Posted by admin on Dec 21, 2013 in Christmas Past 2013 | 3 comments

Question 10th Day Christmas Past:  What was one of the greatest lessons Harold B. Lee’s daughters learned from their parents? (To be entered into today’s giveaway & FREE tour drawing, Comment & Share your thoughts of story below on Facebook or our blog.) Pres. Harold B. Lee asked his two daughters if they would like to participate in a special project and help a family for Christmas.  The Depression was still raging, and many families continued to struggle.  Before they answered, their father cautioned them, “Remember, it would mean that you two would not have as many gifts as in the past.  And for the family, we would not have so fancy a dinner, either.” The girls didn’t hesitate.  Helen and Maurine were excited to be part of this Christmas surprise.  They found some dolls they no longer played with and began to make them look like new.  They styled the dolls’ hair and painted their faces, and their aunt made beautiful new clothes for them.  They went through their many things and chose other games and toys that could be repaired and cleaned up to give away.  Their mother, meanwhile, was busy making pies and cooking a turkey for dinner.  It soon came time to deliver the Christmas gifts and food they had prepared.  One of the girls said that at the moment they had to put their dearly loved dolls into the arms of their new “mothers,” they were somewhat reluctant and needed a nudge from their mother.  But they did it, and then the Christmas miracle happened.  Helen said, “When we saw how happy those under privileged little girls were with our dolls, we felt a joy and pride that we could add to their happiness on this Christmas Eve.” The girls agreed that it was one of the greatest lessons their parents had ever taught them – that sharing and caring for the needs of others always brings the greatest happiness. Taken from: Laura Willes, “Christmas with the Prophets,” p....

Posted by admin on Dec 21, 2013 in Christmas Past 2013 |

Answer 9th Day Christmas Past:The McKay’s were married just after New Year’s and Pres. McKay surprised his delighted wife with a new piano for Christmas. Story still available on yesterday’s 9th Day Question website blog post. Congrats to 9th Day drawing winner, Don Wright, who won a set of hand carved olive wood ornaments along with an olive wood Nativity scene...

Posted by admin on Dec 20, 2013 in Christmas Past 2013 | 4 comments

Question 9th Day Christmas Past:  What are two of many special things that happened in the David O. McKay family during the holiday season? (To be entered into today’s giveaway & FREE tour drawing, Comment & Share your thoughts of story below on Facebook or our blog.) “That Young Man Will Amount to Something”  & “The Old Chickering” Ray [Emma Ray Riggs] was about eighteen when her mother called to her one day to look out of the front room window. Joining her mother, she was impressed by what she saw. Two tall, handsome young men, each holding an arm to help their mother up the walk, were accompanied by their two younger sisters. “See, Ray, how attentive the boys are to their mother. They will make fine husbands for some fortunate girls someday.” While attending the University of Deseret, these young people were to be tenants of her mother’s home for the next two years and were to be numbered among Ray’s best friends. Little did she realize then that six years hence, the dear friends would be her brother and sisters, and David O. McKay, the dearest one of all, her beloved, lifelong companion. Ray, too, was attending the University of Deseret. One day as she was walking down a corridor she heard someone speaking. Noticing the door of the room ajar, she stood in the hallway and listened to a talk given by young David O. McKay before the Normal Society. That young man will amount to something someday, she thought to herself. In June 1897, David O. McKay, president of his class, was graduated from the Normal School and was chosen to be the valedictorian. During the commencement exercise, Ray, thrilled by his words, wondered whether she would ever see him again. She was overjoyed when, in July of that same year, his sisters, Jeannette and Ann McKay, invited her to Huntsville to attend David O.’s missionary farewell, and she willingly accepted. That evening after the program David O. walked Ray from the chapel to the McKay home, holding her hand all the way. They agreed to correspond while he was away. Just before he was released from his mission, David O. received an appointment by mail to teach at the Weber Stake Academy in Ogden, which he readily accepted. The courtship that had begun at his missionary farewell blossomed through correspondence and was continued in earnest for a year and a half after he returned from Scotland in August 1899. One colorful autumn afternoon under a graceful umbrella tree, he proposed to her in Lester Park in Ogden. She was thrilled but answered, “Are you sure you want me?” “Yes. I am very sure,” smiled her sweetheart. They became engaged. It was some months later, just after New Year’s Day on January 2, 1901, when David O. called for Ray in his horse-drawn hack...

Posted by admin on Dec 20, 2013 in Christmas Past 2013 |

Answer 8th Day Christmas Past: During the World War, Spencer W. Kimball saw enemies meeting on neutral ground to shake hands and exchange souvenirs, unmindful of war.  There is only one reason for such an amazing display of human goodness.  If Christmas did not have Christ at its center, it would long ago have vanished along with other ancient holidays. Story still available on yesterday’s 8th Day Question website blog post. Congrats to 8th Day drawing winner, Margaret Davies, who won a china plate of the Nauvoo...

Posted by admin on Dec 19, 2013 in Christmas Past 2013 | 7 comments

Question 8th Day Christmas Past:  What did Pres. Spencer W. Kimball witness in the trenches on Christmas during the World War?  Did any of our war veterans witness anything like this? (To be entered into today’s giveaway & FREE tour drawing, Comment & Share your thoughts of story below on Facebook or our blog.) President Spencer W. Kimball, before he ever became an apostle, related a Christmas story to Primary children about World War I. He said: “One Christmas during the World War, when no-man’s land between the trenches was white with snow, the troops in a certain ‘quiet sector’ began to exchange holiday greetings by means of crudely painted signs. A few minutes later, men who spoke German and men who spoke English were climbing from their trenches without guns and meeting on neutral ground to shake hands and exchange souvenirs, unmindful of war . . . Friends they were, not enemies, this Christmas day.” Then, after becoming an apostle, he returned to the theme, writing in a Christmas pamphlet that Christmas “transcends the individual, the family, the community, the nation; it approaches the universal, crosses borders, and touches many nations of the earth. Our caroling voices sing the sweet songs of Christmas reminiscent somewhat of the host of heavenly angelic voices in the long ago, praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.’ “. (Teachings, p. 246.) Christmas, indeed, is the one time of the year when peace seems to be taken seriously. Despite the commercialism of the season, it truly transcends not only national borders, but also the borders of time, feelings and minds. Look at the ritual and customs that surround Christmas. From Druid gatherers of mistletoe to St. Nicholas who lived in Russia, Christmas has accumulated legends and rituals from throughout the world. There’s only one reason for such an amazing display of human goodness: the reason why Christmas is commemorated at all. If it did not have Christ at its center, it would long ago have vanished along with other ancient holidays. The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p. 419 & 246. The Prince of Peace , LDS Church News, 1995, 12/23/95...

Posted by admin on Dec 19, 2013 in Christmas Past 2013 |

Answer 7th Day Christmas Past: The emigrating Saints were protected by the Lord from a hurricane that sunk 150 other ships. Story still available on yesterday’s 7th Day Question website blog post. Congrats to 7th Day drawing winner, Meredith Brito, who won a star framed Holy Family statue hand carved from...