| Send
your messages, comments and thoughts to editorial@meridianmagazine.com
Please include your name, city, and state or city and country.
Saints and Angels: Readers Raise Voices and Questions
Edited and compiled by Kathy Green
All Work and No Play: Off-Balance
in Canberra
Read
Article Here
Setting the Rule of Work before
Play by Natalie J. Hale
I disagree not because I want to play
but I am unable to play because there is too much work.
As I young mother with three little
children and my husband a Bishop, the work never stops. There is
always more house to clean, phone calls to make, children to clean
up, people to serve and make meals for, meals to make for my own
family. My children miss out on playing with me because I am so
busy trying to get all the work done. My husband complains because
I see spending time with him as "playing" and therefore
the few times he is home I am cleaning the house. He has to wait
until I am finished which is usually too late and I am too tired
for it to be constructive time.
I have been raised on that philosophy of work first play later and
am teaching it to my children. It is so ingrained into me that I
cannot stop. But as I look at the life of some friends who play
with their children and spend quality time with their husbands and
can turn a blind eye to the needs of cleaning, serving and cooking
I am envious. How do I find that balance between work and play?
Elissa East
Canberra
Australia
**** **** **** ****
Health and Happiness Made Simple
Read
Article Here
'Tis A Gift to Be Simple, by
Carolyn Allen
I love the articles by Carolyn Allen.
They make me reach within myself to find answers for my overweight
condition. The articles help me to want more for myself especially
in the way of health and happiness.
Name withheld by request
**** **** **** ****
Hosing Out Trash Talk
Read
Article Here
The Lesson of the Washing Machine
Hose, by H. Wallace Goddard
I enjoyed the articles, especially
this:
“When I was sealed to Nancy,
I covenanted not only to take out household trash to curbside but
also to haul any unkind trash about her from my mind. I made a sacred
covenant to see and emphasize all that is good about my beloved
partner.”
So many young people do not understand
that this is marriage in a nutshell.
Deb Roundy
Rupert, Idaho
**** **** **** ****
Morbidly Blessed
Read
Article Here
Life Inside a Fat Suit: One
Person’s Story, by Kathryn H. Kidd
Thank you so much for the wonderfully
written testimonial. It really opened my eyes, and made them water
too.
I am a small woman who has never had much trouble with weight, considering
dating a wonderful man with a serious weight problem. How ugly I
have been for thinking he isn't as worthy of my love and companionship
as someone my size. Now I can't wait to see him again, to give him
a big hug and a warm smile.
Anyway, thanks again for the reality and humility checks. In my
profane fog I forgot that my goal in a partner is not a trophy,
but someone with whom I can share life and love.
**** **** **** ****
Virtue and Vice President
Read
Article Here
Invitation to Cheney Sparks
Debate
It would be great if you guys implemented
a posting response for these [First Line News] articles.
The church's political neutrality is IRRELEVANT to this subject.
Those who think differently must realize that Cheney is not addressing
the BYU students as a Republican. I am quite confident that he will
not even mention his political affiliation. Rather, Vice President
Cheney is addressing the students as the Vice President of the United
States. What a great honor for such a position to come to the university!
Why do I have a gut feeling that it is only liberal LDS members
who are opposed to Cheney speaking? His address is not about politics.
It's about graduation. Surely this graduation is one instance in
which we can look past bipartisan politics.
Derwin D. Shelley
New Haven, Connecticut
**** **** **** ****
Return on Investment
Read
Article Here
The Missing Scriptures, by
Steve Orton
I found this article interesting because
I had a similar experience about 23 years ago. My family joined
the Church when I was 13, in a small branch of the church in England.
On the day of our baptism the missionaries who taught us, Elder
Joseph Allen Taylor and Elder David Banks, gave us a Book of Mormon
and a Bible in which they each wrote a message. Sadly, within a
year my mother had dropped the scriptures in the street and could
not find them again. Not long afterward, our family went inactive
and the missing scriptures were forgotten.
When I was 16 I came back to church.
My family was not supportive of this decision but I knew the Church
was true and I had to follow that witness. My decision to return
to church culminated in my having to leave home.
