April 26
Finding Grace in Ordinary Family Life
A gentle LDS reflection on finding grace, purpose, and joy in the ordinary moments that make up family life.
By Rachel Whitakerwith love, Rachel
Spring · April
LDS Family Life
from a small garden south of Salt Lake
Family discipleship, honest motherhood, and the slow work of making a home, written at the kitchen table by Rachel Whitaker.
Lately on the kitchen table
read more →A note from Rachel
Faith that holds in ordinary rooms.
Words that hold on a hard one.
LDS Family Life is a publication about LDS family life, motherhood, marriage, homemaking, and practical gospel living for families who want faith at home to feel lived instead of staged. I write first-person essays on family discipleship, spiritual formation in ordinary routines, and the pressures families are trying to carry with steadiness and grace.
The sink full of mixing bowls. The garden row that finally came up. The child calling for one more glass of water. The prayer I whisper while scraping plates after dinner. Those are the things that hold a family, and they feel worth writing down before they slip past.
with love, Rachel
Essays
April 26
How to Make the Sabbath a Delight LDS
A slow Sabbath begins with small, practical choices that protect peace and help LDS families find real rest in the Lord.
By Rachel Whitakerwith love, Rachel
April 26
Family Prayer Ideas for Distracted Kids
If family prayer feels rushed or routine, small changes can help it become warm, honest, and real again in your LDS home.
By Rachel Whitakerwith love, Rachel
April 26
Empty Nest Syndrome LDS: Faith for the Quiet House
When the last child leaves home, grief and gratitude often arrive together. A gentle LDS reflection on faith, identity, and purpose in the empty nest years.
By Rachel Whitakerwith love, Rachel
April 25
Managing the Mental Load of Motherhood LDS
A warm LDS reflection on the mental load of motherhood, equal partnership, and how to share invisible labor in family life.
By Rachel Whitakerwith love, Rachel
April 25
The Ministry of Casseroles in LDS Culture
A warm LDS reflection on meal ministry, casseroles, and how feeding a neighbor becomes a practical act of Christlike love.
By Rachel Whitakerwith love, Rachel
April 25
Family Scripture Study Ideas for Busy Families LDS
Practical LDS ideas for family scripture study when kids will not sit still, teens resist, and real family life feels loud and tired.
By Rachel Whitakerwith love, Rachel
April 25
How to Teach Children About the Holy Ghost LDS
A warm LDS guide to helping children recognize the Holy Ghost through simple language, daily check-ins, and ordinary family moments.
By Rachel Whitakerwith love, Rachel
April 24
How to Say No as a Mom Without Guilt LDS
A gentle LDS reflection on saying no without guilt, setting loving boundaries, and protecting family peace.
By Rachel Whitakerwith love, Rachel
April 24
The Theology of a Clean House for LDS Families
A gentle LDS reflection on keeping a clean house without perfectionism, and finding God in the ordinary care of home.
By Rachel Whitakerwith love, Rachel
A few reader questions
FAQ
- What is LDS Family Life?
- LDS Family Life is an independent editorial publication about LDS family life, family discipleship, motherhood, marriage, homemaking, and practical gospel living at home for Latter-day Saint families and other Christian readers who want grounded faith in ordinary life.
- Who writes LDS Family Life?
- Rachel Whitaker is the sole author. Rachel is a 46-year-old former third-grade teacher, home cook, and mother of four writing from a kitchen table south of Salt Lake City.
- Is LDS Family Life an official Church publication?
- No. LDS Family Life is an independent editorial publication and is not affiliated with or endorsed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
- What topics does the site cover?
- Rachel writes about family scripture study, Sabbath rhythms, marriage, parenting, homemaking, hospitality, emotional and spiritual life at home, and the slow work of building a faithful family culture. The voice still carries kitchen-table texture, but the core focus is faith and family life.
- How often does Rachel publish?
- Rachel publishes new essays throughout the week, with the archive updated regularly through both timely and evergreen pieces. Everything is announced on the homepage and in the archive.
- Does LDS Family Life focus on politics or church news?
- Not as a main lane. LDS Family Life focuses first on discipleship, family relationships, home rhythms, and practical gospel living. When public issues appear, they are handled only through the lens of family faithfulness and life at home.
- What does faith at home look like on this site?
- Faith at home means prayer, scripture, meals, service, repentance, and ordinary tenderness practiced inside a real family schedule. The site is built for readers who want discipleship that feels lived instead of staged.
- Who is LDS Family Life written for?
- LDS Family Life is written for busy families, especially mothers, who want honest encouragement, practical family discipleship, and a quieter, sturdier vision of gospel living in everyday rooms.