1 Midsummer's Eve

This Thursday, June 24, is Midsummer Day, a legal holiday in some European countries (although some countries have moved the actual celebration to the third Friday in June to give people a three-day weekend).

From ancient times Midsummer's Eve was a celebration linked to the summer solstice, the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere. In northern European countries like Sweden, Norway, and Estonia Midsummer's Eve is considered the greatest festival of the year, comparable to Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.

In some eastern and southern European countries the festival merged with St. John the Baptist Day, which is also on June 24. When I was on my mission in Brazil, St. John the Baptist Day was widely celebrated during a week or more of festivities, particularly in northeastern Brazil, where the whole season was referred to as the "June holidays."

In England, where many of our ancestors came from, Midsummer was celebrated on Midsummer's Eve (June 23). These celebrations date from at least the 13th century and were characterized by bonfires, feasting, and merrymaking. According to one report, "because Midsummer was thought to be one of the times of the year when magic was strongest, it was considered a good night to perform rituals to look into the future. Traditionally, young people pick bouquets of seven or nine different flowers and put them under their pillow in the hope of dreaming about their future spouse."

One of our ancestors, Eliza Brazier Batt (1864-1926), shared an account of a Midsummer's Eve from when she was a teenager in England, serving as one of several maids in the mansion of a wealthy gentleman:

"I remember well one Midsummer's night, which night was always looked forward to with much merriment because one thought she could find out who she would marry.

"On this Midsummer's night the back door was left open instead of being locked, and because the house was very large and dark, this made a lonesome and weird feeling. Each girl placed on a table a basin of water and beside the basin a bunch of hyssop, then hung on a line a garment that she had worn many times. As the clock struck twelve, her future husband was supposed to come and sprinkle the garment with hyssop.

"So that night when the clock struck eleven, we were all sitting in a row. Not one word could be spoken or the spell would be broken.

"Tick, tick, tick—oh! how long an hour seemed! What if the housekeeper should find the door open, especially the street door? But, nothing ventured nothing to have gained, was our motto.

"Tick, tick, tick—we never knew an hour could be so long! Five minutes to twelve.

"Hark! What was that? Creak, creak, creak, nearer it came, a lose board in the corridor; creak, creak, closer and closer it seemed to come, but not a word must pass our lips. Creak, creak creak. Sitting nearest the door, I could take it no longer and jumped and ran and broke the spell" (Batt & Lee Ancestors, 6).

2 Quote of the week

"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."

— Benjamin Franklin

3 This week in our family

Tues, June 22: Amber's birthday [Lyle]
Tues, June 22: Steven Riley's birthday [Lyle]
Thurs, June 24: Midsummer Day
Thurs, June 24: Claudia born 1941 [Kay's first wife]
Thurs, June 24: Aaron's birthday [Lyle]
Sun, June 27: Bradley's birthday [Gail]
Mon, June 28: Keri's birthday [Lyle]
Tues, June 29: Bill's birthday [Gail]
Tues, June 29: Next issue of newsletter

4 Bits and tidbits

We hope all you fathers and grandfathers out there in our family had a wonderful Father's Day.

Kay's family

Kay, as he and Karen near the end of their mission to Peru, reported on his visit Sunday to a chapel he helped build when he was a young missionary nearly half a century ago: "I went to the Limatambo ward today. I wanted to go there before we went home as sevaral times as a young elder on my P-day I worked on the chapel. It is so satisfying to see it completed and know that you helped construct it. These three people joined the church at that time.
"The brother was the first counselor to Roberto Vidal, the first Stake president in Lima. The sister in the middle joined the church at that time in Miraflores and the sister on the right joined just after I went home but her Bishop was Isaias Bravo who I know."

In a separate post on Sunday Kay also reported: "Today I attended the Limatambo ward. I wanted to go before I went home and something always came up and we never did make it before today. When I was a young elder I helped with the construction at least 10-15 times and our P-day.

"When I went home they were just putting the trusses for the roof up. This is the oldest chapel in Peru. The overflow area is larger than other chapels down here.

"The walls are trapazodial design.

"This is one of more than 200 chapels in Lima."

5 Our family 50 years ago

Excerpts from the June 1960 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.

Wed, June 22.  Gail came over & took Pick-up & left his car for few days. Told us Phyllis Bair Mitchell got killed. Kay went to Bishops to a Priest Party & I took Gene over when he got home. Kids did beets until noon.

