Concerning my lack of manners.‏

Fact one--many of you do not all have the right e-mail addresses for each other. As for etiquette, I can barely spell it. I have no e-mail manners. I don't know anything about e-mail manners so I don't need to be reminded about them, I just need to be educated. I like you all to know what is being said, including the ones who didn't get the e-mail to start with. I was proud of Amy. I still am. That was a great thing she did--send the cards back and write a sweet note. I was remiss in not letting her know I had received them. While we are on the subject, as a matter of fact, I am not certain I have ANY manners about anything. Delete as you choose. You do not need to be picky about deleting anything from me at any time. I am quite certain that I end up in the trash or junk file on more e-mail sites more often that I would like to know. Whatever. Hopefully, before I die, I will do something right. Or not.

Helen and History of the Apron

Helen wrote: Dearest family members: A special friend sent this to me. It reminds me of Mom and her aprons- never without one on when she was at home. Pray all is well. Love Mom, Auntie and Helen.

The History of 'APRONS'

I don't think our kids know what an apron is.

The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath, because she only had a few,it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and they used less material, but along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.

It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.

From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.

When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids.

And when the weather was cold, grandma wrapped it around her arms.

Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove.

Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.

From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.

In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.

When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.

When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.

It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that ' old-time apron' that served so many purposes.

Send this to those who would know (and love) the story about Grandma's aprons.

REMEMBER:

Grandma used to set her hot baked apple pies on the window sill to cool.

Her granddaughters set theirs on the window sill to thaw.

They would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs was on that apron.

I don't think I ever caught anything from an apron.


Myrna wrote: It is true. My grandmother wore aprons as well. I think most of the women I knew did also. When I was outside picking apples this fall, I thought about those old aprons and I wished I had one on. Of course, Dad/LHT and I usually wear them when we cook on Sunday. Ours are just not as ample as those old aprons.

Helen's friend said that she still wears aprons.

Love, M

"America's Oldest Worker (CBS News)"‏

Myrna sent a video: "America's Oldest Worker (CBS News)" 104-year-old Ralph Waldo McBurney was recently honored as America's oldest worker at a ceremony in Washington. He talks with Steve Hartman about the key to living a long and satisfying life.

Ann Olsen wrote: Thanks, M!  Reminds me of me -- when he drops the books, forgets what his own theory is!  -- What an amazing positive mindset he has!  I want to follow his theory -- use it or lose it! I can't afford to lose too much more of my brain power!

Is it warming up any up there in Nephi?

Best to you & Leonard,

Myrna wrote: You think YOU drop books (etc., etc., etc.)? I never was the world's most graceful person but I am getting worse. As for remembering things--you knew me when I was younger. Do you remember that I had a great memory? I USED to have a great memory. Not so much anymore. I hope I don't end up in a wheelchair licking my fingers repeatedly. There was an old lady at the senior center who used to sit and do that. She would just lick those fingers over and over. They never wore out.

It was warm for a day or two. It rained and rained. The rain melted all the snow and then it started snowing again. The snow stopped and I am now freezing to death. It is so cold that the ice doesn't melt in the daytime. Love, M

AnnAnn Olsen wrote: Yes, I remember you having a great memory along with all the great things about you!  Great teacher, great mother, great friend, great compassion for everyone and absolutely no guile!  You are just about perfect in my minds eye!

Today I again locked my keys in my car, Of course, I always really try hard to not do that.  I put my keys in the pocket of my purse so I won't forget them.  But, yes, you guessed it, I left my purse in my locked car!  Well, all was not lost because Amber, my daughter-in-law, drove me to my neighbors house to retrieve my spare garage door opener!  The neighbors keep it so that their son can get in my garage to get the lawnmower so he can cut my backyard grass.  Back at my home, I was able to open the garage and then find a spare car key in my bedroom.  Off we then go back to Amber's, I unlock my car, go in her house and leave the garage remote with her because Ryan said he would go over and cut my grass for me while I'm gone to Kingman! Sons are great!

Next I get to my home and drive in the driveway reaching for the garage remove to open my garage.  Yes, you guessed it again!  The remote I left at Ryan's and Amber's was the remote I always keep in my car.  I had left my spare remote in Amber's car!  Another trip back to their house to pickup up my remote!  Some days, I believe my dad was so right when he often would say to me, "I think you would lose your head if it was not hooked on," whenever I would lose my purse or many other miscellaneous things!

I hope the extremely cold weather eases up soon for you!  The very thought of it being so cold is making me shiver!

As for the possibility of either or both of us ending up without all our marbles, perhaps it won't be so bad after all!  Let's encourage our children to put us both together.  No matter our state of our minds, I believe we would be perfectly happy and content enjoying each others company!

Much love to you and Leonard! Ann

The Solution for You, Ann!

