Thoughts and stories, by Pal

More inspiring words from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland -- especially for the Sabbath, and renewing our covenants with the Sacrament. Elder Holland Shares 8 Things to Remember During the Sacrament That Will Deepen Its Impact by Jeffrey R. Holland, excerpted from "Trusting Jesus"  | Dec. 23, 2017 Makes You Think Comments The following is an excerpt from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland's book  Trusting Jesus .  He offers eight things we can remember when we take the sacrament. (Headings have been added.)  In the simple and beautiful language of the sacramental prayers those young priests offer, the principal word we hear seems to be  remember.  In the first and slightly longer prayer offered over the bread, mention is made of a willingness to take upon us the name of the Son of God and to keep the commandments He has given us.  Neither of those phrases is repeated in the blessing on the water, though surely...

This is a comforting article, for those of you who are having very sad events and feelings in your lives, especially at this Christmas Holiday and New Year's time!  One Crucial Thing We Miss When Trying to Understand Why God Allows Us to Suffer so Deeply by Danielle B. Wagner  | Dec. 28, 2017 Makes You Think Mormon Life It's an age-old question every religion has attempted to answer for centuries: Why do bad things happen to good people? If God blesses and loves those who follow Him, why does He still allow immense suffering to enter their lives? Most the time when I've heard answers to this question given in church, teachers or speakers rely on a few standbys: 1) God will not inhibit the agency of ourselves or others, 2) living in mortal bodies brings pain and decay, 3) living in a fallen world brings unexpected suffering and disasters. Yes, our sins and the poor choices of others can impact us, bringing misery, stress—even genocide a...

This was written last September, after the Hurricane Harvey which was so devastating to those in Texas, and other states.   Other natural and other disasters will continue to happen, sadly.  But there are great ideas here on how to respond, and help.  Hopefully this will be a safe and peaceful winter, and                                           Happy New Year ,  but we want to be able to truly help our beloved fellowmen, especially those who will, and already are, suffering in some way. Thoughts on Responding to Disasters & Changing the World Aleah Ingram   September 1, 2017   F rom LDS Daily --  in Meridian Magazine This past week, I’ve received numerous invites to fundraising events to benefit those affected by Hurricane Harvey. It has truly been inspiring to see people around the world band together to help t...

The picture below is about 30 years old!    Wayne, Julie, Josh, Emily and Missy Eckman!     Last night we did the Nativity scene with Wayne and Julie's grandchildren.  But in this picture it was them and their children!  Last night Spencer, their grandson, was wearing the same poncho that Julie had on 30 years ago -- he was a shepherd.  Julie said it is a poncho she brought home from her mission in Ecuador.  That is where Wayne and Julie originally met -- both on a mission in Ecuador 1975-1977. December 25, 2017 Doing Good     #Light the World SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY Matthew  5:16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." QUOTE OF THE DAY Lorenzo Snow "We have been sent into the world to do good to others; and in doing good to others we do good to ourselves. We should alwa...