Feedback

It wasn’t

I was surprised to see that the people in the illustration of my article “The Part That Counts” in the October issue look a lot like the people in my family. Many people have asked me if it was planned that way.

Wendy Winegar
Salt Lake City, Utah

Learning to shine

The New Era’s contribution to my spiritual life has been enormous. This is the kind of spiritual food the world needs. Through the inspiring, motivating, and often touching articles in the New Era, fine LDS young people can truly learn how to let their light so shine before men that they may see our good works and glorify our Father which is in heaven! I love this gospel.

The article “Sacramento River Delta” was especially close to home for me because I am from Walnut Creek, California and know many of those fine LDS girls. Thanks for being there when we need you, New Era.

Elder John Cram
Colorado Denver Mission

A good mistake

Please renew my subscription to the New Era. I’m sorry this is late. I had placed my renewal with the ward magazine representative and she ordered the Friend by mistake. I have enjoyed the Friend so much that I will keep it. It was a good mistake.

Ann Tomlinson
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Talents

Today I received the August New Era and read through it. I thoroughly enjoyed the issue. I really appreciated the emphasis on talents. Many people have shared their talents in this issue, and there were other articles designed to inspire and instruct us in the using and sharing of our own talents. Marvin Payne’s “Some Thoughts on Songwriting” was especially appropriate. I thank him.

I also appreciated the article “The More Abundant Life.” By becoming involved with the cultural arts we experience the talents of the masters. I feel that the ability to understand and appreciate various forms of art is a talent in itself.

Each one of us has at least one unique talent that is a special gift from the Lord. As He says in the Doctrine and Covenants, we must increase our talents, “that every man may improve upon his talent, that every man may gain other talents, yea, even an hundred fold, to be cast into the Lord’s storehouse, to become the common property of the whole church.” (D&C 82:18.) We must discover and share our talents. It is the Lord’s way.

Linda Brownell
Hickory, North Carolina

The New Era habit

How old am I going to have to be before I can finally break the New Era habit? Your magazine is supposed to be for youth 12 to 18, but I’m 23 and married and still haven’t been able to stop reading your magazine. Every December when my subscription is about to run out, I can’t resist the temptation to renew it again. I’ve read every single issue cover to cover since the very first New Era way back in January 1971 when I was 16 years old. It seems to get better every year.

Debbie Kidd Zumwalt
Kearns, Utah

R_x

The New Era may be for people 12 to 18, but I, who am a mother of children in that age group, appreciate the magazine also. I’m sure this beautiful magazine can benefit those of us of all ages. This February issue is just the R_x I need to help me make the correct eternal decisions. I can’t thank you enough for these inspired articles.

Pat Calvin
Nipomo, California

A permanent houseguest

The New Era has uplifted me in many ways. It has taught me so much about the gospel and how I can live a more fulfilled life. I have been a member for three years, and joining the Church has been the best step I could ever have taken. I look forward to the time each month when the postman delivers my New Era because it gives me the strength I need. So much has happened to me these past few years, and one great thing has been the opportunity to go to the Lord’s temple to be sealed to a wonderful priesthood holder.

One thing I will definitely be keeping in our home is the New Era. I want our future children to grow up with the help of inspiring stories and the influence the New Era will be for them. The December issue answered a question that really bothered me. I went to the Lord for help, and my prayer was answered through the New Era. I consider it a divine gift.

Pat
Port Talbot, Glamorgan, South Wales
United Kingdom

To help a friend

Through receiving my own copy of the New Era from home, I have come to realize that it would be wonderful if I could help a friend to have the same inspiration and enjoyment. I am enclosing money for a gift subscription. Thank you for a magazine that builds us up in times of disappointment and motivates us to spread the gospel.

Elder Kevin C. Briggs
New Zealand Christchurch Mission

A powerful part

I’ve been a member of the Church for almost four years, and I’ve been on my mission a little over a year now. It was because of the influence of LDS girls that I joined the Church and later decided to serve a mission. The article “By the Way She Is” in the September issue is fantastic. I really enjoyed it. I’m convinced that young women can play a powerful part in helping young men to accept and fulfill a call from the Lord.

Elder Jerry Duclos
Florida Tampa Mission

Full of surprises

Since the beginning of the summer of 1975, I have really been getting into the New Era. I have been reading it constantly, even old issues. Every time it comes in the mail, I grab it and take it upstairs and start to read. After I get it upstairs, it’s gone as far as the rest of the family is concerned, because I’m always busy reading it! What I like so much about the New Era is hearing about my friends through it. For instance, in the January 1977 issue a good buddy of mine, Dale Sirrine, was recognized for excelling in track. In the February 1975 issue our former mission president George D. Durrant wrote a true story about my dad and I being in the April 3, 1973, tornado that swept through Louisville. In the December 1976 issue I saw a picture of a friend of mine named David Egbert from Ashton, Idaho. His ward team were volleyball champs. The New Era is full of surprises because I see friends that I haven’t seen for a long time. It’s given me a true testimony of fellowshipping in the Church. I’d like to say hi to all my friends through the New Era.

Phillip Matthews
Louisville, Kentucky

Thanks for the push

Many, many thanks for the article “And the Hearts of the Children Shall Turn …” in the July New Era. I too have felt my heart turning toward my fathers. The New Era articles on genealogy have given me an added desire to seek out my ancestors. This article in particular contained a surprise for me when I saw the name of my great-great-grandfather Shadrack Roundy mentioned by Jamie and Marilee Schoenfeld. I was reading an article written by relatives, and I didn’t even know it. Jamie and Marilee, are you reading this? Thanks for the push!

Lisa Christensen
San Francisco, California

Do the same

I am very impressed with your stories and letters to the editor. I especially like the Mormonisms. I just recently started receiving the New Era. I am reading the Book of Mormon and am trying to lengthen my stride as President Spencer W. Kimball has asked us to do. I hope all youth and adults will do the same.

Buster Brown
Lovell, Wyoming

A magazine I enjoy knowing

Thank you for a wonderful magazine. I am 13 years old, and the New Era is a magazine I enjoy knowing. I love to read the fiction stories. I especially like the February issue. Every article had a message that helped me and was related to my problems. The Photos of the Month are very pretty, and the covers are beautiful. The New Era continues to be a guide in my life. I enjoy the Mormonisms and the chuckles I get from them. I love to read the New Era when I am down because it lifts me up considerably. Thank you for such a wonderful magazine for the youth of the Church. It really helps to build my testimony.

Catherine Cluff
Salt Lake City, Utah

Keep up the good work

I appreciate the beautiful talent that Kent Goodliffe shares with New Era readers. Kent’s artwork always catches the deepest feelings of the article he is illustrating. Keep up the good work, Kent!

Cindy Clulow
Topeka, Kansas