Seth Adam Smith's Blog

The White Wolf vs. The Black Wolf

2012-01-26T09:04:00.000-07:00

While I was working on the ANASAZI trail this week this story came up and I thought I that would share it with you.

Some say that within every man and woman there is a white wolf and a black wolf.

The white wolf is gentle and loves mankind. It seeks to help others and lives in harmony with the wilderness. It does not take offense and only fights when it is right to do so and in the right way. Its walking upon the earth is peaceful.

The black wolf is fierce and full of enmity towards mankind. It seeks to tear others down and destroy all in its path. It is full of hatred and fights with everyone. Its walking upon the earth is always on a path to war.

These two wolves live inside of each of us and both try to dominate our spirits.

The wolf that wins is the one that we feed.

White Wolf vs. Black Wolf

Listen to Life

2012-01-17T18:29:00.000-07:00

My fiancée, Kim, mentioned something the other day I've thought about ever since. She said "listen to life" and "gather stories to share with others."

Wherever I go, that's something that I love to do: listen to life.

In Nauvoo

On long walks in Nauvoo I was fascinated by the life of Joseph Smith, his last dream, and the faith and determination of the early pioneers. I would gaze at the Mississippi river for hours and revel in the shades of a red sunset and the sounds of a steamboat.

While living in Nakhodka, I was completely enraptured by the culture and feel of that small Russian harbor town. Whenever the leaves change color, and the autumn breeze picks up, my soul drifts back to the streets of Nakhodka and I can almost sense the smells, the sights and the sounds of that town. Years later, my attachment to Russia would beckon me to read some of the greatest literature ever written: Dostoyevsky, Tolstoy and Chekov.

Later in life, I gathered many other things through listening: a profound appreciation for the Iliad, the Odyssey, and equally epic Civil War stories, while living in Virginia. A deep, almost mystical, and soul-stretching love and respect for Native American culture, history and legends while working at the ANASAZI Foundation. Overwhelming admiration for the Russian people and the stories of their victory during World War II.

Interviewing and learning from sculptors, artists, musicians, philosophers, CEOs, teachers, politicians and other remarkable individuals without titles to their names.

And the stories that I have gathered. The people whom I admire! The incredible story of Joshua Chamberlain and his victory at Gettysburg. The epic endurance and eventual triumph of the Soviets during the siege of Leningrad---through music. Benazir Bhutto, the first female Prime Minister of Pakistan. Leo Tolstoy, the man who inspired Ghandi through his writings and many, many more!

Add to that stories from the lives of my friends; people who have overcome overwhelming odds and are now giants among men.

And the literature I have read. Oh, how the world is filled with beautiful and inspiring words! The Great Divorce by C. S. Lewis, Crime and Punishment by Dostoyevsky, Joseph Smith's Last Dream by W. W. Phelps, The Seven Paths of the ANASAZI Way, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, The Shack by William P. Young, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Leo Tolstoy, Mark Twain, Neal A. Maxwell, David McCullough, William Shakespeare, Plato and so many others!

Life is filled with so many wonderful things...if only we listen for them.

That, perhaps, is a long-winded way of telling you that I'm adjusting the theme of my blog---and my writing, for that matter. I'm going to listen more to life and share what I hear with you. I want to take stories, ideas, and accounts from all around the world and share them with you in a meaningful way. I want whatever I write to be inspiring and influential.

There is so much to learn in listening to life.

The Eminent Women of the St. George Temple

2012-01-12T23:48:00.003-07:00

Many within the church know about the eminent men that appeared to President Wilford Woodruff in the St. George temple. But what many do not know is that temple work was also done for 70 ‘eminent women’...

The painting shown in this video was created by artist Michael Bedard. In order to paint it, Michael spent years researching each of the individual men and women and carefully selected the models he used to represent them.

I first saw the painting in its initial stages in 2009. I was awestruck not only by the amount of work that Michael was putting into it, but also by the amount of people he was painting! I mean, I remember hearing in seminary that George Washington, Christopher Columbus and the signers of the Declaration appeared to Wilford Woodruff, but I didn’t know anything about the other ‘eminent men.’

“Do you know about the eminent women?” Michael asked.

I was speechless.

To be clear, Wilford Woodruff’s record never states that the eminent women appeared to him. It only states that temple work was done on their behalf. This leaves it open for us to decide whether or not these women actually appeared in the temple. Michael Bedard chose to paint the eminent women alongside the eminent men not only for artistic purposes but also because he believes that they were present that day.

Indeed, the fact that President Woodruff believed these women to be ‘eminent’ is rather interesting. Many of the women were not widely recognized until years (sometimes decades) after their death and that period of time did not readily recognize women that were ‘eminent.’ For Wilford Woodruff and his associates to simply take “a shot in the dark” and pull seventy famous female names out of a hat and hope to get it right would be a bit of a stretch.

Yes, revelation was certainly involved. I know because for the past three months, I have done my own research on thirty of the seventy eminent women and have prepared short biographical videos of each of them. I have learned, first hand, that these women were truly remarkable and certainly eminent.

Take for example, Mary Somerville, a Scottish scientist and mathematician during the nineteenth century. A woman whose education began because of her fascination with algebraic symbols.

Or Abigail Adams, whose life is a prime example of how small and simple things can bring about revolutionary change.

Or women like Margaret Fuller, an American feminist who became involved in the revolution in Italy. And other feminists such as Maria Edgeworth, and Catharine Maria Sedgwick.

Witness the power of art in the lives of female performers like the dancer Eva Maria Veigel, operatic soprano Euphrosyne Parepa-Rosa, or the actress Sarah Siddons, a woman who once believed she was destined for failure but soon became the undisputed queen of Drury Lane.

See the strength of a single mother in Mary Ball Washington, the mother of George Washington.

Or the courage of Martha Washington, who supported her husband, General Washington, by traveling to be with him every winter during the Revolutionary War.

Hear the tender love stories of Rachel and President Andrew Jackson, of Dolley and President James Madison, or of Martha and President Thomas Jefferson.

Learn about the female archeologist, Anna Brownell Jameson, who was essentially forgotten by her husband in New York, and left to make her way to Toronto, Canada by herself.

Listen to the life stories of child prodigies like Felicia Hemans, who began publishing poems at age fourteen, Letitia Elizabeth Landon (whose abilities surpassed her own tutor), Frances Sargent Osgood, and Fanny Forrester, who began teaching at a seminary at age fifteen!

Learn about the political struggles of women like Margarita Juarez, the wife of Benito Juarez, the most famous president of Mexico. Charlotte Corday, the twenty four year old assassin of Jean-Paul Marat, the Jacobin leader in the French Revolution. Maria Theresa, the Holy Roman Empress. Hannah More, an English philanthropist and early champion of the abolition of slavery, or Marie Antionette, the Queen of France!

Hear the stories of female authors who forever changed the landscape of literature. Women like Frances Burney, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Mary Russell Mitford, Lady Sydney Morgan, Lydia Sigourney, and Jane Austen!

In summary of these eminent women, here is a favorite quote of mine from Charlotte Bronte:

Author’s note:

This ‘eminent women’ project has meant more to me than I can adequately describe. Kim, the narrator of these videos, has been my best friend for over ten years. She is a talented and beautiful actress---an eminent woman herself. A perfect choice for narration.

So in September, while she and I were living in the same state (a rare thing), she said ‘yes’ to doing the voice-overs.

...and two months later she said ‘yes’ (five times!) when I proposed to her.

Further proof that these ‘eminent women’ are still making a difference. They helped make my dreams come true.

Charlotte Bronte | Eminent Women

2012-01-11T21:07:00.001-07:00

Charlotte Bronte

Charlotte Bronte was a popular nineteenth century English novelist and poet, her most famous novel being Jane Eyre.

The heroines of Bronte’s fiction brought about a change in literature, presenting untraditional women, admired for their strength and abilities.

Charlotte’s own life is an example of this. In her novel, Jane Eyre, she wrote: “It is in vain to say human beings ought to be satisfied with tranquility: they must have action...Millions are condemned to a stiller doom than mine, and millions are in silent revolt against their lot...Women are supposed to be very calm generally: but women feel just as men feel; they need exercise for their faculties, and a field for their efforts as much as their brothers do; they suffer from too rigid a restraint, too absolute a stagnation, precisely as men would suffer; and it is narrow-minded in their more privileged fellow-creatures to say that they ought to confine themselves to making puddings and knitting stockings, to playing on the piano and embroidering bags. It is thoughtless to condemn them, or laugh at them, if they seek to do more or learn more than custom has pronounced necessary for their sex.”

Charlotte Bronte was listed among the eminent women in the records of the St. George Temple. To learn more about the painting by Michael Bedard in this video please click here.

Abigail Adams | Eminent Women

2012-01-11T21:03:00.001-07:00

Abigail Adams was the wife of John Adams, the second president of the United States, and the mother of John Quincy Adams, the sixth president.

Abigail Adams

Abigail was the first Second Lady of the United States and the second First Lady.

She is principally remembered, however, for the many letters she wrote to her husband during the events before and after the Revolutionary War.

John, viewing her as his equal in every way, frequently sought her advice on various political and social matters matters and their letters are filled with intellectual discussions on news, government, social relationships and politics.

Even though she went largely unnoticed during her time, Abigail Adams continues to be one of the most influential Americans of all time. Her life story is a prime example of how small and simple things can bring about revolutionary change.

Abigail Adams was listed among the eminent women in the records of the St. George Temple. To learn more about the painting by Michael Bedard in this video please click here.

Jane Austen | Eminent Women

2012-01-11T20:58:00.001-07:00

Jane Austen

Jane Austen was a nineteenth century English novelist. Author of the books Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park and Emma, Jane Austen is one of the most accomplished and widely read authors of all-time.

When it comes to elevating women in literature, she is said to have surpassed William Shakespeare.

In her time, however, few people know her name, since it was considered unladylike for women to write novels. The title pages of her books credited her with “by A Lady” or “by The Author of Pride and Prejudice,” or similar phrases.

As with many great authors, Austen’s death preceded her renown. Although her novels were fashionable with prominent members of British society, including Princess Charlotte, the daughter of the Prince Regent, they were largely ignored by critics and opinion-makers. It wasn’t until the twentieth century that Austen’s novels began to attract serious attention. Since publication, there have been more than 200 literary adaptations of Austen’s works, as well as numerous film productions.

Jane Austen was listed among the eminent women in the records of the St. George Temple. To learn more about the painting by Michael Bedard in this video please click here.

Maria Theresa | Eminent Women

2012-01-11T20:53:00.001-07:00

Maria Theresa was a key figure in the power politics of 18th-century Europe.

Maria Theresa

A ruler with an engaging personality, she was one of the most capable rulers of her time who strengthened and unified the Austrian monarchy in the 18th century. She was the only female ruler of the Habsburg dominions and the last of the House of Habsburg. She was the sovereign of Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Bohemia, Mantua, Milan, Lodomeria and Galicia, the Austrian Netherlands and Parma.

By marriage, she was Duchess of Lorraine, Grand Duchess of Tuscany and Holy Roman Empress.

During her reign Maria Theresa introduced and promoted financial and educational reforms, promoted commerce and the development of agriculture, and reorganized Austria's ramshackle military, all of which strengthened Austria's international standing.

In 1736 she married Francis Stephen of Lorraine and the couple eventually had 16 children, including Joseph II and Leopold II, (two future emperors) and Marie Antoinette, later queen of France.

Maria Theresa was listed among the eminent women in the records of the St. George Temple. To learn more about the painting by Michael Bedard in this video please click here.

Lady Sydney Morgan | Eminent Women

2012-01-11T20:48:00.002-07:00

Lady Sydney Morgan

Lady Sydney Morgan was an Irish novelist and was one of the most vivid and hotly discussed literary figures of her generation.

Her book, The Wild Irish Girl, brought her name into warm controversy, in which she appeared as the ardent champion of her native country, a politician rather than a novelist, extolling the beauty of Irish scenery, the richness of the natural wealth of Ireland, and the noble traditions of its early history. Her novels upon Irish manners and history, and Irish subjects generally, attracted considerable attention to the country, then in the most depressed condition.

“The liberal opinions expressed in [her] works brought upon her much obloquy, and caused the loss of many friends” (Source: Library Ireland), but Lady Morgan persisted in her writing until her death in 1859.

Lady Sydney Morgan was listed among the eminent women in the records of the St. George Temple. To learn more about the painting by Michael Bedard in this video please click here.

Catharine Maria Sedgwick | Eminent Women

2012-01-11T20:38:00.001-07:00

Catharine Maria Sedgwick

Catharine Maria Sedgwick was an American novelist and feminist.

Throughout her life Catherine remained single and often struggled with self-confidence. Her four brothers encouraged her to write and worked to sustain her and assist her with contracts and reviews.

At an early age, Catherine left her Calvinist faith to become a Unitarian and showed consistent tolerance for members of other faiths.

The central figures in Sedgwick’s novels are women, often noted for their independence. Though sympathetic to women’s rights and abolition, Sedgwick never took an active part in those reforms.

Toward the end of her life, however, she became the first director of the Women’s Prison Association. Her novels show a horror of prisons and a hatred of slavery.

Sedgwick’s fiction repeatedly emphasized the political and personal need for liberty and independence (Source: Cengage Learning).

Catharine Maria Sedgwick was listed among the eminent women in the records of the St. George Temple. To learn more about the painting by Michael Bedard in this video please click here.

Mary Russell Mitford | Eminent Women

2012-01-11T20:34:00.001-07:00

Mary Russell Mitford

Mary Russell Mitford was an English author and dramatist. Both a gifted and prolific writer, Mitford could write in a range of genres, from poetry to drama to prose. Her writing is marked by a spontaneous humor and quick wit.

Despite the success of her writing, her life was plagued with poverty--not of her own doing--but of her father’s. She once remarked, "I have not bought a bonnet, a cloak, a gown, hardly a pair of gloves, for four years.”

In 1842 when her father died, his heavy liabilities were met by a public subscription, which left a surplus that added to Mary’s narrow income. She continued writing until her death in 1855.

Mary Russell Mitford was listed among the eminent women in the records of the St. George Temple. To learn more about the painting by Michael Bedard in this video please click here.

Euphrosyne Parepa-Rosa | Eminent Women

2012-01-11T20:30:00.002-07:00

Euphrosyne Parepa-Rosa

Euphrosyne Parepa-Rosa was an exceptionally talented and accomplished British operatic soprano.

In 1866, she toured the United States with violinist Carl Rosa, marrying him in New York City in 1867. Together they quickly established the Parepa-Rosa English Opera Company there, which became incredibly popular, and which introduced opera to places in America where it had never been staged.

She and her husband continued to tour the world, traveling through Britain, Egypt and touring America a second time.

She died in childbirth at the age of 37. Carl Rosa endowed the Parepa-Rosa Scholarship at the Royal Academy of Music in her memory.

Euphrosyne Parepa-Rosa was listed among the eminent women in the records of the St. George Temple. To learn more about the painting by Michael Bedard in this video please click here.

Mary Sommerville | Eminent Women

2012-01-11T20:24:00.002-07:00

Mary Somerville was a Scottish mathematician and scientist during the nineteenth century, a time when women’s participation in science was discouraged.

Mary Sommerville

Her education as a child was scant and haphazard, with only a year of full-time schooling.

Nevertheless, when Mary discovered mathematics (in a magazine at school) she began a passionate study the subject.

In 1807, her husband died, leaving her a widow, yet offering her an opportunity quite rare to women of her time. The comfortable inheritance left to her rendered her financially independent. No longer controlled by either her parents or husband, Mary was free to study according to her personal convictions.

She soon mastered J. Ferguson's Astronomy and became a student of Isaac Newton's Principia, despite the fact that many of her family and friends disapproved. Mary continued on to higher honors, publishing numerous books and making algebra more understandable and approachable for others.

Although deaf and frail in her later years, she retained her mental faculties and even continued to, in her words, "read books on the higher algebra for four or five hours in the morning, and even to solve problems" until her peaceful death at the age of ninety two.

Mary Sommerville was listed among the eminent women in the records of the St. George Temple. To learn more about the painting by Michael Bedard in this video please click here.

Sarah Siddons | Eminent Women

2012-01-11T20:13:00.004-07:00

Sarah Siddons

Sarah Siddons was the best-known tragedienne of her time. However, her initial attempts at acting were not well received. She once received a note from the manager of Drury Lane stating that her services would not be required. She was, in her own words “banished from Drury Lane as a worthless candidate for fame and fortune.”

But Sarah Siddons persisted, working for six years in provincial companies, gradually building up a reputation.

Her next appearance at Drury Lane could not have been more different.

She became an immediate sensation. Her most famous role was that of Lady Macbeth; it was the grandeur of her emotions as she expressed Lady Macbeth's murderous passions that held her audiences spellbound.

