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Cover Story: Are You Willing to Receive the Blessingds of God?

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Lost Scripture

What are the “lost scripture” and what is their importance to LDS?

From FAIR, the Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research

Brian Regan: The Great Hope for Clean Comedy

Audiences across the nation are discovering, in increasing numbers, the appeal of extraordinary funnyman Brian Regan.

By Jonathan Decker

Lesson 33
“A Sure Foundation”
Helaman 1-5
By Breck England

Lesson 32
“They Did Obey . . . Every Word of Command with Exactness”
Alma 53-63
By Bruce Satterfield

Beautifully Modest

Beautifully Modest combines the latest in fashion, elegance, and style in every dress we design. Click Here to see more.

Singing the Books of the Scriptures

Songs abound for learning the books of scripture as readers from all over the world told us.

By Kathryn H. Kidd

“Family” Really Can be Cool!

Here's a crazy, fun Family Home Evening idea that might help bring a spirit of togetherness to your family.

By C.S. Bezas

New Proposed Location for Solomon's Temple

Newly discovered evidence indicates possible original location of Solomon's temple.

By John P. Pratt, V. Garth Norman, Lance Harding,
and Jason Jones

"With Mine Own Hand, the Musical Account of Nephi"

Portland LDS performers bring first "outside production" to BYU Education Week; "With Mine Own Hand, the Musical Account of Nephi."

By Steven Kapp Perry

New York: A City Full of Changes

In the twenty years since Dian first worked in New York, the Church has blossomed into a beautiful diversity.

By Dian Thomas

Famous Mormons

In this charming video clip, the author talks about all the kinds of people who are Latter-day Saints.

Rescuing Wayward Children from Extreme Distances

Why would God inspire Mormon to write about the rebellion and conversion stories of Alma the younger and the sons of Mosiah? Why would he inspire the compilers of the Bible to include the conversion story of the young, vile and sinful Paul? Is there not a last-days' message that we parents can glean from these accounts?

By Larry Barkdull

Lessons from the Lives of the Auxiliary Leaders — The Principle of Presidency

No president ever serves alone, but has two counselors who balance and give perspective to the presidency.

By Janet Peterson

The Temple and the Mysteries of Godliness: Receiving Christ Fully

The temple is many things: a house of faith, a house of study, a house of learning, a house of order, a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of glory. But, surrounding all of those, it is a house of love.

By Truman G. Madsen

Unselfish Usefulness: The Power of Women in the Kingdom

It has been said that the “secret weapon” of Mormonism is the individual testimony of its members. But it can equally be said, I think, that the underlying strength, an “invisible” cadre in each ward and stake throughout the church, is its awesome women.

By Davis Bitton

Sun Hasn't Set on the Twilight Discussion

Readers continue to explore their reactions to the Twilight saga.

The Temple and the Mysteries of Godliness

Come with me to a place called Kirtland, Ohio, and recall that the people asked, essentially, “Why, O why, when we hardly have enough for hominy and milk, do we have to build a temple? What is a temple? And why at such great cost?” Truman Madsen explores the answer to that question.

By Truman G. Madsen

Life Lessons from the Game of Scrabble: Tools of the Adversary

My series about life lessons learned from the game of Scrabble would not be complete without a section on how to recognize the tactics of the adversary.

By Susan Law Corpany

Lesson 32
“They Did Obey . . . Every Word of Command with Exactness”
Alma 53-63
By Bruce Satterfield

Lesson 31
"Firm in the Faith of Christ"
Hidden Lessons in the Book of Mormon War Chapters
By John Bytheway

Grace Under Pressure

We can be true and hopeful when prayers are answered and the crops come in, but what about when we kneel in need and seem to hear only the echo of our own voice?

By Maurine Proctor

Tracking Down Scripture Statistics

Readers wanted to know where to find studies that show the effect of scripture reading on teenagers. Here are two, plus a request from a Primary teacher on how to get little children to find scriptural references.

By Kathryn H. Kidd

Blind Spots

Blind spots! It's easy to become so desensitized to our surroundings or get so used to things as they are that we fail to see areas or items in our homes or yards that require attention.

By Daryl Hoole

Twilight's Eternally Good Messages: A Note to the Critics

In our last batch of letters, many Meridian readers came down hard on the Twilight saga. Here's a response.

By Darla Gaylor

Pride and Prejudice —The Musical

An LDS playwright and a composer have done something gutsy: created a musical theater version of the beloved “Pride and Prejudice.” Watch for its premiere this month..

By Steven Kapp Perry

As Marriage Declines, Church Attendance Falls

A dramatic decline in marriage, particularly among young adults, has led to a decline in church attendance over the last three decades, according to a study by Robert Wuthnow, a sociology professor at Princeton University.

