Crickets, Public Enemy #1

 

We have a small garden plot in our backyard. Every year, either our youngest son (he’s currently serving a mission in Uruguay) or one of our son-in-laws plants the standard fare (tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, and squash) along with a test vegetable or fruit. Both tomatoes and peppers do well and that’s why they’re replanted each year. The test vegetable, for the most part does well, however we’ve experienced little success with fruit. To be honest, I believe it’s more us than the fruit. I have a friend who plants a huge garden every year and has great success with a different variety of melons.  We’ve failed miserably with cantaloupe and watermelon. It’s because of this that we’ve moved on. The Saints, when they first entered the valley discovered this same lesson fast, that of moving on.

What was one of a number of lessons taken from the experience with crickets and the wheat?

A)     The crickets didn’t like peas

B)     Take household garbage and spread throughout the wheat fields, thereby luring more seagulls away from the Salt Lake City landfill.

C)     Spray their crops with insecticides

D)     Give up on wheat entirely and plant potatoes

Yesterday’s answers:

1.                  A)  David Whitmer

At the first conference of the Church on June 9, 1830 there were three priests in attendance. Listed they were, Joseph Smith Sr. 59; Hyrum Smith, 30; and Martin Harris, 47.

William G. Hartley, “From Men to Boys: LDS Aaronic Priesthood Offices 1829-1996.” Journal of Mormon History 22 (Spring 1996), 80-136; Lee A. Palmer, Aaronic Priesthood through the Centuries (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1964).

2.                  D)  29-years of age
The average age of those in the Nauvoo Priest quorum was 29.

 William G. Hartley, “From Men to Boys: LDS Aaronic Priesthood Offices 1829-1996.” Journal of Mormon History 22 (Spring 1996), 80-136; Lee A. Palmer, Aaronic Priesthood through the Centuries (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1964).

3.                   C) 13-years old
February 2, 1854: There is one thing I will here record in my journal which I take great pleasure in. I united with the Bishop and his counsel and ordained 1 priest, 2 teachers, and 2 deacons. The priest which I ordained was my only son now living with me, Wilford Woodruff, Jr.; he is 13 years old. He is now to begin to officiate in the priest office of the lesser Priesthood and I thank the Lord that I have lived to see this day when I have a son who has received the Priesthood and is recognized as such by the Church and is about to officiate in it.

Wilford Woodruff’s Journal Excerpts

Old Youth

Sunday Tidbits- The Aaronic Priesthood

1. At the first general conference of the Church on June 9, 1830, there were three priests present. Of the individuals listed below, which one was not a priest?

A)     David Whitmer
B)     Martin Harris
C)     Joseph Smith Sr.
D)     Hyrum Smith

2. What was the average age of the Nauvoo Priest Quorum?

A)      16-years of age
B)     15-years of age
C)     24-years of age
D)     29-years of age

3. How old was Wilford Woodruff’s son when Wilford ordained him to the office of Priest?

A)     35-years of age
B)     27-years of age
C)     13-years of age
D)     16-years of age



Yesterday's answer:

B) Be his body guard

The following from the autobiography of Mosiah Hancock:

“I often associated with Hosea Stout--he would often take me in his arms and say he had chosen me for his body-guard; but I would tell him I wanted to be a body-guard for the Prophet.”

Autobiography of Mosiah Hancock, Typescript, BYU-S;

http://www.boap.org/

The Chief of Police Request

Hosea Stout was the first police chief in Nauvoo. While on patrol, he saw little 7-year old Mosiah Hancock playing. Hosea picked Mosiah up and told him he wanted him to do what?

A)     Quite loitering on the streets

B)     Be his body guard

C)     Go home as it was supper time

D)     To quit breaking the speed limit on his pony

Yesterday’s answer:

(C)   Warmed by the Spirit of God

“The spirit bore testimony to me of the truth and after close investigation I became convinced that God had set up his kingdom on the earth again and on the third day of March 1839 I and my wife were buried in the waters of baptism for the remission of sins, much to the mortification of our friends. Although the cold was severe--so much that our clothes froze stiff the moment we came out of the water -- yet our hearts were warm with the spirit of God.

   “Many reviled against the truth and tried to discourage us and turn us back from the truth to the weak and beggarly elements of the world. We had to go about a quarter of a mile to change our clothes, which when we had done we were confirmed as members of the Church of Latter-day Saints, and then Elder Brown ordained me an elder by the spirit of revelation.”