Aged 17, I began to share a flat with
another girl from church. I remembered the missing scriptures and
found myself thinking about them often, wishing I still had them,
particularly as a memento of the missionaries who had taught me
the gospel. I was somewhat hesitant to pray for their return because,
like the author of the article, I had other scriptures and my desire
was sentimental rather than a real need. However I was so longing
for them and could see no other way of finding them therefore I
began to pray about it.
One day a work colleague came to my
flatmate saying her husband had found a Book of Mormon and as he
didn't want it, did she? She brought it home and it was a Book of
Mormon inscribed to our family and the Bible that had been missing!
This experience greatly strengthened my faith that God was aware
of me and my wants and desires — even the sentimental ones,
and that he was concerned for the welfare of me, a seventeen-year-old
girl! I remained active in the Church, married a wonderful man in
the temple and we have 6 great sons. I too am grateful for the tender
mercies of the Lord.
Melanie Quesne
Holmfirth, West Yorkshire, England
**** **** **** ****
Cause and Effect
Read
Article Here
All in a Good Cause, by Orson
Scott Card
“The great enemy of the truth
is very often not the lie — deliberate, contrived and dishonest,
but the myth, persistent, persuasive, and unrealistic. Belief
in myths allows the comfort of opinion without the discomfort
of thought.” John F. Kennedy
As I remember in the story of "Chicken
Little," although Chicken Little was the one running around
stirring up all the other chickens with his cries of, "the
sky is falling," lurking in the background was Foxy Loxy. When
all the chickens finally ran into the hen house for safety Foxy
Loxy was the last one in shutting the door behind him. The sky didn't
fall but another doom did befall the foolish chickens.
Another classic tale, “The Emperor’s
New Clothes,” comes to mind. I just don't see any clothes
here.
What I am concerned about is that the
world will get caught up in an elaborate scam by experienced, powerful
con artists. In the end the claims of doom will not come to pass
but a select group will become very rich and powerful at the expense
of the very poor.
In spite of all the ice that has apparently
melted since the 1930's, Miami has not lost even one inch of its
beachfront property. We had the coldest winter in Tucson, Arizona,
that we have had in years. Our hottest summer on record, and we
are familiar with hot summers, was1990. Tucson had record temperatures
of 119 degrees F, and Phoenix was 122 degrees F. That was 17 years
ago. If the change is so obvious why don't we see it? Where is the
Beef?
So when I hear that the Sky is Falling, I will not retreat to the
hen house but I will hold tight to my wallet.
In this case I believe the lie is deliberate,
contrived and dishonest besides being forced upon us as the truth.
1 Nephi 8:26 – 27:
26
And I also cast my eyes round about, and beheld, on the other
side of the river of water, a great and spacious building; and
it stood as it were in the air, high above the earth.
27
And it was filled with people, both old and young, both male and
female; and their manner of dress was exceedingly fine; and they
were in the attitude of mocking and pointing their fingers...
Those who disagree are shamed. If the
theory of global warming was true would science need to shame people
into believing it?
Randy Cook
Tucson, Arizona
**** **** **** ****
Home Run Remedy
Read
Article Here
Alternatives to Traditional
Medicine, by Stan M. Gardner, M.D.
I've been practicing the holistic approach
of treating a myriad of health issues for over fifteen years. Before
this, I had been taking approximately $800 a month in prescribed
drugs. I had been given 6 months to live due to the debilitating
effects of Systemic Erythamatosis. I suffered from migraine headaches
24/7, Fibromyalgia in the extreme, and on and on. I was introduced
to herbs and natural medicine by two of my low vision patients.
I consumed what they suggested and at the end of one month, my excruciating
pain subsided, my headaches disappeared and the change was unbelievable.
Three months later I had weaned myself
off of ALL my prescribed drugs and began on a mission for the answer
WHY? Why did these things work? For a couple of years I consumed
myself in reading, studying, going to lectures and self absorbing
myself into all I could find on alternative medicine including healing
energies.
I've worked with many people using
energy healing and have reversed migraine headaches and almost any
pain known. I've helped an ADD/ADHD child go from bouncing off the
walls to loving himself within minutes. As I see results, I only
want to learn more.
