I have a bunch of pictures to post but no way to get them from my camera card to my blog. Sorry. Posts without pictures are b-o-r-i-n-g. Eventually I will be able to add some pictures.
Our work is physically hard so you'd think we'd lose lots of weight. Actually, Reed has lost 7 pounds. So why is it so hard to lose weight here? Many times we eat junk on the run. For lunch we often have to rely on lunchables because of the convenience. We munch on candy bars and such. Usually on Saturday night there is a party with food. Sunday is a huge potluck. Besides having a lot of good cooks here, there are also lots of leftovers from the campers. Last Monday night we had a neighborhood FHE picnic. Tuesday and Wednesday we were invited to eat in the camp of some of the Young Women we had on the Challenge Course. Thursday night we had another dinner invitation but instead we went into Heber to eat at a restaurant with other challenge course hosts. One of the camps had so much Mulligan Stew left over that it was distributed amongst the missionaries. Everyone who went to pick up some stew said it was the largest pot they had ever seen. Amongst the other ingredients, it had 100 pounds of potatoes in it. It wasn't very tasty...which is probably why they had so much left over. Friday was our P-day and we just grabbed a quick breakfast at McDonalds after I had a blood test. We went to the DUP history archive in SLC and then ate at Chuck-A-Rama. Saturday night we had a large meal for a 'going away' party for a Church employee at Heber Valley Camp. Today was the big Sunday potluck. Campers left a lot of food for the missionaries again. Whatever wasn't taken will be thrown away. Another missionary couple has invited us to dinner tomorrow evening in their trailer...I think to eat leftovers. I am starting to think a simple yogurt or banana sounds best. Why don't we learn to quit stuffing ourselves?
We didn't do anything to celebrate Fathers Day on the 15th and Reed's birthday on the 16th. Each day sort of blends into the next one.
We were happy to have Kim, Bryan, Riley, Ashley, Jayse, Brynlee, Jill, Brandon, Courtney, Hailey, Natalie, Kaden, Robin, Andrew, Ashlyn, Katelyn, Candace, Jory, Mason, Tanner and Landon come to stay here in cabins last weekend. They were able to climb a pole, walk across a log, then go down a zip-line on Challenge Course 2. Then we went on the Giant Swing on Challenge Course 5. After that we went on paddle boats on Legacy Lake. On Sunday they attended Sacrament Meeting and the pot luck lunch with us. Then we had a family get-together at a pavilion. The girls gave us gifts. I am really excited that we received gift certificates to go on a Hot Air Balloon Ride! That is something I've had on my 'bucket list' for a long time.
One evening during the week we saddled up our 'Japanese Quarter Horses' (a.k.a. ATVs) and went on a trail ride with a bunch of other missionaries. The trail was quite dusty but it was good to get out for a ride. Because of the California fires the sky was quite hazy. Besides the usual deer sightings, we ran into a sheep herd out on the range. There were a couple of dead sheep which had probably been killed by other animals.
I was able to visit a few moments with nieces, Andrea and Lauren, when their stake was in Camp Hinckley. When we got back from SLC on Friday we had a note on our door that said the Merkleys would like to see us. They lived in our ward in Millville several years ago. Eric Merkley was Young Men's President when Reed was Bishop and rode with us to Martin's Cove for a youth activity/pioneer reenactment. I hunted for another Millville family who was supposed to be up here but I never did find them.
While at the DUP history archive we were able to obtain some histories of Amelia Brittingham Gray Neal Gallagher. (Reed's great-great-great grandmother who was buried in Heber City) They were very interesting to say the least. We had the wrong order of her husbands. We mistakenly understood she only had children by her middle husband. One history described her physical appearance and added that she was not a very good looking woman. One history said her first husband drank alot and was mean so one night when he came home drunk she wrapped him in a sheet and beat him then took the kids and left him. Now we are armed with some dates and information, we want to do some more 'digging.' They also had a picture but we were unable to order it as the photo department was closed that day.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Addresses
I told everyone our address here is P.O. Box 296 in Heber. The local post office cannot handle the volume of forwarded mail for 106+ individuals in a post office box. A large metal mailbox has been placed at the bottom of the mountain for those living at Heber Valley Camp. It has a street address and is what our mail should be sent to. So, our updated address is 6402 East 1200 South, Heber City, UT 84032.
