April 24, 2015 - Friday

OK, where did this week go?  I woke up today and realized it was Friday and had to wonder out loud to mom, how is it that the time is so swiftly going forward?  

We got an early start to our workday with our morning devotional and our walk around Carthage.  The temperature was in the high 40's this morning, about 15 degrees warmer than yesterday.  It was a perfect morning for a brisk walk after our morning workout.

Yesterday I had the assignment to provide the hot dogs for our cast party on Friday May 1st.  I immediately thought of Sam's Club and our favorite Nathan's hot dogs.  But while I was walking this morning, I thought about approaching the County Grocery Store just across the street from the Visitors Center.  Since I needed the hot dogs, buns and some sliced onions, I felt impressed to go and see what they could do for us.  

It was a good move.  I met the store director, Tim, and he seemed grateful to try and fill the order I had for 84 dogs, 84 hoagie rolls and 5 pounds of sliced onions.  In the course of our conversation I was able to ask him if he had been over to the Visitors Center across the street.  He told me that he had not and I was able to extend an invitation for him to come over.  Let's see what happens....  We are trying to get more involved with the Carthage community and this seemed to be a good move today.

Mom and I also had another tender mercy at the Visitors Center today.  We met Elder and Sister Bender who served as office missionaries in the Texas, Dallas Mission from 2003 to 2004, for an 18 month mission.  They were responsible for the Chinese, Mandarin speaking missionaries and were in a great need for a Mandarin speaking missionary in April 2003, but the next group who would be ready from the MTC would be sent out in August....  Then, Elder Dustin Tillman came into the MTC with previous Mandarin language skills and was able to enter the Texas, Dallas Mission earlier and these senior missionaries were quick to admit that Elder Tillman was an answer to their prayers.  The Tillman Family have been friends for over 25 years and it was really a great opportunity to meet the Bender's today!  And yes, here is their picture!...;

  What a very small world!

I have been doing some research on Samuel H. Smith.  This was the Prophet's younger brother.  I have been so impressed with learning about him and his role in the Restoration.  There are so many wonderful parts of the Restoration and the pieces of the puzzle that had to be in place as a support to the Prophet Joseph.  Samuel was one of those of great support to his brothers and was the third man baptized in the Church in 1829.  I am particularly drawn to Samuel because he was so much like his older brother Hyrum.  He gave his full support and allegiance to his brother Joseph in helping preach the Gospel and administer the affairs of the Church while staying low key in the process.  

I found this article in the 2008 Ensign  and just wanted to post this part of his wonderful and loyal support to his brothers.  I can only imagine how his heart must have been broken during his ride to Carthage on June 27th, and then his faithfulness in bringing Joseph and Hyrum back to Nauvoo.  There are many historians that support the idea that Samuel was the third martyr from that awful afternoon and evening on June 27th, that initially claimed Joseph and Hyrum's lives and 34 days later claimed Samuel's. 

Samuel H. Smith Rides to Carthage

On June 27, 1844, while still living in Plymouth, Samuel learned that his brothers Joseph and Hyrum, who were in Carthage Jail with John Taylor and Willard Richards, were in danger. Samuel headed toward Carthage with a 14-year-old boy driving a wagon. On the way they met a mob, which attacked when they learned Samuel was Joseph Smith’s brother. The boy headed to Carthage with the wagon, and Samuel escaped into the woods “after severe fatigue, and much danger.” 

He made his way home and “acquired a horse noted for its speed.”  His six-year-old daughter, Mary, remembers this moment: “My father came into the house in much excitement, and said … ‘I think I can break through the mob and get to Carthage’ and immediately he mounted the horse and was gone.” 

As he neared the town, a man and woman escaping in a buggy told him his brothers had been killed. Samuel rode on at great speed. Some of the mob, expecting his return, had hidden in a thicket. They chased Samuel, shooting at him. A bullet passed through the top of his hat, but Samuel, an excellent horseman, outran them.

Samuel was the first Latter-day Saint to arrive at the jail,  but by then Joseph and Hyrum were already dead. The violence was over, the mob had retreated, and Samuel had a piercing pain in his side.

Samuel helped Willard Richards take the two bodies and the severely wounded John Taylor to a nearby hotel owned by Artois Hamilton. That night Willard wrote a letter to Emma telling her that Joseph and Hyrum were dead. Samuel’s signature appears alongside that of Willard Richards and John Taylor. 

The next day, Samuel, Willard, and Artois took the bodies of Joseph and Hyrum in two wagons to the Mansion House in Nauvoo. Samuel drove the wagon carrying the body of his brother Joseph. A guard of eight men accompanied them. 

After Lucy viewed the bodies, Samuel said, “Mother, I have had a dreadful distress in my side ever since I was chased by the mob.” 

Though Samuel was in pain and Levira was only weeks away from delivering a baby, the family moved into a two-story frame house opposite the Mansion House. Samuel’s health continued to decline. On July 30, just 34 days after Joseph and Hyrum died, Samuel died. His young daughter Mary remembered how “silence gave way to sobs”^,  after their father passed away. His cause of death was listed as bilious fever. 

Levira, “a mild, quiet” woman,  left Susannah, Mary, and Samuel with Hyrum’s widow, Mary Fielding Smith, and took her toddler to her parents. Twenty-one days after Samuel died, Lucy J. C. Smith was born and died soon after. Levira was ill and was unable to return to Nauvoo for some time.

 We are so very grateful for Joseph and Hyrum and Samuel and each of those intimately involved with the growth of the Church in the 1830's and beyond.  I can't help but ponder about how Joseph went into the Sacred Grove in the Spring of 1820 and was trusted to meet Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ.  Then, over the next 24 years, Joseph was tutored, and taught, and magnified to take on the responsibilites of being the Prophet of the restoration.  He had many marvelous experiences, manifestations, and visions of how to proceed, even in the process of extreme persecution, abuse, false accusations and defamation, not to mention the heart rending separations from his precious family.  All this, and never denying his testimony.  Sitting in the Carthage Jail and testifying to a group of people so interested in his life and his death, I can't help but think that when one of us stands up in a testimony meeting and says; "I am grateful for the Prophet Joseph Smith", it takes on a whole new meaning to define that word - "grateful".

Well, it has been a busy day and we got back from our Sunset practice for our Summer show, "Sunset by the Mississippi" about two hours ago.  It should be a great summer show and what a bonus it will be to see an old guy, (or two), up on that stage singing and dancing their hearts out!  Definitely worth the price of admission!!!  (By the way, there is no charge for admission)...

Thanks for checking in with me tonight!  I have had quite a few wonderful responses to my blog and that keeps me going. So, thank you for your love, and your support, and most importantly, your prayers!  

We love you!