Sunday, October 1, 2023 | 
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Susan Evans McCloud

Columnist

Susan Evans McCloud is author of more than 40 books, including fiction, mystery and biography. She has two songs in the Latter-day Saint hymnbook, is mother of six children, grandmother to 10 and has five great-grandchildren.

Statue of Joseph and Hyrum Smith outside Carthage Jail.
Faith
Hyrum Smith, brother of the Prophet Joseph Smith: In life they were not divided; in death they were not separated
By Susan Evans McCloud, Columnist
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Faith
Susan Evans McCloud: English pioneer convert’s works will follow her
Jennetta RIchards, the first convert confirmed in Great Britain, gave her life to the Lord, leaving the home and family she loved, suffering loss and hardship, but giving and serving and, in her short life, leaving a gentle and powerful legacy.
By Susan Evans McCloud, Columnist
Sister Barbara B. Smith counsels sisters during annual women's meeting. Oct. 2, 1983.
Faith
Susan Evans McCloud: Women’s voices in general conference — speaking with the power and authority of God
Lucy Mack Smith, mother of the Prophet Joseph, was the first woman heard in the general conference of the church. What voices have emerged since then? What has been their impact upon the men and women of the church as the work moves forward?
By Susan Evans McCloud, Columnist
Four generations of women in a family. Susan Evans McCloud writes that women carry the physical and spiritual life force within them and we all have a rich heritage of mothers to draw upon.
Faith
Susan Evans McCloud: All of our mothers and the life force of women
Each man and woman on earth was born of a mother. Women carry the physical and spiritual life force within them, from Eve to our day. We all have a rich heritage of mothers to draw upon.
By Susan Evans McCloud, Columnist
A drawing of the Salt Lake Valley of how it looked in July 1847.
Faith
What happened during the first July in the Salt Lake Valley in 1847
From July 21 through the end of the month, the Mormon pioneers established a site for a city, a spot for the temple, began irrigation and planting crops, and discovered all that would help them to make this a goodly place for the Saints to settle.
By Susan Evans McCloud, Columnist
Statues of Joseph and Emma Smith at the Monument to Women Memorial Garden in Nauvoo, Illinois.
Faith
The 11 children of Joseph and Emma
Emma lost her first baby and her newborn twins — and then one of the adopted twins. In the midst of persecution, anguish, fear and uncertainty, Emma and Joseph suffered their own tender personal losses and trials.
By Susan Evans McCloud, Columnist
Beatrix Potter was the original author and illustrator of "The Tale of Peter Rabbit."
Entertainment
The delightful tale of Beatrix Potter, who was born 151 years ago this month
Beatrix Potter was as delightful as the characters she created. She struggled through a challenging, often unsympathetic, childhood, youth, and even womanhood before her gifts bloomed and she found her own happiness.
By Susan Evans McCloud, Columnist
A closeup of the Earth
Faith
The dust of the Earth — wonders and memories
All dust returns to the Earth from whence it came, but there are glories and wonders associated with our Mother Earth, who was created to sustain and enrich us, and who mourns the evil of mankind, looking forward to her renewal and exaltation.
By Susan Evans McCloud, Columnist
Letters are as a breath of life, expressing thoughts and feelings that no other medium can express, writes Susan Evans McCloud.
Family
The value of a handwritten letters, with excerpts from those by Louisa May Alcott, Winston Churchill and Beatrix Potter
Letters are as a breath of life, expressing thoughts and feelings that no other medium can express. Love letters, letters that reflect fear, courage, laughter, family closeness. Letters that reflect times of historic significance — precious to us.
By Susan Evans McCloud, Columnist
The Oquirrh Mountains are lit by the early sunrise in Salt Lake County on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016.
Faith
Finding joy by turning our faces toward home
The love which surrounded us at the celebration of the Savior’s birth brought us joy. Can we go on feeling joy as a new year unfolds? Love is at the heart of joy — coming from inside ourselves and spreading outward.
By Susan Evans McCloud, Columnist
The sun rises over the Wasatch Mountains in April 2002.
