1 Charles Batt's first job at Utah State

Charles Batt (1861–1949) married Eliza Brazier in England before they accepted the restored gospel, joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and immigrated to America. Most of his history details their life after they came to Utah. This is the third of six installments (see Batt & Lee Ancestors, 18–19). Charles was the father of William B Batt (1888–1959) and the grandfather of Dorothy Batt Cleverly (1915–1982).

Charles decided to try looking for a job to get a few things they needed so badly and to pay the midwife who brought Ernest. He left his wife and children with Sister Kemp's promise to call and help with the family. He went to Logan to find a job. It took his team a long time to get there. The only people he knew in Logan were the John Mortimers, so he went to their home. Sister Mortimer gave him a good hot meal while Brother Mortimer took care of and fed his team. Then they sat down and talked over what kind of jobs to look for. Brother Mortimer wanted Charles to go to the new Agri­cul­tural College that was being built at that time in Logan.

Brother Mortimer hitched up his own horse and buggy and took Charles up to the college. The school buildings were about ready to take their first classes that fall, and someone was needed to plant the trees and the lawn. Charles was very backward and was afraid he didn't know enough about it to ask for the job. For­tu­nately, Brother Mortimer had more confidence in Charles than Charles had in himself, so the two of them went in to see the college president.

President Sanborne met with them and indicated they needed all kinds of workers but could only hire one or two at this time. He wanted to know what Charles could do. Charles answered that he could do many odd jobs but his real work was gardening and land­scaping. President Sanborne wanted to know where Charles had learned that trade. Charles told him that he was an English­man and had not been in America very long and that he had learned it in England. The presi­dent told Charles that he would have to talk to a board member about hiring him but to come back the next day.

The next day found Charles at the college before President San­borne arrived. When the president did arrive, he took Charles into his office and told him it didn't look like anything could be done about land­scaping until the next spring. He did want Charles to walk around the grounds with him though and look them over. As they were going out the door, it fell off its hinges, knocking Presi­dent San­borne down. Charles caught the door before it fell on top of Pre­si­dent Sanborne. Charles examined the door and found all the screws in place, but they had never been tightened. He set the screws as tight as he could with his pocket­knife and told Presi­dent Sanborne to have one of the workmen tighten them with good tools. President Sanborne brushed the dirt from his suit and told Charles to go to work at once. He took Charles into his office and signed him up as a handyman, his first job at the Agricultural College.

2 Quote of the week

I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.

— Charles Dickens (1812–1870), in A Christmas Carol

3 This week in our family

As of today, 25 days until Christmas!

Wed, Dec 2: Talmage & Louise married 2006 [Dean]
Thurs, Dec 3: Hannah Grace Kersker's birthday [Lyle]
Fri, Dec 4: Curtis's birthday [Ray]
Sun, Dec 6: Fast Sunday
Sun, Dec 6: First Presidency Christmas devotional (6:00pm MST)
Mon, Dec 7: Brian's birthday [Gail]
Mon, Dec 7: Next issue of newsletter

4 Bits and tidbits

Lyle's family
A post last Tuesday by Josh and Crystal Price: "We've begun the process of moving into our new house! Our church has a rental house that they have graciously decided to let us live in. I'm so excited to finally live in a house! We will be offline for a bit, so sorry if you don't hear from me for a while. We will do most of our moving over the weekend and will begin staying there next week. It's an older home (built 1910), with lots of character and just enough space for our family. Read more.

Kay's family
A post from a week ago Sunday by Kay and Karen in Peru: "For my birthday Sister Tyler gave me a pillow case with the mission logo embroidered on it. She also gave me the following message in a birthday card. 'Dear Elder Cleverly, How privileged we are to work beside such a man as you are: Accountant, consoler, good husband, father, grandfather, and surrogate grandfather (to many including the Tyler children), missionary and office manager. More importantly - Our eternal "Friend." We love you.' Actually Karen is the office manager.

"Then a couple of days later we received an e-mail from sister Elmer. She said, 'I wanted to tell you that what you are doing in the office is so important to the mission and to the Tylers and I seriously don't know how we did it without you and Kay for those two years you were not with us. So don't fret if you don't get to go to the provinces, you are doing a GREAT WORK right where you are and the missionaries love you and feel a great security having adults in the office. I am sure you two will go on another mission and you can request proselyting! Maybe we can go together. Now wouldn't that be fun!'

"The reason that I bring this up is every missionary wonders why he was called to that particular mission. President Elmer once told me that he called his very best missionaries, those that he could trust and would work their very hardest into the office. I have always felt that if I could just be of service to the president and his wife and to lighten their load and be an example and help to all the missionaries and at the same time free up the four missionaries that are always called to the office, then our mission would have been a success."

Dean's family
After spending several days visiting Robert and Rachael Hodson in Harrisburg, Illinois, Paul and Eliza Challis returned home to Atlanta, where Paul ran a half marathon on Thanksgiving morning. After dropping him off at 6:40 that morning, Eliza and the boys went home and made signs and then waited for him along the route and at the finish line.

5 Our family 50 years ago

Excerpts from the November-December 1959 diary of Dorothy Batt Cleverly (1915–1982). The full text of her diary can be found online at Dorothy's Idaho Diaries and is updated daily, exactly 50 years to the day after it was originally written. The family at the time lived on a 40-acre farm in the Deer Flat area south of Nampa, Idaho.

Mon, Nov 30. got letter from Lyle sent Mother & Jerry letter we went to Nampa to get Ivards check but they didn't come on morning train. We borrowed money on car & refinance it & put it in bank sent Jerrys money.

Tues, Dec 1. Jerry called, has been transfered to Santa Fe New Mexico

Wed, Dec 2. I came home from work & passed Ivard takeing little boys to school I hurried & got ready & went in to Taylors at 9:15 & we went to Boise to Dr. Cudmore. My first 2 week check up & I lost 10 lbs.

Thurs, Dec 3. got letter from Jerry. little Kids just got home from Primary when Ray left for his first ball game at Stake house. He went to Mutual after.

Fri, Dec 4. at 4: I went to Caldwell & took my 11 Gold Strike books & got some Xmas presents for Kids & finally met up with Gene & he got all his Xmas shopping done.

Sat, Dec 5. I came home from work & I went right to bed & never got up until 3:30. Gene fixed a fence. Ray cleaned house & got supper & we ate at 4: Kids tried to start car to put gas in & it was dead Gene & Ray started it pulling it with tractor. I took Gene in to high school at 5: to go play their first ball game. They won by one point. Gene made a basket just as the gun went off.

