1 A summary of Kay and Karen's mission

From Karen's final e-mail report on her and Kay's mission to Peru, sent out last Saturday, July 17. After detailing their return home to Utah and their homecoming report a week ago Sunday, she concludes the e-mail with some of the blessings that resulted from their mission.

We have had an amazing experience, one that is ingrained in our hearts forever. In retrospect some of the blessings we have experienced are:

1. We were able to speak the language. Kay did really great and I could speak and understand enough to accomplish those things that we needed to do the Lord's work.
2. We found that we had the strength and energy to accomplish all that we needed to do and to maintain a very demanding schedule.
3. We witnessed the Lord's hand in all things. Almost daily we witnessed small miracles from Him.
4. We found our ability to love as the Savior did grew tremendously. We loved our missionaries unconditionally. We watched as they in turn loved the humble and lowly in spirit without reservation.
5. We marveled as we watched the missionaries work tirelessly to help this wondrous work go forth. Their dedication, their love for the gospel and the Savior are limitless.
6. We served to give back to our Father in Heaven for all that He has given us, but we find we have been blessed beyond measure and strengthened to face future challenges whatever they may be, because we know He is ever with us.
7. We have a feeling of peace knowing that our labors were accepted.
8. We have made eternal friends in the Peruvians and missionaries.
9. For awhile we had a respite from the political and economical turmoil that is plaguing the world, especially the USA. Our life, though very demanding, was simpler.
10. We are closer as husband and wife. We were asked to give and we gave together. Our love was sealed. Our understanding of the importance of our families and how the Savior's Atonement affects each one of us is more clear.
11. We see God's hand in all things. We have a sure knowledge that He knows us personally and loves us.
12. We were taught by General Authorities of God.
13. We loved a very humble people, some of the poorest people in the world, and witnessed their lives and families change as they grew in the gospel and were filled with hope and joy.
14. We became more aware of our own shortcomings and how we can strengthen them through the Atonement. 
15. We are not the same two people we were when we left. We have loved and we have been loved in return. Our lives have been changed forever and we will never be the same.

Who knows, maybe we will get to serve some year in the Trujillo Temple. 

We love you and humbly thank you for your prayers in our behalf.

2 Quote of the week

If a man has any greatness in him, it comes to light, not in one flamboyant hour, but in the ledger of his daily work.

— Beryl Markham (West with the Night [1999], 153)

3 This week in our family

Inasmuch as this is our final issue until August 31, we are reporting all the family events we are aware of for the rest of July and all of August. Have a happy summer!

Wed, July 21: Olivia Lela Thomas's birthday [Lyle]
Thurs, July 22: Christopher's birthday [Lyle]
Thurs, July 22: Claire Rager's birthday [Dale]
Fri, July 23: Billy Riley's birthday [Lyle]
Sat, July 24: Tami Riley's  birthday [Lyle]
Sun, July 25: Logan's birthday [Lyle]
Mon, July 26: Cassy's birthday [Gail]
Mon, July 26: Esther Hodson's birthday [Dean]
Mon, July 26: Zander Daniel Duay's birthday [Gail]

Wed, July 28: Gretchen Higley's birthday [Kay]
Fri, July 30: Kira getting married in Mesa Arizona Temple [Dale]
Mon, Aug 2: Patty's birthday [Lyle]
Mon, Aug 2: Taylor's birthday [Kay]
Fri, Aug 6: Sarah Rager's birthday [Dale]
Fri, Aug 6: Rhett & Celeste married 1993 [Kay]
Sat, Aug 7: Rachael Hodson's birthday [Dean]
Mon, Aug 9: Chad & Nicolle Higley married 2002 [Kay]

Tues, Aug 10: Terry Packwood's birthday [Gene]
Tues, Aug 10: Craig & Kris Foley married 1982 [Gail]
Wed, Aug 11: Bob Ellis's birthday [Gene]
Wed, Aug 11: Steven & Cassy Robinson married 2005 [Gail]
Wed, Aug 11: Lincoln's birthday [Gail]
Thurs, Aug 12: Eugene & Sharae DeMartini married 1995 [Ray]
Sun, Aug 15: Elizabeth Marie Price's birthday [Lyle]

