Personal Touch

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In today's Personal Touch interview Rebecca Cressman chats with Jo and Lois.

Jo Schaffer and Lois Brown are leading their first-ever boot camp for aspiring teen writers. The one-day event on April 23rd at Utah Valley University will help teens ages 13-18 learn the elements of story-telling from best-selling authors who will entertain and explain concepts like character development, plotting, and dialogue. The idea to encourage young authors bubbled out of the two women’s writers group called “Writers Cubed.” There they and other writers collaborate, practice, encourage, and support each other throughout their writing process, and they wanted to do the same for teens who dreamed of writing too.

Jo Schaffer, was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, to a literary, intellectual mother and an artist, naturalist father. Her parents instilled in her a love of art, books, nature, people and philosophy. Jo wrote her first book when she was six and has written ever since. Jo schooled in London, studying the arts and British literature and then in Utah, first focusing on archaeology and the humanities, and finally settling on English with a writing emphasis. She married and had three sons with her childhood friend who is an artist and filmmaker, living in LA, Oregon, the Bay Area and now Utah.

Lois Brown received her bachelor’s degree in journalism from Brigham Young University in 1991 and worked as a news correspondent for the Deseret News in Washington, D.C. She later returned to school and completed a Master’s degree in communications research which led her to working in the technology industry as a marketer/writer. After giving birth to her first child, she changed career courses again and started her own freelance writing business. Since 1994, Lois has written nearly fifty articles and books, including working as the chief editor to a former New York Times best-selling author Dr. Neil Solomon and co-writing a book on time management with former Miss America Sharlene Wells Hawkes. In 2007, she published a book about stress management with psychologist Victoria Anderson. Recently she has turned her interests to writing fiction after realizing the bedtime stories she tells her four children never put them to sleep. 

Web

http://www.writerscubed.com/events_TeenBootCamp.asp

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We want to thank Rebecca Cressman and her staff for their dedication and commitment to bringing us the Personal Touch interview every week.  We are sad to see them leave our family. They will be missed.

yourLDSneighborhood Staff

As always, we welcome your comments.

To view a copy of the Neighborhood News for Monday, 4 April, please click here.

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In today's Personal Touch interview Rebecca Cressman chats with Rebecca. Rebecca Talley is the mother of ten wildy-creative and multi-talented children. She and her husband, Del, live in rural CO with their family, a dog, cats, a spoiled horse, and a herd of goats. She is the author of a children's picture book, "Grasshopper Pie" (WindRiver 2003), and three novels, "Heaven Scent" (CFI 2008), "Altared Plans" (CFI 2009), and "The Upside of Down" (CFI 2011). She has also authored numerous magazine articles and stories for children. When she's not writing, Rebecca loves to date her husband, play with her kids, swim in the ocean, eat ice cream, and dance to disco music while she cleans the house.


Web: http://www.rebeccatalley.com/

As always, we welcome your comments.

To view a copy of the Neighborhood News for Monday, 28 March, please click here.

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Jean Knight Pace is a busy mother of four children. But on January 1, 2011, she challenged herself to feed her family of six on just $6 a day for the whole year. She outlined her "Rules" for budgeting, cooking, and eating and put them in writing. She also created a blog called The Tasty Cheapskate and began sharing her success, her mistakes, her lessons learned, and, best of all, her recipes. She's also challenged others to join her as fellow Tasty Cheapskates and on her blog you'll find their ideas too. Jean Knight Pace holds a BA in music and an MFA in creative writing from Colorado State University. Jean, her husband, and 4 kids--ages 8,6,3, and 1 live in southern Indiana.

Web: http://tastycheapskate.blogspot.com/

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With all the feelings involved in troubled marriages, there's consolation to know that we have direction from our Church leaders. Here's a Mormon Message entitled 'Marriage and Divorce.'

 As always, we welcome your comments.

To view a copy of the Neighborhood News for Monday, 21 March, please click here.  

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In today's Personal Touch interview Rebecca Cressman chats with Bonnie. Bonnie L. Peters is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and a Master of Social Work degree. She is the Executive Director of the Family Support Center, a licensed child welfare agency whose mission is to protect children, strengthen families and prevent child abuse. The Family Support Center offers crisis nurseries, counseling, respite, daycare, in-home parent support, and transitional housing to help families rebuild stable, nurturing families. There is also an Adults Molested as Children support group to help survivors heal. Bonnie has extensive experience working with people of diverse backgrounds and lifestyles and has a passion for human rights and equality. She has years of experience in social service arenas. She has received many awards and recognitions for her work in child welfare. She serves on many committees and boards. She and her husband Jim have parented twelve children.

Web: www.familysupportcenter.org/

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But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

Matthew 18:6

Considering the book we're sharing today, Healing by Marion Stewart, I think this scripture is appropriate. It's hard to think clearly whenever children are concerned. It's hard to try to be Christ-like, when all you may think is how to hurt the perpetrator.