Sun, Dec 6. I came home from work & went right to bed with Ivard. I was froze to death. Gene had to be to Priesthood at 9:30 so him & Ray went & Ivard & little Kids stayed home.

6 What in the world

Christmas devotional
The annual First Presidency Christmas devotional will be held on Sunday, December 6, beginning at 6:00 p.m. Music will be by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square. Presidents Thomas S. Monson, Henry B. Eyring, and Dieter F. Uchtdorf will be the speakers. The devotional will be broadcast live in Utah, at stake centers in other parts of the country, and via the Internet at lds.org.

Savior of the world
The musical production Savior of the World, based on scriptural accounts of the birth and resurrection of Jesus Christ, will return to the Conference Center Theater for its 14th season. It runs from now through January 2. Dates, times, and ticket information are available at lds.org.

Football rankings
Boise State continues to be ranked 6th in the country after its 44-33 win over Nevada on Friday. The Broncos are undefeated this season. They have one remaining game this Saturday against New Mexico State.

BYU is ranked 13th (USA Today poll) and 16th (AP Top 25 poll) after its 26-23 overtime win over Utah on Saturday. Utah is now ranked 25th in the USA Today poll and dropped out of the rankings in the AP Top 25 poll. The regular season is now over for both the Cougars and the Utes.

7 A final word

This past Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving, I spoke at the funeral of a dear friend and neighbor, a man who for many years while our children were growing up came to our home each month as our home teacher. Some of what I shared in my funeral sermon included these thoughts:

Our earth life is a school. Each of us is a student. We are here to learn and grow and experience and discover. We are here to master the lessons and take the tests that will better equip us to live everlastingly with our Heavenly Father. "For behold," the Book of Mormon teaches us, "this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors" (Alma 34:32).

Elder Neal A. Maxwell has reminded us that "one's life is brevity compared to eternity—like being dropped off by a parent for a day at school. But what a day! There is so much to get done in this mortal classroom" (Ensign, June 1996, 16).

Concerning what we are to get done in this mortal classroom during our day at school, Elder Orson F. Whitney taught: "This earth was made for God's child­ren, his spirit sons and daughters, who take bodies and pass through ex­peri­ences of joy and sorrow for their development and educa­tion, and to demonstrate through time's vicissitudes that they will be true to God and do all that he requires at their hands.

"When we have done the things that we were sent to do, when we have gained all the experience that this life affords, then is the best time to depart. School being out, why not go home? The mis­sion ended, why not return? That is what death means to a Latter-day Saint. The only sad thing about it is parting with the loved ones who go, . . . but it is simply a passing into the spirit world, to await the resurrection, when our bodies and spirits will be reunited—the righteous to enjoy the presence of God. . . .

"If we can be patient and resigned, and by God's help do his holy will, all will come out well. Trials purify us, educate us, develop us. The great reason why man was placed upon the earth was that he might become more like his Father and God. That is why we are here, children at school. What matters it when school is out and the time comes to go back home?" (Improve­ment Era, Nov. 1918, 9–11).

May the Lord bless each of us to pass all the tests a gracious Father has in mind for us during this brief day at school—that we need not lament with those who say, "The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and my soul is not saved!" (D&C 56:16). Rather, may each of us return home with honors, celestial diploma in hand, to the loved ones who have gone on before and to our Heavenly Parents who sent us here.

1 The longer they farmed the poorer they got

Charles Batt (1861–1949) married Eliza Brazier in England before they accepted the restored gospel, joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and immigrated to America. Most of his history details their life after they came to Utah. This is the second of six installments (see Batt & Lee Ancestors, 16–18). Charles was the father of William B Batt (1888–1959) and the grandfather of Dorothy Batt Cleverly (1915–1982).

Three days after the Batt family arrived in Utah [in the summer of 1887], Charles went with a group of men to work on the railroad at Ross Fork. The job only lasted a short time and the pay was very low. He also worked for the tele­phone company, help­ing put the line through Wellsville Canyon to Logan. This job also took him away from his family. By the time he had paid for his board and room, he had only five dollars to take home to his family.

Charles met a man from Lewiston by the name of Isaac Blair who had a farm to rent and who offered to rent the farm to the Batt family if they would live in the Blair home and if Eliza would do the house­work, cooking, washing, and ironing. The young couple agreed to accept his offer. Eliza worked hard for their board and room, and Charles worked hard at farming, but the crops were a failure that year. All they got for a full summer’s hard work were a few small potatoes. The potatoes were too small to peel and had to be cooked with the peeling left on. However, they were happy to have at least potatoes to eat.

A son, William, was born at the Blair farm on April 27, 1888. Mrs. Blair decided that with a new baby added to the Batt family, Eliza couldn’t keep up with her share of the work. The baby also meant another mouth to feed. So they were asked to leave.

Charles and Eliza had made some very good friends in Lewis­ton by the name of John and Rachel Kemp. John had a two-room log house and some land near the Bear River that he offered to sell Charles in exchange for plowing 50 acres of land. The young couple were de­lighted for the chance to have something of their own. John helped Charles fix up the house with windows and with other needed repairs. The Kemps let them have some old furniture, and Charles made a table for the family to use. Charles and Eliza were very proud of their new home, their first owned in America. Eliza said, "Never in my life have I ever moved into a home that meant so much to me."

Charles wasn’t a good farmer, and the land was sandy and rough. John Kemp let Charles use his horses until he was able to get a team of his own. Charles and Eliza worked hard, but the crops didn’t do well. Eliza helped pick up potatoes to help Charles. She also did washing for a lady in Lewiston in order to get a tub, a wash­board, and soap so she could do her own wash.

Another baby was on the way. The family were so poor that they finally had to ask for help. Sister Kemp went with Eliza to the president of the Relief Society to ask for clothes for the new baby. At this time Charles’s mother arrived in America and went right to the log cabin to be with Eliza when the baby was born. Ernest was born July 30, 1889, in the little log cabin in Lewiston.

The longer Charles tried to farm the poorer they got. Farming in Utah was so different from the farming in England.

2 Quote of the week

A Psalm of Praise

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.

Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

— Psalms 100:1–5

3 This week in our family

Thurs, Nov 26: Thanksgiving Day
Thurs, Nov 26: Cade & Rebecca Hoff married 1994 [Dean]
Sat, Nov 28: Melissa's birthday (Chad's wife) [Kay]
Mon, Nov 30: Next issue of newsletter

4 Bits and tidbits

Lyle's family
A short e-mail from Lyle: "Happy Thanksgiving to everyone, I have been working 10-12 hrs a day so has been awhile since I have e-mailed anyone. Helping my brother combine corn. Had 1800 acres to do, got about 300 left to do."

