Thoughts and stories, by Pal

I'm reposting # 877, which I posted a year ago today, June 27, 2017, in honor of the Prophet Joseph Smith.  It was 174 years ago today he and his brother Hyrum were martyred in Carthage, Illinois. I have been to Carthage Jail, and felt the Spirit there.   First I want to include the history from Latter Day Devotion, of what happened the day before--on June 26th.  The story is truly a testament from both Joseph and Hyrum Smith!  I had a great-grandfather, John Lowe Butler, who was an ordained bodyguard to the Prophet Joseph Smith.  He rode with 17 other men to Carthage, but were told by the Prophet to go back home.  He said they rode back in silence.  You can read many inspirational stories about John Lowe Butler by looking under his name under "labels" on the right side, on the blog. This is what happened the day before Hyrum and Joseph were murdered. 1844  - After breakfast, Mr. Stigall, the jailer, moved the Prophet Joseph and tho...

This is a beautiful quote by President Howard W. Hunter.  When we went on our mission to Sweden in May of 1994, returning in September, 1995, the first thing we heard when we got off the airplane in Sweden was that President Ezra Taft Benson had passed away, and President Howard W. Hunter was the new prophet.  Then he passed away the next June, and President Gordon B. Hinckley was the new prophet.  So we didn't get to see Pres. Hunter much.  The events that  transpired on this day in history are interesting -- including the dedication of the Swedish Temple, which we attended while we were in Sweden.   This is Wayne and I when we attended the Temple near Stockholm, Sweden. Latter Day Light DAILY DEVOTIONAL July 2, 2016 Integrity and Truth SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY Doctrine and Covenants 124:15 "And again, verily I say unto you, blessed is my servant Hyrum Smith; for I, the Lord, love him because of the integrity of his hear...

What happened to the brothers of the Prophet Joseph Smith? h On June 24, 1844, the Prophet Joseph Smith, with his brother, Hyrum, and in company with 17 other men, left Nauvoo for Carthage. This statue depicts the brothers beginning that fateful journey.   (By Pal: My 2nd great grandfather, John Lowe Butler was one of those 17 other men.  You can read about his life in blogs: # 66 posted on Jan. 10, 2014, and # 206, posted on August 7, 2014) Susan Evans McCloud For the Deseret News Joseph Smith Jr. had five brothers who lived to adulthood and each made a contribution to the work, and each had a unique relationship with their prophet-brother. What was each one like? There were six Smith sons who lived to adulthood, with Joseph Smith Jr., who was named for his father, born in the middle. What happened to the brothers of the Prophet Joseph, who died in Carthage when he was just 38? The two eldest, Alvin and Hyrum, were both born in Fe...

What is integrity ? That word inspires me, and I have wanted to write about it.  When writing about our pioneers, and ancestors, I feel their integrity.  Our lives are so important in the eternal scheme of things, that we need to live with integrity, so we can truly have happiness in this life, and in the life to come. On December 18, 1835, The Prophet Joseph Smith wrote, "I could pray in my heart that all my brethren were like unto my beloved brother Hyrum, who possesses the mildness of a lamb, and the integrity of a Job, and in short, the meekness and humility of Christ; I love him with that love that is stronger than death".   What a comfort such a brother was to the Prophet who had so many turn against him, both in and out of the Church.   (Italics and bold print added.)                A painting of Joseph, left, and his beloved brother Hyrum. By 1841,the saints had left Missouri because of increasing persecuti...