Erin is Going to Girl's Camp with AnnMarie

David,
It is time for me to start gathering parental consent forms for girl's camp.  I am excited Erin is going with us.  I have already gotten the approvals needed for her to attend.  It starts July 31 and goes through August 4.  I am collecting the forms by June 15, so I don't know if you can sign it and scan it and send it back to me.

I'll work out picking her up from you in St. George.  Dad said he could come get her, but I could also.

One thing to note, our camp is at 10,000 feet, so the nights are pretty chilly.  Probably like what she experienced in Colorado.  She'll need to bring warm bedding and clothes.  But it also gets pretty warm in the days, so dressing in layers is the key.

I have some fun things planned for our stake:  making jewelry, hikes around the rim of the camp, canoeing on the lake, singing with a guitar in the open air, and yummy food.  She will have so much fun with Megan.  Thanks for letting her come.

I am technologically challenged, so I am sending you the link for the consent form.  Since it is a secure link, please don't forward it to anyone else.

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=ZGVmYXVsdGRvbWFpbnx5d2NhbXBtaWFzaGFsb218Z3g6NDgxMDdiZjQ1YjRmY2Q1Mw.

Here is the packing list link:

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=ZGVmYXVsdGRvbWFpbnx5d2NhbXBtaWFzaGFsb218Z3g6NGJmNWFkZWJlYTRiYTU1OQ&pli=1

Don't worry about the camp manual, scriptures, or secret sister gifts - I'll take care of all that.

Megan is going to mother her, so she will never feel alone or like an outsider.  (She even mothers me.)

Let me know if these links don't work.

I guess this did not come through the first time.  It just has two links for you to print.  One is the permission slip which I have asked all the wards to have to me by the 15th (or shortly after) and the other is the packing list.  Read the original email below for further details.  I am so excited to have her join us so I can connect with her better.  It is a tough age for girls, but they seem to work off some rough edges at camp.


You can text me at 801-735-7438, email me, or call me with any questions.  I am quickest with the texting - I can reply in almost any meeting I am in.

Dad and I will work out picking her up and dropping her off again.

Love,
Ams

EllaDean's Son Is Stake Patriarch

EllaDean Hunter wrote: Dear Myrna
I had some very spiritual news tonight.

My son who has been a bishop in Green River, Wyoming for 4 and a half years, will be released this week end and be made Stake Patriarch.

I am so amazed that this calling could come into our family.  We are so very thankful to our Heavenly Father.  I just don't have word to explain how thankful and grateful I am.  I Love my Heavenly Father so very much.

I just wanted you to know.

Sister Hunter.

Oh and  I saw in the church news that we are getting a new temple President. That is wonderful.  It doesn't seem that it is time yet.  


Myrna wrote: I was in Texas when you sent this. My grandson returned from a mission and gave his homecoming talk. His younger brother went to the temple to receive his endowments so he can leave on his mission. 

What a wonderful thing has happened in your family. He must be a special man to receive such a spiritual calling. How proud, as well as thankful, you must be. I just want you to know how pleased we are for you and for your family. You well deserve the blessing of having a great son because you are such a good, kind and loving woman. I know that you are a great mother. We extend our congratulations to you all. 

We now know who the president is but we still have not been told who the counselors are. I will miss President Pinegar.


EllaDean wrote: Thank you Myrna.
I am very happy for him and for our whole family.  I have felt the blessings of this calling to him in  my life.

And what a wonderful thing to have happen in your family.  I think to have family members go on missions, especially our young men.  It is such a maturing event in their lives.  I have a grandson who didn't go on a mission and he has not matured spiritually as he would have.  In fact he doesn't even go to church. He baptized his wife before they were married and she doesn't want anything to do with the church.
I pray all the time for him.  Sometimes I don't feel the Lord hears my prayers.  I'm sure He does, and time is not yet.  But I keep praying.

