Feedback

“Holiday Homework”

I was shocked to see a short story with such shallow values as “Holiday Homework” printed in your magazine (December 1972). I was left with the distinct impression that if your folks spend $35 on a dress for you for Christmas they are really okay after all. Was this story supposed to have a moral? I failed to comprehend it.

Was the point of the story that we should run out and charge a big Christmas on our charge card, even when we can’t afford it? Was the point that we can make up for our year-long inadequacies with a $35 gift? Was the point that Millers’ Christmas was something special because of the Persian coat, stereo, etc.? What a blatantly materialistic story!

What did the girl do to improve the home atmosphere? What did the family do to justify the girl’s excitement besides buying an expensive dress they couldn’t afford? Was anyone’s life changed? Was the girl’s Christmas spiritual? Was there any mention of Christ? The only moral I could find was that money can buy happiness. Shallow! Shallow! Terrible!

Margaret Atkinson
Salt Lake City, Utah

Blatantly materialistic? Yes, this story was, as some of us are at times. But I’m concerned because you have missed the symbolism and basic point of “Holiday Homework.” These were the real thoughts of a young girl who, though sometimes materialistic, allowed her spiritual, loving self to triumph. The basic point is that we must all find happiness within our own framework. The implication is not that the father ran up a charge account, but rather that the dress was saved for and attained with a great deal of sacrifice. The unexpected gift in itself did not affect a change in attitude but rather was a catalyst,an initial display of affection, a vehicle to break the barriers. It was a symbol to Cheryl of her father’s concern and thoughtfulness. We all have symbols that denote love; this was such for this girl, and it was followed by the symbol of touch, signifying a reaching out for one another. Is this not the gospel of Christ?

Was anyone’s life changed? Yes, lives were changed, not only in the fiction, but in the real-life incident on which this story was based.

Carol C. Ottesen

I would like to thank you for running that story, “Holiday Homework,” in the December issue. I could actually identify with the young girl’s feelings. I also am the only member in my family. Although I love both of my parents dearly, I live for the day when they too will be able to accept Jesus as their Savior and will want to join the true church of Jesus Christ.

I may not have to come home to such a house as Cheryl did, but my best friend does have one up on me. Her family is to me a great deal like the Millers in Cheryl’s life. My friend’s father, our bishop, is just like a second father to me, and her mother is such a loving, warm person that I can’t help but love her. My friend is a very loving, forgiving, and understanding person, and I couldn’t ask for a better friend. She introduced me to the Church. I pray to my Heavenly Father each night to bless and keep these wonderful people.

Sister Ottesen’s story may have been fiction, but to me it has been my way of life for the past year.

Rhonda Fryer
Concord, California

Thanks from abroad

I just have to tell you how great I think the New Era is. It is the best youth paper I have ever read. It brings up the subjects that I still have questions about, and it helps me a lot with my testimony. I am not yet a member of the Church as I have to be eighteen before I can be baptized without my parents’ permission, but all the same I try to live like a worthy member of the Lord’s church.

Karin Matzke
Slvesheim, West Germany

I thank you for this wonderful Church magazine. I really enjoy reading it, and it helps me to learn more English. It helps me too in making my friends take interest in the Church. I liked very much the article “Be an Overcomer” (November); it helped me to become more aware of how and when to do the things that help one grow stronger and closer to the gospel. Thanks for all the inspiration the New Era gives.

Luisa Carlota Jans
Halden, Norway

Poetry and fiction

I just wanted to let you know how great I think your poems are. Please never, never stop printing them.

Debbie Revell
Los Cruces, New Mexico

Photography

I am fifty-two years old, but I enjoy the New Era almost as much as the Ensign. I love photography, and each month I am just breathless with the beauty of the artwork—and with the beauty of the articles and the beauty of the spirit in the whole magazine. Please, I don’t want to miss one issue, not one. I promise that as soon as I absorb each copy I will pass it on to others younger than I.

Martha F. Crabb
Kidder, Missouri

A winner

I was so happy to read the article “Can a Loser Really Be a Winner” in the January issue. I know that Marjorie Christiansen is a winner. Margie and I live in the same ward, and she is truly a living example of the gospel. Jackie Wood, who wrote the beautiful letter to Margie in the article, is also a winner because she helped Margie to have a good attitude about what was to happen in the pageant. I too am a winner for having Margie and Jackie as friends.

Nadine Faust
Salt Lake City, Utah

“Man’s Dominion”

Thank you, thank you for that beautiful article on God’s love for his creatures, his animals, “Man’s Dominion” by Hugh W. Nibley. I am one of your older readers, but I teach a Sunday School class of fifteen- and sixteen-year-olds. Therefore, I read all I can to keep in touch with this age group. This article should be reprinted in the Ensign where fathers and mothers and more mature readers could have the opportunity to read it. I feel this is an area that is highly neglected—the love, care, and personal stewardship of God’s animals. Thank you again.

Laura Morgan

Stories from the General Authorities

I would like to take this time to thank you for putting out such a wonderful magazine. I find it a great help in my life. I would also like to tell you how much I enjoy the new series of articles from the General Authorities. I have been able to use these stories for talks and have encouraged others to read them.

Lucia Convey
Santa Ana Heights, California

Other articles enjoyed

I am writing this letter tor two reasons. One is to thank you for the article “Christmastime Mexicana” in the December 1972 issue. The food looked yummy and the article on how to make a piñata was great. The other reason is to tell you that the article “Build a House for Christmas” was great also. Unfortunately, it is too late to make one for this year. Maybe next year.

Where do you get the photos you use for Photo of the Month? Also, where do you get the questions for Q and A? Thanks a lot for a great magazine.

Coleen Fishen

Our material for both the photos and the Q and A section come mostly from our readers. If you have questions you would like answered in the Q and A section or some photographs you would like to submit for Photo of the Month, please send them to the New Era, 50 East North Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah 84150.

I don’t believe I have ever been so sincerely impressed by an article as I was by the one by Lowell L. Bennion in the November issue of the New Era. How comforting it was to read “Overcoming Our Mistakes” written by a man who no doubt has wonderful insight into the human soul. Thank you so much, Brother Bennion.

Jeff London
Croydon, Utah