April 21
The Sacred Pause We Keep Forgetting to Need
A gentle reflection on Sabbath rest, Sunday pressure, and how Christian families can find a holy pause in a world that never stops.
By Rachel Whitakerwith love, Rachel
Spring · April
LDS Family Life
from a small garden south of Salt Lake
Weeknight recipes with real weights, honest motherhood, and the slow work of making a home — written at the kitchen table by Rachel Whitaker.
A note from Rachel
Recipes that work on a real Tuesday.
Words that hold on a hard one.
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 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
Lately, from the kitchen
Recipes · Essays · Home notes
April 21
The Quiet Stewardship of an Ordinary Home
A gentle reflection on the unseen work of home life, and why quiet acts of care matter deeply to God and to the family they hold.
By Rachel Whitakerwith love, Rachel
April 21
When a Child Begins to Step Away
A quiet reflection on the grief and grace of a child growing up, and how Christian parents can shift from managing to mentoring.
By Rachel Whitakerwith love, Rachel
April 20
Gentle Friction in Christian Family Life
A warm Christian reflection on handling family disagreement with honesty, grace, and the healing power of the Atonement.
By Rachel Whitakerwith love, Rachel
April 20
The Tether of Tradition in Family Life
A warm reflection on keeping beloved family traditions while making room for faith, honesty, and growth in religious homes.
By Rachel Whitakerwith love, Rachel
April 20
The Hollow Ache of Modern Motherhood
A gentle Christian reflection on the quiet loneliness many mothers feel, and how to find connection, friendship, and God's nearness in it.
By Rachel Whitakerwith love, Rachel
April 19
A Sabbath for the Senses at Home
A gentle guide to lowering noise, screens, and sensory overload so families can make more room for peace and the Spirit at home.
By Rachel Whitakerwith love, Rachel
April 19
Finding Sacred Family Time in the In-Between
A gentle look at how busy families can create quiet, sacred space for real connection, stillness, and faith at home.
By Rachel Whitakerwith love, Rachel
April 19
The Grief We Never Name at Home
A gentle Christian reflection on generational trauma, family silence, and how faith can help break unhealthy patterns at home.
By Rachel Whitakerwith love, Rachel
April 18
Finding Spiritual Meaning in Motherhood
Motherhood is built from tiny, holy moments. This piece explores how ordinary care becomes a place where God quietly meets us.
By Rachel Whitakerwith love, Rachel
A few reader questions
FAQ
- 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 rather than a polished lifestyle 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.
- How do I cook from scratch during a busy week?
- Start with two or three repeatable dinners, keep ingredient lists short, and use recipes that can survive interruption. LDS Family Life focuses on weeknight cooking that still works when homework, church, and fatigue all show up at once.
- 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 practical recipes, honest encouragement, and a quieter vision of gospel living in everyday rooms.