from a small garden south of Salt Lake

LDS Family Life

Weeknight recipes, honest motherhood, and the slow work of making a home — written at the kitchen table by Rachel Whitaker.

Rachel Whitaker

a note from Rachel

Recipes that work on a real Tuesday.

LDS Family Life is a publication about motherhood, parenting, from-scratch cooking, and gospel living for Latter-day Saint families and Christians who want grounded, practical faith at home.

I write first-person essays on family discipleship, marriage, homemaking, and the spiritual life of ordinary family routines — the sink full of mixing bowls, the garden row that finally came up, the prayer I whisper while scraping plates after dinner.

with love, Rachel

Lately on the blog

A few reader questions

What is LDS Family Life?
LDS Family Life is a publication about motherhood, parenting, from-scratch cooking, and gospel living for Latter-day Saint families and Christians who want grounded, practical faith at home.
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?
From-scratch weeknight recipes with real weights, honest motherhood, home rhythms, hospitality without performance, seasonal gardening, and reading reflections — written in a warm first-person register.
How often does Rachel publish?
Rachel publishes new essays and recipes weekly, with occasional seasonal long-form pieces. Everything is announced on the homepage and in the archive.