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In
the Days of Trial, His Saints He Will Cheer: Trials and Cheers
from Meridian Readers
Edited and compiled by Kathy Green
A Photographic Chronicle of Loss: Story and photographs by Kjirstin Youngberg
I am sorry about the loss of not just the physical elements of your new office, but of the charring of a dream, although I trust that dream can find a remarkable rebirth in the ashes of destruction.
My pledge of support for your vision is to take my wife, children and extended family to see States of Grace as soon as it is released in our area. My response is in the same spirit as Joseph Smith, when all around were expressing condolences on the loss of a home of one of the members, he said something to this effect: "I feel sorry five dollars worth.”
Thank you again for Brigham City and the most poignant and practical depiction of the Atonement I have ever seen portrayed in film.
David M. Tuttle
Lehi, Utah
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Tears and Cheers
The Cheeriest Person in the Universe, by H. Wallace Goddard
This article immediately brought me to tears. I dare say it saved my life. How do I say thank you?
Linda Cottrell
Oak Harbor, Washington
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Thanks for the "cheeriest" article. I've been on that line of thinking for such a long time. I rarely discuss it with anyone because I rarely find anyone who thinks like that. More often that not, friends are focused on God's punishment, consequences, his sorrow with our lack of obedience, etc. etc. I love the "relentless redemptiveness" quote. It says it all — but you managed to add some description. Thanks and have a cheery day!
Peggy Lambert
(senior missionary in India!)
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One Fold, One Shepherd: A Birthday Blessing
The Man Who Would Be Jesus, by Kieth Merrill
Two years ago, my sister and her husband took me to Salt Lake City for Christmas. I had never been there; so that was my Christmas present. While we were there, Sharon and I went to see this wonderful film. I have never in all my life been that filled with emotion. I joined the Church when I was 26 after an incredible dream and experience. I have served as a stake and ward missionary and have all the church videos and have watched them with investigators many times, and have felt tears stream down my face. But never have I been moved to such a level of emotion as to sob out loud and not be able to stop for some time. I must have sat there after the movie for about 20 minutes just taking it all in. Then I needed help to find my way down the stairs and to the restroom, as I kept sobbing and I could not see.
Thank you for deepening my testimony, and increasing my excitement for the arrival of the Savior. I don't seem to be able to find words to describe my feelings even at this time a couple of years later. I still cry and my heart swells when I recall the experience that I received that day. I am watching for its release, that I may purchase it for my nonmember family and friends
Diana Paquette
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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That’s an Order
Order: a Heaven-made Law, by Daryl Hoole
Thank you for printing this one. I read her book sooooooo many years ago when I had 5 children ages 5 and under. Now all my 14 children are grown and I needed this viewpoint to put "stuff in three piles." Yup, spring cleaning is an event that needs to happen every spring.
Reading this is like having an old dear friend come to visit me.
Irene Tukuafu
Ashland, Oregon
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Order — yes!!! a good article. I also recommend a book called Clutter's Last Stand by Don Aslett — a great motivator for getting up and going: a very important aspect of household management.
Bob Taylor
Poulsbo, Washington
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Amen to this idea.
I have been slowly going through each room or closet in the house. It is amazing what I have and what I can live without. Liberating is a key word here.
Steve Horrocks
Draper, UT
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Yippeee!!! Daryl is back — and with Meridian. Too easy and too fun. Thankfully, I was one of those new brides (1963) living in California but bought my copy of The Art of Homemaking and the companion book/box of visual aids for teaching children. Everything I ever knew about keeping a home and raising six kids, I learned from Daryl and Relief Sociaety Homemaking Days.
Now, 43 years later, as we prepare to move closer to family, I am dejunking and decluttering again. Your articles are very timely for me.
Thankfully I have done some dejunking and decluttering along the way.
Virginia Braley
Liberty Lake, Washington
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Pollution Solutions
Toxins, Part II. What You Should Know About Them and What You Can Do About Them, by Stan M. Gardner, M.D.
Thank you for printing these articles. I hope the series will be continued.
Peggy Hanton
Gaithersburg, Maryland
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Choir of Angels
Today’s Striplings, by Paul Bishop
I conduct a choir of 25 high school boys and girls who come to my home every Sunday night to practice. They give their time to sing in various Church meetings. They truly serve selflessly, and I love to see them share the Spirit through sacred music.
Last night, I overheard several of them challenging each other to read the Book of Mormon in 14 days. They figured out that they would need to read 39 pages a day. This wasn’t a requirement for a class; this was just for fun! That seems like stripling-warrior youth to me! They are amazing!
Mary-Rose McMullin
Raymond, Alberta, Canada
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A Forever Smile
A Prophet Called of God, by Vickey Pahnke-Taylor
My wife daughter and I all attended the dedication of the Detroit Temple in 1999 and saw the Prophet and his wife. As we sat in the room waiting for them to leave the Temple they stopped in the doorway and greeted each and every one of us collectively with a warm smile and a wave. That was an image that will last a lifetime.