Two years ago a very good friend was told by her physician that
her foot had to be removed due to an ulcerated lesion on the top
of her foot. A complication from diabetes. She and her husband came
to me and after researching I asked them to read what Dr John R
Christopher suggested and to consider soaking the foot in hollyhock
(marshmallow plan) tea. This she did twice a day and within three
days, the dark leg had become pink, the ulcer showed signs of healing
and within a couple of weeks she returned to the doctor for an evaluation
of her completely healed foot and leg and he was stunned at the
healing. Unfortunately, the doctor wasn't interested in the method
she used to save her leg. Both she and her husband practice a holistic
approach to living (now in their 80's).
I believe God gave us physicians to help us with diagnosis, tests
and the things we need to save our lives, but I don't believe in
the blank-check drug method as I was given for almost 40 years,
but in a more holistic approach. "Ye shall know them by their
works." Well, I rest my case.
Karen Evans
Fresno, California
****
I have been following your columns
in Meridian Magazine and have particular interest in this one. It
is so exciting to see more medical doctors opening up to the alternative
(or I prefer the term complementary because most reading I've done
on alternative methods are really far out).
I was diagnosed with stage IV lung
cancer last August. I'm one of those who had no risk factors, having
never smoked and having taken very good care of my self. But, as
you can imagine, I've done much thinking and reading on complementary
and alternative methods. I am frustrated with the medical doctors
(my primary care being one) who never let their patients leave the
office without another prescription. I'm so against throwing prescriptions
at the patient!
Having said that — I am very
grateful for traditional medicine such as chemotherapy, which is
working for me. I would be dead if I'd been stubborn and only wanted
alternative medicine and refused chemo because of its toxicity.
I also feel it is important to listen
to the Spirit in determining what works best for each of us in our
treatment. I have read much about people who refuse the traditional
methods of treating cancer and go for alternatives like drinking
concoctions the texture of sludge. I have not felt good about any
of these and find most of them seem to be marketing ploys. I do
understand the need for the FDA controls which keep our medicines
safe.
I do believe we must do everything
we can to boost our immune systems, not just cancer patients, but
all people because of the environment we live in and the foods and
water we drink. For the first time in my life I've started buying
organic produce and being more careful about reading labels and
becoming more extreme about refined white flour and sugar and drinking
or cooking with tap water. I think everyone can benefit from this.
I do hope more and more physicians
will work to help the health industry understand we are not just
a "machine" but they need to treat the entire body —
mind, body and spirit - to heal us and keep us healthy.
Lari Smith
Sacramento, California
****
I appreciate Dr. Gardner's comments
and comparison on alternative and traditional medicine in Meridian
Magazine.
I believe that there is a place for traditional medicine and crisis
intervention. But our bodies are well-equipped to heal themselves.
How we treat our body and take of it allows it to heal itself and
run efficiently or not. Alternative medicine seems to assist the
body in healing itself. That's why I tend to look there first for
answers.
I appreciate Dr. Gardner's straightforward comparison of both. It
appears to be accurate from a patient's point of view.
Karen
Bothell, Washington
**** **** **** ****
Remember Who You Are
Read
Article Here
A Mormon in the White House
by Lowell C. Brown
This article by Brown has many good
points and ones many of us face as we talk to other Christians.
We need to be respectful and knowledgeable about our beliefs. This
should be about who we are and how we treat others and the impact
of those teachings in our lives.
Dr. Don Lindley
Manhattan Kansas
**** **** **** ****
Parley P. Pratt Graduates from
Seminary
Read
Article Here
The Autobiography of Parley
P. Pratt — Revised and Enhanced Edition
Edited by Scot Facer Proctor and Maurine Jensen Proctor
Thanks for running such wonderful serialized
books in your magazine. I love to read and learn from them. They
are all insightful and thought provoking. I read Elder Pratt's autobiography
as a seminary student years ago, but I am enjoying it much more
now. Thanks for the great work you are doing.
Peggy
Colorado
**** **** **** ****
DVD = Deliver at Dawn
Read
Article Here
Anti-Mormon DVD Being Distributed
Nationwide
Thank you so much for your article
on the anti-Mormon DVD being distributed. I read the article and
then as soon as I got home there it was in my mailbox. I greatly
appreciate your efforts to inform us about these rising attacks.
