Thoughts and stories, by Pal

      Isn't it a blessing to have free elections, and our constitution! T he First Presidency has assigned Elder D. Todd Christofferson and  Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles to  represent The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the  U.S. presidential inauguration January 20, 2017 in Washington, D.C.  Their presence continues a tradition, going back more than a  century,  of Mormon leadership supporting and celebrating  the process that makes possible the peaceful transfer of power. 13 JANUARY 2017   -   SALT LAKE CITY Two Mormon Apostles to Attend 2017  US Presidential Inauguration Inauguration is a time to reaffirm enduring principles that have sustained  the US, Elder Christofferson says. US Capitol The U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.   © All rights reserved.   U.S. Capitol photo courtesy of  Creative Commons Attribution 2....

Today was Fast Sunday for our ward, inasmuch as the first Sunday was New Year's Day, and last Sunday was Stake Conference.  One sweet testimony today was given by a young father in our ward, who brought his baby girl, about 6 months, up with him.  He said that she had been coughing really constantly for a few days, and particularly badly in the night last night.  About 3 a.m. when she had been coughing so badly, he woke up suddenly, and felt he should give her a Priesthood blessing.  This he did, using the consecrated oil.  He felt impressed to bless her that her cough would go away and not come back.  She hadn't coughed once since that blessing. It reminded me of several special Priesthood blessings that occurred in our home during the time we were raising our children.  One was our oldest son, Wayne Miles, who was only 3 weeks old, and hadn't been blessed officially.  He was crying, and in quite bad pain, and we had no idea what kind of pa...

Here are great ideas that could save your life!  Read and save this article!  Good ideas for Friday the 13th!  (of January, 2017) Emergency Preparation for a Power Outage During Winter By Carolyn Nicolaysen  · January 10, 2017 Sign up for Meridian’s Free Newsletter, please  CLICK HERE Ready? It’s time to get serious about preparing for emergencies by creating a preparedness binder with tips for prepping ahead of time and information to keep you safe during and after a crisis. Over the next several months we will be compiling articles to guide you through food storage, food preparations and preservation, preparing for a weather disaster as it approaches, surviving during a power outage, dealing with the aftermath of a disaster, recognizing health emergencies, helping children prepare for and cope with disasters and much more. Since power outages almost always accompany a weather related disaster, the nation’s power grid is in t...

Here are beautiful thoughts to lift you for this day!  Life is so good, isn't it? Developing Spirituality SCRIPTURE OF THE  DAY  Doctrine & Covenants 78:18 "And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours." QUOTE OF THE DAY Howard W. Hunter "There may be so very much our Father in Heaven would like to give us---young, old, or middle-aged---if we would but seek his presence regularly through such avenues as scripture study and earnest prayer. Of course, developing spirituality and attuning ourselves to the highest influences of godliness is not an easy matter. It takes time and frequently involves a struggle" ("Blessed From on High,"  Ensign , November 1988). January 9, 2017 Absolute Truth SCRIPTURE OF THE  DAY  Doctrine & Covena...