Rhyme and Reason from Meridian Readers
Edited and compiled by Kathy Green

Heavenly Seventh Birthday Greetings from Alaska to New York

Read Article Here

Happy Birthday Meridian Magazine, by Maurine and Scot Proctor

I've been with you from the start, on LDSworld. I have looked forward each day to opening and reading your magazine. I have shared it with all of my friends and family — making sure that they too were sharing in current events and articles that could inspire and guide them.

My greatest thanks to all, for the hours you have spent in putting together a truly remarkable “magazine” — one of great worth.

I am looking forward to the next 7 years.

Klea May
Springfield, Oregon

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WOW!!  What more is there to say than congratulations?  It is not easy to be successful in this kind of endeavor, and you have proven that this is possible.

Thank you for all the marvelous writers and the subjects that have been addressed.  I know that I had found answers to questions and felt the Spirit and have grown closer to my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ because of that.

I pray that you continue to present to your public the same quality of work and to share the gospel with your sisters and brothers around the world.

Lucie Martial
Gatineau, Quebec, Canada

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I find most of Meridian's daily magazine a real plus in keeping up with LDS current activities, theology and doctrine, and more.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TODAY AND BEST WISHES FOR MANY MORE!!

Frank McLeskey
Fairfax Station, Virginia

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Thank you so much for this great site! It has been my homepage for a long time. I can come to this site and read whatever is going on in the world and the Church without having to go to other sources online.

I love this site and hope it will continue. Once again Happy Birthday Meridian Magazine and thanks for all you do to make this a wonderful place to be.

Glenda Prewitt
Greenfield, Indiana

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Congratulations on your 7 years of service to Latter-day Saints!  We love your publication.

Also, since I spent over 37 years working for Bonneville Int'l Corp, a good 20+ of them serving as Assistant to Arch L. Madsen. I share your love and gratitude for that great man.

Mark Bench, Executive Director
White Plains, New York

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I am very thankful for the great output of Meridian.

Beverely Jenkins
Anchorage, AK

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What a great source of material you offer and personally want to thank all of you for a great source of information and writings for those of us in the hinterlands of the Church.  What I like is the ability to contact the writers about a specific article or just to tell them how much all of us appreciate their energy, time and sharing their works with us.

Congratulations on the current view of Meridian and for an even brighter future.

Keep the readers informed and you will see an even greater growth in the audience of Meridian readers.

Don Lindley
Manhattan, Kansas

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It is of great comfort and spiritual uplift to me to read your articles. You are to be commended for all you do to share your wonderful online LDS magazine.

Thank you so much to your entire staff! 

Kathryn L. Blose
Las Vegas, Nevada

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Thanks for having such a wonderful site. That's the start page for every computer in the house. It's just one more way of making sure that no matter whether it's me, my wife, or any of our children, an on-line experience will always begin with an inspirational web page.

Ed Poplin
Longmont, Colorado

I can't remember how long I've been reading Meridian magazine, but I can think of all the positive effects it has had on my life. I am constantly recommending your articles to friends and members of my ward. You have enriched my marriage, my mothering, my knowledge of past and current events and maybe other areas I'm not even aware of (but maybe not helped the amount of time I spend on the computer!).

So, thanks to all who make Meridian's voice a voice inspired by the Spirit.

Kudos!

Sage Gallagher
Brewster, New York

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Just a quick note of thanks for all the hard work to put this awesome site together. There have been many days in the past four years since I found out about Meridian Magazine that someone, through this web site, has provided me with much needed encouragement and, just the right words. To all who share their inspirational messages with such clarity and talent. THANK YOU!!!

May the Lord bless you to continue this endeavor for many years to come.

Mel Bingham
Billings, Montana

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I love your magazine!  I go to it for just about anything.  Thank you for providing it!

Ivonne Harris
Wellsville, Utah

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I've only recently discovered Meridian and love it.  I link to articles every day from your emails.

Thank you for the service you offer the LDS community.

Dale Tippets
West Jordan, UT

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Feasting on the Word

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Searching the Scriptures:  A Personal Journey, by Scot Facer Proctor

Thank you so much for sharing this with all of us.