After twenty years of performing various roles, she became the undisputed queen of Drury Lane. Her celebrity status has been called "mythical" and "monumental." An incredible accomplishment for one who believed she was “a worthless candidate for fame and fortune.”

Sarah Siddons was listed among the eminent women in the records of the St. George Temple. To learn more about the painting by Michael Bedard in this video please click here.

Martha Washington | Eminent Women

2012-01-11T19:38:00.001-07:00

Martha Washington

Martha Washington was the wife of George Washington, the first President of the United States. George was Martha’s second husband, her first husband having died seven years after their marriage.

George and Martha had no children, but together they raised two children from her previous marriage.

A homebody at heart, Martha was content to live a private life at Mount Vernon but determined and diminutive at five feet tall, she supported her husband as he served as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army.

Every winter during the war, Martha would dutifully pack her bags and she traveled thousands of miles to be with her husband. She would then spend the season with him during the army’s winter encampment. Martha journeyed to the General because she supported the cause of freedom and also because, as General Lafayette once observed, she loved "her husband madly.”

She spent the infamous winter at Valley Forge with the general, and was instrumental in maintaining some level of morale among officers and enlisted troops.

Martha Washington was listed among the eminent women in the records of the St. George Temple. To learn more about the painting by Michael Bedard in this video please click here.

Hannah More | Eminent Women

2012-01-11T19:33:00.001-07:00

Hannah More

Hannah More was an English religious writer, a poet, a playwright, a political activist, a social reformer and a philanthropist.

In 1788, she worked with Evangelical clergyman and hymn-writer, John Newton and the abolitionist Member of Parliament, William Wilberforce. Her poem, Slavery, was published in 1788 to coincide with the first parliamentary debate on the slave trade. In that poem, she wrote:

Does matter govern spirit? or is mind

Degraded by the form to which 'tis joined?

No: they have heads to think, and hearts to feel,

And souls to act with firm, though erring, zeal;

For they have keen affections, kind desires,

Love strong as death, and active patriot fires;

Because of her writing and never-ending passion for people, Hannah More is considered one of the most influential women of her time.

Hannah More was listed among the eminent women in the records of the St. George Temple. To learn more about the painting by Michael Bedard in this video please click here.

Lydia Sigourney | Eminent Women

2012-01-11T19:24:00.001-07:00

Lydia Sigourney

Lydia Sigourney was a popular American poet during the early and mid 19th century. She was commonly known as the “Sweet Singer of Hartford” and “the American Hemans.” Her writings reflected a grace and quiet reflection upon nature.

Throughout her life, Sigourney took an active interest in social and educational issues. Sigourney felt obligated to use her position to help oppressed members of society. In her autobiography she wrote with the hope of “being an instrument of good.”

She was an early advocate of social reform in slavery and emigration. One of her most successful poems, titled “Indian Names,” asks ‘How can the red men be forgotten, while so many of our states and territories, bays, lakes, and rivers, are indelibly stamped by names of their giving?’

Ye say they all have passed away,

That noble race and brave,

That their light canoes have vanished

From off the crested wave;

That ’mid the forests where they roamed

There rings no hunter shout,

But their name is on your waters,

Ye may not wash it out.

’Tis where Ontario’s billow

Like Ocean’s surge is curled,

Where strong Niagara’s thunders wake

The echo of the world.

Where red Missouri bringeth

Rich tribute from the west,

And Rappahannock sweetly sleeps

On green Virginia’s breast.

Old Massachusetts wears it,

Within her lordly crown,

And broad Ohio bears it,

Amid his young renown;

Connecticut hath wreathed it

Where her quiet foliage waves,

And bold Kentucky breathed it hoarse

Through all her ancient caves.

Ye call these red-browned brethren

The insects of an hour,

Crushed like the noteless worm amid

The regions of their power;

Ye drive them from their father’s lands,

Ye break of faith the seal,

But can ye from the court of Heaven

Exclude their last appeal?

Ye see their unresisting tribes,

With toilsome step and slow,

On through the trackless desert pass

A caravan of woe;

Think ye the Eternal’s ear is deaf?

His sleepless vision dim?

Think ye the soul’s blood may not cry

From that far land to him?

Lydia Sigourney was listed among the eminent women in the records of the St. George Temple. To learn more about the painting by Michael Bedard in this video please click here.

Letitia Elizabeth Landon | Eminent Women

2012-01-11T19:12:00.001-07:00

Letitia Elizabeth Landon was an English poet and novelist.

Letitia Elizabeth Landon

In her early years, Letitia demonstrated incredible intelligence by learning to read when she was a toddler. She excelled in school and even surpassed the knowledge and abilities of her own tutor.

Letitia began publishing her works at age 18 under the initials L.E.L. A college student of her day wrote that he and his classmates would “rush every Saturday afternoon for the 'Literary Gazette,' [with] an impatient anxiety to hasten at once to that corner of the sheet which contained the three magical letters L.E.L. And all of us praised the verse, and all of us guessed at the author. We soon learned it was a female, and our admiration was doubled, and our conjectures tripled."

Letitia Elizabeth Landon was listed among the eminent women in the records of the St. George Temple. To learn more about the painting by Michael Bedard in this video please click here.

Eva Maria Veigel | Eminent Women

2012-01-11T19:06:00.001-07:00

David Garrick with Eva Maria Veigel

Eva Maria Veigel was a dancer and the wife of actor David Garrick. In a biography of her life, it was claimed that she was known to be one of the most beautiful women in all of Europe.

She emigrated to London in 1746, speaking little English. Veigel first fell in love with Garrick after seeing him perform on the stage. He was taken with her just as quickly, but her wealthy patron, the Countess of Burlington, discouraged her from marrying him as Veigel had performed in the royal courts of Europe and Garrick was seen as being a match much beneath her.

Reportedly, the Countess asked Garrick to use his performance abilities to make Veigel fall out of love with him, which he did attempt. The scheme did not work, but Burlington was nevertheless impressed enough with the effort that she changed her opinion on Garrick and decided Veigel would be well to marry him. When she married Garrick in June of 1749 the couple had to undergo two separate wedding ceremonies as she was a Catholic and he was a Protestant. By all accounts the marriage between Garrick and Veigel was a happy one.

Eva Maria Veigel was listed among the eminent women in the records of the St. George Temple. To learn more about the painting by Michael Bedard in this video please click here.

Frances Sargent Osgood | Eminent Women

2012-01-11T19:01:00.001-07:00

Frances Sargent Osgood was an American poet. She began publishing poetry at age fourteen and in later life wrote romantic poems to Edgar Allen Poe. Poe wrote that her work was “absolutely without rival.” She was one of the most admired female poets during the mid-1840s.

Frances Sargent Osgood

In one of her poems, she wrote:

Come to me, angel of the weary hearted!

Since they my loved ones, breathed upon by thee,

Unto thy realms unreal have departed,

I too may rest--even I: ah! haste to me.

Before she died of tuberculosis in 1850 she had lost her ability to speak; but she could still write. On a slate she wrote the word “angel.” It was her last word before she died. (Source: Wikipedia, Bartleby)

Frances Sargent Osgood was listed among the eminent women in the records of the St. George Temple. To learn more about the painting by Michael Bedard in this video please click here.

Maria Edgeworth | Eminent Women

2012-01-11T15:05:00.001-07:00

Maria Edgeworth

Maria Edgeworth was a novelist and children’s writer of Anglo-Irish descent. Her writings were extremely popular and were often compared with her contemporary writers Jane Austen and Sir Walter Scott.

In her work An Essay on the Noble Science of Self Justification, written in 1795, she argued that the female sex is endowed with an art of self-justification and that women should use their gifts to continually challenge the force and power of men, especially their husbands, with wit and intelligence.

She was an active writer until her death and worked strenuously for the relief of the famine-stricken Irish peasants during the Irish Potato famine. (Source: Wikipedia)

Maria Edgeworth was listed among the eminent women in the records of the St. George Temple. To learn more about the painting by Michael Bedard in this video please click here.

Martha Jefferson | Eminent Women

2012-01-11T11:16:00.001-07:00

Martha Wayles Jefferson was the wife of Thomas Jefferson who was the third President of the United States.

Martha Jefferson was musical and highly educated, a constant reader, an accomplished needlewoman, with a good nature and great affection for her husband.

Martha Jefferson Randolph (this
is Thomas Jefferson's daughter, NOT
wife, as I could not find a portrait of her).

During the Revolutionary War, Martha Washington had contacted Martha Jefferson to work with the Ladies Association to raise money for the colonial troops. The Association raised $300,000 to buy linen shirts for Washington's army.

Throughout their almost eleven-year marriage, the Jeffersons appeared to have been devoted to each other. According to slaves who attended the dying woman, Jefferson promised his wife that he would never remarry.

When Martha died following the birth of her sixth child, Jefferson was inconsolable in his loss and "was led from the room almost in a state of insensibility by his sister ...and remained so long insensible that they feared he would never revive."

Martha Jefferson was listed among the eminent women in the records of the St. George Temple. To learn more about the painting by Michael Bedard in this video please click here.

Dolley Madison | Eminent Women

2012-01-11T11:09:00.001-07:00

Dolley Madison was the wife of President James Madison and was the First Lady of the United States from 1809 to 1817.

Dolley Madison

In May of 1794, James Madison asked his friend Aaron Burr to introduce him to Dolley Todd. Madison was seventeen years her senior and, at the age of forty-three, a long-standing bachelor. After a brief courtship they were married.

In 1808 James Madison was elected President and Dolley became the First Lady.

During the War of 1812, as the invading British army were marching towards Washington, Dolley Madison is accredited with the preservation of a famous portrait of George Washington as well as original drafts of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. After James Madison’s death in 1836, Dolley Madison, unable to manage the plantation and pay off outstanding debts, lived in a state of absolute poverty. In 1848, Congress agreed to buy James Madison’s papers for the sum of $22,000 dollars. She died soon after.

Dolley Madison was listed among the eminent women in the records of the St. George Temple. To learn more about the painting by Michael Bedard in this video please click here.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning | Eminent Women

2012-01-11T10:59:00.001-07:00

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Elizabeth Barrett Browning was one of the most prominent poets of the Victorian era. As a child, she was intensely studious. At age six she was reading novels, at eight she was reading translations of Homer and studying Greek and at ten she was writing her own Homeric epic.

In 1844, Elizabeth published a volume of poems that made her one of the most popular writers in the country and inspired Robert Browning to write to her, telling her how much he loved her work. He had long been an admirer of her poetry and wrote, “I love your verses with all my heart, dear Miss Barrett.” They courted, were married and they greatly influenced each other’s writings.

Elizabeth’s poetry also greatly influenced Emily Dickinson and Edgar Allan Poe, who both admired her as a woman of achievement. Her popularity in the United States and Britain was further advanced by her stands against social injustice and slavery. She has been described as “the most philosophical poet” and one whose life was “a Gospel of applied Christianity.” (Source, Wikipedia)

Elizabeth Barrett Browning was listed among the eminent women in the records of the St. George Temple. To learn more about the painting by Michael Bedard in this video please click here.

Frances Burney | Eminent Women

2012-01-10T21:45:00.001-07:00

Frances Burney

Frances Burney was an English novelist, diarist and playwright. She was self-educated and began writing at the age of ten.

At age 15, she burned all of her writings, most likely under the influence of her stepmother who didn’t think it appropriate for women to write. But Frances Burney’s urge to write could not be stifled.

The great success of her first novel took her to high social circles and she became the first woman to make writing novels respectable. Her subsequent writings earned her even more fame.

She married a career soldier, Alexandre d’Arblay and the match proved to be a very happy one, the two being extraordinarily devoted to each other throughout their lives.

She followed her husband to France in 1802, and remained near him as he fought with French Royalists against Napoleon. She refused to flee when she heard rumors that Napoleon had won at Waterloo and stayed for weeks afterward to help nurse the English wounded that streamed off the battlefield. Her literary efforts continued until the end of her life in 1840.

Frances Burney was listed among the eminent women in the records of the St. George Temple. To learn more about the painting by Michael Bedard in this video please click here.

Marie Antoinette | Eminent Women

2012-01-10T21:35:00.002-07:00

Marie Antoinette was the Queen of France at the beginning of the French Revolution. Her story has been compared to a fairy tale turned tragedy.

Marie Antoinette

Devoted to protecting her family, Antoinette likely would have preferred to play the ceremonial role of queen, but her husband’s indecisiveness sometimes compelled her to take a more dominate role in politics.

The French citizens perceived her as living lavishly while they battled poverty and they scapegoated her for many of their ills. Ultimately, she was captured and killed under the guillotine because she was a symbol of French monarchy and tyranny.

When she mounted the scaffold, she accidentally stepped on the foot of her executioner. Her last words were “Pardon me sir, I meant not to do it.”

Years before she had written, “Tribulation first makes one realize what one is.”

Marie Antoinette was listed among the eminent women in the records of the St. George Temple. To learn more about the painting by Michael Bedard in this video please click here.

Charlotte Corday | Eminent Women

2012-01-10T15:54:00.001-07:00

Charlotte Corday assassinates Marat

Charlotte Corday was a famous figure of the French Revolution. In 1793, at age 24, she was executed under the guillotine for the assassination of Jacobin leader Jean-Paul Marat, who was in part responsible for the more radical course the Revolution had taken.

Corday’s decision to kill Marat was stimulated not only by her revulsion at the September Massacres (for which she held Marat responsible) but for her fear of an all-out Civil War. She believed that Marat was threatening the Republic, and that his death would end violence throughout the nation. On July 13, 1793, Corday stabbed Marat while he was in his bathtub. At her trial, Corday testified that “[she] killed one man to save 100,000.”

She was executed three days later.

Charlotte Corday was listed among the eminent women in the records of the St. George Temple. To learn more about the painting by Michael Bedard in this video please click here.

Margarita Maza de Juarez | Eminent Women

2012-01-10T15:32:00.001-07:00

Margarita Maza de Juarez was the wife of Benito Juarez, the most famous president of Mexico.

Juarez was 20 years Margarita's senior when the couple married in 1843. The racially prejudiced upper class was appalled at the match between the 17-year-old daughter of a well-to-do businessman and the stern-looking, dark-skinned Juarez. It was almost inconceivable at that time for natives to marry into a white family.

Margarita Maza de Juarez

Throughout his life, Benito Juarez fought for a constitutional government and soon became of symbol of freedom throughout Mexico.

Because of his prominent opposition to French occupation in Mexico, Benito Juarez spent many months in prison. To protect their children, Margarita was frequently forced to flee.

Eventually, Juarez sent Margarita to the United States where she helped generate support for her husband and his cause. In 1866, when French troops finally withdrew from Mexico, Margarita sailed to Mexico aboard the gunboat The Wilderness, which was put at her disposal by U.S. President Andrew Johnson.

Thousands greeted her with much affection and she was cheered loudly as she made her way from Veracruz to Mexico City in her husband's famous black carriage. Benito Juarez was made President of Mexico in 1867.

In 1871, Margarita died and although Juarez insisted on a small funeral, millions of Mexicans said prayers for her. 18 months later, her husband followed her home. (Source: Guadalajara Reporter)

Margarita Maza de Juarez was listed among the eminent women in the records of the St. George Temple. To learn more about the painting by Michael Bedard in this video please click here.

Fanny Forrester | Eminent Women

2012-01-10T15:06:00.002-07:00

Emily Judson, also known as "Fanny Forrester,” was an American 19th Century author.

Emily Judson AKA "Fanny Forester"

Her parents lived in poor circumstances, and before she was twelve years old, she worked in a woolen mill in the summer, and attended the district school in the winter. She rose up early to work and sat up late to study, and became a teacher in the Utica Female Seminary when only fifteen years old. She had already begun to write both prose and verse.

In June, 1844, while on a visit to New York, she wrote a light sketch for the "New York Mirror," under the name of "Fanny Forester," which at once attracted attention; and encouraged by the praise of the editor, she contributed to the magazine a series of brilliant sketches, which were afterward collected and published in the two volumes bearing the title of Alderbrook. In 1846, she married Dr. Judson and in June they went out to Burma to do missionary work together.

Soon after Dr. Judson's death in 1850, she returned to the United States, and the rest of her brief life was filled with literary work. (Source: copied by Stephen Ross for WholesomeWords.org from The National Cyclopedia of American Biography... New York: James T. White & Company, 1893. Vol. 3)

Fanny Forrester was listed among the eminent women in the records of the St. George Temple. To learn more about the painting by Michael Bedard in this video please click here.

Felicia Hemans | Eminent Women

2012-01-10T13:17:00.002-07:00

Felicia Hemans was an English poet who, at age fourteen, began publishing poems that eventually gained the interest of Percy Bysshe Shelly and William Wordsworth.

