Readers
Applaud Talented Youth and More: Samples from the Meridian
Mailbag
Edited and compiled
by Kathy Green
America’s Favorite Dancers
Read Article Here
Heidi Groskreutz Skips the Light Fandango ― And
American Calls Out for More, by Kathy Green
Read Article Here
Benfi Schwimmer: Dancing
His Heart Out, by Rebecca Birkin
Scot and Maurine… Meridian
comes through again! I can’t thank you enough for your
article last week about Heidi, and this week about Benji.
I watched last week and voted, and watched again last
night.
Without Meridian, I would
not have known of Heidi and Benji’s quest. What exceptional
dancing!!
John C. Rogers
Incline
Village, Nevada
**
I am a convert to the Church
of 10 years and used to dance in a ballet company in
Tucson, when I was younger, much younger, and also as
an adult danced with a Christian dance company, I have
a deaf son and when he was in middle school, I taught
both the boys and girls some dance steps. The parents
liked it so much, they also came and learned. I even
taught the blind children the same years some ribbon
dances, so dance is for everyone ― even people
with disabilities.
I have been following this
contest since the beginning and had no idea that so
many dancers were LDS. It made me so proud. I have taught
dance in my ward to young girls, and dance when I was
in the singles wards at 40. My passion is dance.
I hope and pray for this
couple to continue to follow the gospel in their new
career, and wish them all the goodness, and luck in
this world.
I now live in Kansas and
am married to a non-Mormon who supports me in my callings.
Starting up dance again the wards on a regular basis
would be wonderful.
May God Bless you both
and heal your bruises, toes, and sore muscles fast.
Diane Calkins
Olathe ,
Kansas
**
Last week was the first
time I watched the show. When I saw Benji, I wondered
if he was LDS because of his personality. I didn't
know that he was a member until I read this great article.
Thank you, it was very interesting. Thanks to Benji
for being such a great example for our young members.
Congratulations to him for winning! What an opportunity
he has now to let his light shine. Celine may even notice.
Ruth Bennet
Prairieville,
Louisiana
**
I was absolutely blown
away when I read your article on "Benji".
I was born in the Church 67 years ago, a great-great
grand-daughter of Brigham Young, but I have loved watching
"So You Think You Can Dance." My favorite
moment of every show was watching "Benji."
He filled me with laughter and joy. Little did I know
it was the "light" of the Gospel showing through.
Thank you so much for this wonderful information.
JoAnne Brockhoff,
Diamondhead,
Mississippi
**
Loved this article. Thank
you for giving us more background on Heidi. I've been
watching the show the whole season and it's nice to
know a little more about her.
Jenny Fowkes
Mesa, Arizona
**
I really enjoyed the article
and think Rebecca did a great job with it. I'm wondering
about an email for Benji. I have watched since the auditions
began in Vegas and feel he is a great example for the
Church and for the youth. Even my twin grandchildren
that are only four love watching him.
Karen Spendlove
Virgin, Utah
**
I haven't been watching
the show, but I will tune in next Wednesday. You made
some important points. Yes, she is wearing the "clothes
of the sport," just as a swimmer would wear a bathing
suit. She is a great role model for sticking with goals
and working hard. I am looking this week for role models
my Young Women can use for each of the values, and I
will use her for "good works," because good
works does not just mean service but also, I believe,
striving and reaching goals.
I hope there will be opportunity
for a follow-up article.
Susan Curtis
Kealkekua Bay, Hawaii
**
I've been in the entertainment
field for 40 years and the last 31 years were as an
LDS member. I've been in show bands for years and we
had to do be "well" rounded performers, besides
just pro musicians. So we had to do dance. I can really
appreciate what a grueling pace these young men and
women go through. I think Heidi is a wonderful example
what LDS entertainers are capable of doing... she's
the best!
Bobby Van Rooy
Mesa, Arizona
**
Thank you for such a fabulous
article on Benji and last week's on Heidi. They have
truly captivated the hearts of many.