Thurs, June 23.  We got laid off this morning until fall. I didn't tell anyone. I laid down an hr. & got Jackie to sleep then I got up & embroideried Mike on 2: took Dean in to Perrys to Mikes birthday party. I just got to bed at 10: when I got called back to Simplots for a pkg. line to finish up.

Fri, June 24.  We got through at 7: A.M & got laid off until fall. I got up at 3:30 & Dean & I went to Caldwell to opening of new Albertsons. We went to 4 stores & got their bargains. We were out of everything. Had to borrow $30. I spent from Gene & Kay.

Sat, June 25.  Ivard came home from work & cultivated. Kay went to work & Kids did beets until noon. Ivard came in at 11: & bathed & I bathed & got ready & we to Nyssa to funeral home & saw Phylis then we went & got Gail & Lynda & went to Stake house to funeral, sure was a big one. took Gail home & had straw berry short cake We brought Debbie home to stay all night. Gene took a girl to Stake Dance, went with John.

Sun, June 26.  Debbie & Jackie woke up about 6: & got dressed & were just leaving on a hike when Gene got home from Wallys. We had to watch them like a hawk, they were determined to go. We finally promised them they could go to park for hike. Ivard, Gene, Kay & Ray went to Priesthood & Ivard & Kay came home after, me & Kids went to sunday school. I made barbacue & trimmings & we ate out on lawn when Gail & Lynda came then Ivard & I & Gail & Lynda took Jackie & Debbie in to Park & they all went walking but me & I read & watched baby.

Mon, June 27.  Ivard finished planting garden. We had a dish of icecream & all of us went over to Melba & played ball, the Kids won & so did Ivard but it was a forfite because all their players werent there on time. We got home at 11: & had icecream & went to bed.

Tues, June 28.  Kay went to work before I was up & Kids & Ivard did beets until noon. Jackie was a half mile up road tonite hunting her little dog. She was crying when Kids got her. It came back.

6 What in the world

Lakers capture NBA title

In a closely contested final series that went all the way to seven games, the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Boston Celtics by just four points, 83-79. The seventh game, played in Los Angeles on June 17, was very tight and could have gone either way. In fact, the Celtics had a considerable lead as late as the third quarter of the game.

This was the 16th NBA title for the Lakers.


US robbed of goal in the World Cup
The World Cup of soccer is underway in South Africa. Thus far, the U.S. team has played twice, both matches ending in a draw, 1-1 against England and 2-2 against Slovenia. In the 86th minute of the game against Slovenia, the U.S. scored a third goal, but the referee inexplicably disallowed it.

The U.S. plays Algeria tomorrow afternoon in Pretoria, where a victory would put the Americans in the round of 16.

The world explained by graphs

7 A final word

This coming Sunday is the 166th anniversary of the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith, who was shot by an armed mob in the jail at Carthage, Illinois, on June 27, 1844.

It is by no means an exaggeration that "Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it" (D&C 135:3). That bold statement was written by an apostle and prophet who was eye witness of Joseph's death and who himself "was wounded in a savage manner with four balls" (D&C 135:2) during the attack on the jail.

Why would this prophetic witness claim that Joseph Smith had done more for the salvation of the world than any other person except the Savior Himself? A number of valid reasons come to my mind.

First, as one who had seen the Father and the Son, and who on numerous occasions was personally taught and instructed by angels and by the Savior Himself, Joseph gave the world a true knowledge of the spiritual realms that exist beyond the thin veil that separates this dimension from the eternal worlds. He boldly testified of the literal existence of both the Father and the Son. He restored a correct understanding of Their divine attributes and perfections. He revealed what Their purpose is. "For behold," the premortal Savior declared, "this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man" (Moses 1:39). That in a nutshell is what life and the creation of the world and the life and atoning mission of Jesus Christ and pretty much everything pertaining to God's purposes are all about.

Second, through him came more scripture than through any other prophet of whom we have record. These scriptures are now canonized in three volumes: the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. And that does not even include his inspired correction of the Holy Bible, which we commonly refer to as the Joseph Smith Translation. Joseph once observed concerning the events recorded in the Bible, which he had seen in the visions the Lord had given him, that he had seen them all. He was personally acquainted with prophets from all the former gospel dispensations.

