Thoughts and stories, by Pal

This great article was in Meridian Magazine. How To Lift Ourselves Above Suffering By Anne Hinton Pratt  · June 24, 2015 Suffering is one of our greatest teachers. A life without suffering would be a life without growth.  It is designed to help us stretch, call out for, and receive succor from the Lord. In that process, we become more refined and compassionate. However, when we get to a point where we have suffered long enough, (and that varies for everyone) and we are ready; we can choose to transcend it, and get our growth in higher ways.  Last week I shared part one of this article , which is mainly concerned with the emotional aspect of suffering. Today, I want to continue where that article left off, to discuss ways to lessen physical suffering. There is an old proverb that says, “Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.” The mental elevation   from which we view pain and suffering makes all the difference.  What if you co...

Our family in 1975, before our oldest son went on his mission to Ecuador. A "normal" family, with a mother and father!  This article is well worth reading every word!  Even though it is about the United States of America, it can affect people all over the world who believe in the "traditional family."  I'm afraid other countries who do not recognize "Gay" marriages now will be influenced by it.  -----  Since I wrote this, I found the  information below which is appalling and alarming.  WHAT IS THIS WORLD COMING TO ? ? ?  I guess it is part of the wickedness which has been prophesied before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.   As of June 26, 2015: To date: 23 countries have legalized same-sex marriage: Argentina (2010), Belgium (2003), Brazil (2013), Canada (nationwide 2005), Denmark (2012), Finland (eff. 2017) France (2013), Greenland (Oct. 2015) Iceland (2010), Ireland (eff. TBD) Luxembourg (2015), Mexico (nationwide, eff. ...

Gospel Questions Teens Have --This was in LDS Living on June 24, 2015. How to Answer Common Gospel Questions Teens Have JOHN HILTON III AND ANTHONY SWEAT - Teenagers constantly ask questions about the gospel. Why does it matter what I wear? Why can’t I date until I’m 16? How can I tell the difference between my own thoughts and feelings and inspired ones from the Holy Ghost? Here are some helpful answers to address some of the “whys.” As religious educators, we get questions from youth all the time. When we set out to write our books  WHY?  and  HOW?  our purpose was to try and answer the types of questions teens most frequently ask us. In this article, we’ll share what we believe are some of the top questions teens ask about the gospel (and, of course, some answers too!). Standards Questions Why does it matter what I wear? While in the Amazon jungle, Anthony went fishing for piranhas with a native guide. All it took was putting some raw...

The last 3 days before martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith -- from Latter Day Devotion. The Prophet Joseph Smith and his beloved brother Hyrum June 25,1844  - With the personal guarantee of Governor Ford of protection, the Prophet Joseph Smith, and those traveling with him who had been indited, voluntarily surrendered to the constable in Carthage. At about   8 a.m.  the Prophet and his brother Hyrum were again arrested and this time charged with treason against the state of Illinois based on the testimony of Augustine Spencer. At   8:30 a.m.  Governor Ford called all the troops to the public square and addressed them "in a most inflammatory manner, exciting the feelings of indignation against Generals Joseph and Hyrum Smith" ( History of the Church , 6:563).  At 9:15 a.m. , the Governor invited Joseph to walk with him through the troops. They first went to General Deming's quarters where the Governor again "pledged the faith of the state tha...