Thoughts and stories, by Pal

I had to share one more today about President Thomas S. Monson!   President Monson’s Biographer Shares Why “He’s Not Like the Rest of Us” By Maurine Proctor  · January 3, 2018 With the passing of President Thomas S. Monson, we talked with Heidi S. Swinton, who wrote To the Rescue: The Biography of Thomas S. Monson. She said she once asked President Boyd K. Packer, how he would describe President Monson. He leaned back in his chair, smiled at her, and almost chuckled when he answered, “Oh, he’s not like the rest of us. He is more Christ-like than the rest of us, more Christ-like than any one I know.” In this Q and A, we go behind the scenes with Heidi to see how President Monson became “not like the rest of us.” Meridian: What surprised you doing this book on President Monson? Heidi:  It surprised me how engaging he was one on one. I was used to hearing him at the pulpit where he would tell us accounts from his life and he would talk with such sinceri

An Extra!  Because I'll be gone 5 days, and this is too good to wait! Five Simple Ways To Maintain Spirituality By Jeffrey M. Bradshaw  · December 31, 2017 On one occasion, Elder Marion D. Hanks is reported to have asked President David O. McKay, “How would you suggest I maintain my spirituality?” President McKay, who was known for his deep spirituality, said he did five simple things at the beginning of every day: [i] I arise early. I wash my body. I put on my new linen. I subdue my spirit before the Father. I wait for the inspiration of the Father. Since I first heard this counsel, I’ve tried to follow it. Although, of course, maintaining spirituality requires much more than simply getting a good start on the day, there is a pure and private joy that comes to my soul in these simple practices. They have become an important way for me to express to my Heavenly Father my determination to make my love and obedience for Him the most importa