Thoughts and stories, by Pal

Lovely quote about mothers --and motherhood. Latter Day Light DAILY DEVOTIONAL May 8, 2016 Motherhood SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY Abraham  3:26 "And they who keep their first estate shall be added upon; and they who keep not their first estate shall not have glory in the same kingdom with those who keep their first estate; and they who keep their second estate shall have glory added upon their heads for ever and ever." QUOTE OF THE DAY Heber J. Grant " Motherhood thus becomes a holy calling, a sacred dedication for carrying out the Lord's plans, a consecration of devotion to the uprearing and fostering, the nurturing in body, mind, and spirit, of those who kept their first estate and who come to this earth for their second estate . . . To lead them to keep their second estate is the work of motherhood . . . "Motherhood is near to divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind. It plac...

10 Crucial Questions Every Mormon Should Ask Their Fiance Before Marriage By LDS Living, May 3, 2016 Makes You Think, Mormon Life. Wedding season is here. The weather is warming up and the invitations are increasing. And while this is a great time to excitedly anticipate starting a new family, it's also a crucial time for you to keep building a strong foundation for that family. It's important for all Latter-day Saints in a relationship, whether you are just dating or engaged or already married, to sit down and have crucial conversations to help avoid struggles in the future. A recent article posted by the  New York Times  prompted the  Mormon Channel to create a podcast  listing 10 questions all Mormons should ask before marriage. For more discussion on these questions and why they are important, be sure to  listen to the podcast here. 1. How did your family deal with arguments? 2. Will we have children? How many? When? ...

These are beautiful thoughts for mothers, and about mothers.  I send my love and encouragement to all you dear people all over the world who are mothers, or who want to be mothers.   This is from LDS Living. Elder and Sister Holland's Touching Message to Mothers by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland and Patricia T. Holland, adapted from "To Mothers: Carrying the Torch of Family and Faith"   | Apr. 30, 2016 As Mothe r's Day approaches, Elder and Sister Holland remind us that the influence of a righteous mother in the lives of her children is more important than ever. Here is what they have to say in their new book,  To Mothers: Carrying the Torch of Faith and Family,  about the sacred responsibility of mothers in the latter days: SISTER HOLLAND : As Latter-day Saints, the way we can make things better and better for our children—and for everyone—is to share our love and share the principles, covenants, and promises of the gospel of...

About 6 years ago, we had a retired teacher's party at our local city park.  Jaden played his now well known violin fiddle numbers, and I was so entralled with his playing that I went up to him after and asked if he needed a piano accompanist.  He did!  At that time he had just graduated from high school.   He came to my house that day, and we have performed together many times since then.  During that time he went on a mission to Oregon, and we resumed when he got home. He is now married and going to Dixie State University here in St. George.   A couple of years ago when Dixie put on "Fiddler on the Roof" Jaden was the fiddler!  You'll enjoy his medley of tha"Fiddler"!   And there is a beautiful soprano solo by Susannah Sewell Collett also in this list.     We'll play at a special 100th Birthday Party at the local Elk's Club on May 21st, coming up.  He also sings!  # 7, Orange Blossom Special was my dear hus...

The Town and Country Bank in St. George has a weekly half hour concert at noon here in St. George.  I have performed there a few times.  They always make a video and post it on YouTube.  So here is one concert I just played the piano.  Others have had other soloists I accompanied, and I'll post them later.  I got a new computer last week, and found they turned out okay.  My old computer couldn't get a good sound or picture, and I didn't know if it recorded well! I  don't have a picture of me playing the piano recently, so I'll post one of me in 1950, all dressed up for my first formal dance.  My first formal was light orchid, my favorite color.  I was also wearing a blouse of that color the night Wayne and I got engaged, July 27, 1955. Pal on the piano, January 27, 2014, age 79, at Town and Country Bank, in St. George, Utah, every Friday.  Link to start:   (You have to copy and paste to get it started.) https://www.yout...

I love to hear about the Prophet Joseph Smith's First Vision.  Between Wayne and I we had 19 direct ancestors who met, knew, and believed him!  I'm so thankful for my wonderful faithful ancestors!  They went through a lot for their faith.  Click on the links to learn more. LDS leader speaks to young adults about different accounts of church founder's First Vision By  Marianne Holman Prescott ,  Deseret News Published: Sunday, May 1 2016 10:30 p.m. MDT View 16 photos » Elder Richard J. Maynes speaks during the Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults from the Tabernacle on Temple Square in Salt Lake City Sunday, May 1, 2016. Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Summary “The Restoration of the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ in the latter days has been foreseen and predicted by prophets throughout history,” said Elder Richard J. Maynes during a Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults on Sunday night. “The Restoration ...

One of my favorite stories of my dear mother's life.  It is such an inspiration in many ways.  I hope you enjoy it again, if you already have read it.  I noticed this was read 2 times yesterday, and often when an old entry was read by someone, I go back and read it again myself.  I felt this was worth repeating!  I posted many family history stories early on in this blog.  I may repeat some that you haven't read lately. This was originally # 140, and posted on April 30, 2014, just over 2 years ago. This touching story is told by my mother Ruth in her journal:  (It brought tears to my eyes just reading it again -- ) My mother Ruth Allen Miles, about 1974. Two main tragedies happened during my last year at Dixie, both involving my mother.  Just before  Thanksgiving we were expecting George to come home.  Mother was alone and either fell or perhaps fainted  and fell between the stove and the wall.  On the stove was a...