Wed, Aug 18: Marcus's birthday [Gail]
Fri, Aug 20: Tom's birthday [Lyle]
Fri, Aug 20: Airicka's birthday [Gail]
Fri, Aug 20: Ryan William Harned's birthday [Gail]
Sat, Aug 21: Bentley's birthday [Lyle]
Sat, Aug 21: Stockton's birthday [Kay]
Sat, Aug 21: Shanel Burdett's birthday [Lyle]
Sun, Aug 22: McKayla Packwood's birthday [Gene]

Wed, Aug 25: Aleesha's birthday [Lyle]
Wed, Aug 25: Jolene Sayer's birthday [Jackie]
Thurs, Aug 26: Rebecca Hoff's birthday [Dean]
Fri, Aug 27: Valerie's birthday [Lyle]
Sat, Aug 28: Becky's birthday [Lyle]
Sat, Aug 28: Cade Hoff's birthday [Dean]
Mon, Aug 30: Gail & Lynda married 1955 [Gail]
Tues, Aug 31: Craig Foley's birthday [Gail]
Tues, Aug 31: Next issue of newsletter

4 Bits and tidbits

Jerry
I received a call from Jerry yesterday. He was calling to wish me a happy birthday. (Many others of you out there sent me birthday greetings on Facebook). He sounded good but said he has spent a lot of time having numerous medical tests, one of which revealed he had a blocked artery. He said they were not planning any operation for that, just prescribed some medicines. Sometime soon he will be having a colonoscopy.

Dean's family
Pretty much all of our family who live in Utah spent some time in southeastern Idaho during our week at Lava Hot Springs (which runs from Friday, July 16, through Friday, July 23). Pete and Anna went up Friday, Cade and Becca on Saturday, Claudia and I (with Mary and some of Michael's boys and Talmage's son) on Sunday, Michael and Shauna on Monday, Vince and Mary on Wednesday, Rebecca again on Wednesday, and Talmage on Wednesday. Various family members left at various times to return home to Utah. Claudia and I, Michael, Anna, and Mary all came home Monday evening just after celebrating my 61st birthday. We had a great time.

Dale's family
Kira is getting married to David Michael Asay in the Mesa Arizona Temple on Friday, July 30. A reception will be held from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Friday, September 10, at 4036 North St. James Loop in Nampa. (If weather is bad, the reception will be held at the church at 607 West Locust Lane in Nampa.)

5 Our family 50 years ago

Excerpts from the 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. Because this is our final issue of the newsletter until August 31, we share highlights for the rest of July and all of August.

Wed, July 20.  I went to Boise at 9:15 to Dr. Cudmore. I lost 2 lbs. & one inch all the way down.

Thurs, July 21.  This morning at 9:45 we took Dean, Dale & Jackie in to Primary. I cooked beets & got ready to bottle them but didn't have enough vinegar.

Fri, July 22.  Dean did up dishes & I washed clothes & made a Steak & Vegetab pie with biscuits on top. I got ready & at 2:15 I rode to Boise with Ivard to work. He picked up 2 guys he works with & I bought them all a root beer at Merridian. Went to Rialto & saw "Crack in Mirror" with Orsen Wells. saw it 2 1/2 times to Kill time. It wasn't so hot.

Sat, July 23.  Ivard, Kay & Gene went to Caldwell sale & bought 8 calves. Kay bought 2 & Gene got 6 & gave one to Ivard for takeing care of them. did up my iorning, first time its all been done since Xmas. Ivard & I took Dean Dale & Jackie in to Kurtz Park to 2nd & 5th Ward get together & Jackie was in Primary parade. Ray got home from scout camp just as we were leaving & he came in with Kay & Gene when he got milking done. had races. Jackie came in 3rd on hers & Dale won his & Gene.

Sun, July 24.  Kay, Gene & Ray went to priesthood. Dean & I went to sunday school. Dale didn't have any pants & Ivard was too honery. Jackie stayed home with her Dad. Gail, Lynda & Kids came this afternoon & Dean & Jackie went home with them to spend the week. Ray milked while Kay & Gene fed the 12 calves.

