Joseph Smith the Prophet

Happy Birthday Joseph Smith!

"Born December 23, 1805, in Sharon, Vermont, Joseph Smith Jr. was the fifth of eleven children of Joseph Smith and Lucy Mack. He worked on the family farm in Vermont and later in western New York. A series of remarkable spiritual experiences prepared him for his prophetic calling. Beginning in 1820 at Palmyra, New York, Joseph Smith saw God the Father and Jesus Christ in vision. Through revelation, he translated and published the Book of Mormon, organized The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 6, 1830, and received revelations to guide the Church. By inspiration, he called Apostles and other Church leaders, defined doctrines, and taught the principles and ordinances that would lead to exaltation. Under his leadership, Latter-day Saints founded communities in Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois. He was sustained as First Elder of the Church on April 6, 1830. On June 27, 1844, at Carthage, Illinois, Joseph Smith died a martyr to his faith."

The wish of my heart

I so wanted to be on Temple Hill for three performances, all in different venues Sunday night. And I was able to. First, the visitors center for Mary Did You Know? Next the chapel for the 20th anniversary of Temple Hill Choir. And finally, Behold the Gift in the auditorium. It is stunning and a baby is used depicting the life of Jesus through dance. Two girls from our church performed and were spectacular. I'm so grateful for getting the wish of my heart with rides from two families making it possible.

Silent Night was first performed 201 years ago Christmas Eve

Silent Night

Composition

"Silent Night" is a popular Christmas carol, composed in 1818 by Franz Xaver Gruber to lyrics by Joseph Mohr in the small town of Oberndorf bei Salzburg, Austria. It was declared an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO in 2011. The song has been recorded by many singers across many music genres. The version sung by Bing Crosby in 1935 is the fourth best-selling single of all-time. The song was first performed on Christmas Eve 1818 at St Nicholas parish church in Oberndorf, a village in the Austrian Empire on the Salzach river in present-day Austria. A young priest, Father Joseph Mohr, had come to Oberndorf the year before. He had written the lyrics of the song "Stille Nacht" in 1816 at Mariapfarr, the hometown of his father in the Salzburg Lungau region, where Joseph had worked as a co-adjutor. 

(It is said to have been performed by guitar.)

A model of Franz Xaver Gruber and a portrait of John Mohr, the composer and the lyricist behind "Silent Night."

He kept his word.

Some 20 years ago my oldest son got a cleaning rag lodged inside his clarinet. I painstakingly removed it sliver by sliver. To repay me I asked if he'd take me to dinner when he grew up. He never forgot that promise. So on a recent visit he took me for wet burritos at a place I used to enjoy but had not been to for a very long time. He finished his and I took half mine home to enjoy the next day. Thank you my son. You kept your promise to your mama.

A record three church Christmas parties this year.

First I went to ours, then to another with A's family the following Saturday, then finally to the Spanish Branch with my friend, her son-in-law and her granddaughter. Father and daughter left after Mexican dinner before the salsa dancing which lasted until 10 p.m.! They are party animals! I'm pictured on the left.

Christmas caroling for 40 years

Not pictured is newborn MC in her carseat. We caroled three families in my 'hood marking a 40-year tradition. I am very grateful to have shared these moments with family.

Gone With the Wind Turns 80 December 15, 2019.

Eighty never looked so good.

Theatrical pre-release poster
Directed by	Victor Fleming
Produced by	David O. Selznick
Screenplay by	Sidney Howard
Based on	Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
Starring	Clark Gable Vivien Leigh Leslie Howard Olivia de Havilland
Music by	Max Steiner
Cinematography	Ernest Haller
Edited by	Hal C. Kern James E. Newcom
Production companies	Selznick International Pictures Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Distributed by	Loew's Inc.[1][nb 1]
Release date	December 15, 1939 (Atlanta premiere)
Running time	221 minutes 234–238 minutes (with overture, intermission, entr'acte, and exit music)
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$3.85 million
Box office	>$390 million

About 300,000 people came out in Atlanta for the film's premiere at the Loew's Grand Theatre on December 15, 1939. It was the climax of three days of festivities hosted by Mayor William B. Hartsfield, which included a parade of limousines featuring stars from the film, receptions, thousands of Confederate flags and a costume ball. Eurith D. Rivers, the governor of Georgia, declared December 15 a state holiday. An estimated three hundred thousand residents and visitors to Atlanta lined the streets for up to seven miles to watch a procession of limousines bring the stars from the airport.

