The Emperor’s New Groove
by Jonathan S. Walker

Most of us, at some point, fall into a groove. We find a pattern of daily living which has been successful, or proved to be either the most enjoyable or the least painful. Only when something throws off that groove do we have the best opportunity to grow as people. In The Emperor’s New Groove, Kuzco most certainly is thrown off his groove or “the rhythm with which he lives his life”-and it was the best thing for him and the kingdom.

The eighteen year old Emperor Kuzco (David Spade) rules the known universe. He lives a life of carefree selfishness where subordinates grant his every whim and only he matters. When he dismisses his very old advisor Yzma (Eartha Kitt) because of her tendency to usurp his power, she resolves to remove him. In a botched attempt to poison him,

Enoch Train To Set Sail with Sea Trek: Folk Ensemble will Anchor Musical Performances

Salt Lake City, UT-Acclaimed instrumental folk ensemble ENOCH TRAIN will anchor the musical activities on Sea Trek 2001, the month long re-enactment of nineteenth-century religious pilgrims crossing the Atlantic to find a new home in America.

From August 7 through August 28, ENOCH TRAIN will travel from port to port on the Statstraad Lemkuhl, one of the largest and oldest of the ten vintage tall ships on the “European Gathering” portion of the Trek. The band will perform both on board the ship and as featured performers at “Rock the Dock” celebrations in each port. Members of ENOCH TRAIN will also participate in the “Saints on the Seas” oratorio, performed with symphonies and orchestras across Europe.

The Statsraad Lemkuhl, with ENOCH TRAIN on board, will dock in Denmark at Esbjerg and Copenhagen, in Norway at

Before beginning this article, I read all of the posted messages (as of 11:00 A.M. May 1) in response to the latest poll regarding weight. It was with sadness that I noted several writers are struggling with the physical and psychological effects of obesity, or overweight, or being over-fat, all terms used freely in the media today. It is my sincere desire that this article may shed some light on what is appropriate, healthy behavior when we look in the mirror and pass judgment upon ourselves, and, when we do the same walking down the street and pass by a “large” person. Specifically for this article, I urge everyone to think before they place any label upon anyone they may encounter as they go about their daily activities.

Why Exercise is Important

In the third Epistle of John, he offers this salutation to the church members, “Beloved, I wish above …

Uncommon Eloquence: Shane Jackman, Storyteller and Poet

Visit Shane Jackman’s website at www.shanejackman.com.

Editors’ Note: Shane Jackman has been making waves in the acoustic folk scene since his first appearances in front of discriminating crowds in New England. Sacrificing the comforts of family and home, Shane launched a five-year national touring schedule, completing upwards of 150 dates a year. Appearing with the likes of Peter Paul and Mary, Shawn Colvin, Pete Segar, Howard Jones, The Mavericks, Marty Stewart and Michael Martin Murphy, Shane won audiences over with his trademark sagebrush sound and engaging performance style. Shane’s first album, Rhythm of the Land, debuted in the Americana Top 40 on the Gavin Radio chart. It garnered praise and critical acclaim industry wide, from the trade magazines and newspapers, to the world’s top songwriters and entertainment stars. His second album, Looking West, released to similar praise. The album is full of

Time Out for Mother
by Claudia Goodman

For many, Mother’s Day brings mixed emotions-joy for the privilege of being a mother interspersed with poignancy for all the areas where they fail to meet their self-imposed standards.

Mothers are so eager to be perfect role models that they often condemn themselves for their weaknesses. Sometimes they forget that some of their circumstances can be changed; others can’t. So for all you mothers out there-past, present, and future-as you assess how you measure up, sit back, relax, and take some TIME OUT FOR MOTHER!

AWAYS A MOTHER

After Steve and I were married, we settled in a mobile home, surrounded by BYU students in a similar situation. We really enjoyed ourselves at first, but soon I realized that almost every young bride in the ward was expecting a baby-except me. Everyone was excited, but I was feeling more and more empty and

Hearts and Crafts
by Dick Diamond

. Cherie Call – Heart Made of Wind. Available through Excel Distribution 1-800-566-6114 and www.cheriecall.com.