What are your thoughts about the subject? Please share with us.

To view a copy of the Neighborhood News for Monday, 14 March, please click here.

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In today's Personal Touch interview Rebecca Cressman chats with Kari and Tim. Kari Calton and Tim Nelson both believe that movies are powerful opportunities for families to connect and communicate. So, they’ve created an on-line site and on-line Movie Sorter tool where families can search for movies that will entertain, teach, explore, address, and reinforce specific values, challenges, and life lessons. Their vision is to produce and to release entertaining films that will not only strengthen families but will strengthen the common values inside all societies. Kari is the owner of Stepping Stones Entertainment, a start-up Utah online business that is “completely, entirely, absolutely dedicated to promoting movies that you could watch with anyone, anywhere, anytime” She is also a stay-at-home mom of twins. Tim Nelson is on the board of Stepping Stones Entertainment and has spent more than three decades in the film industry as film editor, sound editor, producer, director, and writer with many awards both in the commercial and theatrical motion picture arena. Stepping Stones Entertainment is made up of people from different faiths, backgrounds, and nationalities and are not affiliated with any specific religious or political organization who believe in using the power of movies to influence families for good everywhere.
Web: http://www.steppingstones.com/

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Here's a video from President Monson to the Youth of the church. He's talking about the theme for 2011.

I think it's wonderful that we can say today that we have a Prophet who speaks to us, and that he has a message for our children. We can sit down with our families and watch President Monson, or listen to conference reports on our radios, cd players or smartphones. What a glorious time to choose to do what's right! Why do we waste time rationalizing, moralizing or excusing our choices, when it's so much easier to choose to follow the Lord our God?

As always, we welcome your comments.

To view a copy of the Neighborhood News for Monday, 7 March, please click here.

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In today's Personal Touch interview Rebecca Cressman chats with Michael and Melanie. Michael Flynn has just produced Midway to Heaven, a romantic comedy starring Melanie Nelson- who plays a wife that is lingering halfway between heaven and earth while her widower husband learns more about love and second chances. Michael Flynn started working in film in the early 1980’s. His first film is one of his most popular, Footloose. It was closely followed by a film that to this day is a family favorite, Savannah Smiles. Since then he has appeared in over 100 film and television shows and countless TV commercials and documentaries. Michael ventured into producing in 2004 with the ever popular The Best Two Years. Since then he has produced The Dance, Heber Holiday, Friends for Life and most recently Midway to Heaven, which he also directed. Melanie Nelson received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Southern Utah University and performed as a member of the Utah Shakespearean Festival acting company. She went on to receive her Master of Fine Arts degree from Southern Methodist University. Melanie is a founder and managing director of Pinnacle Acting Company, where she has performed in several roles, including Catherine in Proof. Film and television credits include Everwood: White on Rice; Hatching Pete; and The Return.
web http://www.midwaytoheavenmovie.com/

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There’s a whole genre in literature and movies dedicated exclusively to love and romance. Some of us enjoy reading these kinds of books or going to see the movies; some of us prefer other kind of books or movies. What are the opinions of our leaders about romantic love?

From Elder Bruce C. Hafen:

"The idea of romantic love, so commonplace that it is touched upon in virtually every popular book or movie or magazine, is also at the very center of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

As Elder Packer put it, 'Romantic love … is not only a part of life, but literally a dominating influence of it. It is deeply and significantly religious. There is no abundant life without it. Indeed, the highest degree of the Celestial Kingdom is unobtainable in the absence of it.' (Eternal Love, p. 4.)"

Sister Susan Tanner has said:

"Friendship, then, should form the foundation of romantic love—the love that leads to courtship and marriage. Likewise, both friendship and romantic love can become what God intends them to be only when they are founded on charity, “the pure love of Christ” (Moro. 7:47). As we learn in Moroni and 1 Corinthians, charity is patient, long-suffering, kind, free from envy, and unselfish. Charity leads couples to rejoice in truth, to believe, to hope, and to endure. Couples whose love is based on charity want the best for each other. Their love is infused with the pure love of Christ."

As always, we welcome your comments.

To view a copy of the Neighborhood News for Monday, 28 February, please click here.

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In today's Personal Touch interview Rebecca Cressman chats with Betty. Betty Pearson connects thousands of mothers of LDS missionaries all around the world. She is the creator and Listowner of email groups for LDS Missionary and Military Moms helping women support and learn from each other while their children serve away from home. She and her husband, Karl, have 7 children. Six of the seven children, including two daughters, have all served missions. One of her sons is currently serving in Japan and their youngest is a senior in high school and plans to serve too. Betty is from Bountiful, Utah and attended the University of Utah studying Music Education. She teaches private cello lessons, loves gardening, and freezes/dehydrates/bottles everything she can. Betty has served in many different church callings over the years from teaching Primary to serving in Primary, Relief Society, and Stake YW Presidencies. Betty and Karl are currently ward Family History Consultants.