Autobiography and Journal of Isaac Haight, Typescript, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University; htpp://www.boap.org/

Frozen, But Warmed

This next story reminds me of a baptism in my parent’s branch. They are members of the Banff Branch in Alberta, Canada. It’s a beautiful area of the country nestled in the peaks of the Canadian Rockies. It’s necessary for them to drive the 65 miles east to Calgary if there’s a baptism in their branch; however the more hardy may chose a local river, lake, or stream. This doesn’t happen often as baptisms are far and few between. I can remember them telling me of the branch gathered on the banks of a nearby stream where members of the Relief Society had blankets in hand to wrap around the baptismal candidate the moment they exited the frigid glacial fed waters.

Pioneer Issac Haight mentions in his journal that though their clothes froze stiff to him and his wife after they were baptized, yet they were warmed by what?

A)     Hot soup given to them by the Relief Society sisters, better known as baptism soup

B)     Hot water poured over them by the Elders quorum

C)     Warmed by the Spirit of God

D)     A bonfire built on the banks complete with blankets

Yesterday’s answer:

A)     Move from the mouth of the volcano they were visiting

 While touring the Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii, Elder David O. McKay is impressed by the Spirit to move those with him away from a ledge overlooking the volcano just before the ledge collapses into the volcano.

Richard Neitzel Holzpfel et al., On This Day In The Church (Salt Lake City: Eagle Gate, 2000), 31.

An Apostolic Warning

While touring Hawaii Elder David O. McKay [While he was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve] warns those with them to do what?

A) Move from the mouth of the volcano they were visiting

B) For everyone to get off their surf boards since a riptide was coming in

C) To not eat the pineapple which had expired their best before date

D) Fast for an increase in convert baptisms

Yesterday’s answer:

(B) Of all the American churches pictured on old blue china and listed as Staffordshire ware, the rarest is the Mormon Temple (Nauvoo Temple).

The New York Historical Society Quarterly July, 1949, pg. 185 and January, 1950, pg. 21-22.

A Staffordshire Plate Rarity

Of all of the American churches pictured on old blue china and listed as Staffordshire ware, which is the rarest?

A)                 The Old North Church in Boston

B)                 The Nauvoo Temple

C)                 West Minister Abbey

D)                 The Kirtland Temple

Yesterday’s answer:

(D) A cane

One of the treasures of pioneer Utah was a cane made from the hickory grove at Andrew Jackson’s estate, the Hermitage, that Jackson gave to Thomas Kane, a friend of the Mormons. Colonel Kane later gave this to John Smith, the first stake president in the Salt Lake Valley, who passed it to his son, Apostle George A. Smith, who gave it to his son, Apostle John Henry Smith, who gave it to his son, Church President George Albert Smith.

George Albert Smith, “Walking Stick of Thomas L. Kane”, in Conference Report, October 1947, First Day Morning Meeting, 2.

A Presidential Present

  

 What was given by United States President Andrew Jackson to Thomas Kane (a non-member friend and political advocate for the Saints during the Brigham Young years of the Church) that was eventually given to the Church?

A)                 The first history book of the United States

B)                 A gun

C)                 A duplicate copy of the Constitution of the United States

D)                 A cane

Yesterday’s answer:

A)       “Talk Brigham”

The following is from the autobiography of August Adrainus Hjorth:

   I helped in many ways during the Black Hawk War in Cache Valley. At one time I was sent out with two men to recover some workhorses the Indians had stolen. After a long ride, we went down into a gulch and made a fire and cooked our last bit of food. As we were wondering where to look next, a group of Indians surrounded us. One of our men was an old trapper and could speak their language. The Indians asked what we were doing there and were told we had come to find the horses they had stolen. They seemed very unfriendly. They started dragging dry timber and piled it up. They also put a long pole on the ground. We imagined they were going to burn us at the stake. However they tied a turkey buzzard on the end of the pole and began dancing around the pole after lighting their bonfire.

   While all these preparations were going on, the chief and two other Indians came down in front of us and wanted us to talk to them. The interpreter talked to them a few minutes but they wanted us to “talk Brigham.” (They wanted to hear about the Church.) I knew possibly half a dozen words in their language. I had never preached a sermon in my life; but when I stood upon my feet, the Spirit of the Lord came upon me with great power. I spoke for over an hour to those Indians in their language. When I sat down, the interpreter said, “Where did you learn to talk Indian?” What I had said seemed to please them, and they gave us some food; and we joined in their dance around the camp fire and slept among them all night unmolested. In the morning we were told that our horses were down the canyon a little way. We gathered them together and returned home. After I talked to the Indians, the Chief, Curley Bull, shook hands with me and called me “Topeke,” which means pointed I had talked to the point about the gospel.