In a separate e-mail to me a few days earlier, Lyle wrote: "Hi, news from Idaho-Oregon-Washington. Stan and Terry are back to work. Dave is a grandfather. His daughter JJ had a baby girl born 11-10-09, weight 8 lbs 7 oz. and was 19 1/2 inches. They named it Nevaeh Jennavieve Peterston. I'm working 10-12 hours a day helping Ronnie in his combining of corn for Simplots. We only have about 800 acres left to do. Kids in Washington all seem to be fine. I will run up there if roads are OK after get through doing the corn. Have not any plans for Thanksgiving yet. Happy Thanksgiving everyone."

Dean's family
Paul and Eliza and their two boys left Georgia Friday night to go visit Robert and Rachael and their three girls in southern Illinois. They drove about four hours from Atlanta and stopped overnight somewhere in Tennessee. They drove another two hours Saturday morning until they reached Harrisburg, where they were the first in the family to see the new house Robert and Rachael are renting. They had moved in just the week before. Paul and Eliza plan to return home on Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving, so that Paul can run a half marathon in Atlanta on Thanksgiving morning.

And oh, did we mention, that on their drive along the back roads of Kentucky, the road stopped at the edge of the Ohio River. No bridge. Illinois was on the other side. But it turns out there was a ferry, and three-year-old Peter was so excited that their car got to ride on a boat.

Dale's family
"Ever have one of those days," Sarah posted yesterday. "You know the kind, where you know you should have never got out of bed in the first place. I had one yesterday."

"I started my day off going to take my Social Studies test at a place I had never been to before in Plano. I was supposed to arrive 30 min before the test started so I left my house an hour earlier, thinking I would have plenty of time. I followed my google map to the T and could not for the life of me find the place. Thank goodness Dylan was still home and he googled in and followed the map and guided me street by street. I made it, but by the skin of my teeth. I finished the test quite quickly, which is never a good sign, I'll know the results in a week.

"While I was testing Dylan was taking Claire to practice for the primary program, but I must have wrote it on the calendar wrong, or missed a memo, cause when he showed up at the church on one was there.

"Just wait, there's more.

"I get home from my test and we decide, we will pull the humongo pampas grass in front of our house and rid ourselves of the beast that has been taking over our house. In the process Dylan breaks a shovel.

"We packed up and went to Home Depot to buy a new shovel, the man at the checkout gave us a spiel about hanging onto our receipts because they guarantee their plants for a year if you have the receipt. I grabbed the receipt and sat in in the cubby in the center console for safe keeping. As we pulled out of the lot Dylan rolled down the windows and as if waving goodbye the receipt flew out the window. I got a dirty look from Dylan for not hanging onto the the receipt. Little did we know that within 15 min we would need that receipt.

"We get home and once again Dylan starts to dig, and once again break the shovel. Luckily Home Depot was cool about it, and replaced the second shovel without a receipt.

"After his second trip to the Depot it was time to get ready for our evening at the temple. We shower get cleaned up and I go to look for my recommend and can find it no where. We looked for an hour and could not find it anywhere and gave up.

"Instead, we went to dinner and got some Christmas shopping done. I was just happy to spend some alone time with Dylan, something that seems like it doesn't happen very often anymore.

"It ended well, but as I laid down to go to sleep last night I couldn't help but chuckle, what a crazy day."

5 Our family 50 years ago

Excerpts from the November 1959 diary of Dorothy Batt Cleverly (1915–1982). The full text of her diary can be found online at Dorothy's Idaho Diaries and is updated daily, exactly 50 years to the day after it was originally written. The family at the time lived on a 40-acre farm in the Deer Flat area south of Nampa, Idaho.

Mon, Nov 23. sent letter to Mother - Jerry - Lyle. First fog. Ray stayed after school to pass hand bills for scouts & he was to high school when I went after Gene from ball practice at 7:

Tues, Nov 24. Gail called. The fog was so thick we could hardly see to get home & it stayed that way all day & night. I came home & went to bed & Ivard woke me up at 1: & I went to relief society. Ivard killed & cleaned a Turkey. I cooked supper & at 6:30 I left to get Gene it was so foggy. It was 7:30 before Gene was ready. When we got home at 8: Kay was home from Rexburg.

Wed, Nov 25. got letter from Berniece & Jerry. We got off work for next 4 nites. Ivard took little boys to school then he helped me make 6 pumpkin pies & him & Kay took 2 of them to school for their Thanksgiving dinner. My first nite off.

Thurs, Nov 26. Got up & put Turkey on to cook & Gene did chores & made hot cakes & they ate & Ray did dishes & cleaned up the I made jello salad & cleaned celery, cooked yams & got dressing ready & peeled potatoes. Ivard & Kids watched T.V. We ate Our Thanksgiving dinner at 3:30 & they watched a show then Ray did dishes. Gail said he would be over but he didn't come. At 5:30 Kay got ready & went & got Claudia & they went to Ontario to dance.

Fri, Nov 27. Gene did chores & made waffles. I dampened down a months iorning & Ray did up the work. I took Dean card selling half a day & he only sold 3 boxes. Got bit by dog & we came home. Jackies boil hurts her but can't get it to a head.

Sat, Nov 28. Gene did chores & I iorned while Ray got breakfast then at 11: we all went over to Gails but Gene & he had to go to basketball practice. Gail was working at Service Station in Nyssa. We stayed & let Jackie play with Debbie until 2: then we stoped & saw Gail a few min. & took Kids to Ontario to see Santa Clause. Kay - Gene & Ray went over to Owyhee ward to their Gold & Green ball. Ivard & I played 2 games of Penochle. My last nite.

Sun, Nov 29. Gene did chores & came in & got breakfast, cooked mush & made hot biscuits. Everyone else slept in. They ate abotu 10:30 & All the boys went to priesthood. Kay & Gene came home after & Ray & little boys came home after sunday school with Max. Dale had to give 2 1/2 min. talk. Ivard & Jackie bathed for hr. or more then we got about a half cup pus out of her boil & put wet pack on & she went to sleep. Ivard peeled potatoes. Put a roast on this morning. We ate & I helped Kay pack & at 4:30 we took Kay to Nampa to meet Bob & Fran & at 4:45 they left for Rexburg. At 7: Jackie & I went to bed & rest of them went to church. I went back to work at 11:

6 What in the world

The first Thanksgiving?

