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Mr. Krueger’s Christmas, Part of a Wonderful Life, by Kieth Merrill -- Read Article Here
I have been a Jimmy Stewart fan since I watched his movies on Bay Area TV stations as a child. I am still experiencing chills, or "goose bumps" from reading your article. Thank you so very much for sharing your experience and precious memories of being the director of this fantastic film. It was neat to read of those parts of your journal that you were willing to share, too. In mentioning the film Harry's War, it was my husband's cousin who wrote it, I believe, (Will Whittle) and that was interesting to read also.
We are having some family from Utah visit us this afternoon and I plan to print this article and share it with all. I know they will truly enjoy it as I did. I often wondered how the film came about and now we know.
Dorothy Thompson
Lodi, California
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I would like to thank you for the wonderful article by Kieth Merrill on the making of Mr. Krueger's Christmas with James Stewart, his daughter Kamee, and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and others.
It was truly a very nice and spiritual read. I love Meridian Magazine and its articles. Please keep up the good work that you do, and may the Lord's Blessings be upon you always.
David Ainge
BowStreet,
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Great article! I am 50 now, but when MKC came out, I was a young widow in my 20's. I still cry when I see the scene where Mr. K. is so lonely that he is trying to lure the carolers inside for some hot chocolate, because I remember what it felt like to be that lonely, wishing people would give me company instead of cookies. It is only the little girl who intuits his need and invites him to sing with them. As I spent that first Christmas without my husband, and took care of my one-year-old son, it seemed the entire ward stopped by with a plate of cookies or fudge, but nobody had any time to visit. In my first novel, Unfinished Business [Hagoth Pub. Co], I included a scene that is the reason that part of the movie always makes me cry, and also includes a reference to another favorite Jimmy Stewart classic.
Susan Law Corpany
Kealkekua
Bay, Hawaii
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I just got through reading “Mr. Krueger's Christmas: Part of A Wonderful Life,” and I say thank you so much for sharing such a wonderful background to this wonderful movie. It touched my heart in many ways. We plan on sharing the film with our inactive daughter and her non-member husband and their girls and will include this wonderful article.
My husband and I are Jimmy Stewart fans and we have a collection of many of his films. I think he was a truly moral man and very outstanding at his craft. Thank you, Kieth Merrill, for sharing your talents, (or should I say the talents the Lord has given you) with all of us. I am especially concerned with all of the CRUD that is available for our children and grandchildren to digest and I appreciate what you give more than you know. We used to judge a film by who was in it (yes we are over 65); but now, many actors are unknown to us. So, we have begun a collection of family films so that our family can enjoy good films when they come to be with us.
I hope you will be influential in the film rating business so that we can judge better what is worthy of our family's precious time.
Margaret and Bill Hyde
Yuma, Arizona
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How to Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions, by Paul Bishop -- Read Article Here
I really enjoyed this article because it is so sensible. Many times the natural inclinations we have are good, and we need to work with them instead of trying to force ourselves to fit into some kind of mold. I do not believe that there is anything wrong with being a night owl. I can adjust to various schedules, but I have found that I tend to be more productive at night. I know the old adage; "the early bird get the worm," but I have never had the desire to eat worms. I'm just funny that way.
Janice Leilani Smith
Kingsville, Texas
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I would like to express the thought that I am uplifted, enlightened and surprised every time I read something that Brother Bishop writes for Meridian. The first article(s) of his that I read were the ones on sexual offenders. I thought at the time, "Well, this author is clearly a law enforcement professional who has seen so much of the seamy side of life that — while he has valuable information — he's pretty… well, sort of 'jaded'." That snap-judgment was so, so off-base. The further articles I've read by Paul Bishop have been copied and saved and re-read by me, emailed to many others, and truly are treasures. Thank you so much.
Barbara Schwartz
Bountiful, Utah
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Letting Go Versus Giving Up, by Darla Isackson -- Read Article Here
Wow, Darla! I am about to cry because I have just read this article and from being sad and hopeless, now I can say I feel my Savior´s love. Thanks for sharing with us this wonderful message. I don’t have words to explain how I feel now, but I can say I really want to be a better person, a better mom and a better daughter. Reading your article, it doesn’t seem impossible, because I know if I reach Him I will be restored, and I believe so with all my heart.
Thank you Darla, and I am sure Malachi will feel a strong spirit as you teach him, as I did!
