Last week, I was called to be the Sunday School teacher for the 16-18 yr-old young men and young women. We are studying the same lessons taught in Gospel Doctrine ergo Doctrine and Covenants and Church History. This week's lesson focused on Section 25 which was a revelation given to Emma Smith. I LOVE historical photos, so you can imagine my excitement when I found these gems while preparing my lesson.
Here's a photo of Emma Smith holding her youngest son David who was born about 5 months after the Prophet Joseph Smith was martyred. I like studying her face, her real face-the one that shows what she went through and how she felt.
I think we put so much emphasis on the fact that six of Emma's children died in infancy, sometimes we might forget the five children she had that lived to adulthood. Though each infant death was a tragic loss, in my experience five children is joy five times over. (I only have four, but Caitlin brings so much joy, that counts for two.) Anyway, I found these precious photos of the adult children of Joseph and Emma.
This is Julia Murdock Smith (one of the twins adopted by Joseph and Emma when her birth-mother died giving birth to her and her brother). She died at about 49 years of age.
This is Joseph Smith III. My kids like his Napoleon pose. He died at age 82.
This is Joseph & Emma's son Frederick William Granger Smith who died at age 26.
 This is Alexander Hale Smith who reportedly looked the most like his father, Joseph, especially around the eyes. He lived until he was 61 years of age. It's fun to look at his photo next to Emma's and guess that the features he does not share with her might be the ones he got from his father.
 This is Joseph and Emma's last child, David Hyrum Smith on his wedding day. He died at age 51. Well, boring you may say (in the comments section), but fascinating to me. One more quick story. Caitlin's school is selling coffee for their latest fund-raiser. Caitlin felt that it would not be in harmony with her standards and the Word of Wisdom to participate. Usually it isn't too big of a deal if a child does not participate in the school fundraisers, but this time, someone decided to ask each student to make a pledge to sell two bags of coffee. They had a poster for each of them to sign as part of the pledge. Caitlin declined based on her religious beliefs. Her classmates urged her to sign the poster anyway and then just not sell the coffee. She said she did not feel right about making a pledge she had no intention of keeping. The fun thing about Caitlin is that she wasn't frightened by the situation at all; she wasn't worried about what others would think about her. She was just matter-of-fact about it saying, "This is how I feel." Way to go, Caitlin.
I visit teach a dear friend who is preparing to go to the temple for the first time. (In order to maintain proper blog etiquette, I will call her Sister B.) In preparation for this special occasion, my VT companion, who is also a dear friend, arranged a wonderful outing where we all went to the church clothing store together to buy a white dress for Sister B. (My VT companion's name also starts with a B, so I guess I will have to call her Sister BB.) Sister T who is Sister B's VT companion (and a dear friend too) came with us also. We all had the best time.  After we bought the cutest dress for Sister B, we all went to Sister Queen's for lunch. (I know for certain that Sister Queen won't mind at all if I tell you her first name is Dairy.)  Anyway, on our fun outing, we started discussing the rumor that the escalators in the temple would soon be replaced by stairs. I said I would miss the escalators because I always thought about riding to heaven when I used them.  Sister T (who is so much more spiritual than I am) said she would appreciate the new stairs because they would remind her that we have to put in our own effort every step of the way to heaven.  Sister BB said she would just take the elevator. (I just luv Sister BB.)  Now if the escalators are gone when we go in March, Sister B and I will have to decide if we will take the stairs with Sister T or the elevator with Sister BB?  Thank goodness for stairs, escalators and elevators, and that there is a Way provided for us to get to our desired destination.  Special thanks to Caitlin for the photo-realistic renderings of my friends and me on our memorable outing.
 Preston is not engaged yet, though he frequently practices proposing and really enjoys giving valentines to all his GIRLfriends.  Joseph missed his drum and hit his hand giving himself a pretty good bruise.  Preston finished a season of basketball at the Y and will start spring soccer in April.  Caitlin got contacts and finished writing 135 pages of her novel. It always helps to be able to see.  Jacob was selected for Hi-Cap testing to see if he will qualify for the advanced placement program in middle school. We'll know the results of the test in a month or two.
Last Saturday, our family volunteered to vacuum and clean a portion of the church building where we meet on Sundays. When it was time to head over to the building, Caitlin and Joseph, who were both in sweats, asked what was appropriate to wear for cleaning the church. Roger replied, "You can wear whatever you have on. That's just fine." Preston, who had thus far gone unnoticed by his father, squealed with delight. "Alright," he said as he pumped his fist. This is what he had on at the moment.  Unfortunately, lightsabers are not especially effective when it comes to cleaning windows or taking out trash, so Preston ended up changing into something more suitable.