Thanks Meridian for helping be another “Watchman on the
Tower.“
Jessica Prisbrey
Utah
****
I thought you might be interested to know that most of the prominent
LDS communities in Southern Alberta were inundated with the DVD's,
They began to appear on the doorknobs of all homes in a while plastic
bag as early as 7 A.M. last Sunday. I have yet to meet someone who
saw the persons leaving the DVD's.
Rick Turner
Alberta, Canada
**** **** **** ****
Meridian Writer Answers Prayers
Read
Article Here
The Lord's Yoke, by Darla Isackson
It has been a very long night, actually
couple of months, and I was feeling like I just couldn't keep going
in the calling I have been asked to serve as a Church Service Missionary.
The burdens were seemingly more then I could bear. I had prayed
for help; somewhere I needed the strength to move ahead, to have
faith to go on.
As I logged on to the computer this morning (Meridian is my opening
page), there before my eyes was my answer. Yes, I'm a member of
the Church. I have a strong testimony, but at times I get so tangled
in my struggles I forget how easy it is to find that peace. As I
read through Darla's words of honesty in "The Lord's Yoke"
I wept as I felt hope and faith again.
I just want someone to know what a gift of peace means to a person
who has forgotten in the pain of current life. Today will be a better
day because I will remember to yield to my Lord, follow His lead
and feel the lightness of His yoke. I will feel joy.
"God does notice us, and he
watches over us. But it is usually through another person that
he meets our needs. Therefore, it is vital that we serve each
other in the kingdom. So often, our acts of service consist of
simple encouragement or of giving mundane help with mundane tasks,
but what glorious consequences can flow from mundane acts and
from small but deliberate deeds!" Spencer W. Kimball
Name withheld by request
**** **** **** ****
Sight and Insight
Read
Article Here
Lesson 16, "I was Blind,
Now I See" John 9-10 by Bruce Satterfield
These articles for Gospel Doctrine
are just so insightful and enrich my lessons so much! Keep up the
great work!
Skylar Merrifield
Fort Worth, Texas
**** **** **** ****
Tears for Florida Friends
Read
Article Here
Gladys Knight Tells Floridians,
“This is the Light” by Geoffrey Biddulph
I'm tearful after reading this wonderful
article. My home is in Florida but I live in Utah now. Sister Knight
may be teaching some of my dear black friends, and it humbles me.
May God ever bless her.
Martha Harrison
Brigham City, Utah
**** **** **** ****
Keeping an Eye on the Eyres
Read
Article Here
The Value of Unselfishness
and Sensitivity (And How to Get Involved with Joy School this Fall
with Your Preschooler) In connection with Richard and Linda Eyre
Excellent as usual. Thank you so much for having Richard and Linda
Eyre as part of the fine magazine that you provide. We have gained
much from them and you. May you continue in good health and prosperity.
Kathy Moody
Maine
**** **** **** ****
Water Works
Read
Article Here
The Blessing of Water by Carolyn
Allen
I have had some struggles with a few
minor health issues (and the desire to lose a few more pounds).
I pray about it on occasion. Amazingly, I get the same answer every
time — DRINK MORE WATER! I listen and do — for a while
— then fall back to not drinking enough water. I feel your
article was further encouragement to me as a result of my prayers.
I am now determined to do what I have been told to do time and time
again. Thank you.
Mary Jurgaitis
Neillsville, Wisconsin
**** **** **** ****
Choice Words
Read
Article Here
Choosing Between God and Mammon,
by Chance Thomas
Thank you for a powerful voice of commitment
to covenants!!
Mark Irvine
Cove, Utah
****
For the first time in years, I read in print what I have heard spoken
a thousand times in conversations with people, both in and out of
the Church.
The comparison of Steve Young and Eli
Herring was long overdue.
I agree wholeheartedly with the author.
I respect Steve Young for his athletic abilities and for all that
he has done for the image of the Church, but no matter how you cut
it, a choice was made. A choice that provides the rest of us the
quandary of beating up on ourselves when having to choose between
what we feel is right by the letter of the law, as compared to a
situation where we can attain great comfort, worldly respect and
good fortune by doing something that just hits a little left of
the mark.
