July Lessons
July 4 RS Presidency/Group Leadership Sherrie Marriott
July 11 Gospel Principles #12 The Atonement Myrna Clark
July 18 Gospel Principles #13 The Priesthood Ramona Ford
July 25 Teaching for our Times General Talk from April 2010 General Conference talk “The Blessing of Scripture” Elder D. Todd Christofferson
The Sister of the Month
This month’s sister of the month was going to be Sister Maridian Toufi. She has been a wonderful member of our Relief Society and our Ward. Her current assignment is with her husband as the leaders of the Stake Single Adults. I can tell from personal experience that they are doing an excellent job. However, she has had such a very busy few months that we are going to have her do it next month (hopefully she may give us a few of the behind the scene details – like how the two new missionaries are doing). I have almost felt that it would be self serving to write my own story in. On the other hand, anytime you ask someone else to do something, you should be willing to do it yourself. Also, one of the things that I wanted to show is that each sister’s story is exactly what she wants it to be. You can tell us about your family – your parents and siblings, your extended family, your husband and children. Especially if you grew up somewhere that is unfamiliar to the rest of us, it would be interesting if you would give us some insights. Sister Taylor included a list she titled “A few more tidbits about me” that included favorite color, favorite food books, favorite places, and what I dream about. This is a fun and offers a neat insight. I really appreciated Sister Mary Gallagher giving a plug for being a sister of the month. I do want it to be something that is fun. If anyone would be interested, I would appreciate it if you would let me know. One problem I have is that, since this is my 21st edition (a proud tradition since November 2008 ☺) I sometimes forget who has been sister of the month and who hasn’t. Even harder is to remember which sisters have already politely declined. Also, if there is a less active sister that is on your visiting teaching route, or is a neighbor, that you think would be interested in sharing her story, please ask her if she would like to share her story – it’s even more important to get to know these sisters.
I have also included a story about my Great Great Grandfather John Solomon Fullmer – including a small portion of two articles that he had published, “John Solomon Fullmer's account of the expulsion of the Saints from Nauvoo (1846-published 1855).
Holidays in July
July has two holidays – both having something in common. Both the starting of this nation and the ushering in of this dispensation were both prophesied of in the Book of Mormon. Celebrating these holidays reminds us of their significance in our lives.
It Josephs Smith’s first vision, and subsequent actions, that brought the gospel to us. In the D&C it states:
"Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it. (D&C 135:3).
After the church was established, it needed a place to grow into what it is today. Brigham Young was the right person to do it and, to paraphrase him; this was the right place to establish the headquarters of the church. Celebrating Pioneer Day is a way to honor all those who paid such a dear price (both those who suffered at the hands of the mobs and those who made the long journey to get here) for us to have such a tremendous gift.
It is interesting to me that the reason for the other holiday that we celebrate this month is the founding of a country that would foster an environment that would make the restoration of the gospel possible. In the October 1987 General Conference, President Ezra Taft Benson gave a talk entitled “Our Divine Constitution.” It is a testament that God is not standing idly by letting things happen. With this great gift we should both be thankful and mindful of opportunities to participate. Adlai Stevenson once said “Patriotism... is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime. “ There are both small and large opportunities to participate, depending on our interests, time and availability. Voting is something we all can do (we had a primary election in June and will be having a regular election in November). Becoming informed on the decisions you are making is more difficult, but increases the value of our votes. Also helping in the process is beneficial – I know that Barbara Stout has been an election judge (as her Grandmother used to do). There is also helping campaigning for candidates or issues. This is another topic where each sister needs to decide if this is where her talents and interests are and how much or how little we want to/can participate.
July Recipes and fun
I have included a couple of fun recipes - one patriotic and two cool, refreshing and nutritious. I have also included a some fun games and activities centered around the pioneers. Even if some of the games listed might be more fun to talk about then to play – noting how much different life was back then and how people would take pleasure in the simpler things of life. It also is interesting to see that at least a couple of these games have lasted the test of time. One thought might be to have a pretend black out night and see what fun we can have without electricity.
There are also pages for backyard fun, games and safety tips. Memories can be made with very simple acts – especially if you can find something that works with your family and make a tradition of it (and surprisingly children seem to have very fond memories of things that didn’t seem that big of deal of the time).
Summer Weather Tip
This is probably a tip that will have my mother following me around with a glass of water ☺ In the June/July 2010 issue of Reader’s Digest they have an article under their Health section entitled “Quench Your Crankiness” That states:
“Nex time your mood takes a dive, have a drink – of water. In a recent Tufts University study, college athletes who weren’t given fluids during practice felt more confused, angry, tense, and blue afterward than those who had plenty of water. ‘The level of dehydration was very mild – it could easlity be compared with what busy office workers might experience if they forgot to drink enough during the day.’ Says lead researcher Kristen E. D’Anci, PhD. How much you need to drink depends on the weather and your activity level and weight. Still, D’Anci says, ‘eight 8-ounces glasses of water a day never hurt anybody.’
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Pioneer Games from The Children’s Friend
Blind Man's Buff - One person is blindfolded and other players form a circle around him/her. The blindfolded person is turned around a few times then let go to catch one of the players. There are different ways to play the game. One way is that the blindfolded player has to guess who they have caught.
Drop the handkerchief - Players join hands and form a circle while "it" holds a handkerchief and runs around the circle. "It" drops the handkerchief behind one of the players and keeps running. The player then picks up the handkerchief and runs around the circle in the opposite direction. They race to see who reaches the empty spot first. The loser becomes the next "it".
Ducks Fly - Players face the leader, who says what to do. Then they copy the actions of the leader. The leader will say "Ducks fly" and flap his arms. The players also flap their arms. The leader continues with other actions like "cats meow", "dogs bark, etc. But the leader also tries to trick others by saying "sheep oink". The players must remain quiet until the leader says it correctly.
Fox and Geese - This game is played after a snowfall. First the snow is tramped down in paths to make a big wheel with spokes and a hub in the center. One player is the Fox and the rest are the Geese. The Fox tries to catch a Goose (who then becomes the next Fox). Players must stay inside the paths. If a Goose steps off the path, that Goose is caught. The only safe place for a Goose is in the center (hub). But only one Goose is allowed to be in the center.
Hot and cold - One person (it) leaves the room while the others hide a button (or some other object). When "it" returns he/she has to try and find the button. The others give hints by saying "warm, warmer, hot, or cold, colder, etc."
Jack Straws - This game is like "pick up sticks". Straws or very thin sticks were used. The straws were placed in a pile shaped like a haystack or tent (coming to a point at the top and spread out at the bottom). Each player took a turn pulling a straw out of the pile trying not to move any other straws. If a player was able to get a straw without jiggling any other straws he/she scored a point. Then it was the next player's turn. The game ended when the stack fell. The winner was the player with the most straws. To make the game more interesting, there were "special" straws which were worth more points.
Marbles - The object of the game is to win marbles from other players. The first player tosses a marble on the ground. The second player tries to hit the marble by tossing his/her marble at it. If the second player is successful, he/she wins the marble. If not successful, the first player has a turn to try and hit the second player's marble. There were many other ways to play "marbles".
Poor Doggie (or Poor Kitty) - "It" is the doggie who must try to make someone laugh. The players sit in a circle and Doggie goes to each player and barks, whines and imitates a dog. The players have to pet Doggie and say "Poor Doggie, Poor Doggie, Poor Doggie!" The player must not smile while saying this or he/she will become the next Doggie.
Rolling the hoop - Children would run along beside a hoop, rolling it by using a stick. Sometimes races were held to see who could be the fastest. There were also contests to see who could roll the hoop the farthest or who could keep it rolling for the longest time.
Shadow tag - "It" tries to step on another player's shadow. If a player gets tired of running away, he/she must lie down so "it" cannot tag them.
Simon says - Players face the leader and must do what the leader says. If the leader says "Simon says, Thumbs up" and puts up his thumbs, then the players must do the same thing. The leader calls out and does other actions like "Simon says hop on one foot" or "Simon says touch your toes ", etc. But if the leader does not say the words "Simon says" and just says "jump up and down" the players should do nothing. Anyone who is tricked by the leader has to become the next leader.
Who has the button? - The players form a circle and the person who is "it" leaves (or closes his/her eyes) while the others pass a "button" or another object around the circle. One person hides the object behind his/her back. All the other players put their hands behind their backs, too. Then "it" is allowed three guesses as to who is hiding the object. If "it" guesses correctly they exchange places and a new person is "it".
Drop the handkerchief - Players join hands and form a circle while "it" holds a handkerchief and runs around the circle. "It" drops the handkerchief behind one of the players and keeps running. The player then picks up the handkerchief and runs around the circle in the opposite direction. They race to see who reaches the empty spot first. The loser becomes the next "it".
Ducks Fly - Players face the leader, who says what to do. Then they copy the actions of the leader. The leader will say "Ducks fly" and flap his arms. The players also flap their arms. The leader continues with other actions like "cats meow", "dogs bark, etc. But the leader also tries to trick others by saying "sheep oink". The players must remain quiet until the leader says it correctly.
Fox and Geese - This game is played after a snowfall. First the snow is tramped down in paths to make a big wheel with spokes and a hub in the center. One player is the Fox and the rest are the Geese. The Fox tries to catch a Goose (who then becomes the next Fox). Players must stay inside the paths. If a Goose steps off the path, that Goose is caught. The only safe place for a Goose is in the center (hub). But only one Goose is allowed to be in the center.
Hot and cold - One person (it) leaves the room while the others hide a button (or some other object). When "it" returns he/she has to try and find the button. The others give hints by saying "warm, warmer, hot, or cold, colder, etc."
Jack Straws - This game is like "pick up sticks". Straws or very thin sticks were used. The straws were placed in a pile shaped like a haystack or tent (coming to a point at the top and spread out at the bottom). Each player took a turn pulling a straw out of the pile trying not to move any other straws. If a player was able to get a straw without jiggling any other straws he/she scored a point. Then it was the next player's turn. The game ended when the stack fell. The winner was the player with the most straws. To make the game more interesting, there were "special" straws which were worth more points.
Marbles - The object of the game is to win marbles from other players. The first player tosses a marble on the ground. The second player tries to hit the marble by tossing his/her marble at it. If the second player is successful, he/she wins the marble. If not successful, the first player has a turn to try and hit the second player's marble. There were many other ways to play "marbles".
Poor Doggie (or Poor Kitty) - "It" is the doggie who must try to make someone laugh. The players sit in a circle and Doggie goes to each player and barks, whines and imitates a dog. The players have to pet Doggie and say "Poor Doggie, Poor Doggie, Poor Doggie!" The player must not smile while saying this or he/she will become the next Doggie.
Rolling the hoop - Children would run along beside a hoop, rolling it by using a stick. Sometimes races were held to see who could be the fastest. There were also contests to see who could roll the hoop the farthest or who could keep it rolling for the longest time.
Shadow tag - "It" tries to step on another player's shadow. If a player gets tired of running away, he/she must lie down so "it" cannot tag them.
Simon says - Players face the leader and must do what the leader says. If the leader says "Simon says, Thumbs up" and puts up his thumbs, then the players must do the same thing. The leader calls out and does other actions like "Simon says hop on one foot" or "Simon says touch your toes ", etc. But if the leader does not say the words "Simon says" and just says "jump up and down" the players should do nothing. Anyone who is tricked by the leader has to become the next leader.
