Blue Skies and Blue
Eyes: Readers Take Heart from Meridian Articles
Edited and compiled by Kathy Green
Offensive Line
Read
Article Here
The Spiritual Cancer
Called Umbrage, by Paul Bishop
I really liked reading this
short article by Paul Bishop on taking and giving offense
and offensiveness in our words and actions. The D &
C explains that Christ chastised his Apostles when they
wouldn't forgive in their hearts.
I am reminded of that whenever
offenses come my way or are given by me.
Thank you for publishing that
article by Paul Bishop. Life is full of trials but also
of its many blessings that we often overlook or take for
granted.
Dan Cluff
Central, Arizona
**
While I agree with the basic
premise of being slow to anger and understand the necessity
of forgiveness, I do not agree that attempts at reconciliation
are the necessary or appropriate responses when someone
has caused significant hurt or damage in our lives.
While we need not and should
not carry the burden of unforgiveness, neither should we
allow destructive people the opportunity to perpetrate further
damage. I know of one instance where a sister claims she
has "completely forgiven" her father for molesting
her and her siblings, and has no qualms about allowing him
to baby sit her young children without other adults present.
In my opinion, this is not forgiveness, but foolishness
parading as forgiveness, and she may well be placing her
children in harm's way.
In my own instance, I was betrayed
by a long-time friend who I discovered had spread vicious
lies in an attempt to systematically destroy my family.
I understand she had self-esteem issues, I understand she
was motivated by jealousy. Nevertheless, she caused great
harm to my family, and I have seen no evidence that she
would behave any differently today than she has in the past.
While I admit I am still working on forgiveness in this
situation, I will never seek reconciliation with this sister
because of the very real harm and pain she caused my family.
I wish her no ill, but neither do I want to have anything
to do with her, and I will not place my family at further
risk.
LuAnn Mason
Vancouver, WA
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Putting Cumorah on
the Map
Read
Article Here
Book of Mormon Criteria
for the Hill Cumorah, by Garth Norman
This is one article that I
was anxious to print so I can refer to it in my Book of
Mormon studies. I am impressed with the vast amount of research
that was done prior to concluding that the Hill Cumorah
in New York is likely not the location of the Book of Mormon
Hill Cumorah.
Not only is Garth Norman a
well respected archaeologist, but those scholars listed
who agree with this conclusion are also well qualified to
lend credence to this subject. I for one applaud those individuals
who open our eyes as to the reality of the Book of Mormon
as well as the Restoration.
No, we don't need to prove
the Book of Mormon is true and continue to base our testimonies
on faith. However, I do believe in these latter days that
evidence of the authenticity of the Book of Mormon has been
and will be revealed by the Lord for a wise purpose. There's
no reason to hide these valuable restored truths in a closed
file. I am anxious to read more about these well-researched
discoveries.
As Scot Proctor said in a conversation
with Kieth Merrill, "There is truth in art [and may
we add ANCIENT archaeological art/discoveries], and when
you seek the truth, it will speak to you and you will feel
it."
Christine Hale
Farmington, Utah
********************************************************************
Bad News for General
Mills
Read
Article Here
Jellybeans in the Carpet:
Meridian Readers Scrape up Sticky Issues
Edited and compiled
by Kathy Green
I remember living in Sandy
when it contained the largest primary in the world. Our
bishop either requested or read a letter requesting that
food not be brought into the chapel. I, too, do not think
Church an appropriate place for feeding children — and we
raised eight of them.
Mack Patten
Salt Lake City, Utah
**
I read your article on reverence
during sacrament meeting, and a letter asking about food
in the chapel. I remember having an adult fireside one Sunday
evening, taught either by a member of the bishopric or the
stake presidency. One thing that was specifically mentioned
was that other than the sacrament, no food or drink was
to be consumed in the chapel. Also, babies were not to be
nursed in the chapel. This should be done in the mothers'
lounge. Children who were making noise were to be removed
from the chapel. This is frustrating for a parent, because
when your children are young you think you will never be
able to sit through an entire sacrament meeting. But it
detracts from the spirit of the meeting and disrupts the
worship of others when screaming children are not removed,
or toddlers are allowed to wander around the chapel, even
up onto the stand. Maybe this is a topic for bishoprics
or stake presidencies to consider. Thank you for your time.