The date and location of the first Thanksgiving celebration in what is now America is a topic of modest contention. Traditionally, the first Thanksgiving occurred at the site of the Plymouth Plantation in 1621. This celebration was modeled on harvest festivals that were common in Europe at the time. It is also argued, however, that the earliest attested thanksgiving celebration in what is now the United States occurred on September 8, 1565, in what is now St. Augustine, Florida, more than half a century earlier.

Thanksgiving has been an annual tradition in the United States since 1863, when President Abraham Lincoln during the midst of the Civil War proclaimed a national day of Thanksgiving on the final Thursday of November. It became a Federal holiday in 1941.

Except for a three-year suspension during World War II, the annual Macey's Thanksgiving Day Parade has been an annual event since 1924.

Football rankings
Boise State continues as number 6 in the nation after its 52-21 win over Utah State on Friday. The Broncos have two remaining games this season, Nevada on Friday, November 27, and New Mexico State on Saturday, December 5.

Brigham Young University is ranked 15th in the USA Today poll and 18th in the AP Top 25 poll after its 38-21 win over Air Force on Saturday. The Cougars have one remaining game this season, Utah on Saturday, November 28.

And the University of Utah is ranked 19th in the USA Today poll and 22nd in the AP Top 25 poll after its 38-7 win over San Diego State on Saturday. The Utes have only one remaining game this season, BYU on Saturday, November 28.

7 A final word

As we approach another Thanksgiving season, we express our thanks for the Lord’s tender mercies in all our lives. He has greatly blessed us as a family. We are witnesses of His enduring good­ness and grace. We feel of His love and peace.

Each of us, of course, experiences our individual share of life's challenges, heart­aches, and disappointments. Sometimes we feel we are hit with more than our share when severe illness strikes or loved ones die or our hopes and dreams and aspirations seem to go unrealized. And yet, through it all, we really know—or can come to know if we don't already—that it all has purpose, that it's part of the Lord's tutoring plan for our growth and develop­ment, that it's a part of the schooling we signed up for before we came here. And so, once again, we have cause to be thank­ful and rejoice.

With the Psalmist, we can declare, "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalms 118:24).

1 Charles Batt's early life in England

Charles Batt (1861–1949) married Eliza Brazier in England before they accepted the restored gospel, joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and immigrated to America. Most of his history, except for this first installment, details their life after they came to Utah. This is the first of six installments (see Batt & Lee Ancestors, 15–16). Charles was the father of William B Batt (1888–1959) and the grandfather of Dorothy Batt Cleverly (1915–1982).


Charles Batt was born September 24, 1861, at Houghton, Hamp­shire, Eng­land, the son of George Batt and Hannah Ray. He spent his early child­hood in the Houghton area. At the age of seven, he began work­ing at small jobs to help support himself.

When Charles was 15, his father died, leaving him to sup­port his mother and a crippled brother, Harry, and a younger sister, Emma. He cared for his mother and brother all the rest of their lives.

At the time of his father’s death, Charles felt the heavy respon­sibility that was now his. He didn't know what to do. He took a walk through the small village where the family lived to think things out. He stopped by the banks of a stream that flowed through the village. The stream divided, going in two directions, each leading to a small town. Unable to make up his mind about which way to go to find work, he found a small board and threw it into the stream above the fork and decided to follow the direction the board took. This decision brought him luck. After several small jobs, he found a job in a flourmill, where he worked for two years until the mills closed down.

Charles started another search for work. His former boss gave him a good recom­mendation to a gentleman farmer. Charles was soon hired and worked at this place for several years learn­ing a trade. He enjoyed his work in the hothouses, where he learned to raise plants for gardens and flower beds. He also learned land­scaping. He worked at this trade, except for short inter­vals, for the remainder of his life in England.

While Charles was working hard, his mother heard the gospel. She joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and moved to London to keep a house for the missionaries.

On a trip to visit with his sister, Fanny, who lived in Head­bourne Worthy, near Winchester, Charles met the Brazier family. They were neighbors of Fanny's and had a charming daughter, Eliza, who took the fancy of young Charles. After a proper time of getting to know each other and falling in love, Eliza and Charles were married on June 7, 1884, in Head­bourne Worthy.

Charles took a job as a gardener on the estate of Sir Percy Shelley. Charles and Eliza went to live at a lodge on the Shelley estate. Eliza kept the gate and let the car­riages in and out. The estate was a beau­ti­ful place, a resort town near the ocean. It claimed one of the most beautiful beaches in England.

Great joy came to Charles and Eliza on June 27, 1885, when their first child, a girl, was born at the Shelley estate. They named her Cecily but nicknamed her Doll. It was soon after Cecily's birth that they accepted the gospel. As soon as they were bap­tized, they de­cided to leave England to go to Utah, where the body of the Saints were.

2 Quote of the week

"The needs of others are ever present, and each of us can do something to help someone. . . .

"I believe the Savior is telling us that unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose to our own lives. . . .

"May we ask ourselves the question . . . 'What have I done for someone today?'" (Thomas S. Monson, "What Have I Done for Someone Today," in Ensign, Nov. 2009, 85, 87).

3 This week in our family

Fri, Nov 20: Ivard died 1988
Sat, Nov 21: Clifford Rankin's birthday [Gail]
Sun, Nov 22: Dean & Claudia married 1972 [Dean]
Sun, Nov 22: Keisha's birthday [Dale]
Mon, Nov 23: Next issue of newsletter

4 Bits and tidbits

Kay's family
Yesterday Kay reported on his blog: "After 14 visits to the dentist and my wallet quite a bit lighter I am all through going over to Miraflores. Flavio is really a good dentist having worked in Florida for nine years. He speaks very good English, though he is Peruvian. He allows us to put pamphlets and the Book of Mormon in his waiting area."

He also reported that "Wednesday the 11th was our anniversary. We went to eat at a very nice restaurant just a couple of blocks from our apartment. We were told it was quite expensive so we had never gone there. They were correct in that it was expensive but the food was excellent."

Dean's family
Our far-away daughter in southern Illinois posted a couple weeks ago about a bedtime prayer offered by her six-year-old daughter: "Don't watch Animal Planet before going to bed . . . or you may end up saying a prayer like this one of Uno's:

"Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this day. Please bless that blood-drinking bats don't live in our town. And please bless our house to get sold. In the name of--Oh, wait. And if blood-drinking bats do live in our town, please bless that they won't drink my blood. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

"Scary stuff, those bats."