Web: http://www.ldsmissionarymoms.com/

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Now ye may suppose that this is a foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth
confound the wise.   

Alma 37:6

At the website above the moms have a 'Notable Quote' page. I found one that I really liked, and decided to copy it here:

JRR Tolkien and Alma 

MM, Kim (Utah) sent the following quote to us:

J.R.R Tolkien in the Fellowship of the Ring: "The road must be trod, but it will be very hard. And neither strength nor wisdom will carry us far upon it. This quest may be attempted by the weak with as much hope as the strong. Yet it is oft the course of deeds that move the wheels of the world: Small hands do them because they must, while the eyes of the great are elsewhere."

Her missionary made the following comment about the quote:

"Mom, I love this! We are constantly tracting out ministers and pastors who say we are too young to really know about Christ and proclaim Christianity.

This quote is a reminder to the protestant world that all through the Old Testament God used weak things against strong things to show his power.... AND HE STILL DOES!! I also like that it refers to our necessity to ALWAYS push ourselves, ALWAYS lean on the Lord and ALWAYS rely on the spirit to do our teaching, very awesome!!"

Kim: "Later after I shared this quote with an elder here in our stake he said it made him think of Alma 37:6, by small and simple means the efforts of these young elders and sisters really can "confound" the wise and help the kingdom roll forth!"

Kim (source: here)

As always, we welcome your comments.

To view a copy of the Neighborhood News for Monday, 21 February, please click here.

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In today's Personal Touch interview Rebecca Cressman interviews Clair. Clair Mellenthin is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with high tech ideas on strengthening marriages. She most recently presented a seminar on 4G Intimacy: Staying Connected in the Modern World at the 2011 Northern Utah Marriage Celebration. Since the digital world is quickly changing, Clair works with couples to help them understand how social networking, text messaging, and computerized communication changes interpersonal communication. Clair specializes in Family Therapy, High Conflict Marriages, Parenting Issues, and is the Director of Adolescent Services at Wasatch Family Therapy and is Adjunct Faculty in Social & Behavioral Science at Utah Valley University. Clair obtained her MSW from the University of Southern California and is the mother of three young children.

Web: http://www.wasatchfamilytherapy.com/therapists/clair-mellenthin

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Have you ever wondered why we celebrate Valentine's day or where the name came from?
Here's an excerpt from a 1974 New Era:

"The original Valentine was a priest in Rome and had little concern for cupids, hearts, or loving couples. He was executed on February 14 in the year 270 for assisting Christian martyrs. His connection with matters of romantic love is entirely coincidental. When the Romans invaded Britain they substituted the names of Christian saints in pagan celebrations. One of these festivals, Lupercalia, traditionally held on February 15, was renamed in honor of Saint Valentine because of the proximity of the anniversary of his death."

So, what are your plans for the day? Do you enjoy sending Valentines to friends?

Happy Valentine's Day!
To view a copy of the Neighborhood News for Monday, 14 February, please click here.

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In today's Personal Touch interview Rebecca Cressman interviews four-time Billboard charting recording artist and award winning pianist, speaker, and author Paul Cardall. Paul has entertained sold out audiences and inspired people worldwide with twelve studio albums and various published writings, including his recently released book and memoir, Before My Heart Stops, published by Shadow Mountain. Born with essentially half-a-heart or a form of congenital heart disease, Cardall was given only days to live but defied medical expectations, enduring a series of surgeries and illnesses throughout his lifetime. In August 2008 Cardall was suffering severe heart failure and was told by medical professionals he needed a heart transplant or would slowly grow weaker and die. The pianist maintained a blog www.livingforeden.com, believing it might be his “last lecture.” Over half a million people followed his journey. Cardall records on his blog, "If you were told you only had a year to live, what would you change? Finally, after waiting 385 days on the transplant list, doctors found a heart and surgeons performed a miraculous surgery. On Valentine's night, February 14th, 2011, Paul Cardall will release his first full length studio album since his heart transplant. Properly called New Life, Paul will debut his heartfelt album at his 2nd annual Celebrate Life Concert in Salt Lake City raising awareness and support for Congenital Heart Disease and the Paul Cardall Family Foundation. Paul lives with his wife Lynnette and daughter Eden in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Web: http://www.paulcardall.com/events.htm


This video was done before the heart surgery:



This video is part of the ad campaign.



As always, we welcome your comments.

To view a copy of the Neighborhood News for Monday, 7 February, please click here.