Hemans strongly supported familial ideals and much of her poetry embraced love and faith.

In one of her poems, a little boy asks where to find “the better land.” In the poem, his mother replies:

‘Eye hath not seen it, my gentle boy!

Ear hath not heard its deep songs of joy;

Dreams cannot picture a world so fair-

Sorrow and death may not enter there;

Time doth not breathe on its fadeless bloom

For beyond the clouds, and beyond the tomb,

It is there, it is there, my child!’

Felicia Hemans was listed among the eminent women in the records of the St. George Temple. To learn more about the painting by Michael Bedard in this video please click here.

Anna Brownell Jameson | Eminent Women

2012-01-10T13:06:00.001-07:00

Anna Brownell Jameson was a British author and archeologist born in Dublin, Ireland.

Anna Brownell Jameson

In her early thirties, Jameson displayed remarkable talent and skill in her book Characteristics of Women; a book analyzing William Shakespeare’s heroines.

In 1836, her husband summoned her to Canada. He failed to meet her in New York and she was left to make her way to Toronto during winter. Not only did she travel the distance, but she improved upon her conditions and wrote a travelogue of her journey: Winter Studies and Summer Rambles in Canada.

After eight months of travel, she journeyed into many Native American settlements in Canada, explored Lake Huron, and saw and recorded much of emigrant and aboriginal life.

Throughout her life Jameson continued to write and is also credited with the first popular enunciation of the principle of male and female co-operation in works of mercy and devotion. (Source: Wikipedia)

Anna Brownell Jameson was listed among the eminent women in the records of the St. George Temple. To learn more about the painting by Michael Bedard in this video please click here.

Margaret Fuller | Eminent Women

2012-01-10T12:55:00.001-07:00

Margaret Fuller was an American Social Reformer, journalist and feminist.

Her book, Woman in the Nineteenth Century, is considered the first major feminist work in the United States.

Margaret Fuller

By the time she was in her 30s, fuller had earned a reputation as the best-read person in New England, and became the first woman allowed to use the library at Harvard College. A year later, she was sent to Europe by the New York Tribune as its first female correspondent. She soon became involved with the revolution in Italy and allied herself with Giuseppe Mazzini.

While in Italy, she had a relationship with Giovanni Ossoli, with whom she had a child. All three members of the family died in a shipwreck off Fire Island, New York in 1850.

Fuller was an advocate of women’s rights, particularly women’s education and the right to employment. She also encouraged prison reform and the emancipation of the slaves. Susan B. Anthony cited Fuller as a source of inspiration. (Source, Wikipedia)

Margaret Fuller was listed among the eminent women in the records of the St. George Temple. To learn more about the painting by Michael Bedard in this video please click here.

Mary Ball Washington | Eminent Women

2012-01-10T12:00:00.002-07:00

Mary Ball Washington was the mother of George Washington and is called, by some, to be “the Grandmother of America.”

Fatherless at 3 and orphaned at 12, she was placed under the guardianship of a lawyer by the name of George Eskridge. She later named her firstborn son after him.

In 1743, her husband died, leaving her a widow with seven children. During the 1700s, it was culturally unusual and difficult for a woman to maintain her home without the help of a man but Mary did so.

Mary Ball Washington and her son, George
Washington.

During the Revolutionary War ‘Mary anxiously watched and prayed for George’s safety in leading the Continental forces during the war. She listened to messages bearing news of victory or defeat with unflinching acceptance of the information. Betty (George’s sister)...could not contain undue excitement and was...reprimanded by her mother who said, “The sister of the commanding general should be an example of fortitude and faith.”’

Mary expected that George never “forget himself” amongst these trying times. Of her, George Washington said: “All that I am, I owe to my mother.” (Sources, Wikipedia and maryballwash.umwblogs.org)

Mary Ball Washington was listed among the eminent women in the records of the St. George Temple. To learn more about the painting by Michael Bedard in this video please click here.

Rachel Donelson Jackson | Eminent Women

2012-01-10T11:43:00.002-07:00

Rachel Donelson was the wife of Andrew Jackson, the seventh President of the United States.

Born and raised on the frontier of America, she married Andrew Jackson in 1791 and they enjoyed a genuine love match. Not only was she a constant support to the future President, but Rachel’s unpretentious kindness won the support of all who knew her.

The Presidential election of 1828 is considered by many historians to be one of the meanest in American history. But despite the slander and lies, Andrew Jackson won by a landslide.

Rachel died suddenly on December 22, 1828, right before the electoral ball, and was buried on Christmas eve.

When she died, Andrew Jackson was inconsolable. He refused to believe she was actually dead and insisted that blankets be laid on her body in case she woke up and needed warmth. Jackson reportedly visited her grave every night at sunset and once said, “Heaven will be no heaven for me if she is not there.” (Sources: White House Website and Wikipedia)

Rachel Donelson Jackson and Andrew Jackson

Rachel Donelson Jackson was listed among the eminent women in the records of the St. George Temple. To learn more about the painting by Michael Bedard in this video please click here.

ANASAZI - A New Beginning for a New Year

2012-01-03T12:01:00.000-07:00

Today will be my first day back on the ANASAZI Trail in Arizona. Working at ANASAZI has consistently remained one of the best decisions of my life. I love it and I'm grateful and glad to be back.

Jon McNaughton's Landscapes

2011-12-28T01:36:00.000-07:00

I recently finished this video of Jon McNaughton's landscape videos. It took me a bit longer than it should have because I got wrapped up in a whole bunch of things (basically I just got distracted by my beautiful fiancée...whether she's around or whether I'm just daydreaming about her).

In any case! Here's the video of Jon's landscapes. Hope you like it!

Rose Datoc Dall

2011-12-20T18:28:00.000-07:00

I met the Virgin Mary the other day.

Rose Datoc Dall paints Mary

She came in while I was working in a back room and said: "Hi."

I looked at her strangely, replying in kind and then said, "I've seen you in paintings. You're Mary, right?"

She nodded and then said, "Although, I don't think that Mary wore Christmas socks or had candy-can stripped nails."

I laughed and we chatted for a bit before she went out to the floor to pose for a new painting by Rose Datoc Dall.

Rose Datoc Dall was a special guest at the Deseret Book in Salt Lake. After the crowds had died down, I had a brief opportunity to speak with her about her artwork. She's a very accomplished and kind-hearted artist (And until I saw her at the store that day, I hadn't known that she had created one of my favorite paintings of Joseph Smith).

I recommend you check out her website and her artwork. I was very impressed with her and continue to be amazed at her unique and beautiful style of painting.

The Arbinger Institute

2011-12-17T08:05:00.000-07:00

I just finished this video for the Arbinger Institute. What do you think about it?

Almost 50,000 Views!!! "Joseph Smith's Last Dream"

2011-12-14T07:53:00.000-07:00

At the end of Jun, I made it a personal goal to have the video "Joseph Smith's Last Dream" reach 50,000 views by the end of the year. Of all the videos that I have made, it is my favorite and a powerful testimony to the prophetic mission of Joseph Smith.

With just 18 days left in the year, it has 46,665 views! If you liked this video, please help me reach my goal by blogging it or by sharing it on your Facebook pages!

Meeting Elder Kearon

2011-12-13T23:55:00.000-07:00

I generally don't think much about meeting a leader of my church.

Don't misunderstand. I think our leaders are inspired men and women, but I see them as human beings like the rest of us. I don't hold them above anyone else. Meeting a leader (or having their signature, or a picture with them) doesn't hold a lot of weight with me. I care more about the character of a person and less about the transaction.

Elder Kearon

That being said, I met Elder Kearon today.

I work in retail as a part-time job. Not a very glamorous job, to be sure, but one that I enjoy. Although I must say that during the holidays...people can get testy....on both sides of the register.

When Elder Kearon approached the counter, I instantly recognized him...but from where? Then he spoke.

I recognized that voice! General Conference. October 2010.

I must admit, it was one of the few talks that I could/can recall from the October 2010 Conference. The content and the feeling with which he shared it made a deep impression on me.

That impression was deepened today as I conversed with Elder Kearon. Truthfully, we didn't say much. But his demeanor and cheerful, peaceful disposition (amid shopping chaos) communicated a lot to me. As I wrote at the beginning, I generally don't think much about meeting a leader of my church, but my (brief) conversation with him made my work day lighter.

So thank you, Elder Kearon, not only for having a recognizable voice, but for being a kind-hearted witness at a register.

Revenge

2011-12-12T22:07:00.000-07:00

The Count of Monte Cristo

A friend of mine (who is also a counselor) once told me that we, as humans, "crave revenge. To us, it's almost a sensual, pleasurable thing. A movie or a book is not satisfying to us unless the villain 'gets what he deserves.'"

I've pondered what he said for a while now. I believe it's true. The best movies are the movies in which the villain receives the most poetic/dramatic death (right now, I'm picturing the final fight from the movie Gladiator---awesome death scene!).

My favorite movie of all time is The Count of Monte Cristo (I'm sorry, but it's sooo much better than the book---and I read the UNABRIDGED version). In it, Edmund Dantes spends almost sixteen years plotting revenge against the people that betrayed him. In his thirst for vengeance he loses his sense of the sweetness of life and very nearly forsakes the woman he loves.

To be consumed by hatred and revenge is to be filled with poison. You personify the very things you say you hate in another. On top of that, the cycle of revenge will never end until someone forgives. In your hunt for vengeance, your demand for justice will be passed on to someone you hurt. The philosophy of "an eye for an eye" really does make the whole world blind.

I thoroughly enjoy this quote from James Allen: "Whatever others may say of you, whatever they may do to you, do not return hatred with hatred. Hatred is so small and poor, so blind and wretched. Love is so great and rich, so far-seeing and blissful."

The Arab Spring Meets the Russian Winter

2011-12-11T19:11:00.000-07:00

Thousands of Russians protest Putin.

Were it possible, I'd be in Moscow right now, standing alongside my Russian brothers and sisters.

I remember being in Russia during the 2008 election, when Medvedev was "elected" President. I asked my Russian host dad if he was excited to see Putin leave after his eight years in office. My host dad smirked, shrugged and then said: "He says he will leave. But he will come back."

On Saturday, December 10th, about 40,000 Russians filled the streets of central Moscow to protest Putin's potential return to the Presidency. I spent a good portion of Saturday watching the news...watching history in the making. This protest has been Russia's largest display of political discontent since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

CBS News Reports: "The protests come three months before Putin, who was president in 2000-2008 and effectively remained the country's leader while prime minister, is to seek a third term in office. The public outpouring challenges his image, supported by state-controlled TV channels, as a man who won the affection of most Russians.

A 2008 political poster for Medvedev
near Red Square.

That image was undercut by last Sunday's parliamentary elections, during which his United Party narrowly retained a majority of seats, but lost the unassailable two-thirds majority it held in the previous parliament. Even that reduced performance was unearned, inflated by massive vote fraud, the opposition says, citing reports by local and international monitors of widespread violations. The reports of vote-rigging and the party's loss of seats acted as a catalyst for long-simmering discontent of many Russians."

And from the Washington Post: "Almost no one appeared to be seeking revolution — bloggers called it the Great December Evolution, a play on the Bolsheviks’ Great October Revolution of 1917.

“We don’t want blood,” said Dmitry Raev, who works for an international law firm. “We don’t want revolution. We earn enough money to live. But the authorities need to understand we are really fed up.”

Their specific demands — for good government, with new and honest elections, and the freeing of the nearly 1,000 protesters arrested last week — are unlikely to be met, at least right away. But protesters said they suspect that Saturday marked the beginning of an inevitable change in the political culture."

Personally, I'm thrilled for Russia. It's as if the Arab Spring has come to the Russian Winter. With 40,000 demonstrators challenging Putin's power, it certainly marks a turning point in Russian democracy. Russian citizens flooded the streets in the middle of winter, promising another rally on December 24. If they are this determined when the thermostat is this low....I'm anxious to see what they can do when the winter begins to thaw. Because politically, it looks like spring is not too far away.

Oh, what I would give to be there on December 24!

Russian protestors near Red Square in Moscow.

Away in a Manger - Paintings by Liz Lemon Swindle

2011-12-09T18:39:00.001-07:00

I recently finished and published this video for Liz Lemon Swindle and everyone at Repartee Gallery. It features new paintings and a new recording of "Away in a Manger" by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. I hope that you enjoy it!

"Each of us is an innkeeper who decides if there is room for Jesus!" - Neal A. Maxwell

2011-12-08T17:46:00.001-07:00

"Each of us is an innkeeper who decides if there is room for Jesus!" - Neal A. Maxwell

I just made this image for a Facebook fanpage. If you like it, please share it! :D

Do You Have Room For the Savior? - Music by Shawna Edwards

2011-12-07T20:02:00.001-07:00

A few years ago, my friend, Shawna Edwards, wrote this song which has quickly become one of my favorite Christmas songs. I am positive that it will likely become a Christmas classic, perhaps equal to "White Christmas" and "O, Little Town of Bethlehem."

Shawna and I worked together last year to make a music video and it already has over 55,000 views. The meaning of the song is powerful and we hope that you will share it with others. Please watch the video and share it with your friends on Facebook or on your blogs.

When Shawna wrote this music, she didn't realize how big it would eventually become. Over the course of the past couple of years, she has interacted with thousands of people who have personally shared with her the impact that this song has had on them (these are people of many faiths, in many places throughout the world). She is sharing the music freely, letting people get a free MP3 or copy of the sheet music if they share how they are making room for the Savior.

Here are three things I'd like to invite you to help with:

1) Share the song via FB. (Here's the YouTube link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jR7lo9ycKBA.)

2) Like her new FB page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Shawna-Edwards-Music/168203446610508

3) If you have a blog, please consider blogging about the song sometime this month.

Can you help me help her spread the word? This song really is a gift worth sharing, and I think it has the potential to do some (more) good if we can help it go viral.

And a special thanks to Michelle for all her help!

"Each of us is an innkeeper who decides if there is room for Jesus!"

A Letter from Lloyd Alexander

2011-12-04T17:55:00.000-07:00

Lloyd Alexander

Over the years, I have read a lot of books. I've read contemporaries and classics, short stories and long novels, biographies and histories, audio books and language books. I have read best-sellers and books that are out of print. I have read books in English and books in Russian.

But through it all, my favorite author has consistently been Lloyd Alexander.

Lloyd Alexander (1924-2007) was a American author of fantasy novels intended for children or young adults. I first became acquainted with his writing in the sixth grade when my class read The Book of Three, the first book in a series of five.

A painting of Lloyd Alexander at BYU

A few years later, I decided to read the rest of the books in the series and I fell in love with them. I've especially enjoyed the audio books (read by James Langton) and I believe I've listened to them at least once every year when I work on my garden.

While I was in high school, I wrote to Lloyd Alexander. It was part of a project in my creative writing class and I really didn't intend anything to come of it, but almost two years later I got a response from Lloyd Alexander. I was amazed. I didn't think that he would write back but he did.

If you look at the letter, you can tell that it was written on an old typewriter. I later learned that Lloyd Alexander would write to many of his fans, waking up at three in the morning to write and in the afternoon he would walk his letters to the post office.

Almost seven months after he wrote to me, Lloyd Alexander passed away.

Lloyd Alexander's letter to me

I count that letter as a tender mercy. I've lately been reflecting on the legacy of Lloyd Alexander during these past few days as I have been working on my own book(s). I certainly know that his writing has helped to influence not only my books, but also my life.

I hope that one day my writing will be as influential to someone as his writing has been to me.

The Best Passage from "A Christmas Carol"

2011-12-03T14:31:00.000-07:00

Jacob Marley and Ebenezer Scrooge

In recent years, because of my work at ANASAZI and my love of Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol has become one of my all-time favorite books. As Christmas is quickly coming upon us, I thought I'd post what I believe to be the best passage from that immortal classic.

In this scene, Jacob Marley is visiting Ebenezer Scrooge and is lamenting the opportunities he lost to serve mankind. Scrooge replies:

"But you were always a good man of business, Jacob," faltered Scrooge, who now began to apply this to himself.

"Business!" cried the Ghost, wringing its hands again. "Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence, were, all, my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!"

It held up its chain at arm's length, as if that were the cause of all its unavailing grief, and flung it heavily upon the ground again.

"At this time of the rolling year," the spectre said "I suffer most. Why did I walk through crowds of fellow-beings with my eyes turned down, and never raise them to that blessed Star which led the Wise Men to a poor abode! Were there no poor homes to which its light would have conducted me!"

Wicked Winds!

2011-12-01T21:50:00.000-07:00

Wicked Winds in Davis County!

Last night, tumultuous winds ripped through Davis County, Utah---wreaking havoc, terror and mayhem. The wind was so loud and frightening that it kept up several people in my family.