Here on my blog I listed Robin's new house number as 1253. That is what the multiple listing service, the real estate agent and everyone involved had it listed as. The number on the home itself is 1251. Robin isn't sure what the correct number is. Standby for more information.
Jill and Brandon have sold their home in Herriman! I haven't heard what their plans are on where they will move. It might temporarily be our home address in Nibley. They are probably looking for a home to purchase.
Here on my blog I listed Robin's new house number as 1253. That is what the multiple listing service, the real estate agent and everyone involved had it listed as. The number on the home itself is 1251. Robin isn't sure what the correct number is. Standby for more information.
Jill and Brandon have sold their home in Herriman! I haven't heard what their plans are on where they will move. It might temporarily be our home address in Nibley. They are probably looking for a home to purchase.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Tidbits
Today on the way to the Challenge Course I was rounding a bend when I saw what I thought was a small dog in the road. I wondered where the dog could have come from as they are not allowed at camp. When I got closer I discovered it was an itty-bitty fawn. I didn't see the mother. The fawn seemed a little unsteady on its feet and had a difficult time crossing the asphalt and going under the guardrail. It is fun to live amongst all these creatures. You'd think I would be used to all the wildlife wandering around me each day, but it never ceases to amaze me. Everything is so pretty now as well. This is truly 'God's Country.'
Reed and I like to visit cemeteries and hunt for the graves of departed relatives and take pictures of the headstones. Several years ago we looked for the grave of one of Reed's great-great-great grandmothers who was supposed to be buried in Heber. We wandered the cemetery but didn't find her. We were unsure what name would be on the headstone because her maiden name was Amelia Brittingham but she had married 3 times. Was she listed under Gallagher, Neal, or Gray? Supposedly, the only man by whom she had children was Mr. Neal. Anyway, some of the missionaries up here are from Heber City. We were visiting with them one night in the Welcome Center when they had the night shift. We mentioned how we had tried to find the headstone of Amelia 'Somebody.' They asked us to provide them the information we had. Tonight they came knocking on our door with a map of the cemetery and the location of the grave highlighted. She is buried under the name of Amelia Gallagher. She is buried next to her first husband. I wonder why. Now I am curious about her life. Perhaps I can uncover her story. Maybe next p-day we'll go to the cemetery.
Most of the missionaries here are about the nicest people you'd ever meet. I am impressed by so many seemingly multi-talented individuals. Two weeks ago we had a presentation by one of the missionaries who is a photographer. The pictures were incredible. He says he has finally digitized 10-12,000 of his favorite pictures. He has published a 'coffee table' book of his work. He sells his pictures worldwide for use in calendars, company brochures, on wine bottles, in advertising etc. Last Saturday we had one of our elders tell his 'secret story.' Evidently he has been on many nationally aired TV shows. He had a 12 minute clip that he presents all over the country. Anyway he was well into adulthood, having a family of his own, and having built his own very large and successful tool and machining business, and never knew how to read. His wife knew of his inability to read before they were married but the secret was hidden so well that even his children were unaware until they were told when they were teenagers. When he was called to be bishop of his ward he finally told his Stake President. The Stake President's wife, who was a retired school teacher, ended up teaching him to read. She went to his home 5 nights a week for 5 years. This missionary put a different spin on his story for us than he does on national TV. He put in a plug for the church literacy program. It was a very interesting story.
Sometimes you might wonder about our mission. This camp was the vision of President Hinckley. He wanted a place where the Young Women of the church can come to get away from 'the world.' This camp has been called 'a temple in the mountains.' This is a place where they can have fun and have spiritual experiences as well. If one young woman is 'saved,' generations are saved. On our Challenge Course we have 7 different activities. Each one challenges the girls in different ways...maybe physically and maybe mentally. The activities are designed to build leadership, teamwork, cooperation, trust, etc. At the end of each activity we talk about the experience and ask the girls to tell what they learned. We ask what they could compare the experience to in their daily lives. For example, our 'big' activity is a giant swing. We put the girls in a harness and helmet and hook them up to a cable. We tie a munter hitch on a strap of webbing and have them hold the end of the webbing. They are told to hold it until we tell them to let go. Team members pull a rope that takes the girl clear up high against a large pine tree. When the webbing is released, the girl drops down and goes for a big thrilling ride. We talk about 'letting go' of things in life...bad habits, grudges etc. We draw comparisons about how when we let go of the rope we felt freedom and exhilaration. It is the same when we let go of things that bring us down in life. This morning a 12 year old girl came up to me later and said she had thought of another analogy in the giant swing. She said that her team members had pulled a rope to 'lift her.' She said we all need to lift and help others so they might reach their potential. She said they had done something for her she couldn't do herself and that she placed her trust in them that they would not let her down. I'd say that was pretty neat!
