Posted by admin on Dec 21, 2015 in Christmas Past 2015 | 9 comments

On the 10th Day Christmas Past, Hunter’s Croonaders. Question:  What opportunity came Pres. Howard W. Hunter’s way around Christmas time 1926 and what can we learn from his example? (To be entered into today’s daily giveaway & FREE tour drawing, Comment & Share your thoughts on Facebook or our blog of story below.) Hunter’s Croonaders As a young man Pres. Howard W. Hunter was adept at playing many musical instruments. In high school he organized his own band, called “Hunter’s Croonaders.” The band became popular in the Boise, Idaho area, providing music at weddings, churches, parties, and clubs. In 1925 alone they played for 53 dances. Toward the end of 1926, nineteen-year-old Howard was offered a contract to provide a five-piece orchestra for a 2 month cruise to the Orient. This was an exciting opportunity for Howard, who had had little opportunity to travel until then. The group would be required to play classical music at dinners, music for dancing, and background music for movies shown on board ship. (In those days there were only silent movies, so background music was supplied by an organist, pianist, or band.) In great anticipation, Howard pulled together his musicians and sheet music and began rehearsing. He spent Christmas in 1926 with his family in Boise, both celebrating the holiday and preparing for the big adventure that was to come. A few days later his parents took him to the station in Boise to catch the train for Seattle, where he boarded ship on Jan. 1. Despite the rough seas at the beginning, the cruise was a success. Howard was able to see Japan, the Philippines, Hong Kong, and Shanghai, China. After the cruise, Howard looked to his future. He moved to California, where he played with various orchestras to make a little money. But he soon realized he could not have the future life he wanted – with a wife and family and service in the Church – by playing in a band. He explained, “The association with many of the musicians was not enjoyable because of their drinking and moral standards.” In 1931, four days before his marriage, Howard played his last engagement. When he came home that night, he packed up his saxophones, clarinets, and music, put them on a shelf, and turned his face toward marriage, a stable family life, a career in law, and a lifetime of service in the Church.” Taken from: Laura Willes, Christmas with the Prophets, p....

Posted by admin on Dec 21, 2015 in Christmas Past 2015 |

Answer 9th Day Christmas Past:  Martin Luther wanted to share with his family the beauty that he saw when he looked up through the beautiful forest of evergreen trees toward the stars.  They seemed to blend and become part of each other, like ornaments on the trees, so he brought home an evergreen tree to decorate. Congrats to 9th Day drawing winner, Betty Bringhurst, who won a set of hand carved olivewood musical angels from Israel! Please contact MHA office 801-272-5601 or info@mormonheritage.com within 30 days to arrange for how to receive your prize. Thank you everyone for your insights on both FB and our blog. The Story still available on yesterday’s Question website blog...

Posted by admin on Dec 20, 2015 in Christmas Past 2015 | 5 comments

On the 9th Day Christmas Past,”O Christmas Tree.” Question: What is one of the legends of how Christmas Trees originated? (To be entered into today’s daily giveaway & FREE tour drawing, Comment & Share your thoughts on Facebook or our blog of story below.) O Christmas Tree A Christmas song that originated in Germany a long time ago is “O Tannenbaum,” or translated, it is “O Christmas Tree.”  One legend of how it came to be that we set up Christmas trees in our homes as we commemorate the birth of Christ started with Martin Luther. One night during a Christmas season many years ago, Martin Luther was walking through the forest. He was thinking about Christmas. And his heart was also filled with the wonder and beauty of God’s natural creations. As he looked up through the beautiful forest of evergreen trees toward the stars, the trees and the stars seemed to blend with and become a part of each other. And the loveliness of the evening made the scene particularly pleasant. He was greatly motivated with the fragrance of the evergreen in his lungs, their beauty in his eyes, and their symbolism in his heart. The stars were so low and bright that they seemed like ornaments decorating the forest trees; and some of the great stars, standing above the treetops, were reminiscent of that famous star which led the wise men across the desert and stood above the stable at Bethlehem. All of these forest trees seemed to be pointing Martin Luther up toward God. When the breezes blew through the needles they sounded as if God’s angels were playing anthems of praise on heavenly instruments. Under these circumstances it was not difficult for him to go back in his mind and absorb the joy and worship of that first Christmas night long ago. Martin Luther wanted his family to enjoy this satisfying sight, and so he selected a particularly beautiful and shapely tree that seemed to have an appropriate personality and character. He cut it down and set it up in his home. Then he decorated it with lighted candles and tinsel and colored ornaments to make it shine out in all of its natural brightness and beauty. He was trying to represent to his family what he had seen and felt in the garden of God’s great outdoor forest. How appropriate that the Christmas tree, which is symbolic of everlasting life, should also be lighted with the most beautiful kinds and colors of lights. While the tree’s natural fragrance fills the house with perfume, the crackling of the Christmas fire and the warmth that comes from our own hearts help us to fill our souls with the spirit of worship of him who is the author of our salvation, the finisher of our faith, and the Savior of our souls. At Christmastime we are prompted to turn on...