Who has the button? - The players form a circle and the person who is "it" leaves (or closes his/her eyes) while the others pass a "button" or another object around the circle. One person hides the object behind his/her back. All the other players put their hands behind their backs, too. Then "it" is allowed three guesses as to who is hiding the object. If "it" guesses correctly they exchange places and a new person is "it".
Pioneer Day
Pioneer Day in United States From Wikipedia
Quick Facts
Pioneer Day is an annual state holiday in Utah in the United States. It is celebrated to honor the pioneers who demonstrated industry and bravery when they ventured to settle in a place that is now Salt Lake City.
Pioneer Day 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010 – Observed date
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Pioneer Day 2011
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011 – Observed date
Pioneer Day is a state holiday in Utah in the United States. It is celebrated on July 24 each year to commemorate the entry of Brigham Young and the first group of Mormon pioneers into Utah’s Salt Lake Valley in 1847. This day celebrates the bravery of the original settlers and their strength of character and physical endurance.
What do people do?
Pioneer Day activities include fireworks, parades, picnics, rodeos and other festivities throughout the state. Some people say that this day is celebrated in Utah with more zeal and pride than major holidays such as Christmas. Children take part in essay contests and projects about pioneers, while families enjoy the day with concerts and festivals. For the parades, some people may wear costumes that resemble clothes worn during the 19th century when Salt Lake Valley was founded.
Public life
Pioneer Day is a state holiday in Utah so county offices (except emergency services), educational institutions, and many businesses are closed. In some areas, some public transport services, such as buses, do not run on public holidays. People are advised to check public transit schedules first before they decide to travel via public transport during a public holiday.
Background
This day commemorates the entry of Brigham Young and the first group of Mormon pioneers into Utah’s Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847. The Mormon pioneers viewed their arrival as the founding of a Mormon homeland, hence Pioneer Day. The Mormons, as they were commonly known, left their settlement in Nauvoo, Illinois, and journeyed west seeking refuge from religious persecution. The final impetus for their trek was the murder of founder and prophet Joseph Smith on June 27, 1844.
Determined to settle in an isolated region, the pioneers made their way across the plains and over the Rocky Mountains to Utah. They lost many of their party to disease during the winter months. By the time that they reached Utah, the desolate valley was a welcome sight. Potatoes and turnips were soon planted, and a dam was built. With solemn ceremonies, the settlers consecrated the two-square-mile city, and sent back word that the “promised land” was found. By the end of 1847, nearly 2000 Mormons settled in the Salt Lake Valley. The first Pioneer Day was celebrated in 1849 with a parade, band music and speeches. In modern times July 24 is celebrated annually as Pioneer Day, a state holiday, in Utah.
Symbols
The beehive became the official state emblem on March 4, 1959. Utah’s residents relate the beehive symbol to industry and the pioneer virtues of thrift and perseverance. The beehive was chosen as the emblem for the provisional state of Deseret in 1848 and was maintained on the seal of the state of Utah when Utah became a state in 1896.
“Industry” officially became the state motto on March 4, 1959. It is associated with the symbol of the beehive. The early pioneers had few material resources at their disposal and had to rely on their own “industry” to survive. The word “industry” appears on both the state seal and the state flag.
Pioneer Day (Utah) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pioneer Day (also archaically called the Day of Deliverance) is an official holiday celebrated on July 24 in the U.S. state of Utah, with some celebrations in regions of surrounding states originally settled by Mormon pioneers. It commemorates the entry of Brigham Young and the first group of Mormon pioneers into the Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847, where the Latter-day Saints settled after being forced from Nauvoo, Illinois and other locations in the eastern United States. Parades, fireworks, rodeos, and other festivities help commemorate the event.
In addition to being an official holiday in Utah, Pioneer Day is considered a special occasion by many members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).On Pioneer Day, some Latter-day Saints walk portions of the Mormon Trail or reenact entering the Salt Lake Valley by handcart. Latter-day Saints throughout the United States and around the world may celebrate July 24 in remembrance of the LDS Churches' pioneer era, with songs, dances, and pioneer related activities.
While the holiday has strong links to the LDS Church, it is a celebration of everyone, regardless of faith and nationality, who emigrated to the Salt Lake Valley during the pioneer era, which is generally considered to have ended with the 1869 arrival of the transcontinental railroad. Notable non-LDS American pioneers from this period include Bishop Daniel Tuttle, who was responsible for Utah's first non-Mormon schools (Rowland Hall-St. Mark's) and first public hospital (St. Mark's) in the 1800s. The Intertribal Powwow at Liberty Park in Salt Lake City honors the rich cultural heritage and contributions of the area's American Indians, helping Utahns to gain a deeper understanding of the region's history.
Quick Facts
Pioneer Day is an annual state holiday in Utah in the United States. It is celebrated to honor the pioneers who demonstrated industry and bravery when they ventured to settle in a place that is now Salt Lake City.
Pioneer Day 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010 – Observed date
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Pioneer Day 2011
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011 – Observed date
Pioneer Day is a state holiday in Utah in the United States. It is celebrated on July 24 each year to commemorate the entry of Brigham Young and the first group of Mormon pioneers into Utah’s Salt Lake Valley in 1847. This day celebrates the bravery of the original settlers and their strength of character and physical endurance.
What do people do?
Pioneer Day activities include fireworks, parades, picnics, rodeos and other festivities throughout the state. Some people say that this day is celebrated in Utah with more zeal and pride than major holidays such as Christmas. Children take part in essay contests and projects about pioneers, while families enjoy the day with concerts and festivals. For the parades, some people may wear costumes that resemble clothes worn during the 19th century when Salt Lake Valley was founded.
Public life
Pioneer Day is a state holiday in Utah so county offices (except emergency services), educational institutions, and many businesses are closed. In some areas, some public transport services, such as buses, do not run on public holidays. People are advised to check public transit schedules first before they decide to travel via public transport during a public holiday.
Background
This day commemorates the entry of Brigham Young and the first group of Mormon pioneers into Utah’s Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847. The Mormon pioneers viewed their arrival as the founding of a Mormon homeland, hence Pioneer Day. The Mormons, as they were commonly known, left their settlement in Nauvoo, Illinois, and journeyed west seeking refuge from religious persecution. The final impetus for their trek was the murder of founder and prophet Joseph Smith on June 27, 1844.
Determined to settle in an isolated region, the pioneers made their way across the plains and over the Rocky Mountains to Utah. They lost many of their party to disease during the winter months. By the time that they reached Utah, the desolate valley was a welcome sight. Potatoes and turnips were soon planted, and a dam was built. With solemn ceremonies, the settlers consecrated the two-square-mile city, and sent back word that the “promised land” was found. By the end of 1847, nearly 2000 Mormons settled in the Salt Lake Valley. The first Pioneer Day was celebrated in 1849 with a parade, band music and speeches. In modern times July 24 is celebrated annually as Pioneer Day, a state holiday, in Utah.
Symbols
The beehive became the official state emblem on March 4, 1959. Utah’s residents relate the beehive symbol to industry and the pioneer virtues of thrift and perseverance. The beehive was chosen as the emblem for the provisional state of Deseret in 1848 and was maintained on the seal of the state of Utah when Utah became a state in 1896.
“Industry” officially became the state motto on March 4, 1959. It is associated with the symbol of the beehive. The early pioneers had few material resources at their disposal and had to rely on their own “industry” to survive. The word “industry” appears on both the state seal and the state flag.
Pioneer Day (Utah) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pioneer Day (also archaically called the Day of Deliverance) is an official holiday celebrated on July 24 in the U.S. state of Utah, with some celebrations in regions of surrounding states originally settled by Mormon pioneers. It commemorates the entry of Brigham Young and the first group of Mormon pioneers into the Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847, where the Latter-day Saints settled after being forced from Nauvoo, Illinois and other locations in the eastern United States. Parades, fireworks, rodeos, and other festivities help commemorate the event.
In addition to being an official holiday in Utah, Pioneer Day is considered a special occasion by many members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).On Pioneer Day, some Latter-day Saints walk portions of the Mormon Trail or reenact entering the Salt Lake Valley by handcart. Latter-day Saints throughout the United States and around the world may celebrate July 24 in remembrance of the LDS Churches' pioneer era, with songs, dances, and pioneer related activities.
While the holiday has strong links to the LDS Church, it is a celebration of everyone, regardless of faith and nationality, who emigrated to the Salt Lake Valley during the pioneer era, which is generally considered to have ended with the 1869 arrival of the transcontinental railroad. Notable non-LDS American pioneers from this period include Bishop Daniel Tuttle, who was responsible for Utah's first non-Mormon schools (Rowland Hall-St. Mark's) and first public hospital (St. Mark's) in the 1800s. The Intertribal Powwow at Liberty Park in Salt Lake City honors the rich cultural heritage and contributions of the area's American Indians, helping Utahns to gain a deeper understanding of the region's history.
July 2010 Recipes
Watermelon Salad by allrecipes.com
"Have a great summer party with watermelon salad inside it's rind. Scoop out the watermelon, add other fruits, put it back in, and you have a personal-sized salad for each person!"
Ingredients
2 small watermelons
1 (15 ounce) can canned diced pineapple in juice, drain juice and reserve
1 pound seedless grapes
2 apples - peeled, cored and chopped
2 bananas, cut into bite-size pieces
Directions
1. Cut each watermelon in half lengthwise. Hollow out the insides using a melon baller, reserving rind for later use. Drain pineapple, and discard juice. Cut apples in half, remove cores, and cut into bite size pieces. Peel banana, and slice in to bite size pieces. Rinse grapes under cold running water, and pat dry.
2. In a bowl, toss together the watermelon balls, pineapple, apple, banana chunks, and grapes. Divide fruit salad among the 4 reserved watermelon "bowls," and serve.
Fourth of July Cut-Outs By: Kellogg's® Rice Krispies®
"Decorate a full pan with stripes and sprinkles. Then help your kids cut out star shapes and pop them right onto sticks for a patriotic snack on the go."
"Decorate a full pan with stripes and sprinkles. Then help your kids cut out star shapes and pop them right onto sticks for a patriotic snack on the go."
Ingredients
3 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 (10 ounce) package regular marshmallows
6 cups Kellogg's® Rice Krispies® cereal or Kellogg's® Cocoa Krispies® cereal
Canned frosting or decorating gel
Assorted sprinkles
12 wooden ice cream sticks (optional)
Directions
1.In large saucepan melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat.
2.Add Kellogg's® Rice Krispies® cereal. Stir until well coated.
3.Using buttered spatula or wax paper, evenly press mixture into 15 x 10 x 1-inch pan coated with cooking spray. While warm decorate with alternating rows of red, white and blue sprinkles. Cool slightly. Using cookie cutters coated with cooking spray cut into star shapes. Insert wooden stick into each, if desired. Best if served the same day.
MICROWAVE DIRECTIONS: In microwave-safe bowl heat butter and marshmallows on HIGH for 3 minutes, stirring after 2 minutes. Stir until smooth. Follow steps 2 and 3 above. Microwave cooking times may vary. Note: For best results, use fresh marshmallows. Substitutions: 1 jar (7 oz.) marshmallow creme OR 4 cups miniature marshmallows can be substituted for 1 (10 oz.) package regular marshmallows. Diet, reduced calorie or tub margarine is not recommended. Store no more than two days at room temperature in airtight container. To freeze, place in layers separated by wax paper in airtight container. Freeze for up to 6 weeks. Let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving. RICE KRISPIES TREATS® is a registered trademark of Kellogg NA Co. for cereal-based snack food. ®, ™, © 2010 Kellogg NA Co.