As a young teenager I sat in the stake center and listened to President McKay deliver the dedication prayer of that building. After the dedication President McKay was coming down from the pulpit right into my path and I was waiting. He stuck out his hand, looked me in the eye, and shook my little hand with the power he had in his. I remember the feel of his hand in mine. A prophet of God. I am 60 years old now and still attend general priesthood meetings in that chapel and can still see in my mind’s eye a prophet of God as he was that day.
They built the Detroit Temple on a piece of property next to that stake center which is also on the same road that the Prophet Joseph Smith once traveled during his visit to Michigan.
The saints have truly been blessed for having living prophets in our company. This I know to be true and am thankful for that.
Kenneth Little
Sterling Heights, Michigan
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I have had the unbelievable blessing of being in the presence of not one, but two prophets. Many years ago, President Kimball came to Ann Arbor for an area conference. I was in the choir, wearing a bright raspberry blazer. We were seated up next to the podium, to the prophet's left. After the conference was concluded, President Kimball turned to us to thank us for our music. I stood in the center of the choir, my blazer a pink magnet (which I really hadn’t planned on! I was new in the Church), and the prophet couldn't help but look straight at me. But I quite literally felt a shock of joy run through my body as he spoke in his whispery voice his thanks for our contribution. I knew, without a single doubt, that he was the Prophet of God.
The second time was at the dedication of the Detroit Temple. I was again in the choir for one of the dedicatory sessions, and we were privileged to stand in the Celestial Room with the General Authorities during our performance. I was put right behind President Hinckley's chair (and told firmly that I was NOT to touch the chair, or the Prophet! As if!) We sang several songs, so I was behind him a lot during the dedication. It was an incredibly emotional experience for all of us. Afterwards, he turned around to thank us for our music. He shook our hands (mine first!), and spoke briefly to us about the importance of music to the Lord. I had the same shock, the same feelings of joy, in the presence of this prophet as I did with President Kimball. I know, with an unshakable sure knowledge, that President Hinckley is the Lord's Prophet on the earth, and that he is directing this Church through the guidance and blessing of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Rita G. Miller
Ann Arbor, Michigan
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“I Am Only One, But I Am One.” Edward Everett Hale
What Values Are You Willing to Defend? by Fay A. Klingler
I was touched by this article. While my wife and I have a loving committed marriage, still there's always room for improvement. A lot of this article applies to everyone and it serves as a good "check up" on being "Self" centered in a very spiritual unity with personal values and personal integrity.
I particularly need to heed Mahatma Gandhi's sage wisdom that “We must be the change we wish to see.” I'm fairly successful at that in my professional, personal and family life, yet I am still personally challenged with creating change in the bigger world. I have written two books (a non-fiction and a novel) and established the beginnings of a website, http://www.wakeupliberty.org; yet I still sit and question my willingness to bring change to the wrongs I see and an outcome I fear should I remain silent. As I get closer to 'coming out of the closet' with my point of view I look again and again to the Holy Spirit for guidance.
I can stand in the front of 500 people and speak without difficulty, yet I am struck dumb when I attempt to touch the commitment people like Joseph Smith, Mahatma Gandhi, Jesus and his Disciples were in tune with. Its little wonder each of them moved the world in their commitment to God. When I am told that "one person can't make a difference" I always remind the speaker that it's "always" one person that makes the difference. And, remembering another wise phrase, I recall that "we are called to teach the lessons we need to learn."
Thank you for this article, I'll pray on some of its wisdom.
Dan Horne
Mesa, Arizona
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Writers’ Guide
National Update
Take Action: Help Stop Ed Programs that Encourage Sexual Activity
I just want to thank you for letting us know about these important issues that we don't read about in our newspapers, or hear on the local news. And thank you also, for letting us know who to contact and how to do it. It makes it so much easier to "let our voices be raised" against the moral decay that is invading our society. I've been able to write to authorities about many issues because of your good work!
Tamy Lee
Reno, Nevada
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I hope the 2nd Coming is soon. Oh, how much of this depravity can/must we endure? These people really have allowed Satan’s influence into their lives. We allow them to be with ‘our’ children, our Father’s most choice spirits?
Corrine Parkes
Prescott, Arizona
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I think this is reprehensible. It's way overdue in my opinion to nip these types of programs in the bud. This is from the far left who unfortunately gets the go-ahead to push such destructive ideas on children. The U.S. Government does not care either. I am convinced of that. They turn their heads when they have the power to stop these dangerous agendas. Who would know the day when religion is taboo and teaching children sexual activity in public school is healthy and accepted?
Definitely, these are the signs of the times.
Jennie Kurono
Japan
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We appreciate your time, effort, and talents in writing and sharing your ideas with us! We are raising 2 granddaughters ages 5 & 6 right now and all the help we can get is so beneficial! We just wanted to take a minute and tell you THANK YOU!!
Colleen and Charlie Durfee
Rock Springs, WY