M E R I D I A N     M A G A Z I N E

Readers Wax Eloquent on Temples and Seagulls
Edited and compiled by Kathy Green

Tokyo to Finland via Meridian
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A Temple in Finland: Text by Maurine Jensen Proctor
Photography by Scot Facer Proctor

Back in 1980, it was my privilege to have the opportunity, while serving as a full-time missionary, to attend the Tokyo Temple dedication: the first temple in Asia. It was a thrill seeing the throngs of Japanese saints and missionaries gather for this sacred event, dedicated by President Kimball.

Now, because of your thorough journal-type information, it feels like I have been blessed to attend another one — the Helsinki Finland Temple.

Cary DeMille
Vancouver, Washington

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Thank you so much, Scot and Maurine, for your coverage of the Finland temple dedication, and all the temple dedications you have covered for us. Your pictures and text are so filled with the spirit. It enables us to feel like we have been there, feeling the spirit of the people who are so blessed by this long-awaited temple in their midst.

We feel and experience the miracle of the Church extending its reach around the world and feel the fellowship of the saints in faraway lands. May the Lord bless you in your important and much appreciated work.

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I have been a member of the Church all of my life. My grandparents were converts from Switzerland, Denmark and Wales. I am so grateful for their great sacrifice for me, their granddaughter. Your article touched my heart very much. My husband and I are photographers, and the pictures are simply marvelous. I could feel the spirit testifying to me about the temple and what it means to the Fins. I especially loved the picture of the girl with her ancestor's costume on. The gospel is true! I am so happy for my brothers and sisters in Finland! Thank you so much for taking the time to share this with me.

Sister Margaret Kohler Hyde
Yuma, Arizona

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We had a student from Finland visit with us yesterday. She called the "Forest Berries," Puolukka. I asked if she knew the name in English. She said that she knew it in Swedish, "Lingonberry." According to the World Book Encyclopedia, the lingonberry is related to the cranberry, not the currant.

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Why Do We Still Get Homework? By Orson Scot Card

I thoroughly enjoyed Orson Scott Card's article on homework. We are currently homeschooling our children and I often tell people that I feel that it is very indulgent because I don't have to make my kids do homework when I get home. I can't imagine adding that to our nighttime schedule. I also appreciate his recognition that requiring kids to do certain things, can take away their natural desire to do it. It seems that the school systems can often stifle the very things they are trying to improve.

Matt Dayley
Portland, Oregon

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I have really enjoyed Brother Card's articles on homework. I thought I was the only one with those thoughts. I have two girls: eight and ten years old, in the third and fifth grades; and although we live in Québec I am amazed at how similar schools, parents and students are.

I always thought the work should be done at school. We have other things to learn or teach in the family. Last week was the last time I looked at my ten-year old who has ADD, slave over her homework for 2 hours. Even with her challenges, she performs well at school, she is very bright, but by the time she gets home she needs to move or relax. Our days used to be exactly as described in the first part of the article, but this is over.

I am glad that my feelings are now sustained by research done by intelligent and experienced people. These changes will probably start a chain reaction with the school, but as a parent with a child with ADD, I must be her advocate and I am ready.

When my daughter learns what changes will occur in her student life, she will thank you!

Nicole Allard
Lachenaie, Québec

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That's What Love Does, by Gary and Joy Lundberg

Thank you so much for sharing your lives with me as I felt you wrote this article just for me. My husband and I have had our share of caring for each other in our eighteen years of marriage, both being remarried, his second, my third. I never knew love could be so wonderful, and by his admission, neither did he! However, it has mostly been him caring for me as I have had so many medical problems, the greatest of which has been my back and him caring for me through six major operations.

As anyone can attest, back surgeries don't completely eliminate the pain, but will decrease it for a time. And the list of other infirmities is greater than anyone should have to endure, no matter which side of the fence a loved one occupies.

And, true to form, my health had needed attention again but was interrupted August 19th with a verdict of terminal colon cancer with metastases into the liver and lymph glands for my sweetheart. My world was completely shaken and turned upside down. But all of a sudden I found I felt little pain and had energy that came out of nowhere when I turned it over to the Lord and asked for His help to care for my precious husband 24/7.

I believe in and have a burning testimony of the power of prayer, fasting and miracles, and bore my testimony the next Fast Sunday after finding out about his illness, that this test would bless our lives.

When we would know those blessings may not even be in this life, but I truly believed this was a test of faith and blessings would ensue. He wasn't given much of a chance to make it, but I know we were directed to a wonderful oncologist by true divine intervention; a doctor who, by his own admission to being Christian, believes in the power of prayer.

Although my sweetheart isn't completely out of the woods yet, his liver functions are almost within the normal range after being so jaundiced that he was as yellow as butter and had almost no cognitive abilities. He has really perked up, found his appetite again, is completely coherent, and now has the strength to get out of his wheelchair and has started walking without assistance. His nurse remarked this past Wednesday that he is the "poster child" for responding to treatment so fast and with such positive effects.

I should mention that my husband isn't LDS and has never been very close to the Lord until recently. He now acknowledges the power of prayer as he is aware of all those in the ward and stake, as well as our family, who have been fasting and praying for him. And he now prays to thank God for another day, the beauty He has created, and for each other. Perhaps soon he will be ready for the discussions, if not in this life, in the next. But I know now he is ready to receive them whereas before this, he wouldn't have been willing to listen. I bore witness to you that blessings would ensue!

Meledie Knopf
Arlington, WA

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Sometimes the Seagulls Don't Come, by Susan Law Corpany

I continue to be in awe how Susan can put into words such meaningful thoughts that are not only an absolute delight to read but teach me as well.

This is a topic that most of us can relate to. Sometimes we need those seagulls to come and we learn wonderful things from that heavenly help. Most often however, we learn even greater lessons from them not coming. I don't think we came to earth to be rescued but to find the road to the rescuer. It is usually the struggle that helps us reach our goal. Susan's article points that out so effectively.

I have known many who have left a meeting in tears because of the well meaning words of another. Yes, most of us have to learn not to be hurt and offended but even that is a process we need and without these “opportunities for growth” of times of offense and pain we would miss out on that refining.

Meridian blesses my daily life through articles, humor and absolutely stunning photography. Thanks for all you do! I recently attended a Time Out for Women and enjoyed it very much but on the way out commented to others how I wished Meridian would have continued to hold “Meridian Live.” That one-timer in Mesa was one of the best two days of my life and I have been to BYU Education Weeks, Know Your Religion, Time Outs, etc. That was awesome — just not very well advertised. Don't give up on it!

P.S. I would be very interested in a cruise with several speakers, especially if Susan Corpany was on board. Have a Meridian Live Cruise!

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Susan's article about the seagulls is so refreshing. Her realistic edge on things gives me a dose of reality, but lovingly so. She has a sharp wit and you can feel humor along with the message. I can't wait for her next article!

Judy Dugan
Glenoma, Washington