Thoughts and stories, by Pal

2 Things Elder Cook Said  Will  Bring "Much Joy" Into the Lives of Young Adults Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles encouraging young adults to set goals, use social media wisely, and face the future fearlessly in a worldwide devotion Sunday.  Originating from a stake center adjacent to the Washington D.C. Temple, the broadcast occurred on the 15th anniversary of  the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 . by Katharine Lyon  | Sep. 12, 2016 From the Church Makes You Think Mormon Life Speaking briefly of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Elder Cook recalled the experience of his oldest son and his young family watching the hijacked plane crash into the second tower from the roof of their Manhatten apartment, and then making their way to the Manhattan Stake Center for refuge. "My purpose this evening is not to have you dwell on terrible events from the past," Elder Cook said. Instead, he e...

I think it is so important to write our own life story, and share life stories of our parents, and ancestors.  This gives great ideas for that very thing!  A good time to start is NOW! I'm so glad my husband Wayne and I wrote this book about our lives!  It took almost 4 years, and was done soon after our 50th wedding anniversary.  We gave a copy to our children and grandchildren. It is better to get started when you are younger!  Your memory is better! A Simple Approach to Writing Your Life Story This Year By Paul Nauta  · January 2, 2018 A popular new year’s resolution is to write your personal life story or family history. There’s something about the swift passing of the previous year and the fresh dawning of the new year that makes us reflect on where the time has gone and the experiences that have led us to the present. For some of us, we feel this mooring inside of us urging us to capture the highlig...

I had to share one more today about President Thomas S. Monson!   President Monson’s Biographer Shares Why “He’s Not Like the Rest of Us” By Maurine Proctor  · January 3, 2018 With the passing of President Thomas S. Monson, we talked with Heidi S. Swinton, who wrote To the Rescue: The Biography of Thomas S. Monson. She said she once asked President Boyd K. Packer, how he would describe President Monson. He leaned back in his chair, smiled at her, and almost chuckled when he answered, “Oh, he’s not like the rest of us. He is more Christ-like than the rest of us, more Christ-like than any one I know.” In this Q and A, we go behind the scenes with Heidi to see how President Monson became “not like the rest of us.” Meridian: What surprised you doing this book on President Monson? Heidi:  It surprised me how engaging he was one on one. I was used to hearing him at the pulpit where he would tell us accounts from his life and he would tal...

An Extra!  Because I'll be gone 5 days, and this is too good to wait! Five Simple Ways To Maintain Spirituality By Jeffrey M. Bradshaw  · December 31, 2017 On one occasion, Elder Marion D. Hanks is reported to have asked President David O. McKay, “How would you suggest I maintain my spirituality?” President McKay, who was known for his deep spirituality, said he did five simple things at the beginning of every day: [i] I arise early. I wash my body. I put on my new linen. I subdue my spirit before the Father. I wait for the inspiration of the Father. Since I first heard this counsel, I’ve tried to follow it. Although, of course, maintaining spirituality requires much more than simply getting a good start on the day, there is a pure and private joy that comes to my soul in these simple practices. They have become an important way for me to express to my Heavenly Father my determination to make my love and obedience for Him the most im...