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.