Summer Berry Trifle from Disney Family Fun
Ingredients
1 package (3.4-ounce) instant vanilla pudding
4 cups fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries), washed and hulled, plus extra for garnish
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 cup whipping cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
24 to 36 ladyfingers
Instructions
To make the fillings, prepare the pudding according to the package directions and chill it.
Slice the strawberries, if you're using them, then toss all of the berries with the lemon juice and the 1/4 cup of sugar. Set aside for 30 minutes to allow the berries to release their juices.
In a medium mixing bowl, whip the cream, vanilla extract, and remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar until soft peaks form. Set aside.
To make the layers, set a layer of ladyfingers (around 7 or 8) on the bottom of a large, clear serving bowl (ours was 4 quarts). Top with the berries with half of the pudding.
Add another layer of ladyfingers, another third of the berries and juice, and the rest of the pudding. Add a final layer of ladyfingers and berries. Top with the whipped cream and a berry garnish.
Refrigerate until you're ready to serve. Serves 8 to 10.
"Have a great summer party with watermelon salad inside it's rind. Scoop out the watermelon, add other fruits, put it back in, and you have a personal-sized salad for each person!"
Ingredients
2 small watermelons
1 (15 ounce) can canned diced pineapple in juice, drain juice and reserve
1 pound seedless grapes
2 apples - peeled, cored and chopped
2 bananas, cut into bite-size pieces
Directions
1. Cut each watermelon in half lengthwise. Hollow out the insides using a melon baller, reserving rind for later use. Drain pineapple, and discard juice. Cut apples in half, remove cores, and cut into bite size pieces. Peel banana, and slice in to bite size pieces. Rinse grapes under cold running water, and pat dry.
2. In a bowl, toss together the watermelon balls, pineapple, apple, banana chunks, and grapes. Divide fruit salad among the 4 reserved watermelon "bowls," and serve.
Fourth of July Cut-Outs By: Kellogg's® Rice Krispies®
"Decorate a full pan with stripes and sprinkles. Then help your kids cut out star shapes and pop them right onto sticks for a patriotic snack on the go."
"Decorate a full pan with stripes and sprinkles. Then help your kids cut out star shapes and pop them right onto sticks for a patriotic snack on the go."
Ingredients
3 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 (10 ounce) package regular marshmallows
6 cups Kellogg's® Rice Krispies® cereal or Kellogg's® Cocoa Krispies® cereal
Canned frosting or decorating gel
Assorted sprinkles
12 wooden ice cream sticks (optional)
Directions
1.In large saucepan melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat.
2.Add Kellogg's® Rice Krispies® cereal. Stir until well coated.
3.Using buttered spatula or wax paper, evenly press mixture into 15 x 10 x 1-inch pan coated with cooking spray. While warm decorate with alternating rows of red, white and blue sprinkles. Cool slightly. Using cookie cutters coated with cooking spray cut into star shapes. Insert wooden stick into each, if desired. Best if served the same day.
MICROWAVE DIRECTIONS: In microwave-safe bowl heat butter and marshmallows on HIGH for 3 minutes, stirring after 2 minutes. Stir until smooth. Follow steps 2 and 3 above. Microwave cooking times may vary. Note: For best results, use fresh marshmallows. Substitutions: 1 jar (7 oz.) marshmallow creme OR 4 cups miniature marshmallows can be substituted for 1 (10 oz.) package regular marshmallows. Diet, reduced calorie or tub margarine is not recommended. Store no more than two days at room temperature in airtight container. To freeze, place in layers separated by wax paper in airtight container. Freeze for up to 6 weeks. Let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving. RICE KRISPIES TREATS® is a registered trademark of Kellogg NA Co. for cereal-based snack food. ®, ™, © 2010 Kellogg NA Co.
Summer Berry Trifle from Disney Family Fun
Ingredients
1 package (3.4-ounce) instant vanilla pudding
4 cups fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries), washed and hulled, plus extra for garnish
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 cup whipping cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
24 to 36 ladyfingers
Instructions
To make the fillings, prepare the pudding according to the package directions and chill it.
Slice the strawberries, if you're using them, then toss all of the berries with the lemon juice and the 1/4 cup of sugar. Set aside for 30 minutes to allow the berries to release their juices.
In a medium mixing bowl, whip the cream, vanilla extract, and remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar until soft peaks form. Set aside.
To make the layers, set a layer of ladyfingers (around 7 or 8) on the bottom of a large, clear serving bowl (ours was 4 quarts). Top with the berries with half of the pudding.
Add another layer of ladyfingers, another third of the berries and juice, and the rest of the pudding. Add a final layer of ladyfingers and berries. Top with the whipped cream and a berry garnish.
Refrigerate until you're ready to serve. Serves 8 to 10.
Summer Fun
6 Ideas for Summer Fun - From Ladies Home Journal
When did summer turn into a season of planning, packing, stressing, and spending? Sure, it can be great to take a big family vacation, but don't forget how much kids love the little things -- and how much there is to do right outside your own back door. A cozy campfire or a cool treat is all you need to have a blast. So this summer, go (really) local and enjoy the simple pleasures of your backyard.
Set the stage.
Make your yard feel more inviting: Hang strands of festive holiday lights, get a hammock for lounging, or add a small decorative fountain for soothing sound effects. You can also try arranging the space into a series of "rooms." Make zones for eating, active play, and a tucked-away retreat just for you.
Keep cool.
No backyard pool? Put on your suits and improvise with a cheap kiddie pool or let loose under the sprinkler. Pass out squirt guns or water balloons. For a more relaxing treat, fill a spray bottle with water and refresh yourself with a chilly mist.
Fire it up.
Pass the evenings chatting and watching the fire flicker. You can buy an outdoor fireplace or chimney at most large discount stores. (Never build a fire directly on the ground without checking local regulations.) Roast hot dogs and marshmallows, and don't forget to tell ghost stories and sing camp songs.
Head out on a photo safari.
Grab your camera and explore the natural wonders of your yard. Add butterfly bushes or a hummingbird feeder to entice subjects. Or create a simple wildlife habitat by installing a small pond or a birdbath and growing native plants. Look for details from the National Wildlife Federation at nwf.org/gardenforwildlife.
Be reel.
Turn your backyard into a cineplex and screen the latest blockbuster or a classic flick. Borrow or rent a projector and show your movie on a tripod screen or outdoor wall. Invite everyone to spread out on lawn chairs and blankets, then serve Popsicles and popcorn all around.
Stargaze.
After dark go outside with some blankets and set up your own DIY planetarium (avoid house and street lights for the best view). Learn the locations of a few constellations beforehand and try to find them on a clear night. (Check out skymaps.com for printable charts.) And be sure to keep an eye out for shooting stars.
A couple of fun games - From Disney Family Fun
2 Games in 1
Here's a simple way for families to exercise both their minds and bodies. Start by writing the names of favorite sports on slips of paper. Drop the slips into a hat and randomly pick two. The object: to come up with a game that's a hybrid of both. We've provided some examples below.
What You Need
Paper Pencil, pen, or marker
Hat Sports equipment for chosen games
Instructions
1. Goffle (golf + wiffle ball): Tee off with a Wiffle ball and bat and take turns putting into a coffee can on its side.
2. Hu-Square (hula hoops + 4-square): Like 4-square, only players guard hula hoops instead of chalk boxes.
3. Bowl-quet (bowling + croquet): Set up three to five empty plastic soda bottles on a flat surface, then see how many you can knock down in two tries with a croquet mallet and ball.
Game fans of a certain age might recall playing lawn darts with heavy, metal-tipped projectiles, which were banned (thank goodness) back in 1988. Our homemade version, made of sand-filled plastic bags, takes away the danger but retains the fun.
On Target
The game is played like horseshoes. Place the rope targets on the ground about 35 feet apart (shorten the distance for younger players). Two teams of one or two players stand next to one target and take turns lobbing their darts toward the other target. Players throw a dart by holding it by the fringe and tossing it underhand. A team gets 3 points for each dart that lands at least halfway inside the target, 1 point if their dart is nearest to, but outside the target. The first team to get 21 points wins.
What You Need
4 plastic shopping bags Duct tape in 2 colors
2 cups sand 4 cable ties at least 6 inches long
Scissors 2 5-foot lengths of rope (we used 5/8-inch plastic rope)
Instructions
1. For each of the four darts, lay one shopping bag flat on a table. Fold one bottom corner up to meet one side of the bag and secure it with a strip of duct tape, folding the tape around the seam, as shown (A).
2. Cover the front and back of the triangular section of the bag with additional duct tape (B).
3. Fill the taped section with 1/2 cup of sand. Gather up the bag, twist it, and secure the twist tightly with a cable tie (C). Trim the tie's end.
4. Trim the bag's top to 4 or 5 inches above the tie. Snip the bag's top into thick fringe, making sure your cuts stop at least a half inch from the tie.
5. For the two targets, form the rope pieces into circles and join their ends with duct tape.
When did summer turn into a season of planning, packing, stressing, and spending? Sure, it can be great to take a big family vacation, but don't forget how much kids love the little things -- and how much there is to do right outside your own back door. A cozy campfire or a cool treat is all you need to have a blast. So this summer, go (really) local and enjoy the simple pleasures of your backyard.
Set the stage.
Make your yard feel more inviting: Hang strands of festive holiday lights, get a hammock for lounging, or add a small decorative fountain for soothing sound effects. You can also try arranging the space into a series of "rooms." Make zones for eating, active play, and a tucked-away retreat just for you.
Keep cool.
No backyard pool? Put on your suits and improvise with a cheap kiddie pool or let loose under the sprinkler. Pass out squirt guns or water balloons. For a more relaxing treat, fill a spray bottle with water and refresh yourself with a chilly mist.
Fire it up.
Pass the evenings chatting and watching the fire flicker. You can buy an outdoor fireplace or chimney at most large discount stores. (Never build a fire directly on the ground without checking local regulations.) Roast hot dogs and marshmallows, and don't forget to tell ghost stories and sing camp songs.
Head out on a photo safari.
Grab your camera and explore the natural wonders of your yard. Add butterfly bushes or a hummingbird feeder to entice subjects. Or create a simple wildlife habitat by installing a small pond or a birdbath and growing native plants. Look for details from the National Wildlife Federation at nwf.org/gardenforwildlife.
Be reel.
Turn your backyard into a cineplex and screen the latest blockbuster or a classic flick. Borrow or rent a projector and show your movie on a tripod screen or outdoor wall. Invite everyone to spread out on lawn chairs and blankets, then serve Popsicles and popcorn all around.
Stargaze.
After dark go outside with some blankets and set up your own DIY planetarium (avoid house and street lights for the best view). Learn the locations of a few constellations beforehand and try to find them on a clear night. (Check out skymaps.com for printable charts.) And be sure to keep an eye out for shooting stars.
A couple of fun games - From Disney Family Fun
2 Games in 1
Here's a simple way for families to exercise both their minds and bodies. Start by writing the names of favorite sports on slips of paper. Drop the slips into a hat and randomly pick two. The object: to come up with a game that's a hybrid of both. We've provided some examples below.
