Posted by admin on Dec 20, 2014 in Christmas Past 2014 |

Answer 8th Day Christmas Past: Joseph Fielding Smith’s family enjoyed music and oranges at Christmas. Congrats to 8th Day drawing winner, Margaret Davies, who won two beautiful Kirtland ornaments!   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 19, 2014 in Christmas Past 2014 | 9 comments

On the 8th Day Christmas Past, simple Christmas fun. Question:  What two things did the Joesph Fielding Smith family look forward to at Christmas time? (To be entered into today’s daily giveaway & FREE tour drawing, Comment & Share your thoughts on Facebook or our blog of story below.) Christmas Oranges Amelia, daughter of Pres. Joseph Fielding Smith, shared two of her favorite family Christmas enjoyments. She recalls: “At Christmas father might tell us stories about when he was a little boy.  Father and Mother saw that each of their children got an orange and an apple a candy cane and maybe some other little candy in their stockings.  Oranges were a special treat.  The only time we got oranges ordinarily was when somebody got sick, and then dad thought that oranges were good medicine, when you were sick, and then he’d sit and peel the orange, and feed us one section at a time.   Father made sure that we ate it. Music was a part of our Christmas celebrations.  Father liked good music.  And one of the first Christmases I can remember was when he got… some records and he’d play them, and then he’d dance around. We had this old Victrola that had to wind up this way to play.  Dad would dance to the music, if it was a march he’d march around, if it was a dance, he’d he d do a little jig, things like that. As Christmas came to a close, the family would gather together and sing.  We sang Christmas carols and we sang hymns… then he’d say well alright now it’s time to go to bed and so he’d shew us up to bed.” Two incredibly simple things that left unforgettable impressions.  Challenge: Include a special, one time a year treat into your celebrations. Taken from:  Larry C. Porter, “Remembering Christmas Past Presidents of the Church Celebrate the Birth of the Son of Man and Remember His Servant Joseph Smith”, p....

Posted by admin on Dec 19, 2014 in Christmas Past 2014 |

Answer 7th Day Christmas Past: Eliza R Snow’s poem reminds us why Jesus Christ was born & of his mission – to teach and be the ultimate example then to atone and die so we will all live again. Congrats to 7th Day drawing winner, Kathleen Stuart, who won a handmade Holy Family olive wood carving! 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 18, 2014 in Christmas Past 2014 | 9 comments

On the 7th Day Christmas Past, the true reason for the coming of Jesus Christ into the world! Question:  How does a poem Eliza R. Snow wrote while traveling to Jerusalem help us ponder the connection between the Savior’s birth and the Savior’s Atonement? Elder Lorenzo Snow and his sister Eliza R Snow were called to participate in the rededication of Palestine.  The group led by President George A. Smith departed Salt Lake City on October 26, 1872.  While en route to the holy land the party toured the European continent. President Smith’s party arrived in Nice, France on December 24.  George A Smith detailed the tour that Eliza R. Snow and others participated in as they visited various locations in Nice on Christmas Day: “Touring with Lorenzo Snow, Eliza R Snow, Faramorz Little, Miss Clara Little, and Paul A Schettler.  Took a drive through Nice and vicinity romantic[ally] situated between hills & vallies. Handsom bay, red rocky soil, rendered lovely by the hand of patient toil.  The day was pleasant, the gardens green, variegated flowers abundant, orange groves loaded with golden fruit, contrasted beautifully with the deep dark foliage, while the lemon trees, also loaded with fruit, and the olive forests all combined to make a green contrast, never before witnessed by me on Christmas Day.  About 200 guests adorned our table at Tagle d’hotel which commenced with a good soup, & after 12 courses wound up with ice cream & roasted chesnots. The sitting lasted 1 1/2 hours .” New Year’s Eve found the party in Milan Italy. In anticipation of their arrival in Jerusalem, Eliza Snow devoted a stanza of an expansive poem entitled “The Year 1872” to the topic of Jesus Christ. In this stanza, Eliza emphasizes the great love in the Savior’s atoning sacrifice and looks forward to the time when Christ will come again: “I go to place my feet upon the land Where once the Prince of Peace the Son of God Was born – where once He lived and walk’d and preach’d, And prayed, admonished, taught, rebuked, and bled; And then, to answer justice’ great demand, And seal his mission of Eternal Love, Upon the cross poured out his precious blood – Arose to life triumphant o’er the tomb; And after being seen and heard and felt, Ascended up to heaven; and as He went, Those who stood looking, heard and angel say, Ye men of of Gallilee why stand ye here Gazing to heaven? The selfsame Jesus, whom Ye see ascending, in like manner will Again descend.” The company continued on to Jerusalem. On Sunday, March 2, 1873 in a tent that had been pitched on the Mount of Olives by previous arrangement, President George A Smith led in humble, fervent supplication, dedicating the land of Palestine, and returning heartfelt thanks and gratitude to God for the fulness of the...