goddess representing Virtue offers him a life of challenge and struggle. Hercules chooses the second path because he knows he is destined for greatness.

              Instead of blaming God, we might ask who we will become by conquering our trials. We can trust that the divine Author knows our story’s details intimately. He understands our motivations, the purpose behind our afflictions, and the lessons we will learn through each plot twist. Then, after the crisis has passed, we can look around for others we can serve.

              4. All Is Never Lost

              There comes a time in every story—and in life—when it seems like giving up is the only option. The protagonist alienates their friends, makes countless mistakes, and fails in some significant way. But these challenging moments aren’t meant to be avoided—they’re meant to be experienced. The beautiful truth of narratives and life is that things always get better.

              For example, when Jane Eyre leaves Mr. Rochester and Thornfield Hall, she is alone, penniless, and on the brink of starvation. The reader fears there is no hope for her. She might have remained safe if she had stayed to marry Mr. Rochester despite his attic-bound wife, but she would have sacrificed her sense of self, her independence, and her moral integrity.

              These challenging moments are catalysts. They force characters—and people—to find reserves of strength they didn’t know they possessed. Jane’s hardship was not a punishment, but a means to discover her true character, establish her moral compass, and ultimately return to Mr. Rochester as his equal.

              We will all face similar moments when hope seems distant and the path is unclear. But we can always turn the page. President Nelson’s repeated counsel to “Let God Prevail,” “Hear Him,” and “Think Celestial” reminds us that we’re part of a larger narrative. Each day is a fresh chapter waiting to be written. When darkness approaches, we can turn to our divine Creator for mercy, comfort, and peace because He knows the next plot beat and is carefully guiding us back to Him.

              5. Find Symbolism in Experiences

              Symbols convey meanings that extend beyond their literal representations, helping readers connect with the story on a deeper level. They convey truths, help us remember essential concepts, and enrich our spiritual insight. By recognizing and interpreting the symbols in our lives, we will gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world.

              In The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Hester Prynne suffers the injustices of Puritan society. For the sin of committing adultery, religious authorities force her to wear a scarlet letter A as a public symbol of shame. Hester adopts this symbol by elaborately embroidering the A onto her clothing and dressing her child in red even after the law no longer requires her to do so. She reclaims her identity by transforming the emblem of shame into one of goodness and strength.

              By carefully examining our experiences, we reveal the meanings of symbols in our own lives. Often, symbols can only be understood retrospectively as we revisit our lives, pray, and ponder God’s messages to us. He promises that if we approach Him with humility and faith, He will strengthen our weaknesses. Like Hester Prynne, we are imperfect beings marked by sin, but no symbol of shame is beyond redemption. We can grow stronger and overcome our challenges by acknowledging the lessons we’ve learned.

              The art of storytelling echoes the truths of human existence. Elements that shape our favorite stories are the same forces that form our lives. The gospel of Jesus Christ assures us that no conflict is insurmountable and no failure is final. We are not static characters, but protagonists in an eternal work. Every day, we write and rewrite our stories with courage, humility, and trust in the divine Author, who sees the whole arc of our potential.

              Headshot of Kami Pehrson.

              Kami Pehrson

              Kami Pehrson lives with her husband and five teenage children in Stansbury Park, Utah. She recently finished her master’s degree in English and creative writing and has written three novels—but is still trying to figure out what to do with them. She loves editing, reading, and playing word games on her phone. She also enjoys listening to audiobooks while half-heartedly doing Pilates in the living room.





                    



                To Creative Middle-Aged Sisters in the Working World

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                Middle-aged sisters, I see you.

                You spent your young adult years getting an education and your adult years raising a family. If you’re like me, you’re not the least bit sorry you did, but maybe now you’re not feeling prepared for the next stage of adulting. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not suggesting the work you did before wasn’t serious. It was.

                When children go to college, parents’ health is failing, and you have no idea how to re-enter a career that kept evolving after you left, you’re likely facing some new challenges. If your experience is anything like mine, you’re realizing the world wasn’t custom-made for you. It might’ve been a square-peg-in-a-round-hole situation in your twenties, but it’s another planet now.