California Marriage Protection Amendment Would Not Be Retroactive

If voters approve a November ballot measure banning same-sex marriages in California, thousands of gay and lesbian weddings conducted since the state Supreme Court legalized the unions on May 15 will probably remain valid, Attorney General Jerry Brown has said.

Dark Knight and Twilight Saga Surge Reader Response

Not everyone agrees about the value of these latest offerings from the entertainment media.

TALK ABOUT GOLDEN!

Too entrenched in his lifestyle of drugs, alcohol, gangs and even homelessness, Peter Packwood described himself as “living on the dark side.” But Elder Cusick persisted and shared a message that opened a whole new world. Elder Cusick told him about someone who loved him dearly and wanted a better life for him. That someone was Jesus Christ. Peter believed him.

By Heidi S. Swinton

In Defense of Marriage (Part 5)

Same-sex marriage is a perilous social experiment whose fallout is already evidenced in Scandinavia.

By S. Michael Craven

Flee Babylon and Come to Zion

Zion and Babylon are exact opposites. We can trace their origins back to the pre-mortal world. Celestial law and Godlike characteristics defined Zion; Zion's telestial counterparts defined Babylon. Our understanding the basics and beginnings of these two orders will help us recognize them today then flee Babylon and come to Zion.

By Larry Barkdull

Without Contracted Feelings

"When purveyors of hate seem to fill the news–people who, if they could, would exterminate Christians just because they are Christians, Jews just because they are Jews, Mormons just because they are Mormons, Americans just because they are Americans, and so on–I find it calming to think about some sterling individuals who have crossed my path."

By Davis Bitton

Being Taught in the Language We Understand

We are all children of our own time and culture. We must be taught in the language we understand. Who would know that better than our Father in Heaven? How much do even we ‘see in a glass darkly' even now? And what subtleties elude us because we do not know the finer elements of what the Spirit is trying to tell us? Maybe many of us need to ‘be still' and listen a good deal more? I certainly do. If I stop the chattering of my own thoughts and wait for a certainty to settle inside me, it is always better.

By Anne Perry

Lesson 31
"Firm in the Faith of Christ"
Hidden Lessons in the Book of Mormon War Chapters
By John Bytheway

Lesson 30
"The Great Plan of Happiness"
Alma 40-41
By Bruce Satterfield

President Thomas S. Monson Meets with Panamanian President and First Lady

Following the Sunday dedicatory service of the Panama City Panama Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Church President Thomas S. Monson joined with other Church leaders in a Monday meeting with Panamanian President Martín Torrijos and his wife, Vivian Fernández de Torrijos.

Take Command Of Your Closet!

If your clothes are in a clutter in your closet, here are some ideas to bring order out of chaos.

By Judith Rasband

Steady & Sure: EFY

yourLDSneighborhood.com presents the 2008 EFY: Steady & Sure Concert with John Bytheway, Dan Beck, and Jessie Clark Funk. Buy your tickets now! Click here for more information!

Commentary from the Church: The Divine Institution of Marriage

In this must-read article, the official voice of the Church explains why it is so important to pass marriage protection amendments and what the implications are for society if we fail.

Singing the Song You Were Meant to Sing

Are concerns about your weight dominating your life? Today's article sets the tone for gratefully accepting and respectfully caring for whatever body type our Heavenly Father has blessed us with.

By Carolyn Allen

Latter-day Laughs

Meridian reader Jody Livingston writes: “ A few nights ago as I drew my family together to say family prayer, it was my 6-year-old daughter's turn to pray. We had to laugh when she included this plea in her prayer: ‘And bless that no harm or axe will fall upon us.'” Join us for a good laugh.

Edited and Compiled by Trish Manwaring, Assistant Editor, Meridian Magazine

What Moves Mormons During Emergencies

If there is a disaster around the world—whether it be tsunami, earthquake or flood, a semi-truck or planeload of help from the LDS church will soon be on its way.

Why “Remembering” is Sacred to Me Fires Reader's Memories

Readers have sacred objects in their homes that inspire them to remember—including grandfather's “bones.”

“Love in Any Language”
A Salute to China

Galena Street East, California's young performing ambassadors, recently visited China in anticipation of the Olympics, and found that “people are the same all over the world.”

By Alison Busch

Latter-day Laughs

Emily Mader of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, writes: “I have been visiting the homes of different daughters while waiting to take possession of our new home. While there, I took advantage of the fruit season to do some preserving for my new storage room. The process fascinated my 13-year-old grandson. As a batch of pears stood on the counter cooling, he was running his finger around the top of the jars and down the sides of the glass admiring the fruit contained within. Thoughtfully he queried his mother: ‘Mom, if grandma dies, who gets her food storage?'” Come laugh with us.