Myrna wrote: Don't worry about losing your house key. Put a house key inside your bra. You might think it would be uncomfortable, but it is not. I put it over my garments but under my bra at the bottom of the cup. My bras have a little sort of pocket to help with the uplift at the bottom of the bra. It beats having to run around to get keys. I do it in the a.m. I take it out at night and put it with my glasses. I need those, so I remember the key. I got sick and tired of trying to get in the house. For awhile, I had a key at the neighbors but I got teased too much. Leonard keeps an extra key in his pant's pocket. I don't always have a pocket. We have a garage door opener that, at best, is temperamental. Depending on whether the power has bumped (common in Nephi) that day or not it works or not. I have locked both the remote and my purse in the car. The garage door opener, depending on how it feels that day, may take a code and it may not. UGH! AHHHHHH! So I found my solution. Since you have a little more upper padding than I do, it might not work for you. (I am, basically, flat.) To get the key out, just go somewhere in your yard where you are not in full view and remove the key. When you get in the house, put it back where you got it or it won't work when you leave again. We also have a spare car key in two places. One is behind the license plate, in a little case. The other is in a fake rock in the backyard near the back door but not obvious. There are other rocks near the garbage can, so no one would know.


Tomorrow we are flying to Colorado for Kirsten's oldest daughter's baptism. Have fun on your week-long trip.


LHT says to tell you that when people loose their marbles, they make a lot of new friends everyday. They are, of course, the same ones they had yesterday, the marble-losers just don't know it. ;) So stop worrying about it. Just enjoy.

Ann Olsen wrote: Thanks for the info!  Really good ideas!  I'm very relieved about the "loosing the marbles" thing now!

 

Have a wonderful time on your trip for your granddaughter's baptism! 

Article in Provo Newspaper from Helen

Helen wrote: This article was sent to me by a good friend. Thought you would enjoy. Love Helen

Quit the Church

In a local newspaper in Provo, Utah, there had been an ongoing series of articles written by individuals who wanted to persuade LDS Church members to leave the Church. In response to the highly critical and spirited remarks, a local member wrote this rebuttal:

Editor:

I have been thinking of quitting the Mormon Church. Yes, if I can, I am going to get even with that church. As soon as I can find another church that teaches about the Gathering of the House of Israel; the return of the Ten Tribes and their mission; the return of the Jews to Palestine and why, and how they are going to build the temple; the building of temples and what to do with them; the mission of Elias, the
prophet, as predicted by Malachi; the method for the salvation of the people that died at the time of Noah in the flood; the origin of the American Indian; the complete explanation of why Jesus of Nazareth had to have a mortal mother but not a mortal father; the explanation of the three degrees of glory (three heavens) as mentioned by Paul; the complete explanation of why Elias and Moses did not die but had to be translated (since they both lived before the resurrection was introduced by Christ); the restoration of the gospel by modern revelation as promised by Peter and Paul and Jesus himself; the belief in eternal marriage and the family, and the knowledge and the place to seal for eternity; that teaches abstinence from all harmful drugs and foods ; and that sells the best fire insurance policy on earth, for the last days, for only a 10th of my income.

Yes sir, as soon as I can find another church that teaches all that, or even half as much, I will say good-bye to this Mormon Church. The church that I am looking for must also be able to motivate 50,000+ youth, and adults, for the first, second or third time, to leave their homes for two years at their own expense and go too far-away places to teach and preach without salary. It must be able to call, on a frosty day, some 5 or 6 thousand professors, students, lawyers, doctors, judges, policemen, businessmen, housewives and children to go and pick apples at 6 a. m. It must be able to call meetings and get the attention for two hours of more than 150,000 men. Yes, it must also teach and show why salvation is assured for children who die before
eight years of age.

Mr. Editor, could you help me find a church that teaches all that and more than hundreds of other doctrines and principles, which I have no room to mention here, and which brings solace and comfort to the soul; peace, hope, and salvation to mankind, and above all, that answers the key questions that all the great philosophers have asked; questions and answers that explain the meaning of life, the purpose of death, suffering and pain; the absolute need for a Redeemer and the marvelous plan conceived and executed by Jesus Christ the Savior? Yes, as soon as I find another church that teaches that, and also that has the organization and the powers to make that teaching effective, I am going to quit the Mormon Church. For I should not tolerate that "they" should change a few words in the Book of Mormon-even if those changes simply improve the grammar and the syntax of the verses-for, after all, don't you think the Divine Church should employ angels as bookmakers, and clerks, to do all the chores on earth? Don't you think, Mr. Editor,
that the Divine Church should also have prophets that don't get sick and don't get old and die, and certainly, that don't make a goof here and there. No, sir! A Divine Church should be so divine that only perfect people should belong to it, and only perfect people should run it.

As a matter of fact, the Church should be so perfect that it should not even be here on earth! So, I repeat, if any one of the kind readers of this imperfect letter knows about another church that teaches and does as much for mankind as the Mormon Church, please let me know. And please do it soon, because my turn to go to the cannery is coming up. Also, "they" want my last son (the fifth one) to go away for two years and again, I have to pay for all that. And I also know that they expect me to go to the farm to prune trees, and I have heard that our ward is going to be divided again, and it is our side that must build the new chapel. And also, someone the other day had the gall of suggesting that my wife and I get ready to go on a second
mission, and when you come back, they said, you can volunteer as a temple worker. Boy, these Mormons don't leave you alone for a minute. And what do I get for all that, I asked? "Well," they said, "for one, you can look forward to a funeral service at no charge!". . .Do you think you can help me to find another church?

Thomas D. Clark

Things from the Past!

When I was in high school one of the popular things to say, during a lull in conversation was:

"That's life. 

What's life?

Life is a magazine.

Where do you get it?

At the corner drug store.

How much does it cost?

Fifty cents.

I don't have that much.

That's life.

What's life."

