The story about the Willie & Martin Handcart Companies is probably one of the best known and retold stories in church history. It is one of faith, trial, the unconquerable human spirit, long suffering, triumph, and refiner's fire, as those who survived it literally became as the people of Ammon two thousand years ago ... people "distinguished for their zeal towards God, and also towards men; for they were perfectly honest and upright in all things, and they were firm in the faith of Christ, even unto the end. ..... And thus they were a zealous and beloved people, a highly favoured people of the Lord." Alma 27:27, 30
Their's is a story that should be retold and retold. Latter-day Saint children should be as familiar with their story, as they are with other scripture stories - Noah, Jonah, David, Nephi, Ammon, Captain Moroni ...... add to the ranks of those heroes - Levi Savage.
17 Miracles - the newest Latter-day Saint movie to hit the big screen is promising to be the biggest film in its genre. Already in its 3rd month at theatres, it is still going strong. Expectations are that it will surpase God's Army, Saints & Soldiers, and Work & the Glory - the other top box office films in the LDS genre. It has almost done so already.
Levi Savage kept meticulous records as he made his journey west toward the Salt Lake Valley. Much of what we know from that historic trek, we know from reading his journal entries. Many of the unbelievable miracles showcased in 17 Miracles come directly from Levi's first hand accounts.
As part of the Willie Handcart Company, Levi Savage (Jasen Wade) feared that leaving late in the season would lead to despair and death. What he came to find out is that for every tragedy, there is a multitude of miracles.
Based on unbelievable actual events, and brought to you by filmmaker T.C. Christensen (Praise to the Man, The Work and the Glory), 17 Miracles will open your eyes to the stories of the Mormon Pioneers as you have never seen them before. Something extraordinary is about to happen.
August 21, 1856 Thursday, Plat River.
Today we traveled up the Plat bottom to another bend in the river for twelve miles. The grass was high. The roads were sandy and the weather very warm.
The DVD is scheduled to be on the floor at Generations LDS Bookstore by mid September. Be the 1st to watch "17 Miracles" in your own home. Reserve your copy and SAVE $4.00 when you PRE-Buy it. Phone the store NOW #780-413-0392, or order online. We will call you the minute it arrives!
"17 MIRACLES may be the best film to come out of the Mormon cinema genre." - Mormon Movie Guy
"...... Pulling no punches in depicting suffering, danger, and human imperfection, the film displays with historical accuracy the great challenges and changes of flawed but exceedingly faithful people whose trials refined their characters."
"Personal Testimony is the foundation of our faith." - M. Russell Ballard
Would you like to know about expressing a personal testimony of Jesus Christ and His gospel? Jack Christianson called them the "five NON-negotiables of Latter-day Saints". .. Learn the five fundamental truths of a testimony in a new book for Latter-day Saint families - The Testimony Glove.
Help your children learn the basic truths of a testimony!
Based on the true experience of Susan L. Warner, former counselor in the Primary general presidency, this children's picture book tells the story of a girl who learns from her father what a testimony is. To help her understand how to express her testimony, her father uses his hand to teach her the five parts of a testimony in a way she can remember.
Along with the story, the book invites young Latter-day Saints to practice sharing their testimonies using the enclosed glove with pictures that attach to the end of each finger. The glove represents the Holy Ghost. There are pictures representing Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon, the temple, and our current prophet, President Thomas S. Monson.
Review:
"Taught in story form with beautiful illustrations, and perfect for parents of young families, or for teachers who want to teach this important concept to their classes, The Testimony Glove is an important addition to the gospel library of any home with young children." - Cindy Suelzle
"Emily is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Every Monday, Emily and her family gather together for family home evening. One week, Emily's father surprised the family ..... " so starts the story of the Testimony Glove - which helps us remember the five basic truths of a testimony.
What are they?
1. Heavenly Father lives and He loves me.
2. Jesus Christ is Heavenly Father's Son, and my Savior and my Redeemer.
3. Joseph Smith is the prophet called to restore the True Church of Jesus Christ, and to translate the Book of Mormon by the gift and power of God.
4. The Church of Jesus Christ is the Savior's true church on the earth today and its teachings will lead me to the Temple.
5. We have a living prophet who receives continuous revelation from God.
The Testimony Glove is a hard back book with coil binding for easy sharing with a class or FHE, and thick pages for durability. It is beautifully illustrated by Dan Burr, and even contains a bonus white glove to use as a visual aid while teaching, re-teaching, and reminding. Additional white gloves are also available for individual children in families or classrooms.
Meet the Author Kristen M. Oaks:
Kristen McMain Oaks has spent much of her life teaching. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English, a master’s degree in special education (both from the University of Utah), and a doctorate degree in curriculum and instruction from Brigham Young University. She was a former educational consultant in the publishing industry, instructing teachers and supervisors both nationally and internationally. She was also a Visiting Assistant Professor at BYU and served a full-time mission to Japan. After marrying Elder Dallin H. Oaks, she taught and trained auxiliaries in the Philippines for two years while he served as Area President. She currently serves on the board of trustees of the Deseret International Foundation and the Primary Children’s Hospital and recently authored the book, A Single Voice. In addition to her love of teaching, she loves being a wife, mother, and grandmother. She and her husband reside in Utah.
"... a good addition to any “church bag”, and the principles taught would be a great addition to any family home evening lesson." from a review by SCLDS-Bookworm91 -
see rest of the review on Nephi's Books in South Carolina
*Royalties from the sale of this book assist in providing testimony gloves to children in developing countries.
