Joseph Smith

Today is the 202nd anniversary of the Prophet Joseph Smith's birth! I think it's very appropriate that his birthday falls at the same time of year that we celebrate Christmas. It was especially cool back in 2005 when we got to celebrate the 200th anniversary--and it was very neat to be working for Susan Easton Black at that time. Speaking of Sister Black, today Mom and I went by to see her and take her and Harvey a Christmas present. They are sooooo nice! Harvey was wearing his apron because they were whipping up a feast for the missionaries for this evening. It was great to catch up with Sister Black on all of her projects. A couple of the books I helped her with should be coming out this next year, so that will be cool. She gave me a copy of her latest book, Son of Man: King of Kings for a Christmas present, which was very nice of her. It is volume three in her Son of Man series of books with illustrations by Liz Lemon Swindle. It sounds like she's as busy as ever, and I certainly miss those good times working with her. The trip that she, Harvey, Mom, and I had to Nauvoo is one of my favorite memories. Sister Black taught me a lot about the Prophet Joseph Smith and helped me gain a greater appreciation for how Church history fits into American history. She was excited to hear about all of the latest happenings in my life, and we all had a great time chatting.

Today for church I was able to go with Mom over to the MTC and attend Dad's branch meetings with the missionaries. We also went to Relief Society there, where they had a really nice lesson about Joseph Smith. Mom and I even got to eat lunch in the cafeteria there--and Sunday is ice cream day! It was a very nice Sunday. Tonight we are having dinner here with the girls, and so far Sidney doesn't seem as scared of me as usual. She even played peek-a-boo with me and smiled! Oh great--I'll finally get her to like me and then I'll leave again :-( I wish my family could go everywhere with me!

One thing that Sister Black taught me about when Joseph Smith was born on December 23, 1805, was that the doctor who delivered him there in Sharon, Vermont was named Dr. Dennison. It just so happens that later on, when Joseph was tarred and feathered in Hiram, Ohio, a member of that mob was DR. DENNISON!! I think we all know where he ended up . . .