Life goes by so quickly. We need to enjoy the moments.

When my mom turned 75 years old, she said to me, "I'm three quarters of a century old and my life has passed by as if it were a dream." (There's a similar quote in the Book of Mormon).  I'm only 56, and it seems as if my life is passing by as a dream also.  Time goes so fast.  Every week when I sit down to write this letter, it's all I can do to remember what I've done during the week.
This past week did have a few memorable moments.  Ollie turned 4.  Roy and I wished him a happy birthday on Sunday when he was over, but dad didn't feel very good when they had his party, so we stayed home.  He has a wonderful Aunt Jennie, however, who made a special effort and took him to Build A Bear and Chick-Fil-et to celebrate.

Roy and I made a quick trip to Flaming Gorge to winterize the trailer.  We made it in the nick of time.  It was actually lightly snowing when we drove the last 30 minutes to Dutch John.  Because of a little blunder on my part, we were able to go on our walk to the overlook.  The blunder was this:  I made reservations for Red Cliff's Lodge.  They said they only had an opening at 7:45.  So, I took it. They asked me if I was staying with them.  I said, "No."  Then they asked if I was in Moab.  I said, "No, I'm staying at Pine Forest Campground."  It didn't register with me that they had asked about Moab until were nearly finished with our 60 minute walk (which we were able to take because of the late dinner time).  I said to Roy, "I think I made reservations at the wrong restaurant." Sure enough, I had.  The restaurant I wanted was Red Canyon Lodge.  So, we hurried and called the correct restaurant, only to find it was only open on weekends.  We drove over to the Flaming Gorge Lodge and got seated--just before closing.  We both had beef.  I had beef medallions, and Roy and a rib-eye steak.

Thankfully, everything was tasty, so it all worked out.  It's not like there are a lot of dining options up there, so it's good there was something open.  If everything had been closed we could have had pancakes.
Here are a couple of the views from our walk:

And a couple of the views from our drive:

On our drive home we had hail that was heavy enough to lightly coat the road.  It was quite beautiful.

Friday night Crista and Matt came down and spent the evening with us.  They were down for the wedding of one of Matt's cousins as well as our Rasband family reunion on Saturday night.  I was able to pick a few raspberries on Sunday morning for my breakfast--which Ruby loved.  Crista sent us this picture from her babyhood--picking raspberries in Grandma Cook's raspberry patch.  And I thought Ruby didn't look like her.  I admit I was wrong.  

As I've probably mentioned before, my calling right now is Senior Primary Chorister.  I LOVE my calling.  Friday we had the practice for the annual primary program, and Sunday we had the program.  There is not a more wonderful meeting all year.  My kids sang great, knew the songs, and had fun.  We added bells to one of the songs at the last minute (they practiced a few times on Friday) and it went well.  I made one mistake.  I put the words up for two groups of kids to each sing a verse.  The boys had verse one and the girls had verse two.  On the day of the program, I put the words for verse one on the girls side, and verse two on the boys side, and then had the boys sing first--as usual.  I saw a few questioning looks on the boys faces, but they sang the song (2nd verse), and then the girls sang the song (1st verse).  I don't know how many people knew besides the primary and myself.  Probably not very many.  

I have spent several hours this week studying the most recent conference talks.  It seems like every one that I have studied so far is on being more grateful for the incredible blessings of the gospel and the plan of salvation.  I am studying them, and at the same time, planning my primary singing time for the next couple of weeks.  I will read all the talks from the 1st presidency and the quorum of the twelve, and then correlate these talks with primary songs.   Then I'll have the kids match the message/song with the apostle.  I love how there is always a primary song that teaches the doctrine of any of the talks that are given.

Speaking of conference, and gratitude for the gospel (and the Book of Mormon) Jacob Christensen wrote to his parents this week about an experience he had in Georgia (not Georgia, USA).  I wanted to include it because it went along with the themes of October's conference.

"They really did put an emphasis on the Book of Mormon.  That is the word of God, and not taking it for granted.  In Georgia, they don't have the Book of Mormon fully translated.  They have a couple verses and they are currently finishing up the translation, but it's a long and daunting task (Yes, I just wanted to use the word daunting).   The missionaries up there use pamphlets, that are translated, and Russian copies of the Book of Mormon, but not everyone reads Russian and Georgians in general don't like Russians, so it doesn't always go well. There are members that have testimonies of the Book of Mormon, but have never read it because they don't know Russian! How amazing is that!

