The
Meridian in Memory Lane: Readers Share Moments
Compiled and edited by Kathy Green
Golden
Goose Bumps for Jimmy
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
**
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,
Wales
United
Kingdom
**
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
**
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
********************************************************
Bishop’s
Counsel
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
**
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
****************************************************
Weeping
in Honduras
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,
Honduras
**
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
**
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
**
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
******************************************************
Good for
Another Year
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
*******************************************************
The Best
Things in Life are Freecycled
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
**
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
**
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
********************************************************
Call a
Witness
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
**
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
**
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
**
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
**
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
**
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
***********************************************
Factual
Faith
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
************************************************
Addicted
to Love
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
**
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
************************************************
Dropping
the Curtain on the Glad Act
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
*************************************************************
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 Lithuania, I wanted to do something special for his birthday,
which would influence our small branch following the film that
we received from Moscow.
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
Lithuania