Unto us a Child is Born.

This is sublimely beautiful.

Happy Anniversary to me and it's a full moon.

My quest: to see the crescent moon the day before and the day after the new moon.

This is something I'd really like to do. I was hoping this week I'd be able to but I couldn't even see it the day before the new moon. Perhaps the trees covered the thin moon. I hope one day to achieve this goal of mine.

Thin crescent Moon

Featured snippet from the web

The Moon basically follows the ecliptic, the same path traveled by the Sun and planets. From mid-northern latitudes in late summer and fall, the ecliptic tilts upward at a very shallow from the sunset horizon, so thin crescents barely escape the solar glow and are difficult or impossible to see.

How did they find me?

Long before the Internet I was located by the FBI and pulled out of my place of employment to talk with an agent outside the building. How on earth did they find me? In a city I lived in at the time I was in the apartment of some people I didn't know well and that was it. I don't know if they were communists or even their names now, or anything about them really. From there I moved back to the Bay Area and then spent 13 months in Europe. I returned to the Bay Area and found a job. I was 22. This has always astounded me that an obscure person such as myself could be tracked down for having associated with these people at some sort of party at their apartment.

Happy Birthday Dear Michael

Thirty years ago we experienced the Loma Prieta earthquake.

It turns out the Bay Area experienced an earthquake 30 years almost to the day after the 1989 earthquake. My children and I were at the corner of our street in the avenues, I with my young boys and my daughter close by in Safeway. I didn't realize the anniversary was approaching but today is 30 years. I wrote an essay on the experience and won a dinner with the mayor that other people won as well. I invited my daughter and Tracy, a friend. It was held at an old, fancy restaurant in downtown San Francisco.

Moving and Grooving

Dancing the electric slide to The Swampers

http://pioneerpublishers.com/PPublishers/popular-summer-concert-series-in-concord-nears-end/?fbclid=IwAR0_RAcE9y7MSU6c9RWgqmhHINvb_4hi1YfKNl_-4OSOxZLJ3sl_TEBLfb0

Class of '64 at Blue Rock Springs

Seeing Charles Miller again was the biggest surprise. He was my third grade crush.

Donna L. arrived after the group picture!

Me, Carla, Stephanie, and Donna.

Seek and ye shall find...

PC under my roof.

He spent a week in the area from Monday night leaving Saturday evening about 5:30, 3 August 2019.

Paul wore a suit and I wore purple to Richard's memorial service. I'm so glad Paul attended with me Saturday before leaving.

A friend's visit to the barn today with my son's family

50th Anniversary of the Moon Launching, and tonight is a full moon

My recollection for July 20, 1969, is vivid. My sister Rose and I were living in a Rome pensione awaiting the birth of her child. I got up in the night and found the rest of the guests watching the moon landing on TV, I think in the kitchen. I looked at it a moment and was too tired to stay up and watch it for long.

Apollo 11 was the spaceflight that first landed humans on the Moon. Commander Neil Armstrong and lunar module pilot Buzz Aldrin, both American, landed the Apollo Lunar Module Eagle on July 20, 1969, at 20:17 UTC.

Members: Neil A. Armstrong; Michael Collins; ...