I have it on good authority, that a person in California (but probably not one of my sisters) did not know how to say their name in Pig Latin. Having once attended grade school myself, I understand how vital that skill is. Luckily this victim of such an unfortunate circumstance had Internet access allowing them to Google, "how to say your name in Pig Latin." Low and behold, my little blog came up as the first hit!!! (BTW-it only works if you include the quotation marks.) Since my blog gives the link to http://www.isthisyour.name/, it was actually a helpful source to this person in immediate need of internet guidance. I am so proud of my unintentional random act of blogging kindness, I may just have to mention it when I report my visiting teaching this month.  Also, it has come to my attention, that I am one of the few people in the great big world of blogging (or on the whole Internet for that matter) that has discussed the chinstrap penguin as a personal power animal. I always knew I would have a claim to fame someday, that somehow I would make a unique but significant contribution to humankind. Now it is through random acts of blogging that I have achieved this (albeit momentary) moment of notoriety. So, armed with the knowledge that occasionally someone does actually read my blog and may even in a rare instance gain valuable information from it, I have decided to start a blog about singing. (Now, my biggest fear is that someone interested in singing may actually read it.) You are welcome to take a peak, or even visit it on occasion. It's called The Legato Line.  Anyone who knows me, knows I like to talk about music. Actually, I long to talk about singing and the things I learn as I study and teach much more than anyone really wants to listen. This blog will give me the chance to do that, and maybe if I throw in the words "chinstrap penguins" and "personal power animals" enough, I will get a few readers. Seriously though, isn't it interesting how much the Internet is changing our lives? It is so much easier to learn things, to communicate, to express ourselves and to find others with similar interests with whom to e-socialize. I have a goal that each day I will wonder about something and google it. I call it, "The Daily Wonder." So, I'm curious, What do you google?
I decided to make a Blogger's corner on the right sidebar for things I learn about blogging. If you have questions or input, please feel welcome to post them in the comments section here.
Roger brought a quote home from work and shared it with me today. He knew it was exactly along the lines I've been thinking lately! I want to make a cross-stitch of this saying, or write it in lipstick on my bathroom mirror so I can remember and internalize it. I guess I'll just post it on my blog. "Never try to compel others to change; leave them free to change naturally and orderly because they want to; and they will want to when they find that your change was worthwhile. "To inspire in others a desire to change for the better is truly noble; but this you can do only by leaving them alone, and becoming more noble yourself." Christian D Larson (1874-1954) Mastery of Self I think it takes a lot of courage to give someone the space they need to make a change, but I can see how it works. For example, Roger has lost over 150 pounds in less than two years. He would never think of trying to convince someone else to loose weight, but people ask him all the time what he is doing. Several people have found motivation to make changes in their own lives because he has shown by example that such changes can be worthwhile. A dear friend of mine has a son who has cancer. I have been astounded with the poise and faith that she has shown as she has faced such a difficult time. I asked her how she could be so strong. She said she had been able to increase her participation in activities that strengthened her spirit just before her son's illness was diagnosed. I am amazed at the power that simple conversation had in my life. I have increased my participation in activities that strengthen my spirit because I witnessed that her changes had truly strengthened her. I have noticed that when a change is working in someone's life, it becomes contagious. Other people catch it too. It get's really exciting. It's fun to associate with a group of people who are enthused about changing their own lives but are willing to trust you to make the changes you feel are actually worthwhile. I think of blogging as a big party. I am so grateful that fellow bloggers let me see a little bit of their lives. I love reading about the things they are doing, learning and changing. I have become more politically minded (which is a BIG deal for me). I have more desire to be a better writer and a better cook. I want to hang cute vinyl crafts in my home. I have made changes in my life without even thinking about it because of my sweet blogger friends. Thank you. This is fun.
1. Post 25 random things about myself. 2. Give birth to octuplets and then find out I already have six kids at home. 3. Admit to past crushes by blog. I only do that by phone and only about Donny Osmond. (I was really young.) 4. Send a message in a bottle only to have it returned marked "Not at this address." 5. Tell a joke that’s not funny. Oops, I just did. 6. Play professional ice hockey. 7. Find a snake in my washing machine. 8. Wait a whole week to see the next episode of Lost.9. Grow a beard. 10. Discover I was a dumb blonde in a previous life. (No, not twice!) 11. Perform with a smelly accompanist. 12. Find a zit inside my nose. 13. Find out I am actually Darth Sidious undercover. 14. Become perfect in this life. (No fun. No fun.) 15. Realize I've forgotten my own birthday. 16. See the back of Mount Rushmore. 17. Eat a broken banana. 18. Find out my life history is not a true story. 19. Realize that it’s not over until I sing. 20. Go skydiving with a broken parachute. 21. Spill a word wrong. 22. Find out I’m really normal after all. 23. Join Mensa – whatever that is. 24. Mistake Times New Roman for the baptismal font. 25. Look in the mirror one day to discover that I look like subject of The Scream.
Over the years we have come up with many ways to make our family scripture study more meaningful, or at least ways to keep us focused on the task at hand.  A few years ago while we were studying the Old Testament, every time we came to a verse that began, "And the Lord spake unto Moses" we would have Caitlin read that phrase. It got to the point where we would say, "Caitlin" and she would say, "And the Lord spake unto Moses" without even looking down at her bible. 
While studying the Book of Mormon, we started a tradition where each time it said "chief," the kids would give an Indian yelp. We had to stop that after a while, though, because it distracted from the spirit. It also scared me.