This smart ditty was repeated ad nauseaum or until someone said: "That's enough of life." I wonder if that is why the magazine went out of print in my lifetime?

Another neat thing we used to do was buy packages of Kool-Aid for a nickel. We would then lick the dry Kool-Aid from our hands, a bit at a time. It made a wonderful mess of our faces and we couldn't wash it off very easily (Who am I kidding? We couldn't wash it off for days.) but it was really, really good. Jell-O was also good for eating from the package. You had to be careful of that one, however. One time Frankie Ruzzuto and his siblings brought out a permanent wave of their mother's. We all thought, including them, that it was orange Jell-O. We ate it and had to go to the doctor--Garth. David and I. Great fun--eat poison administered by a friend. The only saving grace was that they had to go to the doctor also--there were three of them also. I understand that Frankie ended up being a brain and making a name for himself. I looked him up on white pages once but there were three Frank Ruzzutos. One was in Nebraska, one in New Jersey and one in New York. So much for that. I had no intention of contacting him, at any rate, but I was curious.

Anyway, Ann Olsen and I were talking about all of this, via e-mail. I thought I would share with all of you.

Hailey's Photos

Amy G wrote: Hey everyone,

Just sending a link to my neighbor's photography blog.  She did Hailey’s 3 year old pictures the other day and posted a couple on her page.  When she finishes editing them all, I will give you the password to go on her website to view them.  Feel free to leave a comment on her blog, if you would like.  She loves hearing what people think of her pictures.  Enjoy!

http://blueberrylanephotography.typepad.com/blueberry_lane_photograph/

Here's the link to see Hailey's finished pictures.  Remember you need the user name and password to see them.  They are below. (yes, Hailey's user name is spelled wrong, just go with it :) )   Let me know what you think!  Enjoy!

Amy


From: Toni Hammersley [mailto:blueberrylane@columbus.rr.com] 
Sent: Monday, February 02, 2009 10:20 AM
To: Amy Trauntvein
Subject: haleys pictures

Hello,
Here is the link to haleys pictures.  The name is Haley and the password is trauntvein.  
Thanks!
Toni


Kirsten wrote: So, how do you choose? "Yes, could I have five of each?" I love your 
photographer (kids are pretty great, too)! She looks gorgeous and 
much older than just three. :)

Kirsten

Kimberly wrote: Very, very cute.

Kimberly


Myrna wrote: Thank you for sharing. She looks like a famous classic Danish porcelain figurine we saw in Denmark. I think it would be hard to choose just one. They are all such great photos. What a talent your friend has. Of course, she had a beautiful subject to work with. Gramps likes the one of her dancing the very best of all of them. Love, M

Melanie Sent Newspaper Link

Melanie wrote:

http://www.newseum.org/todaysfrontpages/flash/

This link allows you to scroll across any part of the world and you can see that day's paper. Try it out. I checked out Omaha, Salt Lake and Newcastle. Kind of fun. 

Myrna wrote: Thanks, so much, Melanie. This is a great site. Love, M

Shawn wrote: Maybe I am missing something, because I could not find either the Times-News or the Sun Advocate in Utah.

Myrna wrote: Only state papers are noted. There are a lot of smaller papers that are not listed, even back by Melanie.

Shawn wrote: I know. I was trying to be humerous. I was hoping you would get a good laugh. I didn't really expect the Sun Advocate to be there, although I had hopes the Times-News might make the cut.

Myrna wrote: Oh! Remember, I am the slow one. I take everything literally. By the way, the Herald in Provo is not there either. Shawn, do you like your new job? Love, M

Please Help With Computer Knowledge

Myrna wrote to Allan Gibson: We are leaving town on Friday afternoon and flying to Colorado and are flying back early in the a.m. on Monday. I will be at county commission meeting. We are going to Kirsten's because our granddaughter is getting baptized and we wanted to be part of the celebration.

So do not worry about the problem I am relaying below until we return.

I think something must be wrong with the router. When it is plugged in, of course, the printer works. But most of the time it is plugged in the internet does not work. If I bypass it and go directly to the back of the computer, the internet comes right up. I have not known what to do with the little machine (Asante Talk) that enables the printer without using the router. It is a conundrum to me how to use both. As you know, there is no room to plug the printer into the back of the computer and so, without using the router, there is no way to plug in the computer. This is all fine and dandy unless, like now, I need to print off my airline tickets from the computer.

I also have another problem I have been dealing with since I got the printer. Whenever there is a bump in the electric power, the printer will not work again until I unplug everything, turn off the printer then turn it on, and start over by plugging in all of the lines one at a time. I have no idea what causes that nor what to do about it. However, right now, the printer will not work because the internet and e-mail would not work with the router plugged in.

BAH!

Also I have had a call in to the sheriff for two weeks about the burglaries. His secretary said they were working on the information. NOTHING!

Myrna addressed the family: It occurred to me that one of you computer geniuses might be able to help me with this problem. Thanks, M

Myrna wrote again: I don't need it. I figured it out for myself. Thanks anyway. M

Regarding

Myrna wrote: None of you have been to the Trauntvein blog site to see your Dad's happy birthday photos. 

The sister who has us doing temple file names is not well and has now quit working at the temple. She would like all of you to mail the names you have done back to me so that I can turn them into the temple to be put in her file so that her husband can pick them up for her.