By the way, this daughter (aka Rachael) and her husband and three children have just moved from living with the in-laws into a house they will be renting until such time as their house back in Idaho sells (hence the reference in the above prayer). Anyone out there want to move to Malad? It's a nice little town.

Dale's family
On Saturday Kira posted a recipe for yummy pumpkin chocolate chip cookies: "These are my all time favorite fall cookies, and they are super easy too! All you need is 1 box of spice cake mix, 1 small can of pumpkin pie filling and one bag of chocolate chips. Mix them together, roll in small balls, bake and walah! They are also good topped with icing."


They look and sound incredibly yummy. And for any non-chocolate lovers out there, I'll bet they'd also be good with raisins.

5 Our family 50 years ago

Excerpts from the November 1959 diary of Dorothy Batt Cleverly (1915–1982). The full text of her diary can be found online at Dorothy's Idaho Diaries and is updated daily, exactly 50 years to the day after it was originally written. The family at the time lived on a 40-acre farm in the Deer Flat area south of Nampa, Idaho.

Mon, Nov 16. I came home from work & Ivard took little Kids to school while I ate & read papers & sorted clothes & we went to town & pd. bills & got bread & came home & I hung clothes out & did another batch & we made my bed & Jackie & I went to bed.

Tues, Nov 17. I got up at noon & had a bath & read my relief society lesson & at 1:30 I went in & gave it. I went Xmas shopping after relief society.

Wed, Nov 18. I came home from work & had flat tire as soon as I stoped. while Ivard changed it I got ready & took Kids to school & went in to Mrs Kotter's & met with 3 other ladies & we went to Boise to Dr. Cudmore to reduce. $10. a month for 2 visits & pills. No wheat no Sweet. I weighed 267 lbs.

Thurs, Nov 19. sent Mother Birthday card & $5. Dean & Dale went to primary. Gene stayed after ball practice & went to Mutual. Ray milked & we ate & he went to Mutual with Max.

Fri, Nov 20. I came home from work & ate & went right to bed. At 1: Ivard woke me up & said I was supposed to be at leadership meeting at 1:30, I forgot, I really had to hurry to make it. I came at home at 3:30. I pressed an apron & took it with one of my fruit cakes into bizzar. Didn't have any money to buy anything.

Sat, Nov 21. I came home from work & went right to bed & stayed there most of day but didn't get very much sleep, too noisy.

Sun, Nov 22. first snow. I came home from work & was so cold I went to bed with Ivard & got warm. Gene Ray, Dean & Dale went to priesthood & sunday school & got home at 1:30 Ray got dinner & I was all afternoon writeing Mother, Jerry & Lyle.

6 What in the world

Happiest places to live
People in Utah report the highest levels of well-being, according to recent survey results from Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index. West Virginia had the lowest score. The top states were:

1. Utah
2. Hawaii
3. Wyoming
4. Colorado
5. Minnesota
6. Maryland
7. Washington
8. Massachusetts
9. California
10. Arizona
11. Idaho
12. Montana

Football standings
Boise State continues to be ranked 6th after its 63-25 win over Idaho on Saturday. BYU is ranked 18th (USA Today poll) and 19th (AP Top 25 poll) after its lackluster 24-19 win over New Mexico on Saturday. The Lobos have yet to win a game this year. And Utah dropped to 23rd after its 55-28 loss on Saturday to 4th ranked TCU. We had been hoping the Utes could have pulled off an upset.

7 A final word

Nearly a decade ago, just as I was beginning my fifth year as bishop, I attended a priesthood leadership meeting that was a part of a regional conference involving four stakes here in Bountiful. During that four-hour meeting on Saturday afternoon, we were masterfully taught by President James E. Faust of the First Presidency and others. The other day I happened across the journal entry I made that evening that reminded me of what I had learned. I feel impressed to share some of it here.

President Faust used this passage from the Apostle Paul as his text: "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?" (Romans 8:35).

He then discussed what in our day and time separates us from the love of Christ, such things as sin, fear, disobedience, pride, debt, pornography, failure to repent, selfish­ness, greed, affluence, and preoccupation with stuff.

And then he listed what unites us to the love of God, such things as being our brother's keeper, caring for the poor and needy, being more generous in paying fast offerings, standing up for goodness, partaking of the sacrament worthily, being humble, attending our Church meetings, attending the temple regularly, studying the scriptures daily, having weekly family home evening, and having daily family scripture study.

Simple things really, but so important in keeping ourselves and our families on the path.

1 A new life in Utah

Eliza Brazier Batt (1864–1926) wrote her life story sometime in 1917 or 1918 when she was 53 years old. It focuses primarily on her early life in England before she and her husband accepted the restored gospel, joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and immigrated to America. This is the last of nine installments (see Batt & Lee Ancestors, 13–14). Eliza was the mother of William B Batt (1888–1959) and the grandmother of Dorothy Batt Cleverly (1915–1982).

After eight days and nights we arrived in Logan, Cache County, Utah Territory. The third day after we arrived Charles left me, with our little girl, in Logan and went with some men to Ross Fork to work on the rail­road. The people told me that Charles had gone to work among a lot of Indians and might get killed. I wrote to him, and my letters were returned. Surely I felt a stranger in a strange land—lonesome, homesick, and lonely.

A week after Charles left for Ross Fork, I visited my sister-in-law, Jane Winn, at Smithfield, Cache County.

In the fall of 1887, we moved to Lewiston, where my husband rented a farm belonging to Isaac Blair. Sister Blair, having a large house, let us live with them in ex­change for my doing the house­work, cook­ing, washing, and ironing. The fol­low­ing spring, on 27 April 1888, a baby boy came to cheer us. He was named William.

After trials too many to mention, we moved into a log house having two nice, large rooms, which seemed a mansion. Charles plowed 50 acres of land for the log house. We were proud of our first posses­sion in Zion, it being so nice to be alone with our child­ren.

Another son came to bless us, which we named Ernest. The follow­ing spring we moved to live in the Logan Fifth Ward, Charles having been employed at the Utah Agricultural College, which was then in erection.

Time sped swiftly along, and we were blessed with five sons and four daughters. As the years passed, the children grew. Cecily was married to George Edward Adams, William to Hazel Jane Lee, Glad­stone to Nettine Tennant, Ruby to James Adams, Pearl to William Hulse.

So time passes swiftly by with its pleasures and trials. And as the little English girl—now a sedate woman of 53 years—I look back on all the varying scenes I have passed through since we left the shores of old England, and my heart swells with grati­tude to my Heavenly Father for the many bless­ings bestowed on me.

