Author: Jane Starwood

I'm a retired writer and editor who left the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at age 19 and returned at age 74. I'm sharing my story for the benefit of members who have doubts that threaten to pull them out of the Church and into the world. My spiritual autobiography is also intended for those whose loved ones have left the Church. I want them to know there's always hope, even after half a century.

O Father

O Father
Will You fill my cup
With good things from above
With peace and joy
And charity
With hope and lasting love

O Father
Will you teach my heart
All of Thy Son’s ways
And help me walk
Along His path
As I live out my days

Not My Own

I thought I was my own
I thought all hope was vain
For any loving God
To save the world from pain

I sought for earthly things
For pleasures large and small
To fill the empty hours
’Til death had claimed them all

But I was not my own
For Christ redeemed my soul
He paid for all my sins
His suffering made me whole

With broken heart I knelt
And wept for all my wrongs
His virtue washed me clean
Then joy became my song

Now when I kneel and pray
“Father, make me thine,”
I hear these precious words:
“Daughter, you are Mine!”

His Path

He bids us to become
as little children,
meek and lowly,
with joyful hearts,
and soft steps,
walking in His path. 

His yoke is as easy
as a garland of flowers,
His burden as light
as a crown of feathers.
Thus arrayed,
we will follow Him,
dancing in His path.

God is in the Storm

God is in the storm
And in the calm

He’s in the lamentation
And the psalm

He meets me in the desert
And on the raging sea

He finds me in my sorrow
Wherever I may be

He gives me living water
To soothe my thirsting soul

And when my heart is shattered
Only He can make me whole

Faith & Doubt

Doubt is easy.
Just follow the path
Of least resistance
Into the world.
It runs downhill,
Coasting all the way
To the bottom.

Faith is the harder path.
Mortal eyes cannot see
Where it leads.
It is an uphill climb,
Step by stumbling step
Toward an invisible goal.

Whichever path you choose,
Ask yourself this question:
Where will I be
When I arrive?
Featured

A Spiritual Autobiography

My name is Jane Starwood. My spiritual autobiography, Memoirs of a Prodigal Daughter, which is published on this website for free, is the story of how and why I left the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at age 19 and returned at age 74, fully re-committed to serving the Lord and his people.

Like many Saints, I had doubts about the Church. I know I could have weathered them if I’d nourished my testimony, but instead, I let my testimony wither away until I was fully immersed in that “great and spacious building” that represents the world, and there I stayed for 55 years.

I wrote this book for people like myself, who let their doubts pull them into the world and are wondering if there’s a way back, even through their continuing doubts. It’s also for Latter-day Saints whose loved ones have left the Church, or whose own testimony is wavering.

I testify that there is a way back, even if you still have doubts, and that you and your loved ones might find the way, even after half a century. You can come home.

Follow this link to begin reading Memoirs of a Prodigal Daughter.

See sidebar (or below) for links to purchase Memoirs of a Prodigal Daughter and Faith & Doubt: Poems for Troubled Times in paperback or ebook format. Any profits from sales will first be tithed. The rest will be used to support giving away print books locally, Church missionary efforts, the building of temples, and international humanitarian causes supported by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. None will go into my pocket. This is a labor of love and service, not profit.

To get in touch with me, please fill out the contact form at the bottom of his page.