Currently Marti, the main character from my book, Not of This World, is a Mormon or member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her routines and culture are similar to our family's. My daughter read the first twenty pages of the book and told me that she felt like she was reading about our family and that the routines I described were comfortable and familiar. My sister-in-law read the book and also said she felt at home but was concerned that the way I portrayed the Mormon culture would be misunderstood and seen as fanatical. In the first draft of my book, the family was from a strict Christian background, not necessarily Mormon. My husband encouraged me to take the risk and write about what I know, that others are curious about Mormons. I've submitted my manuscript to a few agents and received a few rejections and am waiting to hear back from others. After a critique session about my book and thinking about my query letter and submissions, I wondered if having the family be Mormon is a mistake. That I would be presenting our culture in a bad light or that the term Mormon was turning away some agents. Although one agent said that it was a "wonderful peek into [Marti's] Mormon lifestyle without being a Mormon book about her issues with her faith, or too heavily Christian."

When writing a story, the characters and plot are exaggerated or heightened, because no one really wants to read about real life. We'd be experiencing our own boring stories. We want something different, something more interesting. I've taken the Mormon culture and heightened or exaggerated issues. In Not of This World, Marti's parents are very strict, Marti is required to do a lot of the work around the house, her mother believes the world is about to end, and against Marti's will, she is taken with her family to a cabin near Yellowstone National Park to be safe. Marti's family acquires food storage and guns, holds daily scripture study in their home, and has restrictive rules for dating. Which of these issues are real and which are exaggerated?

We do believe the world will end. We don't know when, but prophecies from John the Revelator indicate that before the end of the world and the second coming of Jesus Christ, there will be many wars and natural disasters. People will choose wickedness rather than following Christ. We do require our children to help a lot around the house, not as much of a maid as Marti might seem, but it takes everyone in a family to take care of each other. There are some fanatical members of the Church and other organizations that have left the "real world" and gone to the woods or other remote areas. That is not a common Mormon practice. We do store food in case of emergency. That could be for a natural disaster or loss of a job. We use our food storage and rotate the items. Many Mormons and non-Mormons store guns and ammunition. Most Mormon families hold regular family scripture study. We do have rules about dating. Youth should wait until they are sixteen to date and then not date one person exclusively. Dating standards can be reviewed in the For Strength of Youth.

I still haven't decided if I will leave Marti's family as Mormon or keep much the same but not name a religion. I would hope that when my book is published, readers will read with a learning mind and connect with the story whether they are Mormon or not.

We should be. This is a topic I've thought a lot about and my conclusions are my opinion, not church doctrine.

​There are some commandments that if obeyed should make us happier. If we don't drink, then we won't become addicted to alcohol or have our license revoked for driving drunk or be responsible for a drunk driving accident. On the other hand, some might say members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are no fun and not happy because we don't drink. If we are faithful to our spouse, we will not be divorced because of infidelity. If we keep the Sabbath Day Holy, we will have our bodies and minds rejuvenated. All these commandments if obeyed by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or non-members, will bring the blessings associated with keeping those commandments. Commandments are rules from a loving Heavenly Father to help us be more successful in this life and to help us be happy. When I keep the commandments and have a regular routine of scripture study and prayer, I am happier.
I am often too serious and regimented because of my religious beliefs. I try to obey every commandment, adhere to every principle, go the extra mile. I'm busy serving in my church, keeping up with my children, and trying to exercise and write and be involved in the community. All of that can be overwhelming and probably not how my Savior wants me to feel about his gospel and the good life I've been given. On the other hand, this summer I was sick for over a week and then injured my shoulder and was unable to do much. The children and I hung around the house. I thought I would enjoy scaling back on commitments and lounging. But instead I was unhappy, depressed, and felt little sense of accomplishment. When I am busy doing good things, I am happier.
Life is hard. I've considered having this made into vinyl lettering and placed over our front door for all of us to read before we leave the house. This statement of truth is not as encouraging as "Live, Laugh, Love" or "Families Are Forever" or "Return with Honor." Is it the hard times that make us unhappy? If all is going well for me, will I be happier? Maybe. If you choose to be happy. I discovered from planning a wedding for my daughter that joyful times can also be stressful and that happiness is a choice. During our general conference in April 2014, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf explained the truth about happiness in his talk "Grateful in Any Circumstances." He said, "Could I suggest that we see gratitude as a disposition, a way of life that stands independent of our current situation? In other words, I’m suggesting that instead of being thankful for things, we focus on being thankful in our circumstances—whatever they may be."
I have a friend whose husband and daughter were killed by a drunk driver. She obeyed the Word of Wisdom, God's law of health. But her life was changed by another person's poor decisions. In this case, surely, she deserves to be unhappy. But she's not. I'm sure there's moments where she feels great sorrow and even unhappiness. But I've heard her testimony. I know she is grateful in her circumstances. I would guess that she's experienced what President Uchtdorf describes as an act of faith. He said, "Being grateful in our circumstances is an act of faith in God. It requires that we trust God and hope for things we may not see but which are true. By being grateful, we follow the example of our beloved Savior, who said, 'Not my will, but thine, be done.' True gratitude is an expression of hope and testimony. It comes from acknowledging that we do not always understand the trials of life but trusting that one day we will. In any circumstance, our sense of gratitude is nourished by the many and sacred truths we do know: that our Father has given His children the great plan of happiness; that through the Atonement of His Son, Jesus Christ, we can live forever with our loved ones; that in the end, we will have glorious, perfect, and immortal bodies, unburdened by sickness or disability; and that our tears of sadness and loss will be replaced with an abundance of happiness and joy." I am happier when I am grateful.
A better motto to stick above our door might be "Happiness is a Choice," or "Have Faith," or "Be Grateful." Then when life is hard and unhappiness seems imminent, we will turn to our Savior in faith, and make the choice to be happy.

This past Sunday I stayed home from church with my son who was sick. I worked on some family history and had him write down a couple of scriptures, but I missed attending church. I missed the association with members of my ward (those in my congregation). I missed feeling the Spirit during sacrament meeting. I missed substituting in a Primary class (teaching young children). I missed partaking of the sacrament. Not only is the gospel of Jesus Christ true--having faith in Jesus Christ, repenting, being baptized, keeping His commandments, and enduring to the end--but the organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is also true. True meaning that the programs and methods and organization are what its members need to progress towards perfection. We all want to feel needed. That's why there are callings or jobs within our church. We all need to feel the Spirit. That's why we listen to talks and give and participate in lessons. We all need to repent. That's why the sacrament is offered every week during sacrament meeting. We partake of bread and water prepared and blessed by young men holding the priesthood of God. The bread and water remind us of the atonement made by Jesus Christ. During the sacrament, we can review our week, repent, and renew our commitment to follow Christ.

And we have the same scheduled lessons in congregations all over the world with the same organizations and ordinances so I can attend church anywhere in the word and feel at home.