Scripture from Kyle's Talk

Myrna wrote: LHT said that he thought that Kyle did an excellent job of speaking at Seminary graduation. He was very proud. He wanted his memory to be jogged as to the scripture that Kyle said was a favorite. Thanks.

AnnMarie wrote: Remind him that Kyle talked about faith.  He defined faith as the evidence of things hoped for but not seen.  Then he said the lesson from seminary that influenced him the most was the one about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.  They knew that Heavenly Father would answer their prayers, even if it wasn't in the way they thought.  They had faith that Heavenly Father's will would be done.  It revolved around "but if not."  The scripture was Daniel 3:18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.  When the men who cast them in and were covered with hosen and coats etc. still died, the three boys should have died.  But when the king looked in the furnace he saw one like unto the son of man.  Kyle said that when we are exercising faith, we also will never be alone.  Even if our prayers aren't answered the way we wished.  Our Heavenly Father loves us and Jesus Christ sacrificed for every single one of us so that we never are alone.

Myrna wrote: Thank you so very much. We are so proud of that boy/man. We love you!

What is to Love

Have you ever wondered why some folks are famous authors and others just don't seem to have the drive it takes to achieve? This a.m. as I was outside working in the garden I decided why I do not write but garden instead.

Some folks just get joy from smaller spots in life. I think that I should have been a professional gardener. I am always happy when I am tinkering around with plants. Yes, I would rather be gardening. I think a few of my ancestors have given me the gardening gene.

My Grandmother Smith, a 40-year plus classroom teacher, also loved being outdoors in the summer. She loved flowers and every year she had a flower garden at the front of the house. She always received compliments on how beautiful everything looked. My growing up years, we always had a vegetable garden. My Aunt Renee, who at that time lived in an apartment, and my grandmother planted all sorts of vegetables behind our home on Carbon Avenue in Price. Then, even though our cooking was done on a coal stove, the canned everything that they grew that could be canned. Potatoes, onions and carrots were stored in the fall, as were the pumpkins and squashes. They were dedicated to gardening. Those were the days when everyone had a Victory Garden.

According to Wikipedia: "Victory gardens, also called war gardens or food gardens for defense, were vegetable, fruit and herb gardens planted at private residences and public parks in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Germany during World War I and World War II to reduce the pressure on the public food supply brought on by the war effort. In addition to indirectly aiding the war effort these gardens were also considered a civil "morale booster" — in that gardeners could feel empowered by their contribution of labor and rewarded by the produce grown. This made victory gardens become a part of daily life on the home front."

My Grandfather Tom Pitts was a farmer. He wasn't the most successful farmer I knew but he always had vegetables from his garden, fruit from his own trees, eggs from his chickens, milk from his cows, and raised beef and pork. He was, of course, more successful at the trucking and construction work he did. He was more of a hobbiest farmer but the milk that Grandma Ruth sold was, of course, a nice benefit to the family.

Historically, of course, I come from a long line of farm folk. My English ancestors, on the Smith side of the family, were landowners who ran a farm in England. The Danes were also people who farmed. Several ancestors came to America early to Jamestown and with the Mayflower. There were those who fought in the American Revolution. One was a landowner in Virginia. That family ended up being divided in loyalties because one was converted to the LDS church. They ended up on opposite sides during the Civil War but remained loving brothers.

The upshot of all of this information, of course, is that I seem to have enjoyed a love of gardening that I seem to have come by naturally.

To Allen Pitts

Do you remember that when LHT and I married and moved to Provo, you and Connie lived in the same apartment complex. We had Shawn at the time and you did not have kids. We got together and watch television at their house a few times. We provided the popcorn. Then you moved and, a short time later, we moved. When you had a son, Venice Powell Breinholt, a mutual friend of Connie's and mine from Carbon High and Carbon College, babysat him. She had to stop and I took over. At that time we were living in a subdivision near Utah Lake. I watched him for awhile. I think that was about the time that my third child Todd was born.

At any rate, you have been a great cousin. You came to Dad Howard's funeral, even though you had to take time off work to do it, and you called Garth and family, including me, at the Price hospital  when Garth was dying. You are a good man. It is time to tell you thank you.

