Thoughts and stories, by Pal

This just came out in mormonnewsroom.org.  The URL is this: http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/church-expands-use-of-digital-devices-for-missionary-work Our daughter who has a daughter on a mission found it.  It is really fascinating to me -- an older lady who has served 2 couple missions.  The first one we had to use "snail mail" 20 years ago, and 14 years ago,on the 2nd we could use e mail, but not all of our family even was using e mail at that time.  Also, have you heard of what recently has been called the "Monson Rule" ?  It is that every missionary write home to their parents every week.  Of course, that should have been happening already. THE CHURCH IS TRUE, AND THE LORD IS HASTENING HIS WORK AS WE WATCH! ! ! NEWS STORY  —  2 JULY 2014 Church Expands Use of Digital Devices for Missionary Work VIDEO: Elder David F. Evans discusses recent updates in the Church's missionary efforts SALT LAKE CITY  —  M...

LDS missionary who died in Madagascar continues giving       Share 2.9K   Share 2.8K   Tweet 1   3   3 WOODS CROSS — Matthew Palmer was described by his family as a gifted pianist, a young man with a huge smile, and someone who devoted his life to serving others. From the Deseret News. ( BY PAL)  -- THIS ARTICLE ESPECIALLY TOUCHES MY HEART!   I HAVE A GRANDSON SERVING IN TAIWAN, AND A GRANDDAUGHTER SERVING IN CALIFORNIA (WHO ALSO WENT TO WOODS CROSS HIGH SCHOOL) AND ANOTHER GRANDSON SOON TO GO TO INDONESIA TO SERVE.  OUR HEARTS AND PRAYERS GO TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS, AND THE WONDERFUL PEOPLE HE SERVED ON HIS MISSION !  --- I JUST TALKED TO MY DAUGHTER, THE MOTHER OF OUR GRANDDAUGHTER SERVING IN CALIFORNIA, AND SHE DID KNOW MATTHEW PALMER IN HIGH SCHOOL -- SHE IS SAD ABOUT IT, BUT GRATEFUL FOR OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE GOSPEL. "Ever since Matthew was born, he would be what you’...

I wrote about my "Grandma Pal" in blog # 29, on Dec. 8th, 2013, and of her husband William Gustavus Miles in blog #58.  Today I'll tell some of the same stories, but a bit more complete.  I have always known that I was named after a very loved, strong and faithful grandmother, who died a few years before I was born.  Her name was Paralee Amanda Church, and she married William Gustavus Miles about 6 weeks before she turned 17.  Her husband "Gus" (as he was called) was 6 years older than she was.   As I have heard, she was a very happy person, and people loved to be around her.  One precious family story is about my father, "Pratt" (Orson Pratt Miles) who was the son of "Grandma Pal".  I have a younger sister, Mavis, who went through a difficult divorce when she had 3 young boys.  One time she had called our parents in St. George, from the Salt Lake area, and was quite sad at the time.  Our dear dad, Pratt, immediately, without my sister kn...

I JUST READ THIS ON 'LATTER DAY DEVOTION', AND IT IS THE BEST ACCOUNT I'VE READ OF A MOMENT BY MOMENT ACCOUNT OF THE DAY OF THE MARTYRDOM OF THE PROPHET JOSEPH SMITH ON JUNE 27, 1844 -- 170 YEARS AGO. 1844  - After a restless night in Carthage Jail, Dan Jones went downstairs and inquired of the guard the cause of the gunfire during the night. Frank Worrel, the officer of the guard, told him that unless he left he would be killed with Joseph and everyone else with him before nightfall. Joseph sent him to tell the Governor. On the way to the Governor's quarters he heard a group of men talking about killing the Prophet when Governor Ford left Carthage for Nauvoo. The governor dismissed Dan Jones' report. Dan Jones then stated that the Prophet and his brother are "American citizens, and have surrendered themselves to your Excellency upon your pledging your honor for their safety; they are also Master Masons, and as such I demand of you protection of their live...

I hope you dear readers don't mind my sharing some very insightful thoughts with you these last few days.  I promise I will go back to some of the typical subjects I have been writing about -- but we are living while HISTORY IS BEING MADE!  (Actually it is being made each moment, but it seems these days some particularly significant happenings are taking place!) AND TODAY, I ESPECIALLY PAY TRIBUTE AND LOVE TO OUR DEAR PROPHET JOSEPH SMITH.  IF YOU'D LIKE, THE MARTYRDOM IS MENTIONED IN SEVERAL BLOGS -- YOU CAN FIND STORIES IN THE LABELS OF BUTLER JOHN LOWE, MILES SAMUEL, AND OTHERS WHERE THE PROPHET IS MENTIONED.  IT WOULD REQUIRE ME READING MANY TO FIND THEM.  MY TESTIMONY, AND THE TESTIMONIES OF MY PARENTS, AND ANCESTORS ARE THROUGHOUT THIS BLOG!   I'd also like to refer you to an article in Meridian Magazine at: www.ldsmag.com/article/1/14541  --------Title below:  (copy and past the URL) 16 Stunning Photographs with Eyewitness Accounts...