Faith
Strangers to ourselves, or givers of light
We are drawn to the light and love of the Savior. How do we become like him so that this love is a part of us, too? By first loving and trusting ourselves so that, in turn, we can love and tenderly encourage others.
By Susan Evans McCloud, Columnist
Joseph Smith painting by William Whitaker.
Faith
What pioneers wrote of their impressions of the Prophet Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith stands unique as the head of the last dispensation. He was a mighty man of God, yet a gentle, loving leader and friend. He was fearless. Many loved him and were strengthened by his example.
By Susan Evans McCloud, Columnist
Provo City Center Temple at dusk in Provo, Utah.
Faith
He is my father — and I know his voice
It’s easy to forget how intimately and tenderly our Father loves us. He does not forget. He blesses us and yearns over us. We learn what and who we are by coming closer to him.
By Susan Evans McCloud, Columnist
Tintype of the ruins of the Nauvoo Temple, after restoration.
Faith
The history, power of the pioneer-era Nauvoo Temple
The temple in the City of Joseph was completed after the Prophet Joseph Smith’s death, despite poverty and increasing persecution. Miracles took place, and the people were empowered for the challenges that yet awaited them.
By Susan Evans McCloud, Columnist
Home of Isaac and Elizabeth Hale, parents of Emma Smith, wife of Joseph Smith, is replicated at the new Priesthood Restoration Site dedicated Sept. 19, 2015, at Harmony (now Oakland Township) Pennsylvania. Joseph and Emma in a home nearby while he transla
Faith
The courtship and marriage of Joseph Smith and Emma Hale
Emma’s parents were opposed to the young Joseph Smith, but she was willing to cast her fate with his, and the love between them became a power for good and service to others throughout their lives.
By Susan Evans McCloud, Columnist
Speaking from the south portico of the White House in Washington Christmas eve on Dec. 25, 1941, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill addressed Christmas message to a crowd on the White House lawn and by radio to the world.
Faith
Christmas for the children in the midst of war’s devastation
On Christmas Eve of 1941, Winston Churchill spoke to the American people, urging us all to increase our faith and our efforts in behalf of the future of our children, in freedom and peace.
By Susan Evans McCloud, Columnist
A rainbow appears over the Wasatch Mountains on Wednesday, July 22, 2015. This photo was taken from the Avenues in Salt Lake City.
Faith
How now, before and after point to ‘This is My Day’
We are more than the here and now, and more than the frustrating image of the here and now. The past and the future are true, vital parts of our reality — who we truly are and will become.
By Susan Evans McCloud, Columnist
The Union Band plays as they march during a Civil War reenactment at Camp Floyd in Fairfield, Utah, in May 2004.
Faith
The Utah War: ‘I will not suffer myself to be taken to be killed as they killed Joseph’
When the Saints were in the mountains celebrating on July 24, 1857, when they heard Johnston’s Army was on its way. Brigham Young handled the crisis with courage and faith.
By Susan Evans McCloud, Columnist
A boy’s love of adventure and a boy’s keen loyalty combined to spark a unique group that became well-known in the troubled streets of Nauvoo.
Faith
Whistlers and whittlers — boys of Nauvoo organized to protect the Prophet Joseph
Joseph Smith’s enemies were constantly hounding him and looking for opportunities to do him harm. A special group of bodyguards was formed: the boys of the city, who were free to wander the streets whistling, whittling, watching and listening.
By Susan Evans McCloud, Columnist
The Nauvoo Illinois Temple on May 1, 2002. ophronia and her husband, William McLeary received their endowments in the Nauvoo Temple in Decmeber 1845 and were sealed about a month later in January 1846. In 1840, Lucy Lucy Smith Millikin her mother in bapt
Faith
Seeking and sorrowing: Sisters of the Prophet Joseph Smith
The Prophet’s three sisters suffered much of the persecution and trials that came with the Restoration. They remained true to their parents, to their brother and to the truth, though none of the three went West with the Saints.
