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Welcome to the Book of Jared. No, I am not the Jared from the Book of Mormon, but I hope in spite of that fact that you will find something of value here on my site.

The greatest blessing...

While reading the Book of Mormon the other day, I came across a passage that really hit home for me... In the 16th chapter of 1st Nephi, Nephi, after explaining things to his brothers (yet again!) says something …

Telling lies for Jesus...

There are times where God has commanded even His prophets to not tell the full truth, such as when God commanded Abraham to tell Pharaoh that Sarah was his sister and not his wife. There are other times, however, when …

Where have I been?

It has been over a year since I last updated my little blog here. What have I been up to? Where have I been? Who cares? So about 18 month ago, I completed a Master's Degree program at  Western Governors University …

About that narrow neck of land...

Whenever I have thought about the narrow neck of land in the Book of Mormon, I have thought about a narrow area with water on both sides. The other day, on Reddit, I came across an image that has made me change my mind …

Which is the greatest blessing of the gospel in your life?

This was the question posed to me by one of our amazing sister missionaries last night at after a tasty meal (#FeedMySheep), and it caused me to really think about the blessings of the Gospel in my life, but what …

On Politics and Gadiantons

The Book of Mormon was written for our day, and serves as a warning against the Secret Combinations™ of the Gadianton Robbers. Why did Mormon, and later Moroni, spend so much of the precious space on the plates with the …

The long and winding road... Part 1

Went on a cross country jaunt with my wife, a uHaul truck, and a thirst for adventure (and Coke Zero)... There are times when the best laid plans come back around and smack you in the face. In those moments, you …

Small and simple things...

Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise. Visit any of …

Stand in holy places, and be not moved.

Doctrine and Covenants Section 87 outlines the wars that are about to be poured out upon the world, starting with the American Civil War, but as always, the Lord provides us with a way to pass through and overcome those …

The other side of the other side of the prodigal son.

What can we learn from the parable of the Prodigal Son about how we are to act with our brothers and sisters that have gone astray? The story of the prodigal son is retold time and again in Sacrament meetings around …