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Featured Author
Mariah Proctor
MEET AUTHOR Mariah Proctor
Mariah Proctor received her Masters in Creative Writing from Oxford University. She is a graduate of BYU with a Bachelors in Theater and German. She considers herself a citizen of the world and particularly loves writing about her travels. She began writing a regular column for Meridian as a teenager. She is the recent mother of one wonderful smiley little boy and lives with her husband and son in Lehi, Utah.
Author's Published Articles
The Longing and the Loathing Inspired by Ballerina Farm
Hannah Neeleman’s life calls into question whether fulfillment lies in…
The Remarkable Story of Thanksgiving’s Founding Mother
Many assume the Thanksgiving holiday goes back to the 1600s…
Three Things to Do When You Don’t Feel Grateful
It's the best month of the year for cultivating gratitude,…
‘Heretic’ and the Ideological Battle the Movies Never Get Right
Is the recent horror film with Latter-day Saint missionaries at…
Week Two: A Helpful Phrase to Reframe Your Complaints into Joys
My favorite tip that I recently heard to cultivate gratitude…
Week One: A Messy, Real-Life Look at Gratitude Beyond the Journal
So, here we are already at my week one check-in…
How a Year of Challenges Became My Gratitude Wake-Up Call
Let me tell you a tale of two years (both…
I Need Your Help on My November Gratitude Challenge
It's been one year since I designed my perfect gratitude…
British YouTuber Flies in for General Conference After Emotional First Listen to Tabernacle Choir
“I can probably count on one hand the number of…
The REAL Secret Lives of Mormon Wives
Though I don’t expect Hulu’s The Secret Lives of Mormon…
100 Years of Faith: President Nelson’s Most Inspiring Quotes
In celebration of today, I have pulled 100 meaningful messages…
Story of Miraculous Rescue Comes to the Big Screen
"The Faith of Angels" will hit theaters nationwide on the…
Elder Soares’ Youthful Mission Prep: Consistency Matters
Anyone who has tried to write a 10-page paper for…
Celebrate “It is Well With My Soul” Being Included Among the New Hymns
Learn the unforgettable story behind the hymn that inspired our…
What are You Really Wearing When You Wear Your Temple Garments?
When a singles’ ward bishop first presented the idea to…
Hope for Struggling Mothers from Messengers of the Lord
Thoughts from an overwhelmed mother blubbering in the mother's room…
Testament: The Story of Moses—An Unusual Biblical Epic for Your Next Movie Night
Perhaps you think the story of Moses has already been…
A Small Gesture, Remembered Forever
Gratitude can heal our hearts, but I don’t think it’s…
True Story of a Dramatic Missionary Escape on the Eve of World War II Comes to the Big Screen
The new film, from writer/director T.C. Christensen, is a riveting…
Pulling Back the Curtain on my 16 Years with Meridian
From interviewing my heroes to being set up on a…
Even God Cannot Make Me Grateful For Fleas
Corrie ten Boom was a Dutch Christian sent to Ravensbrück…
“Escape from Germany”: See the Trailer for Riveting New Drama from T.C. Christensen
In the Church, we often discuss the era of the…
What Would Your Love Story Mean to Your Posterity?
I am the posterity of my grandmother, but my posterity…
What Do You Have that Someone in the Past Would be Astounded By?
What is something you take for granted that someone from…
What Do You Have that Another Version of You Always Wished For?
We are immortal beings having a mortal experience, we can’t…
Signal Fires of Grace: “God Stopped Me in My Tracks”
"Without going into great detail, I suffered with addiction for…
A New Tool to Help You Say “It Is Well With My Soul”
The unforgettable story behind the beloved hymn "It is Well…
Signal Fire of Grace: Surprised with a Painting that Captured My Heartache and Hope
Last week, I shared a song that taught me the…
Learning to See “Signal Fires of Grace”
A worship song I discovered on YouTube provided me a…
The Themes I Saw Burning Brightly This General Conference
What themes stood out to you? Let's discuss.
How Do I Know If I Have Been Forgiven?