Thank you again.  
My love to you.
EllaDean

Things from FAIR make me uneasy

AnnMarie wrote: Things from FAIR make me uneasy

I don't believe Joseph borrowed truth from the masons.  I believe the truth existed in the masons because they are a remaining vestige of temple ceremonies that Moses had instituted.  Joseph was just restoring the truths that were here once before.  I am one of those he pokes fun of for looking around to find explanations because I believe (as did some of my religion teachers) that the truths we find in other religions and in ancient findings are indeed remaining truths from Christ's church which had been brought forth through Adam, Moses, and Abraham.  I don't like his tone that those of us who believe that way are "scrambling frantically" or are not experiencing "real humility and generosity of spirit to be taught."  By being taught reformed Egyptian and Hebrew, I don't think Joseph was acknowledging that it was needed to then borrow from others, I think it was so he could understand what truths had once been here and find them again.

Just my humble opinion.

Myrna Trauntvein wrote:

An article: "When Souls Had Wings: What the Western Tradition Has to teach Us About Pre-Existence," by Professor Terryl Givens, printed by FAIR, was the conversation topic among some of the ladies at the temple when they were eating in the lunchroom. I think I do not even begin to understand. However, this does make sense as stated in paragraph two: "The Restoration is neither full nor complete. Brigham once said, in reference to the keys of resurrection, 'This is one of the ordinances we can not receive here, and there are many more.'"

The paragraph immediately following, out of a long article, is the most objectionable paragraph and does not appear to have credit. We can bear testimony of Joseph Smith and that he served as the prophet, seer and revelator who talked with our Savior and saw Him face to face on more than one occasion. Why would anyone in communication with Christ need to borrow any information from any source. He had a direct line.

"What if, instead of scrambling frantically to find explanations when Joseph appears to have borrowed from the masons, or Ethan Smith, or Tom Dick, we instead see another marvelous possibility of his actually practicing what he preached: As Brigham characterized his position, 'If you can find a truth in heaven, earth or hell, it belongs to our doctrine. We believe it; it is ours; we claim it.' It takes real humility and generosity of spirit to be taught. Our contemporary condescension in this regard was clearly foreign to a prophet who showed the world he could translate gold plates written in Reformed Egyptian [only by revelation], then hired a Jewish schoolmaster to teach him Hebrew."

Re-reading the material, I agree totally with AnnMarie.


I would like all to read what AnnMarie wrote. I wish she had been there for the original conversation. Sometimes I just read, wonder and ponder and don't think as deeply as I should. Thanks AnnMarie.

We should also consider the words which follow:

“What Hath God Wrought through His Servant Joseph!” BY PRESIDENT GORDON B. HINCKLEY, bears testimony of the greatness of Joseph Smith.

"The words of William W. Phelps’s great hymn always stir me: “Praise to the man who communed with Jehovah! Jesus anointed that Prophet and Seer. Blessed to open the last dispensation, kings shall extol him, and nations revere” (“Praise to the Man,” Hymns, number 27).

"The life and ministry of the Prophet Joseph Smith are indeed the substance of great things and remarkable events. They have created a legacy that will continue to increase among mankind. He was the Lord’s latter-day servant who was chosen to bear witness anew of the resurrected Christ.

"To a world plagued with doubt over the actuality of the Resurrection, Joseph Smith testified unequivocally of the risen, living Christ. That testimony was spoken in many ways and under many circumstances.

"First, he spoke out of the experience of his incomparable vision of the Father and the Son, whom he both saw and heard. They were individual personages of form and substance, of body and voice. They spoke with him as one man speaketh with another (see Ex. 33:11).

"Secondly, as the instrumentality through which came the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith has borne witness of the Savior to all who have read and will read that volume. Its constantly recurring message is a testimony of the promised Messiah who came to earth and gave his life for the sins of all mankind and who rose triumphant from the grave as “the firstfruits of them that slept” (1 Cor. 15:20).

"Thirdly, Joseph Smith bore witness of the living Lord through the church which carries the name of Jesus Christ. Its members are expected by precept and example to bear witness of Him in whose name they meet and serve.