Love, Myrna

Alligator Farm in Buena Park

This was the park that Aunt Jessie and Uncle Gilbert took Grandmother Smith and I to when we were visiting one summer. We liked to go to California because that was where Grandmother Smith's family had relocated. It wasn't a huge family and so, as all families do, they liked to spend time together. 

Aunt Jessie and Uncle Gilbert lived there and Great-Grandmother Mina lived with them. Uncle Frank and Aunt Menetta Pritchett and Aunt Jessie's only daughter, Betty Fexer and her family, also lived in California. It was a great time when we visited. It was filled with trips to the beach and trips to other sites around the area. This was just one of the places we went.

On an earlier post, there is that photo of me riding the alligator and a little history about the photo. I just found this site and enjoyed reading some of the comments that had been left by people like me. I left one myself.

Alligator Farm in Buena Park

Thursday, February 09, 2006  Buena-Park, Zoos  62 comments

Did you know there was once an alligator farm in Buena Park?

It was adjacent to Knott's Berry Farm on La Palma Ave. The Radisson Suites Hotel now sits on the old spot. I always wanted to go there, but my folks would never take me there. 

We collected a few alligator farm memories from folks during the old days of OCThen, and posted them below...

By: Chrissey, 20 Aug 2002

The alligator farm was fun, but they scared me. The alligators were very quiet and had a harness on and people would sit on the alligator and have their pic taken. Both the Alligator Farm and Knotts seemed so far away from L.A.

By: Pat Swift, 9 Aug 2002

I remember taking my son's there (Alligator Farm). We were amazed at how a snake felt. We were always interested in the alligators but watching how fast a cobra or rattlesnake could strike was the main attraction for us.

By: Ross, 13 June 2002

Being there when I was about 6 or 7. I am now 48, I have had a facination with alligators and crocodiles all my life. I currently live in Boise, Idaho and have 2 pet american alligators (Forest and Bubba). I remember my mom taking me and my brother there it had to be like 1960 or 1961, they had baby gators for sale in the gift shop, and of course I wanted one, but didn't get one. But, I was trying to figure out where a Southern California kid would develop and interest like this. I was talking to my dad and he said he remember the Los Angelos Alligator farm in Lincoln Heights LA, well I did some research and sure enough it started there in like 1905, and then moved to Buena Park, where it was until about 1986. Anyway, I wish I could have gone there as an adult before it closed. Little trivia, they moved all the gators and crocs by private Boeing 707 to an estate in Florida owned by the inventor of Naultilus workout equipment!

By: John Nemeth, 15 Jan 2002

What a great place if you were a herpatologist. They had almost every species of crocodile, many rare species that are seldom seen. The place was always deserted, not well known as a popular tourist attraction. They did snake shows with cobras.

By: Mark Wallace, 31 Dec. 2001

Remember the Alligator Farm across the street from Knott's? This was such a great creepy place that had been there forever. Full of giant alligators, croc's and tortoises, snakes and lizards. I still have dreams about this place eventhough it was torn down years ago.

Roberta and Gordon--Drops are the Worst Part

Hi Myrna & Leonard,  So glad things went well for Leonard.  I (Roberta) had both of my eyes

done in November and December of last year.  The drops are the biggest bother,

just remembering and getting them in the eye.  Gordon was so good to do that for

me.  He had his eyes done last year too.  He had a little more problem to work with.

All was successful for both of us.  It’s the unknown that makes us nervous.  Leonard

will do great, he has an awesome caretaker.  Best wishes and love, Gordon & Roberta

Myrna wrote: Thanks for letting us know about your success stories. You are right, the drops are the biggest bother but we have been on schedule. You are right, it is the unknown that makes us nervous. We do love you both!