I am a convert to The Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for 26 years and
I am an African American woman. A lot of that time
I worked with the youth of our Church and it is a blessing
to see that even though they are young, they are so
grounded.
Benji and Heidi are true
examples of their faith and beliefs and I am so proud
of them. Watching them perform each week is a treat
for me and my husband.
I wish that there could
be (2) winners of this competition because they both
deserve to win!
Whatever the outcome is
after all of the votes have been counted, we know as
members of the Church that these young people will be
blessed forever and will be successful in all of their
righteous endeavors.
I love them as my brother
and sister and will be watching tonight and praying
that one of them will be victorious as America's Favorite
Dancer.
Ginger Frelo-Hyde
Los Angeles, California
Post Script: Benji did
it! My husband and I screamed so loud when his name
was called. We are so pleased for him and his family.
**
Wow!! It was quite a show
tonight. I'm glad that Benji won the title and hope
that he will continue to be a great example to the young
people out there. Congratulations!!
Lucie
Gatineau,
Quebec, Canada
*** *** *** ***
Stronghold
Read Article Here
Just Hold Me, By Don Staheli
I loved this article.
We've all seen marriages ruined by this very thing.
I think it should be required reading on every couple's
anniversary!
Laura Leseberg
Provo, Utah
*** *** *** ***
Wrath Management
Read Article Here
Strategies to Turn Away
Wrath, by H. Wallace Goddard
Loved this article. Great
reminder of channeling and self-control.
Colleen Adair
Lawton, Oklahoma
**
A huge thank you to Meridian
for publishing Bro. Goddard's article "Strategies
to Turn Away Wrath"!! I have battled my tendency
to quick anger ever since becoming a parent eight years
ago. Many times I longed for something that would offer
ideas to turn away wrath: So many books talk about "letting
it out,” but I knew that Jesus has taught that contention
is of the devil, and that he is the one who stirs us
up to anger. I knew that somehow I needed to teach myself
NOT to let it out. I have made some progress, but still
deal with the issue. How grateful I am for Bro. Goddard's
powerfully expressed insights and doctrinally sound
teachings!
Michelle Baker
Bryant, Arizona
**
This has been so powerful
for me, and an answer to prayer as to the understanding
of some things going on with my 16-year old. The most
insightful thing of all for me is that it is not too
late to change some things in his life so he can have
a better life. We live in a crazy world and we must
stay on top of what is happening to our youth. Thank
you for sharing your research and being able to put
it into words that an everyday mother can understand!
Jan Cortese
**
What a wonderful article!
How I wish there had been such an article as I was raising
my children, particularly one child, who was ADD. I
was the youngest of a number of children who came from
a dysfunctional family (a father who was a weekend alcoholic;
parents who did not know how to parent). I have carried
a lot of "baggage" from my growing up years
as a result of that experience. I still carry some.
But as an adult I can no longer blame my parents for
my life; I have to take responsibility for my own actions.
I became active at a young
age because of the unending patience of a dedicated
friend. I served a mission, which gave me a foundation
in the gospel. Married a wonderful man. Bore several
incredible children, who I might add, have married wonderful
spouses. All except my daughter have served successful,
even outstanding missions. Wonder of wonder; blessing
of blessings: We all love and get along with each other
― even the grandchildren!
I attribute this to a dear
and patient husband, and the gift and power of the atonement
of Jesus Christ and the enabling grace that comes from
that mighty sacrifice.
One of the promises of
my patriarchal blessing states, “Love will be in your
home eternally... in bringing your family up and being
a mother and a leader, you will have joy wherever you
go." I have come to experience that joy. There
is nothing in this life that compares to it.
Do I wonder and wish what
might have happened had I been raised in a strong and
loving home with great examples? Of course. It breaks
my heart to see my brothers, “cut off with out root
or branch,” bitterly opposed to the Church, and one
of my siblings who is active in the church but has never
seemed to lose the baggage while growing up and has
great sorrow because of her children.
