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.

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

Overhead flat-lay of the kitchen counter: a loaf of sourdough on a wire rack, a mason jar of zinnias, a handwritten recipe card, a wooden spoon, a pat of butter on linen.
The counter, Saturday · 9:20 a.m.The loaf that worked

Lately, from the kitchen

Recipes · Essays · Home notes

April 23

A Quiet Sabbath for Busy Families

A warm LDS reflection on making the Sabbath feel like rest again, with realistic rhythms for busy families and young children.

By Rachel Whitakerwith love, Rachel

April 23

Small and Simple Family Discipleship

A warm LDS reflection on simple family discipleship, imperfect scripture study, and how small faithful moments shape a home.

By Rachel Whitakerwith love, Rachel

April 22

The Sacred Pause for Busy Family Life

A warm Christian reflection on creating family rhythms of rest, small pauses, and meaningful moments at home in the middle of busy life.

By Rachel Whitakerwith love, Rachel

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

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

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.