What You Need
Paper Pencil, pen, or marker
Hat Sports equipment for chosen games
Instructions
1. Goffle (golf + wiffle ball): Tee off with a Wiffle ball and bat and take turns putting into a coffee can on its side.
2. Hu-Square (hula hoops + 4-square): Like 4-square, only players guard hula hoops instead of chalk boxes.
3. Bowl-quet (bowling + croquet): Set up three to five empty plastic soda bottles on a flat surface, then see how many you can knock down in two tries with a croquet mallet and ball.
Game fans of a certain age might recall playing lawn darts with heavy, metal-tipped projectiles, which were banned (thank goodness) back in 1988. Our homemade version, made of sand-filled plastic bags, takes away the danger but retains the fun.
On Target
The game is played like horseshoes. Place the rope targets on the ground about 35 feet apart (shorten the distance for younger players). Two teams of one or two players stand next to one target and take turns lobbing their darts toward the other target. Players throw a dart by holding it by the fringe and tossing it underhand. A team gets 3 points for each dart that lands at least halfway inside the target, 1 point if their dart is nearest to, but outside the target. The first team to get 21 points wins.
What You Need
4 plastic shopping bags Duct tape in 2 colors
2 cups sand 4 cable ties at least 6 inches long
Scissors 2 5-foot lengths of rope (we used 5/8-inch plastic rope)
Instructions
1. For each of the four darts, lay one shopping bag flat on a table. Fold one bottom corner up to meet one side of the bag and secure it with a strip of duct tape, folding the tape around the seam, as shown (A).
2. Cover the front and back of the triangular section of the bag with additional duct tape (B).
3. Fill the taped section with 1/2 cup of sand. Gather up the bag, twist it, and secure the twist tightly with a cable tie (C). Trim the tie's end.
4. Trim the bag's top to 4 or 5 inches above the tie. Snip the bag's top into thick fringe, making sure your cuts stop at least a half inch from the tie.
5. For the two targets, form the rope pieces into circles and join their ends with duct tape.
Patricia Gudmundsen Wilson
I was born February 18, 1953 in Salt Lake City. I was the 4th child, and 2nd daughter, of Ralph Wall and Mary Anne Gudmundsen. My family had moved into their home in 1946 and I still live there. There are a number of us ‘ward babies’ (people who grew up and then stayed in the ward) – Sister Kayelyn Birch, Brother and Sister Freed, Sister Shelly Waasdorp and President Hedin, to name a few. When my mother moved into the ward the neighborhood looked quite different. There were only a few houses on Parker Lane and is was it was a great big field just South of Parker Lane. Even our address has changed. Although our house number had been 740, it was changed to 746 when more houses were built on the street. At the time my parents moved in, there was our next door neighbors were the Kiepes, an older German couple who had moved into their home around 1900. They told my mom that at that time our house was here – but it was a small two room home.
When my sister was about 4 years old, Nibley Park School was being built. Since it was only 1 ½ blocks from our house, my mom was happy that they were so close to a school. However, it was in the Salt Lake City school district and we were in the Granite school district (the boundary went down the center of 8th East). So instead of going there, we went to Roosevelt. When I was in 5th grade the teachers went on strike for a day. When they came back, my teacher explained that one reason that they went on strike was to improve the conditions of the schools. She said that Roosevelt was built before 1900. The old building, which was located on the southeast side of the lot touching 9th East and 33rd South, was eventually torn down and a new one built on 8th East – kiddy corner to the old one. There wasn’t a library in our building so we would march over to the Calvin Smith Library once a week. When I went to kindergarten it was held for 6 weeks during the summer. The main activities were putting together puzzles, coloring, including coloring a placemat for our treat, having a treat of graham crackers and milk, and having a nap on a mat we would bring from home. The year I went to 6th grade they changed kindergarten over to a full year program. It was decided that, to prevent overcrowding in the school, some of the 6th graders were bused to Libby Edwards Elementary. I then went to Central Junior High School. Millcreek stream ran on the north side of the school lot. It was a bit of a rough school when I went there and throwing students into the creek was a common practice – something that I just barely avoided having done to me. I graduated from Granite High School in 1971 This was a bit of a family school for me – my father, mother, both brothers, my sister and my three sons all went there. Also, my mother worked in Granite’s cafeteria, along with Sister Kidd and Sister Rasmussen.
I have had some different callings in the church. My first callings came when I was going to church with my sister in her ward. There I was called as a Sunday school teacher, teaching the children that turned 8 that year. One of the things that I enjoyed was, as each student was baptized, taking that student out for an ice cream sundae. I was also an Assistant Ward Librarian there. At that time, not only did each class have specific pictures that they to use, there was a book that listed those pictures. Each week my sister, who was a Ward Librarian, and I would pull the pictures for the next week and put them in a packet (along with any additional pictures the teachers requested) so that the teacher would just have to pick up her packet on the way to class. I have had various positions in the Springview Ward. I have had a couple of different callings in the Cub Scouts. I have been a den mother, the pack secretary, an assistant Cub Master and a Cub Master. I have also taught a Primary class and been a Relief Society Teacher. Also, one of the ever present callings we all have, I have been a Visiting Teacher – I have had both my sister and my mother as a companion.
My education after High School was a bit drawn out. Right after high school, I went to one quarter at Salt Lake Trade Tech- now Salt Lake Community College. Quite a while later I went back there and then eventually finished up my bachelor’s degree at Westminster College. While I was working on a MBA with emphasis in Human Resources I went on an unpaid internship at National Semiconductor. It was then I decided to leave school for a while and take a position there in their production area. From this I have developed a couple of my many maxims – 1) no matter how close you are to graduation, there is a vast difference between almost having a degree and actually having it and 2) once you have left school, it is extremely hard to finish what you have started (I haven’t yet).
I share my mother’s love of dogs. With a couple of small exceptions, we have had dogs since before I was born. We have also had other pets, including a parakeet, named Jingle Bells that we got for Christmas; a cockatiel, named Lucky that was found dazed in front of our yard; and a rat, named Whisker, who would gently nibble peanut butter from your finger. We currently have 2 dogs, named Caine and Sally, and 2 cats, named Star and Stripe (because they were born in July close to Independence Day).
I am currently working for the University of Utah (I have been employed with them for about 13 years) and am presently working in the Health Information Management section of the Huntsman Hospital. I enjoy spending time with my 3 sons and my 4 grandchildren (3 granddaughters and 1 grandson).
A few more tidbits about me:
Favorite color: If I had to pick one color it would be pink. I like color combinations – orange with brown, etc.
Favorite food: Chocolate, sushi and pork.
Flower: Rose – I especially like the ones with mixed colors.
Favorite places: I used to love the Star Trek Museum. Yellowstone, any wooded area with a creek.
What I dream about: Traveling and building my dream home (I have already made floor plans three times).
When my sister was about 4 years old, Nibley Park School was being built. Since it was only 1 ½ blocks from our house, my mom was happy that they were so close to a school. However, it was in the Salt Lake City school district and we were in the Granite school district (the boundary went down the center of 8th East). So instead of going there, we went to Roosevelt. When I was in 5th grade the teachers went on strike for a day. When they came back, my teacher explained that one reason that they went on strike was to improve the conditions of the schools. She said that Roosevelt was built before 1900. The old building, which was located on the southeast side of the lot touching 9th East and 33rd South, was eventually torn down and a new one built on 8th East – kiddy corner to the old one. There wasn’t a library in our building so we would march over to the Calvin Smith Library once a week. When I went to kindergarten it was held for 6 weeks during the summer. The main activities were putting together puzzles, coloring, including coloring a placemat for our treat, having a treat of graham crackers and milk, and having a nap on a mat we would bring from home. The year I went to 6th grade they changed kindergarten over to a full year program. It was decided that, to prevent overcrowding in the school, some of the 6th graders were bused to Libby Edwards Elementary. I then went to Central Junior High School. Millcreek stream ran on the north side of the school lot. It was a bit of a rough school when I went there and throwing students into the creek was a common practice – something that I just barely avoided having done to me. I graduated from Granite High School in 1971 This was a bit of a family school for me – my father, mother, both brothers, my sister and my three sons all went there. Also, my mother worked in Granite’s cafeteria, along with Sister Kidd and Sister Rasmussen.
I have had some different callings in the church. My first callings came when I was going to church with my sister in her ward. There I was called as a Sunday school teacher, teaching the children that turned 8 that year. One of the things that I enjoyed was, as each student was baptized, taking that student out for an ice cream sundae. I was also an Assistant Ward Librarian there. At that time, not only did each class have specific pictures that they to use, there was a book that listed those pictures. Each week my sister, who was a Ward Librarian, and I would pull the pictures for the next week and put them in a packet (along with any additional pictures the teachers requested) so that the teacher would just have to pick up her packet on the way to class. I have had various positions in the Springview Ward. I have had a couple of different callings in the Cub Scouts. I have been a den mother, the pack secretary, an assistant Cub Master and a Cub Master. I have also taught a Primary class and been a Relief Society Teacher. Also, one of the ever present callings we all have, I have been a Visiting Teacher – I have had both my sister and my mother as a companion.
My education after High School was a bit drawn out. Right after high school, I went to one quarter at Salt Lake Trade Tech- now Salt Lake Community College. Quite a while later I went back there and then eventually finished up my bachelor’s degree at Westminster College. While I was working on a MBA with emphasis in Human Resources I went on an unpaid internship at National Semiconductor. It was then I decided to leave school for a while and take a position there in their production area. From this I have developed a couple of my many maxims – 1) no matter how close you are to graduation, there is a vast difference between almost having a degree and actually having it and 2) once you have left school, it is extremely hard to finish what you have started (I haven’t yet).
I share my mother’s love of dogs. With a couple of small exceptions, we have had dogs since before I was born. We have also had other pets, including a parakeet, named Jingle Bells that we got for Christmas; a cockatiel, named Lucky that was found dazed in front of our yard; and a rat, named Whisker, who would gently nibble peanut butter from your finger. We currently have 2 dogs, named Caine and Sally, and 2 cats, named Star and Stripe (because they were born in July close to Independence Day).
I am currently working for the University of Utah (I have been employed with them for about 13 years) and am presently working in the Health Information Management section of the Huntsman Hospital. I enjoy spending time with my 3 sons and my 4 grandchildren (3 granddaughters and 1 grandson).
A few more tidbits about me:
Favorite color: If I had to pick one color it would be pink. I like color combinations – orange with brown, etc.
Favorite food: Chocolate, sushi and pork.
Flower: Rose – I especially like the ones with mixed colors.
Favorite places: I used to love the Star Trek Museum. Yellowstone, any wooded area with a creek.
What I dream about: Traveling and building my dream home (I have already made floor plans three times).
Patricia Gudmundsen Wilson’s Great Great Grandfather John Solomon Fullmer
The Expulsion of the Saints from Nauvoo
By early 1846, it was evident to the leaders of the Church that the Saints would not be permitted to live much longer in Nauvoo, and preparations were made for their departure. In a council meeting held by Brigham Young in the Temple, in January 1846, John S. Fullmer was appointed as one of the three Trustees-in-Trust to care for and dispose of Church property after the Saints had departed Nauvoo. Previously, John S. had been paymaster of the Nauvoo Legion and had held the rank of Colonel. Accordingly, he became a member of the "Spartan Band" that defended Nauvoo against the mob in September 1846.