Spacecraft: Apollo CSM-107; Apollo LM-5

Apollo 11 - Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_11

https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/apollo11.html 

One Giant Leap For Mankind

Another spectacular Independence Day

The 5K goes in front of our street and one neighbor has music and tables set out for family and friends for buffet breakfast. For the second year in a row I've been invited inside to get food and welcomed to eat and watch the runners and cheer them on. It's a grand way to start the day. I also got to see the beehives in their backyard with other neighbors for the first time and was given a bag of apricots from their tree. Jackets were needed at 7:30 a.m. and again at 9:30 p.m. I then walked to the plaza for the spectacular two-hour parade. It was announced there was an ice cream social at a museum close by but the announcer must have looked on last year's notes because another family and I waited in vain. However, I did invite them to church. By then I was ready to walk home and swim laps for 30 minutes and play another 10. I was then able to stop by my next-door neighbor to Google chat with my daughter's family! I was so glad and grateful for that hour. Their youngest turns one this month. Back home I decided to go ahead and walk back downtown to hear live music with the community, for 2-1/2 hours. On the way I stopped at a friend's home and was able to Facetime my oldest son's family! I was so happy and excited. The boys showed me toys they liked and I quizzed one about which country we are independent of and the reason we celebrate. I left the music about 8:30 p.m. to be back at my neighbor next door to watch fireworks from their yard and was asked if I wanted ice cream with homemade apple pie. Yes! I did. So for almost an hour we visited and watched the fireworks together, two couples and three of us single women. I was then happy to find A Capitol Fourth on PBS at 10 p.m. after I brought in Old Glory. What a great show and tradition. I crawled into bed at 11:30 grateful and feeling very blessed to celebrate Independence Day.

June 28, 2019, equals ...

A day to retire.

 My friend VT and me in her apartment with her friends and family.

A brief history of June 28, 2019:

Doctor appointment in the city at 8:30 and she offered me donuts from a huge spread. I got a maple bar!
11:30 to 1:00 ate delicious food at Lota's retirement party and pretended it was for me.
1:00 to 3:00 worked in Imaging and every single folder was done and the shelves emptied.
3:00 to 4:00 all-staff meeting and more fruit and cookies.
4:00 met in Imaging with many of my coworkers to say it was my last day. Hugs all around.
4:10 met in Lucy's office with most of the unit I'd worked with for several years and told them it was my last day. There was shock and dismay. Hugs all around and pictures taken of us. I left one with an envelope of raffle drawing to give away my belongings Monday to the many who have given me delicious food daily as well as many gifts, treats and snacks over the years. Fe insisted on giving me $20 since they didn't take me to lunch and next day I bought a fireplace heater with it!
5:00 left for the last time, with VT. I was invited to her home with friends and family for a memorial feast for her mother. I was still full but managed to eat and enjoy more food for a couple hours there.
9:00 arrived home having walked from the train station with a heavy pack and bag of the last of my things.

It was a great day! I've worked since my first full-time job in the city at age 17 with the exception of waiting for my babies to get into school. Then I worked part-time and met them at the bus stop to walk them home. That is the best of both worlds. I've worked for City and County 25 years total since 1992, taking into account I had part-time jobs.

July 8 required another trip to the city to Retirement and Payroll. I had to change the effective date to June 29 so I could get paid for June 28. Who knew? I told my children it's a good thing I'm not gone on a world cruise.

Gender reveal party 23 June 2019

Oakland Temple rededicated on Father's Day, June 16, 2019

https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2019-06-17/california-oakland-president-oaks-temple-rededication-50154?fbclid=IwAR1j-yUGWPa70CtJh6Byq7ULBecNR5t6gm-RRr5PPDgKlXqx6-lkCsaEm1I

This is the one I heard at the 9 a.m. session at our stake center.

https://kutv.com/news/local/lds-church-rededicates-california-temple-in-oakland?fbclid=IwAR0KasxeGbjOumC_fpSU-_0uijucF_xfq3gthBuFC6-qL16B8H62r8yBowE

Dedicatory Prayer of the Oakland Temple November 17, 1964

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/temples/details/oakland-california-temple/prayer/1964-11-17?fbclid=IwAR0EbWJ_yyjt7sqShVSV8FdI0P1KuBgxXqyu_r89SfRdlGH1l_8BMcy0qao

I was there, crying through closed eyes.

An unexpected compliment...

as I was entering the library just now: "You look beautiful. It makes me happy just looking at you." I'm in a purple muumuu ready for Claire's high school graduation party. This woman had two little children and took the time to say this to me. Wasn't it Mark Twain who said he could live three months on a good compliment?