Evelyn Flores,
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Thank you so much for the article about letting go. I have found it very embarrassing to accept long term, permanent illness. However, I have noticed it seems to be a general part of aging for most of us. I think it's part of the discipline we are to learn. How noble of me to figure that out when I struggle with it so much. I struggle daily with measuring exactly what I should be doing. When I was young the solution was easy. I worked and pushed myself to exhaustion. Now when I do that I become ill, perhaps for days. I don't like explaining my illness to people. I find it embarrassing. Also many social situations just don't lend themselves to topics of personal illnesses or limitations.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I know I will find strength in this article which I plan to keep on my desk for frequent reference.
Beverly Williford
Long Beach, California
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Again Darla Isackson has touched my soul with her article “Pondering Covenants with Christ.” I am a new Grandma and can't wait to share these stories with my new grandson. Thank you, Darla.
Marsha Heaston
Pleasant Hill, California
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This article is one of the very best I have read on Meridian. It was very powerful and really struck a chord with me; as if this article was meant for me. Thank you Darla for sharing such profound insights. Now if I can only let go ...
Marti Grobecker
Draper, Utah
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What Manner of Man, by Linda and Richard Eyre -Read Article Here
I just found this wonderful series here at the end of the year 2005. It is wonderful and I am requesting you leave it in your archives (if not already planning to do so) for the year of 2006 so those of us who just discovered them can use them this year.
Anne Cutcher,
Shreveport, Louisiana
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Freecycling —“Changing the World One Gift at a Time.” by Clark L. and Kathryn H. Kidd -- Read Article Here
I wanted to say THANK YOU for the article on Freecyle by the Kidds. My name is Mary Siever and I run the Freecycle mailing list in Lethbridge, Alberta. It's a wonderful resource and currently we have close to 670 members on the list in Southern Alberta. There are also groups in Nobleford and Cardston,in Southern Alberta.
Mary Siever
Lethbridge,
Alberta
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Along this line of freecycling is an activity that our ward has every year called the "Soup and Swap." Everyone brings a soup to share (ward provides rolls, I believe). The youth go around the ward during the day to pick up items that would be donated to the DI, and they organize/sort the items in one half of the cultural hall. After the soup dinner, the curtains are opened, and everyone can go browse through the clothing and other items. Of course, the kids always go berserk and everyone has a lot of fun.
This has been a way for those in need to help fill some of their needs in a non-threatening way. And many of us have found "treasures" in what became someone else's "trash." That which is not taken home is piled into a DI truck to benefit other people. (Because of this, everyone is encouraged to only donate things that are usable, in good condition.)
This is an activity that we all look forward to every year as a chance to clean out our closets and garages, to gather together as a ward, and to feel that sense of community that comes from sharing with one another.
Michelle Linford
Orem, Utah
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We discovered this wonderful organization about a year-and-a-half ago, and it is the best. We got rid of a whole house full of dead appliances in exchange for a couple that worked, and also disposed of three non-working vehicles. Someone was happy to take them who had the time to fix them up.
When our water heater died and we had NO money to buy a new one, a fellow Freecycler came through with a used one that had just been removed from their house to put in a larger one. Their smaller one still has more capacity than our old sediment-filled leaky one. Now to start on the storage barn stuff: Anyone want to come help me sort?
Karen Morgan
New Castle, Indiana
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Movie Trailer for Joseph Smith DVD Now Available, by Scot Proctor -- Read Article Here
I can't tell you how much I love the new Joseph Smith DVD. My husband and I watched it way into the night where normally we would have just turned it off and finished it later. I was especially struck with the arrangement of “If You Could Hie to Kolob” playing in the background. Could you tell me who did that arrangement? Thank you so much for all you do to enrich the lives of the Saints.
Sallie Nielson
Vancouver, Washington
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My wife and I want to thank you so very much for this outstanding DVD of the Prophet Joseph Smith’s life and the place’s he grew up in. And your heartfelt testimony was a boost to listen to.
Dennis and LaRue James
Washington Terrace (Ogden), Utah
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In October 2001, we traveled with you on an unforgettable Church history tour. I cannot tell you how many times since we have wished we could take the trip again. Tonight we did just that. Our copy of Witness of the Light arrived this afternoon and we sat down to watch it as soon as we possibly could. What a wonderful experience we had. It was such fun to revisit the places and hear the stories that were so much a part of our 2001 journey. Thank you so much for once again giving us the opportunity to walk with you, and to see through your eyes, the life of the Prophet.
Myrna Kemp
Rhea Hollis
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Received on 12-30-05, but didn’t watch until New Years Day. Besides being beautiful and touching, it gave me a greater awareness of Emma Smith. To move so many times into homes that were not her own. Not to arrange cups, saucers and plates, the way that would be pleasing to her. To sleep in beds not her own, to bear children with no mother or sister to be by her side. To leave small grave sites behind and know you would never go back. To share your husband with the Lord and the hundreds of details that fell on his shoulders.