Last year, we read the New Testament and found that portions of it were harder to understand than the Old Testament. When we finally got to Revelation, I noticed that after too many months of reading the epistles, we were just reading words and not really getting into the fabulous imagery in Revelation. I just couldn't sit by as we read about beasts, thundering and lightnings, fire and destruction with no inflection at all; reading as if we were in the fast lane on the freeway going at least 5 miles-per-hour over the speed limit. My husband and children are really bright, so I assumed they could understand all that imagery at high speeds, but not me. I was missing out. My blond covered grey matter just couldn't keep up. Besides, why not enjoy some of the drama of Revelation while reading it.
So I proposed a contest. (Nothing like a contest to increase spirituality.) I suggested that at the end of each evening's scripture study, we would vote for the person who read it with the most expression by holding up our fingers, 1 for dad, 2 for mom, 3 for Joseph and so on. Knowing my children's almost too-well established self-esteems, I added a rule that no one could vote for themselves. Otherwise, we would have had a six-way tie each night.
It has revolutionized the way we read scriptures. (Now we don't tend to stay with the same scripture reading tradition for more than a year, so don't be surprised if we come up with something else in a while, but this has worked for several months.) Sometimes, we give little campaign speeches offering special favors in return for votes. If we have guests, we add them into our mix and vote for them too. (Somehow the guests always win.) Sometimes we read with our British accents, and once I read a conference talk with my Transylvanian vampire accent. (I won that night.) Roger has banned my vampire accent. He says it's not reverent enough. (I think he just doesn't want Caitlin thinking about Twilight while we are trying to study the gospel.) Now we are reading the Doctrine and Covenants. Joseph likes to read the word, "Behold" in his deep authoritative bass tone. Everyone loves his "Behold" voice so much, and he wins so much of the time because of it, we all fight over the verses that say "Behold" trying to imitate him but never succeeding because he is just the best.
Now, lest you get the wrong impression, we are not silly the whole time we are reading the scriptures. Just a smattering of family humor keeps us engaged.
I hope you don't think this was a boast post either. I tried to be totally humble in the way I subtly let you know we have studied the entire standard works together including every single word of the Old Testament. Yes, completely, totally humble. Like I always am. (Maybe I'm the real reason we have to have the no-voting-for-yourself rule?)
 Anywho, one more fun tradition. Up until this year, Preston was too young to take a turn reading, so for his contribution to family scripture study, we would have him hand out the scriptures. I was joking one night that someday in the distant future, we would be gathered as a family with grandchildren and great grandchildren and it would still be the duty/privilege of Preston's descendants to hand out the scriptures. Then making up the name of a future grandchild I said in my perfect replica of a granny voice, "Erastus George, will you hand out the scriptures?" Well, the name stuck, and now, whoever is assigned to hand out the scriptures goes by the name Erastus George for the study period. The sad thing is, now my children may feel obligated to actually name one of their children Erastus George. How hip. Actual Dramitization. Not a real scripture reading event.
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I checked out these books from the library. I've been reading a lot. 
I've been collecting pictures of church history events to share with my Sunday School class. Next week the lesson is on fasting. I had a hard time coming up with pictures to go with that subject.
I've been working on an index of the best general conference talks for each gospel subject. I hope to publish it someday and make some money so I can pay more tithing.
I have been weeding my flower beds, trimming my bushes and doing other chores around the yard a little each week, rain or shine, mostly rain. See, no weeds!
I have been using my neighbor Jill's fabulous secret family roll recipe at least once each week. My kids are so amazed. They didn't think I knew how to bake. Thanks to Jill, I have a new skill.
I have been working out at the Y on the elliptical trainer everyday. My goal is simply to not fall off for 25 minutes. One day, I fell off at 22 minutes. Another day, I hit myself in the head with the arm handle. 
I have been stretching most days with this great stretching video. I've done it so much I have it memorized. Now I do the stretches while I watch Glen Beck. Sometimes the blood shooting out of my eyes gets in the way of my stretches. (If you don't watch Glen Beck, don't take the bloody eyes thing literally.)
I've been eating chocolate. Yes, even though I am allergic to it, I find I can eat one piece a day. This is my chocolate box. It will probably last me until Christmas.
Our family gathering for prayer. I know it never looks this way in your family. 
Roger teaching Joseph how to tie a tie.
Caitlin modeling her $3,000 teeth jewelry.
Roger showing off his waistline. He's lost 180 lbs so far. 
Jacob and his Dad built a pinewood derby car together.
I learned that Lucy Mack Smith led a group of Saints to Kirtland, Ohio in the spring of 1831. They traveled from Fayette to Buffalo, New York on the Erie Canal. When they arrived at Buffalo, the bay on Lake Erie was completely blocked with ice as you can see in the above satellite image. (I told my Sunday School class that this image was taken on the very day that Lucy Mack Smith arrived in Buffalo. They believed me for about two seconds.) As you know, after she urged the Saints to pray for safe passage, the ice parted allowing their boat to pass and closing right after them.
Here's a photo of Emma Smith holding her youngest son David who was born about 5 months after the Prophet Joseph Smith was martyred. I like studying her face, her real face-the one that shows what she went through and how she felt.