D Day 75th Anniversary

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normandy_landings

Such is the bravery of America's service men and women.

https://www.google.com/search?q=General+Theodore+Roosevelt&rlz=1C1GCEA_enUS850US850&oq=General+Theodore+Roosevelt&aqs=chrome..69i57j46j0l2.8942j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 I just learned about General Roosevelt last night in a program about D Day.

Utah: USA
Omaha: USA
Gold: Britain
Juno: Canada
Sword: Britain

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/dday-meaning/?utm_source=FBPAGE&utm_medium=social&utm_term=20190606&utm_content=2373657408&utm_campaign=American+Experience&linkId=68415379&fbclid=IwAR2KMrEwTvDSXr0_oHNk0MotOn3Lr1ZhxUzbG6ZAs6yR-CIphI_Ar2d20a4

https://www.facebook.com/usabmc/videos/1532107090254253/

God is my friend.

"God is my friend. He will not leave me. He will not flee when others do. God is my Shepherd who feeds me and leads the way from harm. God is my Father Who I may go to with problems and to who[m] I pray with my mind, heart, and might."

Found in a used book on Patricia Young letterhead.

I could not agree more.

I heard these words at 8:30 a.m.

"You are fully retired." What has been convenient is all needed offices are within one to three blocks and I've had to return to a couple multiple times.

More home movies

Firsts for me

Thursday I went to the drive-in alone and saw Aquaman. In addition, I had no radio so relied on others to hear through open windows and skylight so I missed some dialog. It was still fun and a beautiful night under a full moon. Then Easter Sunday I was alone after church. It was a fine, beautiful spring day and I enjoyed it but again, I was alone. Another first on Easter Sunday.

Home movies

Keeping in touch with the babies.

Letter of Lentulus

The letter

The purported letter reads, in translation:

Lentulus, the Governor of the Jerusalemites to the Roman Senate and People, greetings. There has appeared in our times, and there still lives, a man of great power (virtue), called Jesus Christ. The people call him prophet of truth; his disciples, son of God. He raises the dead, and heals infirmities. He is a man of medium size (statura procerus, mediocris et spectabilis); he has a venerable aspect, and his beholders can both fear and love him. His hair is of the colour of the ripe hazel-nut, straight down to the ears, but below the ears wavy and curled, with a bluish and bright reflection, flowing over his shoulders. It is parted in two on the top of the head, after the pattern of the Nazarenes. His brow is smooth and very cheerful with a face without wrinkle or spot, embellished by a slightly reddish complexion. His nose and mouth are faultless. His beard is abundant, of the colour of his hair, not long, but divided at the chin. His aspect is simple and mature, his eyes are changeable and bright. He is terrible in his reprimands, sweet and amiable in his admonitions, cheerful without loss of gravity. He was never known to laugh, but often to weep. His stature is straight, his hands and arms beautiful to behold. His conversation is grave, infrequent, and modest. He is the most beautiful among the children of men.

Different manuscripts vary from the foregoing text in several details; Ernst von Dobschütz enumerates the manuscripts and gives an apparatus criticus.^[6] The description agrees with the so-called Abgar picture of Jesus; it also agrees with the portrait of Jesus Christ drawn by Nicephorus, St. John Damascene, and the Book of Painters (of Mt. Athos).^[4]

A first for me.

Within 32 hours I attended a baby shower, a funeral, and a wedding reception, the entire cycle of life. That is a first for me in such a short time frame.

Yay for visiting grandboys

I'm holding Sheba. We always look for Sheba on our walks. The pool opened the earliest I've ever known it to open, April 1. This is us before I discovered life vests in the box, April 10, 2019.

To name some activities with my grandboys we had an egg hunt, picked oranges from the neighbor's tree, played on cars in the front yard, went to two library story times plus a unicorn craft event, petted Sheba when we found her in the yard, had our pictures taken by the stained glass windows, read My Turn on Earth, Good Night Moon, Hush Little Baby, My Gran, etc., checked out dinosaur and horse books, played in the pool twice, fed ducks and geese at the pond, played half a dozen games at home with J while we were the only ones awake, went to a friend's home for dinners, attended a funeral and the same day a wedding reception and danced the night away, went to church together while the parents had an overnight away, played at the library playground several times as well as the kid corner in the library, played at the tennis court playground, played on the neighbor's swing. Our Sunday to Sunday has been wonderful and memorable. They stayed overnight a few nights with friends but were mostly with me.

