Writing a letter each week, it's tempting to only put in the good news. However, we are living through history right now, and although I'm writing some thoughts in my personal journal, I feel it's important to document a little of what is going on right now. Dave wrote the following in his letter:
"We have been living with the Corona Virus and the loss of personal freedoms, now there are riots in
many parts of the country. The rioters are using the murder of a black man to cause mayhem in many
cities. They are burning cars, businesses, and anything else they can. Many businesses have been looted and burned. I believe they do not care a hoot about the murder of this man, they only care about causing chaos. There is a good deal of people in this country that want anarchy. Mob rule is their motto and they came out in force against anyone who disagrees with them. There might be some protesters that care about this terrible murder, but they don’t seem to care about the violence around them. They have cheered the burnings and even set off fireworks to celebrate. It is a sad state this country is in.
Nan shared this in her letter,
"Saturday night, Bruce and I went downtown Salt Lake to pick up some food from La Cai Noodle House. When Bruce suggested we pick something up, he was thinking Arby’s or Taco Bell, but I really wanted Vietnamese food. He agreed. While driving to pick up the food, several police cars passed us with their lights flashing and we saw a lighted sign that
advised us to avoid 2nd East and 4th South. After picking up our food, we drove down State Street to 4th South to catch the freeway. To the right of us were nothing but flashing lights from police cars with more police cars joining them. We soon realized that the peaceful demonstrations about police brutality had gotten out of hand. People had flipped two cars upside down and light them on fire. One was a police car. Across the country there was a great deal of damage. Many people broke store windows and stole whatever they could carry out. There were several pictures of people looting. One man was carry three guitars, another multiple backpacks. All this was supposedly caused because George Floyd, a black man, who was killed by police. His crime was paying for cigarettes with counterfeit money. The policeman knelt on his neck and caused asphyxiation. The authorities had enough evidence to fire the policeman and charge him with 3rd degree murder. The rioting seems to be fueled by far-right and far-left organized groups. One lady was interviewed and said they were
having a peaceful demonstration when a bus-load of people showed up and started causing trouble and damage. It is believed that people came from different states with the intent to cause harm. One in five people arrested in Minneapolis came from a different state. Many of the people arrested in Utah had no police record. The news reported that the reason may be because they aren’t from Utah and so no criminal record showed up. The attorney general has threatened to prosecute people who crossed state lines to protest. It seems to me that the riots and looting aren’t really about George Floyd, but rather an excuse to cause trouble and damage."
Roy told me that he read that many of the protesters are from a liberal group called, ANTIFA, and that some are even being paid to cause riots during the protests. They are basically a terrorist organization and are taking advantage of the unrest to promote their agenda. The death of a black man due to police force is being turned into a free-for-all looting, rioting, etc. When one wrong has been done, it doesn't mean that many more acts of violence should be tolerated.
I also wonder if some of the rioting is a result of people being almost forced to stay home for so many weeks. It's like the pot was simmering already, waiting to boil. Sadly, I think we are seeing some of the events prophesied in scripture that will happen in the last days.
And from Phil's letter:
"Last night, as with many of you, we received an emergency alert announcing a curfew in Salt Lake City from 8:00 p.m. May 30 through 6:00 a.m. June 1. This was in response t rioting that broke out during demonstrations over the unfortunate death a a black American in Minneapolis and the racism that continues to stain some significant numbers of our citizens. Rioting here was a small example of what is happening around the country.
Add to these things the wars in various parts of the world, earthquakes, even here in Salt Lake City, tornadoes that have destroyed communities in the U.S., other weather ravages in the world, and the economic firestorm caused by Covid-19 and it is no wonder that men's hearts are failing them. The world is in commotion, as we have been forewarned in modern scripture.
D&C 45:26 And in that day shall be heard of wars and rumors of wars, and the whole earth shall be in commotion, and men's hearts shall fail them, and they shall say that Christ delayeth his coming until the end of the earth.
27 And the love of men shall wax cold, and iniquity shall abound.
31 And there shall be men standing in that generation, that shall not pass until they shall see an overflowing scourge; for a desolating sickness shall cover the land.
33 And there shall be earthquakes also in divers places, and many desolations; yet men will harden their hearts against me, and they will take up the sword, one against another, and they will kill one another.
You could say we are in a bit of a mess."
On a happier note--we welcomed Elise, Max, Mav, Bevy and Harvey this week. They arrived on Saturday morning. They love being here. Max checked the chicken coop four or five more times after he collected all the eggs with grandpa. Luckily we had great weather for the first day, because Sunday brought pouring rain--a heavier rain storm than we generally see in Utah.
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| Mav |
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| Max |
Traveling to Utah.
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| Beverly |
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| They love the new swing |
Caitlyn and Nate tended the 4 kids while Elise had her hair done by Jennie.
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Nate entertained the three kids while Caitlyn
took care of Harvey |
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| Beverly |
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| I helped a little bit at the end |
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| Nate and Harvey |
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| Harvey |
Sunday:
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| It's cool enough today they can wear their "Aspen Grove" sweaters. |
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| Max loves his brother, Harvey |
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| Beverly loves Harvey, too. |
Since I'm stealing from my sibling's letters this week, I'll finish with the way Dave ended his letter this week: "Please pray for our country and its leadership. The riots are destroying many lives and businesses and the Covid-19 is also destroying lives and livelihood. As the Book of Mormon promises: If we are to save our freedoms, we must turn to the God of this land, which is Jesus Christ.
Poor Finn with his broken arm. The pediatrician didn't put on a very good temporary brace for this particular break. Adrienne wasn't happy with it so she took him to a sports doctor who casted it past the elbow. With three rowdy boys Adrienne can't get a break. My kids have only ever broken fingers and toes (only Adrienne, I think). Adrienne has already dealt with Gunnar breaking an arm, then later, a leg, and now Finn.
No trip to Utah would be complete without a visit to Great Grandpa Rasband. He is allowed visitors only outside of his assisted living facility. Grandpa Roy treated the kids to Crown Burger
