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Lift and Learn

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Lesson 8, The Sermon on the Mount: "A More Excellent Way”

Matthew 5, by Bruce Satterfield

Thank you for your lesson on Matthew 5.  It was very insightful and informative.  I learn so much from you each week.

Melissa Cox
Mesa, Arizona

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Redemption of the Imperfect

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Build on the Rock by Susan Law Corpany

Wonderful point, Susan!

If it wasn't for the fact that the gospel is true, I believe a lot of us would have led many good people astray with our imperfections.

I can't wait to read the book when it comes out!!

Grace Chen
Bountiful, Utah

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Perfect Timing

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A Tear on My Forehead by Larry Day

This is a great article — when a blessing is needed that is definitely the time for it to be given and received.

D.R. Daines Sr
Golden Stake, Colorado

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Saving Grace

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The Testament of “Amazing Grace” by Daniel C. Peterson

I have just read the article, "The Testament of Amazing Grace" by Daniel C. Peterson. I greatly appreciate knowing the history of that song as I have loved it all my life, especially when it is sung with reverence and dignity. It has always sparked a deep feeling of love, reverence and adoration for Christ within my soul. It is a song that brings you into its depth of feeling and worship, and invites you to sing along.  I am delighted, as well, to know the history of its author, John Newton.  My birthday is also July 24th, and through the years I have found uncanny connections to some of the others who share the same birthday. I am honored to share a birthday with John Newton. Thank you for the enlightenment on that beautiful song, as well as its worthy author.

Cami Mortensen
Rexburg, Idaho

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Hoping and Coping

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Coping with Abusive Children by Kathryn H. Kidd

I just had to respond to your article. I have a daughter, now 24, who was a serious challenge to raise. She was bright, articulate, extremely creative, and very difficult to get along with. She wanted her own way and was inflexible to others’ desires and changes of plans. We knew we would be in for hours of argument and disruptive behavior if she didn't get her way.

As she became a teenager, she continued in this pattern. I had tried numerous ways of tempering her behavior. Mostly, I believed what I had learned early on, that children thrive when they know they are loved. I continued to love her and acknowledge her talents, despite the disruptions.

As a late teen her life started spiraling out of control. In my bewilderment, the answer from the Spirit came, "Love her and invite her in." I didn't know how to fix her problems, though I had read (and continue to read) much that is written on child development and child behavior. I DID know how to love her and invite her in. I had been doing that her whole life. Suddenly, my job became easy. Whenever there was any family activity, I invited her to participate, even though 95% of the time she refused. She at least knew I wanted her there. She told me after she had straightened her life out, that the reason she continued to come around, was because she knew I was always happy to see her and wanted to know all about her life.

One counselor that we went to said "there are reasons she behaves the way she does" and we eventually found those reasons. When she was between the ages of 18 and 21 we learned that she has several significant mental health problems. All of a sudden, her past behavior became clear to us. Her behavior was in response to aberrant feelings she was experiencing because of mental illness. She is now married in the temple to a returned missionary, and is expecting her third little boy. She still has some struggles with her mental challenges, but for the most part, is doing remarkably well. But if she had not turned her life around, and I was prepared for that eventuality, my job would have continued as the Spirit directed.

Thank you for the reminder in your article of what children really need. I'm raising two more children, each with their own mental challenges. My lesson was well-learned with the first child and my two at home are doing well. Should they eventually choose a different path, I already know the answer: Love them and invite them in.

Name withheld by request

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Good, Better and Best Books

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Let Them at Least Have Heard of Brave Nights and Heroic Courage, by Micheal Flaherty, President, Walden Media

I enjoyed this article and plan to see Amazing Grace and other Walden productions.

I am curious as to how the author would define the word "literature."  I am reading a Michener book right now. I like biographies, non- fiction, Mark Twain (certainly literature) and James Thurber.

Would Mr. Flaherty include just the so- called great books?

At any rate, it is a relief to see someone bringing quality to the media, particularly film. We don't go to the movies much any more.  I'd like to start again with material worthy of my time.

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Star Pupil

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Lesson 10 “Take My Yoke upon You, and Learn of Me” Matthew 11:28-30; 12:1-13; Luke 7:36-50; 13:10-17 by Breck England

I teach Gospel Doctrine in the Brookfield Ward, Milwaukee Wisconsin North Stake. 

I have read many of the lessons on this website as I prepare mine.  I was interested to discover that one of the writers of these articles is a former teacher of mine, Breck England.  I was in several of Mr. England's classes at Bountiful High School many years ago, including English, ACT prep, and Russian. 

I enjoyed his teaching methods then, and have been delighted to read his articles as I prepare for Gospel Doctrine.  I thought he may enjoy hearing that one of his former English students can still write a relatively coherent email and still enjoys his insights into the gospel.

Katrina (Lloyd) Becker
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Truth is Reason

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How Can We Know the Truth? By John P. Pratt

Thanks, Meridian, for publishing another John Pratt article. I have really missed them. This one is especially timely for me, as a Young Men president, with a troubled teenager that I need to teach. Just last Sunday (yes, he still comes to church more often then not) I had to tell him his views were not correct, but it didn't matter what I said. I told him he needed to take the responsibility to discover truth for himself, after which I redefined the process I knew through the Book of Mormon. That, he couldn't disagree with. I think I might share this article with him. Maybe it might get him to start questioning his own, very mixed up, reality. Thanks again.

I love your magazine when it makes me think, as John's articles always do.