Carol Coleman
Fresno, California

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I am a person who has always had emotions close to the surface, especially the feelings that bring tears.  I could never speak of things of the spirit without tears and wished I could be different.  One day in reading my scriptures I realized that often the word cry is used instead of the word pray. “They cried unto the Lord,” and it brought me peace because I knew that when a person was crying, somehow it brought the Lord sooner. “He heard the cries of his people” and I decided that He was no longer displeased with the lack of control I had over this emotion of mine. 

Your article this morning again brought me peace and acceptance for what I have considered a weakness.  I can’t explain what sharing your personal scriptural journey on February 10 did for me.  I thank you, and I thank my Lord for His message to me through you, to learn that to succor his people means “to run to their cry.”  He has done that so many times for me.

Thanks for all you do for bring the love and spirit of the gospel into my life through Meridian Magazine.

A friend in Kalamazoo

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Since we are “snowed in” I have taken a moment to read some of the articles on Meridian Magazine. If I was not so busy in the work of the missionaries I would read everything you write. You are both exemplary members of the Church and gifted writers. I am grateful that you have chosen to use your talent to build the kingdom. Often we use your material as we train the missionaries. Sometimes we even give you the appropriate credit, but I don’t think they appreciate the time and effort you have expended to be trained in the arts of clear thinking and writing. Most of them will not appreciate the effort it takes until they have gone to school for many years. Thank you again for all you do and write, for your faithful example, and for the on-line magazine.

As I read Scot’s article, “Searching the Scriptures — A Personal Journey,” I could not help but think of my favorite scriptures on the covenants of the Father to his children in 1 Nephi 13-26. I especially love the comforting promise that “I shall not forget thee…I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me” (v.15-16).

Thanks again for the many insights and news of the Church!

Bill Price
Washington DC North Mission

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I loved to read your column on Scripture study... I have wanted to  write to you for a long time to say thank you.

I have a sister in law who is having a very hard time and I have found articles on Meridian that have helped sometimes even before she has had need for them.

One day many years ago I was frustrated that I couldn't understand the scriptures and I said out loud "Why don't you just give me a list. I would do my best to do it."

A couple of days later I was called to teach early morning seminary and taught for 8 years. It was the best thing that ever happened to my scripture study. That is when I learned the best time to study was early in the morning — a grateful heart and many blessings later.

I make my scripture study a matter of prayer first.  The Book of Mormon gets read every day. I get up early in the morning usually about 5.30 every day.  For the past few months I have been receiving the chapter on the computer on www.LDS.org from the scriptures and transferring it to a Microsoft page.  As I am reading I check the cross-references and topical guide. As I go along I mark what applies and I add what the Holy Ghost shows me. I find the conference reports on the topic I am reading in the chapter and find articles from Meridian Magazine. Do you know, more often than not there is an article on what I am reading that day? 

I will send what I read if it applies to my sister in law and I know it is what Heavenly Father has wanted me to learn that day.  Then I try to find ways to put it into my life with a goal list. 

I have tried for the past 20 years to learn by faith as well as by studying. So I make it a matter of prayer where I study next; and by the spirit, articles come.

Books I've bought years before; articles in the Meridian Magazine and gospelink come just when I need them; as well as the scriptures.

Sometimes I make it through the chapter and other times I just do one verse. The greatest blessing is when I have studied a topic and I go to the stake women's conference the next day and find that I have studied the theme of the conference all week.  This happened just last Saturday. Or general conference comes and what I have been studying comes up with a little more about it.  What a confirmation comes when that happens.

Reading on the computer has speeded up my finding things and marking. Marking causes ideas that I might otherwise have missed, to stand out. Then I make a list and put it in my journal (on the computer of course) and try to live the principles the best way I can. It slows the reading down so the spirit can talk to me about it. It comes in little quiet thoughts that I am so grateful for. It makes such a difference to my thinking and attitude. The peace that comes through the day no matter what difficulties come.

Thank you for your article; another one that made a difference to my thinking and scripture study. I love the Meridian Magazine and the blessings it brings to me and my sister in law.

