M E R I D I A N M A G A Z I N E
Readers Sound the War Cry, Watch and Pray:
A Look in the Meridian Mailbag
Edited and compiled by Kathy Green
Stakes and Mistakes
The Stakes in the War, by Maurine Jensen Proctor, with Steve Farrell
Thank you very much for your article "The Stakes of War". It's amazing to me how much our government and educational systems have become secularized and do everything they can to demonize the beliefs of those who try to follow the Judeo-Christian traditions. It just goes to show how rapidly we are digressing as a nation into the people that love sin more than they love God.
Being from California, I'm appalled at what is
going on in our state government, and the bills and issues that keep being pushed
onto the people of this state by these "so-called" leaders. I wish
I could do more, but I'm only one man in an ocean of liberals. I read the Meridian
Magazine online every day, and I'm part of the Family Leader Network, so at
least I can keep informed on the issues. Thanks again for your tireless work
to keep the LDS community informed about what is going on in this country and
around the world.
Steve M. Wilson
Tracy, California
**
Both of the articles were wonderful. We have indeed put ourselves on a slippery slope and there is very little footing left. I see us as individuals pulling more into ourselves to protect ourselves. Those that view the problems tend to isolate themselves from it because there is no protection left in the laws to speak their minds. So people are homeschooling their children and having their private Christmas parties and seek out those of like-minded values. We are quickly becoming divided. Thank you again for a very inspirational message.
Karen Buker
Anacortes, Washington
**** **** **** ****
No Peace On Earth
War in Heaven, War on Earth, by Maurine Jensen Proctor
What a wonderful article. You have put into print
all the things I have been seeing and thinking of but did not have the talent
to voice them like you have. I shall be printing this out and keeping it.
Margaret Fisher
Dunstable Ward, United.Kingdom
**
What a tremendous essay! Thank you, Maurine!!
Bobbi Peterson
Pinetop, Arizona
**
This is a great article!
Fay S. Parker
Orem, Utah
**
Thank you for this wonderful series of articles. They are timely and wise. We are “going to battle” right now with teachers in our school district who are anti-Christian and, more especially, anti-Mormon. Our daughter’s American government teacher has spent weeks on issues such as gay rights, gay marriage and the wonderful legacy of Harvey Milk, but fails to allow the students to disagree with his agenda. The members of the Church need to awaken themselves to the awful conditions facing this nation. I am afraid that all too often we shrink from the fight because it conflicts with our children’s soccer practice. Keep up the excellent work.
D. Gregory Olson
Las Vegas, Nevada
**
I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed this article. I truly believe much of what you said was inspired.
I cannot remember the last time I read an article that was so precise and to the point. The world shouts louder than the whisperings of Heaven. Would to God that there were more people like you who could truly discern the world's condition and offer such a message as yours. I often sit and ponder the plight of this world and write down little quotes that come to my mind. May I share one with you that seems to speak to the "tolerance" you mentioned in your article.
Being open-minded, so it seems, is the proper social etiquette of the day. But open-mindedness is not exactly in harmony with God's expectations. God is ever constant and that means his commandments, principles, and doctrines are not up for negotiation. It's not an open mind God wants, but rather an open heart.
(J. Medina)
In all my scripture study I have never found a scripture that says God has repealed his commandments. If the world would only open their hearts and re-learn to "feel" the Spirit, what a better place this world would be. God bless you for your willingness to stand for the truth and to have the courage to share it with others.
Joe Medina
Bulverde, Texas
**
Thank you for your amazing articles that so succinctly
describe the battle for our souls going on right now. I sent it to everyone
in my email address book. I think you hit the nail on the head. We are in a
crucial time in our nation and in our world. Those of us who are on Christ's
side of the battle need to stand up and fight for truth and righteousness. May
we all first put on the armor of the Lord as you suggest and be able to rally
together those not of the LDS faith who are also on the Lord's side. May He
bless our efforts, no matter how small.
Sage Gallagher
Brewster, New York
**
My husband and I just finished reading your cover
article together and I just want to THANK YOU for it! It is one of the best
I've ever read on the subject of our culture war, providing clarity and perspective
way beyond the usual.