Thanks

Kirsten wrote: Hmmmm...   sneaky how those birthday pictures got snuck in there.  BECAUSE, I was just on the blog Sunday night and did not see them...  silly, me.  I kept checking and had only seen photos Todd posted of Brado potatoe's Eagle ceremony.  Now how did that happen.... (something about a time stamp maybe?)  hahahaha

Kirsten

Siovhan wrote: Grandma had only hit the save post button...so when I was looking through the blog the other night I posted the actual post. But blogger does back-date them to when you first began the post...that's why no one had seen the pictures. 

Siovhan

Myrna wrote: Those photos have been there. Honestly. They have been there for quite some time, stamp or no stamp. Maybe you just did not notice them because they were below the scout photos. Love, M

Amy G wrote: Did you get the 6 names I put in the mail last week?  I did see Leonard’s birthday photos, but didn’t have time to write a comment.  I’ll get on later today.

Amy

Myrna wrote: Yes, I did get the temple names. Thank you very much for your thoughtfulness in doing them and in sending them. We also appreciated your dear note. Thanks again. Love, M 

To Siovhan from Myrna: Thank you, Miss Muppet! I guess I need to go back to the site and figure out how to actually post. Right? Or, since I have the best editor (Siovhan) on my side, I can just leave it to you, dear heart, to fix all my errors? Love, M

Todd wrote: Hey all, a little reminder about e-mail etiquette.  When a family e-mail goes out and then comes back to just you, you don’t forward that response back out to everyone.  The party-line conversation is over and it becomes a one-on-one conversation.

 

Mom, I got two e-mails on this same response.  The subject line is the same on all of them and they become “delete’r” e-mails to me.  I handle roughly 250-300 e-mails per day at work, so when I get home, I am less picky about what I delete without reading. 

 

Love,

Todd

I guess you all know.

Myrna wrote: We will be in Colorado Springs on Saturday. We are sort of hoping that David and family will be there also but are not certain. We are flying down, thanks to Kirsten and Jared. We leave on Friday and return on Monday morning. The occasion is the baptism of Whitney. We will be there to celebrate with her.

Love, M

It rained for two days. All the snow was gone and then, Sunday night, it started snowing once again. How pretty this Monday morning was in Nephi. Of course, the sun did not last long. It clouded over and started snowing once again. But it certainly is pretty.

Myrna and Eva and Facebook

Myrna wrote: Check out my Facebook profile

Hi Eva,

I set up a Facebook profile where I can post my pictures, videos and events and I want to add you as a friend so you can see it. First, you need to join Facebook! Once you join, you can also create your own profile.

Thanks,
Myrna

Eva wrote:

DearMyrna,  I would love to get your pictures, but I don't care to put pictures and personal things into the comptuer.  Thanks anyway.  It was so good to see you and Tim.  Thanks so much for stopping; it was so good to see you.  I wish I was able to travel again.  Rachel can't understand why  I can't come up every two or three or weeks like I used to. Time and circumstances surely change our lives for good or bad - with old age, mostly bad. Love you,  Eva


Myrna wrote: I understand. I just found some of our family members who were on the site. I thought you might like seeing what they have there but it is OK with me whatever you choose to do. You are a great person and I love you.

It was good to see you. Tim and I always enjoy any time we spend with you.

Love, M

Where is Steamboat, CO?‏

Myrna wrote: LHT would love this.

Kids play with toy bulldozers and excavators in a sandbox. At Dig This, in Steamboat, Colorado, adults get to spend a half- or a full-day using real bulldozers and excavators building roads, digging ditches and moving rocks, in the first heavy equipment arena in the United States.


Arbree wrote: Steamboat Springs is near Colorado Springs, up by Manitou Springs.  You might want to google it.  That would be alot of fun.  I think, altough I would probably hurt someone. :)

Bree


Myrna wrote: I don't think you would but I KNOW I would. It does sound like a lot of fun.

I am glad that the news about Erin is good. I have been worrying because that is my talent--worrying.

In Case You Wondered What I Was Up To!

Myrna wrote: The snowflake, "Happy New Year" papers were just that. They were snowflake patterns. You were supposed to fold them and follow the pattern to cut them out. There were no letters inside (sorry :() but, in addition to the snowflakes there was $1 for each of you. That, of course, was for a treat of your choosing.

We got Caydin's envelope back. The post office had attached a yellow postal sticky note saying, in computer print, that he had moved and left no forwarding address. I just don't understand all of this. I had LHT look at the address in case I had blown my mind but it was right.

Love to all of you!

Kimberly wrote: That is exactly why I have a job.  Don’t be too mad at the post office. Kimberly

Myrna wrote: I am not angry, just confused! M

Jim and Julie's Home and the Family

Here is a photo of the brick and the house.

Inside the Draper Temple‏

Melanie wrote: I don't know if you have seen pictures of the inside of the temple. It is absolutely beautiful! The sego lily glass is exquisite. 

http://www.ldsmag.com/churchupdate/090114tour.html

Mel

Who Does He Look Like Or Who Looks Like Him?

The bottom photo is unretouched. The top photo was cleaned up by Myrna using Photoshop. So, who do you think Leonard Trauntvein looks like? Himself? Odd, that is what I thought also.

Leonard's Baby Photo

Myrna wrote: Who does he look like? (Or who looks like him?)‏

Kimberly wrote: JACOB WAITE AND TYLER TRAUNTVEIN

Kirsten wrote: Amen!