David Nay
Provo, Utah

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Good Save

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Re: How to Forgive Your Spouse, by Ken Robertson, Ph.D.

Amen to this article. I used to tell my Sunday school class that all marriages are saved by grace and not works alone.

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Judge Not

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Finding a Way to Bless Rather than a Reason to Judge by H. Wallace Goddard

I found Mr. Goddard's article on, "Finding a Way to Bless Rather than a Reason to Judge" very inspirational.  He's a wonderful writer and I appreciate his efforts.

Reminders such as this will help me to reach out with love instead of to judge and condemn.

Bryan Kingsford
Orem, Utah

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Co-education

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Family Services Helps Domestic Violence Victims

Both sexes are guilty of being perpetrators; therefore both sexes have victims.  Male victims seem to be left out of the equation, especially in the wording of laws.  Where are the shelters for male victims who have no place to live, or who are leaving with their children to keep the children safe?   We teach our sons to never strike a woman. This is good.  However, what is the man to do when the woman physically accosts him and he cannot leave?  Do we understand that women can be emotionally abusive to men? I feel we need to stop thinking in terms of gender when we speak of victims and perpetrators.

The article on LDS Social Services and Domestic Violence was interesting. It is good that the Church is aware of the problem and doing something to help. However, I noticed the quote regarding what would happen if a "woman" called in distress. That seems to imply that only women are victims of domestic violence. I believe it is probably more difficult for a male to admit he is a victim of domestic violence. Once he acknowledges such a fact, where is he to go for help?

I hope the time soon comes when we recognize the fact that many men are victims of domestic violence and need help and support.

Sister Merrill
Indiana

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Service for Two

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Making a Mission Happen, Part 5, by Laurie Williams Sowby

This is a well researched and written article.

Thanks for sharing examples of what the challenges are. Your list of items "to do" before leaving and during the service time is very comprehensive.

My husband and I served in the California Oakland mission for two years as Church Service Missionaries. Even though we lived at home during that time we still experienced many of the challenges as some of the seniors do when serving in another area.

My husband was the fleet coordinator and was on call 24/7.  Cars have problems even after office hours and on weekends!

I was the mission secretary.  We spent long days/hours but are grateful for that experience.

Being around the young missionaries was a delightful experience.  Socializing with the other senior couples was a learning experience for us.

We would not trade that experience for any of the others we have had in our 44 years of marriage.  Our twin sons were serving in two different mission fields during the same two-year period so we shared many similarities.

We had the best of both worlds, serving with missionaries during the week (plus some Saturdays) and associating with our regular ward members on Sunday.

We highly encourage seniors to look for opportunities to serve — either a full-time away from home mission or a church service mission in your own community.

Earlan & Virginia Braley
Formerly of Liberty Lake, Washington

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Heaven on Earth 

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Latter-day Miracle Among the Zuni, by Steve Orton

This story is another testimony of our Heavenly Father's great love for His children.  Great article.  Thanks.

Melissa Cox
Mesa, Arizona

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House Call

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Daryl Hoole Answers Your Homemaking Questions by Daryl Hoole

I agree with Daryl Hoole when she said that a messy house could be a sign of depression. I know people who have many family problems that cause them great depression. Their houses are deplorably unkempt. My friends and I call them depression houses. They reflect the life they lead.

A lot of the problems are due to emotional and/or verbal and/or physical abuse by their spouses. They are degraded by their husbands and believe they are worthless.

These women are leading secret lives, trying to perpetrate the family lie that all is well. They might seem very adept in their social circles or at their jobs, but at home they are miserable. It's a chore to put things away. It's a burden to deal with the children. They do need help.

I think visiting teachers and home teachers should be made aware of the underlying problems of a messy house. I don't mean one with children's toys that can be picked up in 10 minutes. I mean piles and piles of things lying around for weeks and months at a time collecting dust. I mean places where there is nowhere to sit or walk.

Also, not all the children may end up dysfunctional. Some will assist in keeping the family secret and be overachievers to deflect the family life.

Thank you to Hoole for answering this question the way she did, with compassion and understanding.

Please leave me unsigned

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Choice Blessings

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Choosing Life in Spite of Loss, by Darla Isackson

I just want the author to know that I have been experiencing a type of loss she has written about. I didn't lose my children to death; they just grew up, and now I'm without them. Of late, I've been mourning that I didn't appreciate them enough when I had them. I didn't take the time I should have to really get to know them, to love them, to enjoy them! I know if I would have established a loving relationship with them, they would visit and call me. I know I can't bring back the past, nonetheless, the loss she identified is there.

I'm glad she put this very real life situation into words.

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Driving Force

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Steering Out of a Skid, by Susan Law Corpany

I shared your last article with the Y/W in our ward tonight.  They loved it and it helped us encourage them to work on this value. Once again Susan has mastered an analogy of our lives. I love her articles.  They often hit way to close to home but she is so gifted in her message. In "Steering Out of a Skid" she helped us all with overcoming our natural response to many indignations. 

Judy Dugan
Glenoma, Washington

Kathy Green teaches writing and editing classes for the North Idaho College workforce training center, and "The Lives of the Prophets" to her twelve-year-olds in Sunday school. She has six kids, all keepers, and is currently knitting a blanket for her 11th grandchild, who is due in August. Like most of the Meridian staff, she is a published author; but she is struggling to put together her journal and family history, and stands in awe of those of our readers who are way ahead of her there.