His wife, Mary Ann, and her children, remained with him in Nauvoo throughout the struggles there. His wife, Olive Amanda, left [iv]with the first Saints and lived in Council Bluffs where her daughter, Mary Ann Smith Fullmer, was born in the wagon box she called home.
Trustee to wind up affairs in Nauvoo
John S Fullmer was called by the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles along with three others trustees to close the affairs of the church in Nauvoo.
“The Twelve realized that it was unlikely they could dispose of the Nauvoo Temple and other properties before the Saints had to abandon the city. They would have to leave agents behind to represent their interests. At a meeting on 18 January 1846 with the captains of the various emigration companies, the Twelve presented the names of five men to form a committee to dispose of the property of the Saints—Almon W. Babbitt, Joseph L. Heywood, John S. Fullmer, Henry W. Miller, and John M. Bernhisel—who would receive letters of attorney authorizing them to act legally for the Church.[v] Babbitt was an attorney, and Heywood and Fullmer were both trusted and experienced businessmen.”[vi]
John S. Fullmer was described as “a man of detail and assertion, one who could hold his own in any argument and give as much as he took.” [vii] Brigham Young’s said, “I appointed the Trustees myself, Babbitt for lawyer, Fullmer for bulldog and growl, and Heywood to settle debts.”[viii] The Trustees would need all the bulldog they could muster to see this calling through to completion.
The Trustees had a difficult and frustrating task representing the interests of the church and many private interests to sell vastly depreciated assets in Nauvoo which was rapidly being abandoned because of persecution. Their task was daunting:
In addition to selling Church properties, including the temple . . . they were responsible for paying outstanding Church debts, contesting legal actions, helping the poor and destitute still languishing behind, and keeping a watchful and caring eye on Emma Smith, widow of the Prophet, and her immediate family as well her mother-in-law, Lucy Mack Smith. They also represented the private business concerns of many former citizens. Properties were to be sold at the best price possible and the proceeds credited either against past debts or toward future purchases. Individual tithing accounts often needed settling; those who had been advanced Church teams and wagons on credit had no other form of repayment. Several men who had worked as laborers on the construction of the temple were still unpaid. And when time permitted, the trustees were also to push the cause of gathering, counter opposition, and allay discontent and all this as a Church calling without remuneration.
Misunderstood and unappreciated by their own people, whose property values plummeted as the city emptied, and distrusted by the anti-Mormons, who viewed them contemptuously as the last vestiges of an evil empire, the trustees inherited a lose-lose situation. Almost everyone with Nauvoo property and improvements got far less than they needed or deserved—no more than one-eighth the value and often far less than that at sale. Ill feelings inevitably developed. [ix]
After the battle of Nauvoo, in September, 1846, the Trustees, much against their will, signed a peace treaty with the mob, in order to spare the lives of the remaining Saints, and to save the Temple. John S. described the treaty as "ignoble and cruel" in all its features.
Still the temple remained unsold. Writing to his cousin George Fullmer in September 1847, John S said, “The Temple is still unsold, and I do not know but that God of Heaven intends to have it so remain as a standing monument of our sacrifice, and as witness against the nation Sold or unsold, I should think it such as we shall not be able at best to get one dollar in twenty of what it cost.” [x]
Various lawsuits encumbered their efforts to sell the properties including litigation by Emma, who had by 23 December 1847 married Lewis Bidamon. John S wrote to Brigham Young, “Now these twain concocted a grand scheme by which they would effectually block our wheels and enrich themselves. They hit on the idea that the church, according to a limited construction of one of our state laws, could only hold ten acres of land, and that consequently, the deed from Emma and Joseph to Joseph as a ‘Trustee’ was illegal.” He observed that this placed “the Trustees in the extremest difficulty, as to title, while it destroys the confidence of everyone, and it prevents those who would have purchased, from doing so.” [xi]
The difficulties involved in selling distressed property to opportunistic and often hostile buyers meant the trustees were able to sale the property at 60 to 85 percent of the actual value. [xii] Noting the disappointments of the private interests John S wrote, “We have a conscience void of all offence.” [xiii]
Upon receiving a release from Brigham Young the Trustees were released and in the spring of 1848, John S. left Nauvoo on the journey that was to take him to the valley in the mountains. At Council Bluffs, he joined Olive Amanda and others of his parent's family and started on the journey west. John S. served as a captain of 10 in the Willard Richards Company. They arrived in the valley in October of 1848 and settled in what is now Davis County, Utah.
After a year and one half of trying to dispose of the Church property and, seeing that it was a useless task, the Trustees were told to leave what property was left and move from Nauvoo. And so it was that in the spring of 1848, John S. left Nauvoo on the journey that was to take him to the valley in the mountains. At Council Bluffs, he joined Olive Amanda and others of his parent's family and started on the journey west. John S. served as a captain of 10 in the Willard Richards Company. They arrived in the valley in October of 1848 and settled in what is now Davis County, Utah.
Building the State of Utah
For the next few years, John S. was involved in assisting with the political aspects of the new settlements, helping to draft a constitution for, first, the Territory of Deseret and, later, the Territory of Utah. He was elected to the House of Representatives from Davis County and his brother, David, was elected to the House of Representatives from Salt Lake County. While living in Davis County, he served as Postmaster.
By early 1846, it was evident to the leaders of the Church that the Saints would not be permitted to live much longer in Nauvoo, and preparations were made for their departure. In a council meeting held by Brigham Young in the Temple, in January 1846, John S. Fullmer was appointed as one of the three Trustees-in-Trust to care for and dispose of Church property after the Saints had departed Nauvoo. Previously, John S. had been paymaster of the Nauvoo Legion and had held the rank of Colonel. Accordingly, he became a member of the "Spartan Band" that defended Nauvoo against the mob in September 1846.
His wife, Mary Ann, and her children, remained with him in Nauvoo throughout the struggles there. His wife, Olive Amanda, left [iv]with the first Saints and lived in Council Bluffs where her daughter, Mary Ann Smith Fullmer, was born in the wagon box she called home.
Trustee to wind up affairs in Nauvoo
John S Fullmer was called by the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles along with three others trustees to close the affairs of the church in Nauvoo.
“The Twelve realized that it was unlikely they could dispose of the Nauvoo Temple and other properties before the Saints had to abandon the city. They would have to leave agents behind to represent their interests. At a meeting on 18 January 1846 with the captains of the various emigration companies, the Twelve presented the names of five men to form a committee to dispose of the property of the Saints—Almon W. Babbitt, Joseph L. Heywood, John S. Fullmer, Henry W. Miller, and John M. Bernhisel—who would receive letters of attorney authorizing them to act legally for the Church.[v] Babbitt was an attorney, and Heywood and Fullmer were both trusted and experienced businessmen.”[vi]
John S. Fullmer was described as “a man of detail and assertion, one who could hold his own in any argument and give as much as he took.” [vii] Brigham Young’s said, “I appointed the Trustees myself, Babbitt for lawyer, Fullmer for bulldog and growl, and Heywood to settle debts.”[viii] The Trustees would need all the bulldog they could muster to see this calling through to completion.
The Trustees had a difficult and frustrating task representing the interests of the church and many private interests to sell vastly depreciated assets in Nauvoo which was rapidly being abandoned because of persecution. Their task was daunting:
In addition to selling Church properties, including the temple . . . they were responsible for paying outstanding Church debts, contesting legal actions, helping the poor and destitute still languishing behind, and keeping a watchful and caring eye on Emma Smith, widow of the Prophet, and her immediate family as well her mother-in-law, Lucy Mack Smith. They also represented the private business concerns of many former citizens. Properties were to be sold at the best price possible and the proceeds credited either against past debts or toward future purchases. Individual tithing accounts often needed settling; those who had been advanced Church teams and wagons on credit had no other form of repayment. Several men who had worked as laborers on the construction of the temple were still unpaid. And when time permitted, the trustees were also to push the cause of gathering, counter opposition, and allay discontent and all this as a Church calling without remuneration.
Misunderstood and unappreciated by their own people, whose property values plummeted as the city emptied, and distrusted by the anti-Mormons, who viewed them contemptuously as the last vestiges of an evil empire, the trustees inherited a lose-lose situation. Almost everyone with Nauvoo property and improvements got far less than they needed or deserved—no more than one-eighth the value and often far less than that at sale. Ill feelings inevitably developed. [ix]
After the battle of Nauvoo, in September, 1846, the Trustees, much against their will, signed a peace treaty with the mob, in order to spare the lives of the remaining Saints, and to save the Temple. John S. described the treaty as "ignoble and cruel" in all its features.
Still the temple remained unsold. Writing to his cousin George Fullmer in September 1847, John S said, “The Temple is still unsold, and I do not know but that God of Heaven intends to have it so remain as a standing monument of our sacrifice, and as witness against the nation Sold or unsold, I should think it such as we shall not be able at best to get one dollar in twenty of what it cost.” [x]
Various lawsuits encumbered their efforts to sell the properties including litigation by Emma, who had by 23 December 1847 married Lewis Bidamon. John S wrote to Brigham Young, “Now these twain concocted a grand scheme by which they would effectually block our wheels and enrich themselves. They hit on the idea that the church, according to a limited construction of one of our state laws, could only hold ten acres of land, and that consequently, the deed from Emma and Joseph to Joseph as a ‘Trustee’ was illegal.” He observed that this placed “the Trustees in the extremest difficulty, as to title, while it destroys the confidence of everyone, and it prevents those who would have purchased, from doing so.” [xi]
The difficulties involved in selling distressed property to opportunistic and often hostile buyers meant the trustees were able to sale the property at 60 to 85 percent of the actual value. [xii] Noting the disappointments of the private interests John S wrote, “We have a conscience void of all offence.” [xiii]
Upon receiving a release from Brigham Young the Trustees were released and in the spring of 1848, John S. left Nauvoo on the journey that was to take him to the valley in the mountains. At Council Bluffs, he joined Olive Amanda and others of his parent's family and started on the journey west. John S. served as a captain of 10 in the Willard Richards Company. They arrived in the valley in October of 1848 and settled in what is now Davis County, Utah.
After a year and one half of trying to dispose of the Church property and, seeing that it was a useless task, the Trustees were told to leave what property was left and move from Nauvoo. And so it was that in the spring of 1848, John S. left Nauvoo on the journey that was to take him to the valley in the mountains. At Council Bluffs, he joined Olive Amanda and others of his parent's family and started on the journey west. John S. served as a captain of 10 in the Willard Richards Company. They arrived in the valley in October of 1848 and settled in what is now Davis County, Utah.
Building the State of Utah
For the next few years, John S. was involved in assisting with the political aspects of the new settlements, helping to draft a constitution for, first, the Territory of Deseret and, later, the Territory of Utah. He was elected to the House of Representatives from Davis County and his brother, David, was elected to the House of Representatives from Salt Lake County. While living in Davis County, he served as Postmaster.
Our Divine Constitution Ezra Taft Benson Ensign November 1987
My beloved brethren and sisters, what a glorious blessing to be assembled in another great general conference of the Church. I ask for an interest in your faith and prayers as I speak to you about a subject that is very close to my heart and that affects the worldwide Church.