Well last week, when I went to Georgia, I saw an unexpected surprise.  As we arrived at the church, President pulled out a package and handed it to a Georgian member that was there.  When he opened it, we found out that it was the Final Draft for the Georgian Book of Mormon.  They only have to read through this once and then they will start printing the Book to be passed out. As soon as he saw what it was, he started crying.  The way he opened it, the way his eyes feasted on those words, was incredible.  I've always had the Book of Mormon in my life.  In English, always available. I always took advantage of that Book.  But this man, has never had it in his native language, he has never had that real opportunity to read it like we have. And now that it's so close he can barely wait.  And it made me really think of my testimony of the Book of Mormon.  So I would just like to add my testimony to all those who have testified of it before.  That it is true.  The Book of Mormon is the Word of God, it was translate by Joseph Smith with the Power of God, and it is the most true book on this earth.  I know it to be true.  I know it, I know it, I know it.  And I know that nothing can change my mind.

We truly are blessed to have the Book of Mormon whithin reach at all times.  The same with Temples, with Prophets and Apostles.  Things that some people have never even heard of, things that people would sacrifice all that they have to see, or hold in their hands.  I am so grateful for the Church. I love you all."

And lastly, the genealogy moment for the week:

Sixth Generation

Phineas Wolcott Cook

Born: 28 August 1819

Baptized: 8 September 1845

Service: Bishop, Colonizer

Pioneer: 1848 2^nd company

Endowed: 5 April 1851 E. House

Died: 24 July 1900.

Helped settle Salt Lake City, Manti, Payson, Goshen and Bear Lake. Helped to build the Lion House, Salt Lake Tabernacle, Manti/Logan Temples

            “I heard that my oldest sister, Eliza, had joined the Mormons a year before (in 1843)—thought she had turned fool crazy. My wife, Ann Eliza, began to talk to me about Mormonism. I laughed at her. Looking for a good argument on religion, I went over to the schoolhouse and with candle, tablet, and pencil sat where I could look directly in the face of the (Mormon) preacher. I was satisfied. I could say nothing for I knew that what I had heard was true and could not be refuted by any testimony that I had, for it was as I had always told them that truth would prevail and it had surely done so, . . . especially over me.”

            During Phineas’ sojourn westward, he experienced difficult times in Winter Quarters.  He was sick with Ague and his wife seemed to be on the brink of death. Two of his daughters passed away of sickness and were buried there. These developments caused Phineas much anguish. Regarding this time, he wrote:  “About this time a story was started that I was going to apostatize. But when I heard it I told them that I was in hopes that that would be the last lie that my enemies would tell about me for such it was and it was of the devil. I told them that I thought that I had suffered about enough for once and that the Lord was satisfied with the sacrifice that I had passed through for indeed it was a great affliction … my faith was not tried in the least only my patience.”

Ann Eliza Howland

Born: 18 June 1823 Saratoga Sprg NY

Baptized: 8 Sep 1845 Richland, MI

Married: 1 June 1840 Kalamazoo, MI

Sealed: 8 Apr 1851 Endowment Hs

Service: Ward Relief Society President

Died: 17 May 1896 Garden City, Utah

            Ann Eliza knew the message was true after she listened to Latter-day Saint missionaries preach. She had to work to get her husband to listen to the missionaries.

She crossed the plains with the Mormon Pioneers. At Winter Quarters, after the birth of her fourth child, it seemed she would die, but through faith and a priesthood blessing, she was spared.

            She raised 11 of her 16 children to adulthood. She taught them to have faith in God. She was an unwavering support to her husband through the difficulties of moving from settlement to settlement to answer a prophet’s call to be pioneers. She was the first of four plural wives of Phineas Wolcott Cook. She lived in harmony with the next two polygamous wives of her husband. She called one of them to be her counselor when she served as President of the Relief Society. Her daughter in law wrote of her “she was always loving, kind and patient . . . she died as she had lived in full hope of a glorious resurrection and worthy of a noble crown.”