I slept like a baby.

...what? The sound of wind is very soothing to me. Made me sleepy the whole day.

Apart from my parents losing most of their fence to a very boisterous pine, the neighborhood being torn apart by acrobatic trees, semi-trucks toppling over, fast-food signs blowing away down, and trash littering the streets, it was a pretty good day!

My brother Dave and I spent a good portion of our afternoon driving around town saying things like, "OOoooohhhhh!!" "Hahahaha!!" "OOOHHHH NOOOO!" "That's so sick!" "Where did the sign go?!"

But the best part of the day was seeing my neighborhood come together to help each other out. In the early hours of the morning, neighbors were braving the winds to check up on one another and by the evening, most of us were outside, cutting fallen trees and putting them in piles.

I suppose that's reflective of life. Every bad thing that happens provides an opportunity for good to rise up against it. Destruction paves the way for creation. And for every winter there is the promise of the summer.

Aaannnddd I'm still trying to find a bright side to the power going on and off...

I'm Engaged!

2011-11-27T22:27:00.001-07:00

On Wednesday, November 23, I asked Kim, my best friend of ten years, if she would marry me.

Me and Kim

She said "Yes!" five times!

I'm one happy man. .)

Resolving the Heart of Conflict - Jim Ferrell

2011-11-17T08:31:00.000-07:00

I've worked at Arbinger for a number of years and I helped Jim create the Prezi presentation for this TED talk. Please watch this amazing talk about some powerful, life-changing principles. It's amazing to see it going viral on YouTube.

Jim Ferrell is a managing partner and founding partner of The Arbinger Institute. He is the author or coauthor of several bestselling books, including Arbinger's international bestsellers, Leadership & Self-Deception and The Anatomy of Peace.

In this talk, Jim discusses the heart of conflict and suggests that our hearts have come to find advantage in conflict.

The Bountiful Temple and a Month of Miracles

2011-10-27T01:46:00.008-06:00

Even though it's two in the morning, I can't refrain from writing about today. And yet, when I sit down to actually write about it...I'm at a loss for words. My English degree seems a paltry and pathetic piece of paper when compared to the indescribable thoughts and feelings of today.

I went to the Bountiful Temple and did an endowment session with my best friend, Kim. It was an incredible experience. If I ever had reason to doubt God's power, I don't now. October has been a month of miracles and I've never been this happy.

Wake Up America! - A New Painting by Jon McNaughton

2011-10-19T08:46:00.000-06:00

I recently finished this video for political artist Jon McNaughton. I would typically do a write-up for it...but I think it pretty much speaks for itself.

If any of you are tempted to debate what Jon has painted, I would remind you that we are 14.8 Trillion dollars in debt. No matter who we blame for that AMERICA still has a big problem. It's financial slavery. Wake up, America! Before it is too late.

Love & Great Expectations

2011-10-18T22:02:00.000-06:00

This is my favorite quote from Great Expectations....particularly poignant today....

"You are part of my existence, part of myself. You have been in every line I have ever read...You have been in every prospect I have ever seen since - on the river, on the sails of the ships, on the marshes, in the clouds, in the light, in the darkness, in the wind, in the woods, in the sea, in the streets. You have been the embodiment of every graceful fancy that my mind has ever become acquainted with. The stones of which the strongest London buildings are made, are not more real, or more impossible to be displaced by your hands, than your presence and influence have been to me, there and everywhere, and will be."

The Dream of a Ridiculous Man - Fyodor Dostoyevsky

2011-10-13T22:46:00.000-06:00

Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Fyodor Dostoevsky is my favorite author and I recently finished reading one of his short stories entitled, "The Dream of a Ridiculous Man."

In the story, a man who is contemplating suicide falls asleep and dreams that he is taken to another world. The inhabitants of this world live in an idllic or sinless state (much like Eden) and he lives with them for many years, amazed at their utopian society.

One day, the narrator accidentally teaches the inhabitants how to lie, introducing sin into their society. The narrator then watches as their paradise disintegrates.

I thought that several paragraphs from the story were particularly interesting:

They began to struggle for separation, for isolation, for individuality, for mine and thine. They began to talk in different languages. They became acquainted with sorrow and loved sorrow; they thirsted for suffering, and said that truth could only be attained through suffering. Then science appeared. As they became wicked they began talking of brotherhood and humanitarianism, and understood those ideas. As they became criminal, they invented justice and drew up whole legal codes in order to observe it, and to ensure their being kept, set up a guillotine. They hardly remembered what they had lost, in fact refused to believe that they had ever been happy and innocent. They even laughed at the possibility o this happiness in the past, and called it a dream. They could not even imagine it in definite form and shape, but, strange and wonderful to relate, though they lost all faith in their past happiness and called it a legend, they so longed to be happy and innocent once more that they succumbed to this desire like children, made an idol of it, set up temples and worshipped their own idea, their own desire; though at the same time they fully believed that it was unattainable and could not be realized, yet they bowed down to it and adored it with tears!

...everyone began to love himself better than anyone else, and indeed they could not do otherwise. All became so jealous of the rights of their own personality that they did their very utmost to curtail and destroy them in others, and made that the chief thing in their lives. Slavery followed, even voluntary slavery; the weak eagerly submitted to the strong, on condition that the latter aided them to subdue the still weaker.

After witnessing these scenes of destruction the narrator then offered his solution:

The chief thing is to love others like yourself, that's the chief thing, and that's everything; nothing else is wanted - you will find out at once how to arrange it all. And yet it's an old truth which has been told and retold a billion times - but it has not formed part of our lives!

And you gotta love the voice of Jeremy Irons reading this part of the story!

The Tea Party Meets "Occupy Wall Street"

2011-10-12T14:48:00.001-06:00

Since Obama took office, America has seen two major political movements; one on the right and one on the left: the Tea Party and the new Occupy Wall Street movement.

The Tea Party has felt that the government has been dishonest with its use of money (bailouts, tax hikes, wars et cetera) while Occupy Wall Street feels like the wealthiest 1% have been dishonest with their use of money (greed, not paying taxes, to open theft). The birth of the Tea Party and Occupy Wall Street demonstrate that there is growing unrest in American society coupled with a lack of trust.

Though they don't know it, the Tea Party and the Occupy Wall Street movement are essentially protesting the exact same thing. But instead of attacking/protesting the disease itself, they are attacking the symptoms of the disease. The real disease is selfishness. Both groups are angry at those individuals (governments and corporations) who put themselves before other people.

Isn't it odd that both groups want the same thing but are considered the political opposities of one another?

Don't you think that our collective energy would be put to better use if we preached peace rather than create contention? Or if we practiced selflessness instead of fighting against selfish people? Instead of rallying against war, let's rally for peace.

The difference in a revolution could be as significant as the Indian Independence Movement compared to the French Revolution.

The Coffee-House of Surat - by Leo Tolstoy

2011-10-11T20:37:00.001-06:00

Leo Tolstoy

One of my favorite short stories...

In the town of Surat, in India, was a coffee-house where many travelers and foreigners from all parts of the world met and conversed.

One day a learned Persian theologian visited this coffee-house. He was a man who had spent his life studying the nature of the Deity, and reading and writing books upon the subject. He had thought, read, and written so much about God, that eventually he lost his wits, became quite confused, and ceased even to believe in the existence of a God. The Shah, hearing of this, had banished him from Persia.

After having argued all his life about the First Cause, this unfortunate theologian had ended by quite perplexing himself, and instead of understanding that he had lost his own reason, he began to think that there was no higher Reason controlling the universe.

This man had an African slave who followed him everywhere. When the theologian entered the coffee-house, the slave remained outside, near the door, sitting on a stone in the glare of the sun, and driving away the flies that buzzed around him. The Persian having settled down on a divan in the coffee-house, ordered himself a cup of opium. When he had drunk it and the opium had begun to quicken the workings of his brain, he addressed his slave through the open door:

“Tell me, wretched slave,” said he, “do you think there is a God, or not?”

“Of course there is,” said the slave, and immediately drew from under his girdle a small idol of wood.

“There,” said he, “that is the God who has guarded me from the day of my birth. Every one in our country worships the fetish tree, from the wood of which this God was made.”

This conversation between the theologian and his slave was listened to with surprise by the other guests in the coffee-house. They were astonished at the master’s question, and yet more so at the slave’s reply.

One of them, a Brahmin, on hearing the words spoken by the slave, turned to him and said:

“Miserable fool! Is it possible you believe that God can be carried under a man’s girdle? There is one God–Brahma, and he is greater than the whole world, for he created it. Brahma is the One, the mighty God, and in His honour are built the temples on the Ganges’ banks, where his true priests, the Brahmins, worship him. They know the true God, and none but they. A thousand score of years have passed, and yet through revolution after revolution these priests have held their sway, because Brahma, the one true God, has protected them.”

So spoke the Brahmin, thinking to convince every one; but a Jewish broker who was present replied to him, and said:

“No! the temple of the true God is not in India. Neither does God protect the Brahmin caste. The true God is not the God of the Brahmins, but of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. None does He protect but His chosen people, the Israelites. From the commencement of the world, our nation has been beloved of Him, and ours alone. If we are now scattered over the whole earth, it is but to try us; for God has promised that He will one day gather His people together in Jerusalem. Then, with the Temple of Jerusalem–the wonder of the ancient world–restored to its splendor, shall Israel be established a ruler over all nations.”

So spoke the Jew, and burst into tears. He wished to say more, but an Italian missionary who was there interrupted him.

“What you are saying is untrue,” said he to the Jew. “You attribute injustice to God. He cannot love your nation above the rest. Nay rather, even if it be true that of old He favored the Israelites, it is now nineteen hundred years since they angered Him, and caused Him to destroy their nation and scatter them over the earth, so that their faith makes no converts and has died out except here and there. God shows preference to no nation, but calls all who wish to be saved to the bosom of the Catholic Church of Rome, the one outside whose borders no salvation can be found.”

So spoke the Italian. But a Protestant minister, who happened to be present, growing pale, turned to the Catholic missionary and exclaimed:

“How can you say that salvation belongs to your religion? Those only will be saved, who serve God according to the Gospel, in spirit and in truth, as bidden by the word of Christ.”

Then a Turk, an office-holder in the custom-house at Surat, who was sitting in the coffee-house smoking a pipe, turned with an air of superiority to both the Christians.

“Your belief in your Roman religion is vain,” said he. “It was superseded twelve hundred years ago by the true faith: that of Mohammed! You cannot but observe how the true Mohammed faith continues to spread both in Europe and Asia, and even in the enlightened country of China. You say yourselves that God has rejected the Jews; and, as a proof, you quote the fact that the Jews are humiliated and their faith does not spread. Confess then the truth of Mohammedanism, for it is triumphant and spreads far and wide. None will be saved but the followers of Mohammed, God’s latest prophet; and of them, only the followers of Omar, and not of Ali, for the latter are false to the faith.”

To this the Persian theologian, who was of the sect of Ali, wished to reply; but by this time a great dispute had arisen among all the strangers of different faiths and creeds present. There were Abyssinian Christians, Llamas from Thibet, Ismailians and Fireworshippers. They all argued about the nature of God, and how He should be worshipped. Each of them asserted that in his country alone was the true God known and rightly worshipped.

Every one argued and shouted, except a Chinaman, a student of Confucius, who sat quietly in one corner of the coffee-house, not joining in the dispute. He sat there drinking tea and listening to what the others said, but did not speak himself.

The Turk noticed him sitting there, and appealed to him, saying:

“You can confirm what I say, my good Chinaman. You hold your peace, but if you spoke I know you would uphold my opinion. Traders from your country, who come to me for assistance, tell me that though many religions have been introduced into China, you Chinese consider Mohammedanism the best of all, and adopt it willingly. Confirm, then, my words, and tell us your opinion of the true God and of His prophet.”

“Yes, yes,” said the rest, turning to the Chinaman, “let us hear what you think on the subject.”

The Chinaman, the student of Confucius, closed his eyes, and thought a while. Then he opened them again, and drawing his hands out of the wide sleeves of his garment, and folding them on his breast, he spoke as follows, in a calm and quiet voice.

Sirs, it seems to me that it is chiefly pride that prevents men agreeing with one another on matters of faith. If you care to listen to me, I will tell you a story which will explain this by an example.

I came here from China on an English steamer which had been round the world. We stopped for fresh water, and landed on the east coast of the island of Sumatra. It was midday, and some of us, having landed, sat in the shade of some cocoanut palms by the seashore, not far from a native village. We were a party of men of different nationalities.

As we sat there, a blind man approached us. We learned afterwards that he had gone blind from gazing too long and too persistently at the sun, trying to find out what it is, in order to seize its light.

He strove a long time to accomplish this, constantly looking at the sun; but the only result was that his eyes were injured by its brightness, and he became blind.

Then he said to himself:

“The light of the sun is not a liquid; for if it were a liquid it would be possible to pour it from one vessel into another, and it would be moved, like water, by the wind. Neither is it fire; for if it were fire, water would extinguish it. Neither is light a spirit, for it is seen by the eye; nor is it matter, for it cannot be moved. Therefore, as the light of the sun is neither liquid, nor fire, nor spirit, nor matter, it is–nothing!”

So spoke the Italian. But a Protestant minister, who happened to be present, growing pale, turned to the Catholic missionary and exclaimed:

“How can you say that salvation belongs to your religion? Those only will be saved, who serve God according to the Gospel, in spirit and in truth, as bidden by the word of Christ.”

Then a Turk, an office-holder in the custom-house at Surat, who was sitting in the coffee-house smoking a pipe, turned with an air of superiority to both the Christians.

“Your belief in your Roman religion is vain,” said he. “It was superseded twelve hundred years ago by the true faith: that of Mohammed! You cannot but observe how the true Mohammed faith continues to spread both in Europe and Asia, and even in the enlightened country of China. You say yourselves that God has rejected the Jews; and, as a proof, you quote the fact that the Jews are humiliated and their faith does not spread. Confess then the truth of Mohammedanism, for it is triumphant and spreads far and wide. None will be saved but the followers of Mohammed, God’s latest prophet; and of them, only the followers of Omar, and not of Ali, for the latter are false to the faith.”

To this the Persian theologian, who was of the sect of Ali, wished to reply; but by this time a great dispute had arisen among all the strangers of different faiths and creeds present. There were Abyssinian Christians, Llamas from Thibet, Ismailians and Fireworshippers. They all argued about the nature of God, and how He should be worshipped. Each of them asserted that in his country alone was the true God known and rightly worshipped.

Every one argued and shouted, except a Chinaman, a student of Confucius, who sat quietly in one corner of the coffee-house, not joining in the dispute. He sat there drinking tea and listening to what the others said, but did not speak himself.

The Turk noticed him sitting there, and appealed to him, saying:

“You can confirm what I say, my good Chinaman. You hold your peace, but if you spoke I know you would uphold my opinion. Traders from your country, who come to me for assistance, tell me that though many religions have been introduced into China, you Chinese consider Mohammedanism the best of all, and adopt it willingly. Confirm, then, my words, and tell us your opinion of the true God and of His prophet.”

“Yes, yes,” said the rest, turning to the Chinaman, “let us hear what you think on the subject.”

The Chinaman, the student of Confucius, closed his eyes, and thought a while. Then he opened them again, and drawing his hands out of the wide sleeves of his garment, and folding them on his breast, he spoke as follows, in a calm and quiet voice.

Sirs, it seems to me that it is chiefly pride that prevents men agreeing with one another on matters of faith. If you care to listen to me, I will tell you a story which will explain this by an example.

I came here from China on an English steamer which had been round the world. We stopped for fresh water, and landed on the east coast of the island of Sumatra. It was midday, and some of us, having landed, sat in the shade of some cocoanut palms by the seashore, not far from a native village. We were a party of men of different nationalities.

As we sat there, a blind man approached us. We learned afterwards that he had gone blind from gazing too long and too persistently at the sun, trying to find out what it is, in order to seize its light.

He strove a long time to accomplish this, constantly looking at the sun; but the only result was that his eyes were injured by its brightness, and he became blind.

Then he said to himself:

“The light of the sun is not a liquid; for if it were a liquid it would be possible to pour it from one vessel into another, and it would be moved, like water, by the wind. Neither is it fire; for if it were fire, water would extinguish it. Neither is light a spirit, for it is seen by the eye; nor is it matter, for it cannot be moved. Therefore, as the light of the sun is neither liquid, nor fire, nor spirit, nor matter, it is–nothing!”

“There is no country,” he said “where people know so much about the sun’s movements as in England. The sun, as every one in England knows, rises nowhere and sets nowhere. It is always moving round the earth. We can be sure of this for we have just been round the world ourselves, and nowhere knocked up against the sun. Wherever we went, the sun showed itself in the morning and hid itself at night, just as it does here.”

