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...

Posted by admin on Dec 17, 2014 in Christmas Past 2014 |

Answer 5th Day Christmas Past: “Oh Holy Night” has caused multiple sensations, on of which was being the first song ever sent through the air via radio waves.   Everyone was  rushing to their wireless units to catch this Christmas Eve miracle. Congrats to 5th Day drawing winner, Betty Bringhurst, who won a beautiful Historic Nauvoo Christmas ornament!  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 16, 2014 in Christmas Past 2014 | 10 comments

On the 5th Day of Christmas Past, a legend from France. Question:  How did “Oh Holy Night” cause quite a sensation? (To be entered into today’s daily giveaway & FREE tour drawing, Comment & Share your thoughts on Facebook or our blog of story below.)   The Legend Behind “Oh Holy Night” The strange and fascinating story of “O Holy Night” began in France, yet eventually made its way around the world. This seemingly simple song, inspired by a request from a clergyman, would not only become one of the most beloved anthems of all time, it would mark a technological revolution that would forever change the way people were introduced to music. In 1847, Placide Cappeau de Roquemaure was the commissionaire of wines in a small French town. Known more for his poetry than his church attendance, it probably shocked Placide when his parish priest asked the commissionaire to pen a poem for Christmas mass. Nevertheless, the poet was honored to share his talents with the church. In a dusty coach traveling down a bumpy road to France’s capital city, Placide Cappeau considered the priest’s request. Using the gospel of Luke as his guide, Cappeau imagined witnessing the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. Thoughts of being present on the blessed night inspired him. By the time he arrived in Paris, “Cantique de Noel” had been completed. Moved by his own work, Cappeau decided that his “Cantique de Noel” was not just a poem, but a song in need of a master musician’s hand. Not musically inclined himself, the poet turned to one of his friends, Adolphe Charles Adams, for help. The son of a well-known classical musician, Adolphe had studied in the Paris conservatoire. His talent and fame brought requests to write works for orchestras and ballets all over the world. Yet the lyrics that his friend Cappeau gave him must have challenged the composer in a fashion unlike anything he received from London, Berlin, or St. Petersburg. As a man of Jewish ancestry, for Adolphe the words of “Cantique de Noel” represented a day he didn’t celebrate and a man he did not view as the son of God. Nevertheless, Adams quickly went to work, attempting to marry an original score to Cappeau’s beautiful words. Adams’ finished work pleased both poet and priest. The song was performed just three weeks later at a Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve Initially, “Cantique de Noel” was wholeheartedly accepted by the church in France and the song quickly found its way into various Catholic Christmas services. But when Placide Cappeau walked away from the church and became a part of the socialist movement, and church leaders discovered that Adolphe Adams was a Jew, the song–which had quickly grown to be one of the most beloved Christmas songs in France–was suddenly and uniformly denounced by the church. The heads of the French...