Third, he received from these prophets of former gospel dispensations all the keys, powers, and authorities of the priesthood. He was visited by John the Baptist, who restored the Aaronic Priesthood. He was visited by Peter, James, and John, who restored the Melchizedek Priesthood. He was visited by Moses, who gave him the keys of the gathering of Israel. He was visited by Elias, who committed the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham. He was visited by Elijah, who was sent before the great and dreadful day of the Lord (as Malachi had prophesied) to restore the sealing powers. He was visited by Michael and Gabriel and Raphael and others, "all declaring their dispensations, their rights, their keys, their honors, their majesty and glory, and the power of their priesthood" (D&C 128:21).

And thus, as a result of all these heavenly ministrations, Joseph became the first legal administrator, acknowledged and recognized by God, to administer the saving ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ since the curtain of apostasy descended over the ancient church following the death of the apostles.

Fourth, he restored the church and kingdom of God with all its offices and callings and powers and authorities as existed anciently. Through the Church, he made available to all mankind the Father's plan, variously referred to in the scriptures as the plan of salvation, the plan of redemption, the plan of happiness, or simply the gospel of Jesus Christ. Good news, indeed! That plan (which commences with faith in Jesus Christ, repentance and turning from sin, baptism by a legal administrator recognized by the heavens, receipt of the Holy Ghost, and endurance to the end) makes the atonement of Jesus Christ available to all mankind who will receive it.

As a part of what he restored, Joseph let us know that the principles and ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ were known and practiced among the Lord's people in every age. Adam, Noah, the Patriarchs, and all the ancient prophets knew of Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice, of His death and resurrection, of the requirements of His gospel. That certainly is not clear from the biblical record alone, although it is filled with hints of it. People in the earliest ages of the earth's history are saved on the same basis and in obedience to the same requirements as people in the days when the Savior walked the earth and as people who live in these last days of which we are a part.

And finally, through his latter-day servant the Savior has made that same salvation available not only to all the billions who now live on the earth who will receive it, but also through the great redeeming work performed in temples to even more billions who have died and gone on to the world of spirits without so much as even knowing about Jesus Christ while in this life. What a just and merciful God who makes His salvation available to everyone who will come unto Christ, whether in this life or the next, and partake of His salvation!

These are just a few of the reasons—there are undoubtedly others—why I think we can rightly claim that Joseph Smith has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it.

1 A Father's Day regret

When I was a young man, about a month before I left for my mission, I received the Melchizedek Priesthood and was ordained an elder. When he interviewed me, my stake president had probably said something about the ordination needing to be done under the direction of the stake presidency. What my untrained youthful ears heard was that it had to be done by a member of the stake presidency.

The second counselor in our stake presidency, David G. Hurren, lived in our ward and was a man I greatly admired. His wife had been my early-morning seminary teacher the year I was a freshman. She had also been my piano and organ teacher. They lived just a mile or so east of where we lived. So I asked President Hurren to ordain me. No one said a word otherwise. So, one evening late in the summer of 1968, I drove over to his house to be ordained.

I went alone. No father and mother. No other family member. Just me.

Later, sometime while I was serving as a missionary, it dawned on me that I could have asked my father, himself a Melchizedek Priesthood holder, to have given me the higher priesthood. For years that missed opportunity deeply bothered me. It was a genuine regret.

Yes, he had confirmed me a member of the Church and given me the Holy Ghost when I turned eight. And yes, he had ordained me to the Aaronic Priesthood offices of deacon, teacher, and priest when I was a boy. But I had missed the opportunity of a lifetime, and though my ordination was valid and the authority I had been given was genuine, by right it should have come through my father.

My story did have a happy ending finally. Some seventeen years later, in the summer of 1985, I was called to serve in a bishopric. A little over three years before his death, Dad joined us here in Bountiful when I was sustained. It was a happy moment for him. Just before the counselor in the stake presidency set me apart as a counselor in the bishopric, my father ordained me a high priest. I was honored this time to have been able to invite him to lay his hands on my head and to be voice for the ordination. I felt like a great wrong had been righted. And I was at peace.

I had come eventually to what Father Abraham described millennia ago when he wrote, "And, finding there was greater happiness and peace and rest for me, I sought for the blessings of the fathers, and the right whereunto I should be ordained to administer the same; having been myself a follower of righteousness, desiring also to be one who possessed great knowledge, and to be a greater follower of righteousness, and to possess a greater knowledge, and to be a father of many nations, a prince of peace, and desiring to receive instructions, and to keep the commandments of God, I became a rightful heir, a High Priest, holding the right belonging to the fathers" (Abraham 1:2).

This coming Sunday is Father's Day. With this little recollection I have shared, I honor my own father, who has been gone now for more than a score of years. And I wish the very best to all you fathers out there in our family today.