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In today's Personal Touch interview, Rebecca Cressman talks to Jill. Dr. Jill C. Manning is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist who specializes in research and clinical work related to pornography and its impact on marriages and families. She is a former Social Science Fellow at The Heritage Foundation in Washington, D.C., and as a result of her research was invited to testify before a Senate sub-committee about the harms of pornography on families. She has been featured in various television and radio programs, and is the author of numerous academic journal articles, as well as the book entitled What's the Big Deal about Pornography: A Guide for the Internet Generation and the recent talk CD entitled Let's Talk about the Elephant in the Room: How LDS Women Can Protect Families from Pornography. Clinically, she has worked for LDS Family Services, as well as in hospital, private practice, school, and residential treatment settings. She currently resides in Denver, Colorado with her husband and daughter.
Web: http://www.drjillcmanning.com/

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In the book ‘The Screwtape Letters,’ author C.S. Lewis shows us how the devils work with humanity by sharing the one-sided correspondence between Screwtape and Wormwood, two of Satan’s minions. In the following excerpts, keep in mind that the ‘enemy’ is God, and notice how they try to entice and seduce the human’s senses, to perdition:

"But do remember, the only thing that matters is the extent to which you separate the man from the Enemy. It does not matter how small the sins are provided that their cumulative effect is to edge the man away from the Light and out into the Nothing. Murder is no better than cards if cards can do the trick. Indeed the safest road to Hell is the gradual one—the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts,

"The humans live in time but our Enemy destines them to eternity. He therefore, I believe, wants them to attend chiefly to two things, to eternity itself, and to that point of time which they call the Present… Our business is to get them away from the eternal, and from the Present.

"Mere excess in food is much less valuable than delicacy. Its chief use is as a kind of artillery preparation for attacks on chastity.

"there are other, and more indirect, methods of using a man's sexuality to his undoing. And, by the way, they are not only efficient, but delightful; the unhappiness produced is of a very lasting and exquisite kind,"

I’m sure you wonder why I’m quoting from this book. Today’s newsletter touches on pornography. I’m not trying to write a treatise on the subject, I’ll leave that to others, but I wanted to show how the devil and his minions work on us. I’m sure nobody started out going to peep shows, or watching forbidden movies. I’m sure it took time; how much I don’t know, but enough that the devil’s workers got hold of them. I leave you with this scripture from the Book of Mormon:

"And others will he pacify, and lull them away into carnal security, that they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well—and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell." 2 Nephi 28:21

As always, we welcome your comments.

To view a copy of the Neighborhood News for Monday, 31 January, please click here.

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In today's Personal Touch interview, Rebecca Cressman talks to Jessie Funk, who has shared her inspiring message and love of music around the world. She has released five solo albums, toured 36 states with the Broadway musical “Footloose,” opened for Donny Osmond, and toured with Broadway sensation Maureen McGovern. Jessie has also published four books entitled, “Calling All Angels,” “The Boredom Box,” “Forget the Chicken Soup, Where’s the Chocolate?” and “Emergency Preparedness for Kids.” She has also been a professional speaker for seven years, teaching and inspiring through her message of gratitude, celebrating life and defining your passions and purpose. One of Jessie’s true passions is empowering women and teenage girls to celebrate ladyhood and embrace their radiance. She is so passionate about this cause that she has started an organization called “The Ivy Foundation,” whose sole purpose is to provide workshops, life-coaching and resources to help ladies of all ages discover their limitless potential. Jessie’s favorite role in life is that of mother to three adorable kids and wife to hit songwriter/producer, Jim Funk.
Web: http://www.ivygirlacademy.com/

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From the March 2010 New Era Magazine, pg. 18

 Sister Susan W Tanner (former Young Women General President) wrote this article that appeared in the Ensign a few years ago. She’s talking about the fact that most girls when asked about their plans for the future, comment on education or other endeavors. Very few express the desire to be mothers.

“Homemaking skills are becoming a lost art. I worry about this. When we lose the homemakers in a society, we create an emotional homelessness much like street homelessness, with similar problems of despair, drugs, immorality, and lack of self-worth. In a publication called The Family in America, Bryce Christensen writes that the number of homeless people on the street 'does not begin to reveal the scope of homelessness in America. For since when did the word home signify merely physical shelter, or homelessness merely the lack of such shelter? … Home [signifies] not only shelter, but also emotional commitment, security, and belonging. Home has connoted not just a necessary roof and warm radiator, but a place sanctified by the abiding ties of wedlock, parenthood, and family obligation; a place demanding sacrifice and devotion, but promising loving care and warm acceptance.'

     

  “So we must teach homemaking skills, including practical ones such as cooking, sewing,   budgeting, and beautifying. We must let young women know that homemaking skills are honorable and can help them spiritually as well as temporally. Making a home appealing physically will encourage loved ones to want to be there and will help create the kind of atmosphere that is conducive to the Spirit.” Source: here.

I think we’re not teaching our children the same way we were taught by our parents. If something doesn’t get done, it’s easier for mom or dad to pick up the slack, rather than have a bit of discord in the family.

I believe that homes or institutions that are teaching our young women how valuable they are to society, as mothers and creators, are not only important but necessary.

To view a copy of the Neighborhood News for Monday, 24 January, please click here.