   Many years later these same Indians were given seats of   honor in the Tabernacle at a conference session. Chief Curley Bull, then an old man, was among them. His grandson Frank, who spoke English, was their spokesman. Being especially interested in the Indians, I talked to them and told them some of my experiences in Cache Valley among the Indians and was informed by two or three of them that some of their relatives were killed in the Bear River Massacre (January 29, 1863). This Frank was only a small boy when I spoke to them in their own language years ago, but he remembered the incident and informed me that many of them were converted that night around the camp fire. Although a young and inexperienced man, I, with the aid of my Heavenly Father, had planted the seed of righteousness in the hearts of these Indians. 

Preaching or Cooked at the Stake

Throughout the 1800’s, whenever the Native Indians in the Idaho-Utah area desired to hear the gospel, by either elders or members of the Church, they used a unique phrase to indicate this wish, what was it?

A)                 “Talk Brigham”

B)                 “Preach the good word”

C)                 “Spirit talk”

D)                 “Whisper to my spirit”

Yesterday’s answers:

1.                  C)   Monticello, Utah

   The Monticello, Utah Temple is the only temple to have had a statue of the angel Moroni colored white. Within a year, the white statue was replaced with a larger and more visible gold-leafed one. White enamel-covered fiberglass statues were to decorate the "smaller and remote-area" temples as conceived by President Gordon B. Hinckley, but the Monticello statue proved too difficult to see, especially in cloudy weather. It was replaced about a year later by a larger, traditional gold-leafed statue, which remained the standard. The white statue was gold leafed and installed atop the Columbus Ohio Temple.

 www.ldschurchtemples.com

2.                   A)   Oakland, California Temple

3.                   A)   Alberta Temple

   Four temples have been commemorated on postal stamps ro as postal cancellatgions: The Salt Lake Temple (in 1980 and 1993), the Stockholm Sweden Temple (in 1985), The Apia Samoa Temple (in 1988), and the Nuku’alofa Tonga Temple (in 1991).

Church News, 15 January 1994

4.                  B) Alberta Temple

In the cornerstone of the Cardston Alberta Temple is an airtight copper box containing a picture of Joseph Smith and a lock of his hair.

The First 100 Temples

5.                  B) Redlands California Temple

The Redlands California Temple stands on a parcel of the original Mormon landholdings purchased in October 1851 by Elders Amasa Lyman and Charles C. Rich.

www.ldschurchtemples.com

6.                  D) Ogden Utah Temple

The Ogden Utah Temple was the first temple dedicated in the state of Utah. (Utah gained statehood on January 4, 1896. Four temples—including the Salt Lake Temple—had already been dedicated in Utah Territory.)

I know, sorry, it was a trick question. I couldn’t help myself.

www.ldschurchtemples.com

Sunday Tidbits-Temple Tidbits

1. Which is the only temple to have a white Angel Moroni statue placed on it's spire?

A) Rome Italy Temple
B) Halifax Nova Scotia Temple
C) Monticello Utah Temple
D) Anchorage Alaska Temple

2. Which temple is the only temple with five spires?

A) Oakland California Temple
B) Redlands California Temple
C) Los Angeles California Temple
D) San Diego California Temple

3. Which one of the four named temples has not been commemorated on a postal stamp or as postal cancellations?

A) Cardston Alberta Temple
B) Stockholm Sweden Temple
C) Salt Lake Temple
D) Nuku' alofa Tonga Temple

4. Which temple has a lock of Joseph Smith's hair in the cornerstone?

A) Kirtland Temple
B) Cardston Alberta Temple
C) Nauvoo Temple
D) Manti Temple

5. Which California temple was built on land purchased by the Church in 1851?

A) San Diego Temple
B) Redlands Temple
C) Los Angeles Temple
D) Fresno Temple

6. Which was the first temple to be dedicated in the state of Utah?

A) St. George Temple
B) Manti Temple
C) Logan Temple
D) Ogden Temple

Yesterday's answer:

D) Lyman Sherman

   Of the 107 men who have served in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in this dispensation, one would fail to find the name of Lyman Sherman, the man noted for being called but not actually ordained. What may be even stranger is the fact that Lyman was never notified of his call.
   While Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith and Sidney Rigdon were confined in the Liberty Jail, they sent a letter to Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball on January 16, 1839, instructing them to have George A. Smith and Lyman Sherman called to the holy apostleship. The letter instructed both Brigham and Heber to "get the Twelve together, [and] ordain such as have not been ordained." George A. Smith was chosen to replace the fallen Thomas B. Marsh, and Sherman was to replace Orson Hyde, who had momentarily faltered.
   Don Carlos Smith, Joseph's younger brother, informed George A. Smith late in January of 1839 of his call. Nevertheless, Lyman was never told. At this time Lyman was suffering his last illness. Other than his sickness, it's not entirely certain why Brigham and Heber did not pass the news of his appointment on to Brother Sherman.
BYU Studies, Vol. 19

The Apostle Who Wasn't

Who is the only individual to be called to the Quorum of the Twelve in this dispensation, but not actually ordained?

A) Lot Smith
B) Parley P. Pratt
C) William Smith
D) Lyman Sherman

Yesterday's answer:

C) Dogs and cattle

The following from Sister George A. Smith as found in the Juvenile Instructor:
"On the evening of the 27th of June such a barking and howling of dogs and bellowing of cattle all over the city of Nauvoo I never heard before or since.

Sister Smith was not the only individual who could not sleep the night of June 27th. Benjamin Ashby, in his autobiography, states:
"I sat upon the steps of my father's house on the evening of the day that he was shot [Joseph Smith] until twelve o'clock, and never did I hear before such an uproar and noise that seemed to pervade the very atmosphere; dogs howling mingled with confused noises, as though all the legions of the damned were in commotion."

Nauvoo Commotion

Nauvoo and the surrounding countryside was thrown into a commotion on June 27, 1844. The non-LDS population was in fear that the Saints might retaliate, using the well trained Nauvoo Legion to revenge the loss of Joseph and Hyrum. Many of the residence in Carthage left their homes in such disarray that not even front doors were closed. The Saints weren't certain of the mobs intentions either. Could it be possible that their vengeance was going to spill over from Carthage into Nauvoo?

In the midst of all this anxiety, what was creating the most noise?

A) The cries of the Saints
B) The firing of guns and cannons by the mob on the outskirts of Nauvoo
C) The dogs and cattle
D) A Nephite army in the rushing wind to protect Nauvoo


Yesterday's answer:

B)
When Elmer talked to Father about marrying me, he answered him in a humorous vein, giving him a mathematical formula, saying: "If you do that, you're going to spoil my program. Right now, the way things stand my family consists of 16 boys and 16 girls; 11 boys living and 11 girls living; 5 boys dead and five girls dead; 7 boys married and 7 girls married; 4 boys single and 4 girls single; 2 boys courting and 2 girls courting. But go ahead; someone else will probably come along and even it up again."
Chronicle of Courage Vol. 2

Bringing the cows to the table

Having a future son-in-law come to me and ask for my daughter in marriage is alright. I have four daughters and we're now marrying off the last one in a month. Two of my son-in-laws have asked me if I'm okay with them marrying my daughter. Trust me, it's time to have fun as a dad. I'm a big tease and my daughters know it, since they've been the recipients of much of that teasing most of their lives. I think my last daughter realized this and somewhat hesitantly explained to me that the fine young man she's chosen for eternity wants to speak with me. I just told her that was fine and to tell him to bring the cows to the table. I was a little shocked when his version of a cow was a dozen donuts (Something tells me Johnny Lingo wasn't a student). Well I let him off the hook; maybe I can get a few lawn mowing's out of him to sweeten the deal

You'll love this next story from the journal of pioneer George Albert Goodrich and his response to the young man that asked for his daughter in marriage. Brother Goodrich replied:

A) "No, go bother someone elses daughter"
B) "If you do that, you're going to spoil my program"
C) "Are you willing to work seven years for her"
D) "Go ask her mom"

Yesterday's answer:

B) Ancient graves were uncovered.