We have a missionary here by the name of Elder Felter. We call him Helter Skelter.
You can't believe the difference between groups of Young Women. Some are very well-behaved and nicely groomed but others look like they belong to a gang and are discipline problems. We had quite a rough bunch of young women and young men from Rose Park in Salt Lake who were here for Youth Conference. Two of the group tried to steal some of our stuff. Some days nothing goes right but other days everything goes great. Yesterday one of the young women told Reed he was a 'snot' because he asked her group to move to the next activity just when it was her turn to participate. Other young women come up and personally thank you. We even had a dinner invitation last week!
Reed and I like to visit cemeteries and hunt for the graves of departed relatives and take pictures of the headstones. Several years ago we looked for the grave of one of Reed's great-great-great grandmothers who was supposed to be buried in Heber. We wandered the cemetery but didn't find her. We were unsure what name would be on the headstone because her maiden name was Amelia Brittingham but she had married 3 times. Was she listed under Gallagher, Neal, or Gray? Supposedly, the only man by whom she had children was Mr. Neal. Anyway, some of the missionaries up here are from Heber City. We were visiting with them one night in the Welcome Center when they had the night shift. We mentioned how we had tried to find the headstone of Amelia 'Somebody.' They asked us to provide them the information we had. Tonight they came knocking on our door with a map of the cemetery and the location of the grave highlighted. She is buried under the name of Amelia Gallagher. She is buried next to her first husband. I wonder why. Now I am curious about her life. Perhaps I can uncover her story. Maybe next p-day we'll go to the cemetery.
Most of the missionaries here are about the nicest people you'd ever meet. I am impressed by so many seemingly multi-talented individuals. Two weeks ago we had a presentation by one of the missionaries who is a photographer. The pictures were incredible. He says he has finally digitized 10-12,000 of his favorite pictures. He has published a 'coffee table' book of his work. He sells his pictures worldwide for use in calendars, company brochures, on wine bottles, in advertising etc. Last Saturday we had one of our elders tell his 'secret story.' Evidently he has been on many nationally aired TV shows. He had a 12 minute clip that he presents all over the country. Anyway he was well into adulthood, having a family of his own, and having built his own very large and successful tool and machining business, and never knew how to read. His wife knew of his inability to read before they were married but the secret was hidden so well that even his children were unaware until they were told when they were teenagers. When he was called to be bishop of his ward he finally told his Stake President. The Stake President's wife, who was a retired school teacher, ended up teaching him to read. She went to his home 5 nights a week for 5 years. This missionary put a different spin on his story for us than he does on national TV. He put in a plug for the church literacy program. It was a very interesting story.
Sometimes you might wonder about our mission. This camp was the vision of President Hinckley. He wanted a place where the Young Women of the church can come to get away from 'the world.' This camp has been called 'a temple in the mountains.' This is a place where they can have fun and have spiritual experiences as well. If one young woman is 'saved,' generations are saved. On our Challenge Course we have 7 different activities. Each one challenges the girls in different ways...maybe physically and maybe mentally. The activities are designed to build leadership, teamwork, cooperation, trust, etc. At the end of each activity we talk about the experience and ask the girls to tell what they learned. We ask what they could compare the experience to in their daily lives. For example, our 'big' activity is a giant swing. We put the girls in a harness and helmet and hook them up to a cable. We tie a munter hitch on a strap of webbing and have them hold the end of the webbing. They are told to hold it until we tell them to let go. Team members pull a rope that takes the girl clear up high against a large pine tree. When the webbing is released, the girl drops down and goes for a big thrilling ride. We talk about 'letting go' of things in life...bad habits, grudges etc. We draw comparisons about how when we let go of the rope we felt freedom and exhilaration. It is the same when we let go of things that bring us down in life. This morning a 12 year old girl came up to me later and said she had thought of another analogy in the giant swing. She said that her team members had pulled a rope to 'lift her.' She said we all need to lift and help others so they might reach their potential. She said they had done something for her she couldn't do herself and that she placed her trust in them that they would not let her down. I'd say that was pretty neat!
We have a missionary here by the name of Elder Felter. We call him Helter Skelter.