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In today's Personal Touch, Rebecca Cressman interviews Quinn. Quinn Curtis is the "Artistic Mom" of four children ages 5, 3, 2, and 4 months. Her blog the “TheArtisticMom.com” is dedicated to “Creating Beauty in Life, Motherhood, Food Photography and the Pursuit of Happiness.” A skilled food photographer, Quinn believes there is an artist in every woman and her blogs, vlogs, and artistic mixers are designed to help other women tap into their own creativity to find fulfillment, peace, & love in everyday life. Web: http://theartisticmom.com/

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I love to see the temple, I’m going there someday

To feel the Holy Spirit, To listen and to pray.

For the temple is a house of God,
A place of love and beauty.

I’ll prepare myself while I am young:
This is my sacred duty.

Children’s Song 95

I remember these words so clearly sung by my Sunbeam little girl. They touch my heart in many different ways. Even though we’d been to the temple with her already, to have her sealed to our family when she was just six months old, she doesn’t remember being there.

Since I was a young woman, I’d made the commitment to be worthy to go to the temple some day. I grew up in Argentina, and at the time (1970s) there were no temples in South America. I remember in 1975 when President Kimball came to visit, and people from four different countries (Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Chile) gathered in Buenos Aires to listen to our Prophet. Among them, there we were, the youth of those countries, eager to see someone we’d just heard about.

Since it was a three-day conference, President Kimball had a special meeting with just us, the youth. In that meeting he talked to us in that raspy voice of his, a voice that to this day I can recognize when I hear it. He taught us in a loving way, and admonished us to be obedient and to strive to get married in the temple. That was a difficult commandment to follow, since the closest temple was in Los Angeles, California—by flight. The Mexico City temple was geographically closer, but there were no direct flights there.

Then came the proclamation on the Priesthood, and the announcement that there would be a temple in South America: the Sao Paulo temple in Brazil. That was a momentous occasion for a lot of people. I remember seeing our Youth leaders, the ones that were dating, making sacrifices, so they could go and get sealed in the temple of the Lord.

I did accomplish my dream of marrying in the temple. I met my husband, and after many months he proposed, and we were married in the Salt Lake temple. Our boy was born to us in the covenant, but our family was not finished, our little girl had to come a different way to us. I always say that I have a child of the womb, and the other one is from the heart.

I know that my responsibility doesn’t end by just having children. I need to teach them about the temple, and how important it is to their salvation. That is my own sacred duty.


To view a copy of the Neighborhood News for Monday, 17 January, please click here.

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In our Personal Touch interview for this week, Rebecca Cressman interviews Richard J. Allen who is the author of New Testament Who's Who, an encyclopedia-like portrayal of every person found in the New Testament. Gleaned from a lifetime of intensive study and instruction, the book is a resource giving historical context, personal descriptions, and explanations on how each individual's story contributes to the larger message of the Bible. Richard Allen is a husband, father, teacher, and writer. He has served on several high councils, in several stake presidencies, and as a bishop. Richard¹s teaching assignments in the Church have included service as a full-time missionary, instructor in various priesthood quorums, Gospel Doctrine teacher, and stake institute director. He has served as a faculty member at both Brigham Young University and the Johns Hopkins University. Richard has coauthored many articles, manuals and books and has served on a number of national educational boards. He and his wife, Carol Lynn Hansen Allen, have four children and five grandchildren.

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Procrastination is the thief of time.

~Edward Young

I like that quote. It’s short, but right to the point. How many of us allow procrastination to rob us of something special? It could be a hug, a loved one’s kiss, a missed opportunity.

I like this definition that came from E. Marvin J. Ashton: “Straightway is a power word. Straightway is an action word. It means immediately, without delay or hesitation. It means at once. Also, it is associated with having no curve or turn—a straight course, track, or path. Procrastination would be the very opposite of straightway. To procrastinate is to put off intentionally and habitually something that should be done. Procrastination is unproductive delay.” (Source: here)

Every year, at the start of the New Year, my husband and I make a spring cleaning schedule. We start in January because it’s a daunting task and we just do one room a week. We don’t want to hurt ourselves in the process, you know. :o)

It’s something we don’t like doing, but somebody has to, and there’s no way around it. This year, most of the house is being done for us by strangers: we’re going through a remodel. I was looking at our bedroom walls the other day and realized why we’ve cleaned them all these years. Because of the dust involved, they’re filthy.

President Eyring has said: "However much faith to obey God we now have, we will need to strengthen it continually and keep it refreshed constantly. We can do that by deciding now to be more quick to obey and more determined to endure. Learning to start early and to be steady are the keys to spiritual preparation. Procrastination and inconsistency are its mortal enemies." ("Spiritual Preparedness: Start Early and Be Steady," Ensign, Nov. 2005, 38)

I believe there are many things in life we may not want to do right away. We have to decide what’s important, and set priorities for ourselves and our families.

If you’d like to share, please post it in the comments section.

To view a copy of the Neighborhood News for Monday, 10 January, please click here.

