2014 Christmas Past GRAND PRIZE WINNER!

Posted by on Dec 24, 2014 in Christmas Past 2014 |

Congrats to the GRAND PRIZE DRAWING WINNER, Marcia Grossmick-Acevedo, who won a seat on our Palmyra to Kirtland Church History Tour! On June 15-20, 2015 she will enjoy the amazing sites of the restoration!! Please contact MHA office 801-272-5601 or info@mormonheritage.com within 30 days to arrange for how to receive your prize. Merry Christmas to everyone and thank you for participating in our annual Christmas Past Contest this...

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Want one last Grand Prize Entry?

Posted by on Dec 24, 2014 in Christmas Past 2014 | 3 comments

Today we will draw out this year’s winner of our Grand Prize, a trip on our Palmyra to Kirtland Church History Tour!!  If you would like one last entry share your favorite Christmas memory or tradition.  You have until 4:00 pm Eastern time for it to be included in our grand prize drawing....

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12th Day Answer & Winner

Posted by on Dec 24, 2014 in Christmas Past 2014 |

Answer 12th Day Christmas Past:  Thank you for sharing your favorite Christmas symbol in the story.  There are many other Christmas symbols as well not mentioned that we can take the time to ponder on. Congrats to 12th Day drawing winner, Kristina Blackburn, who won a handmade Woman at the Well olive wood figurine 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...

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12th Day Christmas Past Question & Story

Posted by on Dec 23, 2014 in Christmas Past 2014 | 6 comments

Our last day of Christmas Past is here.  We will be having our Grand Prize Drawing on Christmas Eve!! On the 12th Day Christmas Past, teach them of Christmas Symbols… Question: Which of the Christmas symbols mentioned means the most to you? (To be entered into today’s daily giveaway & FREE tour drawing, Comment & Share your thoughts on Facebook or our blog of story below.) The Symbols of Christmas Late one Christmas Eve I sank into my easy chair. Admiring the tree with it’s decorations, I couldn’t help but feel that something was missing… The kids were in bed, the gifts were all wrapped, the milk and cookies were in their place for Santa… It wasn’t long before the tiny twinkling tree lights lulled me into a deep sleep. I don’t know how long I slept, but all of a sudden I opened my eyes and there stood Santa Claus himself next to my Christmas Tree. He was dressed all in fur from his head to his foot just as the poem described him. But he was not the “jolly old elf” of Christmas legend. The man who stood before me looked sad and disappointed with tears in his eyes. I had to ask, “Santa, what’s wrong? Why are you crying?” “It’s the children” Santa replied sadly. “but the children love you.” I said. “Oh I know they love me and the gifts I bring them,” Santa said. “But the children of today seem to have somehow missed out on the true spirit of Christmas. It’s not their fault. It just that the adults, many of them not having been taught themselves, have forgotten to teach the children.” “Teach them what?” I asked. Santa’s kind old face became soft and gentle. His eyes began to shine with something more than tears. He spoke softly. “Teach the children the true meaning of Christmas. Teach them that the parts of Christmas we can see, hear, and touch are much more than meets the eye. Teach them the symbolism behind the customs and traditions of Christmas we now observe. Teach them what it is that they truly represent.” Santa reached into his bag and pulled out a tiny Christmas tree and set it on the fireplace mantle. “teach them about the Christmas tree. Green is the second color of Christmas. The stately evergreen with its unchanging color represents the hope of eternal life in Jesus. Its needles point heaven ward as a reminder that man’s thoughts should turn heaven ward as well.” (–sing “I lived in Heaven”) Santa reached into his bag again and pulled out a shiny star and placed it at the top of the small tree. “The star was the heavenly sign of promise. God promised a Savior for the world and the star was the sign of the fulfillment of that promise on the night that Jesus...

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11th Day Answer & Winner

Posted by on Dec 23, 2014 in Christmas Past 2014 |

Answer 11th Day Christmas Past: He learned just what his mother meant when she said, “After all, Christmas is in our hearts!” Congrats to 11th Day drawing winner, Annette Hoyle, who won a Nauvoo Temple Star Plate! 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...

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11th Day Christmas Past Question & Story

Posted by on Dec 22, 2014 in Christmas Past 2014 | 4 comments

On the 11th Day Christmas Past, “maybe Christmas doesn’t come from a store!” Question: What did a young pioneer boy learn about where Christmas comes from? (To be entered into today’s daily giveaway & FREE tour drawing, Comment & Share your thoughts on Facebook or our blog of story below.) Christmas Surprises Peter Hagen sat at the kitchen table in their small cabin and watched his mother remove four loaves of bread from the oven. Usually the smell of freshly baked bread made him feel happy, but today he was worried. “Will we have a Christmas this year?” Peter asked his mother. “Of course we will,” Mother replied. “We’re not in Ohio anymore, but I think our Christmas will be just as good as if we were. You’ll see.” Already Peter missed the gaily decorated Christmas tree, wrapped presents, delicious cookies, and the friends with whom he’d spent so many happy hours. It was just ten months ago that ten-year-old Peter, his five-year-old sister, Ruthie, and their parents had journeyed west from Ohio by covered wagon to settle on the plains of the Dakota Territory. Peter couldn’t understand how his father could think that living on a farm in such a lonely area was worth leaving their comfortable home in Ohio. “How can Christmas be the same?” Peter asked his mother. “There aren’t any stores where we can buy presents, or any friends to enjoy shopping with even if there were stores.” “Well, Peter, there are many kinds of gifts we can give besides the ones we buy in a store,” answered Mother. That evening at supper Peter was still worried about celebrating Christmas in their new home. “Dad, will we at least have a Christmas tree this year?” he asked. “We’ll have a tree,” Father said as he smiled at Peter and Ruthie. “We couldn’t bring our tinsel and glass ornaments with us, so we’ll have to depend on you to make the decorations for our tree.” “That might be fun,” said Peter. He noticed Ruthie was smiling too. “I’d like a doll for Christmas,” Ruthie said suddenly. “A big doll with a pretty dress.” “Maybe, Ruthie,” Mother answered finally. “But don’t count too much on it.” Oh, I hope she can have a doll, Peter thought. I still wish we were back in our old home where there were stores so we could buy things. “What would you like for Christmas, Dad?” Peter asked. Father thought a moment and answered, “I suppose a new saddle for our horse.” “And what do you want, Mom?” Ruthie asked. “I would like a piano just like the one we left behind,” Mother replied. “I do miss my music.” Peter couldn’t help but join in with a wish for himself. “I’d like some ice skates. It’s not easy to skate on the pond in my boots.” After supper Peter and Ruthie...

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