The Church suspended construction of the Stockholm, Sweden Temple for more than a year so that archaeological relics could be excavated from ancient Viking graves, dating from 600 B.C. to A.D. 200, discovered on the temple site. Stockholm's mayor noted, "Had it not bee for the temple, we would never have discovered the relics."
Church News, 25 March 1984

Great stories surround the Latter-day Saints, definitely not limited to such personalities as Porter Rockwell, or the Cannon's, as is the case with yesterday's question. Many stories have passed down through the temples which dot the world over. Many stories side on spiritual, and others are just plain fun. Over the next year I'll share numerous more. In fact, you already know about the cannon and the St. George Temple, Sister Bennett giving birth during the Salt Lake Temple dedication, and Artemus Millet's tie to the Kirtland Temple.

So why was construction on the Stockholm, Sweden Temple suspended for more than a year?
A) A lien was placed on the temple by the contractor
B) Ancient graves were discovered
C) Due to public pressure it was necessary to suspend construction
D) A land dispute broke out between the Church and individuals claiming ancestral rights through the Lost Ten Tribes.
Yesterday's answer:

D)  They campaigned against each other for public office

On 3 November 1896, Mattie was one of five "at large" Democratic candidates elected to the state senate from Salt Lake County. The race attracted national attention because she defeated her husband, Angus, who was one of the Republican candidates.[How they made their marriage work, I can't imagine. I take my hat off to them.]
Encyclopedia of Latter-day Saint History

Wow!!! They did what?



To keep marriages alive, stimulating, and vibrant takes work by both spouses. I'm not referring to a 50-50 proposition, but rather 100% patience, love, and understanding by both. If another dimension is added, such as different religions, cultures, or political persuasions, then trust me, the marriage becomes more than a full time endeavor, I would say overtime kicks in to ensure success.

The question: Believe me, I almost choked on my spit when I read about Martha and Agnes Cannon. What did they have going on in their marriage in 1896?

A) He was called to be a Bishop; she became a Catholic Nun
B) He became the first coach of the Brigham Young Academy women's basketball team at the time she was the coach of the women's basketball team at the University of Utah
C) She was a speech writer for the Democratics in Utah; he was a speech writer for the Republicans in Utah.
D) They ran against each other for the Utah Senate.

Yesterday's answer:

B)
George A. Smith was known for his wonderful sense of humor. On one occasion while speaking in the Tabernacle on a hot afternoon, he took off his wig to wipe his brow, to the delight of all those present.

Pulpit Antics

There are times when the bizarre takes place or is said at the pulpit. It kind of takes the unsuspecting by surprise. I was present in one meeting when a good meaning Brother, lambaste those who he considered responsible for his son running away from home. I was also present during the testimony meeting portion of Zone Conference when one elder from our mission got up and stated, "Whoopty do the Church is true," then sat down as fast as he stood up. But what was it that George A. Smith did during a speech in the Salt Lake Tabernacle?

A) It was hot, and he fell asleep at the pulpit
B) It was hot, and he took his wig off to wipe his brow
C) It was cold, and he asked for a hot Cocoa to be brought to him
D) It was neither hot or cold, but he still smashed the pulpit with his cane disgusted by some of the Saints lax attitude

Yesterday's answers:

1. D)
   In July of 1849, following the discovery of gold in California, Latter-day Saints at the site sent gold dust to Salt Lake City as tithing.

2. B) Three types
   Once they had become established in their Great Basin communities, LDS pioneers were expected to pay three types of tithes: property, increase, and labor. Apostle Parley P. Pratt, on October 7, 1849, gave perhaps the first Utah discourse that details the triple tithe. First, he said, "To fulfill the law of tithing a man should make out and lay before the [Presiding] Bishop [then Newel K. Whitney] a schedule of all his property, and pay him the tenth of it." That is, he should pay a one-time initiatory tithe on all property he possessed. "When he has tithed his principal once," Pratt continued, "he has no occasion to tithe again" on that property. But the next year he must pay one-tenth of his increase of "cattle, money, goods and trade." A member also owed "the tenth of his time"--a labor tithe of each tenth day of man, young man, and work animals and wagons for the days not devoted to producing income or increase.

3. True
   A Deseret News editorial on November 29, 1851, invited all Saints to settle their tithing accounts. The General Tithing Office, it said, wanted to close up accounts not settled since the fall of 1848. Many had tithed, the paper said, but had never made settlement since reaching the valley. Only those who settled their tithing could have their names entered in the Church's sacred financial record, The Book of the Law of the Lord, and could receive certificates proving they were full tithe payers. They received one of four tithing certificates: for initiatory property tithes paid prior to September 10, 1851; for labor tithes; for increase tithes; and for property tithes paid in accordance with the September 10, 1851, covenant. "Each person ought to be able to show these four separate certificates to his bishop this present season."

