What a great Sabbath this has been. Two couples that are leaving soon spoke in Sacrament meeting, We had a fun dinner with our two closest couple friends and then walked across the Mississippi. We even visited the old rock bridge (you know where Joseph and Emma first kiss in the movie). Then we went to a sociable with Susan Eastman Black. She really loves Nauvoo and knows the history better than almost anybody. We knew that Lucy Mack Smith had been designated a mother in Israel, but didn't know the story. It was common to call older women mother. Lucy wondered if she was still entitled to that title when so many of her children had died. Brigham said he didn't know and in general conference they took a vote on it, and they voted that she should still be called mother. A very precious title indeed. Emma Smith is the only patriarchal blessing given here in Nauvoo that did not include the word if. No "if you are faithful" just "you will be exalted. The rest of her talk was about Mary Fielding Smith from the perspective of Joseph F.

The sisters were donating pennies to pay for windows for the temple. The drawer that held the pennies was left open and Joseph F. saw them and thought it would be fun to have them jingling in his pockets. He scooped a handful into each pants pocket and went out to play, and soon forgot about them. A man heard them and told his to empty his pockets, when he did, the said you are a thief, the son of Hyrum Smith is a thief. When he took him home and said that to his mother, she asked Joseph if he had taken them with the idea of stealing them, of course that had never even crossed his mind. Mary told the man to get out of her home that he was no longer welcome there and that her son was Not a thief.

When Mary was told of the martyrdom, Joseph F. heard her sobbing all night; but the next morning when they went to see the bodies, she put on her finest clothing and dressed him in his and they went. She did not shed a tear in front of others. She lifted Joseph F. up and said "Look at your father, He died for the truth, now you must live for the truth". He said that throughout his life he would see has father in his coffin and hear his mother saying "now you must live for the truth." She told several other stories about Joseph F. Smith, but the last one was when he was in his late 20's he was walking and met Brigham Young. Brigham asked him who he was and who his parents were. After he answered, Brigham said I have a blessing for you from your father do you want it? Of course he said yes and they found a private place and Brigham placed his hands on his head and gave him a blessing of love, and comfort and council from his father; but before he closed, he also ordained his an apostle and made him a member of the first presidency. Joseph F. was very surprised, but not as surprised as Brigham was. Brigham said "You will notice I made you an apostle and a member of the First Presidency; but we have no vacancies at this time, so don't say anything about this for a while. It was a really interesting fireside.

It has been a great mother's day. I've heard from all of our children and even a grandchild and got to talk to a great-grandchild. It was wonderful to hear from you and I enjoyed it very much, but I hope you all know that the thing that brings me the greatest joy is the good lives you all lead. May you all find joy in living the gospel and drawing close to our Savior. Love MOM (Grandma - Great Grandma)