Amy G wrote: He looks like Jacob, but definitely not Tyler!

Kimberly wrote: I see Tyler, when he was younger. 

Kirsten: Ok, so I held jake up next to the computer and the consensus was that 
he looked just like grandpa except the mouth and ears. But face shape 
and all else...

hmmm..

Sounds like Jake is going to be a great looking guy!!!

Braden's Eagle

We went to Boston, more specifically Milford, for Braden's Eagle Court of Honor on January 3rd. Here are some of the pictures we took. It was a really nice event. There was a gentleman, a scouter, who plans Courts of Honor for a past time. He didn't charge very much, I think it mostly covers his costs.

On the way home, we stopped through Manhattan and let the kids see Times Square, the Empire State Building, Broadway, and a few other sites. Then we made the 12 hour trek back to the house, arriving home at 11pm Sunday night. It was a fast trip, but it was nice to spend time with family. Melanie and Howard are the best hosts.

Happy Birthday Eldred G. (Gee) Smith--102 and counting

Just thought I'd observe that today (9 January 2009) marks the 102nd birthday of Eldred G. Smith, presiding patriarch emeritus of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A Salt Lake Tribune article shortly before his 100th birthday (Peggy Fletcher Stack, "Century Mark: Church leader with historic position nears 100th birthday," Salt Lake Tribune, 2006), indicated that he was still active, regularly going to his office.

In less than four months, he will have outlived Elder Joseph Anderson (1889-1992), the only other General Authority to have become a centenarian. One auxiliary leader, Ruth May Fox, president of the organization now known as the Young Women from 1929-1937, lived to be 104 (1853-1958).

He was called to his position on April 10, 1947, nearly 62 years ago.

Other well-known individuals who have lived to be over 100 (taken from a larger list at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_centenarians) include:

Rose Kennedy, 104 (1890-1995)
Grandma Moses, 101 (1860-1961)
Irving Berlin, 101 (1888-1989)
The Queen Mother, 101 (1900-2002)
George Burns, 100 (1896-1996)
Bob Hope, 100 (1903-2003)
Alf Landon, 100 (1887-1987)
Strom Thurmond, 100 (1902-2003)

Eldred G. (Gee) Smith

Born 1907 and still living

---

• Born 1907 Lehi, Utah
• Baptized as a child; Aaronic Priesthood as a youth; Melchizedek Priesthood as a young man
• Served Mission to Switzerland and Germany 1926-1926
• Married Jeanne Ness; five children
• Ordained High Priest 1938
• Named Patriarch to the Church 1947
• Named General Authority Emeritus 1979

---

 Eldred Gee Smith is the son of Hyrum Gibbs Smith and Martha Electa Gee. He was born January 9, 1907 in Lehi, Utah the third great grandson of Joseph Smith, Senior, the first Patriarch to the Church in this dispensation.    He served in the Swiss-German mission from 1926 to 1929, then in various local leadership positions prior to his call as a General Authority.

   He married Jeanne Ness by whom he fathered five children. Following her death in 1977, he married Hortense Child.

    He was ordained a High Priest May 23, 1938 by President J. Reuben Clark, Jr. before being set apart as Patriarch to the Church by President George Albert Smith in 1947.

    Elder Smith was granted Emeritus status October 4, 1979 for reasons of health and age. The position of Patriarch to the Church was retired and no one has since been so named.

    Elder Smith's most recent major public appearance of which Grampa Bill is aware was on April 6, 2000 when he accompanied President Gordon B. Hinckley to upstate New York for the dedication of the Palmyra New York Temple.

   On the occasion of his 100th birthday, Elder Eldred G. Smith, patriarch emeritus, is remarkable not just for being only the second former General Authority in history to attain the century mark (Elder Joseph Anderson, an emeritus General Authority, died in 1992 at age 102), but because he is a living, breathing — and healthy — vestige of a chapter in Church history.

   Elder Smith, who turned 100 on Jan. 9, is the last person to have held the position of Patriarch to the Church, one that originated in 1833 with the calling of Joseph Smith Sr., the father of the Prophet Joseph Smith.

   Eldred Smith is the eldest son of Hyrum Gibbs Smith, who served as Patriarch to the Church from 1912 until his death in 1932. As such, he is a great-great-grandson of Hyrum Smith.

   And so it was that in 1947, when he had just recently returned home from Oak Ridge, Tenn., where he had been involved with the atomic energy project during World War II, he was called in to meet with Church President George Albert Smith. The man who had been serving as Patriarch to the Church, Joseph Fielding Smith (not to be confused with the Church president of the early 1970s) had been released due to ill health; Eldred Smith was being called to fill the position.

   He immediately went to work.

   Elder Smith also had the responsibility of a General Authority to travel to stake conferences with individual members of the Quorum of the Twelve.

   At a Jan. 4, 2007 celebration in Salt Lake City, Elder Smith was honored by the Salt Lake Chapter of the Sons of Utah Pioneers, of which he is a member and former chapter president. President Thomas S. Monson, first counselor in the First Presidency, also an honorary member of the Sons of Utah Pioneers, was the featured speaker and paid a birthday tribute to Elder Smith.