By Susan Evans McCloud, Columnist
The cover of the Book of Mormon owned by Hyrum Smith, shown here on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Faith
The brothers of the Prophet Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith Jr. had five brothers who lived to adulthood. Each made a contribution to the work, and each had a unique relationship with their prophet-brother. What was each one like?
By Susan Evans McCloud, Columnist
Sitting on a mountainside, Jesus gave what is known as the Sermon on the Mount. The artist of this painting is Harry Anderson.
Faith
In the world but not of the world — one of the Savior’s gifts
The world overwhelms us with enticements, but the Lord holds out the sweet assurance of true gifts if we will forsake the world and follow him.
By Susan Evans McCloud, Columnist
The early Mormon pioneers gathered at the Bowery on Aug. 10, 1848, for a feast.
Faith
Receive all things with thanks — it is the season for our hearts to rejoice
Both the Pilgrims and the Mormon pioneers suffered and sacrificed for their faith, remained close to God through all their sufferings and turned to him with praise and thanksgiving when their bountiful, saving harvests came.
By Susan Evans McCloud, Columnist
A young man portrays Captain Moroni carrying the Title of Liberty during the cultural celebration Saturday, March 1, in advance of the Gilbert Arizona Temple dedication on Sunday, March 2. It rained during most of the celebration.
Faith
The banner you carry
The early Saints used flags and banners both to inspire them, including the huge American flag made when Utah obtained statehood. Joseph Smith was betrayed under protection of a white flag of truce. We live under the banner of God and represent him.
By Susan Evans McCloud, Columnist
The three women who were in the first pioneer company were: Harriet Wheeler Young, wife of Lorenzo D. Young, center; Clara Decker Young, wife of President Brigham Young, right; and Ellen Sanders Kimball, wife of Heber C. Kimball, left.
Faith
Who were the first 3 women to enter the Salt Lake Valley?
Who were the first women to enter the Salt Lake Valley? Why were they chosen? What were they like? When Brigham Young led the first company of 148, these three women were a boon and a blessing.
By Susan Evans McCloud, Columnist
Statute of the prophet Joseph Smith during the sunday morning session of the 184th Annual General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Sunday, April 6, 2014, in Salt Lake City.
Faith
May in the life of the Prophet Joseph Smith
In May, a spring month filled with hope and promise, some of the most important and challenging experiences took place in the life of the Prophet, from the visit of John the Baptist to administering the endowment for the first time in Nauvoo.
By Susan Evans McCloud, Columnist
From left, three generations of women Kitty Tuft, Emily Baker, Patty Baker, Joss Baker, 7, and Alex Baker, 9, wait in line for the General Women's Meeting at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday,
Faith
Daughters and mothers encompass one eternal round
The beauty of womanhood is in the faces of 8-year-olds to 80-year-olds. Nothing is more rare and lovely than mothers and daughters, loving, supporting each other, bound with all the mothers who went before us, back to Mother Eve.
By Susan Evans McCloud, Columnist
Time is a challenging mortal commodity. How do we take control and free ourselves from restrictions that keep us from the things and experiences we most desire.
Faith
Life, not time, is happening to us
Time is man’s way of measuring mortal life. But it is also ours to control this elusive commodity to serve us, to work for us so that we do not squander what is most precious.
By Susan Evans McCloud, Columnist
A new heart for a new year what better beginning than that?
Faith
A new heart for a new year
New Year’s resolutions often lack the power to change or alter our behavior. What of our hearts, the core of what we are and what we want to become? A new heart, a mighty change of heart, empowers us to utilize the best within ourselves and find joy.
By Susan Evans McCloud, Columnist
Prime Minister Winston Churchill and President Franklin D. Roosevelt depart from the White House to attend church. Eleanor Roosevelt is in the background.
Faith
Mark Twain and Winston Churchill: When great men meet
Two men — who both exerted influence through the words they wrote, the things they said, the experiences they shared — met in New York City and took stock of one another. A delightful encounter!
By Susan Evans McCloud, Columnist
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