4. B) Donations
   "March 15, 1887: Attended Theological class. Restoration was spoken upon. Bishop gave us to understand that no more tithing would be received. The name must be changed to donations. Wondered if the changing of the name would affect many."
   The next entry from Brother Todd's journal may explain why his bishop wanted to change the name of tithing to "donation": "January 29, 1888: Pres. Smoot and counselor spoke to us today. Bro. S. said that no more than 25% of the tithing was paid. We will eventually rule the nations if but 12 men remain true.

5. C) Her servant
Green Flake was one of three African Americans to enter the Salt Lake Valley with the first group of Saints in 1847. He might also be the first human being to be used as a means of paying tithing. Green Flake's owners joined he Church during the winter of 1843-44 in North Carolina. At the time of the Flakes' coming into the Church, they gave all their slaves freedom if they so desired. Green Flake choose to stay with them. After Brother Flake passed away, his wife decided to leave the Salt Lake Valley and move to California. Before leaving she settled her tithing, using Green Flake as partial payment. Benefiting from his services for a short time, Brigham Young soon gave him his freedom.

Sunday Tidbits- The sparrow's fall

Tithing Yard in Salt Lake CIty Utah

Many and varied are the stories of those who relied on faith by paying their tithing, when there was not enough funds to cover both the Lord's tenth and the mortgage. These individuals surge forward in an attitude of faith and pay what is due to the Lord, understanding if the Lord is cognizant of the sparrow's fall, how much more will He meet their unmet needs.
   My parents are people of great faith. Paying their tithing has never been an issue, even in their early years on the farm in Bigfork, Montana. Their early years on the farm was a struggle as money was definitely scarce. It was up to my dad to bring the sack of flour in from the barn so that my mom could bake. Many days had gone by without my mom asking for more flour. My dad went to the bin where the flour was stored and noticed the bin was full. How could this be? Was his wife going to the barn and bringing in the heavy sacks of flour herself? My dad asked her if she was bringing in the flour. My mom responded, no, I thought you were bringing it in. It was then that my parents realized that they, like Elijah, were being fed from heaven.
   My favorite tithing story was shared by a recently returned Sister missionary during her home coming speech. She told of a family that had just paid their tithing. The mother knew by doing this that there would not be any money left over to buy toilet paper. Her family of six was down to their last roll and the next money coming in wouldn't be until the end of the week. That evening the mom knelt and explained her predicament to the Lord. The next morning when her husband exited the house for work, he was stopped dead in his tracks. He went in, got his wife, and then the two of them exalted in the scene before them. There dangling from tree's, shrubs, and the house, was the precious commodity that they so desperately needed. The family couldn't be happier at being toilet papered. It was an answer to a heart felt plea.

  1.  What did some California Saints send Salt Lake City as tithing in 1849?
A) Grapes
B) Raisins
C) Wine
D) Gold dust

2.  How many types of tithes were the Saints expected to pay when they entered the Great Basin?
A) Tithing was not required for the first five years after they entered the valley
B) Three types
C) One type, the way we do  today
D) Two types

3. True or False  The Church advertised in the Deseret News reminding members when tithing was due?

4.  According to the journal of Douglas Todd Sr., in 1887 the name tithing was changed to what?
A) The Lord's pay
B) Donations
C) The Lord's tenth
D) Fire insurance

5.  Before leaving Salt Lake City for California, Sister Flake used what to settle her tithing account (This was at the time when Brigham Young was President of the Church)?
A) Livestock
B) Her recently passed away husband's burial plot
C) Her servant
D) Produce from her garden


Yesterdays answer:

C)  Lorenzo Snow

I'm not certain, but it's possible that this could be the first confirmed case of mouth to mouth resuscitation in recorded history. What's even more amazing, it was Lorenzo Snow, future president of the Church, who was the recipient.