2 Quote of the week

"Any man can be a father but it takes someone special to be a dad."

— Anne Geddes

3 This week in our family

Tues, June 15: Camilla Taylor's birthday [Dean]
Tues, June 15: Joshua's birthday [Lyle]
Wed, June 16: Nathan's birthday [Kay]
Sun, June 20: Father's Day
Tues, June 22: Amber's birthday [Lyle]
Tues, June 22: Steven Riley's birthday [Lyle]
Tues, June 22: Next issue of newsletter

4 Bits and tidbits

Kay's family
Kay and Karen have just a couple weeks remaining in Peru. According to a recent report from Karen: "We arrive home on Wednesday, June 30th. We fly on Delta from Lima to Atlanta to Las Vegas. We arrive in Las Vegas at 11:13 a.m.

"Okay, here is our homecoming information: Sunday, July 11th, 1:00 p.m., Hurricane 11th Ward.

"Directions: Whether you're coming from the north or south on Interstate 15, you turn off at Exit 16 (Hurricane/Zion) exit. This is north of St. George. You travel east about 9 miles until you come to a Comfort Inn and a Days Inn on your left. In between those two motels is Sky Mountain Blvd (2600 West). Turn left there and travel about 1/2 mile and the Hurricane 11th ward is on your right (you can't miss it).  Sacrament meeting is at 1:00 p.m. and the block meetings end at 4:00 with sacrament first /Sunday School second and Relief Society-Priesthood third."
 
Dean's family
Claudia and I returned late yesterday afternoon from a quick weekend trip to California, where we went to see two of our daughters (Anna and Mary), together with their husbands (Pete and Vince), take part in the Camp Pendleton Mud Run, a 10k obstacle course that, as the name suggests, involves some amount of mud that they had to run or slosh or swim through. It is held at the U.S. Marine base at Camp Pendleton, just north of Oceanside in San Diego County. Vince and Mary flew to San Diego, but we rode with Pete and Anna and their nine-month-old son Miles, who is a great little traveler.

We left last Thursday evening after everyone was off work and drove to St. George. Then Friday we drove to Oceanside, where we stayed Friday and Saturday nights. The mud run was on Saturday morning. Saturday afternoon we drove down to San Diego to tour the USS Midway, a decommissioned naval aircraft carrier, and then went to Old Town San Diego to tour the newly rebuilt Mormon Battalion Visitors' Center. Vince and Mary then joined us to eat dinner at a Mexican restaurant in Old Town. On Sunday we checked out of our motel, went to church in Oceanside, stopped at Laguna Beach (where we used to go on family vacations with Claudia's parents when our children were small), and then headed home toward Utah. We spent the night in Mesquite, Nevada, and then continued home on Monday.

It was a great trip.

5 Our family 50 years ago

Excerpts from the June 1960 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.

Wed, June 15.  Ivard took Dean over to Smalls at 9:30 to go to camporee at Stake House all day. Gene & Ray were over to Wallys working when I got home & Kay was at Max's, he got done until Monday.

Thurs, June 16.  I came home from work & Ivard had taken Gene & Ray over to Wally to work, their last day, each earned $25. got paid. Mrs Barlow came & took Dean & Dale to Primary. Dean had potatoes on & hamberger cooked for gravy & I got up & made it. At 6:30 I took Ray, Dean, Dale, & Jackie in to Pix & saw "Greatest Show on Earth"

Fri, June 17.  Ivard got father Day card from Lyle & Jerry I came home from work & Ivard drove in right after me. I read paper & washed 3 batches of cloths & made a meat pie with biscuits on top, for dinner. Gene got hay raked & Ray & Dean hoed beets.

Sat, June 18.  I stoped to last lite in Caldwell & car stoped on me & I had to get pushed so I took Venice home & went back to Dobbs & had a new battery & new points put in. I got home at 10: Kay was over to Hennis's & all the Kids hoed beets. Ivard went to check water at 10:30 & went on to town instead of baleing hay. I called Stockman at 4:15 & he said he'd be home in 15 min. It was 6:30 when he came & I was so mad I wouldn't speak to him. He'd been over to Caldwell sale & seeing Art Jerome until 4:, I found out later. I went to Drive Inn & saw 2 shows.

