Thoughts and stories, by Pal

This article from LDS Living was especially significant to my husband and me, as we are both in our 80's now!  Wayne's identical twin brother and all our parents are there.  Miraculously none of our posterity are there yet, and we hope and pray they all survive us.  Our thoughts and empathy go to any of you who have dear ones who have departed this life, and are now in the Spirit World.   Life After Death: 6 Insights into the Spirit World BRENT L. TOP - from LDS living.com The restored gospel reveals many truths about life after death. Here are a few more insights about the afterlife that you may not have come across before. In 1990, I attended the annual conference of the International Association of Near-Death Studies, held that year in Washington, DC with Robert Millet. We didn’t quite know what to expect. Was the conference going to be comprised of  “UFO chasers,” people with aluminum foil hats, and the like?  But it wasn’t like that...

I enjoyed this article today from LDS Living!  You will also! Amazing Quotes from Famous Historical & Modern Figures on the Mormons NOVEMBER 14, 2014  BY:  JOHN HUNTINGHOUSe John F Kennedy “Of all the stories of American pioneers and settlers, none is more inspiring than the Mormon trail. The qualities of the founders of this community are the qualities that we seek in America, the qualities which we like to feel this country has, courage, patience, faith, self-reliance, perseverance, and, above all, an unflagging determination to see the right prevail. I know that many of you in this State and other States sometimes wonder where we are going and why the United States should be so involved in so many affairs, in so many countries all around the globe. If our task on occasion seems hopeless, if we despair of ever working our will on the other 94 percent of the world population, then let us remember that the Mormons of a century ago were a pers...

    This is an enlightening article about Parenting. PARENTING Bringing Up Our Children in Light and Truth By Wallace Goddard  · November 9, 2014, in Meridian Magazine Editor’s Note: The following is the first   installment in a serialization of  ‘Bringing Up Our Children in Light and Truth,’  a series on parenting from Wallace Goddard.   The Challen ges of Parenting We all want to be good parents. We want to be close to our children, and we want them to develop into good people. We have mental pictures of loving, peaceful, happy families extending from the dinner table into eternity. But the toast burns, milk spills, chores get forgotten. Children act childishly. And we parents get tired, distracted, frustrated, and overwhelmed. Life burdens us. In spite of our noble aspirations, we spend a lot of time being irritated with our children—sometimes downright angry. Family scripture study devolves into periodic wars. ...

I read two very inspirational thoughts on Facebook -- Hope you enjoy them -- I wish I had written who did this beautiful painting of the Prophet Joseph Smith and men who were in the Liberty Jail with him.  I love the scripture in D & C 121, verses 7 and 8:  "My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; -- And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes."  This was given while the Prophet Joseph was in Liberty Jail , March 20, 1839. I Sustain Thomas S. Monson 3 hrs  · Stresses in our lives come regardless of our circumstances. We must deal with them the best we can. But we should not let them get in the way of what is most important—and what is most important almost always involves the people around us. Often we assume that they must know how much we love them. But we should never assume; we should let them know. Wrote ...

I learned a lot from this article, and hopefully I can put some of it into practice.  It applies to women as well as men!  I have condensed it, and I have emphasized words, especially "Compassion"!  That is what this article is all about, really. “What Manner of Men?” By Ted Gibbons  · November 12, 2014, in Meridian Magazine “What manner of men ought ye to be?” Jesus queried the Nephite twelve, and answered his own question: “Verily I say unto you, even as I am.” (3 Nephi 27:27.) What manner of man was he then? In his interpersonal relationships, how did he function? In his interaction with repentant sinners, with honest seekers, and particularly with those that suffered, how did the Savior behave? In All Their Afflictions, He Was Afflicted There is a word that describes the Savior’s involvement with those that suffer.  the word is compassion . The word is defined as “a suffering with another; hence, sympathy; sorrow for the dist...

These are beautiful new works of art that you will enjoy. New LDS Art that Will Change How You See the Gospel (& the Stories Behind Them) LDS LIVING STAFF - On LDS Living November 13, 2014 We Latter-day Saints love filling our homes with faithful and beautiful artwork, from pictures of temples to depictions of Christ’s life. Other images representing scripture stories and LDS values are also just as inspiring. Read on to find new favorite paintings and sculptures for your home, and learn the significance behind each of these 12 stunning pieces of art that bring light and truth into our lives. Ruth SANDRA RAST It took close to a year of on-and-off work for LDS painter Sandra Rast to complete  Ruth , but the end result was worth the wait.  About the stunning painting, Rast says, “I put the beauty and softness in her eyes to represent the beauty of her inner attributes, that she’s good and gracious with dignity and charity on the inside. You  hav...