You can't believe the difference between groups of Young Women. Some are very well-behaved and nicely groomed but others look like they belong to a gang and are discipline problems. We had quite a rough bunch of young women and young men from Rose Park in Salt Lake who were here for Youth Conference. Two of the group tried to steal some of our stuff. Some days nothing goes right but other days everything goes great. Yesterday one of the young women told Reed he was a 'snot' because he asked her group to move to the next activity just when it was her turn to participate. Other young women come up and personally thank you. We even had a dinner invitation last week!
Friday, June 6, 2008
It's P-Day
This week was the beginning of the camping season for Young Women. They arrive on Monday morning and leave on Friday morning. The weekends are for families or other groups. We anticipate at least 2000 campers per week. Challenge Course 5, which is what we operate, was really busy for two days and then it turned cold and rainy. The girls who were assigned to our course were disappointed that the course was closed due to the weather. Instead, we went to individual pavilions with a bag of group games to play for about an hour and a half.
Our Friday Preparation Day starts as early as 5 p.m. on Thursday if we don't have any assignments. We are supposed to be back by 10 p.m. on Friday. It is too far and takes too much gas to go home all the time. Last night we left the mountain and went into town to get something to eat. Then we took a drive to Strawberry Reservoir. Within 20 miles of Heber City there are three reservoirs...Strawberry, Jordanelle and Deer Creek. One of these days we would like to go fishing! Friday morning we drove to Orem to see Robin and her family. We went to see the home they are buying in American Fork...very nice, very spacious, new, and a great area! We went to Cabela's to get some things we needed.
Our Friday Preparation Day starts as early as 5 p.m. on Thursday if we don't have any assignments. We are supposed to be back by 10 p.m. on Friday. It is too far and takes too much gas to go home all the time. Last night we left the mountain and went into town to get something to eat. Then we took a drive to Strawberry Reservoir. Within 20 miles of Heber City there are three reservoirs...Strawberry, Jordanelle and Deer Creek. One of these days we would like to go fishing! Friday morning we drove to Orem to see Robin and her family. We went to see the home they are buying in American Fork...very nice, very spacious, new, and a great area! We went to Cabela's to get some things we needed.
This is the Mt. Timpanogas Temple in American Fork.
This picture of the temple spire is taken from Robin's yard!
This is the Temple Meadows HOA Park behind their home.
Double click on picture to see the temple spire from their front yard.
The new Burkhardt residence...Robin says to excuse the yard. It will look better next year. Their address is 1253 East Meadow Woods, American Fork, Utah 84003
Things are starting to green up on the mountain. You have to take this road to our cabin.
Yesterday we saw probably 30-40 deer. Moose frequently cross through the Challenge Course. It is too bad that I never have a camera in hand. The picture of this deer was taken out our bedroom window.
Unfortunately, the bears are back in camp. A group of campers left a cooler in this pavilion overnight and a bear totally ripped it apart. This is the bear trap they put out in an effort to capture it.
This is what it looks like as you enter the Heber Valley Camp. The banners represent the Young Women values. White=Faith, Blue=Divine Nature, Red=Individual Worth, Green=Knowledge, Orange=Choice and Accountability, Yellow=Good Works, Purple=Integrity. The last banner has the Young Woman Torch Logo on it. You ought to hear the noise of the flags in the wind. The flapping is so loud we hear it in our cabin. The Welcome Center is the little building in the lower left side. If you look carefully, you can see the roof of the Administration Building. Behind the aspen trees to the right of the Administration Building is where we live.Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Family News
Kim and Bryan Johnson
Riley, 12
Ashley, 10
Jayse, 7
Brynlee, 4
I am happy to report that the Johnson family now has a 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan! They can all fit in one vehicle and with reliable transportation they will be able to leave the confines of the valley. Yahoo! Bryan is early to bed and early to rise. He is employed at Weathershield. Everyone is out of school for this year including Kim, who is a Teacher's Aide at Thomas Edison Charter School. Riley grew three and an eighth inches in height last year. So far this year he has added another inch and a quarter bringing him to five feet, four and three quarters inches tall! After a week out of school, Ashley misses her school friends already. Jayse got an award for being the most fun to be with. Brynlee did great in her dance classes and has the pictures to prove it.