And the Englishman took a stick and, drawing circles on the sand, tried to explain how the sun moves in the heavens and goes round the world. But he was unable to explain it clearly, and pointing to the ship’s pilot said:

“This man knows more about it than I do. He can explain it properly.”

The pilot, who was an intelligent man, had listened in silence to the talk till he was asked to speak. Now every one turned to him, and he said:

“You are all misleading one another, and are yourselves deceived. The sun does not go round the earth, but the earth goes round the sun, revolving as it goes, and turning towards the sun in the course of each twenty-four hours, not only Japan, and the Philippines, and Sumatra where we now are, but Africa, and Europe, and America, and many lands besides. The sun does not shine for some one mountain, or for some one island, or for some one sea, nor even for one earth alone, but for other planets as well as our earth. If you would only look up at the heavens, instead of at the ground beneath your own feet, you might all understand this, and would then no longer suppose that the sun shines for you, or for your country alone.”

Thus spoke the wise pilot, who had voyaged much about the world, and had gazed much upon the heavens above.

“So on matters of faith,” continued the Chinaman, the student of Confucius, “it is pride that causes error and discord among men. As with the sun, so it is with God. Each man wants to have a special God of his own, or at least a special God for his native land. Each nation wishes to confine in its own temples Him, whom the world cannot contain.

“Can any temple compare with that which God Himself has built to unite all men in one faith and one religion?

“All human temples are built on the model of this temple, which is God’s own world. Every temple has its fonts, its vaulted roof, its lamps, its pictures or sculptures, its inscriptions, its books of the law, its offerings, its altars and its priests. But in what temple is there such a font as the ocean; such a vault as that of the heavens; such lamps as the sun, moon, and stars; or any figures to be compared with living, loving, mutually-helpful men? Where are there any records of God’s goodness so easy to understand as the blessings which God has strewn abroad for man’s happiness? Where is there any book of the law so clear to each man as that written in his heart? What sacrifices equal the self-denials which loving men and women make for one another? And what altar can be compared with the heart of a good man, on which God Himself accepts the sacrifice?

“The higher a man’s conception of God, the better will he know Him. And the better he knows God, the nearer will he draw to Him, imitating His goodness, His mercy, and His love of man.

“Therefore, let him who sees the sun’s whole light filling the world, refrain from blaming or despising the superstitious man, who in his own idol sees one ray of that same light. Let him not despise even the unbeliever who is blind and cannot see the sun at all.”

So spoke the Chinaman, the student of Confucius; and all who were present in the coffee-house were silent, and disputed no more as to whose faith was the best.

"Beware of Pride" - President Ezra Taft Benson

2011-10-02T20:54:00.013-06:00

Audio of a great sermon written by President Ezra Taft Benson about the problems of pride.

Part 1

Part 2

Blog Quoted by Elder Anderson

2011-10-01T14:49:00.001-06:00

During the October 2011 General Conference, Elder Anderson quoted from a blog article by entitled Rachel Jankovic entitled: "Motherhood Is A Calling." Saying,

"Children rank way below college. Below world travel for sure. Below the ability to go out at night at your leisure. Below honing your body at the gym. Below any job you may have or hope to get. In fact, children rate below your desire to sit around and pick your toes, if that is what you want to do. Below everything. Children are the last thing you should ever spend your time doing.

Motherhood is not a hobby, it is a calling. You do not collect children because you find them cuter than stamps. It is not something to do if you can squeeze the time in. It is what God gave you time for."

It reminded me of the talk 1978 Conference Talk by Elder Maxwell, "The Women of God,"

"When the real history of mankind is fully disclosed, will it feature the echoes of gunfire or the shaping sound of lullabies? The great armistices made by military men or the peacemaking of women in homes and in neighborhoods? Will what happened in cradles and kitchens prove to be more controlling than what happened in congresses? When the surf of the centuries has made the great pyramids so much sand, the everlasting family will still be standing, because it is a celestial institution, formed outside telestial time. The women of God know this."

An Awesome Picture for General Conference

2011-10-01T08:36:00.001-06:00

In honor of General Conference, I thought I'd post up this picture I found through a google search (From Matsby on Common Consent). Isn't it awesome?? Man, why don't they make t-shirts of Tommy instead of Che? ;)

Viva La Revelacion! - Long Live Revelation!

The Book of Mormon YouTube Challenge - TODAY!

2011-09-30T07:00:00.001-06:00

The 2nd Annual Book of Mormon YouTube Challenge is a powerful member-driven, faith-sharing media event and invites participants to watch this newly produced unofficial video on the Book of Mormon, and share the video and their witness of this Testament of Christ with others on September 30, 2011.

Email. Embed. Tweet. Write. Blog.

This Video.

Leadership and Insecurity

2011-09-29T07:00:00.000-06:00

Last night, I went to a presentation on leadership given by Jon Johnson, the President of the More Good Foundation. He made a very strong point when he said that failures in leadership and in organizations all seem to stem from one thing: insecurity.

"The greatest single personel issues that I have ever faced [within organizations]," said Jon, "...have come because of...insecurity. Insecurity fosters emotional responses, selfish ideals [but] if you know who you are, is there a need to be insecure?"

He then discussed, in detail, a talk by Spencer W. Kimball entitled "Jesus: The Perfect Leader," from which I pull this awesome quote:

Jesus knew who he was and why he was here on this planet. That meant he could lead from strength rather than from uncertainty or weakness.

Jesus operated from a base of fixed principles or truths rather than making up the rules as he went along. Thus, his leadership style was not only correct, but also constant. So many secular leaders today are like chameleons; they change their hues and views to fit the situation—which only tends to confuse associates and followers who cannot be certain what course is being pursued. Those who cling to power at the expense of principle often end up doing almost anything to perpetuate their power.

Jon suggested that since we know who we are (children of God) and since we have taken upon ourselves the name of Christ, we should not feel insecure about who we are and what we have been called to do. We should walk forward in faith.

A great presentation on leadership!

Sarah Palin Running for President?

2011-09-28T07:22:00.002-06:00

As the GOP gather their candidates, Alaska has been quiet...too quiet...

I was recently reading Michael D. Shear's column on the New York Times, and he reported that Governor Palin's "Twitter feed and Facebook page have gone silent for the last 10 days. Her Web site has not been updated recently. And Ms. Palin has not appeared on Fox News for a week, since before the last Republican presidential debate."

Actually, she appeared on Greta last night and talked about whether or not she would "throw [her] name in the hat" to run for President. She then said this:

"Is a title worth it? Does a title shackle a person?...Does that prohibit me from being out of the box? Does a title take away my freedom to call it like I see it and to affect positive change that we need in this country? That's the biggest contemplation piece in my thought process."

Sarah Palin's book "Going Rogue"

I like the fact that she's more interested in being an influence on the outside of politics rather than on the inside. Politics is a dirty game and I am much more inclined to believe the people that shirk power than those that fight for it.

Say what you will about Sarah Palin (because it seems like everyone wants to) but one of the things that I like about her is that she really does prefer to "go rogue." She isn't afraid to take the unconventional route; and whenever she does so, she does it without fear. A Palin Presidency, therefore, would be unconventional, interesting and (judging by the media's "love" of her) riddled with "controversy."

My prediction? If she decides to run for President she will most likely split the Tea Party vote between Perry or whoever is the Tea Party frontrunner (Cain, Paul or Bachman). This will make it easier for someone more moderate (like Romney) to ride in from the background.

Personally, I like Sarah Palin. I liked her long before McCain chose her as his VP pick. During 2008, it angered me what the media was doing to her and her family (which prompted me to make a video about her and her son Trig). I also went out and to meet with her at a rally in Henderson, Nevada, just a couple of weeks before the election. She's a great and inspirational woman and I hope that she continues to cling to her guns (and God) by "going rogue" and do the unconventional thing.

Joseph Smith - A True Superman

2011-09-27T07:24:00.000-06:00

I blame Liz Lemon Swindle for inspiring me to make religious videos. :)

In the fall of 2004, I attended the BYU semester at Nauvoo and I soon fell in love with Nauvoo and LDS Church History (a love affair that you've probably noticed by now with things like this, this and this).

(Back) Liz's painting of the martyrdom,
(Front) Jon's painting of the Last Dream

Almost every night I would go for a walk around Nauvoo, taking in the sights, smells and feeling of the place; relishing the crisp autumn air and views of the sunset on the Mississippi. One evening, while walking near the grave of Joseph Smith, I was listening to a pop song on my mp3 player and I was immediately struck by the lyrics. The song was "Superman" by Five for Fighting, and the lyrics seemed to fit perfectly as a background to Joseph Smith's life.

At the end of the song, when he sang "It's not easy to be me," there was one image that I couldn't get out of my mind: Liz Lemon Swindle's painting of Joseph Smith's martyrdom.

I quickly walked back to the school and began working on a video. Within a few short hours, I had harmonized paintings and pictures of Joseph Smith's life (many of them by Liz Lemon Swindle) to the song.

I showed the original video to my friends at BYU Nauvoo and showed it in a presentation at my local ward. About two years later it was the first video that I published on my YouTube channel.

Featured below is the remake of my first religious video.

At the time (September 2006), I was one of two or three people posting positive LDS videos on YouTube. After the success of that video, I started to produce more and more religious/inspirational videos and publish them on YouTube. This has resulted in over 6,700 subscribers, over 13 million views and more blessings than I could have possibly imagined.

I love storytelling, or captivating an audience through a good story or account. My videos have opened up a way for my to tell stories through the combination of music and art. Through my videos I have been able to work with Angela Johnson, Rob Gardner, Baylor University, Paul Thomas Smith, The Forever Young Foundation, The ANASAZI Foundation, Jon McNaughton, C. Terry Warner, Carrie Wrigley, and many others.

Through my videos, I have been able to tell the stories and accounts of adoption, research, clinical studies, missionary experiences, conversion stories, music, sculpting, artwork, temples, war, religions, symbolism, forgotten stories, lost history, good causes and....one of my favorite accounts of all time: Joseph Smith's Last Dream:

So, you see, I can blame Liz Lemon Swindle for a lot. ;)

Me and Liz Lemon Swindle

Pay Attention to Nonviolence - Palestine

2011-09-26T18:44:00.000-06:00

I loved this video from TED. I hope that you enjoy it:

In 2003, the Palestinian village of Budrus mounted a 10-month-long nonviolent protest to stop a barrier being built across their olive groves. Did you hear about it? Didn't think so. Brazilian filmmaker Julia Bacha asks why we only pay attention to violence in the Israel-Palestine conflict -- and not to the nonviolent leaders who may one day bring peace.

Joseph Smith's Last Dream - Over 35,000 Views

2011-09-19T22:35:00.000-06:00

It's been almost three months and the video I made on Joseph Smith's Last Dream has had over 35,000 views. Wow! Amazing. Thank you for your support!

The Assault of the Book of Mormon Musical

2011-09-18T14:26:00.009-06:00

I've recently come to appreciate the Church's position on the Book of Mormon musical:

The production may attempt to entertain audiences for an evening, but the Book of Mormon as a volume of scripture will change people's lives forever by bringing them closer to Christ.

Indian Names - Lydia Huntley Sigourney

2011-09-14T18:34:00.004-06:00

Having many Native American friends myself, I was very touched by this poem.

Indian Names

by Lydia Huntley Sigourney

(1791 - 1865)

‘How can the red men be forgotten, while so many of our states and territories, bays, lakes, and rivers, are indelibly stamped by names of their giving?’

Ye say they all have passed away,

That noble race and brave,

That their light canoes have vanished

From off the crested wave;

That ’mid the forests where they roamed

There rings no hunter shout,

But their name is on your waters,

Ye may not wash it out.

’Tis where Ontario’s billow

Like Ocean’s surge is curled,

Where strong Niagara’s thunders wake

The echo of the world.

Where red Missouri bringeth

Rich tribute from the west,

And Rappahannock sweetly sleeps

On green Virginia’s breast.

Ye say their cone-like cabins,

That clustered o’er the vale,

Have fled away like withered leaves

Before the autumn gale,

But their memory liveth on your hills,

Their baptism on your shore,

Your everlasting rivers speak

Their dialect of yore.

Old Massachusetts wears it,

Within her lordly crown,

And broad Ohio bears it,

Amid his young renown;

Connecticut hath wreathed it

Where her quiet foliage waves,

And bold Kentucky breathed it hoarse

Through all her ancient caves.

Wachuset hides its lingering voice

Within his rocky heart,

And Alleghany graves its tone

Throughout his lofty chart;

Monadnock on his forehead hoar

Doth seal the sacred trust,

Your mountains build their monument,

Though ye destroy their dust.

Ye call these red-browned brethren

The insects of an hour,

Crushed like the noteless worm amid

The regions of their power;

Ye drive them from their father’s lands,

Ye break of faith the seal,

But can ye from the court of Heaven

Exclude their last appeal?

Ye see their unresisting tribes,

With toilsome step and slow,

On through the trackless desert pass

A caravan of woe;

Think ye the Eternal’s ear is deaf?

His sleepless vision dim?

Think ye the soul’s blood may not cry

From that far land to him?

Native Americans of North America

Remembering September 11, 2001

2011-09-11T23:00:00.000-06:00

I was 15 years old and I was wandering around the gym room at the end of class. The principal got on the intercom and announced that a plane had crashed into one of the World Trade Center Towers. Even though I had seen videos of the New York City skyline, I didn't know what the World Trade Center was.

But I soon found out and would never forget.

School was a blur. All of the teachers had their TVs on and we spoke to each other in complete shock and amazement at the scenes of terror unfolding before us.

But the response of our nation was what amazed me the most.

Prayers, candlelight vigils, moments of silence, singing, church-going, unity and common love and respect for one another. The outpouring of love was overwhelming. I wish that we held onto that feeling.

President Bush's speech at the Pennsylvania memorial yesterday reminded me of those feelings. Even though I'm not a big fan of George Bush, I truly think that this is his best speech, and one of the best speeches ever given.

Coriantumr - The Reverse Christ

2011-09-11T14:29:00.001-06:00

Coriantumr about to slay Shiz

Towards the end of the Book of Mormon we read of the violent (and graphic) destruction of the Jaredite Nation, led by two military rivals: Coriantumr and Shiz.

Coriantumr was the king of the Jaredites, a man who had studied the art of war. Shiz was the brother of Lib, an earlier military leader that was killed by Coriantumr's forces.

In the midst of this tremendous civil war (during which millions had lost their lives), the prophet Ether came to King Cortiantumr and admonished him to repent. For the Lord had told Ether that if Coriantumr, and all his household, would repent then "the Lord would give unto him his kingdom and spare the people" (Ether 13:20). But if he did not "they should be destroyed, and all his household save it were himself...and every soul should be destroyed save it were himself" (Ether 13:21).

Coriantumr not only rejects this message from Ether but he "sought to kill Ether" (Ether 13:22). Ether escapes and hides in a cave, recording the last days of the Jaredite nation.

In time, Coriantumr is severely wounded in battle and when he "had recovered from his wounds, he began to remember the words which Ether had spoken unto him. He saw that there had been slain by the sword already nearly two millions of his people, and he began to sorrow in his heart...He began to repent of the evil which he had done...and his soul mourned and refused to be comforted" (Ether 1-3).

Soon after this, Coriantumr writes an epistle to Shiz, telling him that he would give Shiz the kingdom if Shiz would spare the lives of the people.

Now here's the interesting part. Shiz writes back to Coriantumr, apparently agreeing with him, but with one minor exception: Shiz demanded that Coriantumr give himself up so that Shiz could slay him with his own sword.

Coriantumr's response is reflected in this verse of scripture: "And it came to pass the the people repented not of their iniquity; and the people of Coriantumr were stirred up to anger against the people of Shiz" (Ether 14:6).

The rest is as Ether prophesied. Millions upon millions of Jaredites are slaughtered in a horrendous war until Coriantumr stands alone, the last of his people.

At first glance, there seemed to be little doctrinal depth to be found in the senseless slaughter between these two rivals. But when I looked deeper into the story, I discovered one of the greatest analogies of Christ that I have ever read.

King Coriantumr is a reverse Christ.

Consider the following question: What if Coriatumr had laid down his life for his people?

If Coriantumr had given himself up to Shiz, we would be reading about one of the greatest parallels of Christ in scriptural history; an account of how a king descended below it all and gave his life for his people.

Instead, we read of one of the saddest accounts of selfishness in scriptural history.

Christ is a King and Coriantumr was a king.
Christ gave us the commandments while Coriantumr rejected the commandments.
Christ taught peace while Coriantumr studied war (Ether 13:16).
Christ was wounded for our sins while Coriantumr was wounded for his sins.
Christ gave his life for all mankind while Coriantumr kept his own life at the expense of his people.
Christ's sacrifice gives life, Coriantumr's selfishness took life.
Christ's love brings more and more people into the fold while Coriantumr's hatred annihilated his people.