2 Quote of the week

"God's universal and perfect love is shown in all the blessings of His gospel plan, including the fact that His choicest blessings are reserved for those who obey His laws. . . .

"The love of God does not supersede His laws and His commandments, and the effect of God's laws and commandments does not diminish the purpose and effect of His love. . . .

"If a person understands the teachings of Jesus, he or she cannot reasonably conclude that our loving Heavenly Father or His divine Son believes that Their love supersedes Their commandments. . . .

"The effect of God's commandments and laws is not changed to accommodate popular behavior or desires. If anyone thinks that godly or parental love for an individual grants the loved ones license to disobey the law, he or she does not understand either love or law" (Dallin H. Oaks, "Love and Law," Ensign, Nov. 2009, 26).

3 This week in our family

Mon, Nov 9: Paul Challis's birthday [Dean]
Mon, Nov 9: Garrett Reher's birthday [Ray]
Wed, Nov 11: Veterans Day
Wed, Nov 11: Kay & Karen married 2006 [Kay]
Sun, Nov 15: Kay's birthday [Kay]
Mon, Nov 16: Next issue of newsletter

4 Bits and Tidbits

Kay's family
This past Friday morning I had a chance to speak on the phone with both Kay and Karen in their mission office in Lima. They sounded great and said they are doing well. In eight months their mission will be end and they will return home from South America. It's been a nice touch for Kay to be there in Peru during the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Andes Mission, where he served back in the early 1960s.

Kay reported briefly on some of his children. Ike is now a seminary principal in California and is enjoying that. Brandon, who was in a bishopric when they lived in Peoria, and his family have moved back to Indiana, where they previously lived. He is now a counselor in the bishopric there. His wife Nicole is going to school to become a dental hygenist. Kyle has been out of work a lot. He had a new job, but that company then decided to cut back, so he was out looking again. He found another new job just last week. Kay didn't even know what it was. Andrea's husband Chuck used to work for Linford Glass, but they let him go. Kay said they maybe even went out of business. Chueck is now working on his own and doing better than ever.

Dale's family
LeAnn sent us an e-mail on November 2: "Nathan and his wife Carolyn had their little baby girl last Friday afternoon [October 30]. It was an emergency C section. Carolyn was suffering with high blood pressure and the amniotic fluid was low, so they decided to deliver early. The baby weighed 5 pounds and 5 oz. and was 17 inches long. She is a cute little thing and we think that she looks a lot like Nathan did as a newborn, except for the eyes and hair color. Carol and the baby will stay in the hospital a few more days just to make sure everything will be okay and then they will be at home. Dale and I will be flying down to see them and Sarah on the 19th and will come home on the first of December. We look forward to spending time with our two granddaughters and getting to spend time with Sarah and Nathan's families. We are sure excited for Nathan and Carol and know they have a lot to be proud of." She did not mention what the baby's name is.

5 Our family 50 years ago

Excerpts from the November 1959 diary of Dorothy Batt Cleverly (1915–1982). The full text of her diary can be found online at Dorothy's Idaho Diaries and is updated daily, exactly 50 years to the day after it was originally written. The family at the time lived on a 40-acre farm in the Deer Flat area south of Nampa, Idaho.

Mon, Nov 9. I came home from work & Ivard had gone over to help Wally do beets, & he went to work from there, I never saw him today.

Tues, Nov 10. I came home from work & took Dale to school. I kept Dean home to tend Jackie today. Ivard was gone over to help Wally & I didn't see him again today.

Wed, Nov 11. Dean & Dale didn't have to go to school & they tended Jackie. They got me up at 1:30 & we went in to high school to foot ball game. Nampa beat Caldwell 14 to 13. Gene dressed down but didn't play.

Thurs, Nov 12. Got letter from Jerry, had flue. Gene & Ray came home on bus & Ray & I went to town & Ray saw about a job at Albertson's, don't need any one now. Gene did chores, he don't feel good & Jackie has a cold. Dean & Dale went to Primary. Ray went to Mutual.

Fri, Nov 13. Ray changed everything around in front room & cleaned good.

Sat, Nov 14. I came home from work & ate & went right to bed. Dean got me up at noon & I took him up to Barlows to help make cookies for their Primary tea tomorrow. He tried to sell cards o the way but couldn't. Ivard, Gene & Ray hauled manure all day.

Sun, Nov 15. I came home from work & went right to bed. Gene, Ray Dean & Dale went to priesthood & sunday school & got home at 2:15. We ate & at 2:30 Dean & I went in to the church & Ivard to a primary programe just for Deans class. Came home & read my relief society lesson for Tuesday.

6 What in the world

World Series ends
After six games the New York Yankees beat the Philadelphia Phillies in this year's World Series. The Yankees have won their share of World Series championships through the years, 26 times if we calculate correctly since the first World Series back in 1903 (in 1923, 1927, 1928, 1932, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1941, 1943, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1956, 1958, 1961, 1962, 1977, 1978, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, and now 2009).

And college football continues
This week's polls have Boise State in 6th place nationally after their 45-35 win Friday at Louisiana Tech. Utah is ranked 14th (USA Today poll) and 16th (AP Top 25 poll) after their 45-14 win Saturday over New Mexico. And BYU is ranked 22nd after their 52-0 win Saturday at Wyoming.

Election results
Democratic governors lost in last Tuesday's off-year elections in New Jersey and Virginia, the only two states in the country voting for governors this year. And that was after President Obama personally campaigned in each state for the Democratic candidates.

In Maine voters sensibly rejected a measure that would have allowed same-sex marriages. In every state where such an issue has been on the ballot, it has been rejected by voters. The handful of states that currently allow it have done so either by judicial decree or legislative enactment, but not by a vote of the people.

7 A final word

It seems to be the nature of life that challenges and temptations and burdens are never in short supply. If we aren't currently experiencing them in our own lives, we don't have to look around very far to see them in the lives of others.

One of the Brethren in general conference last month observed, "Life presses all kinds of burdens on each of us, some light but others relentless and heavy. People struggle every day under burdens that tax their souls. Many of us struggle under such burdens. They can be emotionally or physically ponderous. They can be worrisome, oppressive, and exhausting. And they can continue for years" (L. Whitney Clayton, "That Your Burdens May Be Light," Ensign, Nov. 2009, 12).

A week ago Sarah Rager, Dale and LeAnn's daughter, posted on her blog:

I have been going through one of the toughest times ever in my life. My spirituality has definitely not been what it should be in these last few months. I have felt as though I am lacking? Of what I have not been too sure.