 Egg hunt in my back yard 8 April 2019.

 After library story time.

 Thank goodness for life vests to enjoy the water together at the pool.

 Z claimed this as his own the entire visit. He loved this car.

I'm reading My Gran on my porch to M, Z and J.

After just short of 19 years I finally know the name of this beauty.

"LIVE dense flowering ground-cover Vinca minor (Periwinkle) very cold hardy broadleaf evergreen."

Even five years of drought did not kill it off. This flower almost entirely surrounds our home and is a real joy.

Heritage plus religion

My 58th baptismal anniversary

Fifty eight years ago my oldest brother baptized my mother, younger sister and me into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I remember little. Mainly we walked across a darkened cultural hall. I don't know of any pictures. I wish I had one. I love the Church, the Lord and the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Cambodian New Year Celebration on Temple Hill

Wow! What a great evening and I was able to share it with my friend Kathy. Adam gave me a sari for Christmas having been to India in October and I tacked it up several inches and was able to wear it. I fit right in with all the costumes and wore it for six hours. There were 2-1/2 hours of entertainment in the auditorium followed by a live band and social dancing Cambodian style around the dessert of fresh fruit. There were two long lines for a full-on dinner of noodles, spring rolls, salads, pork, rice, etc. It was all very good and I'm glad to have experienced it at least once and with my friend.

http://scottwoodward.org/josephsmith_forgivenessofWWPhelps.html

Selected Teachings on
Joseph's Forgiveness of W.W. Phelps

---

Background: Accused of selling his land in Jackson County, contrary to counsel, and of using Church money for his own purposes, W. W. Phelps was excommunicated in March 1838, and this only after his transgression was confirmed by revelation to Joseph that Phelps had "done those things which are not pleasing in my sight" (History of the Church, 2:511). Later that year, in the hearing before Judge Austin A. King at Richmond, he testified, among other things, that Joseph Smith had advocated resistance to all law and had engineered the burning and plundering of Gallatin and Millport. His testimony for the state, along with other dissenters, helped establish the case that committed the Mormon leaders to prison. (The Personal Writings of Joseph Smith, p.471–472). For a short time William "was among the most bitter enemies of the Prophet" (History of the Church, 3:359).

---

B.H. Roberts (Church Historian; Presidency of the Seventy)

During the summer of 1840 [W.W. Phelps] began to feel his way back from his apostasy into The Church. He had seen his folly and began to tremble at the gulf which opened at his very feet to devour him. He felt debased and humbled, and most piteously begged to be forgiven and taken back in the confidence of his brethren and the Saints. So interesting are the circumstances connected with his return that I give in extenso the letters which passed between himself and the Prophet.

W.W. PHELPS' LETTER TO JOSEPH SMITH

DAYTON, OHIO, June 29, 1840.

BROTHER JOSEPH—I am alive, and with the help of God I mean to live still. I am as a prodigal son, though I never doubt or disbelieve the fullness of the Gospel. I have been greatly abused and humbled, and I blessed the God of Israel when I lately read your prophetic blessing on my head, as follows:

"The Lord will chasten him because he taketh honor to himself, and when his soul is greatly humbled he will forsake the evil. Then shall the light of the Lord break upon him as at noonday, and in him shall be no darkness," etc.

I have seen the folly of my way, and I tremble at the gulf I have passed. So it is, and why I know not. I prayed and God answered, but what could I do? Says I, "I will repent and live, and ask my old brethren to forgive me, and though they chasten me to death, yet I will die with them, for their God is my God. The least place with them is enough for me, yea it is bigger and better than all Babylon." Then I dreamed that I was in a large house with many mansions, with you and Hyrum and Sidney, and when it was said, "Supper must be made ready," by one of the cooks, I saw no meat, but you said there was plenty, and showed me much, and as good as I ever saw; and while cutting to cook, your heart and mine beat within us, and we took each other's hand and cried for joy, and I awoke and took courage.