Jill and Brandon Schvaneveldt
Courtney, 12
Hailey, 11
Natalie, 9
Kaden, 6
Jill has been busy assisting the girls in their end-of-school-year projects. They have all done very well and have been earning awards. They have been involved in several school programs. Jill works hard to keep their home clean for prospective buyers. Brandon spends his days at his dental practice in Logan...Ridge View Smile Care, and most nights at our home in Nibley. He goes home on weekends. Being bored without his family, Brandon works on Pinewood Derby cars. Courtney is scheduled to attend Heber Valley Camp with her Stake Young Women in July! Hailey wrote a winning essay for the D.A.R.E. Program. Natalie is turning into a very nice young lady. Kaden gives his sisters a "run for their money."
Robin and Andrew Burkhardt
Ashlyn, 4
Katelyn, 2
The Burkhardt family just moved from Bremerton, Washington to the home of a friend in Orem, Utah (temporarily). This is the first time in their six years of marriage that they have lived close to family. Yeah! Their offer on a home near the Mt. Timpanogas Temple in American Fork was accepted and they will close on it June 28th. Andrew got out of the Navy and has a job in Provo with Intermountain Health Care. (facilities management) Ashlyn reads and spells and is very good at memorization. She called up one day and sang "Called to Serve" on our answering machine. Katelyn is a twinkly blue-eyed blond with cute dimples. Her smile makes her look mischievous.
Candace and Jory VanWagenen
Mason, 9
Tanner, 7
Landon, 5
The most exciting thing that is happening for the VanWagenens is that a baby GIRL will be joining their family in September! They are busy making preparations for baby sisters' arrival. Candace is working for Marriott and Jory is in loss prevention/security at Albertsons. They are busy juggling jobs and kids. The boys are in year round school and won't be out until July 1st. Mason and another kid are the biggest and smartest in 3rd Grade. Tanner is the next grandchild to be baptized! Landon will soon begin Kindergarten.
Jodi and Ty Hawkins
Owen, 2
Miles, soon 10 months
Baby Girl, arriving in July
The Hawkins Family likes Oklahoma. Ty is a counselor in their ward bishopric. Summertime keeps him super busy in the extermination business. Jodi will have her hands very full with 3 kids under 3. Owen is a smartie and great big brother. Miles is growing and learning new skills every day. We wish we could make our fourth trip to see the Hawkins family when baby girl is born in about 5 weeks. We hope their ward family helps them out. This baby will even out our grandchildren...8 granddaughters and 8 grandsons. (until Candace has her little girl)
Riley, 12
Ashley, 10
Jayse, 7
Brynlee, 4
I am happy to report that the Johnson family now has a 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan! They can all fit in one vehicle and with reliable transportation they will be able to leave the confines of the valley. Yahoo! Bryan is early to bed and early to rise. He is employed at Weathershield. Everyone is out of school for this year including Kim, who is a Teacher's Aide at Thomas Edison Charter School. Riley grew three and an eighth inches in height last year. So far this year he has added another inch and a quarter bringing him to five feet, four and three quarters inches tall! After a week out of school, Ashley misses her school friends already. Jayse got an award for being the most fun to be with. Brynlee did great in her dance classes and has the pictures to prove it.
Jill and Brandon Schvaneveldt
Courtney, 12
Hailey, 11
Natalie, 9
Kaden, 6
Jill has been busy assisting the girls in their end-of-school-year projects. They have all done very well and have been earning awards. They have been involved in several school programs. Jill works hard to keep their home clean for prospective buyers. Brandon spends his days at his dental practice in Logan...Ridge View Smile Care, and most nights at our home in Nibley. He goes home on weekends. Being bored without his family, Brandon works on Pinewood Derby cars. Courtney is scheduled to attend Heber Valley Camp with her Stake Young Women in July! Hailey wrote a winning essay for the D.A.R.E. Program. Natalie is turning into a very nice young lady. Kaden gives his sisters a "run for their money."
Robin and Andrew Burkhardt
Ashlyn, 4
Katelyn, 2
The Burkhardt family just moved from Bremerton, Washington to the home of a friend in Orem, Utah (temporarily). This is the first time in their six years of marriage that they have lived close to family. Yeah! Their offer on a home near the Mt. Timpanogas Temple in American Fork was accepted and they will close on it June 28th. Andrew got out of the Navy and has a job in Provo with Intermountain Health Care. (facilities management) Ashlyn reads and spells and is very good at memorization. She called up one day and sang "Called to Serve" on our answering machine. Katelyn is a twinkly blue-eyed blond with cute dimples. Her smile makes her look mischievous.