Lashbrooke Laker

Born: 21 Apr 1835 Lower Beeding, Eng

Bap: 23 June 1853

Mission: Southern States 1880-1881

Service: Stake Missionary

Endowd: 17 Oct 1868 Endowment House

Died: 26 Dec 1901 St Charles, Id

            Lashbrooke joined the church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints on June 23, 1852 when he was eighteen years old and was baptized by his uncle Henry Lashbrooke. He was introduced to Annie Bryceson by Henry. Through her influence he was led to investigate the Gospel, or rather to study the Bible to find proof to refute their arguments, when a heavenly manifestation fully convinced him of the truth. They married in 1855. Lashbrooke filled a 14 month mission in the southern states. In 1881 he was called as a stake missionary and traveled from ward to ward holding meetings. On one of their mission assignments he and Annie, who was in the presidency for the St. Charles Ward Relief Society, were entertained in the home of Bishop Robert Mckinnon.

            Kate Evens, the house keeper for the Mckinnons, was asked by Annie Laker how she felt about polygamy. Kate answered that like any other principle of the gospel it is alright if lived correctly. Lashbrooke took Kate as his plural wife. Lashbrooke was a fluent speaker either on religion or politics; a friendly, understanding man, he was often called to administer to the sick and often helped establish confidence between the doctor and the family. He lived as an active and useful member of his church and community. On his deathbed he bore a strong testimony to his family, exhorting them to be faithful, to study and to pray constantly thereby gaining a testimony for themselves of the truthfulness of the gospel. He died on December 26, 1901.

Annie Bryceson

Born: 12 July 1832 East London, Eng

Baptized: 1 Apr, 1850, London, Engl

Marr: 19 Aug 1855 Paddington, London

Service: Stake Prim Pres 40 Yrs; RS Pres

Died: 19 Aug 1921 Paris, Idaho

            “I joined the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in 1853, and was the only member of my father’s family to join it.” Being convinced of the truth of the LDS faith, yet devoted to her Methodist friends

and their church, she at first divided her time between the two churches, attending the LDS Church in the morning and her beloved Methodists in the afternoon. Annie soon found that the Gospel of Jesus Christ as taught by the LDS Church meant more to her than all else on earth. From that time on she suffered persecution from her own family. I met my future husband, Mr. Lashbrooke Laker, in Croyden Surry Co., England and we were married Aug. 19, 1855 in Paddington, London, England. We sailed for America two weeks later in the ship “Emerald Isle” Landed in Castle Gardens, New York where we remained that winter. Next we moved to Richmond, Indiana with Bro. Laker’s father’s family. From there we moved to Wallingford Connecticut. We remained here until 1860 then moved to the Valley settling at Grantsville, Utah. We remained here for four years then moved to St. Charles, Bear Lake Co., Idaho in 1864 where we lived until 1890, then moved to Paris, Idaho where I still reside. My husband died Dec. 26, 1891.

            The Lord has blessed and strengthened me to perform my work, for which I am very thankful.

George Osmond, Jr.

Born: 23 Apr 1837 London, England

Baptized: 27 Nov, 1850, Woolwich En

Service: Stake Pres.; Wy State Senator

Endowed: 31 Oct 1868 Endowment Hs

Died: 25 Mar 1913, Afton Wy

          [About George Osmond, Jr.]  L. Hale wrote: “When he was 14 years of age, in Woolwich, near London, he was invited by a friend to attend an LDS meeting. He heard the gospel message, believed, and was baptized.

 “When he was 18 years of age he immigrated to join the Saints in Utah. He sailed to New Orleans and then traveled by steamboat to St. Louis. At St. Louis, in June 1855, he married Mary Georgina Huckvale (b. 1835), a convert to the LDS Church whom he had known in England. Together they crossed the plains and arrived in Salt Lake City in September of 1855.

             “In 1884, George was called on a two-year LDS mission to England. In 1890, he was again called on a two-year LDS mission to the British Isles.

             “After the contract was signed, George said to the agent “what do I get out of this?” The agent replied that he would deduct a liberal commission from the contract price. He responded, “That is not my way of doing business, the people shall have every cent of the contract price, but you ought to give me something for my work.” Perplexed, the agent agreed to give George a small compensation for his work.”

Georgina Huckvale

Born: 7 Mar 1836 Oxford, England

Baptized: 6 Oct 1853, London, Engl

Service: Generously fed/house visitors

Marr: 31 Oct 1868 Endowment Hs

Died: 14 Mar 1922 Bloomington, Id

            Nellie Hart wrote: “Georgia was one of the most industrious persons I ever knew.  Everything she did was well done. The four children had measles during the most bitter weather but Georgia was never heard to

complain.”