    In 1864, Lorenzo was called to serve a mission in the Hawaiian Islands. When he and his companions arrived in Honolulu, they boarded a ship bound for Lahaina. When they reached the harbor, they boarded a small boat that was to take them to shore. One of the missionaries, W. W. Cluff recorded what happened:
   "The boat started for the shore. It contained some native passengers, and the boat's crew, who were also natives. The entrance to the harbor is a very narrow passage between coral reefs, and when the sea is rough, it is very dangerous, on account of the breakers. . . . As we approached the reef it was evident to me that the surf was running higher than we anticipated. . . . A heavy swell struck the boat and carried us before it about fifty yards. When the swell passed it left us in a trough between two huge waves. It was too late to retrieve our error, and we must run our chances. When  the second swell struck the boat, it raised the stern so high that the steersman's oars were out of the water, and he lost control of the boat. The last I remember of Brother Snow, was as the boat was going over. I saw him seize the upper edge of it with both hands; fearing the upper edge of the boat or the barrels might hit and injure me as the boat was going over, I plunged head first into the water. After swimming a short distance, I came to the surface without being strangled or injured. The boat was bottom upwards, and barrels, hats, and umbrellas were floating in every direction. . . . About the same time, Brother Benson came up near me. . . . Brother Alma L. Smith came up on the opposite side of the boat.
   "Nothing yet had been seen of Brother Snow, although the natives had been swimming and diving in every direction in search of him. We were only about one-fourth of a mile from shore.

   "The people . . . manned the life boat and hurried to the scene. Brother Snow had not yet been discovered and anxiety was intense. Finally, one of the natives, in edging himself around the capsized boat, felt Brother Snow with his feet . . . and pulled him out from under the boat at least partly from under it. . . . As soon as we got him into the boat, we told the boatman to pull for the shore with all possible speed.. His body was stiff and life apparently extinct. Brother A.  L. Smith and I were sitting side by side. We laid Brother Snow across our laps, and on the way to the shore we  quietly administered to him and asked the Lord to spare his life that he might return to his family and home. As we reached the shore, we carried him a little way to some large, empty barrels and rolled him back and forth until we succeeded in getting the water he swallowed out of him. After working over him for some time without any indications of  returning life, the bystanders said that nothing more could be done for him. But we did not feel like giving him up and still prayed and worked over him with an  assurance that the Lord would hear and answer our prayers.  Finally we were impressed to place our mouth over his and make an effort to inflate his lungs, alternately blowing in and drawing out the air imitating as far as possible the natural process of breathing. This we persevered in until we succeeded in inflating his lungs. After a little, we perceived very faint indications of returning life. These grew more and more distinct until consciousness was fully restored."

They brought him back to life

Miracles abound in the LDS church. Seeking for signs can be a detriment, as the scriptures have proven repeatedly, however for those who live their lives in faith, then miracles serve as the signs which re enforce that faith. This next story is a prime example.

Which future president of the Church may be the first recorded recipient of mouth to mouth resuscitation?
A) John Taylor
B) George Albert Smith
C) Lorenzo Snow
D) David O. McKay


Yesterday's answer:

A) Saleratus

The following from the life of early pioneer Lucy Clements Hale:
"Hardships were many for the Hale Families. Their beds consisted of sheep pelts spread on the earthen floor of their dugouts. Often they were compelled to retire at night with little or no food. Shoes they had none and clothing but little. Their clothing was made of factory, dyed with sage, and the color fixed with lye made of ashes and grease wood. When they made bread, they gathered white saleratus from the bank of sloughs. (A slough is a muddy pond, and the white foam that covered the top was skimmed off-saleratus.)

Pond Bread

I love homemade bread. The aroma fills the house and the taste is even better. To be honest, there's nothing better than butter and honey on hot bread just out of the oven. But trust me, it hasn't always been this enticing. As with most things we enjoy in life, bread has evolved with time. To be honest, the flavor of bread was most likely different just based on the ingredients pioneer women used.

What is one of the natural ingredients found only at a pond that pioneer women used to make bread?

A) Saleratus
B) Bulrushes
C) Pond clay
D) Unfiltered pond water


Yesterday's answer:

D) The spectators were shocked that the Saints danced at the end of the day

The following from Marquerite Cameron in "This is the Place:"  "A dance! How could they? Indeed, the Iowans could scarcely believe their eyes. The men cleared away the snow in a sheltered place. Warmed and lighted by the blazing logs of their fire, fifty couples, old and young, stepped out in the dance."

Spectators on the Trail

To be honest, to see a string of wagons heading westward was not an unusual sight during the 1800's. The push was to the west, whether you were LDS or not. Driven by the enticements of cheap lands and new opportunities, and in 1849, fast wealth through gold dust, the American frontier welcomed the adventurous with open arms. Many are the stories, both fun and solemn of those who trekked to westward lands as the next story indicates.