"Fourthly, Joseph Smith testified of the risen Lord when by the power of his prophetic office he spoke these remarkable words:

“And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!

“For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—

“That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God” (D&C 76:22–24).

Finally, he sealed that testimony with his life’s blood, dying a martyr to the truths of which he had spoken concerning the Redeemer of the world, in whose name he had carried on his ministry.

"The Prophet Joseph Smith was a preeminent witness of the living Christ."

Dad Returned It Without Problem

Myrna wrote: I don't know why the Redbox yesterday acted like it did. Dad just went into 7-11 this a.m. and asked for help from the man working and it just went right in.

Kimberly wrote: There was an out order sign on it the next morning.

Shawn wrote: Thanks, the machine in Cortez had a "broken" sign on it the next day. Thanks for returning it.

Myrna wrote: Oh, that was why. I didn't go to the machine with Julie but she said that it kept telling her that she needed to swipe a credit card first.

Kimberly wrote: Can you give me the photobucket information?

Visit Brigitta

Kimberly: Although Brigitta can't come with us, she is available until 6pm tues. Just email her.

Myrna: We are leaving Nephi early enough that we can meet Jim and Julie at 10 a.m. at Salina. I don't know how long it will take us to get there. Do you?

Brigitta: About 2 hours and 23 minutes according to mapquest. So I'll see you around 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm?

Myrna: Sounds great. I know that Gramps plans on driving a bit slower because of the trailer. But it should work.

Brigitta: Alright, can't wait to see you! I love ya guys, just text 801-869-4746 when you're near.

Myrna: How long does the trip take you?

Brigitta: Half an hour to town

Myrna: It was a short visit but so worth it. Thanks for coming to see us!

Brigitta: Haha, you're the ones that when out of your way! :P I hope you guys had fun! Miss ya!

-Brigitta

Visit to Brigitta

Kimberly wrote: Although she can't come with us, she is available until 6 p.m. Tuesday. Just email her.

Myrna wrote: We are leaving Nephi early enough that we can meet Jim and Julie at 10 a.m. at Salina. I don't know how long it will take us to get there. Do you?

Brigitta wrote: About 2 hours and 23 minutes according to mapquest. So I'll see you around 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.?

Myrna wrote: Sounds great. I know that Gramps plans on driving a bit slower because of the trailer. But it should work.

Brigitta wrote: Alright, can't wait to see you! I love ya guys, just text 801-869-4746 when you're near.

Myrna wrote: How long does the trip take you?

Brigitta wrote: Half an hour to town.

Myrna wrote: It was a short visit but so worth it. Thanks for coming to see us!

Price Cemetery Visit

Stephanie, Julie, Jens, Christene, and Mary Jones at the Price City Cemetery on Memorial Day.

Price Census 1940

Just found Grandma and Grandpa Pitts.  Looks like Ruth Pitts lists them as living with her.  Shows Grandpa's employment, how many hours he worked, that Grandma Pitts was not working, education level reached by all listed, value of residence, that Grandma Pitts had lived in Emery County prior to this, etc.

 

Here is the link for this page of the Price census:  https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1971-27861-11669-15?cc=2000219&wc=MMGW-6NL:n27819400.  Hopefully you can click on the link, if not, copy and paste.  Again, the zoom is in the upper right hand corner.  The mark next to Ruth shows she was the one who gave the information.  It shows neighbors and other data, as well.

I am attaching the Word copy of this also. I tried to crop it and hopefully this is readable.  Brandon is asleep and so I am on my own with the program I hate the most (sorry Word fans).   

Ams

Myrna wrote: I also hate that program but it looks fine. I downloaded it as word but cannot figure out how to post it to the blog. It is interesting and, please note, that the 1920 census spelled the surname wrong so this is an improvement.

WHAT IS BONEY COAL‏?

WHAT IS BONEY COAL AND WHAT WERE THE BONEY DUMPS?



I thought you had all heard Dad talk about those who were boney pickers. He did not look down on them because everyone was necessary. There were also nippers, motormen, blasters, loaders. Now there are continuous miners and front end loaders and there are no boney pickers.



