Thoughts and stories, by Pal

    We all have just enjoyed the Thanksgiving holiday.  In order to have had a successful Thanksgiving dinner, and enjoy family members, we needed to prepare beforehand.  The preparation helped make it a pleasant holiday, with lots of good family memories.   The preparation we make to truly follow and be committed to living the Gospel, takes even more preparation.  It takes daily thought, and committing ourselves to living in the way that will bring us eternal happiness.  I enjoyed Pres. Henry Eyring's talk, in October Conference 2005.  I have included parts of it here.  The entire talk can be read at:  www.lds.org -- and search for the title.   PREVIOUS NEXT Spiritual Preparedness: Start Early and Be Steady HENRY B. EYRING Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles The great test of life is to see whether we will hearken to and obey God’s commands in the midst of the storms of life. Play Most of us have th...

      We all feel weak many times in our lives.  We realize how little we truly know in the grand scheme of things -- this beautiful and amazing universe, this world, with all its beauty.  Even an apple has a design inside, each flower, each small (and beautiful) insect, "He hath made every thing beautiful in his time." Ecclesiastes 3:11. It is good to recognize the beauty in everything, and in everyone.  As we recognize the beauty in this world, and in other people, we recognize our own weaknesses, and also our own beauty.  The Lord has given us weaknesses. Ether 12:27 tells us:    "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness.  I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then I will make weak things become strong unto them."     This following article is very i...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL OUR FRIENDS!   Next post the day after Thanksgiving !  We are so blessed in every way!  We hope you all have a very Happy Holiday Season. Latter Day Light DAILY DEVOTION ___________________________ The Divine Gift of Gratitude  Nauvoo, Illinois November 17, 2013 SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY: Psalms 100:1-2 "It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High: To shew forth thy loving kindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night." QUOTE OF THE DAY:   Thomas S. Monson   "My brothers and sisters, do we remember to give thanks for the blessings we receive? Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings, but it also unlocks the doors of heaven and helps us feel God's love" ("The Divine Gift of Gratitude," Ensign , November 2010 ).

School Thy Feelings, O My Brother THOMAS S. MONSON President of the Church If we desire to have a proper spirit with us at all times, we must choose to refrain from becoming angry. Play      This was so good, I decided to include the entire talk, given in the Priesthood Conference, in October 2009.  It has very touching stories included, from which we can learn. Brethren, we are assembled as a mighty body of the priesthood, both here in the Conference Center and in locations throughout the world. We have heard inspired messages this evening, and I express my appreciation to those Brethren who have addressed us. I am honored, yet humbled, by the privilege to speak to you, and I pray that the inspiration of the Lord may attend me. Recently as I watched the news on television, I realized that many of the lead stories were similar in nature in that the tragedies reported all basically traced back to one emotion:  anger.  The father...

I learned many important lessons in life from my dear mother, Ruth Allen Miles.  I've mentioned her in here before, and will often I think.  The lesson which I will talk about, I quote from our life story book, page 343: ON ANGER MANAGEMENT: When I was about in the 7th grade, when our family home was still a basement, I remember some Saturday, Mom had left me in charge of my two sisters while she was gone.  I was to see they did their jobs.  I don't remember who came , or what I did or said, but I guess I was quite rude to one of Vina's friends.  When Mom got home, Vina told her of what I'd done, and Mom said, "Pal, why did you act like that?"  I replied, "I was so angry I didn't know what I was doing."  Mother just looked at me thoughtfully for a moment, and then said, "Pal, that is how people commit murder!"  I never forgot that, and have tried hard to control my anger since then.  That is another strong lesson I learned from my m...

 I'm not sure how well we taught gratitude to our large family.  I do notice when a child or grandchild thanks me for something I do for them, (or anyone else.)  It's strange but we often will show gratitude to someone not in our family, and take our family members for granted.  It doesn't only apply to material things, but whenever a kindness has been shown, we should thank someone for it.   It is rather obvious that many children, and people of all ages today feel sort of "entitled" to things, and it is important to stop and appreciate them!  In one grandchild's Patriarchal blessing, it counsels them to show others that they appreciate the good that they do through phone calls and short notes of recognition and gratitude.  It says they will be grateful for the love they receive in return.  It is true that when we thank someone, we do receive love back!  I have been the recipient of many "Thank You" notes, and it always warms my heart. ...

Today, I am posting a message given by President Uchtdorf, and saying to all my friends, throughout the whole world that I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.  I hope you enjoy it, and have a wonderful Sabbath Day. With Thanksgiving Day approaching, President  Dieter F. Uchtdorf , Second Counselor in the First Presidency, addressed a Rotary Club luncheon in Salt Lake City November 19, 2013, on the topics of gratitude and service and declared that in a time of uncertainty and cynicism, there is “still hope for virtue, moderation, and divine moral principles.”                                           President Dieter F. Uchtdorf. “I believe that it is within our reach to breach barriers of hate and build bridges of brotherhood and understanding between opposing cultures, religions, political ideologies, and world views,” President Uchtdorf told Rotarians at a...