Thoughts and stories, by Pal

The saints in Italy are doing so well, in watching out for each other, teaching their children, Young Single Adults, and families! A Latter-day Saint’s Report from the COVID-19 Frontline in Italy By  Ugo A. Perego  · April 7, 2020 ROME: Italy was the second country to be hit by the Covid-19 virus. It came as a surprise. As a scientist with some training in epidemiology, when I first heard of the epidemic in Wuhan, I immediately thought that this was not going to be just a problem for China. Somehow though, I thought it was going to have the typical ripple effect and that it would have been weeks before we would see anything in Europe. My wife teaches English online to Chinese kids, and it was back in January, at about the time of the Chinese New Year’s celebration, when her students were staying at home for that important holiday after the stay-at-home directive was issued by the Chinese government. As my wife was talking to her students, she ...

It is so exciting to me to see Temples built, especially in unprecedented places, and countries!  If you want to watch any sessions of General Conference, go to www.churchofjesuschrist.org, or various other sites with Church information. President Nelson Announces New, Unprecedented Temples Despite Current Closures By  Michaela Proctor Hutchins  · April 5, 2020 Cover image via Church Newsroom. Only 12 days have elapsed since the Church announced the temporary closing of temples all around the world, yet to a temple-going people this feels like a stark era. Nevertheless, as President Russell M. Nelson stood to give his closing remarks during the Sunday afternoon session of the 190 th  Annual General Conference, he reminded the Church that though it may be an odd time to announce new temples, the temple and the covenants entered into there are still where we can draw power. President Nelson said that though these times feel unprecedente...

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...