Thoughts and stories, by Pal

First posted: THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013 December 14th was the 43rd anniversary of my father passing away.  I noticed someone had recently read this history of my dear father, Orson Pratt Miles, and I re-read it again myself.  I was fascinated, and enjoyed reading of his early life again.  I hope you enjoy it!  I first posted this in my 34th blog! He was born September 7, 1891 in St. George, Utah, to William Gustavus Miles and his wife Paralee Amanda Church.  He grew up in early St. George.  To see other parts of his autobiography, go to blogs after this, and check out his name in the "labels". 34. Dad's autobiography, early 1900's to World War I, by himself      (By Ruth, his wife, my mother) :  "There are two memories Pratt has mentioned that occurred at the Red Hill home.  (It was just north of the Post Office on 2nd north and Main, a house or two going nor...

This is very inspirational and helpful to all who have had Patriarchal Blessings! 6 Ways to Get More from Your Patriarchal Blessing (Advice from a Patriarch) by Garry H. Boyle  | Nov. 29, 2018 Makes You Think Mormon Life I still remember the day I was called to be a patriarch. The stake president came and sat on the stand just before I began conducting sacrament meeting. After the closing song, he asked if my wife and I would meet with him. After meeting with both of us alone, he had us sit together and said, “Bishop Boyle, the Lord and President Packer have called you to be the patriarch of our stake. I have in my hand a letter signed by President Packer authorizing me to extend the call based upon this interview.” When I remember that conversation, it still evokes powerful emotions. The fact that the Lord and President Packer would think I was worthy of such a call filled my eyes with tears of awe and gratitude. At the ...

I absolutely love "Gentri"  -- the Gentlemen's Trio, and their music!  This was posted last year, and I'm sure you'll enjoy watching it again this year!  Merry Christmas and a wonderful December to all! I hope you all enjoy this part of a concert that "Gentri" and others put on in a Care Center yesterday!

I first posted these stories on December 3, 2013, and then again each year.  Timeless memories of Christmas past! This isn't a Christmas photo,but we all love "Jasper"!  We put him out every St. Patrick's Day, and I have him stored in my closet!  Fun memories!  I'm reposting a few special Christmas entries, I've used in the past.  I hope you enjoy them! MONDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2014 304. More Family Christmas Stories, first published Dec. 3, 2013, last year. This was posted last year on December 3, 2013, as blog # 24.  I hope you enjoy these family Christmas stories. There are several stories about Christmas in our family, and you may enjoy these: ----  (The photos are different from last year.) My mother, Ruth, was just 6 years old when her father passed away.   In the summer of 1914, her father, John Butler Allen, got a sliver in his eye.  Later a horse switched his tail and a long hair cut through his eye aga...

Beautiful rendition of "Mary, Did You Know" by the LDS Institute Choir in Logan, Utah. Mary, Did You Know -- by the Logan Institute Singers You need to copy and paste this link.  I tried to put it on here, but couldn't!  It is so beautiful, -- put your sound on and enjoy it!  We went up a week ago to the Christmas concert there, and they showed this beautiful video on a large screen.  Our grandson, Jake Lieske, who goes to the university there is singing in the choir background music!    Remember -- copy and paste! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CihO7vA_ps4 This will  become one of your favorite Christmas videos!  Enjoy!

This is my favorite true Christmas story, and I post it every year at Christmas!  This year (2018) my dear sister Vina is in the hospital, and has been for 18 days.  She has had 2 operations, and bad infection.  Please pray for her! This was first posted on December 1, 2013, less than a month after I started writing this blog.  In the photo below I was about 5, and my sister Vina was about 3 and a half.   I am on the left, and my sister Vina on the righ t   The Christmas of 1939, here in St. George, Utah, was going to be quite humble at our house. My father had been in World War I and had suffered off and on with "shell shock", which now is called Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. He had been in the Veteran's hospital in Salt Lake City during the year, and my mother, Ruth, had given birth to my sister, Mavis, on December 1st.  These pictures above were taken when Mavis was a baby.  For those who know St. George, you can see ...

Latter Day Light DAILY DEVOTIONAL December 5, 2018 Zion SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY Moses 7:18-19 "And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them. And Enoch continued his preaching in righteousness unto the people of God. And it came to pass in his days, that he built a city that was called the City of Holiness, even Zion." ARCHIVE Please Visit www.Latterdaylight.com Thank you! QUOTE OF THE DAY Brigham Young "I have looked upon the community of Latter-day Saints in vision and beheld them organized as one great family of heaven, each person performing his several duties in his line of industry, working for the good of the whole more than for individual aggrandizement; and in this I have beheld the most beautiful order that the mind of man can contemplate, and the grandest results for the upbuilding ...