 

Overlooking Beauty Written by Melanie Bolton

Melanie Bolton

Sister Hritz

English 106-37

6 May 2013

Overlooking Beauty

            I am clinging to the door handle of my Dad’s truck, eyes shut, as if my grip could keep the vehicle on the bumpy, narrow road. My Dad and Mom have placed us in the truck and camper, for a weekend family camping trip. After several hours (which seems like days), my Dad stops the truck at the top of the last rise of the winding, mountain track.  He breathes deeply and says, “Wow. This view always takes my breath away. Just look at God’s beautiful creations!” I too take a deep breath, but mine is to alleviate the panic I know I am going to feel as soon as I see the steep escarpment, which I silently pray won’t be the reason for our untimely demise. I will myself to look. In front of me is a gray-white mountainside which drops off severely to valleys on both sides of the road. Scrubby looking grass is dotted sparsely across the top of the mountain. My eyes follow the road downward to the right, as it parts the dusty, rocky, mountain. Suddenly, I see magnificence. The valley below me is blanketed in waves of green meadow grass. On one side of the gulley stands a tall army of Ponderosa pine trees, sentinels of this forest island. Lying idle in the sun at the bottom of this valley is a beautiful body of lake, a turquoise jewel.

            While I am admiring the picturesque basin, my Dad points to our left and commands us, “Look there!” I turn my gaze to view yellow-brown and red-clay plateaus, distant purple mountains, and a vast, barren, uninhabitable desert. As I am gazing, my Dad declares, “This is definitely God’s country.” Have I misunderstood him? Here are two contrasting views from one mountain height. Could both be beautiful? To this child, the lake, amid grass dotted with wildflowers of red, purple and yellow, with the pine trees which surround the valley, is the winner of nature’s beauty pageant. Yet, my Dad has called the desert scene beautiful also. In my mind, there could not be two winners. We drive on, and the question in my mind is not settled.

            Many years later, I disembark my car at the same crest on the mountain. I look over both valleys, realizing how much I have missed this panorama, the desert plateaus on one hand, the verdant valley on the other. This viewpoint is magnificent, literally breathtaking. Seeing it through my wiser, adult eyes, I realize this is the most beautiful spot in the world. I declare to my Dad, who is standing with my children, “This is definitely God’s country!”

More comment from Melanie:

I thought maybe you would like to read an creative essay I had to write about Overlooked Beauty. I received high marks and praise for the paper. It was limited to 450 words, so I feel it could have been better if I had been allowed to elaborate a bit more...you know, be more wordy. :)

Mel


Myrna wrote: Oh, Melanie, dear heart. It is perfect as it is. I had an editor once who said that enough words needed to be used to cover the subject but short enough to keep the reader's attention. I think the quote is more like: essays are like skirts--long enough to cover the subject short enough to make it interesting. 

I shed a few tears. I agree with your teacher. You should have high marks and an A+.

I love you. I am so proud of you. 

Dad is napping after mowing the grass. I printed it off for him to read.

Leonard wrote: Thanks for sharing this with us. I am proud of you and your writing brought back many happy memories. I am asking your mother to share this with all of your siblings.

I have been thinking

I think that Alyssa should be commended for doing such a good job watching Kirsten's children while Kirsten and Jared were gone. I know what a good job she did. The most difficult thing would have been to care for sick kids. I have been there without Dad and there is a lot of driving in addition to the mothering and housework. 

I have been thinking about myself at age 19 and about the 12 children my bishop (A. Dean Wengreen)  and his wife  (Margaret) had. They went on a trip one summer (I don't really remember where) with a group of other seminary teachers and left all of those kids with my friend Venice (also 19). A couple of the kids got really sick and she, because we were friends and because the kid's mom thought it was a good idea, had to call me to come and help. It took both of us to fix simple meals, care for the sick kids and keep a meager semblance of order. Venice had one older brother. I had younger cousins but had no experience whatsoever with tiny tots that needed diaper changes, stories read and constant tending. Both of  us were out of our comfort zone. It was quite an experience. I really do not remember how long we were at it but it did seem forever. The mom had put lots of things in the freezer but the kids only would eat things like mac and cheese and corn. (They loved Brownies.)

As I was thinking about that experience, I was thinking how great it would have been had Megan been out of school and could have gone with Alyssa to help out. It is so nice to have someone to tag team with. Since Dad has retired, and can go with me, we have mostly done the tending together for those who needed us. When Kirsten moved after Ryan was born, however, Dad came back home and I stayed there a week or so without him. (I did get her unpacked and somewhat organized.) I do know that it is easier to have a two-person child-care team.  It is so hard to get up all night long and then take care of everyone during the day. 

So I am proud of Alyssa. I think that she needs to be complimented. Please show this to her and tell her that we love her and we are proud of her for hanging in there.