Right now in our ward we are doing the Enos challenge. We read Enos every day for a month. We pray that our hearts will be softened to help our family, friends and neighbors want to learn about the gospel; that we will have the courage to help them; and that the missionaries will have people to whom to teach the gospel. I have learned so much from the Enos chapter, and many things from the articles about him in the Meridian magazine files.

Thank you for the great start to my "scriptures study by faith" day.

Name withheld by request

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I'm here in Monterrey, Mexico, finding our home, and stopped to check e-mail. I loved your article about reading the scriptures.  Isn't it beautiful how at times we are catapulted out of this time and space and transported to a spiritual place where light permeates our souls?  I have never seen the father and the son in the first vision, but I have felt it.   It’s as if I am there, blinded and deafened but still feeling the glory, peace and joy that Joseph felt.  I've also had this experience while studying section 76.  I could feel the glory of vision.  My spiritual heart was feeling it.

Thanks for your article, reminding me of the need to read every day.  I have missed 4 times in the past five years, but I rededicate my efforts to be perfect in that thing.

Anne Pratt
Monterrey, Mexico

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I cried all through your article. It was wonderful. I know I have often wondered if Heavenly Father hears my prayers, but I still keep on praying. When I read things like this I sure feel very humble. Thank you for this beautiful article.

Lillian Campbell
Roy, UT

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I have just read your article and wanted to say thank you for taking the time to write it all down in so detailed and readable a manner. It was a most worthwhile journey not only because of the way you conveyed the process.

I teach the Gospel Doctrine class in my ward (Newcastle Emlyn) which is a great privilege and blessing. But since I lead a very busy life (like SO many others out there), I have to leave lesson preparation to a re-reading of the manual sometime on Saturday (to get the "gist" and purpose into my sub-conscious overnight) and then get to the nitty gritty on Sunday morning using whatever I have available in "other" materials on my bookcase plus internet resources, one of which is Meridian's gospel doctrine page.  This morning having read Lesson 7 and found some interesting ideas, I just thought i wanted to see what the "top" article under the lead was.  And there you were. Intrigued by the "trail," I went to it.

There was a part I found very pertinent —the part pertaining to Abraham. (Scripture reference:

2 Nephi 8:1) which actually is extremely helpful within the context of part of the plan I am outlining for the lesson.

However, it was more than just that. I have now printed off a copy to re-read and share later today with the family still at home. I will also send links to the family no longer living at home because it reminds us so encouragingly of the whole point of scripture study and the need for its prayerful inclusion every day. While such fulfilling experiences as you described so wonderfully well may not happen every day or even every week, when they do, words are usually inadequate to convey the nourishment received at a very personal level.

Sally Wilkins
West Wales, United Kingdom

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Great article from another with a diary writing addiction. I served part of my first mission in Richmond and enjoyed the history of the area. We just returned from a military mission at Ft. Bliss, Texas and history is being made there. My husband is retired Air Force so wondered why we were sent to serve the Army but it was a great experience. I am now trying to make sense of all the scraps of paper that hold my writing. This is more work than the writing was. Maybe someone will enjoy some of it someday. This article gives me hope that all my thoughts will not be lost.

Beverly Wellington
Roseburg, Oregon

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Mess Attracts Fly Lady

Read Article Here

Confessions of a Disorganized Housewife, by Tiffany Lewis

Love your articles!  I was also raised by parents with the "depression-era" mentality and have had difficulty learning what to keep and how to organize it. Here is something that has helped: www.flylady.com.  She helps you dejunk painlessly a little every day (and it is free).  My mom used to have a poem (of course, I couldn't find it when needed) that went something like "...settle down cobwebs, dust go to sleep.  I'm rocking my baby 'cause babies don't keep." [keep reading.  The poem is posted below. Ed.]

Keep it up — you're doing fine!

A Mother in Utah

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Please pass on to Tiffany the free web site — www.flylady.net.  She will be amazed at the concepts taught on this site.  The author of the site has an ongoing column in the Deseret News. She is not LDS, but has strong Christian values and has quite a following around the world. She teaches how to find time for family joy and keep on top of everything it takes to run a household. 

