The Interpreted Rock

 By Stephen C. Schultz The heat hit me like I was catching a medicine ball in a local gym. There was a breeze, technically. But it felt less like relief and more like someone had pointed my wife's blow dryer in my general direction. When I stepped out of the car, the temperature read 95 degrees, and the humidity seemed to whisper, "Welcome to Dallas. You're definitely not in Utah anymore." Coming from the Intermountain West at roughly 6,000 feet above sea level, I'm accustomed to conversations about shortness of breath because of the elevation. Dallas has its own version of that experience. It took me about five minutes to realize that breathing through humidity is a skill I have yet to master. Truth be told, I really enjoy visiting Dallas. It is a vibrant city with a rich history, wonderful people, and an unmistakable sense of energy. Every visit I've made, builds on the previous visit and gives me another reason to appreciate it. The climate simply reminds...

 By Stephen C. Schultz As Father's Day comes around each year, I find myself reflecting on the legacy of my father, R. Conrad Schultz. Looking back over his life, one word comes to mind— FATHER . Not simply because he was my father, but because the word itself describes the qualities that defined him. F—Faithful My father's life is anchored in faith. He love's the Lord, trusts His promises, and remains steadfast through seasons of joy and adversity. Faith is not something he merely professes; it is something he lives. A—Authentic There was no difference between the public man and the private man. Whether serving in Church leadership, practicing law, or sitting around the dinner table with family, he was genuine. He valued truth, honesty, and sincerity, and those who knew him best knew exactly where he stood. T—Teacher Dad taught constantly, often without realizing it. Through stories, scriptures, humor, fishing trips, and simple conversations, he taught principles rather th...

By Stephen C. Schultz It was a warm summer day when the call came to my phone. On the other end was the mother of an adopted son. Just days earlier, she had uncovered some deeply concerning and risky problematic sexual behavior. Her voice carried a mix of shock, fear, frustration, disbelief, and embarrassment. She found herself using words and discussing topics she probably never imagined she would speak aloud as a parent. Unfortunately, this is not an unusual call. In fact, these are the conversations I have almost every day. They come from families all across the country. Parents who have been thrust into a reality they never anticipated. Families whose lives have suddenly become filled with questions, uncertainty, and concern for both their child and the people around them. The details may vary, but the emotions are remarkably consistent. "What happened?" "How did we miss this?" "Is my son dangerous?" "Can he get better?" "What do we do n...