Mon, July 25.  Gene started work for Gem feed in Nampa for $1.35 an hr. A guy came & sold us alumuman insulated sideing for house for $2000. I bottled 36 qts raspberries & cooked supper.

Tues, July 26.  I worked on genelogy today nearly all day.

Wed, July 27.  I spent 9 hrs. today typeing family group sheets.

Thurs, July 28.  I spent 6 hours typeing genelogy today & washed cloths.

Fri, July 29.  I cooked roast & made hot rolls for dinner. At 6:30 me & all the Kids went to Kuna to last ball game. Kids got beat bad & no one showed up for mens game so Gene & Kay & a bunch of Kids played.

Sat, July 30.  Dale & I went to Nampa & got $40. worth of groc. We were out of everything. Bad dust storm then it really rained

Sun, July 31.  Kay Gene & Ray went to priesthood. I went to sunday school & took little Kids.

Mon, Aug 1.  Started putting Alumn sideing on house today. We ate & Kay - Gene & Ray went to Mutual.

Tues, Aug 2.  Kay went to work for Max today. I took Gene in to work at General Mills feed store then waited until 9: & went over & got him a Social Security card to send in. Relief society teachers came at 10:30 & Ivard took off & never got back until 2:30, he been to Stockman & won $9. Gene & Ray went in to road show at 7:, Ray in it & Gene is stage manager.

Wed, Aug 3.  went to Boise to Dr. I gained 2 lbs.

Thurs, Aug 4.  Kids went to Primary with Mrs Barlow. Ivard left a little early for work & pd. $700. on our $800. payment on mortgage for last yr. & Int.

Fri, Aug 5.  Today was Gene's last day at feed store. We ate & Gene & Ray went in to Road Show practice, they won Stake & go to Weiser tomorrow nite.

Sat, Aug 6.  Kay took Ivard & I to all Star foot ball game at Vale. Eastern Oregon won. Gene & Ray went to Weiser to pu on their road show, they won from our stake.

Sun, Aug 7.  Gene & Ray left for church at Owyhee ward, they went to priesthood, sunday school & sacrament meeting. I got called back to work at Simplots for tomorrow nite.

Mon, Aug 8.  Kay went to work at 5:45 & in a little while Max called & wanted Ray so I took him up at 7:  I took Gene & Dale in to Dr & he said he'd take their tonsciles out Friday, we went to hospital & had their blood tests then we went to drug store & got their pills. I started back to work at Simplots.

Tues, Aug 9.  Gail & Jeff came over awhile. I helped Dean make cookies & got supper. Ivard went in with Kay, Gene, & Ray to priesthood ball game between 2nd & 5th Ward.

Wed, Aug 10.  I came home from work. I was in bed most of day but didn't sleep much. Had Jackie & Dale in with us all afternoon.

Thurs, Aug 11.  Gene worked for Wally all day. Dean, Dale & Jackie went to Primary with Barlows.

Fri, Aug 12.  Gene & Dale had tonsciles out wasn't what they expected. Ivard & I sat out in waiting room 2 hrs then they brought them down & we saw them awhile & came home.

Sat, Aug 13.  I stoped at hospital on my way home from work & got Gene & Ray. This afternoon I went to town & got Dean & Dale a winter coat. Gail, Lynda & Kids were were when I got home. My & Ivards nite off.

Sun, Aug 14.  Gene & Dale don't feel so hot. Kay - Ray & Dean went to conference. Kay & Kids came home at noon. Ray fixed lunch while I got ready & they ate & we went back to conference. It was good.

Mon, Aug 15.  had letter from Jerry I sewed on Jackies pagamas. work called & said we wouldn't work tonite, that was good because Kids didn't feel very good. Ray went to Mutual.

Tues, Aug 16. sewed most of day, finished Jackies pajamas. Kids feel better today

Wed, Aug 17.  I dashed home from work & I went to Boise to Dr. I lost 5 lbs & one in. on bust & hips. Kids don't feel very good.

Thurs, Aug 18.  Got a big painted picture of Jerry

Fri, Aug 19.  Ivard took Gene & Dale in to Dr. Daynes.