            Lucy Osmond wrote: “She was truly a helpmate to her husband and she was a wonderful mother, also a kind and thoughtful neighbor.  She was never idle and she often worked outside in the garden and kept the place beautiful and homey both inside and outside. She was ever careful and mindful of the feelings of others and as a neighbor she was kind and considerate.  Many were the hours she spent with the sick or the unfortunate in the community and she was ever ready to share the best she had with others less fortunate than she.   She cared tenderly for her mother who lived to be 92 years”

            Nellie continued: “‘It is no such thing,’ she replied when George accused her of joking.  To her, life was real, life was earnest. Neither of them used much discipline but Georgia would give her children what she called a ‘good talking to.’ She would not allow them to join their friends on Sundays but insisted they attend Sunday School and meeting.

            Plural marriage came to the family and Georgia is remembered saying, ‘It’s a difficult relationship but I’ll do the best I can.’

            A family member observed that she was honest, benevolent, doing good to all – a true Christian, prayerful and unselfish, but she had not ‘Kept the Faith’.  Of this observation, James Henry Hart said, “If in the here-after, I receive as great a reward as Sister Osmond deserves, I shall be satisfied.”

James Henry Hart

Born: 21 Jun 1825, Hemingford Abbots, Engl

Baptized: 17 Dec 1847

Mission: England/France Feb 1848-Nov 1854

Endowed: 9 Mar 1858 Endowment House

Died: 12 Nov 1906, Bloomington, Id

            James wrote of his religious upbringing: “doubting the system at every stage/I traversed the church, stood ill at my ease/I looked to the west and it seemed to be bright/And my subsequent views all proved I was right.” He became a baptist, but continued to search for further light and truth. When he heard the Mormon message, he was much opposed: “This singular creed was a trouble to me; it vexed me by day and by night.” For three years he assailed the Church, investigated and studied. “I became convinced that it was not the work of man, which I had so vigorously assailed, but the work of God.”

“James H. Hart joined the church at age 22 and two months later was called on a 7 year full time mission in Europe. En route home, he was called to be stake president in St. Louis, Missouri at age 29. Then he was called to settle the Bear Lake Valley. In 1868 he was called to serve as first counselor in the Bear Lake Stake presidency for thirty-five years to two Stake Presidents. For twelve of these years, he also acted as Church Emigration Agent with headquarters in New York City. He crossed the ocean a number of times and assisted with missionary work in New York.

            “James lived firm of faith, and death held no fear for him. Shortly before his death he wrote ‘I’ve had my share of sunshine, Mixed with some worldly care; I’m looking now to make new friends, And kindred over there.’”

Sabina Scheib

Born: 28 Mar 1839 London, Eng

Bap: 28 Mar 1848 London, Eng

Endowed: 21 Aug 1857Endowment House

Sealed Sp: 4 May 1861 Endowment House

Died: 1 Mar 1919, Bloomington, Id

            Maude O. Cook wrote: “My dear grandmother who loved to have me visit her--a loving, unselfish, dedicated to duty, a true Latter-day Saint mother, with a

generous heart.  

           “She loved her mother with a deep and true love and devotion. The parting had been difficult when the call came from Brigham Young for the family to go to Bear Lake Valley to assist in colonizing that area, but she knew that it was her duty to go with her husband and went without a murmur. When word of her mother’s death just 5 months later came, Sabina mourned for her for many months. During all her remaining years, tears of sorrow would come when she remembered the pain of that time of parting. After the trial of her faith came the blessing, for the following July her first son was born.

            “With nine active children to care for, the faith and prayers of the mother availed much. When Eugene fell from a high wagon and his face was swollen, his mother, Sabina rubbed consecrated oil on him and prayed over him. She often shed tears when she recalled the stresses of and the worries of that time.

            “She loved her Father in Heaven, whom she felt was very real and very close to her. She urged me to try to have faith “like I used to have” at a time when I was very ill.”

Another interesting thing about James Henry Hart is that he was assigned to obtain the testimony of David Whitmer before he died.  There is a book called, "Mormon in Motion," that records that final testimony of David Whitmer.  David Whitmer, of course, left the church, but never denied his testimony.

I will have to ask Steve what contract was being referred to in the vignette of George Osmond Jr. When I read it I was pretty sure something had been left out.

Each generation we go back, there is, of course, more to read.  I decided that the best way to get you the pictures is to forward the whole collection of stories that Steve has put together.  So, when I am done putting parts of it in each newsletter, I will send the whole collection to all of you (my children).

Have another wonderful week--enjoy every moment because life is precious and time goes by so quickly.  Love you all!