Another sibling is also
active, and has raised several children, most of whom
are living lives of faithfulness and activity. She
has a troubled marriage and is in denial of her responsibility
to honor her husband and his priesthood. I am overwhelmed
at the tender mercies of the Lord and how I have received
so many blessings in spite of my upbringing and family
background. It brings to mind the song from the Sound
of Music, “Nothing comes from nothing; nothing ever
could. Somewhere in my youth or childhood (my pre-existence)
I must have done something good.'”
I do hope this note of
appreciation may be forwarded to Brother Goddard.
Name withheld by request
*** *** *** ***
Power Up
Read Article Here
Powerful Teachers Pray,
by C.S. Bezas
Thanks for printing this
great article on the necessity and power of prayer for
people who teach. I'd only like to add that while Sis.
Bezas's focus is on seminary teaching, the principle
extends into the secular world of teaching. As a university
professor, I've found that praying about my classes
and teaching makes all the difference on my performance
in the classroom and one-on-one with my students. And
I KNOW that what we do in private does, indeed, reflect
in our faces. I had 3 LDS students in my classes last
year at the university where I teach, and I heard from
other members that before they had seen me at church
functions such as stake conference, all three of them
"just knew" I was LDS. And I don't think
it was anything I did or said in class, so it must have
been reflected in my face. I thought that was really
cool!
Sue Neimoyer
Detroit,
Michigan
**
This morning at 5:30 am
I arrived at the stake center for the first day of seminary,
as an instructor and met my group of 16 freshmen and
sophomores. Other than visits to the seminary as a bishop
over past years, and occasionally serving as a substitute,
I hadn't been involved in the early morning seminary
since I was an early morning student from 1969-1973
in Santa Barbara, CA.
I learned long ago as a
gospel doctrine teacher about the difference between
a lesson that started with intense personal prayers
(on my knees) compared to a lesson where I had a quick
prayerful wish before the class started. I never want
to experience the feeling of only relying on a "quick
prayerful wish" again. On the other hand the spiritual
high that comes from a sincere on-my-knees prayer is
almost guaranteed. That is why I loved your article.
I found that one of the
most important things to tell the Father in my prayers
is that regardless of all my preparations, notes, and
materials is "please don't let me speak my own
words ― please let me speak your words. Please
help me feel and act by the spirit while on my feet
in front of the class."
Whenever I pray earnestly
with this desire, whether it is for a talk or to lead
a classroom experience, I feel the difference and am
never disappointed. I usually know when the Father acknowledges
my petition because I get a flutter in my heart and
this impression that the Lord is pleased that I don't
want to speak my own words. If I don't go through this
prayerful process each time then I am sure to feel alone.
I have taught each of my
children this whole process in detail in their youth
when they start getting assigned talks in sacrament
meeting. I say to them, "Did you feel the heart
flutter?" Perhaps the confirmation will come in
a different way for each of them, but they know what
works for their dad.
Now I look forward to using
this petition daily for seminary and will see if I can
gain the spirits confirmation "flutter in my heart"
daily. If I couldn't feel the spirit I wouldn't want
to teach.
Thank you for your seminary
class notes.
Paul Haldeman
Murrieta California
Stake
*** *** *** ***
Quote Quota
Read
Article Here
Lesson
33, Sharing the Gospel with the World: Jonah 1-4, Micah
2; Micah 4-7, by Philip Allred
I am a Sunday School teacher
in my ward in Montréal, Québec. I read the lessons
every week. I liked this week's lesson by Br. Allred.
I will be quoting his story about his mission, as I
like using experiences from our time to bring the scriptures
closer to us. Thank you for all the info; it was very
informative but yet easy to read.