Sat, Aug 20.  Ray cleaned house. Ivard finished cutting hay. We went to town & got a special delivery letter from Jerry. mailed him a letter & extra money tonite when I went to work.

Sun, Aug 21.  I came home from work & had a bath & got ready & I dashed in to church & met Atwell Perry & rode to Emmett with him to a genelogy 5 Stake convention. There were 12 from our ward. first session was at 10: then we ate lunch with a bunch of guys from Owyhee Ward & at 1:30 went to afternoon session. Kay was pestering Ray just as we left & he jumped out his bed room window.

Mon, Aug 22.  Ray made some fancy twist rolls & got supper. Gene & Ray went to Mutual.

Tues, Aug 23.  I cooked supper & Gail, Lynda & Kids came & ate with us. They went home at 7:30 & Dale went with them for rest of week. Gene finished for Wally this morning. Kay & Ray went up to Max's & got Paid.

Wed, Aug 24.  Kay & Gene went in & Gene got his physical at 9: then went to foot ball practice. At 2: Gene & Ray went to town & Gene registered for school.

Thurs, Aug 25.  at 7: we all went in to church to our 1st anniv. ward reunion of 5th Ward. had a good supper.

Fri, Aug 26.  Kay left for Salt Lake

Sat, Aug 27.  Dean went to stay at Gails & Dale came home. Gail & Lynda took us over to Ontario to "East Side" cafe & bought our supper. I had chow Meine. Gail lost bet he'd loose more weight than me.

Sun, Aug 28.  I came home from work & went to bed then Gene & Ray went to Priesthood. I got up at 11: & went to sunday school

Mon, Aug 29.  got letter from Jerry

Tues, Aug 30.  Ivard & Kids finished hauling hay & got water in beets. Gene & Ray cooked dinner. Gene went to foot ball practice at 3:

Wed, Aug 31.  I wrote Jerry a note & mailed with his money. We never had enough money to pay our bills & it was one of Ivards biggest checks. had to pay 5 beet hoeing Kids. We sure are in a mess.

6 What in the world

The world according to graphs

7 A final word

Last week I wrote that sometimes we know things to be true but are hard pressed to explain why they are true or even why we believe they are true. We find it difficult to articulate our position, particularly in terms that someone who does not believe the same way we do might understand.

I thought of other examples of difficult issues that confront us today: (1) what to do about securing our nation's borders and (2) what to do about the undocumented aliens that live among us. Two thorny issues. I do not pretend to have the answers. And my observation is that neither of our main political parties seems to have the answers.

But I do think there are gospel principles that can and should shed light on both our deliberations and our feelings.

First, the issue of securing our borders. Isn't it great to live in a country that people from all over the world are clamoring to get into? The Book of Mormon from start to finish reminds us that this is a land of promise. "This is a choice land," we read near the end of the book, "and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ" (Ether 2:12). Who wouldn't want to come here?

In earlier centuries, we actively invited any and all to come to our shores. We wanted to populate the land. But starting a little over a hundred years ago, we reversed that trend and starting imposing immigration quotas. In just the past decade, fueled by concerns about terrorism, we became very serious about who we wanted to let in.

The scriptures also counsel us, "And see that these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. . . . therefore, all things must be done in order" (Mosiah 4:27). So, it seems prudent public policy for our national government to protect our borders and seek to control who can enter our country. Although, perhaps our public policy should be a little more generous in who and how many it allows to enter the country, which might help a wee bit in stemming the tide of those who want to sneak in.

The second issue, what to do about the undocumented aliens who live among us, seems a little stickier to deal with. They are already here. Many are as committed to this country as those of us born here. Or maybe far more so. They hold jobs. They pay taxes. They educate their children. They are generally law abiding except for the technicality that they somehow slipped into the country through extralegal means. (Note that I am deliberately not using the term "illegal" to describe either what kind of aliens they are or how they slipped into the country. I think that sends the discourse in wrong directions.)

I suspect for most people the term undocumented alien (or as they would prefer, illegal alien) means simply Hispanic. The bulk of them do come from the Spanish-speaking countries to our south and enter our country across the long and not-well-protected border we share with Mexico. But what we are really seeing, I suspect, in the shrill discourse of the day is a modern version of the bigotry, now directed to Hispanics, that earlier generations of Americans had against other distinct ethnic groups—such as Italians, Poles, the Irish, Chinese, Japanese, Jews, or blacks. Some things never seem to change, and we never seem to learn.