Candace and Jory VanWagenen
Mason, 9
Tanner, 7
Landon, 5
The most exciting thing that is happening for the VanWagenens is that a baby GIRL will be joining their family in September! They are busy making preparations for baby sisters' arrival. Candace is working for Marriott and Jory is in loss prevention/security at Albertsons. They are busy juggling jobs and kids. The boys are in year round school and won't be out until July 1st. Mason and another kid are the biggest and smartest in 3rd Grade. Tanner is the next grandchild to be baptized! Landon will soon begin Kindergarten.
Jodi and Ty Hawkins
Owen, 2
Miles, soon 10 months
Baby Girl, arriving in July
The Hawkins Family likes Oklahoma. Ty is a counselor in their ward bishopric. Summertime keeps him super busy in the extermination business. Jodi will have her hands very full with 3 kids under 3. Owen is a smartie and great big brother. Miles is growing and learning new skills every day. We wish we could make our fourth trip to see the Hawkins family when baby girl is born in about 5 weeks. We hope their ward family helps them out. This baby will even out our grandchildren...8 granddaughters and 8 grandsons. (until Candace has her little girl)
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Camp Names
The camps at Heber Valley Camp are named after prominent and remarkable women in the scriptures or in Church History. Currently there are seven camps. Do you know the basic story of each of the following sisters?
Lucy Mack Smith
Lucy Mack Smith was the mother of eleven children, including the Prophet Joseph Smith. She was a woman of unwavering faith in God and was dedicated to her children and the restored Gospel. She carefully described handling the Urim and Thummin and the ancient breastplate, and bore a firm testimony of the Book of Mormon. Her husband died in 1840; she lost two infant sons, three of her adult sons to sickness (Alvin, Samuel, Don Carlos), and Joseph and Hyrum to martyrdom. She remained faithful to God, the restoration of the Gospel, and her family until her death in 1856 at nearly 81 years of age.
Esther
Esther's story is recorded in the Old Testament book that bears her name. She was orphaned in her youth and adopted by a Jew named Mordecai. When she pleased King Ahasuerus, she was made his queen. Meanwhile, a leader in the king's court named Haman plotted to destroy the Jews. After Mordecai's challenge to her, "who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?", Esther risked her life in exposing the plot to the king and in the process saved the whole Jewish nation.
Abish
Abish was a Lamanite servant in King Lamoni's court who had been "converted unto the Lord for many years" after her father had a "remarkable vision." When Ammon, Lamoni, the queen, and the other servants were all fallen to the earth, she recognized the power of God and became an instrument in His hands. Wanting others to witness this power, she ran from house to house and gathered the people to the house of the king. She eventually raised the queen from her unconscious state, helping initiate the work of the Lord among the Lamanites. (see Alma 19: 16-17, 28-36)
Bertha Stone Reeder
Bertha Stone Reeder was the general president of the Young Women's MIA from 1948 to 1961. During her administration, the coordination, translation, and communication with the youth presidencies worldwide were a great challenge and new programs were created. General board members were sent more frequently on weekend convention tours to present programs in activities, dance, drama, music, athletics, and camping. Stake Youth Conferences were started, and the Era of Youth was launched as an insert in the monthly Church magazine Improvement Era.
Sariah
Sariah was the wife of Lehi, and the mother of Laman, Lemuel, Sam, Nephi, Jacob, and Joseph. She supported her husband and family in their prophetic journey from Jerusalem, journeying for eight years in the wilderness, then traveling across the sea in a ship constructed by her sons to the Promised Land. She was a faithful daughter of God, supporting the Lord's direction through her husband, the prophet, encouraging her family to be valiant in their hardships as they traveled, and leaving a legacy of grace and beauty for her family to follow.
Marjorie Pay Hinckley
Marjorie Pay Hinckley was the beloved wife of Gordon B. Hinckley, 15th President of the Church. Her happiest role was that of a supportive wife and mother. She helped serve shoulder to shoulder with her husband as he frequently remodeled their home as well as laboring to build up the church worldwide. She traveled extensively with him and spread her cheerful influence freely. She was comfortable with royalty and dignitaries, but equally at ease with ordinary people. Known for her optimism and humor, she often said, "The only way to get through life is to laugh your way through."