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For our Personal Touch interview for this week, Rebecca Cressman interviews Austin. Austin Emch is High School Student Body President at Riverton High School in Riverton, Utah. Every year, his High School chooses a non-profit charity whose mission brings awareness to an important social issue. The students fundraise, collect donated supplies, and personally engage and commit themselves to the cause. For the 2010-2011 school-years, Austin and the student body at Riverton High tapped into the immigration debate and adopted the cause of the International Rescue Committee in Salt Lake City. The IRC helps refugees who cannot return to their home due to war or violence and helps them rebuild their lives in America’s safe haven. By the end of December, 2010, the fundraiser known as “Silver Rush” had earned a grand total of $81,087.11. For more information on Silver Rush visit the Riverton High School website at http://www.rivertonhigh.com/

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Don’t you feel sometimes as if you are in perfect sync with the Spirit? As if you could almost see past the veil. You can follow the promptings and feel inspired to do what’s right without question.

That’s how it feels when you read Jennifer Rick’s article today. You feel empowered by this connection, you feel touched and moved by the hand of the Lord.

I thought of another example, one of our Anonymous contributors expressed it well here  and you can’t help it but wonder What do I need to do to be so blessed most of the time? I know that I need all the blessings that I can get, and being close to the Spirit is one to cherish. Is that how it is with you?

Elder Bednar has said: “The standard is clear. If something we think, see, hear, or do distances us from the Holy Ghost, then we should stop thinking, seeing, hearing, or doing that thing. If that which is intended to entertain, for example, alienates us from the Holy Spirit, then certainly that type of entertainment is not for us. Because the Spirit cannot abide that which is vulgar, crude, or immodest, then clearly such things are not for us. Because we estrange the Spirit of the Lord when we engage in activities we know we should shun, then such things definitely are not for us.” Source: here.

We definitely need to make a choice of what we want in our lives. As for me, I want the company of the Spirit at all times. Like a safety blanket.

To view a copy of the Neighborhood News for Monday, 3 January, please click here.

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This month Personal Touch celebrates Christmas with a special series on the Life and Miracles of Jesus Christ. Throughout December we’ve explored the miracle of the Savior's Birth, the powerful lessons of the Savior's childhood, and the Miracles of Christ’s ministry.
This week, we turn to award-winning singer/songwriter Hilary Weeks for reflections on the Everlasting Christ. She and artist Simon Dewey co-authored He Lives, a book of music, art, and text that celebrates the Atonement and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Hilary has published two other books and released 6 albums earning 6 different Pearl Awards from the Faith Centered Music Association including Inspirational Album of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, and Songwriter of the Year. With inspiring lyrics and a voice audiences have come to love and depend upon, she shares her heart and the insight drawn from everyday life. In addition to her solo releases Hilary has been featured on an extensive list of compilation albums, but for every achievement, she credits the great love of Jesus Christ. And in spite of all the accolades and success, her most beloved moments are those spent with her family. Hilary, her husband Tim, and their four daughters live in Utah.

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One of the articles we’re featuring today got me thinking about regrets. The article is about going back in time and giving your younger self some advice. Even when the writer is talking about advice from an author’s point of view, I thought of it in a broader scale.

I thought: would I want to go back and change some of the things that I’ve done? Would I tell myself to go in this direction instead of the other one taken? Would I do things differently? Or would I stick it out and stay in the road I’d chosen?

I came to the conclusion that, even with all the emotional pain that I may have gone through at times, I wouldn’t change my life. I realized that from the deepest sorrows that I’ve felt in life, I have learned the greatest lessons, and I don’t want to lose them.

I took inventory and realized that I have a wonderful family, a husband that wants to provide for us, children that want to do what’s right, and a home that’s getting a face lift even as I write this. I have improved my talents in ways that no one but me (and my husband) can tell. I have made mistakes, plenty, but that’s between the Savior and I, and I’m fine with that.

What about you? What would you do? Please share your thoughts with us.

To view a copy of the Neighborhood News for Monday, 27 December, please click here.

Personal Touch

Welcome to the Neighborhood News



This month Personal Touch celebrates Christmas with a special series on the Life and Miracles of Jesus Christ.  This week we turn to the Miracles of Christ’s ministry with Patrick Bishop, the author of The Gospels in Harmony, a fully illustrated book that weaves together scripture to create a chronological and detailed narrative of the Savior’s ministry. Patrick A. Bishop received a bachelor's of science degree from Montana State University and a master's of science degree from Utah State University.  He has published several articles on Church history for BYU Studies, The Maxwell Institute, and The Religious Studies Center at BYU. He is also noted as a contributor to the Joseph Smith Papers, Journal Volume 1. His most important contribution may be the identification of an alleged daguerreotype of Oliver Cowdery. He is married to the former Elizabeth J. Contreras, and they are the parents of five.

