Thoughts and stories, by Pal

Today I'm including a quote from Pres. Thomas S. Monson, and  an article from Meridian Magazine:  "15 New Year's Resolutions from the Prophets for 2015."   I am very busy here, getting ready for a daughter's 2nd wedding -- making a painting of the St. George Temple where she will be married on January 15, 2015.  We're also sewing her dress.   My husband Wayne got out of the hospital on Sunday, the 2nd time in the hospital in one week, 2 days before Christmas, and 2 days after Christmas.  He was home for Christmas and a half day after! We are really being careful, as his problem seems to be too much sodium -- along with high blood pressure, close to diabetes, lung problems which keep him on oxygen, and possible heart problems and prostate cancer coming back!  But we have been blessed in so many ways, I can't enumerate them!  Tomorrow, I'll write highlights of our past year, 2014. At the advent of a new year, I chall...

This was in LDS Living on Dec. 29, 2014.  It is very comforting, as Elder Jeffrey Holland always is!  He is our special apostle from St. George, Utah! Elder Holland: How to Improve Even When We’ve Failed Before EXCERPTED FROM ELDER JEFFREY R. HOLLAND'S NEW BOOK,  TO MY FRIENDS  - With New Year's resolutions right around the corner, learn what advice Elder Jeffrey R. Holland has for those of us who long to change our ways. Be the first to read an excerpt from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland's new book, To My Friends. This is not the full excerpt from this chapter. To read the rest of it, go to  deseretbook.com and order a copy of this fabulous book! Photo from  Millennial Mormons . As you might suppose, in the course of more than a quarter century as a General Authority, I have met, spoken with, and sometimes had to interview hundreds of people who have had problem s—people who have struggled or are sorrowful or who feel blocked in their progress...

With the New Year coming, it would be an excellent time to make a goal of doing more FAMILY HISTORY WORK! I'm not sure where I got this old photo, and I honestly don't know who they are, but the photo is so interesting!  If you recognize any, let me know! I've taken the liberty of putting some of our old photos inserted in Brian Mickelson's article.  Each of these have a story, and want their Temple work done, if it hasn't been already.  I love genealogy and Temple work! New post on  Brian Mickelson.... From the Other Side of the Veil: “Please Try and Help Us…” by  BJM I had an interesting, though not-as-dramatic-as-it-is- going-to-sound, experience  on Saturday ... I had spent a week and a half  planning  to do  family history  work. But projects got in the way, and nothing came of it. Finally, I determined to sit down and just do something. Anything , really. So I spent about three hours browsin...

SCRIPTURE STUDY  The Precepts of Men By Ted Gibbons  · December 23, 2014 in Meridian  Magazine The words in 2 Nephi 28:14 have led me to serious reflection: “they have all gone astray save it be a few, who are the humble followers of Christ; nevertheless, they are led, that in many instances they do err because they are taught by the precepts of men ” (2 Nephi 28:14). I am going to make the assumption that the “humble followers of Christ” include faithful members of the Church. Even these good people err “in many instances” because they are taught by the precepts of men. I have tried to be one of those humble followers of Christ, but I wonder if the world and its influences are so pervasive that I have made errors because I allow myself to be shaped by the influences of the world around me. Mormon’s teachings in Moroni 7 suggest three ways in which we are placed in a position where we allow ourselves to be taught by the world...

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL YOU DEAR PEOPLE ALL OVER THE WORLD.  I HOPE YOU HAVE YOUR HEARTS DESIRES, AND KNOW THAT JESUS CHRIST LOVES YOU! I have read several wonderful articles today, and it is hard to decide which one to share with my dear reader friends.  I believe this one is appropriate for the day before Christmas.  My husband is again in the hospital, with low oxygen and kidney problems.  He feels better today, but we hope he will be home tonight to talk to our dear missionary grandsons who are in Indonesia and Taiwan.  Christmas Eve is their Christmas morning -- they are 12 or 13 hours ahead of us. December 24, 2014 LINE UPON LINE Beggars at the Manger By Maurine Proctor  · December 23, 2014 I have seen many beggars and their haunted, disheveled eyes have stuck with me. A fully-grown man, stunted so he was only half my height, caught up to walk beside me at a train station in India. I had come to see the Ta...

I hope whoever reads this has a few minutes to ponder these testimonies about the Prophet Joseph Smith, whose birthday is today.  Part of these words were written last year on this day, and probably will again next year! --------------------------------------------   It is actually impossible to even understand how much the Prophet Joseph Smith has done for all of us, and this world.  It will last through the Millenium and to the end of the world.   The Gospel he restored is the same Gospel Adam had. Abraham, Moses, and Jesus Christ had it also, with the same Holy Priesthood!  Any man who has received the Melchizedek Priesthood can trace his authority back to Jesus Christ.          The Prophet Joseph Smith was born 209 years ago today, December 23, 1805,  and he was killed on June 27th, 1844, at age 38 and 1/2 years.   He never denied any of his testimony, and died a martyr.  A Painting of the Prophet Joseph S...