With October General Conference fast approaching, I want to return…
Comparison is the Thief of Joy…In Your Marriage
I’ve often heard it said that “comparison is the thief…
Dedicating My Temple: Reflections on a New House of the Lord in Saratoga Springs
This time, it is my temple. And the blessings and…
What I Learned About Motherhood from Watching My Dog Become a Mother
I’ve been surprised by how much I’ve reflected on and…
No More Strangers: When Cars Break Down and Angels Show Up
It can be frustrating to depend so much on these…
Now that You’ve Had Your Barbenheimer Weekend, “Go West”
When the original cast of Studio C left after nine…
No More Strangers: Miracle on the Mississippi
Unexpectedly stranded, we had no phones, no map, not even…
No More Strangers: When I Needed Help on the London Underground
I was on the London Underground, on my way to…
No More Strangers: Yellow Raincoats and Loaves of Homemade Bread
Last week, we began a new series where readers can…
Hidden Things: An Experience So Momentous that Joseph “Could Not Deny it”
Think of the fourteen-year-olds you know. Being able to visualize…
“Sound of Freedom”: See the Movie and Join the Movement this 4th of July
From the very first frames of Sound of Freedom, a…
No More Strangers: Share Your Stories on Meridian
We refer to each other as, “brother” and “sister” and…
Hidden Things: Who Are the Lost Sheep that Jesus Spoke Of?
When we hear this story, who do we envision? Who…
Hidden Things: Why Are We Told to “Consider the Lilies of the Field”?
It's an oft-quoted admonition from the Savior's Sermon on the…
Hidden Things: Three Profound Lessons We Can Learn from Jesus’ First Miracle
There are a few profound lessons we may be missing…
Hidden Things: The Pioneers that Rounded the Horn of South America to Get to the Salt Lake Valley
On February 4, 1846, the very same day the first…
Where Does the Dog I Lost Fit Into the Plan of Salvation?
My dog and I didn't start out as very good…
Dia de Muertos: How You Can Infuse Your Fall Festivities with Family History
Latter-day Saints don’t always seem to know what to do…
Three Prominent Themes that Emerged this General Conference
Because the Spirit communicates with us personally, in a way…
A Brand-New Audiobook to Increase Your Appreciation of Living Prophets
Over and over as I edited the audio I thought,…
Hidden Things: A New Meaning for the Rooster that Marked Peter’s Denial
Surely, to many, the sound of that cock’s crow signals…
Recognizing Love Notes From the Lord
Often, the Lord sends life-altering blessings that change everything for…
Hidden Things: What Did Jesus Actually Look Like?
With only small clues from the Bible as to His…
Five Moving Accounts of Countries Being Dedicated for the Preaching of the Gospel
The recent dedication of The Gambia for the preaching of…
The Power of True Repentance: Why Regular Self-Improvement Isn’t Enough
We may have a heavy, even stressful view of repentance.…
“The Mission”: Sundance Documentary Presents Unprecedented, Intimate Look at the Missionary Experience
Even more surprising, the documentary team behind The Mission have…
Hidden Things: The Crown of Thorns Meant More than the Mockers Thought
Whoever it was that plaited the crown of thorns to…
Hidden Things: Are We Living With Too Little Oil in Our Lamps?
Not only is the oil lamp a compelling image of…
Original “Home Alone” House Goes Up on AirBnB: When this Christmas Classic was Discussed in General Conference
Before it became the holiday staple that it is today,…
“Who We Are”: New Film Explores Millennial Experience with the Gospel in Intimate and Unexpected Way
"Who We Are" is an incredibly nuanced exploration of the…
Hidden Things: The Steamboat Captain that Fulfilled Joseph Smith’s “Last Prophecy”
In March of 1843, Elders Parley P. Pratt and Levi…
A Mother’s Day Tribute From a Toddler
Mother’s Day is coming—a chance to be celebrated for great…
A Poignant Lesson on Sorrow and Hope from the Sunday Morning Session of Conference
The Sunday morning session of the April 2021 general conference…
Hidden Things: Are We Looking for the Wrong Kind of Loaves and Fishes from the Lord?
