Meridian
Moments: Personal Connections Between Readers and Writers
Edited and compiled by Kathy Green
The Cure
Read
Article Here
The Spiritual Cancer
Called Umbrage, by Paul Bishop
Written with such skill and
candor, this article should be used as the basis for every
High Council talk in the Church next month.
Name withheld
Brother Paul Bishop's article
is, once again, insightful and valuable. However, there
is one notion within this last article that I feel needed
to be taken one step farther.
He wrote about the grandmother
asking the boy, Will, to remove the nails previously pounded
into a 4x4 board. Her lesson was that the nails left permanent
damage to the board. That was a true statement. However,
the analogy, wherein the nails represent insults and the
removal represents apology (repentance), fails.
True repentance, in which the
offender confesses the fault, apologizes, and does some
sort of compensatory behavior, should lead to forgiveness
from the offended AND from the Lord. It should also allow
the offender to forgive him/herself. True repentance, as
Michael McLean once said, is not the "law of the second
chance, but the law of the first chance over." NO scar
would remain, if repentance AND forgiveness were true.
I find Alma the Younger's conversion
story compelling, but not just for the change that he underwent.
I find it rather miraculous that the people forgave him
so completely that he later became the prophet. In Will's
case, his growth through these nail-pounding lessons led
him to avoid giving insult and apologizing quickly when
necessary. I daresay that the impact of his changed behavior
and attitude upon the others was to make acceptance of his
apologies much easier, and their view of him much kinder
and love-filled.
Holes in boards need to be
filled by a Master who can make the scars disappear. Those
who have been scarred in some way by the actions of another
need the Master's touch, too. The Savior's Atonement not
only paid the price for sin, but was performed to heal us
in all ways. As we come unto Christ, we lose our desire
for sin, and we lose the pains we feel from our losses,
injuries, and properly repented sins.
Grace MacDowell-Boyer,
M.A.
Auburn, New York
Brother Bishop Responds:
Sister MacDowell-Boyer --
Thank you for your kind and
insightful response to my article on umbrage. Your point
is well take, and I believe the goal we should aim for.
Unfortunately, for many, the 'holes' left by retracted and
forgiven insults remain like scars after a successful surgery.
While this does not approach the perfect forgiveness of
the Lord, it is often the best we can accomplished with
the skill we possess on this side of the veil.
Thanks again for taking the
time to respond. It is interest such as yours, and the resultant
exchange of ideas, that make writing for Meridian so special.
Paul Bishop
***********************************
Two Sides of the Forgiveness
Coin
Read
Article Here
What Forgiveness Is
and Isn’t, by Fay A. Klinger
This is good. I think it is
a very important and somewhat misunderstood topic. I don't
know much about betrayal and abuse, having never experienced
them to any huge degree. I will look forward to other installments.
One point I always like to
make in discussing forgiveness is how often in the Doctrine
and Covenants we read a passage such as "your sins
are forgiven you" prior to the Lord communing with
or communicating his message to the Prophet or other recipient.
I have recognized in my own life that this forgiveness facilitates
rapprochement and union and allows the presence of the Spirit.
This phenomenon gives us a glimpse of communion with the
Lord and our Heavenly Father.
Todd Lillywhite
Murray, Utah
**
I just loved your article.
I'm on my second marriage and we both are LDS. I had an
awful time with almost all of my stepchildren, so I talked
to my bishop and he gave me a clue not to be hurt over and
over again, and it is just what you said in you article.
I have to learn how to handle my stepchildren more wisely,
even if that means to avoid constant contact.
Later, one of them who has
hurt me most had his first child born with some problems.
When I knew about that I couldn't sleep at night. I have
prayed and fasted for his little family because I truly
felt sorry for him. Also a feeling of guilt for what had
happened came to my mind and heart; therefore I prayed again
explaining to the Lord that I had no revenge feelings towards
this stepson and absolutely wasn't rejoicing in his pain.