Things have just been hard in general, it has seemed like one bad day after another. I've tried hard to stay positive and overcome, but it's been hard. Because I've been having what seems to be like more bad days than good days as of late, I have been really hard on myself, and thinking there must be something wrong with me. I really thought I must being losing it. Normal people aren't angry and mad like I have been. Normal people don't have consecutive bad days.

Haven't we all felt that way at times?

While attending stake conference today I heard some of the most inspired words, it was as though they were just for me, the speaker was quoting someone as saying that it was normal to have highs and lows in life. It's normal to have bad days and periods of depression. This is one way we are tried by our Heavenly Father. It's who we choose to become during these periods that proves who we are.

I know that these hard times won't last forever. I know that there is peace and happiness at the end of this dark tunnel. Most of all, I know I have a Heavenly Father who loves me. Who inspires those around me to guide me through this maze of life. And sometimes when I feel I am so lost, He provides the light to help me find my way.

I am truly blessed to know the bitter and the sweet.

Some burdens, such as illnesses or loss of loved ones, are public and observable. Other burdens are less noticeable but every bit as real. That suggests a lesson or two for each of us. First, we need to be careful about judging or misjudging those about us, even those people we think we know so very well. Second, we need to be kind and generous and thoughtful to those about us so that we are helping to lift and not add to the burdens they are carrying. Third, the crosses we bear may be for our own good, or the good of those about us, and may in fact be blessings in disguise. And perhaps finally, there are few pains so exquisite as seeing the people we love have to suffer or mourn or shoulder the burdens we wish they did not have to carry. But that is what life is about and appears to be a part of this marvelous test we refer to as mortality.

1 Leaving England for America

Eliza Brazier Batt (1864–1926) wrote her life story sometime in 1917 or 1918 when she was 53 years old. It focuses primarily on her early life in England before she and her husband accepted the restored gospel, joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and immigrated to America. This is the eighth of nine installments (see Batt & Lee Ancestors, 11–13). Eliza was the mother of William B Batt (1888–1959) and the grandmother of Dorothy Batt Cleverly (1915–1982).

As soon as we were baptized, the spirit of gathering took pos­ses­sion of us. When I first read and began to see the gospel light, I prayed earnestly that if it were true that, after we were baptized, the way might be opened for us to gather to Zion right away. And sure­ly my prayers were answered, for we were baptized on the 22nd of May and we sailed on the 18th of June [1887]. Many were the long talks and arrangements made for the eventful day.

But there were many trials to be met and trials to be over­come. My neighbor and very dear friend, when I told her I had joined the true church and gave her a tract, looked at me and said, "You, you joined such dis­respectable people as that! I am ashamed of you!" She would scarcely speak and never visited me again until the day we left. Then she came and invited us to dinner, but we felt we would have harder trials to face for the gospel's sake.

Then came the day we left Bos­combe Manor Lodge with its green lawns and beautiful trees. Good-byes were said to friends, one last look at the lodge, and off to catch the train at Pokesdour for Win­chester, my home where brothers, sisters, and friends were gathered to say good-bye. Through my head ran the tune and words of the anthem—

O Zion, lovely Zion, thou city of the faithful,
How often with rapture thy praises we sing.

At times the terrible thought would come, "Suppose you leave mother, brothers and sisters, your native land, then this gospel is not true?" One short prayer to Father to keep us faithful and all was peace again.

My mother felt so terrible. She was really ill to think her young­est girl was going to leave her and go to America. It was really more than she could stand: she could not eat; she cried most of the time, which made it hard to part. My brothers made me promise I would not break down and cry when the time came to part. I promised, but never dreamt what it meant to keep that promise.

At last the dreaded day arrived when good-byes must be said to one and all. The morning was bright and beautiful. No one hardly spoke. Our hearts were sad at the thought of parting. Good-byes were said to brothers and sisters. I never spoke, but picked up my little girl, threw my arm around my mother and kissed her, and walked away and never looked back until I reached the gate, which was quite a distance from the house. Then came a turn in the road; I looked back at Mother waving her hand­ker­chief—one last look at the dear old home and all was lost to view.

And then to Winchester to catch the train for London for a three days' visit with some of the Batt family. Good-byes were once more said, but we expected to see Sister Batt, Charles’s mother, the follow­ing spring.

We left London in the morning on the nine o'clock train going to Liverpool to get our tickets. About ten o'clock on a Saturday morning, we left the pier. There were 150 Mormons on board, and with crew and other passengers about 900 people altogether. As the ship began to sway as she was loosed from her moorings, the pilot came to take us out of the harbor. Brother Rigby, who had charge of the company of Mormons, gathered us all together, and we sang—

O Babylon, O Babylon, we bid thee farewell;
We’re going to the mountains of Ephraim to dwell.

All went well for the first two days when nearly all on board were con­fined to their bunks with seasick­ness.

On our sixth day out, one of the firemen died, which cast a gloom over all on board. We witnessed a funeral at sea. The man was sewed up in a sail, a clergyman read a few prayers, the ship almost stopped, and he was let down over the side of the vessel into the sea. All the passengers went to the side of the ship to see him buried, which seemed almost to tip the vessel on one side.

About the seventh day out, a large vessel going to England passed us. We were so glad to see someone. How we all waved and yelled to them. And they returned the compli­ment.

On the ninth day out, the pilot met us. We were so glad to see him come in his small boat to take us to the harbor. We reached the harbor about nine o'clock in the evening. We all seemed to forget the day and time; everybody got mixed up. After we had landed, we left a few hours later for Norfolk, boarding another ship which was very dif­fe­rent from the Wisconsin.

2 Quote of the Week

Success is going from failure to failure without any loss of enthusiasm.

— Winston Churchill

3 This week in our family

Tues, Nov, 3: Stan & Patty married 1978 [Lyle]
Tues, Nov 3: Election day
Wed, Nov 4: Andrew's birthday [Dean]
Wed, Nov 4: Vince & Mary married 2006 [Dean]
Thurs, Nov 5: Liz's birthday [Gail]
Thurs, Nov 5: Angie's birthday [Gail]
Sat, Nov 7: Dayvis's birthday [Lyle]
Sun, Nov 8: Michael Duay's birthday [Gail]

4 Bits and tidbits

Lyle's family
Lyle called me yesterday afternoon. He had talked with Uncle Bill Batt in Spokane, who wants to receive the newsletter again. He really misses the ongoing news about our family. The rest of Lyle's family seem to be doing well.