What does the story of the loaves and the fishes…
Journey to the Holy Land from the Comfort of Your Home this Easter
Announcing a new interactive experience that will allow you to…
Why Celebrating Valentine’s Day isn’t Just About Romance
There aren’t enough day to day opportunities to express our…
“The Lord is Ready to Reveal His Mind to Us”: President Nelson’s January Message on Personal Revelation
"As I said shortly after I was called as President…
4000 Years of Failed New Year’s Resolutions–What’s That Spark That Keeps Us Going?
The practice of setting resolutions and goals at the transition…
Elders Serving in Germany Paint a #LighttheWorld Mural on the Berlin Wall
Though the #LightTheWorld campaign looks a little different this year,…
Hidden Things: Emma Smith Through the Eyes of Those Who Knew Her Best
Too often we may fall into the trap of thinking…
Hidden Things: Six Things You Might Not Know About the Golden Plates
How much do you know about the golden plates? Here…
Hidden Things: What Does it Mean to be “Cut Out of the Mountain Without Hands”?
It was a bold assertion for a young, uneducated man…
Hidden Things: Why is it important that all these things give us experience?
Is it worth going through our own Liberty Jail moments…
Hidden Things: What did Joseph Smith Actually Look Like?
Perhaps the easiest hidden thing to spot at a glance…
Hidden Things: When John Taylor’s Life was Spared by a Pocket Watch
Why are some people miraculously spared while others are not?…
Hidden Things: Five Astonishing Stories About the Building Salt Lake Temple
The 40 years of construction on this beloved structure, the…
Hidden Things: When Joseph Smith Took Control of a Runaway Stagecoach, Saving Everyone Onboard
Though Joseph Smith pleaded for divine protection for the saints…
How Our Modern Prophets Were Influenced by Their Fathers
As we listen to the voices and messages of modern…
Add Texture to Your Testimony of Church History with an Activity the Whole Family Can Share
The Meridian Team offers another wonderful product for your family's…
Eight Examples of Unity and Peace from This Weekend’s Protests
The events of this last weekend in response to the…
How the Worldwide Fast on April 10 is Uniting People of Different Faiths Across the World
A Facebook group for the Good Friday fast has members…
How this 1979 Conference Talk Profoundly Addressed Teaching Our Children in Isolation
“How would you pass the test, parents, if your family…
How the Stories Shared at the Youth Face-to-Face Can Inspire Everyone’s Goals
Involving the Lord in the way we make and keep…
Four Tender Love Stories from Past Apostles
To celebrate Valentine’s Day, I thought I’d share examples of…
What the Jews Expected When They Looked For a Messiah
It is in the collision of the legacies of these…
Personal Stories Shine in Heartfelt Messages at the Christmas Devotional
Part of the magic of Christmas is that the birth…
#LightTheWorld: One of the Most Unforgettable Acts of Service I Ever Received
The #LightTheWorld service prompt for Saturday, December 7 is to…
The Example of Faith President Nelson Saw While Serving in a M.A.S.H. Unit in Korea
Notably, every member of the current First Presidency has given…
How the Building of the BYU Jerusalem Center Nearly Started a War
This past week at the celebration of the 30th anniversary…
What this General Conference Meant to Me as a Woman
It’s a thrilling time for Gospel living. And this conference…
“Out of Liberty”: The Story of Liberty Jail as You May Not Expect
A new film from director Garrett Batty (The Saratov Approach,…
The Divine Timing of a Baby Born 12 Weeks Early
At 28 weeks and 4 days of pregnancy with her…
Who Knew There Was a Fourth Trimester?
My sister-in-law once told me that she would rather go…
“The Fighting Preacher”: New Film Celebrates the Pioneering Power of Daily Discipleship
Most of the pioneer stories we tell and share with…
Stranger Things 3 and What Pop Culture References Say About How People View “Mormons”
Perhaps you were one of the record breaking 40.7 million…
Five Amazing Stories Church Leaders Have Shared About Their Mothers
The men and women who help build the Kingdom of…
Six Fascinating Easter Traditions from Around the World
Though Easter’s central importance to the Christian world is the…
False Assumptions I Didn’t Know I Had About Motherhood Until I was 9 Months Pregnant
Without realizing it, my brain has been clouded with certain…
Real Man Behind Oscar-nominated Film ‘Lion’ Tells Why it’s Important to Share Even Difficult Personal Stories
If you haven’t seen the 2016 film Lion, the emotional…
“We are the Gatherers”: Elder and Sister Bednar’s Practical Advice on How We Can Personalize the Gathering of Israel
In their keynote address at this year’s Family Discovery Day…
First Look: Upcoming Feature Film Tells Story of Liberty Jail in a Unexpected New Way
In his new film 'Out of Liberty', director Garrett Batty…
The Blessings that Will Come from More Frequent Communication with Our Missionaries
“Effective immediately, missionaries may communicate with their families on their…
The Secret to Achieving the Spiritual Greatness of our Scriptural Heroes
We look to the scriptures for examples of triumph and…
The Secret Admirer that Changed My Life
Every year of my childhood and adolescence, I hoped that…
Joseph Brickey: Awed to Paint the Visitor’s Experience at the Rome Temple
The new Rome Temple is part of a 15-acre complex…
If God’s Will Be Done, Why Should We Pray?
