Thoughts and stories, by Pal

This article is very fascinating!  The work this lady put into studying the Book of Mormon, and words used in the different books, etc. is very enlightening! SCRIPTURE STUDY Insights into the Authenticity of the Book of Mormon By Marilynne Todd Linford  · October 25, 2015, from Meridian Magazine Editor’s Note: The following is the first chapter in a new book from Marilynne Todd Linford on the Book of Mormon.  Click here  for more information.  My journey began when a series of experiences led me to type the Book of Mormon as a new way to study it. I began on January 13, 2010, and typed the title page, the introduction, the Testimony of Three Witnesses, and the Testimony of Eight Witnesses. A year and a half and 531 pages later, on August 1, 2011, I typed Moroni’s last words: “And now I bid unto all, farewell. I soon go to rest in the paradise of God, until my spirit and body shall again reunite, and I am brought forth triumphant thro...

This article gives very good counsel about what to do when we or others may need help.  We are told we should take care of our own stewardships, and not try to take over another person's stewardship.  But there are times when others may see solutions to our problems that we aren't able to.  I like the ideas here. When Problems Won’t Budge: The Value of Counseling Together By Wm J. Monahan  · October 22, 2015, from Meridian Magazine From the despair of debt to the quicksand of illness and loss, our deepest dilemmas can seem blindingly hopeless. The Lord has said, “Come now, let us reason together…” (Isaiah 1:18; see also Doctrine and Covenants 50:10). If we are willing to open our hearts to the counsel of good mentors, they can see things we missed. Why counsel together?   The value of counseling together in councils hit me like a road-to-Damascus moment in the mission field. In the Philippines, power outages occur routinely and witho...

This past week on Tuesday, October 20, 2015, there was a "Face to Face" program for the youth, with the Piano Guys!  For those who don't know, this is the second in a series, with youth sending in questions about life and their testimonies, and the Gospel, and they are answered by someone.  The one a few months ago, was with Elder David L. Bednar.  On Wednesday, the next day, Jon Schmidt, the piano player, gave a fireside in the St. George Tabernacle.  I was there, and he was amazing. All ages will enjoy this!  The Face to Face with the Piano Guys ABOUT THE PIANO GUYS The Piano Guys  are a musical group consisting of Jon Schmidt, Steven Sharp Nelson, Paul Anderson, and Al van der Beek. They say they’re just bunch of ordinary guys who came together with the same intrinsic purpose: to make a positive impact in the lives of people all over the world through music videos. They became a YouTube sensation with more than 709 million total views. Th...

This is very interesting.   However, I have heard it all before, and totally believe it.  Otherwise, why would we as women, want to live worthy of exaltation?  Woman are truly loved and respected in our Church! Church Releases New Essays About Heavenly Mother & Women and the Priesthood by LDS Living  | Oct. 23, 2015 From the Church   Makes You Think The Church recently released two new Gospel Topics Essays that address the reality of our Heavenly Mother as well as the role of women within the Church. Beginning in November 2013, the Church began publishing in-depth essays on topics of special public interest and sensitivity--essays designed to clarify and provide transparency regarding aspects of the LDS faith. Since that time, Latter-day Saints and those from other beliefs have gained many insights from the  Gospel Topics Essays , insights regarding topics like plural marriage in the Church, race and the priesthoo...

Our son, Wayne Miles Eckman, is in the Tabernacle Choir.  The Davis County Clipper did an article about him, and interesting facts about being a member of the Choir.  In getting permission to print this, they asked that I write a bit at the first, and then give you a link where you can read                              "the rest of the story".   Singing with Mormon Tabernacle Choir a ‘dream’ by  JENNIFFER WARDELL , in the Davis County Clipper Newspaper . BOUNTIFUL —  The Mormon Tabernacle Choir’s music can be just as much of a dream to sing as it is to listen to. At least, that’s the case for Wayne Eckman, a Bountiful State Farm agent who has sung with the choir for the last five years. He recently joined the group for its tour of New York and the surrounding area, where they performed at venues such as Carnegie Hall and West Point. Wherever they sing, th...

This article deals with different levels of addition to pornography, and many helps to overcome it. I have posted articles about avoiding pornography before. I have been a victim or seeing some pornography untentionally.  I remember when some of my sons were teenagers many years ago, and they would find a magazine with bad pictures, they would bring it to me, and we would either burn it or put it in the trash.  I can't remember details, but I remember how thankful I was that they would bring something to me, and not keep it.  This is a very perceptive article by Elder Dallin H. Oakes. LDS.ORG MAGAZINES ENSIGN   OCTOBER 2015 RECOVERING FROM THE TRAP OF PORNOGRAPHY By Elder Dallin H. Oaks Recovering from the Trap of Pornography Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles All of us must learn to respond appropriately to media with sexual content. Illustration by domi8nic/iStock/Thinkstock A decade ago I spoke in general confe...