We have recently celebrated the bicentennial of the signing of the United States Constitution. That commemoration marked the beginning of a series of bicentennial anniversaries of events leading up to the ratification of the Constitution, implementation of the government it created, and the writing and ratification of the Bill of Rights. We look forward to the future commemoration of each of these important events during the next four years. It is as a result of these events that we are able to meet today in peace as members of the restored Church of Jesus Christ. For this we should all be eternally grateful.
I desire, therefore, to speak to you about our divine Constitution, which the Lord said “belongs to all mankind” (D&C 98:5; italics added) “and should be maintained for the rights and protection of all flesh, according to just and holy principles” (D&C 101:77; italics added).
The Constitution of the United States has served as a model for many nations and is the oldest constitution in use today.
“I established the Constitution of this land,” said the Lord, “by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose” (D&C 101:80).
For centuries the Lord kept America hidden in the hollow of His hand until the time was right to unveil her for her destiny in the last days. “It is wisdom that this land should be kept as yet from the knowledge of other nations,” said Lehi, “for behold, many nations would overrun the land, that there would be no place for an inheritance” (2 Ne. 1:8).
In the Lord’s due time His Spirit “wrought upon” Columbus, the pilgrims, the Puritans, and others to come to America. They testified of God’s intervention in their behalf (see 1 Ne. 13:12–13). The Book of Mormon records that they humbled “themselves before the Lord; and the power of the Lord was with them” (1 Ne. 13:16).
Our Father in Heaven planned the coming forth of the Founding Fathers and their form of government as the necessary great prologue leading to the restoration of the gospel. Recall what our Savior Jesus Christ said nearly two thousand years ago when He visited this promised land: “For it is wisdom in the Father that they should be established in this land, and be set up as a free people by the power of the Father, that these things might come forth” (3 Ne. 21:4). America, the land of liberty, was to be the Lord’s latter-day base of operations for His restored church.
The Declaration of Independence affirmed the Founding Fathers’ belief and trust in God in these words: “We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.”
The Doctrine and Covenants states, “We believe that no government can exist in peace, except such laws are framed and held inviolate as will secure to each individual the free exercise of conscience, the right and control of property, and the protection of life” (D&C 134:2). Life, liberty, property—mankind’s three great rights.
At the conclusion of the Declaration of Independence, they wrote, “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.” This Declaration was a promise that would demand terrible sacrifice on the part of its signers. Five of the signers were captured as traitors and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons in the Revolutionary War; another had two sons captured. Nine died from wounds or from the hardships of the war. The Lord said He “redeemed the land by the shedding of blood” (D&C 101:80). Nephi recorded that the Founders “were delivered by the power of God out of the hands of all other nations” (1 Ne. 13:19).
The years immediately preceding the Constitutional Convention were filled with disappointments and threats to the newly won peace. Washington was offered a kingship, which he adamantly refused. Nephi had prophesied hundreds of years before that “this land shall be a land of liberty unto the Gentiles, and there shall be no kings upon the land” (2 Ne. 10:11; italics added).
Between the critical years of 1783 and 1787, an outsider viewing the affairs of the United States would have thought that the thirteen states, different in so many ways, could never effectively unite. The world powers were confident that this nation would not last.
Eventually, twelve of the states met in Philadelphia to address the problem. Madison said at the beginning of the Convention that the delegates “were now digesting a plan which in its operation would decide forever the fate of Republican Government” (26 June 1787, Records of the Federal Convention, 1:423).
“The Lord knoweth all things from the beginning,” said Nephi, “wherefore, he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works among the children of men” (1 Ne. 9:6).
Four months later, the Convention delegates had completed their work. As Gladstone said, it was “the most wonderful work ever struck off at a given time by the brain and purpose of man” (William Gladstone, North American Review, Sept.–Oct. 1878, p. 185), and the Prophet Joseph Smith called it “a glorious standard … a heavenly banner” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1938, p. 147).
The delegates were the recipients of heavenly inspiration. James Madison, often referred to as the father of the Constitution, wrote: “It is impossible for the man of pious reflection not to perceive in it a finger of that Almighty hand which has been so frequently and signally extended to our relief in the critical stages of the revolution” (The Federalist, no. 37, ed. Henry Cabot Lodge, New York: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1983, p. 222).
Alexander Hamilton, famous as the originator of The Federalist papers and author of fifty-one of the essays, said: “For my own part, I sincerely esteem it a system, which without the finger of God, never could have been suggested and agreed upon by such a diversity of interest” (Essays on the Constitution of the United States, ed. Paul L. Ford, 1892, pp. 251–52).
Charles Pinckney, a very active participant and author of the Pinckney Plan during the Convention, said: “When the great work was done and published, I was struck with amazement. Nothing less than the superintending Hand of Providence, that so miraculously carried us through the war … could have brought it about so complete, upon the whole” (Essays on the Constitution, p. 412).
Within ten months, the Constitution was ratified by nine states and was therefore in force for them. Prophecy had been fulfilled.
During his first inaugural address in 1789, President George Washington, a man who was raised up by God, said: “No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible hand, which conducts the affairs of men, more than the people of the United States. Every step by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency” (First Inaugural Address, 30 Apr. 1789).
In compliance with Article 6 of the Constitution, the very first act passed by Congress and signed by President Washington on June 1, 1789, was the actual oath to support the Constitution that was to be administered to various government officers.
The dedicatory prayer for the Kirtland Temple, as dictated by the Lord and found in the Doctrine and Covenants, contains these words: “May those principles, which were so honorably and nobly defended, namely, the Constitution of our land, by our fathers, be established forever” (D&C 109:54).
Shortly after President Spencer W. Kimball became President of the Church, he assigned me to go into the vault of the St. George Temple and check the early records. As I did so, I realized the fulfillment of a dream I had had ever since learning of the visit of the Founding Fathers to the St. George Temple. I saw with my own eyes the record of the work which was done for the Founding Fathers of this great nation, beginning with George Washington.
Think of it: the Founding Fathers of this nation, those great men, appeared within those sacred walls and had their vicarious work done for them.
President Wilford Woodruff spoke of it in these words: “Before I left St. George, the spirits of the dead gathered around me, wanting to know why we did not redeem them. Said they, ‘You have had the use of the Endowment House for a number of years, and yet nothing has ever been done for us. We laid the foundation of the government you now enjoy, and we never apostatized from it, but we remained true to it and were faithful to God’ ” (The Discourses of Wilford Woodruff, sel. G. Homer Durham, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1946, p. 160).
After he became President of the Church, President Wilford Woodruff declared that “those men who laid the foundation of this American government were the best spirits the God of heaven could find on the face of the earth. They were choice spirits … [and] were inspired of the Lord” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1898, p. 89).
Unfortunately, we as a nation have apostatized in various degrees from different Constitutional principles as proclaimed by the inspired founders. We are fast approaching that moment prophesied by Joseph Smith when he said: “Even this nation will be on the very verge of crumbling to pieces and tumbling to the ground, and when the Constitution is upon the brink of ruin, this people will be the staff upon which the nation shall lean, and they shall bear the Constitution away from the very verge of destruction” (19 July 1840, as recorded by Martha Jane Knowlton Coray; ms. in Church Historian’s Office, Salt Lake City).
For centuries our forefathers suffered and sacrificed that we might be the recipients of the blessings of freedom. If they were willing to sacrifice so much to establish us as a free people, should we not be willing to do the same to maintain that freedom for ourselves and for future generations?
Only in this foreordained land, under its God-inspired Constitution and the resulting environment of freedom, was it possible to have established the restored church. It is our responsibility to see that this freedom is perpetuated so that the Church may more easily flourish in the future.
The Lord said, “Therefore, I, the Lord, justify you, and your brethren of my church, in befriending that law which is the constitutional law of the land” (D&C 98:6).
How then can we best befriend the Constitution in this critical hour and secure the blessings of liberty and ensure the protection and guidance of our Father in Heaven?
First and foremost, we must be righteous.
John Adams said, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” (The Works of John Adams, ed. C. F. Adams, Boston: Little, Brown Co., 1851, 4:31). If the Constitution is to have continuance, this American nation, and especially the Latter-day Saints, must be virtuous.
The Book of Mormon warns us relative to our living in this free land: “Wherefore, this land is consecrated unto him whom he shall bring. And if it so be that they shall serve him according to the commandments which he hath given, it shall be a land of liberty unto them; wherefore, they shall never be brought down into captivity; if so, it shall be because of iniquity; for if iniquity shall abound cursed shall be the land for their sakes, but unto the righteous it shall be blessed forever” (2 Ne. 1:7).
“And now,” warned Moroni, “we can behold the decrees of God concerning this land, that it is a land of promise; and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall serve God, or they shall be swept off when the fulness of his wrath shall come upon them. And the fulness of his wrath cometh upon them when they are ripened in iniquity” (Ether 2:9).
Two great American Christian civilizations—the Jaredites and the Nephites—were swept off this land because they did not “serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ” (Ether 2:12). What will become of our civilization?
Second, we must learn the principles of the Constitution in the tradition of the Founding Fathers.
Have we read The Federalist papers? Are we reading the Constitution and pondering it? Are we aware of its principles? Are we abiding by these principles and teaching them to others? Could we defend the Constitution? Can we recognize when a law is constitutionally unsound? Do we know what the prophets have said about the Constitution and the threats to it?
As Jefferson said, “If a nation expects to be ignorant and free … it expects what never was and never will be” (Letter to Colonel Charles Yancey, 6 Jan. 1816).
Third, we must become involved in civic affairs to see that we are properly represented.
The Lord said that “he holds men accountable for their acts in relation” to governments “both in making laws and administering them” (D&C 134:1). We must follow this counsel from the Lord: “Honest men and wise men should be sought for diligently, and good men and wise men ye should observe to uphold; otherwise whatsoever is less than these cometh of evil” (D&C 98:10).
Note the qualities that the Lord demands of those who are to represent us. They must be good, wise, and honest.
Fourth, we must make our influence felt by our vote, our letters, our teaching, and our advice.
We must become accurately informed and then let others know how we feel. The Prophet Joseph Smith said: “It is our duty to concentrate all our influence to make popular that which is sound and good, and unpopular that which is unsound. ‘Tis right, politically, for a man who has influence to use it. … From henceforth I will maintain all the influence I can get” (History of the Church, 5:286).
I have faith that the Constitution will be saved as prophesied by Joseph Smith. It will be saved by the righteous citizens of this nation who love and cherish freedom. It will be saved by enlightened members of this Church—among others—men and women who understand and abide the principles of the Constitution. I reverence the Constitution of the United States as a sacred document. To me its words are akin to the revelations of God, for God has placed His stamp of approval upon it.
I testify that the God of heaven sent some of His choicest spirits to lay the foundation of this government, and He has now sent other choice spirits to help preserve it. We, the blessed beneficiaries of the Constitution, face difficult days in America, “a land which is choice above all other lands” (Ether 2:10).
May God give us the faith and the courage exhibited by those patriots who pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. May we be equally as valiant and as free, I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
We have recently celebrated the bicentennial of the signing of the United States Constitution. That commemoration marked the beginning of a series of bicentennial anniversaries of events leading up to the ratification of the Constitution, implementation of the government it created, and the writing and ratification of the Bill of Rights. We look forward to the future commemoration of each of these important events during the next four years. It is as a result of these events that we are able to meet today in peace as members of the restored Church of Jesus Christ. For this we should all be eternally grateful.