Shannon in Oregon

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Tiffany, www.freecycle.com your overstuffed armchair and couch in your area.  I am sure there will be someone who will enjoy your offerings! You can also look/find or ask for a wanted item on this site in your area too.  A great place, so useable items do not wind up in the landfill.  [Read the Meridian story on this service here]

Yes Salvation Army has become choosy.  Ask your friend, who sounds like a "Born Organizer" to help you in a room in your home.  Offer to baby sit her children for an evening if she will come over and help.  She may give you some insights.  Now if she clears all knick-knacks off side tables, don't do it.  The reason: Yes, it looks clean and is very easy for someone to clean, but it is void of character.  It does not TEACH your children not to touch or learning the consequences of breaking something.  

My mother was able to take all three of us children into a china store at once and not get into trouble.

Being a "recycler" is being conservation minded.  Again, by showing this to your children you are teaching them about our world and what happens.   You are helping our world and our future, one glass bottle, plastic item, or paper product at a time.

Rebecca Bashaw
Houston, Texas

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Your letter reminded me of the following poem.  And in the meantime throw away anything you haven't used in a year.  You can always get another to replace it.

The last four lines on a plaque on the kitchen wall have kept me sane as I raised our 7 children.

Connie Theobald
Toole, Utah

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The author needs to know that there is someone who can help her with the chaos she is living in.  Marla Cilley, A.K.A. “Flylady” (she has a column in Deseret News).  Flylady turned my life around five years ago and helped me to see that I don’t have to have all that stuff!  Finding and actually implementing Flylady’s principles ranks right after marriage, motherhood and baptism as one of the most significant and life-changing events of my life.  I am a better wife and mother for it and am in a better position to magnify my church callings. You can find Flylady at www.flylady.net and, best of all, she’s free! 

Bonnie Howell
Stafforsdville, Kentucky

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Sounds like Tiffany needs to connect with www.FlyLady.com.  Her motto is "you can't organize clutter, you can only get rid of it!"  I highly recommend this web site to everyone!  It has made a huge difference in my stress level as I've slowly but surely made progress with the piles of clutter.

Lari Smith
Sacramento, California

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I've been a subscriber to the magazine for well over a year, but never came across the articles written by Tiffany Lewis.  Today, I did and am so grateful for the time she puts into her stories of life as a mom of three boys.

I have two boys myself and often feel overwhelmed by their energy, but so happy to have them.  Without my guys my life would be boring. Keep on writing your stories, Tiffany!  They let me know that I'm not alone in this messy home of two boys and a daddy.

Coralei Standley
Irrigon, Oregon

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Your article was hilarious only because it is so true of so many of us mothers who planned our whole lives to stay home and be moms, but then studied literature and art, or some other useful subject and just figured I knew how to be a "housewife." Now I wonder why when I read all day, dinner isn't made and no one has clean clothes to wear.

Actually, that's how I used to be. My friends think I am a groupie, but I have to refer you to www.flylady.net. Sign up for the emails, listen to her "flywashing" and learn how to make your life peaceful.  I guess I do sound like an advertisement. Just try it.

Good luck from another mother of three with dishes and laundry to do, dinner to cook and a desire to read a good book or paint instead.

Sage Gallagher
Brewster, New York

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Thank you so much for writing such an inspiring and very true article. I love all of your articles! I try so hard to be a Molly Mormon housewife but I've failed miserably! My kids, Emily, four, and Jacob, 18 months, keep me busy. I also hope that people think my house is lived in and not messy. Jacob has found out where I keep the canned food so I find cans of tomatoes and beans in very odd places. Sometimes it's a little embarrassing when I have company over to try to hide the can I just noticed under the coffee table. Once I found one in the toilet. I thought about throwing it away but couldn't bring myself to do so. I washed it and cooked dinner extra long that night! There are so many stories I could trade with you! It is very uplifting to hear yours!

Ginny Smith
Brainerd Minnesota

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I'm just glad I'm not the only one!  Mine is the "paper war"!  I can't seem to get all the papers under control!  My nine-year old daughter brings home reams and the daily mail, junk and my husband bringing home every brochure he passes (or doesn't pass!)  MAKES ME CRAZY!