Sun, June 19 [Father's Day].  I got up at 10: & Gene & Kay & Ray were just leaving for priesthood, Ivard didn't go I was mad at him & never spoke to him all day. I got ready & Dean, Dale & I went to sunday school & Jackie stayed home with Ivard. Came home & fixed hambergers & all the trimmings & made punch & ate out on lawn. Gail, Lynda & Kids came right after we got home & gave Ivard a set of Allen wrenches & the Kids gave him a good set of Badminton & a brief case with his name on.

Mon, June 20.  Ivard came home from Boise & baled hay all day & finished, all but 1/2 row, ran out of string. Ray, Dean, & John Popelton did beets until noon. Ray made beds & got dishes done. Dean & Dale put away cloths.

Tues, June 21.  Got letter from Jerry I came home from work & Ivard had just got home. I washed a batch of cloths & ate & at 9:30 Ivard & I went to bed & loved.

6 What in the world

The world explained by graphs

7 A final word

Last week we talked briefly about the passing of legendary UCLA coach John Wooden and his tender devotion to his wife of more than half a century, even decades after her death.

One more thing about his life we were impressed with. Throughout his life John Wooden tried to follow a Seven Point Creed that his father had given him when he graduated from grammar school:

1. Be true to yourself.
2. Make each day your masterpiece.
3. Help others.
4. Drink deeply from good books, especially the Bible.
5. Make friendship a fine art.
6. Build a shelter against a rainy day.
7. Pray for guidance and give thanks for your blessings every day.

Not a bad creed for any of us to follow.

And an appropriate reminder of the influence a father can have on a child's life and through all the years that come after, even when those children live to be 99, as John Wooden did. A happy Father's Day this coming Sunday to all you fathers and grandfathers out there in our family.

1 Did you know?

Flag Day is celebrated in the United States on June 14, the anniversary date of when the Second Continental Congress first adopted the flag in 1777. It is not an official Federal holiday. Pennsylvania is the only state where it is an official state holiday.

A brief history of Betsy Ross
Betsy Ross (1752-1836) is credited with being the seamstress who in June 1877 made the first American flag.

She was born in Philadelphia as Elizabeth Griscom, the eighth of 17 children. Her parents were Quakers. She was apprenticed to an upholsterer, where she met John Ross. The couple eloped in 1773 when she was 21, which caused a rift with her family and her expulsion from the Quaker congregation. The young couple started their own upholstery business and joined the Episcopalian congregation where George and Martha Washington worshiped. Betsy and John had no children before his death only two years later, a casualty of the Revolutionary War.

On June 15, 1777, just a day after Congress adopted the first flag, she married her second husband, Joseph Ashburn. He was captured by the British as a prisoner of war and died of an unknown illness before he could be released in 1782. Betsy and Joseph had two daughters, the older one dying when she was only nine months old. Joseph never learned of his older daughter's death and never saw his second daughter.

In May 1783 Betsy married her third husband, John Claypoole. He died in 1817 after 20 years of ill health. The couple had five daughters together. Betsy continued working in her upholstery business until 1827, including making flags for the United States. She died nine years later.

Research conducted by the Smithsonian Museum of America History notes that the story of Betsy Ross making the first American flag for General Washington did not enter into the national consciousness until around the time of the 1876 Centennial celebrations. At that time William J. Canby, Betsy's grandson, claimed that his grandmother had made the first flag, saying he first obtained this information from an aunt in 1857, twenty years after Betsy Ross's death. The historic episode supposedly occurred in late May or early June 1776, a year before Congress adopted the flag.

A story about Teddy Roosevelt and the flag
A story is told that one year on June 14 Theodore Roosevelt was dining near Philadelphia when he noticed a man wiping his nose with what he thought was the American flag. Roosevelt was outraged, so he picked up a small wooden rod and began to whack the man for "defacing the symbol of America." After about five or six strong whacks, he noticed the man was not wiping his nose with a flag after all. It was really a blue handkerchief with white stars. Roosevelt, upon realizing this, apologized to the man but hit him once more for making him "riled up with national pride."

A what?
By the way, a person who studies flags is called a vexillologist (the name derives from the Latin vexillum, which means "flag").

2 Quote of the week

"A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment."

— John Wooden, former basketball coach at UCLA 

Sounds sort of like a parent.