One Down, One to Go!

LHT had his right eye operated on to remove the cataract this morning. We are home, have had supper and are dozing but I am trying to keep my eyes open. It really is too early to go to bed. I seem to sleep about five hours a night whether I need to or not. I don't know what happened to the girl I used to be who could sleep through anything.

We were in Provo at the surgical center at 5:45 a.m. Yes, I drug myself out of bed at 3:30 a.m. so that we could be ready and drive to the place. It is in the Riverwoods area so we thought we might have some trouble finding it but we printed the directions off of Google and we were able to get there easily. The doctor showed up at 7 a.m. and LHT was all prepped and ready. He went into the operating room shortly thereafter (about 7:10). They do not knock you out but make you a bit "comfortable" with meds. The surgery was done by about 7:45 a.m. because it only takes 30 minutes or so to do. Then he had to wait there for a bit.

I met some nice people my age, Stephensens, who were also waiting. (She had a later appointment. LHT was first.) We chatted about Nauvoo, farming and things old folks like us have in common. Then they called me back and in a short time we were ready to leave.

We were at AnnMarie's by about 9 a.m. I took a short nap (thanks for that Ams--she worked from her front steps so she would be quiet). LHT also had a nap but a bit longer. I then talked AnnMarie to death and had a good visit (for me) but I probably kept her from getting her church calling work done. LHT woke up, we had lunch, and went to the doctor's office at 1:30 p.m. The doctor did an extensive post-op exam and his staff set up appointments and made certain that I understood how to do the medicated eye drops (three kinds three times a day). We left there, stopped and got fuel and came home. We were home about 5 p.m.

All went so very well. Thanks Jim and Brandon for taking time on Mother's Day to give him a blessing because all went as Brandon had pronounced. The surgery was so successful and so easy on LHT that the doctor set up an appointment to do the left eye next Wednesday, on the 22nd. That will be done on Dr. Scott Lohner's day performing the surgery in Nephi at our same-day surgery. He comes here once a month. He and LHT decided to do the first surgery in Provo so that it could be over and done with much more quickly. Doing the surgery in Nephi will be a bit easier on us because we will only have to travel out to our hospital and can come home and then go back. We will not need to be up so early and will not need to crash at AnnMarie's though that was really nice to be able to do.

If all goes as well as it did this time, we will still be able to make Sorina's piano recital that evening at 6 p.m. I will have to drive, of course. By then, neither contact will be usable and LHT will need a new prescription. That will be another two weeks down the road.

I am just thankful that he has not been in pain and has been able to rest (what he is doing now at 6:24 p.m.). There is little swelling and no discomfort though the doctor warned us that everybody is different and that some people do have pain and swelling.

We are blessed.


     

Thanks to All!

My two missionaries were able to call their respective mothers and families today. I have heard from both sets of parents how great the experience was. Thanks to you two young men for doing the work of the Father and of the Son and for honoring your wonderful moms. Kyle is putting in his papers this week so it may not be long before I have three of you. 

Braden was also able to call home from Peru which was great. Alyssa, in spite of the sick kids of Kirsten's whom she is babysitting, was also able to call. In fact, according to reports, you grandchildren away from home were all good kids and let your moms know that they are loved. That included Brigitta and Siovhan. Thanks for that. You all make my heart smile.

Thank you all for an amazing Mother's Day. There were cards, gifts, letters and phone calls. Thanks to each who took time for this aging mother/grandmother. Thanks for the videos, AnnMarie and Kirsten. Thanks for the handwritten letter, Michael. Ben and Michael thanks for letting me know of the money situation and that, in your cases, I did what I thought I did. I guess Kyle was the only one who didn't get money in his envelope. I gave it to him later.

When I was at the assisted living center this a.m. for the Sacrament meeting we prepare, I was a bit teary. All of the ten women there have lived so well. They are all winding down their lives right now but they will be missed on earth. I just can't help being so thankful for the example of outstanding women. I am thankful for sons and daughters (and the great people they married) and to my grandchildren for the love and respect that I am shown. My heart is full and I love you all. 

