Letters: The best time to hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for free

I enjoyed Christopher Reynolds’ article [“Après-Ski Zone,” Jan. 24] but was disappointed that he missed a couple of important items about Salt Lake City. Although the Mormon Tabernacle Choir rehearsal nights are interesting, even more enjoyable are the free run-throughs for timing before its live radio broadcasts on Sundays.

Also, it would be interesting for readers to know that the light-rail system is free throughout the center of the downtown area. Ken Sanders Books is an excellent source of rare and Western books; there’s also Weller Book Works, a longtime fixture in the area, equally as good and offering a wide selection of first-edition books.

Kenn Morris

Los Angeles

A nun’s wisdom

I read the article “The Essence of Being” by Jeff Spurrier in the Jan. 24 Travel section and had to write. A few years ago I too had the privilege of a one-on-one meeting with Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo at her Dongyu Gatsal Ling Nunnery.

I had heard about Tenzin Palmo through a short film that was shown at Tushita Meditation Centre in Mcleod Ganj, India. I couldn’t believe there was a person who had chosen to live in a cave for 12 years. At the end of the film, the lecturer mentioned that Tenzin Palmo welcomed guests at her nunnery, a three-hour bus ride away. I knew I had to go.

The following week I was seated alone on a couch facing Tenzin Palmo, who asked questions about my life. Although much of what she said was completely over my head, she did tell me two things that I heard clearly and will stay with me forever.

First, that every person must find their purpose in life. It is not enough to just live and enjoy. We are on this Earth for a reason and must discover it.

And second, that the “challenging” people in our lives — the ones who are difficult or obnoxious or even our enemies — are our best teachers. They teach us how to deal with things, forcing us to become aware of our actions. Tenzin Palmo used the analogy that we are like rough pieces of wood. If we use silk to smooth he wood, it will never work. But if we have sandpaper to work with, soon the wood will be smooth.

Words to remember.

Ellie Shapiro

Los Angeles

Mountain view

The photo of the Organ Mountains in New Mexico jumped off the page; my eyes were riveted (“Rugged and Right There,” by Michael Mello, Jan. 24).

Many years ago I grew up, went to school and attended college at the base of the Organs. The mountains were always steady and calm, rising high above in the wind-swept Rio Grande Valley.

As teenagers we hiked their hills and climbed their escarpments. More recently, we viejos (long-ago graduates) sat at reunion picnics not far from the visitors center, marveling at the beauty we’d missed in our youth.

Although the photo doesn’t do the Organ Mountains justice, it opened the door wide enough for a score of welcome memories to tumble out. Thank you,

Charlotte Craven

Camarillo

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I greatly enjoyed reading about the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument. Sadly, the article does not mention the Mexican restaurant in the area, La Posta in Mesilla. This landmark has been in business for 80 years, and the building has history possibly going back to Billy the Kid. It was a sad omission.

Clarke Morrow

Los Angeles