On March 1st of 1846, as Brigham Young was leading the Saints across Iowa, what shocked the non-LDS spectators?
A) The wagon odometer recording the distance traveled
B) The number of women far more out weighing the number of men
C) The structure and organization of the pioneer Saints
D) The dancing at the end of the day


Yesterday's answer:

A) The very mob that had killed the male members of her family

   The following story is told by pioneer Amanda Smith as found in the book, "The Women of Mormondom." Not only was her husband killed at Hauns Mill, but also another son. Only Alma lived, although his entire hip was blown off by a mobber's bullet.
   "All the Mormons in the neighborhood had fled out of the state, excepting a few families of the bereaved women and children who had gathered at the house of Brother David Evans, two miles from the scene of the massacre. To this house Alma  had been carried after that fatal night. In our utter desolation, what could we women do but pray? Prayer was our only source of comfort; our Heavenly Father our only helper. None but He could save and deliver us.
   "One day a mobber came from the mill with the captain's fiat: 'The captain says if you women don't stop your praying he wlll send down a posse and kill every one of you!' And he might as well have done it, as to stop us poor women praying in that hour of our great calamity. Our prayers were hushed in terror. We dared not let our voices be heard in the house on supplication. I could pray in my bed or in silence, but I could not live thus long. This godless silence was more intolerable than had been that night of the massacre. I could bear it no longer. I pined to hear once more my own voice in petition to my Heavenly Father.
   "I stole down into a cornfield, and crawled into a 'stout of corn.' It was as the temple of he Lord to me at that moment. I prayed aloud and most fervently. When I emerged from the corn, a voice spoke to me. It was a voice as plain as I ever heard one. It was no silent, strong impression of the Spirit, but a voice, repeating a verse of the Saints' hymn:
   That soul who on Jesus hath leaned for repose,
   I cannot, I will not desert its foes;
   That soul, thought all hell should endeavor to shake,
   I'll never, no never, no never forsake!
   "From that moment I had no more fear. I felt that nothing could hurt me.
   "Soon after this the mob sent us word that unless we were all out of the state by a certain day, we should be killed. The day came, and at evening came fifty armed men to execute the sentence.  I met thme at the door. They demanded of me why I was not gone. I bade them enter and see their own work. They crowded into my room, and I showed them my wounded boy. They came, party after party,  until all had seen my excuse.
   "Then they quarreled among themselves and came near fighting. At last they went away, all but two. These I thought were detailed to kill us. Then  the two returned. 'Madam,' said one, 'have you any meat  in the house?' 'No,' was my reply. 'Could you dress a fat hog if one was laid at your door?' 'I think we could!' was my answer. And then they went and caught a fat hog from a herd which had belonged to a now exiled brother, killed it, and dragged it to my door and departed. These men, who  had come to murder us, left on the threshold of our door a meat offering to atone for their repented intention.
   "Yet even when my son was well I could not leave the state, now accursed indeed to the Saints. The mob had taken my horses, as they had the drove of horses, and the beeves, and the hogs, and wagons, and the tents, of the murdered and exiled. So I went down into Davies County (ten miles) to Captain Comstock and demanded of him my horses. There was one of them in his yard. He said I could have it if I paid five dollars for its keep. I told him I had no money. I did not fear the captain of the mob, for I had the Lord's promise that nothing should hurt me. But his wife swore that the mobbers were fools for not killing the women and children as well as the men--declaring that we would 'breed up a pack ten times worse than the first.'
   "I left without the captain's permission to take my horse, or giving pay for its keep; but I went into his yard and took it, and returned to our refuge unmolested. Learning that my other horse was at the mill, I next yoked up a pair of steers and a sled and went and demanded it also. Comstock was there at the mill. He gave me the horse, and then asked if I had any flour. 'No' we have had none for weeks.' He then gave me about fifty pounds of flour and some beef, and filled a can with honey. But the mill, and the slaughtered beeves which hung plentifully off its walls, and the stock of flour and honey and abundant spoil besides, had all belonged to the murdered or exiled Saints.
   "Yet was I thus providently, by the very murderers and mobocrats themselves, helped  out of the State of Missouri. The Lord had kept his word. The soul who on Jesus had leaned for succor had not been forsaken even in this terrible hour of massacre, and in that infamous extermination of the Mormons form Missouri in the years 1838-1839.