A missionary couple who work at the Bishop’s Storehouse in Northern Colorado told me today that need for food assistance in early 2021 is about half of what it has been in recent years.

The missionaries were astonished at this result, as was I. Is it possible that the Saints are doing well compared to the many people suffering during the lockdowns and other mandates going on worldwide? Again, my information is completely anecdotal, but very few people in our ward have lost their jobs during the lockdowns. Meanwhile, many other of my friends (not in the Church) have suffered job losses and many other problems in the last year. And of course, every family in my ward was concerned about their children during the school closures.

(To readers who may not know what our Bishop’s Storehouse does, it primarily serves as a clearinghouse for food assistance for people who need it).

Do any other readers have any stories that confirm or contradict this report? How are people doing in your region of the world?

For years now, we’ve had a tradition of going to the theater to watch the Oscar-nominated animated short films.

Last night was the first time in over a year that we’d gone to movie theaters. As we drove to the theater, I was concerned that there were only a few minutes to spare. I knew there would be provisions for social distancing, and worried that the theater might be “full.”

It turned out, we were the only ones in the theater. But we had our popcorn, and leaned back in the dark to immerse ourselves in the show, in a way our home theater (cough) cannot match.

I predict the likely winner in this category will be If Anything Happens, I Love You. If you happen to have access to Netflix, you can watch this short without shelling out for a movie ticket. This jewel is also, in its way, about getting back to normal.

Far too many of us have been caught in a time of painful abnormality (which I suppose is one of the reasons this year’s nominees include the surreal Genius Loci). We’ve often been compartmentalized in our own separate realms, whether frivolous or terrifying (Opera).. And then there was normal life, whatever normal is for each of us, where each day confronts us with our fellows and a need to dig back out from the snows of life (Yes-People). Finally there is Pixar’s version of Satre’s quote, “Hell is other people,” with the promise that Heaven can be other people as well (Burrow, available on Disney+).

The honorable mentions addressed Polynesian legend of the Mahu (traditionally born male but who mature to transcend gender stereotypes,[ref]The film clearly celebrates the idea that these four Mahu were neither male nor female. But, given my beliefs, I see individuals such as John and the three Nephites as plausible sources of the myth. At any rate, several models of maturation see the ultimate potential of a person to be when an individual becomes what is needed, transcending gender stereotypes.[/ref] Kapaemahu), fantastical friendships (The Snail and the Whale), and the power of magic (To Girard). Out[ref]A Pixar short about a man coming out to his parents.[/ref] and Traces[ref]Apparently inspired by the cave paintings of Lascaux[/ref] were apparently among the ten finalists to be nominated, but were not included in the theatrical release.

It is mind-blowing to imagine the time and energy that goes into creating any of these animated shorts. It will be thrilling for us to watch for the short minutes this category will get during the Oscars ceremony.

And it was delightful to return to an annual tradition we would not have chosen to enjoy a mere month ago.

My blog post for Come Follow Me: D&C 41-44

Excerpt:Kirtland, Ohio. It was the first gathering place for the Saints in these last days. Joseph Smith was promised in revelation that if the Saints gathered there, they would receive the Law and an endowment of power. In this lesson, we see the fulfillment of the first.

When Joseph Smith arrived, Kirtland was the wild west. Many members did not understand revelation, the workings of the Spirit, or the rules by which to live. In the Church’s new history book, Saints, we read the following:

“Some of the Saints in Kirtland took their beliefs to wild extremes, reveling in what they took to be gifts of the Spirit. Several people claimed to have visions they could not explain. Others believed the Holy Ghost made them slide or scoot across the ground. One man bounced around rooms or swung from ceiling joists whenever he thought he felt the Spirit. Another acted like a baboon.” (Saints, chapter 10, Gathered In)

https://joelsmonastery.blogspot.com/2021/04/come-follow-me-d-41-44.html

Hey there, just coming up for air from the homeschool/crisis schooling/pandemic trenches to fill everyone in on this year’s BYU Women’s Conference.

This year’s Conference will be fully online. There are sessions that are “complementary” meaning you do not have to register to watch them, and sessions that will be behind a paywall. The keynote speaker this year is our favorite and most loved Sherri Dew. Right now her talk is available to be viewed in front of the paywall until April 29th, after which, you have to have a Conference ticket to view.

Click over to the BYU Women’s Conference site HERE, to see Sister Dew’s talk (on the right sidebar in a very tiny player), and to find out more about this year’s Conference.

I know you are praying as much as me that next our faces will be free, the Covid Wars will be over, and we can all enjoy a BYU brownie on campus and enjoy Women’s Conference together, in person.

Follow Women’s Conference on Facebook HERE.