Gene's family
Lyle also reported that he has been helping Gene haul corn. Gene has a contract with Simplots to deliver 1,400 acres of corn. Lyle said that Saturday was their best day ever, and they only got something like 80 acres done. Fortunately, the weather for the coming week is supposed to be cooperative. Lyle said Gene works very long days.

Jackie's family
Yesterday I talked on the phone with Jackie, wishing her a belated happy birthday, which was the day before. They hadn't done much celebrating on Saturday because they were busy with a Boise State game, but she said the weekend before she and Rex had taken off and went up to Cascade.

Some days ago the cat that had lived in their garage disappeared. He had never run away in the 15 years they've had him, but he was gone for three days. They thought they had lost him. But the he turned up. They took him to the vet to make sure he was okay. He was, except for one thing. He is blind and apparently couldn't find his way back home. So now he is a house cat.

5 Our family 50 years ago

Excerpts from the November 1959 diary of Dorothy Batt Cleverly (1915–1982). The full text of her diary can be found online at Dorothy's Idaho Diaries and is updated daily, exactly 50 years to the day after it was originally written. The family at the time lived on a 40-acre farm in the Deer Flat area south of Nampa, Idaho.

Mon, Nov 2. I came home from work & Ivard took little boys to school. I read paper & ate Ray had beds striped & clothes gathered up & I sorted them & got first batch in & Ivard told me to go to bed & he'd wash. I got up at 3: & he had them all done but one batch. He got our sheets in & we made our bed & he went to work at 3:

Tues, Nov 3. I came home from work & Ivard took little Kids to school. I ate & read paper & went to bed at 9:30. They got me up & I went to relief Society, bore my Testimony. went shopping after until time to meet Gene. Ray was there too. It was 6: before we got home. Ray fixed supper & we ate & Jackie & I went to bed until time to go to work. I don't feel very good.

Wed, Nov 4. Came home & ate & read paper & went to bed & Ivard took little boys to school. Farm census lady came. When Ray came on bus I went to town & got $23. worth of groc. Picked Gene up & came home at 6: & Ray had supper on.

Thurs, Nov 5. I came home from work & took little boys to school. Ivard had gone over to Wallys to help in beets. Kids went to Primary. Ray went to Mutual with Pendeltons & came home with Max.

Fri, Nov 6. Ivard came home from work & went right to work hauling our beets, they started them today. Kay called from Caldwell at 10: & said he'd be home when they took Claudia & Fran home. He came with his room mate, Dee Mickleson. My nite off.

Sat, Nov 7. I got up at 6:30 A.M & took Ray over to Small's & they walked to Boise & back for hikeing merit badge, got home at dark. I spent most of day makeing 6 fruit cakes to put in freezer for Xmas. They finished hauling or beets tonite at dark. Gene drove one truck all day. Ivard started to pick corn, got one load. My & Ivards nite off

Sun, Nov 8. We got up & ate & Gene, Ray, Dean & Dale went to priesthood & sunday school. I made cookies for Kay to take back with him & Fixed spagetti & salad for dinner & we ate & at 1:30 Kay & Dee left to get Fran & Claudia to go back to Rexburg. I wrote a letter to Mother & Jerry.

6 What in the world

This week's football rankings

• Boise State (with an 8-0 record this season) remains number 5 in the AP Top 25 and USA Today polls. Saturday they had a 45-7 win over San Jose State.
• Utah (with a 7-1 record this season) is number 16 in the USA Today poll and number 17 in the AP Top 25 poll. Saturday they had a 22-10 win over Wyoming.
• BYU (with a 6-2 record this season) made it back into the top 25 rankings, just barely. They are listed 25th in both polls. They had a bye this week. Must have been out celebrating Halloween.

World Series

• Game 1 of the World Series was played at Yankee Stadium in New York last Wednesday, October 28. The Philadelphia Phillies beat the Yankees 6-1.
  
• Game 2 was also played in New York on Thursday, October 29. The Yankees won 3-1.
  
• Game 3 was played in Philadelphia on Saturday, October 31. The Yankees won 8-5.
  
• Game 4 was played in Philadelphia late last night, Sunday, November 1. The Yankees won 7-4, taking a three-game lead in the series.
  

What was that again?

• Compromise: Let's agree to respect each other's views, no matter how stupid yours might be.
• Incompetence: When you earnestly believe you can compensate for a lack of skill by doubling your efforts, there's no end to what you can't do.
• Innovation: If you can make your job easier, you can probably make it irrelevant.
• Limitations: Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.
• Quality: The race for quality has no finish line, so technically it's more like a death march.
• Dreams: Dreams are like rainbows. Only idiots chase them.

7 A final word

A best-selling book called The Fred Factor recounts the story of a simple mail man in Denver who went to extraordinary lengths to serve people and make a difference in their lives. Most of us have encountered Freds in our lives, people who have looked after us, brightened our days, helped us through the tough times, performed extraordinary service.

Saturday Claudia and I attended a funeral of just such a person. Fred's name in this case happened to be Aunt Beth. She was Claudia's great aunt, a widow of some 37 years. She had this unique ability whenever you were in her presence to make you feel like you were the most special person in all the world. She radiated love and cheerfulness and warmth and safety.

My mission president was like that too. Whenever I was around him, whether during the two years we served together in Brazil or during the score of years thereafter before he passed away, I always felt lifted, enabled, respected, and loved. I always wanted to be a better person.

And then on Sunday I came across this marvelous insight: "Someday, when we look back on mortality, we will see that so many of the things that seemed to matter so much at the moment will be seen not to have mattered at all. And the eternal things will be seen to have mattered even more than the most faithful of the Saints imagined" (Neal A. Maxwell, Even as I Am [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1982], 104).

I think the two incidents—attending the Saturday funeral and finding the Sunday quote—are somehow related. They were not coincidences. The eternal things that matter so very much are centered in families, in personal relationships, in making and keeping sacred covenants, in obedience to eternal truths, in quiet acts of selfless service.

The common ingredient in all of these? Love. Charity. The pure love of Christ.

Which may be why the Savior, when asked what was the greatest commandment, said, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself" (Matthew 22:37-39).

Love is what Aunt Beth was all about. Love is what my mission president was all about. Love, I suspect, is what Fred the postman was all about. And love should be at the heart of families and indeed all our personal relationships. It is surely at the heart of the eternal things that Elder Maxwell said "will be seen to have mattered even more than the most faithful of the Saints imagined."