Thoughts and stories, by Pal

Church Changes Recommendation Process for Missionaries to Allow More to Serve, More Flexibility by Newsroom  | Nov. 16, 2018 From the Church Makes You Think Mormon Life The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced changes to the recommendation process for young missionary candidates. These expanded opportunities will allow more young people to serve as missionaries in various capacities that meet their personal needs or circumstances. A  letter  was sent to Church leaders on November 16 to share these changes. Beginning January 2, 2019, all young men and women in the United States and Canada — including those who may not be able to serve a proselyting mission due to health reasons — will use the same online recommendation process. They will complete recommendation forms, participate in interviews with their local Church leaders and undergo evaluations by medical professionals. Candidates will then receive ...

This is extremely interesting, and so true.  It is easy to understand, and agrees with both the Bible and the Book of Mormon. Hitting the Bullseye: What the Restored Gospel has that Others Don’t By Wallace Goddard  · November 12, 2018 Sign up for Meridian’s Free Newsletter, please  CLICK HERE There are some theological issues that matter more than others. For example, theologians have hotly debated God’s passibility (ability or willingness to feel our pain), the workings of grace, and the nature of the virgin birth. Untold gallons of ink and the blood of saints have been spilled trying to settle such issues (Jenkins, 2010). Yet clear and final answers on marginal issues are not necessary to a life of faith. The same principle can apply to us. There are many issues related to the restored gospel that we may not fully understand. We can become quite unsettled by them. Or we can keep our focus on the principles that matter most. In my...

I received an e mail yesterday from a young Sister Missionary.  The father of her former companion, who is now home, is the Bishop of a ward in Paradise, California.  This is part of that e mail --- One of my former companions and her community have recently been involved in a fire that left 30,000 homeless.They lost all--house, church,community.   After talking with my companion the biggest need they have right now is that of clothing. Her father is the bishop in the ward and has a lot going on as you can imagine. If any is looking for a service project for a ward activity or a personal one, please consider sending clothing.  Harrison Family  340 Nielson ave Gridley, CA 95948 Thank you for anything you can do to help her!! This article features her family:    https://ldsmag.com/ californias-worst-fire-its- easier-to-count-the-number-of- homes-in-our-ward-that-werent- burned/?fbclid= IwAR33WiLykzVjTVzRrs1W90yei- w2F3DAiTRE8qV...

Today, in honor of the 100 year anniversary of the World War I armistice, I am reposting a prior blog about my dear father Orson Pratt Miles.  He was in World War I, and had a disability pension for life, for the trauma he suffered.  I wrote it 2 years ago on the anniversary of his death.  I hope you feel the spirit of such a kind and good man as you read this!  (And I'm posting it at 11 a.m. today!) WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2016 759. My dear father, Orson Pratt Miles, passed away 41 years ago today. He was a World War I Veteran, and disabled most of his life. Great man! Today I want to honor my father, Orson Pratt Miles.  He was born in St. George, Utah on September 7, 1891, and saw this town from basically the pioneer days.    He received a pension for being disabled, after his time in World War I, and being on the front lines there.  He was such a gentle soul, and seeing people dying around him, and having to...