Thoughts and stories, by Pal

When I was 18 I was privileged to be a typist for a then 88 year old Patriarch.  I did this for around 2 years, and it was a great blessing in my life.  I know that each blessing is given exactly to the person as Heavenly Father dictates.  For one instance, one grandson's blessing tells him that on his mission he "will learn to have respect and a great love for people of all nationalities, races, and religious backgrounds."  And he is now in Indonesia , which is 87% Muslim, with Buddhist, etc. and other Christian religions represented.   I recently received a copy of my great grandfather Samuel Miles' Patriarchal Blessing.  He was of the tribe of Benjamin, but his son, my father, and I are from the tribe of Ephraim.  It is so interesting!  He was a Patriarch for about 2 years before he died, and his son, William Gustavus Miles, my grandfather, was a Patriarch about 8 years before he died.   6 Ways to Get More from Your Patriarchal ...

I have always enjoyed Richard Paul Evans' writings.   This is a touching true story about his childhood.  We all have memories similar to this! If you'd like to subscribe to his blog go to this address: http://efs.richardpaulevans.com/index.php/2015/10/28/i-am-great/ HOME THE BOOKS EVENTS STORE ANGEL STATUES CHRISTMAS BOX HOUSE MICHAEL VEY ABOUT CONTACT The boy who dared to be great. Let me tell you about the scared little boy who dared to write that he was great.     I had a somewhat traumatic childhood, but 1970, the year I turned eight, was especially difficult. A Tsunami of misfortune hit my family. My father lost his job and couldn’t find work and my mother began to exhibit the first signs of severe depression. My Tourette’s syndrome manifested that year and I was ticking like crazy. In addition, I wet the bed every night, made worse since I shared the bed with my brother. With...

Are some of the elect being deceived right now?  I remember in the 1950's as a teenager, hearing that the day would come when many (or at least some) members would leave the Church.  That was quite a peaceful time in Church History, especially here in Utah, after the persecution of early Saints.  We wondered what could possibly cause that to happen!  Jump forward to the last few years, and we can see how worldly opinions are seeping into the membership , and some people are feeling the Church should change for the times.  Absolutely not!   In the Prophet Joseph Smith's day, the Church was ridiculed, persecuted, and aligned on every side.     I had many faithful ancestors who endured that persecution, and came to Utah.  Many of their stories are on this blog.   If that is to be our lot also, let's stay faithful!  Those who fell away then, and those who do now, will simply lose out on many blessings.  They have not caugh...