by Dave Jackson

As a convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints there were a few things missing from my Mormon résumé when I joined the Church. Among the missing were my family history and a heritage of pioneers crossing the plains. Obviously I couldn’t do much about the pioneer thing, except stew over it. Which I did. I’ll explain.

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by Dave Ellis

The 4th of July is special in my family. Not only is it my brother Jason’s birthday but it is also my daughter Hattie’s birthday. We spend that day being thankful to live in a country where we can show our patriotism by setting off fireworks and waving flags that were both made in another country. But the most funnest (it will be a word if we all start using it) part of the day is lighting off fireworks!
Who here loves fireworks? Raise your charred limbs high!

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By An Anonymous Serviceman

The following recent letter is reprinted with the permission of the soldier and his wife.

Dear Family and Friends,

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During this patriotic time of year, we collectively pause and give thanks for our nation: from its tenuous beginnings, upheld by the hand of the Almighty; to its rise in wealth and power; to the restoration of the gospel with the ordinances and covenants that lead us to eternal life. In counting the blessings of our lives and of this land, our list is long indeed.

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by Danielle Ellis

During his missionary labors, the apostle Paul experienced much trial and tribulation. He was often in the company of those who sought his life. He was arrested, beaten, plotted against, imprisoned for years, and shipwrecked. And yet he gloried in his trials.

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by Danielle Ellis

“Too often we bask in our comfortable complacency and rationalize that the ravages of war, economic disaster, famine, and earthquake cannot happen here. Those who believe this are either not acquainted with the revelations of the Lord, or they do not believe them. Those who smugly think these calamities will not happen, that they somehow will be set aside because of the righteousness of the Saints, are deceived and will rue the day they harbored such a delusion.
“The Lord has warned and forewarned us against a day of great tribulation and given us counsel, through His servants, on how we can be prepared for these difficult times. Have we heeded His counsel?” (Ezra Taft Benson, “Prepare for the Days of Tribulation,” Ensign, Nov. 1980, 34) emphasis added.

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by Marilyn Richardson

If you’re looking for a peaceful summer getaway, a visit to the quiet town of Manti, Utah may be the perfect answer. Manti is 287 miles from Las Vegas, and it is a great place for a family vacation. Especially if you include a stop at the Freemont Indian Museum on Highway 70 as you head toward Manti via Richfield, Utah.

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by Lorene Plumb

Two weeks ago my son Allen called to tell me his divorce was final; he is forty-seven. Today he called and announced, “I finally got up the courage to ask a lady for a date. I was so nervous I got a sick stomach.”

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by Anthony E. Larson

The colorful symbolism of the “Tree of Life” vision given to Lehi and his son, Nephi, is well known and rather easily interpreted by today’s Latter-day Saints.

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by Annette Lyon

One hundred sixty years ago, in 1848, the year-old settlers of the Great Salt Lake valley came head-to-head in a battle to the death with some of the valley’s oldest settlers: voracious crickets, an insect often roasted by local Indians for their winter food supply.

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By Marilyn Richardson

When it’s too hot (or too cold) to go outside, a half hour of indoor circuit training may be the answer. This can be especially fun if the whole family participates.

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by Nettie H. Francis

Oranges remind me of freedom—and of an experience I had when I was sixteen years old.
At the last bus stop the students climbed out, used the clean restrooms, bought sodas and stood around talking and laughing as usual. I walked a few feet away from the group and looked east, toward rolling, green hills. In the distance I could distinguish two faint, grey lines running parallel along the hills. I looked up at the huge, West German flag waving over me. It was July 1990, nine months after the fall of the Iron Curtain, and I was on a student exchange trip to Berlin.

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by Beth S. Moore

One of the last World War II warriors is dying, but happy. Death is not the end, and a beloved daughter and wife are waiting to greet him. His life of darkness, filled with the light of the gospel and his strong faith, will be over.

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by LaRae Free Kerr

Family reunions, of one kind or another, grace summer days. Whether your summer get-together is formal or just a gathering of close relatives, you can further your family history by getting some oral histories. Following are some of the suggestions for getting oral histories from the forthcoming book, The Least You Need to Do to Find Your Own True Ancestors. Another column will include lists of questions you could ask.

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by LaRae Free Kerr

Oral interviews can sometimes be a little like wild horses – they can pull you in many directions. So corral your goals and return to those goals no matter how many times the interviewee breaks free. Following are topics you might cover in oral interviews, depending on your genealogical goals. These suggestions come from the upcoming book, The Least You Need to Do to Find Your Own True Ancestors.

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