Emily Watts

A graduate of the University of Utah, Emily Watts spent her professional career as an editor for Deseret Book Company, working there for more than thirty-five years and ultimately serving as Executive Editor. She loves serving in the Church, but her favorite calling is as a grandmother. Emily and her husband, Larry, live in Taylorsville, Utah. She is the author of several books, including Take Two Chocolates and Call Me in the Morning; I Hate It When Exercise Is the Answer; and The Slow-Ripening Fruits of Mothering.

Young Mother playing with children while sitting on floor at home with wooden toys

Recommended by Us

Why being an imperfect mother is a gift

By Emily Watts

August 04, 2023 07:00 AM MDT

“I remember when we brought our first child home from the hospital. That child is lucky to be alive. Animals in the barnyard have more instinct about how to be a mother than I did with that child.”

13 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

2 Latter-day Saint women on the eternal, but difficult, call to nurture

By Emily Watts

July 15, 2020 07:00 PM MDT

Here are two insights into how women can gain a better perspective about their eternal callings as nurturers.

8 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

My Daughter's Car Crash Right Before Her Mission and the Powerful Lesson God Taught Me

By Emily Watts

August 24, 2019 02:00 PM MDT

The following story originally ran on LDS Living in August 2016.

3 Min Read

You Know You're Getting Older When These 10 Things Happen at Church

By Emily Watts

April 11, 2018 08:16 PM MDT

We have lived in the same ward practically our whole married life (38 years), and although I have to acknowledge it chronologically, it’s still hard for me to accept the fact that we are one of the “older couples” now. I just don’t feel that much different! But there are definitely signs throughout my current church experience that remind me things have changed and I am aging. Here are a few ways to tell if you’re in the same boat:

1 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

Because of Mary's Baby Boy, We'll Have Our Baby Boy Again

By Emily Watts

December 16, 2017 01:20 PM MST

What a beautiful testament of our Savior and eternal families.

1 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

Motherhood: Why the hard is what makes it great

By Emily Watts

May 04, 2017 09:00 AM MDT

“Many of the best moms I know don't get how important it is, this mothering they're doing.”

3 Min Read

Fun

The Parable of the Big Cookie: What I Learned About Making Assumptions at Church

By Emily Watts

April 16, 2016 09:30 AM MDT

Here is the ridiculous and ineffective way in which I live my life: if I have treats within my reach, I eat them. I used to have the metabolism for this. No more. So I’m doing my best in this stage of my life to just avoid buying the treats in the first place.

2 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

The Problem with Mother's Day Gifts at Church

By Emily Watts

May 08, 2014 04:00 AM MDT

My children are now all of the age where male-female relationships play a prominent role, and watching them has reminded me how mystified I was as a young adult woman at the seeming insensitivity of the young men in my world.

2 Min Read

{A&E} Deseret Book Editor Review: 'Increase in Learning' by Elder David A. Bednar

By Emily Watts

December 07, 2011 06:15 PM MST

I’ve been in the LDS publishing industry a long time, so a lot of books have washed over me through the years. Many have inspired me, uplifted me, and helped shape my testimony. But few have truly changed the way I see the world.

2 Min Read

Snow Woes

By Emily Watts

February 05, 2011 05:03 AM MST

A beautiful blanket of white covered the graying world, gathering light from the full moon and reflecting it up to make the night bright. It was perfectly silent outside, the snow absorbing all the noise and leaving only a feeling of breathtaking awe.

2 Min Read