Thoughts and stories, by Pal

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...

I like the new insights this article gives!  I also saw a video recently in which it was told how Jesus "in swaddling clothes" was significant to the shepherds!  The lambs which were to be sacrificed were also put in clean white swaddling clothes!  A whole new dimension to the birth of Jesus!  So when the shepherds heard the baby would be wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger, they knew just where to go.  It was where the lambs were birthed, who were to be sacrificed! A Deeper Understanding of the Birthplace of Christ By Christopher Kirkland  · December 18, 2017, in Meridian Magazine Cover image via LDS.org.  I was able to visit Israel many years ago, and one of my favorite pictures that I have from that experience is of myself holding a baby lamb at Migdal Edar, better know as the “Tower of the Flock” or “Shepherd’s Field” in Bethlehem. Bethlehem is the royal City of David, so named because David took the f...

I have been to Carthage Jail, and felt the Spirit there.  First I want to include the history from Latter Day Devotion, of what happened the day before--on June 26th.  The story is truly a testament from both Joseph and Hyrum Smith!  I had a great-grandfather, John Lowe Butler, who was an ordained bodyguard to the Prophet Joseph Smith.  He rode with 17 other men to Carthage, but were told by the Prophet to go back home.  He said they rode back in silence.  You can read many inspirational stories about John Lowe Butler by looking under his name under "labels" on the right side, on the blog. This is what happened the day before Hyrum and Joseph were murdered. 1844  - After breakfast, Mr. Stigall, the jailer, moved the Prophet Joseph and those with him to an upstairs bedroom in the Carthage Jail. It was much more comfortable for the men, however, it did not have a lock on the door. The Prophet met with his lawyers and agreed to a request for a change...

This is a wonderful article on how to have a successful marriage, where you both show unselfishness in your relationship.  From Meridian Magazine. Finding Joy in Godly Sacrifice By Wallace Goddard  · May 8, 2016 The following is part 6 of a series from the book,  Drawing Heaven into Your Marriage .  To see the previous sections,  click here . Heavenly sacrifice Sacrifice is a heaven-anointed principle. Brigham Young challenged us to think differently about the sacrifices that God requires. I have heard a great many tell about what they have suffered for Christ’s sake. I am happy to say I never had occasion to. I have enjoyed a great deal, but  so far as suffering goes I have compared it a great many times . . . to a man wearing an old, worn‑out, tattered and dirty coat, and somebody comes along and gives him one that is new, whole and beautiful . This is the comparison I draw when I think of what I have suffered for t...