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Using AI to reimagine traditional LDS art in more historically accurate ways

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 My daughter hit her head on the wall during Sacrament Meeting as 5-month-olds do. I took her out to the foyer and wandered the area while comforting her. I looked at all of the now-somewhat-ancient art on the wall and laughed a little at how Northern European all of the people are in them. This has always been something that bothers me. I couldn't believe that up until this year's Easter message , the official Bible stories Jesus in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints videos was not only white, but had a British accent. Why is this? Because most Christian art was made by artists painting for their own audience, not trying to produce a historical reconstruction. In other words, Christian art often shows “us” more than “them.” It tells you a lot about the culture that made the image. But in a day with technology that makes the world a lot smaller, I think we are ready to view the world as one family, with lots of different colors, languages, eyes, noses, and cultures...
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Our daughter was blessed

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 We were surprised to be pregnant again in 2025, and even more surprised when it was a little girl. After she was born in October, we excitedly looked forward to her blessing. We gathered together on December 28th with family at a small gathering place in Lehi, UT.  Andrew blessed her. Here are the words of the blessing. Our Father in Heaven, we come before thee this sabbath day to bless and give a name to this new member of our family. The name that she shall be known by on the record of the church is Margaret May Townsend. Maggie, we are all very excited to have you as a part of our lives. We're happy for your joyous demeanor, your happy smiles, and positive attitude. I bless you that as you strive to follow the commandments of Heavenly Father, and to magnify your eternal and divine calling as a woman here on Earth, that you will continue to share joy and happiness with those around you. I bless you with strength, I bless you with fortitude, and I bless you with calmness and...
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Our second baby boy was blessed. Here is the blessing that was given.

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Three and a half years ago Peter was blessed at two months old in our chapel in Cedar Hills Utah in front of our ward and with a large circle of priesthood holders that included friends and family. Theodore got a different and quite unique experience. He was blessed at four and a half months old in my parent's home with only 18 people physically present, and four families participating through a video chat. All of this is because of the COVID-19 pandemic situation. We've been wanting to bless him since March but with lots of new rules about distancing and limited numbers of people, we found ourselves in this strange situation. However, the works of God will not be halted, and as soon as we could have 20 people present we blessed him. Andrew blessed him. Here are the words of his blessing. Our Father in Heaven, by the authority of the Melchizedek priesthood which we hold we come together to give this baby a name and a blessing. The name that he will be known by throughou...
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Memories That Aren't Yet Old

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Trying to put together a few of my memories of my Dad while I still remember them.
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How to Make Good Husbands and Fathers - The Church's Youth Program Initiative

When I was in first grade I became a Tiger Cub in the BSA. My mother was good friends with a den mother in a local city pack and wanted me to get involved. I'm not 100% sure what it was that Mom saw in scouting that she wanted her first child to experience, but none the less, I was going to monthly den meetings with other first graders and spent hours and hours with my mother doing crafts and going on adventures that taught about the world we live in. As I progressed into cub scouts I transferred into the ward pack (the church doesn't institute a Tiger program). I continued this pattern of meeting in den meeting once a week, and spending loads of one on one time with my parents earning my Wolf, Bear, arrow points, and eventually Webelos. I went on to earn my arrow of light before I graduated into Scouts. Before I dig into what is generally referred to as "the Scouting program" by Mormons, let me give you a little bit of a wide scope of my family background. My mot...
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Family History - Stories of Grandpa Danny [Part 4]

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We always lived far enough away from my father's family that when any of them would come over to visit it was always a special treat. One thing that would almost always happen is we would hear great stories about what it was like to grow up on Bacigalupi Dr., racing down Cardboard Hill, or building makeshift explosives, or sending sisters down hills in home-made go-carts. The last several times we've been visited I've had the distinct impression to record these stories and to direct the conversation around my grandfather Danny. Grampa Danny passed away when my dad was only 17 so I have never met him and have a strong interest in who he was. The following is the fourth and final part of a transcript of when my Uncle Joe and Aunt Lisa came to visit on September 27th, 2017. You can read  the third part by clicking here.  (If you would like to listen to the original recording you can  do so by clicking here  [be warned though that it is not a perfect recording]) ...
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Family History - Stories of Grandpa Danny [Part 3]

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We always lived far enough away from my father's family that when any of them would come over to visit it was always a special treat. One thing that would almost always happen is we would hear great stories about what it was like to grow up on Bacigalupi Dr., racing down Cardboard Hill, or building makeshift explosives, or sending sisters down hills in home-made go-carts. The last several times we've been visited I've had the distinct impression to record these stories and to direct the conversation around my grandfather Danny. Grampa Danny passed away when my dad was only 17 so I have never met him and have a strong interest in who he was. The following is the third part of a transcript of when my Uncle Joe and Aunt Lisa came to visit on September 27th, 2017. You can read  the second part by clicking here.  (If you would like to listen to the original recording you can  do so by clicking here  [be warned though that it is not a perfect recording]) Andrew...
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