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Readers share a laugh with Dr. Stan and a tear with Bishop Goddard

Near-Fatal Attraction

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A Time to Laugh by Stan M. Gardner, M.D.

I thoroughly enjoyed this article by Dr. Gardner. I truly believe that “men are that they might have joy,” and that most of us don’t take enough time to experience joy and laughter each day.

Dr. Gardner mentioned a movie and book titled The Secret. I have heard a lot about that movie. Although I have not yet seen it, I know enough about it to know that the “secret” is the Law of Attraction. This is not “attraction” as defined by two people falling in love. Rather, “attraction” as described by Dr. Gardner when he encouraged those of us who need a lift to go on a walk and consider all that we have to be grateful for.

The Law of Attraction is at work in our lives whether or not we are aware of it, and by definition means that those things we focus on show up in our lives. If we are focusing on the things for which we are grateful, we will receive more for which to be grateful. If we focus on our problems, we’ll get more problems.

I’ve had the blessing of learning about the Law of Attraction in conjunction with the Lord’s involvement in that law through a great book called Remembering Wholeness, which is authored by a church member, Carol Tuttle (www.caroltuttle.com). The Lord’s involvement in the Law of Attraction is key to understanding this principle. Carol Tuttle illustrates the Lord’s involvement in it beautifully on her website www.godandthelawofattraction.com. She truly understands how much the Lord loves us and shares many methods on how to create joy in our lives.

Her work has assisted me greatly in drawing nearer to the Lord and changing my life for the better. I know that this information that’s blessed my life could also bless others’ lives. I am grateful there are people out there, such as Dr. Gardner, who are instruments in the Lord’s hands and are showing us a better way to live.

Kristin Baker
Spring, Texas

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Side-stepping Stress

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Stepping Back from the Busyness of Life by Vickey Pahnke-Taylor

I think this is an excellent article (as always) and is exactly what this whole world needs to read. During my disability time, I have had no choice but learn to "sit back and smell the roses" and appreciate the beautiful earth and nature. When I stop and think of all the creations — even the smallest little bug or the largest tree — it is amazing to see what is around us. Living in the country has made this more possible for me to just sit out in my swing and enjoy these wonderful sounds and smells (although sometimes the hog and chicken farms don't smell so good). It makes me appreciate all that has been placed on this earth for us.

Thank you for bringing it to my attention again and to stop thinking about what I have to do.

Linda Thompson
Deep Run, North Carolina

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Cause and Defect

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All In a Good Cause, by Orson Scott Card

I am so impressed with your very well-written essay on global warming. While I am simply a stay-at-home mom with only a little college education, it is not too difficult to understand that all the hoopla surrounding global warming is one large pile of CO2-producing nitrogenous waste.

I remember back several years when all the rage was the hole in the ozone layer and how that hole would eventually grow larger and larger until we would all be cooked. As a teenager, I worried about that and convinced my mom that our aerosol hairspray and deodorant had to go or there wouldn't be a world left for me to raise my family on. I think she just got tired of listening to me preach because we made our switch to pump dispensers and roll-on deodorant.

Anyway, a few years later I was watching “Good Morning America” and they were talking to the ABC science editor, whose name I cannot remember. When the question of the ozone hole was posed to him he replied that what most scientists at the time weren't telling us was that the hole was actually growing smaller — not larger.

He said a few more things and gave a scientific explanation that boiled down to his belief that the earth, as a living, breathing entity, needed a way to rid itself of gas build-up, much like humans, animals and anything else that lives, eats and breathes. What he explained was that the earth needed to burp and so the hole grew larger to allow that to happen; and when enough of the gas build-up had been released, the hole grew smaller. You know what the funny thing about that was? I don't recall ever seeing him interviewed or even appearing on “Good Morning America” again!!

I figure that the global warming thing is just a way for people who want me to become side-tracked from the things that I can actually affect, to those things that I can't. If they can convince enough of us to spend our hard-earned money and our very limited time on their agenda, then they grow fat while I starve. But once they realize that my money and time are running out and can no longer finance their follies, global warming will go the way of the hole in the ozone layer. It will remain dormant until my reserves are built up sufficiently to support another of their outrageous claims.

I am tired of being made to feel that because I drive a car, don't eat organic produce, have more than two point five children, color my hair, eat red meat and own guns I am the scourge of the earth. Our earth might not be as pristine as the Garden of Eden, but then the Garden only had two residents who didn't even know they were naked.

Charlene Paul
Logandale, Nevada

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Thank you so much for writing such an informative and interesting article about the validity, or lack thereof of global warming. I feel so enlightened, and will definitely seek out the recommended books. It's another testimony to me that God is in charge, even when man really wants to be.

I appreciate Scott Card's excellent writing skills, and his creative ability to share his research in such a compelling way. I love his contributions to Meridian and always take time to read his columns. I know I will come away with a prize in exchange for my time.