Nicole Allard
Montreal,
Quebic
*** *** *** ***
Seconding the Motion
Read Article Here
Encourage Them to Move,
by Fay A. Klingler
I believe, for it to be
true fun, the activity needs to be interactive. You
provided a great list of types of recreation that involve
us interacting with each other. In today's world to
many of us, both adults and children, want to sit quietly
and be entertained by some electronic device. I love
to sit on my porch in the summer and listen to the play
and laughter of children. I want to comment on movies.
I enjoy a good movie that makes me laugh or makes me
cry. I like movies that leave me with the feeling that
there is still honor and bravery. I most generally avoid
PG-13 movies, especially the so called "Chick Flicks"
because of the low moral standards they depict, as well
as the crudity. However, four of my favorite movies
are R-rated. They are Gladiator, Glory,
Saving Private Ryan, and The Passion.
What I am saying is that we need to be very selective
and thoughtful about our choices. Thanks for the great
article.
Gladys Owens
Providence,
Utah
*** *** *** ***
Play Date
Read Article Here
Let the Games Begin!
by Clark L. and Kathryn H. Kidd
We have done this for both
our branch and our Relief Society activity night, and
it is a wonderful ice breaker and friendship maker.
One of our favorite games is the Domino-15 sets that
are being sold now. We liked it so well after playing
it at a branch activity, we went out and bought our
own set, as well as buying a couple for Christmas gifts
(games are a favorite gift in my family). The Domino
set comes with instructions for several games of different
size crowds. The great thing about game night for me
is my normal routine doesn't give me time to really
relax ― game night gives me that opportunity without
feeling like I'm wasting time when I should be doing
something else.
Bring on the games!
Karen Morgan
New Castle, Indiana
**
I enjoyed the articles
by the Kidds. We struggle in our ward, because we cover
1 city block. We have a lot of widows (80 years old
and up), a few real oldie goldie couples, even fewer
middle age couples and lots of newlyweds who live in
apartments. The apartment dwellers move in and out
all the time, so we have a turnover on a monthly basis.
Game night was particularly interesting. This is a way
we could provide activities and it not matter who moves
in and out. Good publicity would get the information
out, and a turnover of people wouldn't matter. Also,
people wouldn't get bored with the games because due
to our ward turnover, the games would always be new.
Keep the good ideas coming.
One idea I would like to
share is a checker's or chess game night. We did this
one at our church in the cultural hall. We had people
who owned checker or chess sets bring them and then
paired up players. The winners of the first round moved
on to the second round until we got it down to 2 winners.
These winners played off on a huge checkerboard that
we set up on the cultural hall floor. We purchased
the inexpensive play mats that come in squares that
interlock together from our local Walmart. (Lots of
preschools use these for a play area floor). Then,
we used ward members as the playing pieces. The winners
stood on the stage (so they could view their game board
better) and then gave directions to the playing pieces
(ward members) as to how they should move. We even
had a table set up for the primary kids to play checkers
at. When you lost, you could mingle with others, watch
the other games in progress and of course, go to the
snack table for munchies. We take the checkerboard
apart and store it in a closet in the ward house basement
to be used for an annual chess/checkers tournament.
Christy Woffinden
Logan, Utah
**
I've started playing games
more in the last couple of years, and have been hosting
and encouraging game playing quite a bit. I don't remember
this kind of thing happening with my parents when I
was a kid, but it sure seems to be popular now ―
and you can easily see why. It can include almost anybody.
One thing I noticed: almost
all the games listed in the article were what I would
consider "Party Games" ― games that
generally involve getting-to-know-you type questions,
trivia, etc. I've been researching games a bit over
the last couple years, and I've found that there are
a lot of games that will accommodate several people
that involve some strategy or thinking, and are still
playable in a setting where people are always coming
or going, getting bored, etc.
Personally, I prefer these
kinds of games, but it's really a matter of taste.
Sometimes I have a harder time getting these thinking
games out when it's a Friday evening, when many people
simply don't feel like thinking, but some of them have
been quite popular.