I know my situation, you know it, and God knows it, and I want to be saved if my friends will help me. Like the captain that was cast away on a desert island; when he got off, he went to sea again, and made his fortune the next time—so let my lot be. I have done wrong, and am sorry. The beam is in my own eye. I have not walked with my friends according to my holy anointing. I ask forgiveness in the name of Jesus Christ of all the Saints, for I will do right, God helping me. I want your fellowship; if you cannot grant that, grant me your peace and friendship, for we are brethren, and our communion used to be sweet, and whenever the Lord brings us together again, I will make all the satisfaction on every point that Saints or God can require. Amen.

W.W. PHELPS.

B.H. Roberts (Church Historian; Presidency of the Seventy)

To this piteous appeal from one who had wandered far from the fold, and who had been torn by the thorns, the Prophet wrote a most worthy reply—a reply which clearly indicates that the spirit of the Master burned brightly in the breast of the servant.

JOSEPH SMITH'S LETTER TO W.W. PHELPS

NAUVOO, HANCOCK CO., ILLINOIS, July 22, 1840.

DEAR BROTHER PHELPS—I must say that it is with no ordinary feelings I endeavor to write a few lines to you in answer to yours of the 29th ultimo; at the same time I am rejoiced at the privilege granted me.

You may in some measure realize what my feelings, as well as Elder Rigdon's and Brother Hyrum's were, when we read your letter—truly our hearts were melted into tenderness and compassion when we ascertained your resolves, etc. I can assure you I feel a disposition to act on your case in a manner that will meet the approbation of Jehovah, (whose servant I am) and agreeably to the principles of truth and righteousness which have been revealed; and inasmuch as long suffering, patience and mercy have ever characterized the dealings of our Heavenly Father towards the humble and penitent, I feel disposed to copy the example, cherish the same principles, and by so doing be a savior of my fellow men.

It is true, that we have suffered much in consequence of your behavior—the cup of gall, already full enough for mortals to drink, was indeed filled to overflowing when you turned against us. One with whom we had oft taken sweet counsel together, and enjoyed many refreshing seasons from the Lord—"had it been an enemy, we could have borne it." "In the day that thou stoodest on the other side, in the day when strangers carried away captive his forces, and foreigners entered into his gates, and cast lots upon Far West, even thou wast as one of them; but thou shouldest not have looked on the day of thy brother, in the day that he became a stranger, neither shouldest thou have spoken proudly in the day of distress."

However, the cup has been drunk, the will of our Father has been done, and we are yet alive, for which we thank the Lord. And having been delivered from the hands of wicked men by the mercy of our God, we say it is your privilege to be delivered from the powers of the adversary, be brought into the liberty of God's dear children, and again take your stand among the Saints of the Most High, and by diligence, humility, and love unfeigned, commend yourself to our God, and your God, and to The Church of Jesus Christ.

Believing your confession to be real, and your repentance genuine, I shall be happy once again to give you the right hand of fellowship, and rejoice over the returning prodigal.

Your letter was read to the Saints last Sunday [July 19], and an expression was taken, when it was unanimously—

Resolved, That W.W. Phelps should be received into fellowship.

"Come on, dear brother, since the war is past,
For friends at first are friends again at last."

Yours as ever,

JOSEPH SMITH, JR.

(From Rise and Fall of Nauvoo, p.67-70; see also History of the Church, 4:162)

The Grand Canyon as a National Park Turns 100 Today

https://weloveweather.tv/grand-canyon-national-park-turns-100/?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=gc100wlw022619&fbclid=IwAR1GM6J76N-uSSG0IGPw-y7YuB3tr46Wnftbh2Y0ogfb-4TAa4DFMgZDPL8

This is one of many national parks Mother drove us to. I remember it well. I fed a squirrel. The grandeur is spectacular. Thank you my mother for all the trips together in your short life. I love its beauty and grandeur and that I saw it with my mother and little sister on the trip of a lifetime. I published my journal as One Magical Summer. Happy Birthday Grand Canyon National Park.