Thoughts and stories, by Pal

This is so powerful, we ALL should read it! How should we respond if we think a former prophet said something wrong? By  Mark A. Mathews  · July 9, 2020 Cover image via history.churchofjesuschrist.org. In the current climate of historical figures being attacked, some have taken their aim at some of our early prophets and sought to vilify them for their perceived mistakes or weaknesses. But, how should faithful saints today look at possible mistakes of these inspired prophets of the past? Many years ago, I was studying a doctrinal topic in the BYU Library when I came across an old discourse from an early church leader. As I read the talk, I quickly recognized that what I was reading was not doctrinally correct. I knew it was wrong because it contradicted the standard works and the teachings of living prophets. I was confused how this early Apostle, who was usually so inspired and instructive, could have taught something that was wrong. As I refl...

Family Counselor: How Parents Can Avoid the Destructive Messages We May Be Sending Our Children Without Realizing It by Christy Kane PhD, CMHC  | Mar. 23, 2019 Makes You Think Mormon Life The other day I was in a grocery store when I noticed a small child giving his mother a run for her money. As I watched the two of them, I could tell the mother was getting very tired; and in a moment of desperation, she directed a few unkind remarks toward her small son. As she did so, I wanted to say, “Please don’t. You may not mean what you just said, but your little boy will believe you! If he believes you, and such exchanges between you and him continue, I may find him in my office years later as a teenager or a grown man, wondering why he is such a failure and why he is never good enough.”  I think sometimes we forget how very powerful words are. For example: • a stirring orator raises a crowd to their feet in momentous accolades • a funer...

Do we look to "Google" for our answers, or to the Scriptures and Prophets?  I hope we won't be "tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine."  That is so necessary today -- in our world with instant information, and so much available to read!  This is an excellent article from LDS Living. When You Read Negative Info About the Church Online: 2 Ways to Determine What's True & What's Not by Katie Lambert  | Jan. 10, 2017 Makes You Think Mormon Life BYU President Kevin J. Worthen and his wife, Peggy Seale Worthen, spoke at a recent BYU devotional on "The Pursuit of Truth," and it could not have come at a better time With so much criticism aimed at the Church, now is a good time to talk about how to pursue truth. And even with recent criticism aside, there's so much information fed to us constantly it's overwhelming.  In this important, timely address, President Worthen talks about two ways ...

This insightful article was the second most read article in Meridian Magazine this past year!  Great article, which can bring a lot of happiness into your marriage. The Marriage Miracle That  Can Improve Your Marriage, but Only Few Will Try by Joni Hilton  | Nov. 14, 2016 Makes You Think Mormon Life I watched a young woman lift her crying baby from the stroller at the airport. Her husband began to fold the stroller up for stowing, and she said, “You don’t have to fold it up, yet. Not until we’re He stopped, puzzled, but pushed the empty stroller along. “We should get some bottled water,” he suggested. “No, I just want to get to the gate,” she said, jostling the baby to quiet her down. “They’ll have water on the plane.” Again, a little more defeated, he fell into step with his wife. “Do you want me to try?” he asked, reaching for the infant. “No way,” his wife said. “That’ll just make it worse.” I hear banter like this all...

This letter touches my heart!  I have known people with physical flaws, and their hearts and spirits are usually very kind and understanding of all others.  Perhaps Richard Paul Evans' experiences mentioned below have given him the insight and inspiration to write such great books! http://www.richardpaulevans.com/index.php/2014/12/29/woman-church-sent-anonymous-letter/ To the woman at church who sent me an anonymous letter By Richard Paul Evans He is writing this last year's most read entries on his blog.  It can be found here: Dear Friends, please help me get this letter to the person who needs it by sharing it on your Facebook page, email and Twitter. Thank you. Dear Anonymous, I was very much disheartened by your anonymous letter. I was saddened that you hadn’t the courage to include your name so I could help you understand the truth. Since I must believe that you wouldn’t possibly “friend” a “man like me” on your...

This was based on a BYU Devotional by Elder Jeffrey Holland. D ATING & MARRIAGE 1 10 Love And Dating Lessons We Can Learn From Elder Holland BY  SAMANTHA SHELLEY  · OCTOBER 17, 2014 This article was based on Elder Holland’s BYU devotional, “ How Do I Love Thee ?”. I recommend it to everyone.  1. Dating should not be separated from discipleship. Believe that your faith has everything to do with your romance, because it does. You separate dating from discipleship at your peril.  Jesus Christ , the Light of the World, is the only lamp by which you can successfully see the path of love and happiness. Too often, we allow ourselves to take a different approach to dating than we do the rest of our lives. We allow emotions, lusts, and other things to silence the Spirit, and we believe we have a certain right to be dishonest, or even sometimes mean. While dating is certainly a minefield to navigate, and it’s not always easy to do so ...