As Latter-day Saints I would think we would want to have them here. They are remnants of scattered Israel. The promises of the Lord are extended to them, as both the Book of Mormon and latter-day revelation repeatedly affirm. Their presence gives us opportunity to share with them the restored gospel, to invite them to "come unto Christ, and be perfected in him" (Moroni 10:32).

We also have the prophetic promise that none would be brought to this land except to fulfill the Lord's purposes. Father Lehi prophesied, “There shall none come into this land save they shall be brought by the hand of the Lord” (2 Nephi 1:6). It seems to me that the Lord’s hand is in their coming here.

As a people we too often share the ungracious attitudes of the sort that the Prophet Joseph Smith called "contracted feelings." We cannot afford them. What we should do is to try to see, as Joseph taught, through the eyes of "the Great Parent of the universe, [who] looks upon the whole of the human family with a fatherly care and paternal regard" (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, 39). I don't think He makes the same distinctions we're prone to make about where a person was born or what the shade of his skin or where he now happens to reside. God is the Father of us all, and He really does have a fatherly care and a paternal regard for all His children. And they are our brothers and sisters.

I doubt I've answered anything. But, in my wandering, rambling way, I hope I've given us something to think about as we approach such issues. And maybe we can approach them in more charitable, more understanding ways than the strident discourse we hear in the media from both right and left.

1 We need each other

This past Sunday, July 11, would have been Ray's 65th birthday. He died in Provo a little over twenty years ago, on May 14, 1990, from a heart attack. He was 44 years old. In honor of the anniversary of his birth, we share here a little piece he wrote some 36 years ago for publication in the March 1974 issue of the Cleverly Newsletter. His reference to family reunions in the next to last paragraph was an encouragement for everyone to come to the third annual Ivard and Dorothy Cleverly family reunion scheduled in Nampa over Easter weekend, April 12 and 13.

If it were possible for a life to be lived without parents, brothers, sisters, or without association with any other person, the deplorable state of such an individual would be almost beyond comprehension. So we need each other. First our parents, brothers and sisters, and friends. Then wives, husbands, and children. We also need others to supply employment, to manufacture, to furnish things we need. Thus life is made more bounteous and enjoyable.

Life is a continuous round of doing something for someone else and they in turn doing something for you. Nevertheless, we hope to be self-sustaining. If we owe a debt, we want to pay it. We do not want to live on the fruits of another person's labor. But for man to try and live altogether independently of one another is against the law of achievement. What greater way to pay our debts than to work for those who have preceded and had our way prepared for us.

The family bond should always be maintained. Reunions are necessary that family ties be not forgotten, and also that through united effort certain obligations will be taken care of, friendships renewed, and the unity of the family maintained. I believe the will of the Lord to be that we all be united so that we can more effectively discharge our responsibilities and establish a lasting bond of friendship and love among us.

With all my love to family members that we may keep the faith always.

2 Quote of the week

One of the great tributes the Savior can give is to call us “friends.” We know that He loves with a perfect love all of His Heavenly Father’s children. Yet for those who have been faithful in their service with Him, He reserves this special title. You remember the words from the 84th section of the Doctrine and Covenants: “And again I say unto you, my friends, for from henceforth I shall call you friends, it is expedient that I give unto you this commandment, that ye become even as my friends in days when I was with them, traveling to preach the gospel in my power” (D&C 84:77).

We become His friends as we serve others for Him. He is the perfect example of the kind of friend we are to become. He wants only what is best for His Heavenly Father’s children. Their happiness is His happiness. He feels their sorrow as His own because He has paid the price of all their sins, taken upon Himself all their infirmities, borne all their troubles, and felt all their longings. His motives are pure. He seeks no recognition for Himself but to give all glory to His Heavenly Father. The perfect friend, Jesus Christ, is completely selfless in offering happiness to others.