   As Patriarch to the Church, Elder Smith was a frequent speaker at Church general conferences. Typical of his sermons is this excerpt from a talk he gave in April 1978:

   "I have come to believe that the Lord is not so concerned about what we study or what profession we follow as long as it is an honest living. He is concerned about our immortality and eternal life — or exaltation.

   "Everyone has inherent talents. From a study of your genealogy, find the talents you have inherited by the things you like to do, and do easily, that some of your ancestors have done. Then become an expert or specialist in some phase of that field. The Lord will bless your efforts in your studies and in your daily work."

   At general conference on Oct. 6, 1979, President N. Eldon Tanner, first counselor in the First Presidency, read a statement announcing a significant change in Church administration:

   "Because of the large increase in the number of stake patriarchs and the availability of patriarchal service throughout the world, we now designate Elder Eldred G. Smith as a Patriarch Emeritus."

   At the recent reception held in his honor in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building on the evening of his birthday, his key to longevity was displayed: "Keep breathing."

   As a Hyrum Smith descendant, he has inherited several artifacts he displays at firesides and other occasions.

   Elder Smith married Jeanne Audrey Ness in 1932 with whom he had five children. Following her death, he married Hortense Child in 1977, who was then serving as a counselor in the Young Women general presidency.

   On the occasion of his birthday, Elder and Sister Smith were received at the Church Administration Building by President Gordon B. Hinckley and his counselors, President Thomas S. Monson and President James E. Faust. The First Presidency wrote in a letter to him:

   "We are sincerely grateful for your long life and dedicated service and devotion to the Lord's Church and to His children, who have greatly benefited from your sacred ministry. We acknowledge with deep appreciation your noble heritage and the honor that has been yours to pronounce patriarchal blessings on thousands of members of the Church. Likewise, it has been your privilege to be the instrument through whom the Lord has revealed the sacred lineage of the individuals, entitling them to all the blessings of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

   "Over the years, you have shared your knowledge, testimony and historical artifacts of the Joseph Smith Sr. family in many settings. These meetings have been faith-promoting to those who have heard you bear witness of the Restoration."

    On a personal note, Grampa Bill recalls meeting Eldred G. Smith on the occasion of Grampa Bill's parents receiving their patriarchal blessings from the Patriarch to the Church, they living at that time in a mission district and not having access to a Stake Patriarch.

Bibliography
    Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Vol.4, Appendix 1
    “The Sustaining of Church Officers,” Ensign, Nov. 1979, p.18
    2005 Church Almanac, p.69

Al: M, Thanks for this insight. I was wondering where you had been just yesterday. Very glad to hear form you.

Konnie and I are planning to be at the High school reunion, carbon High 1959 on Saturday the 18th. Might you be in the vicinity, we could visit.

 

Love you

al

 

Al Pitts 
Manufacturing Engineering 
Affordability Task Force 
Ph. (206) 544-3098 
alan.r.pitts@boeing.com 
M/S 4E-11 

Myrna: I would love to see you. Both of you are very dear to me but, I won't be here. I will be on a church tour with my daughter AnnMarie and her family. I am so sorry. I am so very sad to miss you. Love, M

 

Keeping Track of Stuff

Myrna wrote: Kimberly, I cannot remember what I did with the family file cards you gave me. Please, if you remember, let me know. Love, M

Kimberly wrote: I had them in the Hinckley DVD outer case.

Happy Birthday, Gramps!

We had roast duck (courtsey of Jim's friend), the favorite green Jell-O salad (whipping cream, cottage cheese, pineapple, pistachio pudding) birthday pie and a party!
Let's blow out the candles--one, two, three, four! What, LHT is not four? Are you certain? Well, he had four candles.
New insulated snow boots from MRT. The flashlights are from Shawn and family.
Thanks for the ladder, family! Dad will now not kill himself by falling from an 8-foot tall wobbly ladder with three broken legs. Now he can fall from a sturdy, 10-foot tall ladder. Hehehe ;) (Knock on wood that doesn't ever happen.) I want to thank each of you beginning at the top with Shawn and Kimberly and kids, Melanie and Howard and kids, Todd and Amy and kids, Eric and Amy and kids, AnnMarie and Brandon and kids, Julie and Jim and kids, Kirsten and Jared and kids and David and Arbree and kids. Julie said she spearheaded the purchase because she thought Dad was going to fall building his shed or picking apples. Thanks for the money and for the agreement. He did fall off the ladder last year trying to cover the air conditioner outside the great room. The old ladder is one he found in the garbage after the builders had finished working on the roof at the middle school many years ago. What is that Grandpa Pitts always said? "One man's junk is another man's treasure."

A remider to go to the temple‏

Kirsten wrote: Too good not to pass on...

Eric wrote: Who are they Sylvester Stallone and Dustin Hoffman?

E

Myrna wrote: They are Mormon actors.

Todd wrote: Just a couple of cute little devils, I guess.

Helen: A gorgeous Sabbath and Thomas Kinkade inter picture‏

My beloved Hon and Sister:
Thank you for your e-mail dear, dear Sister.

To both of you- I have been praying and one goal in my fasting this week-end has been to put in words to each of you the sorrow felt for my not approached the situation after Don called differently than I did.

Would it be possible to recover time and instances myreponse to sending any information to Don right now would be to let me check with him and see if he would want any.