. Robert Borden, Cherie Call, Mark Geslison, Geoff Groeberg, Dan Austin, Tyler Castleton, Craig Poole (Producers).

. Scott Wiley, Blair Leishman, Mike Green, Barry Gibbons (Recording/Mixing/Mastering)

The value of any creative effort lies in the symbiotic melding of heart-rooted emotions and values combined with the careful exercise and development of craft. The realization of this ideal is amply evident in the work of Mesa, Arizona native Cherie Call. Affording her a well deserved spot in the center of the blossoming LDS/Contemporary Christian Music scene.

Young Cherie began honing her performing skills at the age of three. When she was just thirteen she added song writing to her list of talents and began performing these original creations, during her high school years, for a community touring group. She

Silas Marner Reader Responses
by Marilyn Green Faulkner

It has been six months since we started the Best Books Club at Meridian Magazine, and many people have written to ask what is involved in joining the club. We simply read a great book together each month and share comments about it via email. A few hundred of you have signed up for the club, and many of you have written to say how much you enjoy reading together. If you would like to participate in the discussion, join us by clicking on [email protected], then read along with us and watch for articles on the book of the month in Meridian. Share your comments via email and I’ll publish them in the final article each month.

Here is the reading list for May through September:

May: The Chosen, by Chaim Potok

June: A Room with a View, by E.M. Forster

The following is taken from Chapter 31 of Mother Smith’s history and recounts the terrible events of the night of March 24, 1832 when the Prophet Joseph and Sidney Rigdon were mobbed, beaten, tarred and feathered. Please note and carefully read the footnotes as that is where the insights and enhancements are located.

“I shall now return to the month of September, 1831. Joseph, at this time, was engaged in translating the Bible, and Sidney Rigdon was writing for him. About the first of this month, Joseph came to the conclusion to remove himself and clerk, as well as their families, ⁽¹⁾ to Hiram, ⁽²⁾ in order to expedite the work. They moved to the house of Father John Johnson ⁽³⁾ and lived with him in peace until the following March, when a circumstance occurred which I shall relate in his own words:

“‘On the twenty-fourth of March [1832], the …

“The Herb, and the Good Things Which Come of the Earth”
by Julie Badger Jensen

Perhaps you have already discovered the joy of herbs and the way they enhance foods in a subtle yet exquisite way. If not, you may wish to begin an exciting journey of discovery. They have through generations called to us with their scents and textures.

From simple to exotic, herbs are certain to take you on a culinary adventure. Whether growing your own or purchasing from the nursery or supermarket, they are bound to be rewarding. Used alone or in infinite combinations, they offer a nutritious, low calorie approach “to please the eye and to gladden the heart.” (D&C 59, verse 18.) As more and more people wish to cut down on fats in the diet and eat more fruits and vegetables “in the season thereof”, (D&C 59, verse 18) the role of herbs can

Latter-day Saint Architecture: Designing the Buildings that Draw Us to God

Editors’ Note: The BYU Museum of Art has launched a special exhibit, Mormon Moderne: New Directions in Latter-day Saint Architecture, 1890-1955 featuring original drawings, woodwork, art glass, windows carved stonework and historical and contemporary photographs from this period. The exhibit, which is free, runs through September 15.

Click for Enlargement

Alberta Temple, Cardston Alberta, Canada, 1912;
Hyrum C. Pope and Harold W. Burton, architects; courtesy of LDS Church Archives.

Every day the sun rises on at least one and sometimes two new church buildings constructed by the Latter-day Saints. In the last years we have built the Conference Center that could house a Boeing 747, accelerated the idea of dotting the land with temples and toiled meticulously to re-create the Nauvoo Temple. On April 5, 1998, President Hinckley announced the building of 30 more temples, and then added another