Then I had the prompting of the Holy Ghost assuring me that
the trial he was facing was not because of me, but in fact,
it was the Lord's way to bless him. This prompting really
gave peace to my heart.
On your article, I also loved
the explanation that our forgiveness is somehow independent
from the person who has hurt us. He/she will have to repent
and be accountable for his/her acts and handle the consequences
of it (independently of our personal will towards him/her).
Confirming that the vengeance belongs to the Lord, because
only He knows the right measure to correct a child.
Name withheld by request
***************************************
Chocolate and Nut Case
Read
Article Here
Jellybeans in the Carpet:
Meridian Readers Scrape up Sticky Issues
Edited and compiled by
Kathy Green
I have to agree with the comment
on the choices of food being brought to our chapels to feed
our little (and not so little ones). Last week while trying
to set up chairs for our Relief Society meeting, not only
did we have to pick up pieces of chocolate and nuts (a brownie?)
from the floor, but we had to stop and clean a chair off
so someone didn’t ruin a Sunday dress. Why do we need to
have a discussion on what is appropriate for our meeting
house? Shouldn’t it be clear, that we share the building,
and it is cleaned mostly by volunteers now?
Name withheld by request
**
Roses are red,
Grass is green.
Kids should be heard,
and not obscene.
There are those who say that
taking kids out of the chapel when they get fussy only teaches
them that by fussing they get to go out in the lobby where
things are a lot more interesting. At least they have control
of the situation (by forcing Mommy to carry them out to
the lobby) instead of having to learn to sit quietly
Sometimes I wonder if our Father
in Heaven is nearly as offended by the way some people act
as some of us are at the way others act. Or how He feels
about us judging each other on their level of reverence.
Obviously, some things are over the line, but I think He
can forgive a little noise, or even a little gum-chewing
on occasion.
When a friend said that in
her former church, one could hear a pin drop, I had to think,
“That's what you get for holding services in a bowling alley.”
We are a family church, which
welcomes babies and toddlers in sacrament meeting instead
of exiling them and some unlucky adults to the nursery during
every meeting — even though babies and toddlers will cry,
giggle and/or talk at "inappropriate" times such
as during the sacrament prayer. Those about two years old
or above who have learned to walk will, at some time or
other, inevitably break loose from the brood Mommy is trying
to ride herd on alone and go running up to the stand.
My first ward, the Ogden 10th
Ward was not silent. The people, many of them in their 60s,
70s, and beyond, were enthusiastic and friendly. There were
very few babies, but I don’t think I ever heard a pin drop.
Ronn, no last name, please
***************************************************
Written Notice
Read
Article Here
Mormon Suffragist Emmeline
B. Wells Gets Book Treatment
Thanks for the notice of this
important new biography.
Just last year I visited the
National Women's Hall of Fame, home of the women's suffrage
movement, which began in 1848 in Seneca Falls, NY — not
far from the Peter Whitmer farm. Well aware of the active
participation of Mormon women with the leading Suffragettes,
I was appalled to see the stamp of modern prejudice throughout
this museum. Every conceivable ethnic, minority, and union
group is represented — but there is not a single word about
the contribution of Mormon women, whose ability to vote
preceded the rest of America! We left the modern women's
movement over abortion rights, and they have not forgiven
us for it. We have been written out of the history.
Congratulations to the author
of this much-needed book!
Susan Zmolek,
Parker, Colorado
********************************************
Shared Tears
Read
Article Here
Missionary Killed by
Drunk Driver
I am always saddened to tears
when a missionary dies by any means. I think of the family
who has had such blessings from sending a son or daughter
on a mission. I think of the challenge they now face. I
pray the Lord will comfort them. I know of the feeling of
loss when a child is taken from my home, yet I know they
are in the best home. How can we deny the Lord knows more
than we, that these souls are truly needed there. I know
they have the opportunity to bless and help us who are left
behind for a season. I cannot deny the Lord knows more than
me. Elder Turley has been given much preparation for his
next mission, one more the Lord has for him.