Allie Duffy
Salt Lake City, Utah

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Thanks for an excellent article with data sources to back up the points that are being made. I'm a liberal who does believe that our treatment of natural resources in the U.S. is reprehensible and should be checked. But I've had trouble believing either the dire predictive models or the potential solutions, which smack too much of the good cause that has suddenly become a red-hot party line. Until I read Mr. Card's article I didn't have anywhere to go with my concerns, and I was so glad to see the sources he has cited so that I can find out more. It's very hard to believe the rabid dogs on either side of these issues, but I can read and I appreciate the heads up!

What can they be thinking? I know I am guilty of being lazy in this, but surely they must realize that eventually responsible citizens and other really smart scientists will blow the whistle. That they are willing to take the risk is just scary.

Jackie Mitchell
Gurnee, Illinois

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Fascinating article. Thank you very much for printing it here. With four children in school I often wonder what I need to counter balance that they learn from "bad" science.

Shannon
Portland, Oregon

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Piping Up

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

Being of Scottish heritage, I love the tune and words of Amazing Grace and play it often on bagpipe CD’s.

I found this article by Brother Peterson very, very informative and it has solidified my love for the words as much as the music now.

Time to go find a vocal performance recording!

Allison Sullivan
Atlanta, Georgia

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A Page from the Happy Book

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Rest and Relaxation that Rejuvenate, by Peggy Barrus

Thank you for this article. I recently have been given a new calling that is wonderful but scary. This article helped me see some things that I need to remember as I endeavor to serve the Lord. And I love the "gratitude book." I have a "happy book" that is essentially the same and when I am discouraged it helps me remember the blessings. Thanks for sharing your innermost feelings and thoughts. I will make a copy of this one to read over and over.

Beverly Wellington
Roseburg, Oregon

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I so appreciated Sister Barrus’ article. So often we try to go straight for the most when the least will do. The phenomenon is much like running very first thing to the medicine chest for a pain- killer to quell a headache that just came on. If we stop, relax, get a refreshing drink of water, maybe reflect on our day or calmly plan the rest, my guess is that a great number of the everyday headaches will quickly subside without medication. Happens all the time with my children.

I think Elder Maxwell's advice to "sit a spell", to ponder and meditate, and just enjoy the company of others, is a very necessary but overlooked "re-creation" we need to take to heart. As Sister Barrus mentioned, in such cases our activity does not have to include food, movies, sport, and the like. In fact if we did immediately go to that type of recreation it would be counter-productive.

K. C.
North Virginia

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Water Works

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The Lesson of the Washing Machine Hose by H.Wallace Goddard

Two weeks ago I woke up at 5:30 am to the sound of water running. You guessed it: the washer hose had broken and the kitchen was flooded. We are still in the repair mode, as the carpets in the adjoining rooms will be cleaned today. We now have a new kitchen floor. All the kitchen furniture is still in the living room. Living in total disarray has been a trial. We get our trials one way or another. Washer hoses do burst!

Carol Wight
Provo, Utah

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We came home from a trip a day early, and that night the hot-water hose [to the sink near the washing machine] gave out and turned on the fire alarm with the steam. Never have forgotten THAT blessing!

And I alternately sobbed at the parallels and smiled at the right-on-ness through the last half.
Thank you. I am not alone. I have known for a long time that I am not; and it is nice to hear it said so well and so succinctly.

May I simply accept and deal with my next mountain as a matter of course, and seek the lessons contained therein.

Susan Cropper
Nampa, Idaho

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You've done a very good job explaining what life is all about. This is a hard lesson to learn. I will refer back to my printed copy of your article many times over my life. Thank you!

Kathy Kinnaman
Texas

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The washing machine article was simply delightful! Thanks for putting into words what we all experience in our human lifetimes and giving us the understanding behind those experiences. Wonderful, simply wonderful!!

Lisa Clancy
South Carolina

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The End of the Rope

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Garage Sale-Proofing Heirlooms by Steffani Raff

When I taught Family Research to adults at our community college, one lady proudly declared that she had a piece of rope from the Mayflower. She explained that her grandfather had a long piece of it that he cut into pieces and divided between his children to remind them that they were descended from the "first white child born in Plymouth." We knew that was Peregrine White, and she had a White line that seemed to have hit a dead end, but with this information, starting from Peregrine, she was able to identify her own Whites among all the others.

I asked her, "Vivian, what became of the Mayflower?" We agreed that it had returned to England, and probably needed every bit of the rope that had helped the ship bring her family it to America. Foxy Grandpa had found the perfect way to convert an old piece of (local) rope into a memento that would build family pride and lead his descendants back to their English heritage.

Louanne Barrett
Dover, Delaware

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.