Sunday, May 16, 2010

Emmitt Smith, One of the Eight Witnesses?

After church today I asked Aim and Stephen if they could name the Eight Witnesses to the Book of Mormon. As a hint, I told them there were three Smiths. It didn't take long for them to pick out Joseph Smith, Sen. and Hyrum Smith, but they got hung up on the third Smith. Then suddenly Stephen's face lit up and he said "Oh yeah, Emmitt Smith." Aim and I busted out laughing. Stephen, realizing his mistake corrected himself.  "That's right. Emmitt Smith was Joseph Smith's wife." Aim decided to correct Stephen on both of his mistakes. She told him "Emmitt Smith was a football player who used to play for Florida State."

I don't know which answer was more disappointing. Stephen thinking Emmitt Smith was one of the Eight Witnesses or Aim thinking Emmitt Smith was ever a Seminole.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

A Little Church History Trivia

I have been reading the History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Joseph Smith. Here is a little trivia for y'all:

First, who called the original Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in our dispensation to be members of the Quorum of the Twelve? (Note: Obviously it was the Savior, but what mortal or mortals actually received the revelations and issued the callings?). (Hint: the answer can be found on page 186 of Volume 2 of the History).

Second, was there a man named Lewis Robbins who marched as a member of Zion's Camp to help redeem Zion in Jackson County, Missouri? (Hint: the answer can be found on page 185 of Volume 2 of the History).

Third, what was the eternal fate of those members of Zion's Camp who died of the Cholera which disease afflicted the Camp after the Camp continued to murmur and complain after being warned by Joseph Smith? (Hint: the answer can be found in the footnote on page 181 of Volume 2 of the History).

Fourth, was there a man from Springfield, Erie County, Pennsylvania who was an early member of the Church? (Hint: the answer can be found on page 149 of Volume 2 of the History).

Fact: A man named James Campbell swore "The eagles and turkey buzzards shall eat my flesh if I do not fix Joe Smith and his army (Zion's Camp) so that their skins will not hold shucks, before two days are passed." Mr. Campbell then boarded a ferry and undertook to cross the Missouri River when "the angel of God saw fit to sink the boat" in the middle of the river. Mr. Campbell's drowned body floated down the river some four or five miles and lodged on a pile of drift wood. When his body was found eagles, buzzards, ravens, crows and wild animals had eaten the flesh from his bones. How about that. Mr. Campbell was a prophet.

Let me know if anyone actually knew the answers to the above trivia questions without having to look them up. I didn't.

Monday, May 3, 2010

Triumph

I saw this phrase posted on a local church sign:

"Triumph is when you put some 'umph' into your 'try.'"

It reminded me of the phrase "Put your shoulder to the wheel, push along." I could picture myself putting my shoulder against the wheel of a wagon or handcart and putting some "umph" into pushing it. After thousands of miles of shoulders against the wheel and "umph," the Saints triumphed. What a legacy!