Meridian Magazine published an article this week from author Darla…
How a Personal Battle with Depression Led Jane Clayson Johnson to Change the Conversation on Mental Illness in the Church
“I felt like I was tied up in a sack…
Five Beautiful #LightTheWorld Music Videos You Might’ve Missed
In addition to the official #LightTheWorld campaign from The Church…
The Scene from ‘Mr. Krueger’s Christmas’ that Jimmy Stewart Would Only Do Once
Jimmy Stewart has long held a special place in our…
Moved by the Spirit: How a Gospel Singer Found the Gospel of Jesus Christ
You may already be familiar with Debra Bonner or perhaps…
A Place for Longing in the Midst of Gratitude
Is there a place for hunger in the midst of…
‘The Nutcracker and the Four Realms’: An Enchanted Journey with the Importance of Family at its Heart
Thankfully, you don't need a lifelong nostalgia for the source…
VIDEO: NBA Player Jabari Parker Featured in New Song from Returned Missionary and Rapper, Oba Bonner
A new music video from rapper and returned missionary Oba…
Why the Prophet’s Social Media Fast Came at the Perfect Time
General Conference brought an admonition to the women to participate…
‘Jane and Emma’ Adds Human Dimension to Our Picture of Church History
New film, 'Jane and Emma' explores the complex dynamic of…
Six of the Most Exciting Announcements Ever Made in General Conference
The general feeling that this weekend's Conference will bring with…
As Carr Fire Continues to Blaze, California Church Members See Miracles Among the Ashes
The question of which of your possessions you would save…
Won’t You Be My Neighbor?: The Continuing Relevance of the World’s Most Unlikely TV Star
The film started and the instant I heard that voice…
Five Topics I’m Glad I Discussed with My Husband Before We Got Married
Getting these things out in the open and understanding where…
And I Remembered the Words of my Father
There are a few remarkable examples in the scriptures of…
LDS Man Cycles 1400 Miles in the Race to Become Nevada’s Next Governor
In addition to being the parents of four children, Jared…
BYUtv New Spring Lineup Includes ‘Downton Abbey’ for Kids and Medieval Obstacle Game Show
BYUtv’s spring lineup is in full bloom as it introduces…
A Historic Conference: The End of Our Law of Moses Moment
This weekend’s General Conference was full of historic changes and…
Taking the Clouds for Granted: Lessons from Mount Kilimanjaro
With so many years of build-up and preparation and research,…
Sequel to ‘The Other Side of Heaven’ Will Tell the Next Chapter in John and Jean Groberg’s Story
“Someday I hope we can walk these sands together,” wrote…
New Church Videos Introduce Basic LDS Beliefs in 60 Seconds
Mormon.org released a set of new one-minute videos this week…
“The Courage of a Prophet, and the Kindness”: Remembering President Thomas S. Monson
Tens of thousands participated in the funeral services for President…
New Antique Book and Art Gallery in Provo Invites Visitors to Step Back in Time
When you enter Moon's Rare Books Antiques & Fine Art,…
The Springville Museum of Art and the Importance of New Religious Artwork
Growing up in the Church, we often come back to…
BYUtv’s Thanksgiving Special: A Very Different Kind of World War II Film
One of the earmarks of any World War II era…
When a Prophet Faced a Bomb Threat
Howard W. Hunter approached the pulpit and within less than…
Hollywood is Condemning the Sexual Culture it Helped Create
I am deeply saddened at the recent reports of how…
New Film ‘The Stray’ Tells Stunning True Story of Man Whose Life Was Saved By His Dog
Every family has their stories, the stories that are told…
