Thoughts and stories, by Pal

Between the first and second sessions of General Conference, I got this great e mail from Brad McBride.  His blog is entitled:  "Thus We See..."  if you want to find it and subscribe to it.  It is great! Instant Post-Conference Thoughts: Saturday A.M. (April ’20) bby  Brad McBride   |  Posted on  Apr 4, 2020 Note:  These are the instant, mildly-filtered things that ran through my brain and heart as I watched this session of General Conference. If you are looking for deep, spiritual analysis, this is not the place. Drive on. Please check back later for that, after I have had some time to process. Okay campers, rise and shine! Time for a unique General Conference experience. • Before I get started, I want to give a shout out to those healthcare professionals who can’t watch Conference because they are busy SAVING LIVES.  Thank you, and stay well! Aaaannnd, we’re off! • And wow, this is weird. The ...

This is a beautiful and insightful article, from which we can all learn. Preparing for Conference: What We Learn from Joseph about How to Receive Light By  Maurine Proctor  · April 1, 2020 Since we yearn to be closer to God and receive revelation, we may find ourselves asking, “Lord, how is it done?” Something profound can be learned in the similarities between Joseph Smith’s prayer that was answered by the First Vision, his prayer that brought Moroni’s visit, and Enos’s wrestle with God when he prayed all day and all night in the woods. In all three cases the petitioner was yearning to have one question answered, and that question may surprise us. It was—what is the state of my soul before the Lord? The energy and real intent behind each of these prayers was for the most personal question of all. How does God see me? Can my sins, meaning all that divides me from Him, be forgiven? In fact, it might be because this is the central question of ...

      Some missionaries are still out in the mission field, and trying to spend          their time usefully -- and are showing their talents! Watch: Quarantined Missionaries Around the World Spread the Gospel Through Social Media Music Videos by Greyson Gurley  | Mar. 30, 2020 In order to connect with others during quarantine, many people are sharing their musical talents with each other through social media—missionaries included! With more time on their hands than usual, some missionaries have found creative ways to spread the gospel virtually, including companion duets, catchy compositions, and multi-language compilations. Even Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf has posted about those who are sharing the gospel through music. The apostle shared a video of his grandson and his grandson’s companion playing a rendition of the hymn “There is Sunshine in my Soul Today” on guitar and clarinet. Here are a few videos th...

This article gives some great ideas on how to help our children connect to their ancestors in ways that will strengthen them for hard times, such as the  "Corona Virus" -- of which we are now in the middle! Our Role as Grandparents: Being the Connecting Link By  Richard and Linda Eyre  · March 30, 2020 Editor’s note:  This is the ninth in a series of Meridian Articles to and about grandparents.   See the first eight articles at  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7 , and  8 .  A new article runs each Tuesday.  Richard and Linda, who spend more and more of their time these days writing and speaking to Grandparents, would appreciate your feedback (via comments) on each of these articles. During this Coronavirus Crisis (which is likely to go on for a while) our grandchildren (and our children for that matter) need an extra measure of  resilience .  Interestingly, several studies ...

I subscribe to Greg Trimble's blog, and it is always very inspirational!  This was written just yesterday, March 28th.  I want to be sure and give him the credit!   It is written especially for the missionaries who had to return early.  Please let any you know  about this inspirational article! BY  GREG TRIMBLE     FAITH A Letter To The Missionary  Force Of The World Dear Missionaries, There are a few things you absolutely must know. It doesn’t matter if you’re still in the field, riding on an airplane with a mask over your face, or already home. You need to know how special you are to this world, to your family, to your friends, and to the Savior. Maybe your mission was cut short, maybe you’re cooped up in a tiny apartment, maybe people are giving you the stink eye (even more than usual) just for showing your face in public. But no matter what, you need to know that you are a light to a world that is suf...

I hope you all enjoy this as your are staying home!  I especially love the cell phone choir!  Be sure to make it full screen! #AloneTogether: How People are Connecting During COVID-19 By  Michaela Proctor Hutchins  · March 26, 2020 We got a text from our neighbor the other day asking if we would be willing to come outside with a welcome home sign and balloons to cheer on her missionary son returning home early from Brazil as they drove by in the car. The wind picked up as all of us in the house came outside at 2:30pm, wrangling balloons, shivering, and getting text updates of where the family was on their way home. Suddenly, the quiet neighborhood was full of life, families outside in front of each house with signs and balloons. We waved to each other, feeling a new found community feeling (though we were already a very tight-knit community) and glad to see each other after not being at church together for two weeks. When the family fina...