Say More: At Last She Writes It

No. 6 | December 2023

Hello! We wanted to do something special for this super-sized December issue of Say More, so we’re having a poetry reading! Pour yourself a cup of warmth and find a cozy place to steep in the beautiful words of a few of the women walking alongside you in the ALSSI community. Thank you all for being here! What a gift to have found each other on the journey.

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photo by Cynthia Winward

Reclamation

by Mer Monson

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photo by Cynthia Winward

But What Is Prayer?

by Tracy Christensen

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My youngest daughter is named for my great-grandmother, Rose Hannah Francis, who married William Grant in 1875 at age 16. His journal mentions they were “keeping company” in 1873, when he began adding a new bedroom to the house. He records the marriage thus: “In May (17th) of this year I was married to Miss Rose Hannah Francis at the Endowment House, Salt Lake City by Bros J.W. Wells and Wilford Woodruff officiating. My first wife Harriet being present and gave her to me, also Roses mother. She took up residence with us for the present and I had now extra responsibilitys placed upon me and had to work with great care as is no easy matter to truly live this portion of our faith.” —S.

And 31 Children

by Susan M. Hinckley

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photo by Suzanne D. Williams

Flying Free

by Jodi Gale

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photo by Cynthia Winward

To the Daughter I’ll Never Have

by Mer Monson

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photo and banner by Cynthia Winward; A note from the author: In 2021 Jeffrey R. Holland read the following from a letter he had received in a talk he gave at BYU. "‘You should know,’ the writer says, ‘that some people in the extended community are feeling abandoned and betrayed by BYU. It seems that some professors are supporting ideas that many of us feel are contradictory to gospel principles, making it appear to be about like any other university our sons and daughters could have attended. Several parents have said they no longer want to send their children here or donate to the school.’" This is my response.

In Memory of Those That Have Left

by Anonymous

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photo by Jakob Owens

Curly Hair

by Lisa Fluckiger

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photo by Cynthia Winward

Patriarchy Laundry

by Mer Monson

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To the girl in the front row:

by Amy van Biljon

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Invisible

by Andrea

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photo by Cynthia Winward

Prophetess

By Mer Monson

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Love Set Free

by Emily Wadley

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Contributors:

Tracy Christensen

I love reading and writing, running and yoga, mountains and lakes, carbs and chocolate. I have a degree in History and seek to learn from the past to inform a better future. As a disciple of Christ, I am interested in people—their stories, their pain, their healing—and in embracing my full humanity so that I can better honor the humanity of others. (Find more of Tracy’s writing here.)

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Mer Monson

Ask anyone who listens to ALSSI and they’ll probably tell you Mer’s Embracing Your Journey episode (Ep. 157) this season is on their short list of faves. You can re-listen here. You can also find more of her Say More writing here, and learn more/connect with her on her website here.

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Susan M. Hinckley

I know! We’ll invent a new publication! We’ll call it Say More! (It’ll be a sneaky way to share some of my own poetry…)

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Jodi Gale

I love people, their stories, and finding JOY in our journeys. With six adult children, three daughters-in-law, and one grandson, my life is full of delightful chaos. My careers reflect the variety of my interests, from stay-at-home mom to business owner, sign language interpreter to teacher, airline agent to marketing rep for a movie theater chain. Adventure is a life theme for me – my husband and I recently celebrated our 30th anniversary with an Alaskan cruise, a journey that marked our 50th state visited! Our current goal is to catch a game in each of the NFL stadiums, a perfect blend of travel and our love for sports. I’m also working on my “55 by 55” – completing 55 new experiences before I turn 55 this spring. Feel free to send suggestions my way! You can find me in Florida, enjoying e-bike rides with my maltipoo in his basket. Cheers to life's adventures!

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Anonymous

Editor’s note: May there someday be space among the Latter-day Saints for all our women to share everything in their hearts.

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Lisa Phair Fluckiger

Well on her way to becoming a Say More poet-in-residence, you can find more of Lisa’s contributions here and here.

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Amy van Biljon

Hi, my name is Amy. I love listening to audio books, running, and homeschooling my children. I met my husband after I graduated from BYU Idaho and we were married in the Provo City Center Temple shortly after. We have been married for 7 1/2 years and have 3 beautiful children with one more on the way! My husband decided to leave the church one month into our marriage. There has been a lot of hurt but also a lot of love and personal growth for me over the years. I recently began writing poetry and have found it to be very healing in my faith journey and raising a family in a mixed faith marriage.

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Andrea

I am daughter to four, sister to three, wife to one, mother to six and a half, and abuela to one adorable two-year old. Aside from these precious connections, who am I, and who will I be? I am still in the midst of exploring that. 

I was born soaked in the gospel of the Latter-day Saints. It is encoded into my DNA. For decades I clung to the comfort of its formulaic, transactional promises. I cling less now. I've recently assembled my spiritual wings, eager to fly far in this next leg of my faith journey.
  
After 25 years as a full-time mother, I'm ready to venture out into more professional fields. I aspire to write. I aspire to create. I aspire to further share my story of hope and healing from childhood abuse. I long for more abuse prevention measures in our communities and our church. I can be found at tendermerciesmightymiracles.com

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Emily Wadley

Can’t get enough of Emily’s gorgeous voice? Neither can we. Find more of her Say More contributions here and here.

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