Jody Seavy
Everett, Washington
**
I'll admit to a poor memory
of my hall-walking days — although I did once march all
six of my children out of sacrament meeting, spank them
all soundly, and then take them home! But I have philosophized
many times that that must be the reason the lessons are
repeated over and over and over during our lifetimes. Now
that I'm nearing 60, I think I've heard at least most of
the Gospel at least once, so I guess it didn't hurt to have
babies and toddlers for close to 20 years!
When we moved into our new
chapel, the bishop specifically requested that we NOT bring
food into the chapel, including cheerios for the babies.
Consider: Would the children normally be eating during that
time? If not, then isn't the only reason we take food to
distract them? And isn't that a very bad habit to get into,
eating because we're bored? Surely there are other things
that can distract children besides Cheerios.
One other thought about reverence
in church: Large families would be better suited to sit
in two consecutive side rows than on one long middle bench.
If parents sit behind, they can better supervise and reach
children in front of them than if the kids are spread out
beyond 3-5 other kids. Also, young teenage big brothers
and sisters make good hall-walkers, especially if they too
are bored and restless. They may not hear much of what is
going on in the chapel, but they can be reverent in the
building and can build good relationships with their younger
siblings. (Been there, done that!)
Name Withheld
**
I am one that brings food for
my 2- year old and my 5- year old child with autism into
sacrament meeting. I don't do it lightly and I try very
hard to keep everything picked up. We agonize over this
in fact. Our kids would much rather be walking in the halls
and try to manipulate us by acting up to get us to take
them out. We are trying very hard to teach them that they
are getting old enough that this is not an option and that
the sacrament meeting is a special time to be enjoyed. We
want them to feel of the Spirit, observe adults and older
children as good role models and help them in this transition.
If we have to pop fruit snacks
in their mouth to keep them from yelling during prayers
or talks, then we feel this is the better alternative. They
are getting better and it is working.
To those who may be offended
and think we are disrespecting the meeting and think no
more of it than a matinee at the theater, I respectfully
disagree.
Name Withheld
*********************************************************
Brown Eyed Blues
Read
Article Here
Education in Science
and Religion, by John P. Pratt
I found the above referenced
article by John Pratt very interesting. As a matter of fact,
I enjoy all of his articles. They are very thought provoking
and educating. I usually print them out to read at another
time when I have a moment. I was reading one article the
other day at breakfast and accidentally left it on the table
afterwards. My son who is almost 16 saw it and read it.
Later he came to me and said "Hey, Mom, that article
about Adam's birthday and the beginning of the world was
very interesting." I was excited for this positive
affirmation that he had an inquiring mind like his Mom.
As for this recent article,
I found it fascinating that you spoke about eye color. This
subject has been a sore thumb for me for many years. In
1985 I was dating a young college grad with his master's
degree. He told me that we would never be able to marry
because I had brown eyes and he would never be able to have
blue eyed children if he married me and that it was a scientific
fact.
I was appalled. But because
he had more education than I, I thought he knew what he
was talking about even though it just didn't seem right
to me (the Holy Ghost said "no"). In 1989 I met
and married another wonderful young man with blue eyes!
We have four lovely boys and 2 have blue eyes and 2 have
brown eyes. Because of this, I realize that he was all wrong.
I am convinced that genes can do whatever they want and
mix up in a variety of ways because all four boys are very
different and I can see where they take different features
from different family members.
Of the four boys, one is blond
with blue eyes, one is brunette with blue eyes, and two
are brunette with brown eyes. Of the latter two boys, one
was born with black hair and brown eyes, and the other with
blond hair and blue eyes. All the other features such as
how tall they are to the shape of their mouths and the way
their teeth came in prove that the genes don't follow any
known order.
I homeschool three of my boys.