Sister Smith seemed to always have a gracious smile, no matter how many came to ask questions of the Prophet. How she must have grieved every time Joseph was arrested. A prophet really does need an elect lady by his side.
Janice Snyder
Fort Dodge, Iowa
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What a fantastic, educational, beautifully done photo journal-documentary. I absolutely love it and intend to babble to all my friends and acquaintances about the video. I would like you to consider adding an "add your review here" to the web site. If possible, I would like to talk with you. I am coming to DC in April and would like to bring you a "little thank you." Please send me your phone number and address if it's possible to meet you great people.
Nancy Pitcher
Idaho Falls, Idaho
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It was such a fun experience to travel with you again, Scot, following the footsteps of the Prophet. This time, I could take my other family members along to experience the challenges the Prophet Joseph Smith and his family faced over time. I obtained copies of your DVD for my various families so they, too, can be edified and their testimonies grow deeper. In a CES class last month, the instructor made the note that in reality, John Taylor's watch was stopped by the fact that it was hit by a cabinet, not by a bullet. John Taylor can be considered to be a martyr, too, since his death was caused by an infection of his leg due to the bullet he received at Carthage jail. His death was delayed so he could perform the work he was sent to earth to accomplish.
The production was so very, very well done. The Introduction and other items are a plus. I enjoy all of your memorable photo essays, amazed how soon they appear after the event. I am grateful for the many talents you and Maurine so willingly share.
Meridian Magazine is superior, too. This site covers everything with the highest of standards and the best of authors and the most knowledgeable writers in their various fields.
Betty Evenson,
Salt Lake City, Utah
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Evidence Infinite and Infinitesimal, by James Summerhays - Read Article Here
Enjoyed James Summerhays’ “Evidence Infinite and Infinitesimal.” Concise, well-written, and appropriately touches on the idea behind the LDS struggle to combine faith and fact.
Dr. Robert Vance
Las Vegas, Nevada
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A Diary Writing Addiction, by Steve Orton - Read Article Here
Great article by Steve Orton. He is also the best gospel doctrine teacher ever!!
Frank Mcleskey
Fairfax Station, Virginia
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Meridian Magazine has stepped to the plate to bring thoughtful, opportune articles to a wider array of LDS disciples. The ideas I find at Meridian Magazine are often more timely and touching than we could get from other sources such as Deseret Book or even the Ensign. There appears to be a whole cadre of discerning LDS amateur authors with ideas and insights to share who have never before had a forum to disseminate their ideas. Thanks for making a new conduit of inspiration available.
Dr. Mark Matheson
Highland, Utah
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The Children of Divorce, by Orson Scott Card -- Read Article Here
Thank you for doing the necessary work to get permission to reprint Card's powerful article. Rarely have I ever read a magazine article that left me breathing a little harder at the conclusion of my reading.
We all know and rub shoulders with a "homeless" child of divorce. I appreciate his call to each of us to be sensitive to these children's plight and drop what he terms "the glad act." I know I have been guilty of casually throwing out the old standby: "How are you today?.Fine? Oh, good."
If we will drop the superficiality, and be truly loving, at least then they may have one safe place, one safe person — a neighbor, a teacher, the parent of one of their buddies — who is not afraid to honestly put their arm around them, and say, "You are right. Divorce sucks. How are you holding up under it? What is the hardest thing for you right now?"
If all the adults in their world continue to play the dishonest roles of The Glad Act, these children will grow up even more emotionally troubled — having experienced no validation of their own internal truths by the outer world. That is a recipe for crazy-making. It is a recipe for turning children into adults who have to become desensitized to their own feelings to survive, because they have learned that being emotionally honest is painfully isolating.
It is a recipe guaranteed to turn children of divorce into adults who will grow up and thrash about fitfully in honest, intimate relationships with their own future spouses, if they marry at all. Card calls out to all of us in society to take responsibility; and I feel personally called to change, having read his sobering and true words. Thank you for standing on the rock of truth, standing for children, and reminding us of how even our attitudes, as well as our actions, affect the whole, as difficult and unpopular as it is, in the shifting sands of today's society.
Kit Kartchner
Provo, Utah
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Hale and Hearty
Joyous Celebration for Joseph’s Birthday, by Maurine Jensen Proctor; Photographs by Scot Facer Proctor - Read Article Here
I
always remember the year of his birth, for my Father Joseph Hale was born
in 1905. No wonder his parents named him Joseph. As an American living
in
By contacting missionaries at the Hill Cumorah Visitors Center, through their efforts I was able to obtain recipes of food that was used at the Palmyra period. This special touch added greatly to the celebration. I felt that his added effort to provide authentic food, added greatly to their appreciation of the prophet.
Brother Hale