"Boney" (or bony) is a type of coal that contains more rock than coal, and it was once sorted out and discarded. Kenilworth did have a high grade of coal but there is no mine that does not have rock and overburden in the coal it produces. Coal is found in seams and some are thicker than others. Kenilworth, and most Utah mines, have deep seams. Remember that lump coal was used to heat homes, rather than the slack which came into use when stokers were invented. Since the coal was mined in larger pieces, there would be larger pieces of stone in it.



 In the days before cleaning plants, boney pickers labored inside the tipple and separated good coal from pieces of slate, rock, and sulfur. In the early days of mining, the thankless job paid so little that usually young boys and older men performed this task. Many boys under the age of fifteen used to work up to twelve hour days until laws were passed that required boys to be fifteen years old. Later, the number of hours that boys worked were reduced to protect their health and allow them the time to get an education. Grandpa only graduated from the eighth grade, though he later took mine bossing courses, because he started working so young.


There was a time that the term "boney picker' also denoted a person who was lazy. Older men sometimes chose to be a boney picker to earn just enough money to buy liquor. The term also denoted someone who was poor, because many poor people used to scour the "boney dumps" to pick out usable coal from unwanted coal.

Later the job was more of an entry level job into the mining industry. Unions made certain that all miners were paid a working wage and, as in Kenilworth, housing was available for miners. Of course, there was still a "silk stocking row," where the bosses lived. There was also a company store where, as Johnny Cash sang, many miners owed their "souls to the company store." That was because they could buy on credit and pay when the paycheck came. I think you all remember that Grandma would send you to the store to buy something for her and would tell you to put it on her bill. She would, later, go up and pay off what was owed.

Nowadays, boney coal is crushed into a powdery form and burned at electrical generating plants.

As an aside, there was also a time when young boys were used as chimney sweeps, because their small bodies could fit inside of chimneys. Once inside, they used a special broom to remove the soot from the walls of the chimney that had built up over time. (If chimneys weren't cleaned, smoke would not be able to escape and therefore would back up into the house.) Unfortunately, these boys would breathe in a lot of fine soot that collected in their lungs. Many of them developed a bad cough and many had trouble breathing. Many of them also died young, as young as the age of twenty.

Kenilworth Census 1940‏

AnnMarie wrote: I was indexing tonight and decided to look at the Utah records that have already been indexed.  These are from 1940 Census, Utah, Kenilworth.  (I looked at Price, but haven't had luck yet finding Pitts.)

For those who don't index, the mark next to Gladys means she was the person who reported the information.  Dad, you should recognize names of neighbors that are above and below the Trauntvein name.  If you haven't indexed, looking at the writing might be difficult, but your eyes will adjust.  It appears the last name was spelled incorrectly by the census taker.  (I'd be interested to see how the people indexing the record spelled it.)  It records Grandpa's employment and other fun facts like the fact Dad was single and 5 years old.

Here is the direct link to the record:  https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1961-27861-12019-55?cc=2000219&wc=MMGW-6N3:1360322857.  Just copy and paste the link into your browser.  Once the page opens, on the left hand near the top there is a "zoom" button, click on that and it will enlarge the image.  Then just move the image around using you mouse control.

Attached is the snapshot of the page saved in Word.  It is hard to see, but again, you can enlarge the image. (Myrna wrote: I saved the image to the computer.)

Ams


By the way, the questions at the top of the document are very blurry on this census.  But if you go to Family Search indexing, it will show you a sample 1940 census so you can see what questions Grandma was answering to understand the symbols on the record.  For example, it shows that Dad was reported not attending school, his gender, race, and information about Grandpa's and Grandma's schooling.  Looking closer I see the name of a teacher in Kenilworth, the McGuires whom I assume are the Screwdrivers (remember Dad's story about Mr. Screwdriver), some bony pickers from the mine (not sure what that is), etc.

Myrna wrote: Boney pickers were the people who hand-picked rock from the good coal.