Susan Chidester
Glenwood, Missouri
********************************************
Visions of Eternity:
Heavenly Gates
Read
Article Here
The Trailblazer for
Today's Mormon Media Composers: Crawford Gates Celebrates
his 80th with Music, by Ron Simpson, Utah Songwriter Advocate
and General Manager, Tantara Records
I’m searching for how to contact
Crawford Gates, to thank him for "Visions of Eternity."
Because of the powerful impact it has had and continues
to have on my testimony, I found this lovely tribute article.
I was able to be at one of
the debut performances at my alma mater, Ricks College,
(now BYU-Idaho), with one of our student children. Even
though our seats were not in the best place, it was a miracle
to me to be there. The power of the spirit in the early
passages clearly describes Heavenly Father himself to me.
Later, in the passages, "He
lives, he lives, our Savior lives" Joseph and Oliver's
testimony embraces me each time. I listen to the music in
my car, so I can absorb the sounds, and concentrate. I could
go on and on. Brother Gates has given me an anchor, which
I turn to in great periods of need. Recently has been such
a need, so this morning my first thoughts were to write
to thank him.
Myrna Bingham Liddell
Langley, Washington
********************************
Smooth Moves
Read
Article Here
BYU Vocal Group Wins
World Championship
Having a son in law in the
singing group gives me more than a passing interest in this
article and is probably the main reason for my response.
First of all, I am very impressed
that the article with photo is already on your website!
I was in attendance at the
performance and spoke with a number of Vocal Point members.
The details of your story seem to be very accurate and I
appreciate the time the writer took to get the quotes, etc.
I would add only that the crowd’s
reaction to BYU's pick as top choice was overwhelmingly
positive; and that Vocal Point also won the award for “Best
Choreography.”
Robert Leinbach
Las Vegas, Nevada
*****************************************
Beauty and the Boost
Read
Article Here
Joseph Brickey: Art
that Connects the Senses and the Spirit, by Jen Swindle
Thank you for featuring Brother
Brickey and his beautiful sensitive art renderings. Without
first finding out he was "Brickey," I liked his
art. I saw one at the Salt Lake Temple foyer of the resurrected
Christ and Mary Magdelene at the tomb. It is powerful. A
temple worker shared that it was painted by Joseph Brickey
and that a series appears in the Family Visitor's Center
there on Temple Square. We visited it and were very moved.
One or two images from that piece were part of an Ensign
magazine spread a few years back. Since then we have a few
of his works in our home. His father was, as he said, an
Institute teacher [San Diego State University] and my husband
and I knew him and their family's best friends the late
John and Donna Young.
Thank you for such an in-depth
article of how he is still learning and developing his talent
by "attacking your weaknesses." This is so inspiring.
Seeing what is and then having to truly develop imagination
to paint that which one has never witnessed save through
the spirit. How blessed are the millions throughout the
world to be able to enjoy through Ensign, on-line through
Meridian Magazine, and at Temple Square. It really can't
get any better than that for him or for us in "gladening
the heart and enlivening the soul."
Sister Sharreen Touchet
Beautiful pictures and exceptional
philosophy of life from an artist. I have enjoyed his pictures
in various periodicals. Now I enjoy them more knowing of
the depth and history of the artist. Thanks Meridian for
the pictures along with the text.
Duane Laws
Ypsilanti, Michigan
**********************************************
Change the Channels
Read
Article Here
Becoming the Vision
the Prophet Saw
by Kieth Merrill
Is there a "safe"
viewing network in America?
Perhaps a network that shows
the movies like "Napoleon Dynamite", but not on
a pay-per-view basis. What about a comedy that my 6- and
7-year-old grandsons could watch with me that would not
make me turn the channel quickly because of the bad language
or sexual content? They're not much into "Leave It
to Beaver."
I'd also like to have national
news on that "safe" channel. I enjoy BYU-TV but
I truly want more programming. PBS is fine, but again, needs
more programming. Am I just asking too much?
Laurel Moser
Wellington Kansas