3 This week in our family

Tues, June 8: Jared Sayer's birthday [Jackie]
Tues, June 8: Miriam Hoff's birthday [Dean]
Tues, June 8: Anniversary of Gail's death in 2000 [Gail]
Wed, June 9: Louise's birthday [Dean]
Thurs, June 10: Chuck & Andrea McAllister's married 1993 [Kay]
Thurs, June 10: Macallan's birthday [Lyle]
Fri, June 11: Jerry's birthday [Jerry]
Mon, June 14: Flag Day
Mon, June 14: Joseph Card's birthday [Lyle]
Tues, June 15: Next issue of newsletter

4 Bits and tidbits

Kay's family
Chad and Nicolle took a recent family trip to Disneyland, which is well documented at their family blog site. Nicolle's summary: "We had a lot of fun riding the rides, watching the parades, and shows and just being together as a family."

Dean's family
Robert and Rachael found out yesterday what flavor their fourth child will be when she arrives this fall. A baby girl, name yet pending, will join three older sisters. She will be grandchild number 20. (Talmage and Louise's first child due in September, also a girl, will be our 19th grandchild.)

Dale's family
Kira has posted engagement photos on her blog site. They're well worth looking at.

5 Our family 50 years ago

Excerpts from the June 1960 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.

Wed, June 8.  Kay went up to Max's & Gene finished mowing Wallys hay. I got ready & went in & we went to Boise to Dr.  I only lost 1/2 lb. all month. I came home & Ivard & Gene went to town to buy balls & bats for soft ball team then Gene took Wallys tractor home. Ivard got garden ready & planted some corn. We ate and Ivard - Ray, Gene & I went in to Lake View Park to first soft ball game. Kay came in when he got home both Ivard & Kids team got beat.

Thurs, June 9.  At 9:30 Ivard took Dean to Primary & he went to Dentist. I typed genelogy sheets most of day on Kays type writter. At 2:45 we took Dean in to Dentist to have his cap put back on. At 9: Ivard & I went in to show & while I was gone I got called to Simplots.

Fri, June 10.  I got up at 5:30 & got breakfast & Kay & Gene went to work up to Max's. We went to Caldwell & Ray & Dean got them a genelogy book. Ray weeded flowers & planted all our flower plants. I had to go to work at Simplots.

Sat, June 11.  Today Jerry was 22 years old. I came home from work at 8:30 & ate & went to bed.

Sun, June 12.  I came home from work & washed a batch of cloths & went to bed. Ivard, Gene & Ray went to Priesthood with Max. I got up at 10:50 & me & little Kids went to sunday school.

Mon, June 13.  Ivard didn't work. Ray went to Mutual. Jackie & I went to bed but it was so hot.

Tues, June 14.   We got our Vacation check & I stoped on way home & got $12, worth of groc. then I had a bath & went in to Yorkensens at 10: to a relief society demonstration on barbacue cooking & we really had a good dinner. Came home at 2: & Jackie & I went to bed.

6 What in the world

John Wooden dies
Coach John Wooden (1910-2010) died of natural causes Friday evening, June 4, at the age of 99, at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. One of the most successful collegiate basketball coaches of all time, he won 620 games over 27 years, including 88 straight during one historic stretch. His ten UCLA national championships in a 12-year period has never been matched by any other coach. Wooden was the first person ever to be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame as both a player (in 1961) and a coach (in 1973). He coached many of the game's greatest players, such as Bill Walton and Lew Alcindor, who later took the name Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Besides being an excellent coach, he was also a marvelous human being. "He set quite an example," said Abdul-Jabbar. "He was more like a parent than a coach. He really was a very selfless and giving human being, but he was a disciplinarian. We learned all about those aspects of life that most kids want to skip over. He wouldn't let us do that."

Wooden once said, "I have always tried to make it clear that basketball is not the ultimate. It is of small importance in comparison to the total life we live. There is only one kind of life that truly wins, and that is the one that places faith in the hands of the Savior" (in They Call Me Coach [2003]). On another occasion, he said, "If I were ever prosecuted for my religion, I truly hope there would be enough evidence to convict me" (in Steve Jamison's Wooden: A Lifetime of Observations On and Off the Court [1997]).


The world explained by graphs

7 A final word

A legendary coach passed away last Friday, as we noted above under What in the World. I wanted to share here a tender little bit about his private life that particularly impressed me.

John Wooden was deeply devoted to his wife Nellie, who died from cancer in March 21, 1985, after more than 52 years of marriage.

Wooden was a man of faith and devotion. He remained completely devoted to Nellie, even decades after her death, until his own death this last week. Since her death in 1985, as long as his health permitted, he kept up a monthly ritual: On the 21st of each month, which was the day of the month she died, he visited her grave, and then wrote a love letter to her. After completing the letter, he placed it in an envelope and added it to a stack of similar letters that accumulated over the years on the pillow she slept on during their life together.