By Jonathan Decker WHAT'S THE FIGHTING PREACHER ABOUT? A Latter-day Saint boxer and his wife are called to take care of the farm of church prophet Joseph Smith, 80 years after the faith left Palmyra, New York. Met with aggressive persecution and bigotry by the locals, he tries to change things with his fists, but his wife sees that the hand of friendship and kindness is what is needed. IS IT ANY G ...[Read More]
Family Review: THE FIGHTING PREACHER Promotes Kindness in the Face of Intolerance
JANE AND EMMA Family Movie Review
By Trina Boice WHAT’S JANE AND EMMA ABOUT? Based on the true story of Jane Manning, this touching movie illustrates the sweet friendship between her and Emma Smith, wife of Latter-day Saint prophet Joseph Smith. It’s a story you have probably never heard before, but one that will warm your heart, strengthen your faith, and add greater depth to your knowledge of history. Jane was one of the first ...[Read More]
“Stay Alive.” – A Believer’s Open Letter to the LGBT Community
By Jonathan Decker (Clinical Director, LMFT) Reading devastating reports of LGBT teens and adults who die, or attempt to die, by suicide because of a struggle to reconcile religion with sexuality, I need to speak up. I can only speak for myself, but if my voice contributes to a chorus that helps keeps even one of you alive and gives you hope, it's worth saying something. I speak to struggling LGBT ...[Read More]
“A Sacred Christmas” is Fantastic All Year Round
By Jonathan Decker (Family therapist, media critic) On the hunt for new holiday music? Pianist Garth Smith teams up with talented vocalists and choirs for A Sacred Christmas, and it’s his best album yet. Combining traditional favorites like “Oh Little Town of Bethlehem” and “Away in a Manger” with obscure (but powerful) songs like “Gesu Bambino,” the album is a soaring tribute to Jesus Christ as t ...[Read More]
How a Catholic, a Protestant, and a Latter-day Saint Shared Easter in Peace
By Jonathan Decker (Clinical director, LMFT) Catholics, Evangelicals, and Latter-day Saints. Three divergent branches of Christianity whose doctrinal differences have led to everything from declaring each other un-Christian to literal warfare. There have been harsh judgments, persecutions, retaliations, and all sorts of behavior that Jesus would certainly weep over. Yet one beautiful weekend I dis ...[Read More]
Do You Know Why Satan Hits You When He Does?
By Jonathan Decker (Clinical Director, LMFT) This article is written from a Latter-day Saint perspective. “The nearer a person approaches the Lord, a greater power will be manifested by the adversary to prevent the accomplishment of His purposes.” – Joseph Smith I've observed a phenomenon in my life and those of my clients. The nearer we get to blessings, the closer we are to ach ...[Read More]
White Privilege- A Latter-day Saint’s Perspective
By Jonathan Decker, Clinical Director, LMFT “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him much shall be required.” (Luke 12:48) You know in testimony meeting when a person says they didn’t want to stand up and speak but felt that they needed to? That’s me right now. I don’t want to court controversy. I’m not a “kick the hornet’s nest” type of person. I don’t want the inevitable flood of angry comment ...[Read More]
This Latter-day Saint Prophet Gave Amazing Marriage Advice for Everyone
By Jonathan Decker, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Gordon B. Hinckley was a man believed by millions of people to be God's prophet, like Moses. So what do Latter-day Saints believe Christ has to say about marriage through His prophet? I joined This Mormon Life host Grady Kerr for a discussion of Hinckley's teachings about matrimony, including: Gender equality The roles of husband and wife ...[Read More]
Director Mitch Davis Talks THE OTHER SIDE OF HEAVEN
By Jonathan Decker (Family therapist, film critic) This week marks 15 years since the theatrical release of The Other Side of Heaven, the lush and engaging Latter-day Saint missionary biopic which launched the careers of megastar Anne Hathaway and TV favorite Christopher Gorham. The film tells the love story of Elder John H. Groberg and his future wife Jean, exchanging letters as he serves the peo ...[Read More]
BEHOLD THE GREAT REDEEMER is a Marvelous Album of Praise
By Jonathan Decker (Family therapist, media critic) On the heels of his albums How Beautiful Thy Temples and Sweet Hour of Prayer, pianist Garth Smith brings his soothing, melodic talent to your home once again with Behold the Great Redeemer (Sacred Hymns, Vol. III). With soft-yet-stirring arrangements of favorites such as “Lead, Kindly Light,” “I Need Thee Every Hour,” “I Wonder, When He Comes Ag ...[Read More]