I desire, therefore, to speak to you about our divine Constitution, which the Lord said “belongs to all mankind” (D&C 98:5; italics added) “and should be maintained for the rights and protection of all flesh, according to just and holy principles” (D&C 101:77; italics added).
The Constitution of the United States has served as a model for many nations and is the oldest constitution in use today.
“I established the Constitution of this land,” said the Lord, “by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose” (D&C 101:80).
For centuries the Lord kept America hidden in the hollow of His hand until the time was right to unveil her for her destiny in the last days. “It is wisdom that this land should be kept as yet from the knowledge of other nations,” said Lehi, “for behold, many nations would overrun the land, that there would be no place for an inheritance” (2 Ne. 1:8).
In the Lord’s due time His Spirit “wrought upon” Columbus, the pilgrims, the Puritans, and others to come to America. They testified of God’s intervention in their behalf (see 1 Ne. 13:12–13). The Book of Mormon records that they humbled “themselves before the Lord; and the power of the Lord was with them” (1 Ne. 13:16).
Our Father in Heaven planned the coming forth of the Founding Fathers and their form of government as the necessary great prologue leading to the restoration of the gospel. Recall what our Savior Jesus Christ said nearly two thousand years ago when He visited this promised land: “For it is wisdom in the Father that they should be established in this land, and be set up as a free people by the power of the Father, that these things might come forth” (3 Ne. 21:4). America, the land of liberty, was to be the Lord’s latter-day base of operations for His restored church.
The Declaration of Independence affirmed the Founding Fathers’ belief and trust in God in these words: “We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.”
The Doctrine and Covenants states, “We believe that no government can exist in peace, except such laws are framed and held inviolate as will secure to each individual the free exercise of conscience, the right and control of property, and the protection of life” (D&C 134:2). Life, liberty, property—mankind’s three great rights.
At the conclusion of the Declaration of Independence, they wrote, “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.” This Declaration was a promise that would demand terrible sacrifice on the part of its signers. Five of the signers were captured as traitors and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons in the Revolutionary War; another had two sons captured. Nine died from wounds or from the hardships of the war. The Lord said He “redeemed the land by the shedding of blood” (D&C 101:80). Nephi recorded that the Founders “were delivered by the power of God out of the hands of all other nations” (1 Ne. 13:19).
The years immediately preceding the Constitutional Convention were filled with disappointments and threats to the newly won peace. Washington was offered a kingship, which he adamantly refused. Nephi had prophesied hundreds of years before that “this land shall be a land of liberty unto the Gentiles, and there shall be no kings upon the land” (2 Ne. 10:11; italics added).
Between the critical years of 1783 and 1787, an outsider viewing the affairs of the United States would have thought that the thirteen states, different in so many ways, could never effectively unite. The world powers were confident that this nation would not last.
Eventually, twelve of the states met in Philadelphia to address the problem. Madison said at the beginning of the Convention that the delegates “were now digesting a plan which in its operation would decide forever the fate of Republican Government” (26 June 1787, Records of the Federal Convention, 1:423).
“The Lord knoweth all things from the beginning,” said Nephi, “wherefore, he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works among the children of men” (1 Ne. 9:6).
Four months later, the Convention delegates had completed their work. As Gladstone said, it was “the most wonderful work ever struck off at a given time by the brain and purpose of man” (William Gladstone, North American Review, Sept.–Oct. 1878, p. 185), and the Prophet Joseph Smith called it “a glorious standard … a heavenly banner” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1938, p. 147).
The delegates were the recipients of heavenly inspiration. James Madison, often referred to as the father of the Constitution, wrote: “It is impossible for the man of pious reflection not to perceive in it a finger of that Almighty hand which has been so frequently and signally extended to our relief in the critical stages of the revolution” (The Federalist, no. 37, ed. Henry Cabot Lodge, New York: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1983, p. 222).
Alexander Hamilton, famous as the originator of The Federalist papers and author of fifty-one of the essays, said: “For my own part, I sincerely esteem it a system, which without the finger of God, never could have been suggested and agreed upon by such a diversity of interest” (Essays on the Constitution of the United States, ed. Paul L. Ford, 1892, pp. 251–52).
Charles Pinckney, a very active participant and author of the Pinckney Plan during the Convention, said: “When the great work was done and published, I was struck with amazement. Nothing less than the superintending Hand of Providence, that so miraculously carried us through the war … could have brought it about so complete, upon the whole” (Essays on the Constitution, p. 412).
Within ten months, the Constitution was ratified by nine states and was therefore in force for them. Prophecy had been fulfilled.
During his first inaugural address in 1789, President George Washington, a man who was raised up by God, said: “No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible hand, which conducts the affairs of men, more than the people of the United States. Every step by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency” (First Inaugural Address, 30 Apr. 1789).
In compliance with Article 6 of the Constitution, the very first act passed by Congress and signed by President Washington on June 1, 1789, was the actual oath to support the Constitution that was to be administered to various government officers.
The dedicatory prayer for the Kirtland Temple, as dictated by the Lord and found in the Doctrine and Covenants, contains these words: “May those principles, which were so honorably and nobly defended, namely, the Constitution of our land, by our fathers, be established forever” (D&C 109:54).
Shortly after President Spencer W. Kimball became President of the Church, he assigned me to go into the vault of the St. George Temple and check the early records. As I did so, I realized the fulfillment of a dream I had had ever since learning of the visit of the Founding Fathers to the St. George Temple. I saw with my own eyes the record of the work which was done for the Founding Fathers of this great nation, beginning with George Washington.
Think of it: the Founding Fathers of this nation, those great men, appeared within those sacred walls and had their vicarious work done for them.
President Wilford Woodruff spoke of it in these words: “Before I left St. George, the spirits of the dead gathered around me, wanting to know why we did not redeem them. Said they, ‘You have had the use of the Endowment House for a number of years, and yet nothing has ever been done for us. We laid the foundation of the government you now enjoy, and we never apostatized from it, but we remained true to it and were faithful to God’ ” (The Discourses of Wilford Woodruff, sel. G. Homer Durham, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1946, p. 160).
After he became President of the Church, President Wilford Woodruff declared that “those men who laid the foundation of this American government were the best spirits the God of heaven could find on the face of the earth. They were choice spirits … [and] were inspired of the Lord” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1898, p. 89).
Unfortunately, we as a nation have apostatized in various degrees from different Constitutional principles as proclaimed by the inspired founders. We are fast approaching that moment prophesied by Joseph Smith when he said: “Even this nation will be on the very verge of crumbling to pieces and tumbling to the ground, and when the Constitution is upon the brink of ruin, this people will be the staff upon which the nation shall lean, and they shall bear the Constitution away from the very verge of destruction” (19 July 1840, as recorded by Martha Jane Knowlton Coray; ms. in Church Historian’s Office, Salt Lake City).
For centuries our forefathers suffered and sacrificed that we might be the recipients of the blessings of freedom. If they were willing to sacrifice so much to establish us as a free people, should we not be willing to do the same to maintain that freedom for ourselves and for future generations?
Only in this foreordained land, under its God-inspired Constitution and the resulting environment of freedom, was it possible to have established the restored church. It is our responsibility to see that this freedom is perpetuated so that the Church may more easily flourish in the future.
The Lord said, “Therefore, I, the Lord, justify you, and your brethren of my church, in befriending that law which is the constitutional law of the land” (D&C 98:6).
How then can we best befriend the Constitution in this critical hour and secure the blessings of liberty and ensure the protection and guidance of our Father in Heaven?
First and foremost, we must be righteous.
John Adams said, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” (The Works of John Adams, ed. C. F. Adams, Boston: Little, Brown Co., 1851, 4:31). If the Constitution is to have continuance, this American nation, and especially the Latter-day Saints, must be virtuous.
The Book of Mormon warns us relative to our living in this free land: “Wherefore, this land is consecrated unto him whom he shall bring. And if it so be that they shall serve him according to the commandments which he hath given, it shall be a land of liberty unto them; wherefore, they shall never be brought down into captivity; if so, it shall be because of iniquity; for if iniquity shall abound cursed shall be the land for their sakes, but unto the righteous it shall be blessed forever” (2 Ne. 1:7).
“And now,” warned Moroni, “we can behold the decrees of God concerning this land, that it is a land of promise; and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall serve God, or they shall be swept off when the fulness of his wrath shall come upon them. And the fulness of his wrath cometh upon them when they are ripened in iniquity” (Ether 2:9).
Two great American Christian civilizations—the Jaredites and the Nephites—were swept off this land because they did not “serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ” (Ether 2:12). What will become of our civilization?
Second, we must learn the principles of the Constitution in the tradition of the Founding Fathers.
Have we read The Federalist papers? Are we reading the Constitution and pondering it? Are we aware of its principles? Are we abiding by these principles and teaching them to others? Could we defend the Constitution? Can we recognize when a law is constitutionally unsound? Do we know what the prophets have said about the Constitution and the threats to it?
As Jefferson said, “If a nation expects to be ignorant and free … it expects what never was and never will be” (Letter to Colonel Charles Yancey, 6 Jan. 1816).
Third, we must become involved in civic affairs to see that we are properly represented.
The Lord said that “he holds men accountable for their acts in relation” to governments “both in making laws and administering them” (D&C 134:1). We must follow this counsel from the Lord: “Honest men and wise men should be sought for diligently, and good men and wise men ye should observe to uphold; otherwise whatsoever is less than these cometh of evil” (D&C 98:10).
Note the qualities that the Lord demands of those who are to represent us. They must be good, wise, and honest.
Fourth, we must make our influence felt by our vote, our letters, our teaching, and our advice.
We must become accurately informed and then let others know how we feel. The Prophet Joseph Smith said: “It is our duty to concentrate all our influence to make popular that which is sound and good, and unpopular that which is unsound. ‘Tis right, politically, for a man who has influence to use it. … From henceforth I will maintain all the influence I can get” (History of the Church, 5:286).
I have faith that the Constitution will be saved as prophesied by Joseph Smith. It will be saved by the righteous citizens of this nation who love and cherish freedom. It will be saved by enlightened members of this Church—among others—men and women who understand and abide the principles of the Constitution. I reverence the Constitution of the United States as a sacred document. To me its words are akin to the revelations of God, for God has placed His stamp of approval upon it.
I testify that the God of heaven sent some of His choicest spirits to lay the foundation of this government, and He has now sent other choice spirits to help preserve it. We, the blessed beneficiaries of the Constitution, face difficult days in America, “a land which is choice above all other lands” (Ether 2:10).
May God give us the faith and the courage exhibited by those patriots who pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. May we be equally as valiant and as free, I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Pioneer Day Story
Susan Davis, “Pioneer Games,” Friend, Feb. 1989, 46
A typical pioneer school had only one room, one teacher, and about twenty-five students in grades one through eight. Not only did boys and girls of different ages study together, they often played together during recess.
On bright, sunny days, shadow tag was a perfect game to play. At the beginning of recess, Henry was chosen to be it. Henry chased the other boys and girls, trying to step on somebody’s shadow. He was just about to step on Laura’s shadow, when she cleverly hid it inside a tree’s shadow. But Laura couldn’t stay there; she had to count to ten, then leave the safety of the shadow. When she did, Henry quickly stomped on her shadow, and she became it.