LHT knows how Mother's Day always makes me feel less than adequate as I compare myself with the mothers of the speeches given. He prayed this a.m. that I might know that I am loved for who I am. Thanks to all of you, that happened. I am not perfect. I wonder how you all turned out so well in spite of me but you did. You were and are loved. You always have been and you always will be. You grandchildren are just the best. I am so thankful for each of you and for the good people you are.

I cannot help but think that I am blessed.

LHT is having the first of his two cataracts removed tomorrow, Monday, in Provo at Excel Eye Center by Dr. Scott Lohner* (one of my OBGYN's sons) at 6 a.m. He will need to stay in Provo through the day and will be checked again for problems in the afternoon before he comes home. Another check will be done at the eye clinic here, Nebo Vision, later in the week. Dr. Lohner also operates from Nephi Medical Center but does it only once a month.  Of course, lots of people in Nephi have had the surgery done by Lohner, because he does come to Nephi so we all know some of his fans. LHT wanted the surgery done before the last week of May because he wants to be up and running for graduations. Dr. Lohner will be doing the right eye, his best one. After two weeks, if all goes well, they will do the left eye which will be sometime in mid-June. Dr. Lohner has decided he cannot remove the scar from his left cornea because the cornea is too thin and may make it so that he would need a transplant which is to be avoided because it is a long-term healing problem. LHT has Keratoconus (from Greek: kerato-horn, cornea; and konos cone) in his left eye. That is a degenerative disorder of the eye in which structural changes within the cornea cause it to thin and change to a more conical shape than its normal gradual curve. Since a transplant involves cadaver tissue, they sometimes are rejected and they do take months to heal. After the cataract is removed he will not be able to wear his contact until he is re-fitted and will have that done at his regular place in Salt Lake City with Dr. Harald E. Olafsson at the Moran Eye Center. Dr. Olafsson does not do surgery but is an expert in contacts and in fitting them to people who have the problem LHT has. LHT is the fifth on the list for Monday but he still has to be there at 6 a.m. which, he says, sounds like a "sheep deep" operation to him--one in and one out and one waiting to go.

*Dr. Lohner was one of four doctors in the OBGYN office.

DesNews article - Joseph Knight healing

From: AnnMarie Howard@gmail.com

http://cdm15999.contentdm.oclc.org/utils/getdownloaditem/collection/desnews1/id/179419/type/compoundobject/show/179421/cpdtype/monograph/filename/179422.pdf/width/0/height/0/mapsto/pdf/filesize/1290160/title/Deseret%20News%201858-03-24%20Page%2018

What you should know is in the paragraph referencing November 10, Thomas Marsh said he healed Joseph Knight of body flux.  The link is to the image of the original newspaper article of the history.  I intend to print it and keep it.  It is just another reminder that our ancestor interacted with great men of church history.  He got to see amazing priesthood manifestations.  He also watched as these once faithful men, like Thomas Marsh, left the church over trifling things like cream being kept off the milk contrary to his wife's agreement with her neighbor.   I'm grateful Joseph Knight left us a legacy of faith. He didn't live to see these men who had left try to find their way back after much sorrow and lost years. It was said of Thomas Marsh when he returned to the church after decades and the death of his wife,  that the years had been hard on him physically and he was old and worn down from the troubles of his life. He brought much trouble to the church and Joseph when he left.  They still received him with open arms.

I don't know if it will work for you to copy and paste that into your browser.  Perhaps if you just start at the desnews1.  It says he was healed of bloody flux.

Thomas Baldwin Marsh, 1799-1866
Autobiography (1799-1838)
"History of Thomas Baldwin Marsh [by himself]," The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star 26 (1864):359-60, 375-76, 390- 92, 406.