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 Let’s talk about Joseph the carpenter. The scriptures are somewhat silent about Joseph. But enough is said about him to bring up a few important points:

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A King: he was of royal lineage, going all the way to king David. “Had Judah been a free and independent nation, Joseph the carpenter would have been her crowned king: and his lawful successor would have been Jesus of Nazareth.” (Talmage, Jesus the Christ, 82)

Carpenter: it was his profession. At the time, it meant that he probably had people apprenticing under him. According to Paul Thomas Smith, who gave an interview in our Personal Touch segment a few weeks ago, “Joseph was not simply a common carpenter; he was a Tecton which means a general contractor. He was prepared to build houses and would have been highly respected in his community. But there was so little to do in Nazareth that he undoubtedly went to Sepphoris - the capital city of Galilee- about four miles away. There was a lot of money there so he traveled from city to city.” Source: here.

Espoused to Mary: this vow, or betrothal, has always been regarded as sacred and binding in Jewish law. It was as binding as a marriage ceremony, without the particular rights of marriage. (Talmage, Jesus the Christ, 67)

His character: we learn of his character when we read what happened after he found out Mary was pregnant, ‘before they came together’ (Matthew 1:18):

“Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.” (Matthew 1:19)

He was willing to end their betrothal quietly, so Mary wouldn’t be harmed, since Jewish law required that she should be stoned. We all know that the angel Gabriel came to him in a dream and told him of the plan, and convinced Joseph to keep Mary as his wife.

I wonder about the years while the Savior was growing up, next to this ‘just man,’ chosen to be His guardian until He became of age. Did they have long conversations? Did they just remain quiet? Or maybe Joseph mentioned to Jesus the night of His birth. Perhaps the Child taught Joseph a few things he didn’t know. We’ll never know.

What we do know is that Joseph the carpenter was the right man for the job, and his reward is eternal.

To view a copy of the Neighborhood News for Monday, 20 December, please click here.

Personal Touch

Welcome to the Neighborhood News

This month Personal Touch celebrates Christmas with a special series on the Life and Miracles of Jesus Christ. Last week we explored the miracle of the Savior's birth, this week to gain a deeper understanding of the Savior's childhood, we talk with Brigham Young University Church History and Doctrine professor Dr. Susan Easton Black who recently published 400 Questions and Answers About the Life and Times of Jesus Christ. She is a past Associate Dean of General Education and Honors and Director of Church History in the Religious Studies Center at BYU. Dr. Black has been the recipient of numerous academic awards. She is married to Harvey B. Black. She is currently serving as a ward Gospel Doctrine teacher.

Web: http://religion.byu.edu/Susan_Black

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I believe that one of the most misunderstood traditions in this holiday season is the one about the Twelve Days of Christmas. Since popular belief says they start today, let’s comment on it.

I grew up celebrating it, even though I didn’t even know that’s what it was called. When I was a little girl growing up in Argentina, the best day about Christmas was actually January 6, when the Wise Men or Magi would come and leave a present on my polished clean and carefully laid out shoes, by my bedroom door. How many times did I imagine hearing their camels (not reindeer) making noises outside the house!

There’s symbolism in every single one of the presents in the song, even if some people think they are a bit odd and not related to Christmas.

Advent is a season of preparation, of joy and hope for the coming of the baby that will be the Redeemer of the world. Epiphany happens 12 days after the birth of the Savior. If you start counting on December 25th, then the evening of January 5th is the 12th night and January 6th is the 12th day of Christmas.

In most countries around the world where they still celebrate the old traditions, that’s when the Wise Men came to deliver presents to the newborn baby. And people believed there were three Wise Men just because He was given three presents. In South America and Spain, it’s called Dia de los Reyes Magos (Day of the Kings).

The song was created to teach young children about the tenets of the Catholic church. And these are the meanings:



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 1 Partridge in the Pear Tree= Jesus Christ, the Son of God

 2 Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments

 3 French Hens = Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues

 4 Calling Birds = the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists

 5 Golden Rings = the first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch.”

 6 Geese A-laying = the six days of creation

7 Swans A-swimming = the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments


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 8 Maids A-milking = the eight beatitudes

 9 Ladies Dancing = the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit



10 Lords A-leaping = the ten commandments

11 Pipers Piping = the eleven faithful apostles

12 Drummers Drumming = the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed



Because some people love to surprise friends during the next twelve days, we have a few suggestions for you today. First, one of the featured articles in the newsletter has ideas for your kid’s teachers, and then, check out these other two entries: here and here.

 

Sources: here, here and here.

To view a copy of the Neighborhood News for Monday, 13 December, please click here.