Why the World Needs Your Personal History
In his humorous and humble way, George Durrant addressed the…
How Our Modern Prophets Were Influenced by Their Fathers
As we listen to the voices and messages of modern…
What Standing on a 1200-foot Cliff Taught Me About Fear
I've always known about (and been vaguely scared of) the…
Eating Disorders: Surviving the Silent Killer
It’s a familiar feeling. That bloated moment after a large,…
8 Moving Mom Videos for Your Mother’s Day Weekend
The following videos represent modern-day tributes, reflections and love notes…
Love Everlasting: Utah Film’s Answer to Nicholas Sparks for Your Valentine’s Day
International model and Spanish Fork native Lucky Blue Smith, has…
6 Beautiful Christmas Ads To Kick Off Your Holiday Week
Though the majority of Christmas advertisements are just red and…
5 Lessons on Living from a Character Actor You Know and Love
You probably know him best as the grumpy but gallant…
BYUtv’s ‘Winter Thaw’ May Become Your Next Holiday Tradition
Christmas comes earlier and earlier each year and Thanksgiving is…
Eight Lessons I Learned From the Hardest Year of Marriage
I can see how it’s an adjustment to join your…
Queen of Katwe: Achieving Big Things from a Small Place
From the beginning, it is clear that this is a…
New Sculpture Garden Invites you to Step Into the Stories of Jesus
An exclusive interview with Angela Johnson, the sculptor of 35…
How my Father Shaped My Perspective on Womanhood
I’ve observed a pattern in the church that we often…
The Newlywed Stories You’ll Tell Your Grandchildren
What I've neglected to understand about crazy newlywed stories, is…
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland: Treat Pornography “Like an Infectious, Fatal Epidemic”
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland has never been one to mince…
Would you Walk a Thousand Miles to the Temple?
When David Perry first embarked on this journey, he wondered,…
Provo City Center Temple: A Mighty Change at the Heart
When the Provo Tabernacle was originally being constructed from 1883…
Surviving the Slings and Arrows of Social Media
This past week, a new policy change in the LDS…
What I Learned From the First Month of Marriage
There seems to be a prevailing notion in our culture…
What is the Purpose of a Singles’ Ward?
Indeed it would seem that the sole purpose of living…
6 Things I Didn’t Expect About Falling in Love
I’ve longed for this relationship since childhood, searched for it…
An Apostle’s Lesson to the Singles of Britain
At the far end of the chapel in Harris Manchester…
Telling the Real Story of ‘The Cokeville Miracle’
Knowing the outcome of the dramatic, real-life hostage situation before…
“Freetown”: Riveting Missionary Story Comes to the Big Screen
Shards of glass come tearing through the curtains as all…
5 Things Single LDS guys wish Single LDS Girls knew
Men are frustrated with dating. Women are frustrated with dating.…
Healthy Sexuality: The Topic for your Next FHE Lesson
The Church posted an FHE lesson for this week entitled,…
New Cheerios Ad Says Goodbye to Bumbling Dads
After being inundated with marketing that portrayed things in terms…
Engaged in so Great a Cause
Tried to Learn Patience: Got Sick of It
Lessons from the Sundance Film Festival
Todd Sylvester: Drug Free, That Wasn’t Me
He was ready to kill himself that weekend until he…
Reluctant Female Seeks Friendly Introduction to Online Dating
A foray into creating relationships in the digital age.
Discover the Heart of the World in IMAX
A new IMAX film takes you on a breathtaking tour…
The Divine in Me Sees the Divine in You
Having hundreds of friends without having any friends at all.