In regard to eye color, I am excited to see that in the
new curriculum that I have been using it is taught differently
from 20-30 years ago. My boys definitely would not have
any confidence in the science curriculum's teaching, knowing
their own circumstances, if they were taught the same thing
that I learned.
Oh and by the way, the one
son with brown hair and blue eyes — his eyes change colors!
They can be as blue as the blue sky and the next day his
eyes will be gray or green. He says that he's part chameleon.
Name Withheld
**
This article is a classic--a
cornerstone for a foundation upon which further themes in
this area can be discussed.
Joanne Vasquez
Spokane, Washington
********* ***********
No Waiting
Read
Article Here
Finding the Rest of
the Lord: Right Here, Right Now, by Michelle Linford
I've struggled with depression
for many years. For most of my life, I've felt like I'm
climbing a steep cliff — at the top is happiness and at
the bottom is misery. It just seemed that I had to claw
my way up and every inch was fought with blood, sweat, and
tears. But the second I stopped to rest, I would lose my
grip and tumble back to the bottom. Every time I hit bottom,
I would lose a little more of the hope I had of ever getting
to the top and climbing up onto a safe ledge where I could
actually rest and enjoy life.
I was thinking about all of
this last Thursday, feeling that there was no hope for me.
That's when I checked my email and saw the title: "Finding
the Rest of the Lord." As soon as I read that title,
I felt the Spirit whisper that this was the answer I've
been looking for.
As I read the article and pondered
on it, so many things came to mind that I had to start writing
them all down. Some of the things I wrote were ways I need
to change my thinking, some were things I need to do.
Some of my inspiration came
from the article itself. Other things came from the promptings
of the spirit as I read.
For several days now, I've
been trying to do those things I've been inspired to do.
I know it won't be a quick fix and I keep having to remind
myself not to feel guilty when I inevitably can't do it
all perfectly. But I also feel a permeating peace that hasn't
left me since reading this article. I know the path I need
to go on to keep the peace and rest that I've found now.
Thank you so much for publishing this article. I feel it
was just for me.
Jennifer W.,
Utah
**
As always on a day like today
when my migraine has my head throbbing and my stomach sick,
I find just the right article on your daily e-mail. Thank
you for this timely and inspiring talk.
Toni Lyerly
West End, North Carolina
**
I greatly appreciated the article
"Finding Rest in the Lord" Because I too have
been dealing with physical pain in life. After countless
blessings I often wondered "Is my faith not strong
enough? Am I doing something wrong?" And in a way,
making my problems worse. This article confirmed what I
needed to hear, what I hoped for. I feel in many ways my
trails have deepened my faith and brought me closer, and
through it I will learn to rely on Christ for my needs,
not myself and the world. I now realise the pain is not
my fault, and that I have not failed. Thank you for this
comforting article, and for the peace and hope it has brought
me.
"The smallest effort is
not lost;
Each wavelet on the ocean
tossed
Aids in the ebb-tide
or the flow;
Each rain-drop helps
some flower to grow,
Each struggle lessens
human woe."
Name Withheld
******************************************
Too Much of a Good
Thing
Read
Article Here
Sunshine, Vitamin D
and Cancer: The Current Controversy, by L. William Lauro,
MD
Many people over 60 are taking
way too much vitamin D. They get it in their milk, their
multiple vitamins and in their calcium pills to prevent
osteoporosis, and just about everywhere else you look! If
anything, we are overloaded; and D is one of the vitamins
you shouldn't overdose on.
Cosco doesn't sell a calcium
pill without vitamin D. It's frustrating!
Patricia Hammond
Nine Mile Falls, WA
***************************************************************
Happy Anticipation
Read
Article Here
The Revised and Enhanced
History of Joseph Smith by His Mother
Edited by Scot
Facer Proctor and Maurine Jensen Proctor
I cannot wait for every Thursday
to come for the next installment of Lucy Mack Smith's book!
The stories are very uplifting and educational.
Thank you for serializing this
on your site.
I also bought Witness of the
Light. Thanks for producing that also as it was very educational
and inspiring!
Allison Sullivan
Atlanta, Georgia
