SANTA CLAWS?

Kids say incredible things, especially when they are talking to each other. Keagan, age four and Makayla, 2 and a half, two of our grandkids, were carrying on a conversation of sorts. Adults were eavesdropping when Keagan said to Makayla, “I’m afraid of Santa Claus. When he comes, I hide behind the Christmas tree.”

“Why?” Makayla questioned, to which he replied, “Because I don’t want Santa Claus to realize me.”

A CHANGE IN HEART

The following is taken from a book entitled, History of Joseph Smith, by his Mother, Lucy Mack Smith page 253:

“(In about 1838, in Missouri) an election took place at Gallatin, the county seat of Daviess County; the brethren went to the poll as usual, but, on attempting to vote, they were forbidden by the mob. They, however, paid no attention to this, but proceeded to vote; upon which one of the mob struck a brother a heavy blow, which was returned by the latter, with a force that brought his antagonist to the ground. Four others came to the assistance of the fallen man and shared the same fate.

The mob saw the discomfiture of their champions with shame and disappointment and not choosing to render them any present help, they waited till evening, when procuring the assistance of the judge of the election, they wrote letters to all the adjoining counties, begging their assistance against the “Mormons.”

They stated that Joseph Smith had, himself, killed seven men at the election the day previous and that the inhabitants had every reason to expect that he would collect his people together, as soon as possible and murder all that did not belong to his Church.

These letters were extensively circulated and as widely believed. A few days (after) this, Joseph was at our house writing a letter. While he was thus engaged, I stepped to the door and looking towards the prairie, I beheld a large company of armed men advancing towards the city, but, as I supposed it to be a training day, said nothing about it.

Presently the main body came to a halt. The officers dismounting, eight of them came into the house. Thinking they had come for some refreshment, I offered them chairs, but they refused to be seated and placing themselves in a line across the floor, continued standing. I again requested them to sit, but they replied, “We do not choose to sit down; we have come here to kill Joe Smith and all the ‘Mormons.’

“Ah,” said I, “what has Joseph Smith done, that you should want to kill him?”

“He has killed seven men in Daviess County,” replied the foremost, “and we have come to kill him and all his Church.”

“He has not been in Daviess County,” I answered, “consequently the report must be false. Furthermore, if you should see him, you would not want to kill him.”

“There is no doubt that the report is perfectly correct,” rejoined the officer; “it came straight to us and I believe it; and we were sent to kill the Prophet and all who believe in him, and I’ll be d—d if I don’t execute my orders.”

“I suppose,” said I, “you intend to kill me, with the rest?”

“Yes, we do,” returned the officer.

“Very well,” I continued, “I want you to act the gentleman about it and do the job quick. Just shoot me down at once, then I shall be at rest; but I should not like to be murdered by inches.”

“There it is again,” said he. “You tell a ‘Mormon’ that you will kill him and they will always tell you, ‘that is nothing—if you kill us, we shall be happy.”

Joseph, just at this moment finished his letter and seeing that he was at liberty, I said, “Gentlemen, suffer me to make you acquainted with Joseph Smith, the Prophet.” They stared at him as if he were a (terrifying ghost). He smiled and stepping towards them, gave each of them his hand, in a manner which convinced them that he was neither a guilty criminal nor yet a hypocrite.

Joseph then sat down and explained to them the views, feelings, etc., of the Church and what their course had been; besides the treatment which they had received from their enemies since the first. He also argued that if any of the brethren had broken the law, they ought to be tried by the law, before anyone else was molested. After talking with them some time in this way, he said, “Mother I believe I will go home now—Emma will be expecting me.”

At this, two of the men sprang to their feet and declared that he should not go alone, as it would be unsafe—that they would go with him, in order to protect him. Accordingly the three left together and during their absence, I overheard the following conversation among the officers, who remained at the door:

1st Officer: “Did you not feel strangely when Smith took you by the hand? I never felt so in my life.”

2nd Officer: “I could not move. I would not harm a hair of that man’s head for the whole world.”

3rd Officer: “This is the last time you will catch me coming to kill Joe Smith, or the Mormons either.”

1st Officer: “I guess this is about my last expedition against this place. I never saw a more harmless, innocent appearing man than the ‘Mormon' Prophet.”

2nd Officer: “That story about his killing them men is all a d—d lie—there is no doubt of it; and we have had all this trouble for nothing; but they will never fool me in this way again; I’ll warrant them.”

The men who went home with my son promised to disband the militia under them and go home, which they accordingly did and we supposed that peace was again restored.”

A BETTER WAY

The following story was related to me by a friend:

“During a hot day in California, protestors were parading in front of an LDS Temple. They were demonstrating against the Church’s stand on Proposition 8. Tempers were flaring on both sides and finally a few LDS patrons made it to the Temple doors and one said, ‘I think we need to go back out there and try the virtue of the laying on of hands!’ Two of the patrons, however, said nothing, but went into the cafeteria and borrowed some water, ice, water pitchers and disposable cups.

They walked back outside with the cold water and told the protestors that they must be thirsty and surely the water would be refreshing. The protestors were surprised and immediately began to act in a more respectful manner. The patrons who had been disturbed by the protestors were quietly humbled, for they had learned a better way.”