The Saratov Approach: A Film that Finally Tells the Rest of the Story
15 years ago, two Mormon missionaries were kidnapped and held…
Grace Unplugged: A Cut Above Your Average Christian Film
The presentation of individual spiritual journeys in movies can come…
Grace Unplugged: On “Owning” Your Religion
Sometimes the destination you want the most, isn't on the…
Five Things I learned from Salt Lake Comic Con
What do you learn when you spend a day with…
A Word on Cantaloupes and False Paradigms
What if I was walking around with false ideas and…
Three Passages from Paul that Speak Pure Poetry
Sometimes there's a passage or a scripture so compelling that…
Of Handsome Strangers and Breaking Ice
Sometimes fear of what others might think makes us adopt…
Mister, I Have Those Cheekbones Too
The sacrifices and stories left by those who came before…
Communicating Without Words
Mariah Proctor was chosen by the American Theater Wing, that…
The Mills of the Gods Grind Slowly
Sometimes I feel like my own progression is moving too…
“The Moment”: New Reality Series on USA Network Hopes to Inspire
The Moment is a new inspirational reality series premiering April…
After Graduation- What is Real Life?
So what are you going to do after graduation?' What…
Hearing the People Sing: One day more until Les Miserables
Victor Hugo's original story is incredible and the musical exploration…
Dallyn Vail Bayles- The Song of the Righteous is Sweet to Hear
Dallyn sings with such unique poignancy and sensitivity that you…
Mandy Patinkin: A Spark to Pierce the Dark
"Believe in yourself" was Mandy Patinkin's first piece of advice…
Stay-at-Home-Songwriter Cherie Call produces Children and Albums
Cherie Call finds that being a wife and mother has…
Photo Essay: The Heart of Utah —-Heritage Day in Spring City
Spring City reminds us that Utah's heritage is neither buried,…
The Heart of Utah—-Heritage Day in Spring City
The past is not easy to preserve or to acknowledge…
Trading my Birthright for a Mess of Marshmallow Mateys
It's breakfast time in my college dorm, and everything is…
“Before I Formed Thee in the Belly, I Knew Thee”
A stranger in the world, there is one place where…
Of Mismatched Shoes and Turning Over a New Leaf-Again and Again
How many times do you have turn over the same…
From Jerusalem: Trying Not to Feel Like a Schlemiel
There are times that walk from you like some passing…
“No More Strangers or Foreigners, but Fellowcitizens”
In my new Jerusalem home, I've felt like a tourist…
The Heart of the Person Before You is a Mirror
In years to come, when all of the rich knowledge…
A Sophomoric Return to Freshman Habits
When you think you've all grown up, returning home can…
On Not Leaving My Cares at the Temple Doors
Something good happens when I don't leave my cares with…
If at First You Don’t Succeed-Destroy the Evidence
Should I knuckle down to mediocrity or decide to do…
Why I Rained on this Parade
Why do these ordinary people, just play-acting in a curtained…
A Girl’s Life: Hanging in the Balance
Will I, the film and literary snob, succumb to going…
“The World is an Oyster, but You Don’t Crack it Open on a Mattress,”
The week between Christmas and New Years is by far…
Tired Enough to Let My Own Soul Down
I've learned that there's a reason that we have two…
“Ode to that Thing that Never Forgets”
If you ever see an elephant, in its real-life magnificent…
Diary of an American Girl
Traveling through the highlands of Scotland, she realizes how integral…
Harry Potter: Last Ride of the Lightning Bolt Scar
There is power in the age-old hero myth that Harry…
Hoping the Travel Bug isn’t a Disease
What are our best souvenirs? "We might return from our…
Dear Utah: A Complaint about Your Roads
A personal letter to an entire state from a disgruntled,…
A Mismatch: Self-Perception and Other’s Perceptions
Being seen one way and feeling like somebody else.
I Thought the Best Things in Life Were Free
Money is a funny (frustrating, awful, anxiety-ridden, necessary) thing. You…
It’s the Prize, not the Meal
Are you sometimes disappointed in others because they cannot read…
If a Drop in the Bucket could become a Flood
Good people can make a difference in the life of…
Beautiful for its Perishable Pulse
Are things more beautiful because they have to die or…
Intention to Suck the Marrow out of Life
Word to the wise, if you're ever invited to come…
Ode to that Thing that Never Forgets
If you ever see an elephant, in its real-life magnificent…
When to Speak Up, When to Stay Quiet?
When something threatens to hurt you, is it acceptable to…
On the Occasion of My Last Afternoon
On Thailand in lock down because of the civil unrest…
New Film Release from Christian Vuissa
New Mormon movie about a Latter-day Dad charms with its…
