On the 10th Day of Christmas Past because a mother had faith in Star Valley, a neighbor answered God’s call to help with no dilly dally. Story still available on yesterday’s 10th Day Question and Story post. Congrats to 10th Day drawing winner, Judy Bailey, who won a beautiful set of carved olive wood ornaments from...
Read MoreQuestion and Story 10th Day Christmas Past
Question 10th Day Christmas Past: What story did Harold B. Lee share that happened in Star Valley, Wyoming? (To be entered into today’s giveaway & FREE tour drawing, Comment & Share your thoughts of story below on Facebook or our blog.) Many years ago, President Harold B. Lee recounted to me an experience of a President Ballantyne who grew up in Star Valley, Wyoming. This is harsh country. The summers are short and fleeting, while the winters linger and chill. President Ballantyne told of a special Christmas season from his boyhood days. He said: “Father had a large family; and sometimes after we had our harvest, there was not very much left after expenses were paid. So Father would have to go away and hire out to some of the big ranchers for maybe a dollar a day, a little more than to take care of himself and very little to send home to Mother and the children. Things began to get pretty skimpy for us. “We had our family prayers around the table. On one such night when Father was gone, we gathered together, and Mother poured out of a pitcher, into the glass of each one, milk divided among the children—but none for herself. I, sensing that the milk in the pitcher was all that we had, pushed mine over to Mother and said, ‘Here, Mother. You drink mine.’ “‘No. Mother is not hungry tonight.'” Mothers are never hungry in cases like that. So he said, “It worried me. We drank our milk and went to bed. I could not sleep. I got up and tiptoed down the stairs, and there was Mother, out in the middle of the floor kneeling in prayer. She did not hear me as I came down in my bare feet, and I dropped to my knees and heard her say, ‘Heavenly Father, there is no food in our house. Please, Father, touch the heart of somebody so that my children will not be hungry in the morning.’ “When she finished her prayer, she looked around and saw that I had heard; and she said to me, somewhat embarrassed, ‘Now, you run along, Son. Everything will be all right.’ “I went to bed, assured by Mother’s faith. The next morning, I was awakened by the sounds of pots and pans being used in the kitchen and the smell of cooking food. I went down to the kitchen, and I said, ‘Mother, I thought you said there was no food.’ “All she said to me was, ‘Well, my boy, didn’t you think the Lord would answer my prayer?’ I received no further explanation than that. “Years passed, and I went away to college. I got married, and I returned to see the old folks. Bishop Gardner, now reaching up to a ripe age, said to me, ‘My son, let me tell you of...
Read MoreANSWER and WINNER 9th Day Christmas Past
On the 9th Day of Christmas Past Ezra Taft Benson was willing to serve in war-torn Europe but surprised. It would be hard but he was willing and his wife and children felt likewise. Story still available on yesterday’s 9th Day Question and Story post. Congrats to 9th Day drawing winner, MaryKay Jackson, who won a Holy family olive wood carved...
Read MoreQUESTION and Story 9th Day Christmas Past
Question 9th Day Christmas Past: How did Ezra Taft Benson and his family react to some news they received just before Christmas? (To be entered into today’s giveaway & FREE tour drawing, Comment & Share your thoughts of story below on Facebook or our blog.) SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1945: SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH President George Albert Smith called a special meeting of the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve in their office. The Twelve were seated around the table with the First Presidency at the head at a cross table. After the prayer President Smith referred to the fact that announcement had been made that Brothers Widtsoe and McKay would go to Europe, but he said that on further investigation they found conditions so bad in Europe that it would not be wise to send these two brethren, but to select a younger man. Elder Harold B. Lee tells the story: “I began quickly to look around the table, speculating as to who would be called. One of the first men I eliminated was Elder Benson, who had the largest family as well as the youngest. I’d not quite made my survey around the table when President Smith announced that they had decided to call Elder Ezra Taft Benson to go to Europe.” (ETB Reminiscences.) “After outlining the magnitude of the job, President Smith announced that I had been chosen to go and preside over the European Mission and take charge also of the distribution of relief help for our people in those war-torn countries. It came as a great shock, and I was asked what my wife would say to my leaving her with a young family. I assured the Brethren that I could always count on my wife’s full support in any call from the Church.” The meeting then ratified unanimously President Smith’s nomination. Now I am to put my affairs in order promptly and go to Washington, D.C., to try and get the necessary permit and transportation to England. (ETB Journal.) President Smith said: “I am not at all concerned about you. You will be just as safe there as anywhere else in the world if you take care of yourself, and you will be able to accomplish a great work.” (ETB Reminiscences.) Later in a sweet and impressive talk with my wife, sanctified by tears, Flora expressed loving gratitude and assured me of her wholehearted support. At dinner I told the children, who were surprised, interested, and fully loyal. (ETB Journal.) SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1945: SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH First notices that the welfare packages being sent to Europe by the Church for the relief of destitute members of the Church are being received in good condition-and are bringing happiness to many people-have been received this week at the Church Offices. The first words of thanks received have come from Holland. This country...
Read MoreANSWER & Winner 8th Day Christmas Past
On the 8th Day of Christmas Past the Apostles in Great Britain, had never made greater sacrifices nor enjoyed greater blessings than on their Apostolic Mission. Story still available on yesterday’s 8th Day Question and Story post. You could see these sites on our England & Wales Tour April 28 – May 9, 2913! Congrats to 8th Day drawing winner, David Constable, who won an olive wood oval frame with the Holy Family carved in...
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