HISTORY OF THOMAS BALDWIN MARSH
(Written by himself in Great Salt Lake City, November, 1857.)
I was born in the town of Acton, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, November 1, 1799. My father, James Marsh was born in Douglas, Massachusetts, March 27, 1751. My mother, Mary, daughter of Titus Law, was born in Acton, Massachusetts, March 18, 1759.
I spent my early life in farming at Westmoreland, New Hampshire, until I was fourteen years of age, when I ran away and went to Chester, Vermont, where I worked on a farm three months; then went to Albany, New York and engaged in a public house as a waiter, where I remained eighteen months, when I went to New York and engaged in the city hotel and remained two years; when I returned to my old situation in Albany, and after serving a year returned to New York City Hotel for two years; then removed to Long Island, New York, where I engaged as groom to Edward Griswald, in whose service I remained one and a half- years; during which I became acquainted with Elizabeth Godkin, and married her on the 1st November, 1820.
Immediately after marrying I commenced in the grocery business, in New York, in which business I remained one and a half years, but did not succeed. I then engaged in a type foundry in Boston, where I continued seven years.
While engaged in this business I joined the Methodist Church and tried for two years to be a genuine Methodist, but did not succeed any better in getting Methodist religion than I did in the grocery business. I compared Methodism with the Bible, but could not make it correspond. I withdrew from all sects, and being about to leave Boston my old class leader wished me to take a good certificate, but I informed him I did not want it. I had a measure of the spirit of prophecy and told him that I expected a new church would arise, which would have the truth in its purity. He said to me, you no doubt mean to be a leader in that new sect. I told him I had no such intentions. He said, he prayed that the Lord would make me a firebrand in the midst of that new religious body, as reformation was necessary. My wife unknown to me, however, got a certificate for herself and me on one paper. I informed her that I never would attend, but I would find a suitable class for her if she wanted to join.
I remained in Boston several years engaged in the type foundry. During this period I became acquainted with several friends whose opinions concerning religion were like my own. We kept aloof from sectarians, and were called by them Quietists, because we resembled so much a sect in France known by that name professing to be led by the Spirit.
I believed the Spirit of God dictated me to make a journey west. I started in company with one Benjamin Hall, who was also led by the Spirit. I went to Lima, Livingston County, New York, where I staid [stayed] some three months, and then left for home. I called on my return at Lyonstown, on a family, whose names I do not recollect. On leaving there next morning the lady enquired if I had heard of the Golden Book found by a youth named Joseph Smith. I informed her I never heard anything about it, and became very anxious to know concerning the matter. On enquiring, she told me I could learn more about it from Martin Harris, in Palmyra.
I returned back westward and found Martin Harris at the printing office, in Palmyra, where the first sixteen pages of the Book of Mormon had just been struck off, the proof sheet of which I obtained from the printer and took with me. As soon as Martin Harris found out my intentions he took me to the house of Joseph Smith, Sen., where Joseph Smith, Jun., resided, who could give me any information I might wish. Here I found Oliver Cowdery, who gave me all the information concerning the book I desired. After staying there two days I started for Charleston, Massachusetts, highly pleased with the information I had obtained concerning the new found book.
After arriving home and finding my family all well, I showed my wife the sixteen pages of the Book of Mormon which I had obtained, with which she was well pleased, believing it to be the work of God. From this time for about one year I corresponded with Oliver Cowdery and Joseph Smith, Jun., and prepared myself to move west.
Learning by letter that the Church of Jesus Christ had been organized on the 6th day of April, 1830, I moved to Palmyra, Ontario County, in September following, and landed at the house of Joseph Smith, Sen., with my whole family. During the month I was baptized by David Whitmer, in Cayuga Lake, and in a few days I was ordained an elder by Oliver Cowdery with six elders, at Father Whitmer's house. Joseph received a revelation appointing me a physician to the Church.
After remaining in that state, during the fall and winter the Church moved to Ohio. In the spring of 1831 I journeyed with the main body to Kirtland.
In June, 1831, I was ordained a high priest at a conference held in Kirtland where I received an appointment to go to Missouri with Ezra Thayer, and preach by the way. In consequence of Ezra Thayer delaying so long, I went to Joseph, who received the word of the Lord appointing Selah J. Griffin in Thayer's stead, with whom I journeyed to Missouri, preaching by the way; many believed our testimony, but we did not wait to baptize any. While near the end of our journey I was attacked by chills and fever and arrived very sick. I staid [stayed] at the house of Brother Benjamin Slade till I got well.