Sympathetic in Oregon,
Cindy Rippenkroeger

**

You can't be the worst housewife because I've had that title for years. Through all these years, as my kids were growing up and learning to do chores, I looked forward to the day that I would have a really clean and organized home. Somewhere in the distant future the kids would all be grown and all the training complete. Only to find that now that I have the youngest of twelve in his last year of elementary school (6th grade) that I have the wonder of grandchildren. They love to come and play at grandma’s house while their mothers (my children) get their housework done. I’ve concluded my home will always have that “lived-in” look because these young years go so quickly and I would rather them remember me taking the time to read, play or cuddle that with a bucket and mop in my hand.

As for the Salvation Army, I had a water heater burst in my basement, when the insurance adjuster came to assess the damage she didn’t believe that the stuff in my basement was being used. She argued I was just storing junk in my basement. It took showing her the furniture on the upper levels to convince her that yes people do use furniture and appliances that are old and working on hope and a prayer — that $20 monthly premium on replacement value was the best investment I ever made as I enjoy the use of my new washer, dryer, and freezer, and thank Heavenly Father for a burst hot water tank.

Enjoy your children.

Sue Ann
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

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Worthy Mail

Read Article Here

Ahmad S. Corbitt:  Lighting the Fire Within, by Maurine Proctor

The day I heard that "all worthy males" could now hold the Priesthood, I wept with joy.  I knew it was right and I thought, "At last".  To read of such growth of the Church in Harlem among our African American brothers and sisters gives me that same great feeling. 

Lucy Bates
Canada

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This was very inspirational and wonderful to see this young man’s growth and accomplishments, and willingness to follow the Lord’s direction.  Thanks for sharing!  I wish I could attend his talk in Washington DC!  Alas, it won’t happen this time.

Tammy Van Cleve
Gilbert, Arizona

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What a great article! I wish we were out east so we could hear him speak. He is inspiring and I would love to hear more from him.

Thanks for sharing. I'm going to pass this on to all my colleagues.

Cheryl McCoy
Gilbert Arizona

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A Solo Voice for Marriage Principles

Read Article Here

The Change of Heart, From Chapter 1 of The First Principles of Marriage, By H. Wallace Goddard

I started to say "every once in a while you offer something so significant," but then I realized, it's not every once in a while; it's fairly often!   This series of articles is remarkable.

Thank you for giving us this insightful and moving information.  And thank you for printing the series on a daily basis.  It's wonderful. I'm a single mother, but I still want to learn and grow and maybe be a good partner if I get the chance again.  But even if I don't, the things you share with us through Meridian help to make me a better Christian, a better member of the Church, a better parent, just a better person altogether.

Debbie MacDonnell 
Midlothian, Texas

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Hawaiian Love Song

Read Article Here

The Sweetest Love Stories, by Sean Brotherson

Your article touched me so much, thank you!!  I know there are other poems coming for some of the other stories, but I loved this one. I have never heard it before. Have a great day!

Kalapaupa
Can you measure the distance to Kalapaupa? Can you put any limits on love?
When you promise to love through eternity, do you forget when push comes to shove?
There are no bounds on unconditional love, no limits we will not go
to have and to hold, in sickness or health — our sacrificial love will show

As each wave beats the shore of Kalapaupa, so many legacies haunted by love
Are the choices we make in our everyday lives, like the Christlike ones from above?
It’s so easy to choose the easy way out, to forget all the vows that we’ve made
Will we forge on together, eternally bound or watch the grass grow in the shade?

It’s not a choice we would ever choose if the situation never arose
But are we prepared to sacrifice, to face the decisions we chose?
Those lives were precious, that fought and lost — they existed and were then cast away
And the na kokua that knowingly served, gave unselfishly, day by day

We need to turn ourselves from the inside out, reach out and serve willingly
For it’s the little things that will show our love, the things that others can’t see
For love is a multi-faceted force, that will bind us eternally
And the unconditional love we give and take, is what turns “you or I” into “we.”

Veronica Harney
Glendora  California

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