                I can’t tell you how to solve it all—that will depend on your goals. But I want you to recognize the skills you’ve picked up along the way. Here are some suggestions that helped me.

                1. Say a Prayer, Study It Out, and Decide What Success Means to You

                I re-entered the working world part-time while my kids were in school. I was blessed with a great boss and a good office culture. Years later, I moved into more responsibility and received more hours.

                A few years after landing the highest-profile job of my life, I walked away. There were many reasons for that, but the two biggest were my desire to help my parents and to salvage my sanity. It was not easy trying to balance the needs of three generations. The decision to leave came after prayer and studying not just scriptures, but family budgets. The prayers brought me peace. The budget told me change was possible.

                I had the benefit of a supportive partner. I am so grateful for that. My experience raising a family on one income told me we could do it. When the children were small, I developed serious cooking and gardening skills. I didn’t know if we would have a lot of vacations and restaurant meals in our future, but we could still eat pasta in red sauce made from homegrown, vine-ripened tomatoes. We could enjoy the company of friends and ride our bikes through a lovely countryside.


                2. Stop Using Other People’s Yardsticks to Measure Your Progress

                I ended up starting my own business, leveraging contacts I already had. Soon, we were not feeling the pinch of a lost income anymore. I bought a new computer, spruced up the home office, paid my taxes, and took some trips. I was a solo entrepreneur for three years, and each year was more profitable than the one before.

                I remember being in a room with other volunteer judges at my daughter’s high school debate tournament. A couple of them talked about their own businesses. I knew they might scoff at my little solo enterprise. They were making a lot more money than I was. Then I asked myself if I was happy. The answer was a definite “yes!” My work was serving my life goals, not the other way around. I was giving my parents some badly needed support. I still had the flexibility to judge a debate tournament and support my daughter’s school. I was having the kind of day I used to dream of.

                Since then, my children have left the nest. My parents have passed on. Eventually, my biggest client (and former employer) wanted me to do some things that required a login—and a hire. I work for them now.

                I still love what I do, and I’m still not rich. I just feel like I am . . . most days.

                3. The Creative Life Might Need Some Boundaries Too

                I wrote a book, but I was disappointed by its sales, especially when I calculated the return on the hourly investment. (One of the consequences of running my own business: I started calculating the value of my time.) I had friends who were able to make the author life work, but the rewards were unpredictable.

                My first hurdle was getting over the feelings of failure. I couldn’t do everything I wanted with what I made as a novelist. My creative side contributed to my profession in public relations and marketing, and I wrote fiction in my off-hours. I comforted myself knowing that writing was a significant part of my work, and I was still being paid to do it.

                Even so, I denied myself some things with a creative goal in mind. In my head, a dream vacation, an arts-focused experience, and a pedicure at that mysterious downtown salon were all reserved for the day I signed a book contract.

                I realized I was holding my life hostage to things outside my control. I got the pedicure, started making vacation plans, and discovered that my love of writing still lived on. It is its own reward!

                4. Give Yourself Some Credit—Mom Skills Are Real

                Here is what I’d like to say to all the moms wondering where they fit in the working world: You’ve learned some valuable things. You just need to help the working world recognize them.

                If you’ve persuaded your children to help in the garden, you know how to delegate and motivate a team. If you’ve operated on one income, you know how to budget. If you raised more than one child, you know the dangers of favoritism and the beauty of recognizing and developing individual talent. If you’ve ever tried to sort out the mystery of how the figurine on the mantlepiece broke, you know some lie-detection skills. If you’ve dedicated yourself to the mom thing for decades, you’ve definitely built up a work ethic.

                So give yourself some credit. Give yourself a hug. Decide how you’ll measure success. Study your possibilities. Say a prayer.

                And if it’s what you want to do, get yourself out there.

                Headshot of JoLynne Lyon

                JoLynne J. Lyon

                JoLynne J. Lyon is a storyteller for hire who specializes in finding the art in everyday life, making complex subjects understandable to the average person, helping others identify authentic stories that resonate with a target audience, and providing professional words and photos across print, web, radio and social media. Read more of her work on her blog, Mountain Lyon Notes.