I want you to know that I absolutely love Meridian Magazine! I don't have time
to read every article, but I read all I can and I have told so many friends
about it. All your contributors are excellent. I became a fan of Orson Scott
Card through his articles in Meridian Magazine and have since read many of his
books. Meridian Magazine is just one of the best things on the internet!
So, again, thank you for ALL the work that you and Scot do. I enjoy his photo
essays very much and I purchased several of the Joseph Smith videos to give
to family and friends. Everything you folks do is QUALITY! Thank you so much
for profoundly enriching my life.
Lucy Shuler
Queen Creek, Arizona
**
I just read, and printed, the War in Heaven essay. Outstanding!! What an intelligent mind you have been blessed with. You are to be commended for all of the good that you and your husband do in the world. Not only do you find the time to raise a marvelous family, but to share with others your boundless energy and enthusiasm re: the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I so enjoy the daily Meridian Magazine, as well as your husband's outstanding photos of Church events. Thank you for all that you do to make the world a better place. You are both "special spirits" with a mission here on earth that goes beyond serving in just one area of the world for a "called" amount of years. Yours are ongoing missions.
Wanda Wach
Cerritos, California
**** **** **** ****
Standout Youth
Standard-Bearing Youth, by C.S. Bezas
Thank you for the article, "Standard-Bearing
Youth should not Stand Alone" by C.S. Bezas.
I don't know whether to stand up and yell "Hooray!!!!!" or cry. Finally,
I have read in print what I have been thinking for years. I have been stating
the thoughts of this author for over 20 years. I've often wanted to shout "Wake
up don't we see what's going on in our midst?"
I am so thankful Mrs. Bezas is insightful and perceptive enough to bring this
topic "out of the closet." Excellent writing and topically pertinent.
Chalice Lundquist
Las Vegas, Nevada
**** **** **** ****
Too Much
More Than We Can Handle, by Susan Law Corpany
Thanks so much for an article I can really relate to! I have been through many
things in my life as have others, and my least favorite thing to be told is
we will not be given more than we can handle! It NEVER feels like that to me
and to be told it just makes me feel less worthy! Sometimes I am in the depths
of despair only to have more heaped upon me!! Thanks to Susan for a humorous
look at it all which helped me to see that I am not alone in this!!
I often avoid articles that tell me the "more than I can handle" junk!! I hope this has reached those people who say that regularly! I myself am always very careful when I am visiting with some one with any kind of trial as to what I say. It is so vital that we just show our love and help without discounting what they are going thorough. Thanks again!! I need more articles like this... keep 'em coming!!
Jo Fernandes
St. Peters, Missouri
**
I read your article, and I remember many of the incidents you mention. You are right that "piling on," which is illegal in football and results in a penalty, seems to occur regularly in real life. I often think that it's not so much multiple bad things happening at the same time, as it is the big thing that has made it so that you can't handle any other things. A lot of those other things, like the dog barfing on the back seat, would not be such a big deal if life were going along smoothly otherwise.
Your mention of me in the article comes at a time
when I need to be reminded that I have occasionally done something good in my
life. So thanks for making my day a little brighter. Hope things are well for
you, and if so, I hope it lasts for a long time!
Shauna
Salt Lake City, Utah
**
Hi friend, you hit the head right on with that one. I could have put myself in lots of the stories as I am sure most of us can. I always hated that phrase, "God doesn't give you more that what you can handle," or "You are so strong, we just know you can pull up your boots straps and keep going as if nothing happened," is another one.
Man, at times I really just wish someone could
hold me tight in their arms and let me be weak for just a tiny bit. Living alone
raising four kids by myself for twelve years brought a lot of those times. I
didn't have a death to contend with, but a divorce was almost as bad and oh,
how many times I wished he had died. It would have been easier with some of
the problems.
Can't wait to finally meet you in person. I love your picture and you have a
warm smile. You mentioned last night that you had read some of my life story.
None of my life was funny but who wants to read that stuff, so I tried to make
it humorous and I hope I pulled it off.
Have a nice trip over, and we will see you soon.
Patty
Orem, Utah
**** **** **** ****
Traveling is not a Foul
Fellow Travelers, by Don Staheli
Wonderful article. I too share with those less
fortunate. As you said, we all have the same Father.
Thanks for the reminder.