Sometime in January, 1832, Bishop Partridge having furnished me with an Indian pony, I returned to Kirtland, accompanied by Cyrus Daniels. I labored, preaching through the country around Kirtland until the summer opened, when, in company with Ezra Thayer, I went on a mission through the state of New York and returned home early in the fall; and made preparations to go up to Zion in company with several other families from Kirtland.
At that time an objection was raised to me being the leader owing to my inexperience, but there was division on this subject as some considered my office entitled me to the presidency. My opposers appealed to Joseph, who decided I should lead on account of my office; still, although we started with the understanding that I was to lead the company, my opposers never became reconciled to my presidency, until we got into difficulties at the Ohio River, where we could not proceed without better order. Here they yielded to my dictation through necessity; but when we had got down the Ohio River as far as Louisville a rebellious spirit was again manifested.
At this point I separated from the company; took my brother-in- law, Lewis Abbot and his wife, and proceeded by boat to St. Louis, where I arrived one day in advance of the company. On our arrival we found the cholera raging in St. Louis and vicinity. I went immediately to the outskirts of St. Louis, rented a house, and began my preparations to start overland to the west.
On the arrival of the other part of the company, I was sent for by them about midnight, to doctor them, but the messenger being unable to pilot me, I had to return to my house until morning, when I was sent for again, and soon found Brother Blackslee, but too late to do him any good. He died the next day.
I started for Jackson County, and arrived November 10, having been two weeks on the journey. I located in Jackson County with the brethren who had come from Colesville, where I was invited by Brother Joseph Knight, who was very sick with the bloody flux. I attended him faithfully and my wife nursed him; he succeeded in overcoming the disease and soon got well.
I had my inheritance, about thirty acres, set off by Bishop Partridge, on the Big Blue River, Jackson County, where, before spring opened, I had a comfortable log house built, into which I moved early in the spring and commenced clearing land to raise a small crop that year. I succeeded in getting some corn and potatoes planted, which did very well. Before the year was out the mob combined together and drove us out of the county. Some of the Saints moved into Clay County; others with myself removed to Lafayette County, where we wintered, and during which time I kept a common school and taught the children of the brethren.
In the spring of 1834, having learned that Joseph and a company were coming to relieve the brethren, I moved over with many others into Clay County, where I was living when they arrived. Several of those who came up in Zion's Camp remained in Missouri. I cultivated a small piece of land this summer and succeeded in raising some corn. I was chosen one of the high council.
In January, 1835, in company with Bishop Partridge and agreeable to revelation, I proceeded to Kirtland, where we arrived early in the spring, when I learned I had been chosen one of the Twelve Apostles.
May 4th, 1835, in company with the Twelve I left Kirtland and preached through the eastern states, holding conferences, regulating and organizing the churches, and returned September 25.
In the winter of 1835-36, I attended school, studied the first English grammar under Sidney Rigdon, and Hebrew under Professor Seixas (a Hebrew by birth), and in the spring returned to my place on Fishing River, in Clay County, Missouri, where I arrived in the month of April.
Soon after this, difficulties having occurred between the citizens of Clay County and the Saints, a meeting was held near Liberty, the county seat, for the purpose of amicably arranging matters. I was appointed a delegate from Fishing River. At that meeting a committee of twelve were appointed to draft resolutions, which were received by unanimous vote; when a committee of three, --viz., Lyman Wight, myself and Samuel Bent were appointed to meet next day in Liberty for the presentation of these resolutions. I was appointed by said committee, spokesman, and was enabled to speak so feelingly in relation to our previous persecutions and expulsions, that General Atchison could not refrain from shedding tears. This meeting passed resolutions to help the Saints to seek out a new location, and appointed committees to collect means to aid the poor Saints to remove.
The Church, considering the citizens were thus exerting themselves to have us removed, appointed Elisha H. Groves and myself to visit the churches in Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee, for the purpose of borrowing money to enter lands in the new settlement at the land office for the convenience of the Saints who were coming on. We started in July, and succeeded in borrowing upwards of $1400, principally from the brethren in Kentucky and Tennessee, at 10 percent interest.
