My childhood was magical. I had good parents who loved their family and the gospel. I had siblings with whom I had lots of fun. We lived in places that allowed a little boy to explore and discover. I loved … Read more
Author: H. Wallace Goddard
Wally Goddard is a retired professor of Family Life having served in Arkansas and Alabama. He developed programs on personal well-being, marriage, and parenting. He is well known for his many creative family programs, including The Marriage Garden, The Parenting Journey, and Blueprint for Happiness. Wally has authored or co-authored several books including Between Parent and Child, The Soft-Spoken Parent, and Drawing Heaven into Your Marriage. He has been recognized by his colleagues with several awards including the Outstanding Family Life Educator Award. Wally and his wife, Nancy, have three adult children, fourteen grandchildren, and have cared for many foster children over the years. Wally describes Nancy as the finest human being he has ever known.
Thanksgiving
My life is littered with blessings. I enjoy a dear partner, a remarkable family, a great heritage, work that I love, and unlimited opportunities to learn. Yet one blessing stands supreme: the great plan of growth and happiness designed by … Read more
The Power of Restored Doctrines: The Latter-day Saint Claim to Truth
Boxes and box-makers
Arthur Tonnell had been a world traveler. He collected things everywhere he went. He stacked his treasures in his apartment at the Hotel Newhouse which boasted “400 rooms each with a private bath”—which was pretty progressive for … Read more
The Law in Heaven and on Earth
We read a familiar scripture in priesthood meeting:
… Read moreThere is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated–And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to
Learning from Jesus How to Treat Our Enemies
Jesus taught a lofty standard:
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; (Matthew 5:44)
This command … Read more
The Struggle Between Two Truths
Wally is on temporary leave to welcome a new grandson. If you would like to meet little William Wallace Douglas, go to www.goddardfamily.com
Wally will be back soon. To hold you over, here is a thought that we neglected to … Read more
Divide and Conquer?
We humans tend to think in terms of two groups: us and them. The functional definition of “them” is anyone who does not agree with me on some key issue. We make Muslims into thems because they do not accept … Read more
The Mythical Power of Evil
Satan has an amazing marketing department. He has quite effectively convinced the world of many ideas that are entirely false. He is, after all, a liar from the beginning. Two of his prominent lies:
• He is in charge of … Read more
Newton’s Third Law
Newton’s third law of motion teaches us that every action has an opposite and equal reaction. I suspect that his law applies to human relationships just as much as rolling rocks. Every action evokes a reaction. When we attack someone, … Read more
Joy: Seeking and Using God’s Gift
Thanks to all of you who shared your ideas about joy. I have learned from you and have extended my thoughts about the subject. I welcome your reactions to the following:
I think that joy is the sign of God’s … Read more