Meridian Magazine : : Print

M E R I D I A N M A G A Z I N E

Compiled and edited by Rachel Tanner
Meridian Magazine Intern
Published May 29, 2009

The Influence of Teen Idols
By JeaNette Goates Smith

Movie Stars Don't Always Portray Moral Characters

Thank you for the excellent article on this topic. I have a 12-year-old daughter who thinks Zac Efron is one of the neatest people in the world. She is a diehard High School Musical fan.

At this point in time, I have made the decision for her not to see "17 Again.” I reviewed the information at ScreenIt.com and decided she does not need to see it. We have talked about it and I explained to her my reasons for her not wanting to see it. We talk a lot about appropriate and inappropriate media. She received an MP3 player for Christmas and I try to screen what she puts on it to listen to. The point I'm trying to make with her is that movie stars don't always portray moral characters. Zac Efron's character in the High School Musical movies has qualities I want my daughter to develop. She is easily influenced and I have to be careful what she watches.

I also agree with your point that it opened up a dialogue between you and your daughters about appropriate behavior while dating in high school.

I mostly want to thank you for a well-written article. The Hollywood , or in my house Disney Channel, stars have tremendous influence over the viewing audience.

-Stefanie Bruin

Joseph Smith and the Origin and Progress of Life
By Ronald P. Millett

Many Questions Left That Darwin Cannot Answer

The most interesting questions in science are those that are very simple to state. Also, scientists like to pay attention to the experimental observations. To those who believe that Darwin explains the human beast, please explain the origin of speech. Where did speech come from? Why does the human beast need speech and other beasts do not? Why do humans try to excel? Why are there Utah Jazz fans or Cubs fans? I have many more questions about the human beast that I believe Darwin cannot answer.

-Marty MacDonald

Kudos for Terrific Assembly of Information

Terrific assembly of facts, scripture, quotes, history and reflections on a timely and always fascinating issue. Kudos.

-Kieth Merrill

Joseph Smith's Quotes Contrasted with Philosophies of Man

I really like the way Ron intertwined the quotes in his article. I've heard many of Joseph Smith's quotes before and thoroughly enjoyed reading them as contrasted with the philosophies of man. It is also interesting to note that some of the main players he discussed were contemporaries.

-Dave Nay

Saying good-bye to Mary Susan
By Susan Elzey

Missing My Children Though Still in Diapers

This is a wonderful article. The author certainly knows how to make you miss your children even though they are still in diapers for my wife and me.

-Matthew Clark

Meeting in Park Gives Member Opportunity to Share Gospel

Thank you for sharing your touching experience of your daughter leaving. This morning I was already remembering and praying for a lady that I met in the park Saturday, getting bitten by mosquitoes, while waiting for my husband, who was at a Stake Priesthood meeting.

I don't even know her name. She is a baby-sitter and home care live-in for someone here in Italy . She is from Ukraine , married and has a teenage son of her own at home, but comes here because they need the money. We were talking about weather and teething babies and how boys love watching soccer at such an early age. Then the conversation took a turn when I explained my U.S. accent and meeting my Italian husband in the Frankfurt Temple years ago. We talked about the weather differences in the different countries, and I asked where she was from, how the weather is there, and heard a bit of her story, but not much because she may be here without an official work permit, or without paying taxes. But it was enough to see her turn melancholy when I said it must be hard for her to be here, away from her son. She smiled when she talked about seeing him when she got to go home for a month.

I left her with my April Liahona after talking a bit about how our church got started. She is Christian, with different relatives belonging to different traditional churches. I am hoping that her sacrifices will be rewarded with a testimony of the Gospel, so that she can have an eternal family someday.

May you be comforted, knowing that your faithfulness will be rewarded with an eternal family, whether they let you live with them for a while or not when you get old. Maybe when you are a lot older and needier, you will sponsor someone from a country whose people need work, to come and live-in with you, so that they can learn about the Gospel.

- Regina M. Sherwood Faresin

Seeking Shepherds : No Hirelings Need Apply
By Susan Law Corpany

Mothers are Shepherds, Day Care Providers are Hirelings

Your discussion today of shepherds and hirelings is illuminating. Mothers are shepherds. A comparison struck me: day care providers are hirelings. No wonder the Good Shepherd wants children to have their mothers. As you said, the difference is love.

-Anonymous

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