Another form of tag that pioneer children played was chain tag. In this game, two people were it; this time it was Edna and Mary. Edna clasped Mary’s hand, and they began chasing the others. When they tagged Carrie behind the schoolhouse, she linked hands with Edna, making the chain three people long. The chain grew longer as more people were tagged.
Another pioneer game was last couple out. Caroline was chosen to be the leader, and the other children each chose a partner. They lined up side by side behind Caroline. Henry and Charles were partners, and they were the last couple lined up behind Caroline. When Caroline yelled, “Last couple out!” Henry and Charles separated. Henry ran forward along the right side of the line, and Charles along the left side. The two boys tried to clasp hands before Caroline tagged either of them. But Caroline touched Charles, thus becoming his partner. They took their place at the front of the line behind Henry, the new leader.
Sometimes pioneer children divided into two groups and played dare base. Helen and Loren were the two team captains. Helen’s team’s base was the area around the flagpole. Loren’s team’s base was the area around the seesaw.
Loren felt daring; he thought that he could run around the flagpole without getting caught. He ran his fastest, and he made it! Since Loren’s dare paid off, he got to choose Henry to join his team. Carrie was on Helen’s team, and she felt daring too. She ran her fastest but only made it halfway around the seesaw before she got caught. Her dare failed, and she had to join Loren’s team.
A form of baseball was another game the pioneer children played. Can you imagine the pitcher throwing a homemade twine ball and you swinging at it with a flat board? That’s how pioneer children did it.
In school, if the children had been well-behaved, the teacher might reward them by having a railroad spelling bee after the afternoon recess. All the children lined up next to the wall. One day little Mary was at the front of the line, so she could spell any word that she wanted to. She correctly spelled cat. Then Charles, who was next in line, had to spell a word beginning with t, the last letter in Mary’s word. He spelled tail. Laura was next, and she had to spell a word beginning with l. She slowly spelled, “l-i-v-e-l-e-e.” Then, because she had misspelled lively, she had to sit down. The game continued as Henry correctly spelled a word beginning with y.
All too soon the railroad spelling bee ended—it was time for the children to go home. But the next day they would return to the one-room schoolhouse to study and play again.
Gospel topics: Church history, pioneers
A typical pioneer school had only one room, one teacher, and about twenty-five students in grades one through eight. Not only did boys and girls of different ages study together, they often played together during recess.
On bright, sunny days, shadow tag was a perfect game to play. At the beginning of recess, Henry was chosen to be it. Henry chased the other boys and girls, trying to step on somebody’s shadow. He was just about to step on Laura’s shadow, when she cleverly hid it inside a tree’s shadow. But Laura couldn’t stay there; she had to count to ten, then leave the safety of the shadow. When she did, Henry quickly stomped on her shadow, and she became it.
Another form of tag that pioneer children played was chain tag. In this game, two people were it; this time it was Edna and Mary. Edna clasped Mary’s hand, and they began chasing the others. When they tagged Carrie behind the schoolhouse, she linked hands with Edna, making the chain three people long. The chain grew longer as more people were tagged.
Another pioneer game was last couple out. Caroline was chosen to be the leader, and the other children each chose a partner. They lined up side by side behind Caroline. Henry and Charles were partners, and they were the last couple lined up behind Caroline. When Caroline yelled, “Last couple out!” Henry and Charles separated. Henry ran forward along the right side of the line, and Charles along the left side. The two boys tried to clasp hands before Caroline tagged either of them. But Caroline touched Charles, thus becoming his partner. They took their place at the front of the line behind Henry, the new leader.
Sometimes pioneer children divided into two groups and played dare base. Helen and Loren were the two team captains. Helen’s team’s base was the area around the flagpole. Loren’s team’s base was the area around the seesaw.
Loren felt daring; he thought that he could run around the flagpole without getting caught. He ran his fastest, and he made it! Since Loren’s dare paid off, he got to choose Henry to join his team. Carrie was on Helen’s team, and she felt daring too. She ran her fastest but only made it halfway around the seesaw before she got caught. Her dare failed, and she had to join Loren’s team.
A form of baseball was another game the pioneer children played. Can you imagine the pitcher throwing a homemade twine ball and you swinging at it with a flat board? That’s how pioneer children did it.
In school, if the children had been well-behaved, the teacher might reward them by having a railroad spelling bee after the afternoon recess. All the children lined up next to the wall. One day little Mary was at the front of the line, so she could spell any word that she wanted to. She correctly spelled cat. Then Charles, who was next in line, had to spell a word beginning with t, the last letter in Mary’s word. He spelled tail. Laura was next, and she had to spell a word beginning with l. She slowly spelled, “l-i-v-e-l-e-e.” Then, because she had misspelled lively, she had to sit down. The game continued as Henry correctly spelled a word beginning with y.
All too soon the railroad spelling bee ended—it was time for the children to go home. But the next day they would return to the one-room schoolhouse to study and play again.
Gospel topics: Church history, pioneers
Independence Day Deserts
Brownie 'n Berries Dessert Pizza
Want to wow a chocolate-craving crowd? Make a sweet dessert pizza topped with a creamy layer and tart berries.
Prep Time: 20 min
Total Time: 2 hours 50 min
Makes: 16 servings
1 box (1 lb 6.5 oz) Betty Crocker® Original Supreme brownie mix
Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on brownie mix box
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
1 cup fresh blueberries
1 cup fresh raspberries
1/2 cup apple jelly
1. Heat oven to 350°F (or 325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Grease bottom only of 12-inch pizza pan with cooking spray or shortening.
2. In medium bowl, stir brownie mix, pouch of chocolate syrup, water, oil and eggs until well blended. Spread in pan.
3. Bake 28 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted 2 inches from side of pan comes out clean or almost clean. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
4. In small bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Spread mixture evenly over brownie base. Arrange berries over cream cheese mixture. Stir jelly until smooth; brush over berries. Refrigerate about 1 hour or until chilled. Cut into wedges. Store covered in refrigerator.
High Altitude (3500-6500 ft): Follow High Altitude directions on brownie mix box. Use 14-inch pizza pan.
Make the Most of This Recipe With Tips From The Betty Crocker® Kitchens
Substitution
Use your favorite combo of three berries.
Health Twist
Use a low- or no-fat cream cheese for the regular cream cheese.
Make It a Party
Get summer party menus, plan-ahead guides, success tips and fun activities for the 4th of July and more grilling get-togethers.
Red, White and Blue Shortcake Stars
Celebrate with strawberry, blueberry and whipped cream shortcakes, family fun for patriotic holidays or any occasion.
Prep Time: 15 min
Total Time: 1 hour 27 min
1 1/2 quarts strawberries, sliced (6 cups)
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
4 2/3 cups Original Bisquick® mix
1 cup milk
1/2 cup chopped dried cherries
6 tablespoons granulated sugar
6 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
2 cups blueberries
3/4 cup whipping (heavy) cream
2 tablespoons granulated or powdered sugar
1. Mix strawberries and 1 1/2 cups sugar. Let stand 1 hour.
2. Heat oven to 425ºF. Mix Bisquick mix, milk, cherries, 6 tablespoons sugar and the butter until soft dough forms.
3. Gently smooth dough into ball on surface sprinkled lightly with Bisquick mix. Knead 10 times. Roll dough 1/2 inch thick. Cut with floured 3-inch star-shaped or round cutter. Place about 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown.
4. Stir blueberries into strawberries. Beat whipping cream and 2 tablespoons sugar in chilled medium bowl with electric mixer on high speed until stiff. Split shortcakes in half. Fill and top with berries and whipped cream.
Make the Most of This Recipe With Tips From The Betty Crocker® Kitchens
Do-Ahead Tip
Get a jump start on making shortcake! Before baking, cover and refrigerate the cut dough on the cookie sheet for up to 4 hours, or wrap and freeze for up to 48 hours.
Substitution
Try fresh raspberries instead of strawberries, or ditch the red, white and blue theme and use blackberries, sliced peaches or even sliced plums!
Success
Shortcakes contain a lot of sugar, so having a dark bottom crust is normal. Be sure to place the cookie sheet in the center of the oven to ensure even browning.
Want to wow a chocolate-craving crowd? Make a sweet dessert pizza topped with a creamy layer and tart berries.
Prep Time: 20 min
Total Time: 2 hours 50 min
Makes: 16 servings
1 box (1 lb 6.5 oz) Betty Crocker® Original Supreme brownie mix
Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on brownie mix box
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
1 cup fresh blueberries
1 cup fresh raspberries
1/2 cup apple jelly
1. Heat oven to 350°F (or 325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Grease bottom only of 12-inch pizza pan with cooking spray or shortening.
2. In medium bowl, stir brownie mix, pouch of chocolate syrup, water, oil and eggs until well blended. Spread in pan.
3. Bake 28 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted 2 inches from side of pan comes out clean or almost clean. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
4. In small bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Spread mixture evenly over brownie base. Arrange berries over cream cheese mixture. Stir jelly until smooth; brush over berries. Refrigerate about 1 hour or until chilled. Cut into wedges. Store covered in refrigerator.
High Altitude (3500-6500 ft): Follow High Altitude directions on brownie mix box. Use 14-inch pizza pan.
Make the Most of This Recipe With Tips From The Betty Crocker® Kitchens
Substitution
Use your favorite combo of three berries.
Health Twist
Use a low- or no-fat cream cheese for the regular cream cheese.
Make It a Party
Get summer party menus, plan-ahead guides, success tips and fun activities for the 4th of July and more grilling get-togethers.
Red, White and Blue Shortcake Stars
Celebrate with strawberry, blueberry and whipped cream shortcakes, family fun for patriotic holidays or any occasion.
Prep Time: 15 min
Total Time: 1 hour 27 min
1 1/2 quarts strawberries, sliced (6 cups)
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
4 2/3 cups Original Bisquick® mix
1 cup milk
1/2 cup chopped dried cherries
6 tablespoons granulated sugar
6 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
2 cups blueberries
3/4 cup whipping (heavy) cream
2 tablespoons granulated or powdered sugar
1. Mix strawberries and 1 1/2 cups sugar. Let stand 1 hour.
2. Heat oven to 425ºF. Mix Bisquick mix, milk, cherries, 6 tablespoons sugar and the butter until soft dough forms.
3. Gently smooth dough into ball on surface sprinkled lightly with Bisquick mix. Knead 10 times. Roll dough 1/2 inch thick. Cut with floured 3-inch star-shaped or round cutter. Place about 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown.
4. Stir blueberries into strawberries. Beat whipping cream and 2 tablespoons sugar in chilled medium bowl with electric mixer on high speed until stiff. Split shortcakes in half. Fill and top with berries and whipped cream.
Make the Most of This Recipe With Tips From The Betty Crocker® Kitchens
Do-Ahead Tip
Get a jump start on making shortcake! Before baking, cover and refrigerate the cut dough on the cookie sheet for up to 4 hours, or wrap and freeze for up to 48 hours.
Substitution
Try fresh raspberries instead of strawberries, or ditch the red, white and blue theme and use blackberries, sliced peaches or even sliced plums!
Success
Shortcakes contain a lot of sugar, so having a dark bottom crust is normal. Be sure to place the cookie sheet in the center of the oven to ensure even browning.
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