Eliza R. Snow
Eliza R. Snow was the first Relief Society Secretary to be called in 1842 when it was organized by Joseph Smith. Later when the saints moved to Utah, she was the second General Relief Society President. Throughout her life she often expressed her feelings in poetry and writing. Her songs are among some of the favorite LDS hymns today. Joseph Smith said of her, "She walked not in the borrowed light of others, but faced the morning unafraid and invincible." (I am proud to say that Eliza R. Snow personally composed a hymn of consolation for my Great-great grandfather James Hancey)
Camp Rebekah is under construction this year. The camp to be built after Rebekah is Camp Minerva Teichert. Who is that? I don't know. Camp Elizabeth is another future expansion project. We don't use the full names of the camps. For instance, we say Snow and Reeder instead of Eliza R. Snow and Bertha Stone Reeder. Well, this ends your lesson for today!
Lucy Mack Smith
Lucy Mack Smith was the mother of eleven children, including the Prophet Joseph Smith. She was a woman of unwavering faith in God and was dedicated to her children and the restored Gospel. She carefully described handling the Urim and Thummin and the ancient breastplate, and bore a firm testimony of the Book of Mormon. Her husband died in 1840; she lost two infant sons, three of her adult sons to sickness (Alvin, Samuel, Don Carlos), and Joseph and Hyrum to martyrdom. She remained faithful to God, the restoration of the Gospel, and her family until her death in 1856 at nearly 81 years of age.
Esther
Esther's story is recorded in the Old Testament book that bears her name. She was orphaned in her youth and adopted by a Jew named Mordecai. When she pleased King Ahasuerus, she was made his queen. Meanwhile, a leader in the king's court named Haman plotted to destroy the Jews. After Mordecai's challenge to her, "who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?", Esther risked her life in exposing the plot to the king and in the process saved the whole Jewish nation.
Abish
Abish was a Lamanite servant in King Lamoni's court who had been "converted unto the Lord for many years" after her father had a "remarkable vision." When Ammon, Lamoni, the queen, and the other servants were all fallen to the earth, she recognized the power of God and became an instrument in His hands. Wanting others to witness this power, she ran from house to house and gathered the people to the house of the king. She eventually raised the queen from her unconscious state, helping initiate the work of the Lord among the Lamanites. (see Alma 19: 16-17, 28-36)
Bertha Stone Reeder
Bertha Stone Reeder was the general president of the Young Women's MIA from 1948 to 1961. During her administration, the coordination, translation, and communication with the youth presidencies worldwide were a great challenge and new programs were created. General board members were sent more frequently on weekend convention tours to present programs in activities, dance, drama, music, athletics, and camping. Stake Youth Conferences were started, and the Era of Youth was launched as an insert in the monthly Church magazine Improvement Era.
Sariah
Sariah was the wife of Lehi, and the mother of Laman, Lemuel, Sam, Nephi, Jacob, and Joseph. She supported her husband and family in their prophetic journey from Jerusalem, journeying for eight years in the wilderness, then traveling across the sea in a ship constructed by her sons to the Promised Land. She was a faithful daughter of God, supporting the Lord's direction through her husband, the prophet, encouraging her family to be valiant in their hardships as they traveled, and leaving a legacy of grace and beauty for her family to follow.
Marjorie Pay Hinckley
Marjorie Pay Hinckley was the beloved wife of Gordon B. Hinckley, 15th President of the Church. Her happiest role was that of a supportive wife and mother. She helped serve shoulder to shoulder with her husband as he frequently remodeled their home as well as laboring to build up the church worldwide. She traveled extensively with him and spread her cheerful influence freely. She was comfortable with royalty and dignitaries, but equally at ease with ordinary people. Known for her optimism and humor, she often said, "The only way to get through life is to laugh your way through."
Eliza R. Snow
Eliza R. Snow was the first Relief Society Secretary to be called in 1842 when it was organized by Joseph Smith. Later when the saints moved to Utah, she was the second General Relief Society President. Throughout her life she often expressed her feelings in poetry and writing. Her songs are among some of the favorite LDS hymns today. Joseph Smith said of her, "She walked not in the borrowed light of others, but faced the morning unafraid and invincible." (I am proud to say that Eliza R. Snow personally composed a hymn of consolation for my Great-great grandfather James Hancey)
Camp Rebekah is under construction this year. The camp to be built after Rebekah is Camp Minerva Teichert. Who is that? I don't know. Camp Elizabeth is another future expansion project. We don't use the full names of the camps. For instance, we say Snow and Reeder instead of Eliza R. Snow and Bertha Stone Reeder. Well, this ends your lesson for today!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)