No matter how you color it, Eli Herring
did exactly what he was supposed to do. There is no argument that
effectively disputes that point. He will find favor with the Lord,
and has already found great respect with those who seek the meaningful
things of life. He is a stand alone type of man — a real life
hero and example for all men to look to when faced with tough decisions
of this nature.
I think that this article is critically
important to all men as we slip even deeper into the last days.
It's a hard thing to talk about because it deals with a very influential,
and much admired, personality; a genuinely nice person who chose
a slightly different approach to success. However, it needs to be
addressed.
I feel that it was presented in a very
tasteful light.
Good job!
Mike Aston
Columbia, Pennsylvania
****
Some years ago, during my service as
bishop, two young priests in the quorum had a decision to make that
presented a similar dilemma. They both needed jobs in order to save
for a mission and they both were confronted with having to work
on Sundays. I told them both that the Lord wanted them spiritually
prepared for a mission and this would not occur if they worked on
Sundays. I was impressed to tell them that if they worked on Sunday
they wouldn’t go on a mission. One priest turned down a job
that required him to work on Sunday and the very next day obtained
a job that respected the Sabbath.
The other young priest accepted a job
that required him to work on Sunday. The priest who refused to work
on Sunday went on his mission, the other priest got entangled in
the world and didn't.
Paul B. Brock
Ft. Walton Beach, Florida
****
I appreciated your well-thought-out
and well-expressed article on choosing between God and Mammon. I
especially related to it as a freelance graphic designer and singer.
I have had to make similar decisions in the past, and I can see
that the Lord has been more interested in my sacrifice than increase.
But he has blessed me and my family greatly; perhaps one of the
greatest blessings is being able to sleep at night knowing I haven't
worked on something that goes against gospel standards.
Barry Hansen
Salt Lake City, Utah
****
I thoroughly enjoyed his article. It
was extremely well written and very thought provoking. I very much
appreciate his examples of "taking the high road." I hope
that he will be sharing other insights with us in the near future.
Mary Jane Helms
Meridian, Idaho
****
I loved this article. I appreciate
how Steve Young has inspired many people. Nonetheless all of my
heroes have been ordinary people being faithful in daily life.
We now live in Santa Monica and I attend church with many people
in the entertainment industry. This is a really tough place to maintain
standards. We have had to give up all the group Suzuki violin activities
because all are on Sunday. My kids have been participating in them
for almost 7 years in other places we have lived. My daughter has
found three orchestras to join. One is Tuesday only and the other
practices on Thursday nights and was going to perform on Sundays.
I told them she could not and would not play on Sunday. Since they
are starting out and she is one of their best players they cancelled
plans to play on Sunday.
Truly if we all refuse to break our Sabbath our communities change
and it only takes a small number of people to make the shift. When
we lived in Walla Walla no violin activities were done on weekends
to honor both the 7th Day Adventist community (which is huge there),
and the Sunday observant people. As a result weekends were spent
with family and friends and community life was extremely strong.
Good things happen when we take a break from the world.
Liz deForest
Santa Monica, California
**** **** **** ****
Did You Hear That?
Read
Article Here
177th Annual General Conference
Saturday Priesthood Session March 31, 2007
Would you please see if there are many
other brethren amazed at the closing hymn on Saturday night's meeting.
As I have interacted with various members in our Ward here in Penticton,
British Colombia, Canada, we have all commented on how spiritually
moving it was. I know that following the closing prayer most stayed
in their seats stunned at by what they had just listened to in the
closing hymn.
I would really like to know if it has affected others around the
world the same.
Thanks and regards,
Allan Canton,
Penticton Ward,
Vernon Stake,
British Columbia, Canada.
**** **** **** ****
Time and Key Signature
Read
Article Here
The Key to Managing Our Lives:
What’s Time Got to Do with It? By H. Wallace Goddard
As I read your article, I remembered
very similar experiences. I have discovered that if I can spend
that first “tithed time” each morning immersed in my
scriptures I develop an entirely new agenda for “my”
day which isn¹t about me at all but often fills “me”
more deeply than any tightly-planned schedule could. I love the
surprises of working in partnership with my Heavenly Father.
Jan Clayton
Draper, Utah
© 2007 Meridian
Magazine. All Rights Reserved.
|