Coriantumr, the last of the Jaredites

As Elder Maxwell stated, "There for us to ponder also is a clear case in which personal pride and rage kept two principals from acting for the welfare of their people. Shiz insisted on “getting his man,” even if it meant the destruction of his own people; and Coriantumr offered his kingdom but not his life for his people. Each said, in effect, that the ultimate object of his selfishness was nonnegotiable! Neither was willing to play the role of the intervenor and say of the circumstances, “This has gone too far—enough is enough.” How often on a lesser scale in human affairs do tinier tragedies occur for want of this selfless intervention? How often do we withhold the one thing that is needed to make a difference?"

And thus we see the reverse Christ in the sad tale of Coriantumr. “Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it” (Luke 17:33).

This comes from a new blog I'm starting up: The Golden Plates.

Additional Resources:
Three Jaredites: Contrasting Contemporaries - Elder Neal A. Maxwell

The Life and Death of Alvin Smith

2011-09-07T19:38:00.002-06:00

In the Smith family, it wasn't Joseph that was the favorite, it was Alvin.

"That's How You Know" - A Hilarious Wedding Video!

2011-09-06T10:27:00.000-06:00

This video was taken at the wedding reception of my two best friends, Ronnie and Noell. Noell Kamauoha, a native Hawaiian, is one of seven sisters. Ronnie was told that the Kamauoha sisters wanted to give him some marriage advice....

By order of appearance: Chelsie (#7), Michelle (#4), Natalie (#5), Noell (#6), Kalli (#2), Melissa (#3), Korrie (#1)

Joseph Smith's Relationship With the Savior

2011-09-01T19:44:00.001-06:00

During his life, Joseph Smith saw God and Jesus Christ four times and the saw the Savior one on one perhaps as many as ten times.Paul Thomas Smith, an author and former church history instructor, shares some of his insight concerning Joseph Smith's powerful and personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Good or Bad? - A Fable

2011-09-01T01:32:00.000-06:00

An old man and his son worked a small farm, with only one horse to pull the plow.

One day, the horse ran away.

“How terrible,” sympathized the neighbors. “What bad luck.”

“Good luck? Bad luck? Who knows?” answered the old man.

A week later, the horse returned form the mountains, leading five wild mares into the barn.

“What wonderful luck!” said the neighbors.

“Who knows whether it is bad luck or good luck,” the farmer replied.

The next day, the son, trying to tame one of the horses, fell and broke his leg.

“How terrible. What bad luck!”

“Bad luck? Good luck?”

The army came to all the farms to take the young men for war. The farmer’s son was of no use to them, so he was spared.

“Good? Bad?”

Taken from The Way of the Peaceful Warrior, by Dan Millman, pages 103-104

The Bible and The Book of Mormon

2011-08-30T04:48:00.000-06:00

Paul Thomas Smith, author and former Church History Instructor, shares some of his thoughts and insights concerning the Bible and The Book of Mormon. Please read the story below!

Because of the way I chose to edit this interview, I was unable to include an interesting story that Brother Smith had shared with me. I'm including it in this blog post and I hope that you will enjoy it as much as I did. Apparently, Joseph and Oliver would glow after translating the Book of Mormon...

Oliver Huntington met a Sally Heller Conrad Bunnell at an old-folks outing in 1897 and told her story in his diary as follows:

I conversed with one old lady eighty-eight years old who lived with David Whitmer when Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery were translating the Book of Mormon in the upper room of the house, and she, only a girl, saw them come down from the translating room several [times], when they looked so exceedingly white and strange that she inquired of Mrs. Whitmer the cause of their unusual appearance, but Mrs. Whitmer was unwilling to tell the hired girl, the true cause as it was a sacred holy event connected with a holy sacred work which [was] opposed and persecuted by nearly every one who heard of it. The girl . . . finally told Mrs. Whi[t]mer that she would not stay with her unless she knew the cause of the strange looks of these men. Sister Whitmer then told her what the men were doing in the room above. . . . This satisfied the girl and opened the way to embracing the gospel. She is the mother of Stephen Bunnel of Provo, and the Bunnel family of Provo.

Symbolism and Meaning in Joseph Smith's Last Dreams

2011-08-26T14:05:00.003-06:00

Prior to his martyrdom, Joseph Smith had three highly symbolic dreams...

Joseph Smith's Dream of Snakes and Apostates

2011-08-25T11:24:00.000-06:00

This dream can be found in the History of the Church 6:461-462. From what I can ascertain, Joseph Smith had this dream around June 13, 1844 (just two weeks before his martyrdom).

The Prophet's Dreams on Condition of Apostates in Nauvoo

Joseph Smith

In the evening I attended meeting in the Seventies' Ball. George J. Adams preached and I made some observations afterwards, and related a dream which I had a short time since. I thought I was riding out in my carriage, and my guardian angel was along with me. We went past the Temple, and had not gone much further before we espied two large snakes so fast locked together that neither of them had any power. I inquired of my guide what I was to understand by that. He answered, "Those snakes represent Dr. Foster and Chauncey L. Higbee. They are your enemies and desire to destroy you; but you see they are so fast locked together that they have no power of themselves to hurt you. I then thought I was riding up Mulholland street, but my guardian angel was not along with me. On arriving at the prairie, I was overtaken and seized by William and Wilson Law and others, saying, "Ah! ah! we have got you at last! We will secure you and put you in a safe place!" and, without any ceremony dragged me out of my carriage, tied my hands behind me, and threw me into a deep, dry pit, where I remained in a perfectly helpless condition, and they went away. While struggling to get out, I heard Wilson Law screaming for help hard by. I managed to unloose myself so as to make a spring, when I caught hold of some grass which grew at the edge of the pit.

I looked out of the pit and saw Wilson Law at a little distances attacked by ferocious wild beasts, and heard him cry out, "Oh! Brother Joseph, come and save me!" I replied, "I cannot, for you have put me into this deep pit." On looking out another way, I saw William Law with outstretched tongue, blue in the face, and the green poison forced out of his mouth, caused by the coiling of a large snake around his body. It had also grabbed him by the arm, a little above the elbow, ready to devour him. He cried out in the intensity of his agony, "Oh, Brother Joseph, Brother Joseph, come and save me, or I die!" also replied to him, "I cannot, William; I would willingly, but you have tied me and put me in this pit, and I am powerless to help you or liberate myself." In a short time after my guide came and said aloud, "Joseph, Joseph, what are you doing there?" I replied, "My enemies fell upon me, bound me and threw me in." He then took me by the hand, drew me out of the pit, set me free, and we went away rejoicing.

"The Tree of Life" Painted by a Native American

2011-08-15T02:45:00.000-06:00

"The Tree of Life" - painted by Lehi Sanchez

I made the video of this beautiful painting over a year ago, but circumstances have brought it back into remembrance. Of all the videos I've made, it is one of my favorites, second only to "Joseph Smith's Last Dream."

Below the video are the words of the artist Lehi Sanchez, a Native American and a friend of mine. I hope you take the time to read them. The thoughts behind this painting are beautiful.

"Behold, I have dreamed a dream; or, in other words, I have seen a vision."
With these words, the prophet Lehi reveals a divine vision that testifies of God’s love for His children and His desire that they return to His presence. The plan of salvation is beautifully laid out before Lehi’s eyes through symbols and metaphors.
Little is known of Lehi’s background before he and his family left Jerusalem. However, what we do know is that he was chosen to be the father of a great nation and was given a land of promise. As I read the account of his vision, I contemplated the glimpse we are given of his symbolic journey to the tree, which may very well be a metaphor of his life.
Lost and alone, Father Lehi finds himself wandering in darkness for the space of many hours. Finally, he calls upon his Creator for help. As soon as he does this very act, the darkness was chased away by the light of an exceedingly beautiful tree. He notices white fruit, and not knowing what it is, he reaches up to partake in its goodness. As soon as he does this, his soul is filled with immeasurable happiness. This part of his vision especially caught my attention.
There have been times when I have felt lost and alone in my life, almost to the point of hopelessness. But in God’s goodness, every time I have humbled myself to petition divine intervention, a light of hope has appeared to chase away the darkness. Our mortal walk through this life can sometimes seem unbearable, however I testify that we are not alone. If we look to the Lord we also will find his light, which will lead us out of the darkness.
Just like Father Lehi, my earthly father, Ezekiel, was also lead by the Lord to take his family to the desert. He left his dream job at the Missionary Training Center, scholarships for his children’s future education, and a comfortable home in order to start a wilderness program for troubled youth in the deserts of Arizona, ANASAZI Foundation. My father has always been my hero. This is why I chose him to be my model for Father Lehi in this painting. I want this painting to honor him and his sacrifice. I want this painting to honor all great men who have chosen to follow the Lord, regardless the sacrifice, who have not only partaken of the fruit themselves, but who turned their eyes around searching for others to share in their joy.
The tree represents Christ. You will notice the branches reaching outward, like arms beckoning us toward the light. The base color is red, representative of sacrifice and royalty. The rays of light were added later, to not only illuminate the tree, but also to represent the light and love of Christ which "sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men."
This painting is a message of hope. My father once told me, “It doesn’t matter where you are in the path of life, you can turn around and walk forward towards the light. It is never too late to have a new beginning.” Just like Father Lehi, when you find yourself surrounded by darkness, turn to the Lord and He will guide you.

Painting "The Tree of Life."

Parallels Between Joseph Smith's First Vision and Joseph Smith's Last Dream

2011-08-14T14:07:00.001-06:00

Joseph Smith's First Vision compared to his Last Dream - paintings by Jon McNaughton

I'm an English major and I love literature. I love stories, legends, biographies, historical accounts, essays, fictional books, non-fiction books and everything in between.

But if you were to ask me to pick my two favorite pieces of literature, I would, without any hesitation, choose Joseph Smith's First Vision and Joseph Smith's Last Dream.

Joseph Smith's First Vision and Last Dream are both filled with profound wisdom and subtle symbolism. The things that they have taught me about my own life have been both powerful and profound.

Interestingly enough, there are more than a few remarkable parallels between Joseph Smith's First Vision and his Last Dream. These parallels help to strengthen my faith in the Prophet Joseph Smith and show that he truly did have experiences with the Divine.

First Vision

A Vision - seen during the day, with eyes open (symbolic of life).
Joseph Smith's First Vision took place at the start of his mission (in this life) as the Prophet.
First Vision in the morning (JSH 1:14).
Joseph Smith saw God and Jesus Christ in "a pillar of light" (JSH 1:16)
Joseph Smith went into the woods to escape "the darkness and confusion" of men and pray (JSH 1:13).
Joseph Smith sought deliverance from man's "tumult of opinions" (JSH 1:10).
Joseph Smith's First Vision took place in the woods (JSH 1:14).
Joseph Smith saw God in his vision.
Joseph Smith went into the grove alone, symbolic of his mission to Restore the gospel. (JSH 1:15)
After his vision, Joseph went home and spoke to his mother. (JSH 1:10)
During the First Vision, Joseph felt as if he would die. (JSH 1:16)
As Joseph exercised faith, he was delivered from darkness. (JSH 1:16)
Joseph Smith woke up from his First Vision "lying on [his] back" and returned home.
The First Vision can be seen as a symbolic journey of birth.
Joseph Smith's First Vision was not published until 23 years later (1842).
The publication of the First Vision (1842, Wentworth Letter) and the Last Dream (1862, Phelps' Almanac) are twenty years apart.
Joseph Smith woke up from his First Vision "lying on [his] back, looking up into heaven" (JSH 1:20).

Last Dream

A Dream - seen during the night, with eyes closed (symbolic of death).
Joseph Smith's Last Dream took place at the end of his mission (in this life) as the Prophet.
Joseph Smith had his Last Dream at night.
Joseph saw "the light of God himself at the return of three of his sons."
Joseph Smith retreated to the other side of the Mississippi River to escape the threats from the mob.
Joseph Smith sought deliverance from the wrath of men.
Joseph Smith's Last Dream took place on the ocean.
Joseph Smith saw God in his dream.
In his dream, Joseph's brothers followed him into heaven, symbolic of the fruit of his labors as the Prophet.
During the dream, Joseph was (likely) reunited with his father.
During the Last Dream, Joseph and Hyrum were nearly killed by a fire on a steamboat.
As Joseph and Hyrum exercised faith, they started to walk on the water.
Joseph Smith woke up from his Last Dream and returned to his home in Nauvoo.
The Last Dream can be seen as a symbolic journey of death.
Joseph Smith's Last Dream was not published until 18 years later (1862).
The publication of the First Vision (1842, Wentworth Letter) and the Last Dream (1862, Phelps' Almanac) are twenty years apart.
Joseph Smith awoke from his dream and said "lo, it was a dream!" after he had felt that he "was truly in heaven."

Osama bin Laden, Gandhi and The Cycle of Hatred

2011-08-10T13:22:00.001-06:00

Osama bin Laden

The cycle of hatred interests (and saddens) me. I read on CNN today that our Armed Forces killed the militants responsible for the helicopter downing last week. So strange.

They bomb the World Trade Center, we kill Osama bin Laden. They kill the men who killed Osama bin Laden, we kill the militants. Round and round it goes. When it stops, only Gandhi knows. Said he, "I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent."

Mahatma Gandhi

It's true. Violence begets violence, hatred begets hatred. 'Retaliation' is just another word for 'revenge.' I was having a conversation with someone last week and he told me something very interesting. He said that there seems to be something sensual, almost pleasurable about revenge. We seek it in all that we create and do. Almost all of our movies are based around revenge---based around the bad guy getting (what we think) is justice.

Strangely enough, that kind of mentality only produces more and more violence (humorously, this might be a reason as to why we have so many movie sequels). It's a cycle of hatred and it will never end until someone refuses to feed the fires of hate.

Easier said than done, I suppose. Perhaps this is why Gandhi, on another occasion said, "The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong."

Spam and Eggs at the Hukilau Cafe!

2011-08-09T12:11:00.019-06:00

The Hukilau Cafe in 50 First Dates

So I had breakfast this morning at the Hukilau Cafe in Laie, Hawaii. The Hukilau Cafe was in the movie 50 First Dates...but also not. The cast and crew used the name "Hukilau" for the name of their cafe in the movie, but they built their own cafe. So they essentially advertised the name, but not the actual building.

Here's what the building actually looks like. Inside the building is a poster of the movie 50 First Dates and a signed photograph from Drew Barrymore.

The Hukilau Cafe in Laie, Hawaii

The food was delicious.

And yes, I ate Spam and Eggs....but no, I did not put the peanut butter cups with my eggs. :)

The Symbolism of Water at the Laie, Hawaii Temple

2011-08-07T11:08:00.126-06:00

I spent some time at the Laie, Hawaii Temple today, and I could help but notice the symbolism of the water elements there. I just thought that I would share some of my thoughts with you.

The Laie, Hawaii Temple

While some might glibly assume that water fountains and pools around the temple are simply attractive, decorative pieces, there is a little bit more to it than that. Sure, the landscape architect might have thought it a nice addition, but when we realize that "all things testify that there is a God" we are compelled to look deeper into these things.

Chaos is unorganized matter, or the "formless or void state preceding the creation of the universe." In ancient cultures, water, darkness, and the wilderness, were symbolic representations of chaos---because you didn't know what was in there, they might have monsters and you could get lost in them.

The opposite of chaos is cosmos, or organized matter. Cities, light, land (cultivated land) and temples, were all symbolic representations of Cosmos, because they were full of order and knowledge.

The Laie, Hawaii Temple - at the top of the fountains

Throughout scripture we find example after example of God leading his people from Chaos (darkness, confusion and the wilderness) to Cosmos (light, knowledge and order). He leads the Israelites through the wilderness to the Promised Land, He walks on water, He pulls Peter from the water, He calms the storm, He leads Nephi to the Promised Land, Alma cries out to him in darkness and is filled with light, Joseph Smith prays in the woods and is overcome by darkness but soon sees a pillar of light, et cetera.

The deeper symbolism of chaos and cosmos lies in our birth. Before we are born, we are in darkness, enveloped in water (much like the earth in the Book of Genesis). When we are born, we leave the water and are taken into the light. This birth process is symbolically repeated at our baptism when we are submerged in water and go from darkness to light. Chaos to Cosmos.

The culmination of man's triumph over chaos is typically marked by a Temple: the highest order achievable on this earth.

'Maternity' stonework at the Laie, Hawaii Temple

It is of supreme interest that the Laie, Hawaii Temple is situated on the top of a hill, above the fountains and pools of water; symbolic of God's order (or Cosmos) conquering disorder (or Chaos).

