Thoughts and stories, by Pal

  This is one of the most insightful article about Columbus that  I've ever read!  Just in time for Columbus Day this weekend! Will the Real Columbus Please Stand Up By  Tad R. Callister  · October 8, 2021 A well-known television show,  To Tell the Truth,  involved four panelists who were presented with three contestants, each of whom claimed to be the key figure in a unique occupation or experience. Two of the contestants were counterfeits who were permitted to misrepresent the truth, while the third contestant—the real key figure—was required to tell the truth. After asking questions, the panelists would then give their opinion as to which contestant was the real McCoy. Thereafter the moderator would say, “Would the real ‘key figure’ please stand up.” The panelists were often surprised to discover they had picked the wrong contestant. In a somewhat like manner, we have many revisionist historians who have manufactured a counterfeit Columbus who has o...

  This is a very thoughtful and perceptive article about what we notice about history and what may be sensationalized! It’s Time to Stop Calling Your Grandpa a Liar By  Jacob Z. Hess  · August 17, 2021 The following first appeared  in Public Square Magazine . Part one in a video series on history and truth in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with a specific focus on the growing cottage industry of “Mormon”-oriented podcasts and social media influencers, and more especially those whom they have managed to persuade. How many of you were taught in your American history class about a period where the  CIA supported Latin America coups and even some of the right-wing dictators who took over ? Or maybe you heard about  tens of thousands of poor, mentally ill, and racial minority folks forcibly sterilized  in the last century on U.S. soil for being considered “unfit to procreate”?  If not, is that because your American history teacher was...

                        I read this in the Deseret News today, and I feel it is important for us                  to be aware of, and to study and learn what our leaders teach us! ‘Of course, Black lives matter’: President Oaks speaks on ‘Racism and Other Challenges’ at BYU devotional by Lindsey Williams  | Oct. 27, 2020 Speaking at the Marriott Center at Brigham Young University, President Dallin H. Oaks, First Counselor in the First Presidency, renewed Church leaders’ pleas to Latter-day Saints to “root out racism.” In his address, President Oaks spoke about current events tied to racism, like the police-produced death of George Floyd, as well as historical examples of racism, as reported by  Church News . Speaking about the protests following the death of George Floyd carried under the message of “Black Lives Matter,” President Oaks said, “Of course, Black lives matter—...

I totally agree with this article!  We need to remember actual history, and how it got us to this point in our history! Leave Our Statues Alone By  Peter Fagg  · June 16, 2020 Leave our statues alone!! There I said it. I know many a soul will disagree with me, but before you start sending me hate mail, defriending me or making a voodoo effigy of me, please hear me out. I feel comfortable saying I am not a racist.I was horrified by George Floyd’s death.I agree Black Life’s matter.But…this purging of our history by tearing down statues is misdirected and a classic example of political correctness dragging us down a ridiculous path. First, allow me to take you on a short tour of London and then a quick debriefing. As Ralph Mc Tell wrote,“Let me take you by the hand and lead you through the streets of LondonI’ll show you something to make you change your mind” Venue: Parliament Square Time: The not too distant Future. The tour begins: ...

This lovely lady, Dolley Madison, has quite an interesting history of surviving some very heart rending experiences.  We can learn from her courage!  It helps to understand what people before us have done in very sad and difficult losses. Forging Character During an Epidemic: The Example of Dolley Madison By  Rodney K. Smith  · April 13, 2020 From August 1 through November 9, 1793, Philadelphia, which was then serving as the nation’s capital, was ravaged by one of the most severe epidemics in American history. The fever, as it was called, was transmitted by mosquitoes and took the lives of 1 out of every 10 Philadelphians, totaling over 5,000 deaths. Dolley Madison, America’s “first, First Lady,” was among those who suffered great loss at the hand of the fever, but never lost hope. Here is that part of her story as told in  Dolley and James Madison: An Unlikely Love Story that Saved America :   “As had become all too commo...

This article has great ideas on family stories, and how to make them interesting to the family! Bringing Family History to Life By  Wallace Goddard  · September 16, 2019 Sign up for Meridian’s Free Newsletter, please  CLICK HERE Our usual ways of telling family stories could put anyone in the grave. “Ben was born July 27, 1851 to good parents in Huddersfield, Yorkshire, England. He became a Methodist circuit preacher who followed his girlfriend to the United States. They settled in central Utah where he taught school and sold books.” Not much there to inspire.  Years ago, Nancy and I started gathering photos and papers from our ancestors. We organized them. We evaluated them. Then we copied the best and put them in binders for descendants. We made hundreds of binders which included important documents, written histories, vital pictures, and a chronology of our grandparents’ lives.  Years passed. We gathered at reunion...

I first posted this last December 26th, 2016.  It is so fascinating!  The exciting thing is that in April I am going on a tour to Egypt, Jordan, and Israel!  On April 21, 2018, I will be visiting Petra with the group which includes many dear old friends I've known for many years -- Gloria and Tom Shakespeare, and some of their family!  This will be a dream come true for me! MONDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2016 770. WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THE WISE MEN – WHO CAME TO HONOR JESUS? Written by Dr. John L. Lund                                        This is a fascinating article!                                                                Photo of Petra WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THE WISE MEN – WHO CAME T...