Personal Touch

Welcome to the Neighborhood News

This month Personal Touch celebrates Christmas with a special series on the Life and Miracles of Jesus Christ. To gain a deeper understanding of the miracle of the Savior's birth, we begin with an interview with gospel scholar Paul Thomas Smith. Paul wrote the text in the new book, This Is The Christ: Art by Carl Heinrich Bloch. Within its pages, readers see the Danish artist's masterpieces depicting the life of Christ and find Smith's explanations of the events, their history, and scriptural background. This Is The Christ coincides with Brigham Young University's Museum of Art exhibit of Bloch's artwork, The Master's Hand, which runs through May 7, 2011. Paul Thomas Smith has taught for the Church Educational System and served on the Institute curriculum writing committee; he was also a faculty member at the Joseph Smith Academy at Nauvoo, Illinois, and arranged for tours to Church historic sites in seven states. A charter member of the Florida Mission, he has served on several Church writing committees and in various callings. He and his wife, Gail, currently serve as ordinance workers at the Bountiful Utah Temple. Paul is a service missionary for the Historic Sites Division of the Historical Department, is a docent for the Museum of Church History, and records for the Utah State Library for the Blind.

Web: http://moa.byu.edu/index.php?id=1809

 

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We all know of Santa Claus and that he brings presents to children on Christmas. No matter how you feel about his involvement with the holiday, he’s here to stay, and he’s been a staple for a very long time. Let me share his story with you today.


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 Nicholas lived in a village in a country that today is Turkey. He was the son of a wealthy family, and became a monk at a young age. One of the stories told of him says: “In the not too distant city of Myra, the Bishop of the church passed away. As the authorities of the church assembled to consider his replacement, Nicholas was there. The man considered wisest amongst the authorities had a dream and was visited by a heavenly messenger. He inquired of the angel "Who should the new Bishop be?" The angel said that if the gathered authorities would just wait by the door of the church they should select the first person named Nicholas to walk through the doors. The church authorities had their answer, and Nicholas had his miracle and was named the youngest bishop of the church ever on record.”
 

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 As a bishop, he continued to help others, and was known for defending those who could not defend themselves.
During the Middle Ages, life was hard and dreary, so people tried to mitigate their existence by celebrating with feast days named after popular saints. The word holiday comes from holy day, which were days set aside by the Catholic church to honor their saints. With time, the feasts came to be a combination of secular and religious activities.


One story is worth mentioning: there was a father with three daughters. They were so poor that he couldn’t afford a dowry for any of them. In the middle of the night, Nicholas came to their help and left a small bag of gold coins (some people say through an open window, others down a chimney). In any case, he did it three times for each one of the girls.

Nicholas died in 342 AD. He was very popular for his acts of kindness, was canonized and became the patron saint of children.



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From those times, Saint Nicholas, “SaintNiclaus”, Santa Claus, was seen as a fatherly figure dressed in bishop’s clothes. It wasn’t until the late 19th or early 20th century that he was transformed into the jolly old elf that we all know now.

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Some of us can bring up the fact that Santa is part of a very commercial holiday. Some of us can say that it’s fun for the kids. I like the story that depicts Santa kneeling in front of the baby Jesus. I think that brings it more into perspective. Yes, we can go out and buy presents, in moderation, since baby Jesus was given presents, and we all love to show our appreciation for others. But shouldn’t we hold in our hearts the spirit of giving throughout the year?

I’ll leave you with the quote from Dickens: “I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.”

Sources here, here and here.

To view a copy of the Neighborhood News for Monday, 6 December, please click here.

Personal Touch

Welcome to the Neighborhood News

Today in our Personal Touch with Rebecca Cressman segment she talks to Laura. Laura F. Willes has always loved history. The Salt Lake City native holds a degree in American Studies from the University of Minnesota and has published two books that trace the history of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Minnesota and California, Minnesota Mormons and Community of Faith. Her latest publication, Christmas with the Prophets, looks back at how former presidents of the LDS Church celebrated Christmas. Through anecdotes, poetry, and personal histories, the book shares Christmas traditions of LDS prophets from Joseph Smith to Thomas S. Monson. Laura has been an early-morning seminary teacher, Gospel Doctrine teacher, and stake Relief Society president, and she served a full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints with her husband, Mark, as he presided over the Hawaii Honolulu Mission. She and her husband are the parents of five children and grandparents of twenty.




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 Isn’t this time of year great for singing our praises to the Lord? And unless we actually are part of a singing group, like a church, seminary, or institute choir, we don’t think about it until the bishop stands in testimony meeting and asks for volunteers to be part of the Christmas program, for the ward or stake.

I don’t have a good singing voice. I don’t have a singing voice at all. Please, don’t try to convince me that I do, or that I’m kidding myself, because people that know me and sit next to me when we sing in church know that I tell the truth. It’s one of those things that were not part of the original package. You have no idea how much I admire those people that can stand in front of a small group, or a big group of people, and just belt it out.

I think it’s such a great talent to have. I feel very glad when I hear my children sing, simply because they got their good singing voices from my husband. I feel so much tenderness when I hear him sing. He has many accomplishments, but when he sings, he touches me deeply.

If you can sing, don’t hide it, share it with others. In my opinion, it’s one of the best gifts to give to the Savior.

To view a copy of the Neighborhood News for Monday, 29 November, please click here.