Also after he called me I would call you and let you know he didn't want to receive any information on e-mail- for though Thelma doesn't use the computer she does check e-mails as a number of her family and friends use it to correspond with them. (This I did not know before his last call.)

My heavy heart and soul since he called and I spoke with you, dear Sister, has not been the information you sent, as Thelma saw none of it, has been my deep sorrow in not having let you know he didn't want any more information right now, and not even indicating his grief. I could have handled it so peaceful that there would be no wounds.

I have reread several times the experience of th Saviour and Peter--Luke 22: 54-62.
As President Kimball has indicated in an article he wrote about His Friend Peter, he indicated Peter did not deny the Saviour- he denied knowing Him. Then he went out and wept for having done so.

Hon and Sister, please know the pain of how I handled the situation with you is deep because I love you both and Don and Thelma so dearly and want to do nothing to harm in anyway. I almost feel like I betrayed all four of you in not being more tactful. Can't imagine how beloved Peter felt.

Truly enough shared, and no more to be said. Right ?? As from Fiddler on the Roof  "Of course Right."

Last night I sat with tearfilled eyes and deep gratitude for the sure knowledge of a Prohpet of God on the earth as I watched my copy of On The Lords' Errand. All I can say about this man is OH MY. How grateful to traverse this part of eternal sojourns with such a Man as This. He to me is like Ester- sent for such a time as this.

Your 14 copies are in the mail as of 8:30 in the A.M.

Hope everyone enjoys.

I spent the day this past Friday with Eva getting all her Christmas decor put away and cleaning, what seemed to be truck loads of huge leaves, from her front porch and patio. While I finishing the work she made apple dumplings, with a very good sauce poured over, from a can of crescent rolls, chopped pecons and pieces of granny smith apples. Was most nummy.I told her we should get this receipe to Myrna, if you don't have it, that your family would really enjoy.

Well dear ones I will close now- work on my Ward History for today, am the Ward Historian, and try to keep it currect with each event- my yearly report for the past year is due on the 15th January to the Bishop and Stake Executive Secretary.

I didn't remember to let you know- if you read in the paper about the two snowmobilers who were killed in an avalance around Logan on Christmas eve day- one was a recently returned missionary and the other had been married only a short while. They had been best of friends since grade school. The recently returned missionary is a family member of Jens' Carolyn- either her nephew or cousin don't remember which Don told me. They were out with several other friends who saw is happen, but were able to get out of the way. What heartache comes in this life- aren't we glad our Father and Saviour know, understand and help in every way they can. Grateful for the Gospel, for life and for you.

Have a very special New Year- Tim, my garage is yours when you go to Colorado the end of this month- just let me know your plans on flights our and in.
Love you both much. Your Eternal Sister--Just Me. H.T.

Am so pleased Shawn is enjoying his new opportunity at B.Y.U but then what is there to not enjoying it.

I only watched the U of U game periodically Friday night- but what a game--so glad they won.


     

Re: Errors That Aren't: 12 Grammar Rules You Can Toss Out the Window‏

Shawn wrote: When I took an English usage class at college, I wrote a paper about rules of grammer that would show up in textbooks, that were not really English usage rules, but rules coming from Latin. There was a period where those who felt English was too informal had tried to foist some Latin usage rules upon the English language, in order to formalize the language more. (In my view there is a reason that Latin is a dead language, even though it has a prosperous offspring.) This article correctly identifies a couple of those rules. My recollection is that it was also a rule of Latin to never end a sentance with a preposition. There are, however, those teachers who still came through their high school and college careers grazing upon these rules, and they are still raised as proper forage in some English textbooks. So, it is still good to be aware of the rules rather than be docked points for not following them.


AnnMarie wrote: Shawn and Mom,
When I took modern grammar usage at BYU my professor challenged us to use conjuctions at the start and prepositions at the end of sentences just to make people aware that they are proper.  And I have been doing so every time it seems right to.  (See.)  I am also very fond of splitting my infinitives, particularly when I want to persuasively argue a point.  (Did it again.)  

I would put in a plug for still saying, "This is she (or he)" when answering the phone.  And I am also fairly snobbish with the use of "whom."   "For whom the bell tolls."  "Whom should I give this to?"  "This book is for whom?"  

This article was so well written that I read it out loud to Brandon and Kyle.  I found myself chuckling, especially over the eaten children.  Of course, Kyle left the room, and Brandon gave a courteous laugh when he thought it was appropriate.  I guess they needed to be raised in a home where grammar rules were taught at the dinner table, which has been a blessing to those of us who write for a living.
Ams

There is a Do Not Call List

Myrna wrote: Please do not send a card, an e-mail, a letter, a call or in anyway contact Uncle Don and Aunt Thelma. It turns out that he is not telling Thelma what is the matter with her for now. He has not discussed the problem with his children. Nathan's wife alerted her father, Dr. Stone, that he needed to help Thelma because something was dreadfully the matter with her. He contacted Don and they set up a physical examination where it was determined what was the matter. Therefore, Nathan and his wife know what is wrong. Jens and Carolyn know something is wrong. The rest do not and, apparently, none of the grandchildren know. That is the way of it. 

Whatever decisions have been made by Don, it is his decision to make. I do want to know, if anything of the like happens to me, as does Dad. 