September 19, 1836.--We parted with Brother Woodruff and the Saints in Kentucky, Brother D. [David] W. Patten and his wife accompanying us to Missouri. I proceeded immediately to the new city which had been laid out, and called Far West, in our absence.
On our arrival we delivered the money to those who sent us and received $1 per day and travelling expenses, for our services while gone. We furnished our own horses. I procured a lot immediately, built a house and moved into it. During the winter I made improvements on my lot; got up my firewood; attended councils and preached to the Saints.
About the month of June, 1837, I started for Kirtland in company with D. [David] W. Patten and Wm. [William] Smith, to try and reconcile some of the Twelve and others of high standing who had come out in opposition to the Prophet. On my journey I met Brother P. [Parley] P. Pratt about five miles west of Columbus, Ohio, moving to Far West; I prevailed on him to return with us to Kirtland. On our arrival I went to Brother Joseph's house, where I remained all the time I was in Kirtland.
About this time a special meeting was appointed at Joseph's house, by himself, to which several of the brethren who were disaffected were invited. I was chosen moderator, and called upon the aggrieved parties to speak first. A reconciliation was effected between all parties.
July 23rd, Joseph Smith, Jun., received a revelation to me concerning the Twelve Apostles; and on the 27th, I started with Joseph and Brother Rigdon for Canada. During this mission we visited the churches in Canada west, and returned about the last of August.
September 3.--I attended a conference held in Kirtland, in which Luke Johnson, Lyman E. Johnson and John F. Boynton were rejected. John F. Boynton plead, as an excuse for his course, the failure of the Kirtland Bank. President Brigham Young, in a plain and energetic manner, strongly protested against his course, and was not willing to receive him into fellowship until a hearty repentance and confession were manifested. I sus- tained Brother Brigham's remarks and acquiesced in his testimony.
Soon after, in company with Hyrum Smith, I proceeded to Missouri, where we arrived in October, and in a few weeks, Presidents Joseph and Sidney arrived, and we held a conference which sustained the authorities of the Church.
Sometime in the winter, George M. Hinkle, John Murdock and some others came to my house, and suggested the importance of calling a meeting to take into consideration the manner that W. [William] W. Phelps and David and John Whitmer had disposed of the money which I had borrowed in the Tennessee and Kentucky Branches in 1836. Accordingly, a meeting was called February 5th, 1838, and the conduct of the Presidency in Zion investigated. The Church would not sustain said presidency, but appointed myself and Brother D. [David] W. Patten presidents, pro tem., until Joseph Smith would arrive. We also reorganized the Church in Zion, placing every officer in his proper place. Joseph arrived in Far West, March 14th, and approved of the course we had pursued.
May 18.--In company with Joseph, Sidney and others, I went north in Daviess County. We met with Oliver Cowdery, Lyman E. Johnson and others encamped, who were also exploring northward on Grand River. We soon returned to Far West.
In August the mob recommenced their depredations against the Saints. About this time I got a beam in my eye and thought I could discover a mote in Joseph's eye, though it was nothing but a beam in my eye; I was so completely darkened that I did not think on the Savior's injunction: "Thou hypocrite, why beholdest thou the mote which is in thy brother's eye, when a beam is in thine own eye; first cast out the beam out of thine own eye, then thou shalt see clearly to get the mote out of thy brother's eye."
Had I seen this I should have discovered myself a hypocrite, but as I had often said while in the Church, if I ever apostatized I would go away quietly; I tried to do so, but the Saints kept inquiring of me if I was going to leave, and so did Joseph twice. I evaded him both times. The last time he almost got me into so tight a corner I could hardly evade. He put the question direct to me, whether I was going to leave? With an affected look of contempt I answered: "Joseph when you see me leave the Church, you will see a good fellow leave it."
After making preparations I started from Far West and moved three miles out of town, ostensibly for the purpose of settling, and soon moved off to Clay County, and from thence to Richmond, Ray County, where I saw David, John and Jacob Whitmer and Oliver Cowdery, who had all apostatized.
I enquired seriously of David if it was true that he had seen the angel, according to his testimony as one of the witnesses of the Book of Mormon. He replied as sure as there is a God in heaven, he saw the angel according to his testimony in that book. I asked him, if so, why he did not stand by Joseph? He answered, in the days when Joseph received the Book of Mormon, and brought it forth, he was a good man and filled with the Holy Ghost, but he considered he had now fallen. I interrogated Oliver Cowdery in the same manner, who answered similarly.

Todd wrote: I included it as an attachment. Might be easier to read now.


Braden wrote: Thanks Todd! Now we can all keep that on file! -B