Steve Horrocks
Draper, Utah
**
Thank you for such a heart-touching article. In May my friends and I were in Utah for Women's Conference. We took occasion to travel to SLC to see the new film at the Joseph Smith building. We were taking in some dinner at the Center Court in the ZCMI Center, when I noticed a lady wandering around conversing with various food vendors there. She was dressed in tatters and was obviously hungry and not wanting to attract attention, sat on a bench there by the Pizza place.
I noticed many people pass by her — all dressed in very fine clothing, many with obvious wealth. I wondered how, here in the midst of "Zion," they could pass by and not even notice this lady, hungry and in need. My heart was touched by her presence. I walked over and gave her money to have a meal. She was so sincerely grateful. I felt the love of the Savior in that moment, and am so sorry for those who passed by and missed that opportunity to feel HIs love. Just thought I would share this with you — keep up the good work.
Lynn Billedeaux
Glendive, Montana
**
Thank you for the article "Fellow Travelers."
I share the same philosophy. We need more mercy and kindness and lack of judgment
in our world at large, as well as in our LDS world. Charity is a good quality
to possess. (I believe I have heard that somewhere before.) It is all too often
neglected. Thank you for a lift to my spirit this morning.
Cami Mortensen
Rexburg, Idaho
**** **** **** ****
Tender Tears
I Helped Him Cry, by Vickey Pahnke-Taylor
Thanks for this article! I've heard that story before, but it is one that bears repeating. I think I will use it in an upcoming fireside I am doing. It reminds me of a neighbor of mine who lost her husband. Although there was a big difference in their ages, my little brother, Mike, loved Helen.
She made arts and crafts pins with fake fur glued
to rocks and googly eyes added. Mike would take them to school and sell them
to his friends and give her the money. So when he heard that her husband had
died, he hurried down the street to comfort her. Not knowing of the relationship
between them, a dutiful friend of the bereaved sent Mike home, telling him that
Helen did not need to be bothered right now. Mike came home crying because he
could not comfort his friend. While my mother was comforting him, a knock came
on the door. It was the woman who had sent Mike awayt. Sheepishly she told Mike
that Helen had chewed her out for sending him away and invited him to come back.
Similarly my husband tells a story of my stepson Shawn when he was younger.
They went into church and he saw a friend of theirs who was going through a
divorce, sitting alone. Sensing his struggle, young Shawn went up to him, put
his hands on either side of the man's face, looked into his eyes and said, "Skip,
I can hear you thinking."
I think that when it comes to service, it is good to be "as a little child."
They instinctively seem to know what is needed, without letting a lot of other
"stuff" get in the way.
Good job!
Susan Curtis
(aka fellow columnist Susan Law Corpany)
Kealkekua Bay, Hawaii
**
This beautiful article reminded me of a time in
my life when I suffered a devastating loss and it seemed that nobody around
me, as much as they cared and wanted to help, really “got” how empty I felt.
One day I found myself crying in the middle of a street and my older brother
simply held me tight and cried with me. He did not say anything, he just let
me know how much he hurt for me and with me, and it created a bond between us
that neither time nor distance has been able to break. His crying with me was
the best service I received that day, and I will never forget
it.
Name Withheld
Texas
**** **** **** ****
Definition of Righteousness
God Cannot Be Wrong, by Anne Perry
What a lovely piece. You've expressed something I've thought on often in the
past few years. I think there are many doctrinal bits that we'll have to wait
a long time for the answers to — yet we must believe in the fundamental truth
that God lives and loves us, and that if the doctrine seems to contradict that,
then we simply don't have enough information.
Thank you for the light you share.
Lara N.
Bellingham, Washington
**
Oh that I were an author (like Anne Perry) and
could have the wish of my heart...
But, I think I will need to be content that Sister Perry has so eloquently expressed
the thoughts that are continually in my heart: to trust in the goodness of God;
to let love for God and our fellow travelers in mortality be the light by which
we judge every good thing; to admit that believing and rejoicing in all truth
is not the same as knowing or comprehending that truth.
I hope the words of Sister Perry help us all to "resolve to try harder
to know the heart of what [our] faith is, so that [we] can teach it not only
by word but by attitude, character and deed."
Kent Olmstead
Chandler, Arizona
Click here to sign up for Meridian's FREE email updates.