At the top of the fountain, there is an interesting stone tablet which reinforces the idea of the water around the Temple representing chaos. It depicts a small family. The mother is holding a seashell from which the water is pouring. Behind them is the word 'Maternity.' This stonework could symbolize their life on mother earth and being born again through the spirit (through baptism, and through the Temple ceremonies).

Never knew that water was so symbolic, huh? That's what makes Joseph Smith's dream of walking on the water so significant....

Additional Sources:Chaos - Cosmogony (Wikipedia)Tohu wa-bohu (Wikipedia)

Cowboys & Aliens...and Hawaiians!

2011-08-06T23:59:00.112-06:00

Seth Adam Smith - Warrior of the Turtle Bay

An epic start to the day - "puffy pancakes."

Yes, that's right. Noell's family makes what have come to be known as "puffy" pancakes. I was given a number of these pancakes (given or took...I can't quite remember....) and was instructed to slather upon it blueberries, strawberries and a unique kind of maple-cinnamon syrup that had bananas in it.

Oh yes. Today was going to be a good day. :)

We then went from breakfast down to the beach (a ten minute walk). Ronnie, a kid from Montana who had never swum in the ocean before, assured me that he would get into the water right after me.

I ran right into the water.

Ronnie then amended his previous statement, saying: "I will get into the water after Noell gets into the water." He then gestured to a fully clothed Noell that clearly had no plans to get into the water.

After a very heated debate (one that involved name-calling that put Ronnie's manhood into question) Ronnie got into the water. One of my favorite quotes from this experience was: "Aaaaaaaha! Aaaaaaarrr! It's cold! The ocean forces you to get wet!"

A scene from Ronnie's imagination.

Ronnie was also very unsettled by the rip-tide and said, "I feel like the tide is going to pull me out to sea and and at the end of it will be a Great White Shark saying, 'Hahaha!!! I know the science of the waves!'"

After we had swum around for a little bit (and my skin had turned from a delicate white halibut color to a dark salmon shade) Ronnie and I went and ate at L&L, a Hawaiian, fast food grill. It was there that we had a very intriguing, provocative discussion about how it's not a meal unless there is meat. Yes, yes. A very important discussion. Years from now, our children will thank us for this groundbreaking debate.

After we had eaten we literally had to wait in our seats for about an hour before we could move again. We then drove to Turtle Bay to scope out the area and watch some people surf.

Some fish at Shark's Cove - picture by Ronnie

When we got back to Laie, Noell took us to Shark's Cove where we went snorkeling. At one point, Noell popped out of the water and handed me something that looked like a piece of ape poop. She laughed when she saw my reaction. "It's a sea cucumber," she said. "Take a bite!" I heard someone else say.

I let the cucumber float back down into the abyss from whence it came.

Matsumoto Shave Ice

After swimming in Shark's Cove we went to Matsumoto Shave Ice. I love Matsumoto's! They put ice cream at the center of their shaved ice---so good! Plus there's all of these pictures on the wall of famous people that have eaten Matsumoto (Tom Hanks and the cast of 50 First Dates, to name a few).

And to round off the day, Ronnie and I went to a movie we had been meaning to see for a very long time: Cowboys & Aliens! I honestly can't think of a movie with a better combination: Cowboys + Aliens + James Bond + Indiana Jones + Indians + Director of Iron Man = AWESOME MOVIE!

Next movie - Planet of the Apes.

P.S. I will get you the recipe for "puffy pancakes."

ALOHA Hawaiian Vacation!!

2011-08-06T10:45:00.003-06:00

This morning, I watched the sunrise over Hawaii...

A picture of a Hawaiian sunrise that I found on the internet, even though I'm here
in Hawaii and I could have taken a picture of the actual sunrise I'm describing.

As romantic and adventurous as that may sound, let me first inform you that the only reason I woke up that early was because of three or four roosters outside my window "ERRRR ERRR ERRRR ERRR ERRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!" (My dream was abruptly filled with a scene of Peter Pan and Rufio).

I will be in Hawaii for the next ten days. I'm going to be the best man at Ronnie and Noell's wedding. As much as you might think that you don't know Ronnie and Noell, you do. Not only have I blogged about them before, but they're also in a really sweet painting that I talk about all the time!

I'm super stoked about their wedding and I couldn't wait to come out to Hawaii. Ronnie is my best friend and a brother to me. We're going to have a legendary time hanging out and chasing down the filming locations of 50 Frist Dates. I also intend on finding my friend Britt V, while I'm here!

When I landed I called Ronnie and Noell (who got here a day before me). Ronnie told me to come out to the curb and stand next to a Phillipino who would likely "worship me as the white god" (a thinly veiled reference to my Snow White complexion....if Snow White were dead and covered in White Out).

We then drove around Honolulu and took in some of the sights:

As serene as this car ride might look, it has Road Rage Ronnie at the wheel. Be careful,
Road Rage Ronnie does not respond well to traffic, native language and customs...
or idiots in the back seat.

Few people know about Hawaii's lush and beautiful short fields, owned and
operated by "Ross." Ronnie was so shocked that he had to phone home and
tell his family about it.

This is the train we saw in the mall. Ronnie and I were expecting to see little kids
riding it. We were shocked when the train passed us and it was filled with,
as he termed it, "gangsters." We then started looking for graffiti on the sides.

This is a picture of what I will look like at the wedding....except with
a pink vest and tie and whiter face and hands. The background will
be the same.

We didn't have much time for anything other than errands yesterday, but that's okay. I'm just excited to be here!!

...I collapsed on my bed last night and slept for like ten hours.

Bring on the vacation!!

The Original Painting of "Joseph Smith's Last Dream" on Display

2011-07-26T08:33:00.000-06:00

Jon McNaughton's original painting of Joseph Smith's Last Dream (the only known depiction of Joseph's prophetic dream) is on display in the Repartee Gallery in Orem, Utah. You should check it out, it's an amazing painting!

"Joseph Smith's Last Dream" - by Jon McNaughton, on display.

Samuel H. Smith - Joseph Smith's Brother

2011-07-24T14:09:00.001-06:00

Samuel H. Smith, the
brother of Joseph Smith

In the Times and Seasons newspaper it stated: "...if there ever lived a good man upon the earth, Samuel H. Smith was that person...his steadfastness as one of the witnesses of the [eight] witness [of the] Book of Mormon and many saintly traits of virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity, shall be given [rewarded] him hereafter as a man of God."

Samuel Smith lived several miles southeast of Carthage and rode to help his brothers Hyrum and Joseph when he heard they were in danger. The first Mormon to arrive in Carthage after the martyrdom, Samuel escorted the bodies of his two brothers back to Nauvoo. Sadly, Samuel had been critically injured on his ride to Carthage while being chased and shot at by the mob. He was unable to even sit up and complained of a dreadful distress in his side. He may have received internal injury [which caused his death] from riding low over the saddle horn.

(July 30, 1844) Samuel Smith died faithful to his testimony and the Church at age 36, only 33 days after the murder of his brothers Joseph and Hyrum.

Source: Rich, J. Milton, Fritz O. Alseth, Adam Koford, John W. Rich, and Jack West. The Book of Mormon: another witness of Jesus Christ on trial. Salt Lake City: J. Milton Rich, 2002. Print.

Sketches Used in "Emma Smith's Last Dream"

2011-07-21T12:03:00.001-06:00

Here are the sketches that I used in "Emma Smith's Last Dream." All of these sketches were created by Andrew Knaupp. I hope that you enjoy them!

Emma Hale Smith holding her child Don Carlos

Joseph takes Emma to a mansion in heaven.

Joseph Smith and Emma Hale Smith

Joseph asks Joseph "Where are the rest of my children."

Joseph and Emma with their child.

Emma Hale Smith sees Jesus Christ standing next to Joseph Smith.

Joseph Smith Senior's Dream of the Tree of Life

2011-07-20T17:23:00.006-06:00

Joseph Smith's father had a dream similar to Lehi's vision of the Tree of Life. Learn more about it by watching the video below:

According to Lucy Mack Smith, Joseph Smith, Senior, the father of the Prophet, had the following dream in 1811 when the family was living in Lebanon, New Hampshire. Joseph Smith, Junior, would have been 5 years old at the time.

Joseph Smith Senior,
the father of the
Prophet Joseph.

I thought...I was traveling in an open, desolate field, which appeared to be very barren. As I was thus traveling, the thought suddenly came into my mind that I had better stop and reflect upon what I was doing, before I went any further. So I asked myself, "What motive can I have in traveling here, and what place can this be?" My guide, who was by my side, as before, said, "This is the desolate world; but travel on." The road was so broad and barren that I wondered why I should travel in it; for, said I to myself, "Broad is the road, and wide is the gate that leads to death, and many there be that walk therein; but narrow is the way, and straight is the gate that leads to everlasting' life, and few there be that go in thereat."

Traveling a short distance farther, I came to a narrow path. This path I entered, and, when I had traveled a little way in it, I beheld a beautiful stream of water, which ran from the east to the west. Of this stream I could see neither the source nor yet the termination; but as far as my eyes could extend I could see a rope running along the bank of it, about as high as a man could reach, and beyond me was a low, but very pleasant valley, in which stood a tree such as I had never seen before. It was exceedingly handsome, insomuch that I looked upon it with wonder and admiration. Its beautiful branches spread themselves somewhat like an umbrella, and it bore a kind of fruit, in shape much like a chestnut bur, and as white as snow, or, if possible whiter. I gazed upon the same with considerable interest, and as I was doing so the burs or shells commenced opening and shedding their particles, or the fruit which they contained, which was of dazzling whiteness. I drew near and began to eat of it, and I found it delicious beyond description. As I was eating, I said in my heart, "I can not eat this alone, I must bring my wife and children, that they may partake with me." Accordingly, I went and brought my family, which consisted of a wife and seven children, and we all commenced eating, and praising God for this blessing. We were exceedingly happy, insomuch that our joy could not easily be expressed.

While thus engaged, I beheld a spacious building standing opposite the valley which we were in, and it appeared to reach to the very heavens. It was full of doors and windows, and they were filled with people, who were very finely dressed. When these people observed us in the low valley, under the tree, they pointed the finger of scorn at us, and treated us with all manner of disrespect and contempt. But their contumely we utterly disregarded.

I presently turned to my guide, and inquired of him the meaning of the fruit that was so delicious. He told me it was the pure love of God, shed abroad in the hearts of all those who love him, and keep his commandments. He then commanded me to go and bring the rest of my children. I told him that we were all there. "No," he replied, "look yonder, you have two more, and you must bring them also." Upon raising my eyes, I saw two small children, standing some distance off. I immediately went to them, and brought them to the tree; upon which they commenced eating with the rest, and we all rejoiced together. The more we ate, the more we seemed to desire, until we even got down upon our knees, and scooped it up, eating it by double handfuls.

After feasting in this manner a short time, I asked my guide what was the meaning of the spacious building which I saw. He replied, "It is Babylon, it is Babylon, and it must fall. The people in the doors and windows are the inhabitants thereof, who scorn and despise the Saints of God because of their humility."

I soon awoke, clapping my hands together for joy.

To read more about this account, please click here to go to FAIRWiki.

Source:
Lucy Mack Smith, Joseph Smith, The Prophet And His Progenitors For Many Generations, chapter 14.

Please watch Joseph Smith's Last Dream:

Sketches Used in "Joseph Smith's Last Dream"

2011-07-20T17:03:00.000-06:00

Here are the sketches that I used in the video "Joseph Smith's Last Dream." I've also included a sketch that never made it into the video. It was inspired by a quote from the account that reads: "soothed my soul into a quiet and joy that I felt as if I truly was in heaven."

All of these sketches were made by Jon Mcnaughton. I hope that you like them!

Joseph and Hyrum walking upon the water.

Samuel Smith walking upon the water.

Joseph Smith embraces his brother Samuel Smith.

Joseph, Hyrum and Samuel approach heaven.

"...soothed my soul into a quiet and a joy..."

Painting "The Light of the World" - Howard Lyon

2011-07-15T12:25:00.000-06:00

About a month ago, I got to sit down with Howard Lyon and ask him a few questions about painting the Savior. I just finished the video of my interview with him. I hope you like it!

Two Original Paintings of Joseph Smith!

2011-07-13T11:37:00.002-06:00

(Top) Liz Lemon Swindle's painting of Joseph Smith's Martyrdom
(Below) Jon McNaughton's painting of Joseph Smith's Last Dream

How cool is that?! I'm currently in the warehouse/studio of Liz Lemon Swindle after picking up the original painting of Joseph Smith's Last Dream (I just got it framed). I couldn't resist the opportunity to have a photo shoot of Jon's original Last Dream painting with Liz's original Martyrdom painting.

About a year ago, I was talking to the artist Michael Bedard who told me that he didn't want to paint the Martyrdom of Joseph Smith (yet) because he said he wanted to paint it as a victory but couldn't quite figure out how to show that. I feel like Joseph Smith's Last Dream is a way of illustrating Joseph Smith's victory through his martyrdom. As I wrote in my blog post:

For me, it represents a marvelous bookend to his mission as a Prophet. It symbolically tells the story of his martyrdom not as a horrifying tragedy but as a beautiful triumph.

I also find it poetic to have this painting next to Liz's painting of the Martyrdom because Liz's art (indeed, this very painting of the Martyrdom) is the first image that came to my mind during a quiet moment of inspiration in Nauvoo, the fall of 2004.

As a bit of a side note, it should also be said that after I published the painting and video of Joseph Smith's Last Dream, I came under some intense criticism. I was in Liz's Studio the following day (with remarkable sadness) and Steevun Lemon, Liz's son, shared with me a few stories about the Martyrdom painting that really lifted my spirits. At the end of our meeting he said: "If you aren't feeling friction, you aren't moving forward."

And for me, that has become the lesson of the painting of Joseph Smith's Last Dream: "Walk forward in faith."

"Joseph Smith's Last Dream" Goes Viral!

2011-07-12T11:48:00.003-06:00

"Joseph Smith's Last Dream" - a painting by Jon McNaughton

Since its release on June 22, 2011, my video of Joseph Smith's Last Dream has incredible response. The video itself has had over 22,000 views and it has been posted on some fantastic blogs!

Meridian Magazine - Meridian Magazine featured my video and article about Joseph Smith's Last Dream as their cover story for June 24. This, in turn, gave my blog a 3,000+ boost in one day.

Joseph Smith The Prophet - This FaceBook fanpage of Joseph Smith (with over 250,000 fans) featured my video on June 25. Over 660 likes and 74 amazing comments!

The More Good Foundation Blog - Over the years, I've done a lot of work with the More Good Foundation and I think very highly of them. As if they weren't awesome enough, they posted my video on their blog and it is still coming up on top for Google searches of Joseph Smith's Last Dream.

Well-Behaved Mormon Woman - Kathryn wrote a fantastic blog post on the dream and article and was even thoughtful enough to revise her post when I did the same. I'm a big fan of her blog! You should check it out!

LDS Media Talk - Larry Richman, from LDS Media Talk, wrote a very kind article about me and the work I've done over the years which also featured the video of Joseph Smith's Last Dream. Thanks, Larry!

Today in the Bloggernacle - My friend, Emily Jensen, featured Joseph Smith's Last Dream in her "Today in the Bloggernacle" report on Friday, June 24. She also gave me valuable feedback during creative process of the video. Thanks, Emily!

LDS Living - I woke up on June 25, and was surprised to find that LDS Living had picked up the link to the video and had sent it out to their email list. It also made their blog the "Mormon Report" (although, ti was slightly overshadowed by the news of Jimmer joining the Sacramento Kings....but even though I'm not a big sports fan I'm not bitter....I'm not bitter....

One Climbs - I hadn't heard about this website until I my insight tools on YouTube started showing that I was getting a lot of views from this blog. They did a great post! Thanks!

KeepaPitchinin -Ardis Parshall wrote an incredible blog post evaluating the "validity" of Joseph Smith's Last Dream. Her advice, feedback and critiques were/are invaluable and helped me improve my writing, my clarity, and my scholarship. I'm a big fan of what she does!

Juvenile Instructor - Jared T, from Juvenile Instructor, offered some valuable criticism of my blog post and video of Joseph Smith's Last Dream. This, in turn, has helped me do better at observing the historical process and make corrections when necessary.

Anne Bradshaw - My friend, Anne Bradshaw (who also helped me create a video about Charles Dickens and the Mormons), posted Joseph Smith's Last Dream on her own website. Sweet! Thanks, Anne!

LDS Friends - These guys were some of the first people to jump on and share the video with others. It was a huge enthusiasm boost for me.

Anyway, it's been an incredible adventure so far! My hope is that someday soon, the video of Joseph Smith's Last Dream will have 100,000 views (or more!).