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Oh What do you do in the summertime? When all the world is green? Do you fish in a stream? or lazily dream on the banks as the clouds go by? Is that what you do? So do I. [well, not quite]
pg 245 - Children's Songbook
Beginning July 1st - Generations will have slightly reduced Summer Hours Monday - CLOSED during the Summer Tuesday - Saturday 10-6 no late hours Friday evenings through summer
Oh What do you do in the summertime? When all the world is green? Do you swim in a pool? to keep yourself cool? Or swing in a tree up high? Is that what you do? So do I. [well, not quite]
Oh What do you do in the summertime? When all the world is green? Do you march in parades? or drink lemonades? or count all the stars in the sky? Is that what you do? So do I. [well, not quite]
Summer hours will go from July 1st - the day after Labour Day
"The world must deal with the question of Joseph Smith. Was he a prophet? Did he see the Father and the Son? Was he commissioned of God? Is his testimony true? .... The questions Joseph Smith raises, and which continue to press our spirits, are no less numbered and no less important that they were when Joseph was alive. ...." from the Introduction in "Remembering Joseph: Personal Recollections of Those Who Knew the Prophet Joseph Smith" collected by Mark L. McConkie.
On June 27 - we should pause in our busy days to reflect on the horrific events that occurred on that day 167 years ago. That day - a prophet of God and his brother were murdered, and consequently sealed their testimonies with their blood. "...Henceforward their names will be classed among the martyrs of religion; and the reader in every nation will be reminded that the book of Mormon and this book of Doctrine and Covenants of the church, cost the best blood of the nineteenth century to bring them forth for the salvation of a ruined world; .... They lived for glory; they died for glory; and glory is their eternal reward. From age to age shall their names go down to posterity as gems for the sanctified." D&C 135: 6 (John Taylor)
Not a new book, Remembering Joseph was published in 2003, and like many other good books like it, is currently out of print. Those who aquire a copy will be fortunate, and will want to hang onto it, as the real treasure it is.
"The questions Joseph Smith raises, and which continue to press our spirits, are no less numbered and no less important than they were when Joseph was alive." Introduction of Remembering Joseph. The testimonies assembled therein contain answers ..... answers provided chiefly by Joseph's family, friends and associates. "Who better to assess Joseph Smith and his ministry and mission than those who knew him well? .... Those who sat at his table, dined in his hall, slept on his floor, worked in his fields at his side, walked thousands of miles in his company, rode horses, carriages and trains as a companion; these are they who schooled with im, endured poverty and persecution with him, bult temples an cities at his side, raised children with his, and with him - saw children born and loved ones die. They knew hi swife and children. These are the testimonies of those who heard him teach and preach, who talked with ihm of things great and small, and who watched as he mingled and ministered. .... " from the book.
"His countenance was ever mild, affable, beaming with intelligence and benevolence; mingled with a look of interest and an unconscious smile, or cheerfulness, and entirely free from all restraint, or affectiation of gravity; and there was somthing connected with the serene and steady penetrating glance of his ee, as if he would penetrate the deepest abyss of the human heart, gaze into etenrity, penetrate the heavens, and comprehend all world."
So recorded Parly P. Pratt of his impressions of hte Prophet Joseph Smith. So, too, did countless other individuals whose lives were touched by Joseph's life and death - record their thought, feelings, and experiences with the Prophet.
Author Mark L. McConkie has compiled hundreds of personal accounts of encounters with Joseph Smith in this unique biography. Remembering Joseph draws on more than 800 sources, amny of them previously unpublished original diaries and journal, to paint a picutre of the Prophet's character, his temperament, his physical appearance, his spiritual stature, adn many of his experiences. Organized by topic for easy reference, the book is a treasure trove of quotations that reveal Joseph at work and at aplay, as a father and a son, as a boy and as a prophet of God.
Many of the individuals in the book are familiar - family and friends of Joseph - and many of hte events described are familiar as well, but many more are from unknown people whose simple accounts of Joseph blessing a child, stopping by a house for dinner, or teaching the precious truths of the gospel bear powerful wintnessof the nature and character of the Prophet.
The book also includes a searchable companion CD-ROM with thousands more stories, quotes and memories of the first prophet of the Restoration.
Who is Mark L. McConkie?
Mark is also the editor or author of Doctrines of the Restoration: Sermons and Writings of Bruce R. McConkie; The Father of the Prophet; Joseph Smith and the First Vision; and Wit and Wisdom from the Early Brethren. He received his master's degree in public administration from BYU and a doctorated in the same field from hte University of Georgia. He served as the resident dean of the Graduate School of Public Affairs at he University of Colorado. ... He has lectured internationally and has published many articles in professional and scholarly journals. Full and active member of the Church and currently resides in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
again from the book ... "Critics will claim that the very closeness of these people to Joseph disqualifies them from bearing an objective witness. But where is the objectivity of Peter, James or John with regard to Jesus? They were the more qualified to testify of Him precisely because they knew Him as well as they did. ... It is the resounding testimony of the hundreds cited [in Remembering Joseph] that Joseph was divinely appointed, and they speak from the strength of being expert witnesses. the Holy Ghost, they repeatedly certify, gave them testimony of Joseph Smith, testimony that is strengthened and emboldened by their personal interactions with the Prophet.. The sheer weight of these testimonies demands a hearing. ..... Even the doubter should be impelled to at least hope that the frequent and compelling testimony of these people is true, for it brings with it - so much promise." - Mark McConkie
"I feel like shouting HALLELUJAH all the time, when I think that I ever knew Joseph Smith the Prophet." - Brigham Young