Edited and Compiled by Trish Manwaring, Assistant Editor, Meridian Magazine

Tennis Champion and Accomplished Tenor, Jesse Holt, to perform at Washington DC Visitors' Center

Who would think that an athlete, who competed in two U.S. Open tennis championships, would also be an accomplished lyric tenor?

Mormon Olympians Ready to Compete in Beijing

Roach is a Mormon and will join a number of other members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Beijing to compete at the 2008 Olympics Games.

Romney, the Veepstakes, Evangelicals and Mormons: The Salvation of McCain's Campaign or the Death of it?

For most political junkies, especially the LDS variety, John's McCain's impending selection of a running mate remains one of the hottest topics of these hot summer days.

By Lowell Brown

Does the Bible Condemn Genealogy?

Critics charge that the Bible condemns genealogy, and therefore the Latter-day Saint practice of compiling family histories is anti-Biblical, often citing 1 Tim 1:4 or Titus 3:9.

From FAIR, the Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research

Meeting Elder D. Todd Christofferson

Here's a fun Family Home Evening that invites your entire family not only to meet our new apostle, but to discuss his youthful experience receiving his own “burning into his heart.”

By C.S. Bezas

Treasures of the Heart: Roots and Fruits, Seeds and Deeds

Today's weight loss made easy trick is the simplest one of all: Give yourself a hug and credit for every good thing that you do for others. Quite simply, though one good turn turn deserves another, one good thing begets another!

By Carolyn Allen

Why “Remembering” is Sacred to Me

We have traveled the back roads (even in four-wheel drive sometimes) looking forChurch history, and come away with treasures.

By Scot Facer Proctor

Dance Through Life

Even when we are caught between a rock and a hard place, we would be better off if we ‘dance'.

Vickey Pahnke Taylor

The Wall Street Journal takes the Pragmatic View

If you are a Mormon, should you tell your child that he or she can't grow up to be President?

By Lowell Brown

Read Aloud Time While the Sun Shines

It's “read aloud” time while the sun is up and the time is ripe to read stories that kids will beg to be read again and again to them.

By Holly E. Newton

Mormons Believe in Jesus Christ

Take two minutes and be refreshed with this video created by the Church and remember why Jesus Christ is the central focus of our worship.

The Dark Knight is a Powerful Morality Tale

The Dark Knight is a dark film, but it is also a fantastically moral film, with positive messages about our nature , argues a Meridian reader who disagreed with our review this week.

By Jonathan Decker

New York City: Just a lot of Little Neighborhoods

Take a walk with Dian around the block by the temple in New York City.

By Dian Thomas

Stephenie Meyer's Vampire Series Makes Readers' Blood Rush

What's a Mormon mother doing writing vampire stories? Come and get the low-down on the hottest story in publishing and the author touted as the next J.K. Rowling.

By Maurine Proctor

Keeping Our Kids Safe While Away at College

Did you ever consider adding “emergency preparedness items” to the list of things to send to college with your student? Did you consider that they need to have a 72-hour kit with them at school? Come and consider the possibilities.

By Carolyn Nicolaysen

Individuals With Addictions Find Hope and Help

The idea for a Church-sponsored addiction-recovery program was first suggested in the 70s and 80s when substance abuse began to make headlines. Now there are nearly 1,000 groups meeting in the United States and Canada and others in Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, England, Germany and Mongolia with about 25% of these focusing solely on pornography addiction. Come and read more.

Lamanites in the Doctrine and Covenants

In the Doctrine and Covenants the Lord refers to American Indians in North America as "Lamanites." Does this cause problems for the Limited Geography Theory (LGT) as critics charge?

From FAIR, the Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research

Family History Library to Hold Free Classes on Understanding Technology

The Family History Library in Salt Lake will be holding a series of free classes in August. Topics include: Understanding Technology; Netherlands (Dutch) Research; and, a free research series on Italy. Come and read about the details.

Why Kids Say, “Grown-ups Don't Make Sense”

When our words and our actions are at odds — when we display a principled life in one circumstance and then flip flop in another — we sell ourselves woefully short and at the same time we do an immeasurable disservice to our children or other youth in our lives who are left to wonder at our lack of integrity.

By Lynn Harbertson

Learning to Love the Scriptures

If you want to teach young people to love the scriptures in their youth, here are some ideas that may help.

By Kathryn H. Kidd

Temple Open House — Guests See Beauty, Feel Hope

One of the more than 32,000 people who have visited the new Mormon temple in Panama City over the past three weeks, Luis Farias, says that his experience has allowed him “to renew hope.”

Latter-day Laughs

Meridian reader Michelle Price, from England, writes: “My 5-year-old daughter and I were discussing how Jesus had made the world. She thought about it as she looked out at the snow that had fallen overnight, and then asked: ‘If Jesus made the earth, did the prophets make the snow?'” Come laugh with us.

Edited and Compiled by Trish Manwaring, Assistant Editor, Meridian Magazine

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