"Emma Smith's Last Dream" - The Video

2011-07-11T09:33:00.001-06:00

While doing research for Joseph Smith’s Last Dream I learned of a remarkable account of Emma Smith’s own last dream. The dream is so beautiful and so helpful in clearing misunderstandings about Emma that I felt compelled to share it through a video.

I am grateful to Kim and Bryan Smith, Andrew Knaupp, and Ardis Parshall for their part in the creation of this video.

You can read the full account of Emma’s last dream by clicking here.

Debate About the Dream

Despite the beauty of Emma’s dream, there are some who debate its validity for a number of reasons. As with many events in church history, this account was not recorded until many, many years after it had occurred. The story itself comes to us third-hand: Emma told it to her nurse, her nurse told it to Alexander, Alexander told it to RLDS youth who later published it for others to read.

Furthering the criticism of this dream, Ryan Nilsson, of Loyal to the Word, wrote this scathing review:

"One thing that is often held to Emma’s credit is the account that on her deathbed she saw Joseph coming to her. It should be a point of hesitation to believe Emma Smith’s testimony about seeing Joseph in vision, when she had been lying for years about his involvement in plural marriage. However, at the time of her death, Emma did not even recognize her own children, therefore she was clearly not in her right mind (Emma Smith: An Elect Lady, Susan Easton Black, p. 85). Even if Joseph did in reality appear to her, that fact in and of itself would not be indisputable proof of her acceptance into God’s kingdom."

With that in mind, Gracia N. Jones, an author and a direct descendent of Joseph and Emma Smith wrote this in her book:

“I have been asked whether it is possible Emma was delusional when she had this experience. It is natural to wonder about this, since it is uncommon for most of us to experience such a marvelous thing. I had to give it serious consideration. I’ve always accepted it at face value, feeling a tremendous joy in understanding the principles it teaches--and assurance of life hereafter and the promise that families can be together forever.

“These are things we all long to know and believe--and they are things that are absolutely impossible to prove in any empirical sense. One simply cannot prove a spiritual experience. It all must rest upon faith.

“However, as I pondered the question and the situation, I realized that most of the time, if one is trying to support an idea, they will used language and evidence that favors their opinion. In the case of Alexander Hale Smith, who told this story while speaking to a group of RLDS young people about six years before he died, he was not in an environment where he hoped to prove a point or be believed. He was simply sharing what, to him, was a sacred experience. At that time he did not even teach the doctrine of families being together for eternity, so theorizing that he used the story to prove a point is not very likely...

“...we can most likely assume he was not embellishing, but rather telling the story as it happened to him” (Jones, Gracia N. Emma and Lucy. American Fork, Utah: Covenant Communications, 2005. Print., pgs. 190-191).

And Ardis Parshall of Keepapitchinin.org, wrote this:

“As for the evaluations of Emma's life and character: Emma is one of those people who has been abused by history, I think. Instead of wanting to know who the real woman was, people want to use her for political purposes: To some people...she was that awful woman who lied about polygamy and who kept Joseph's children out of the Church. To others...she is depicted as a heroic goddess who could do no wrong. Both extremes are wrong, I think.”

Personally, I agree with Ardis’s middle-ground approach to Emma’s life: to demonize her would be wrong and to polish her up into some sort of brazen statue would be wrong. Seeing her (and her husband) as human--as people with struggles, hopes and dreams just as real as ours--is the best approach we can take, because it helps us relate to them and learn from them.

Emma Smith’s Life

Paul Thomas Smith, an author and a chief researcher of Emma Smith’s life, shares some of his thoughts and insights concerning the life Emma Hale Smith.

Conclusion

So I end where I started. This account of Emma Smith’s last dream is so beautiful and so helpful in clearing misunderstandings about Emma because it helps us to see her not as some distant, mysterious historical figure, but as a human being: as someone who had struggles, hopes and dreams just as real as ours.

Joseph and Emma Smith, a sketch by Andrew Knaupp

Emma Hale Smith's Patriarchal Blessing

2011-07-05T13:02:00.001-06:00

Emma Hale Smith, by Julie Rogers

Here is the Patriarchal Blessing of Emma Hale Smith, the wife of Joseph Smith. I highlighted something interesting...

“Emma … thou art blessed of the Lord, for thy faithfulness and truth, thou shalt be blessed with thy husband, and rejoice in the glory which shall come upon him. Thy soul has been afflicted because of the wickedness of men in seeking the destruction of thy companion, and thy whole soul has been drawn out in prayer for his deliverance; rejoice, for the Lord thy God has heard thy supplication. Thou hast grieved for the hardness of the hearts of thy father’s house, and thou hast longed for their salvation. The Lord will have respect to thy cries, and by his judgments he will cause some of them to see their folly and repent of their sins; but it will be by affliction that they will be saved. Thou shalt see many days, yea, the Lord will spare thee till thou art satisfied, for thou shalt see thy Redeemer. Thy heart shall rejoice in the great work of the Lord, and no one shall take thy rejoicing from thee. Thou shalt ever remember the great condescension of thy God in permitting thee to accompany my son [Joseph] when the angel delivered the record of the Nephites to his care. … Thou shalt be blessed with understanding, and have power to instruct thy sex, teach thy family righteousness, and thy little ones the way of life, and the holy angels shall watch over thee and thou shalt be saved in the kingdom of God, even so, Amen.”

Sources:
My Great-Great-Grandmother, Emma Hale Smith
Patriarchal blessing given to Emma Hale Smith, 9 December 1834, Kirtland, Ohio, Patriarchal Blessing Book No. 1, Archives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Paul Thomas Smith

2011-06-30T10:38:00.002-06:00

Here is a short bio on Paul Thomas Smith, the historian who helped me with my "Joseph Smith's Last Dream" project.

Paul Thomas Smith

Paul Thomas Smith is a graduate of Brigham Young University with B.S. and M. Ed. degrees. He was an Instructor and director of seminaries and institutes in Utah, California, and Florida for thirty-seven years.

At the invitation of Dr. George O. Horton, Jr., Paul Thomas Smith served as a research specialist, director of seminary and institute libraries, and college curriculum writer under the direction of Gerald Lund, CES Central Office, Church Office Building, Salt Lake City.

During the time that Brother Smith was an institute instructor at LDS Business College, he developed an approved two-semester course entitled "Church History on Site." This course (which lasted for fourteen years) took students to significant Church history sites in Weber, Davis, Salt Lake, and Utah counties.

Paul Smith also served on a gospel doctrine writing committee, and a priesthood writing committee.

"Symbols in Stone"

By invitation, Paul Thomas Smith filled the position of Church history instructor formerly held by Dr. Max Parkin, Salt Lake Institute of Religion.

Paul Smith was a Church history instructor aboard the Norwegian tall ship Statsraad Lehmkuhl, the flagship of seven ships known as Sea Trek, commemorating the crossing of the Atlantic by thousands of LDS converts. He joined with such notables as Dr. Charles Peterson; his son Dr. John Peterson; Dr. Paul Peterson; Dr. Ronald Barney; Dr. Susan Easton Black; Dr. Bill Hartley; and the late Dr. Dean May.

Paul Thomas Smith is also a prolific writer and has written articles for the Ensign, New Era, LDS Living, and Meridian magazines as well as articles for the Encyclopedia of Mormonism and Utah History Encyclopedia. Paul Smith has also authored the books Prophetic Destiny: The Saints in the Rocky Mountains; This is the Christ, with Carl Bloch paintings; and co-authored the book Symbols in Stone, with Matthew B. Brown.

Upon retirement, Brother Smith was recommended to teach Church history at the BYU Joseph Smith Academy, Nauvoo, Illinois, by Dr. Kenneth Godfrey. The call was extended by Dr. Larry Dahl. He taught at the academy for three academic years.

Currently, Brother Smith is a service missionary for the Historic Sites Division, Church History Library and is researching those who taught school in Nauvoo during the LDS period. He is a certified docent at the Museum of Church History.

The Life of Emma Hale Smith

2011-06-24T13:38:00.005-06:00

Lucy Mack Smith said this of her daughter-in-law Emma: “I have never seen a woman in my life who would endure every species of fatigue and hardship from month to month and from year to year with that unflinching courage, zeal, and patience which she ever has done.”

In this video, retired church history instructor (and a good friend of mine), Paul Thomas Smith, shares some history and insight about the life of Emma Hale Smith, the wife of the Prophet Joseph Smith. He also shares a remarkable dream which Emma had towards the end of her life.

Paul Thomas Smith has spent hundreds of hours researching the life of Emma Smith. He was interviewed for an episode of "Legacy" on the Mormon Channel, which you can listen to here.

I hope you enjoy the video! You might also see a pencil drawing that I did of Emma. :)

"Joseph Smith's Last Dream" - The Video

2011-06-22T18:33:00.025-06:00

In the summer of 2007, while working for retired church history instructor and author, Paul Thomas Smith, I came across this little-known account of Joseph Smith. Few pieces of literature have ever touched my mind and soul as deeply as this has and I’ve longed to share this account with others.

That being said, I am profoundly grateful for the help of Paul Thomas Smith, Rob Gardner, Jon McNaughton and Bruce Newbold for their help in creating this video.

After years of waiting, and months of work, here is “Joseph Smith’s Last Dream...”

For the sake of timing in the video I had to edit the dream down. To read the FULL Account of the Dream (and to see digital photographs of the original pages it was printed on) you can click here.

Is Joseph Smith’s Last Dream a Valid Account?

Before we can talk about anything else in the dream, we have to ask ourselves: is this account, written by W. W. Phelps, true? Is it reliable?

Ardis E. Parshall of Keepapitchinin, made some excellent points about properly evaluating this historical document by W. W. Phelps. You can read her blog post on this account. Additionally, Bruce Nielson of Mormon Matters, wrote some great insight about "questionable history -- which, unfortunately, is pretty much all of it, though some is more questionable than others." I strongly recommend you read his article by clicking here.

On June 15th, 2011, I interviewed Paul Thomas Smith and asked him concerning the validity of Joseph Smith's Last Dream.

(Click here to read a short bio of Paul Thomas Smith and to read the full account of the other dream that Paul Smith mentioned, please click here.)

But apart from the points that Brother Smith stated, there are at least three other factors that (for me) make this account by W. W. Phelps a bit more believable:

In June of 1844, Joseph Smith had been feeling strong premonitions of his impending death. At about midnight on June 22 (June 23), Joseph and his brother Hyrum attempted to escape Nauvoo and go to the Rocky mountains. According to History of the Church: “About midnight, Joseph, Hyrum and Dr. Richards called for Orrin P. Rockwell at his lodgings, and all went up the river bank until they found Aaron Johnson's boat, which they got into, and started about 2 a. m to cross the Mississippi river. Orrin P. Rockwell rowed the skiff, which was very leaky, so that it kept Joseph, Hyrum and the doctor busy baling out the water with their boots and shoes to prevent it from sinking.”
In the dream, Joseph Smith said “while I was at Jordan’s in Iowa the other night...” Jordan’s is not a town, but the home of William Jordan. “Joseph, Hyrum and Dr. Richards walked up to Captain John Killien's house, where they arrived at sunrise; but he not being at home, they went from thence to Brother William Jordan's.”
Joseph was at the home of William Jordan for a few hours (enough time to sleep and have the dream) before he was interrupted when at “About 9 a. m. Dr. Bernhisel came over the river to visit Joseph; also Reynolds Cahoon, who made some explanations respecting Governor Ford's letter.” After receiving the letter, Joseph also heard reports of his friends essentially calling him a coward for leaving them. The Prophet then made the now infamous statement, “If my life is of no value to my friends, it is of none to myself.” He then decided to go back to Nauvoo and give himself up to the Governor. (Source: History of the Church - 6:29, 6:30, 6:31)

Do you remember how in the Wizard of Oz, Dorothy has experiences in her real life that she later puts into her dream? Joseph Smith’s dream is much like that.

Joseph and his brother Hyrum left much of the civilized world behind them as they went west across the Mississippi. The boat (or skiff) was leaky and so there was a chance that the boat might sink. When they made it to the other side, Joseph likely felt a sense of relief, believing that he and his brother Hyrum might have made it to safety.

As Joseph slept, these events from his real life situation may have been embellished and put into his dream. The leaky skiff became a large steamboat that catches fire; the Mississippi became a great ocean and as they move Westward they feel like they’re leaving all of their troubles behind them. In the dream, Joseph Smith is welcomed into the presence of God, symbolic of their future homecoming into Heaven after the horrors of Carthage Jail.

According to my knowledge and understanding, these are sublime details that W. W. Phelps would have known little about.

What Might the Dream Mean?

Frankly, I have a hard enough time interpreting my own dreams, let alone the dreams of a Prophet! But over the years I’ve had a few thoughts concerning this dream. These are only my own interpretations, so take it for what it is worth.

This is clearly a prophecy about Joseph and Hyrum’s eventual martyrdom. Joseph and Hyrum leap from the steamboat (the world) and leave the land (the world or civilization) behind.
Joseph and Hyrum walk on the water. In the scriptures, water can be a cleansing element, but it often symbolizes chaos, doubt, sin, confusion, death and fear (just think of the story of Peter walking on the water). The fact that Joseph and Hyrum are walking on the water is significant because it says that they have conquered life through their faith in God.
Joseph and Hyrum walk westward. West is often symbolic of death.
Joseph and Hyrum are met by their brother Samuel. Samuel died of unknown causes (perhaps a hernia or internal bleeding) about a month after Joseph and Hyrum died. When Samuel learned that Joseph and Hyrum were in Carthage Jail, Samuel sold his horse and bought a racehorse and galloped to Carthage as fast as he could in order to be with Joseph and Hyrum. He was one of the first Mormons on the scene after Joseph and Hyrum were killed. Some have speculated that his ride into Carthage scared off the mob (“the Mormons are coming!”) and others have speculated that his hard riding caused internal bleeding which eventually killed him. The fact that Samuel meets Joseph and Hyrum in the dream is prophetic, to say the least.
Joseph, Hyrum and Samuel see a great city and are greeted by music “such as is not on earth.” Many who have had near death experiences will describe heaven as being filled with music; that even the plants emit a kind of music.
Joseph and Hyrum are then reunited with their friends and family and feel the “light of God himself.” This scene of God’s light runs parallel to Joseph Smith’s First Vision.

Controversy

However, the fact that this dream was not published until almost two decades after the fact, is a bit troublesome.

Nevertheless, many of Joseph Smith's accounts of the First Vision were not published until at least a decade after the fact, and as a commenter on my blog pointed out, "Not to mention the entire bible and the sayings of Jesus -- point me to one direct quote of Jesus that wasn't written decades later. Not to mention the entire [Book of Mormon]."

Ardis Parshall provides some excellent words of caution:

I am wary of appeals to emotion...that replace rational thought and prayerful consideration. I am wary of people’s uncritical acceptance of old documents produced as the latest new thing and presented without adequate study...

I don’t call for automatic dismissal; I do maintain that people who aren’t more careful about what they accept as truth are in danger of being tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine, and build their houses on what too often turns out to be sand.

Concerning "Joseph Smith's Last Dream," Bruce Nielson of Mormon Matters wrote,

My advice is to accept that historical stories are historical stories. Historians have a specific duty to try their best to assess the truthfulness of it. Non-historians do not have an equivalent duty. You should feel free to quote stories like this by giving the sources and admiting you don't know if it's true or not. (Which will probably always be the case.) Then let the story speak for itself.

Overall, it is always important to take everything with a grain of salt and to "seek learning even by study and also by faith" (D&C 88:118).

Conclusion (My Thoughts)

So what does it all mean? Is this account of "Joseph Smith's Last Dream" written by W. W. Phelps true? Frankly, I don't know. Furthermore, it's simply beyond my ability (educationally and spiritually) to confirm to you that this dream is true.

As for me, I personally believe that the Prophet Joseph actually had this dream.

However, at the end of the day, my faith does not rest on the possible "Last Dream" of a Prophet, but on the reality of his First Vision. I do not know whether or not Joseph Smith prophetically saw himself and his brothers walking on the water, but I do know that he saw God and Jesus Christ in a grove now called sacred.

So whether fact or fiction, "Joseph Smith's Last Dream" is a beautiful and symbolic story. For me, it represents a marvelous bookend to his mission as a Prophet. It symbolically tells the story of his martyrdom not as a horrifying tragedy but as a beautiful triumph. The story first came to me during a difficult time---when I felt as though I was treading through deep water---and it symbolically pointed me back to the Savior. As I exercised more faith in Him, I found that I was soon "able to walk upon the water."

My intent in creating the video, was to share this beautiful story with you, and hopefully inspire you (on your troubled waters) to seek out the Savior.

The first time I read it, I wept.

Joseph Smith's Last Dream - a painting by Jon McNaughton