I have caused much grief by not knowing, nor understanding, that I should not have sent e-mail information to Don. Helen thought that Thelma never used the computer. However, she does use it on a limited basis. Since this is all a secret from her, Don was afraid that she might see one of the mailings. He has been upset with me. He tried to call me to scold me but, luckily for me, Dad and I were not home. He talked to Helen about it and she relayed the information to me. He was also upset with himself and Helen that, even though he had granted permission to Helen to tell Eva and Dad, he had not made it clear that it was a secret being kept from the family in general and from Thelma herself.

Please keep their secret. Do not discuss it with anyone.

Love, M

Dear Helen From Myrna

I appreciate your expressions of love. I understand where Don is coming from and I will stay out of things. He is in the early stages of grief and I recognize that. I am alerting my children that they are to keep secret something that I should not have revealed. I am too open a person--if I bleed I usually end up bleeding all over everyone, not just myself. I did not understand that the information about Thelma was to be kept private and secret. I probably would have emoted to my children, who are my confidants, at any rate. However, they are used to me and the way I react to sadness, worry and concern. They just let me emote and let it go.

I know that is how you feel with Nanci and why you talked things over with her. Now that they have grown up, our children, they have become good friends to us, have they not?

I also believe that all family members want to be educated on all issues that concern any one of us. I do a lot of studying about the issue of senile dementia because I have concerns that I may have passed a physical weakness on to my children because of my own heritage. Therefore, for years and years, I have had an interest. In fact, our one doctor friend (Dr. Tatton) told me once that I probably knew as much as he did about the subject. A compliment but probably not true.

The love between us (Helen and Myrna), as family members and as sisters, is not affected. I will always love, admire and stand in awe of you and of all you have accomplished in life. That has not changed. I find no fault in you. I understand Don and his feelings. Could I undo anything, it would be undone. However, we all live with our choices, innocent or not. When one of my sisters became angry with me, she said that she would leave my God to judge me. She did not mean it kindly at the time, though she has mellowed some since, but she is right. My God will be my judge for he knows me well and knows the intent of my heart. My fault is that I should emote more to Him and less to others.

Remember, that you only wanted to do the right thing. You always have shown love and concern for others and you always will. That can cause you problems from time to time, to your view, but it can also bring you a lot of devoted fans (me included).
Let's just put this to rest. We will continue to love and pray for Thelma and for Don. I will put their names on the prayer roll. However, it is probably best if he does not know anything about any of that. His heart is too raw right now. I am sorry, if by e-mailing him I have caused him extra grief. I sent too much information too quickly. But I am done. I will not send more. That is the end.

Let us both look forward to a happy new year. A chance to begin again, repent, change, start over. I know that is what we should do every day, right?
I do love you, M

A special New Years Eve‏

Dearest Sister:  It is 5 p.m. on New Years Eve day and I have just arrived home. Left early this a.m. to work at the Ft, Union Distribution Center- Were extemely busy today.

Myrna, please be at peace with the situation of having sent e-mails to Don. As I told you when I called him back later last night, after he had called me about his concern, I did tell  him I accepted responsibility for having you send the article from the Readers Digest- told him you and I had spoken about it with you wanting to know whether I thought it would be okay. I told him I told you yes- my apology to him for anything he felt would intrude in not having information available to Thelma was given. I told him since he called me I had called Eva and you. He did tell me last night he doesn't want either Eva or myself to call to talk with Thelma, as she isn' t functioning too well on the phone. I reasured him his requests will be honored. He did tell me Dr. Stone had told Don not to say anything to Thelma right now- they have an appointment with Dr. Stone in the next week or so, to do further evaluation. Don is really trying to protect her as we can all appreciate.

This whole situation is quite devastating for all and has quickly made necessary some very drastic changes in their (Don and Thelma's lives.)

Myrna; please be at peace- I told Don intentions were good, there was no malintent.
Don is just having a terrific time right now and as he told me when we talked thd Friday before christmas he said he just didn't know what to do. This to be sure is about many things that are coming very quickly.

Oft times each person needs time to take a deep breath and reqroup- for Don this isn't an opinion at this time.

I want to apologize to you for having you go ahead and sent the article from the Digest- it would have been most appropriate for me to  indicate to you to not send anything until I had asked Don about it. So dear, I accept responsibility as I told Don- and I think we just the situation go and be extremely charitable to all-- it is a challenge, to be sure, none of us would choose, it the choice was ours.

All I can say is lesson learned for me- by now with all the years and various experiences one would think I would be ready to sprout wings and wear a halo-Guess what???Just isn't so.

Also, dear, as you and I spoke the other day you indicated you had always felt Thelma, Eva and myself had somethng going to us that you didn't and as a result you didn't feel quite up to us.( this may not be exactly what you said or meant, but was my perspection of what you said.)

Myrna, please know there is no truth in your perception as far as I am concerned. We are all very different, as was intended by our Creator, we all have gifts, different to be sure, and all have strenghts--all of this is a divine, eternal plan. Father and the Saviour has never and will never compare us or judge us except on our on merits. We need to be charitable with ourselves and do the same. Well, dear, I am going to close, clean the house, fix some supper and just enjoy the Christmas tree, decorations and all.
Please know how much I love and appreciate you dear- you could not be dearly to me if you were my blood sister- because gospel Sisters are all from the lineage of our Father and Mother in Heaven.

Have a special night and tomorrow with your family.

Love--Just me --your eternal Sister-Helen