— Henry B. Eyring (Ensign, July 2010, 4)

3 This week in our family

Tues, July 13: LeAnn's birthday [Dale]
Wed, July 14: Josh & Crystal Price married 2001 [Lyle]
Fri, July 16: Makenna Rae DeMartini's birthday [Ray]
Sat, July 17: Kelley & Rhonda married 1992 [Gene]
Sun, July 18: Zaccheaus Jakob Price's birthday [Lyle]
Mon, July 19: Dean's birthday [Dean]
Mon, July 19: Kendall McAllister's birthday [Kay]
Tues, July 20: Next issue of newsletter (final issue before our summer recess)

4 Bits and tidbits

Kay and Karen's homecoming
On Sunday afternoon, July 11, Kay and Karen reported in the Hurricane 11th Ward on their two years in the Peru Lima Central Mission. All of Kay's children and grandchildren (except Brandon and Nicole and their family in Indiana) were present for the occasion. Most of them spent a couple days in the St. George area. Claudia and I drove down to Hurricane on Saturday and returned home Sunday evening. Lyle had been planning on attending with Gene and some of his family, but apparently car troubles kept them from driving down from Idaho. Lynda's son Bill, who lives with his wife Kate and family in Santa Clara, also came for the sacrament meeting. Kate was busy at the same hour with an assignment in Primary in their ward.

Karen spoke of the power of prayer and illustrated with appropriate examples from their mission. While they were in the MTC in Provo Elder Jeffrey R. Holland pronounced an apostolic blessing on the missionaries, saying your families will be cared for while you serving your missions. Karen said they saw that promise fulfilled as some of their sons and sons-in-law experienced unemployment but ended up okay and as a grandchild was born after the mother's being confined to bed for three months. She told of once after they were in Peru when she stepped in a hole and sprained her ankle but it was better by the next morning. She mentioned when Kay got cellulitis and was hospitalized for three days, except that he got to go home after a day and a half. She explained that a big part of their calling in the mission office was to serve and look after the missionaries.

A chorus of returned Spanish-speaking missionaries from their ward and some visiting the ward from their mission sang a beautiful hymn in Spanish.

Kay, who by this time had little time left in the sacrament meeting, built on what Karen had talked about by speaking of the numerous miracles they witnessed on an almost daily basis. One illustration was when he lost his ID card, which he desperately needed, and after searching high and low in their apartment and at the office, miraculously found after fervent prayer. He had planned to share his testimony in Spanish also, but time precluded his doing that.

It was an inspirational, if all too short, meeting. Family and friends and fellow returned missionaries gathered at Kay and Karen's home after sacrament meeting to eat and visit.

In the near future Kay and Karen are leaving on a road trip to visit Karen's mother in Oklahoma and Brandon and his family in Indianapolis.

Lyle's and Gene's families
Apparently the car trouble that kept Lyle and Gene from going to hear Kay and Karen report their mission turned out to be providential. That same Sunday Randy was sustained as second counselor in the Nampa 9th Ward bishopric, and Lyle was able to be there for the sustaining and to hear Randy speak and to ordain him a high priest following the meeting. Had he been in southern Utah, Lyle would have missed out on that blessing and opportunity.

Later that same day Lyle also spent the afternoon with Gene and Cheryl and their girls (they had dinner at Lou's place). Lyle said that the trip they didn't take to Utah also saved Gene thousands of dollars he would have lost had he not been able to finish some crops he was able to care for.

Dean's family
Paul and Eliza and their two boys drove from Atlanta to southern Illinois to visit Robert and Rachael and their three girls (a fourth on the way) in Harrisburg over the Independence Day weekend. Three-year-old Peter so loved visiting with his cousins that he didn't want to go home. He wanted his mom and dad to buy the house next door to them so they could stay.

Rebecca, who works with the Webelos Scouts in their Layton ward, and her family spent all of last week at a Scout camp up in Idaho for Woodbadge training. Except for a little canoe accident that landed Cade and four-year-old Hyrum in the water of the lake, she reports they all had a wonderful time.

Chris and Camilla this past weekend drove from Everett over to near Spokane to attend the wedding of one of their former employees at their Great Harvest bakery. Sam, who turned four the very next day, was the ring bearer at the wedding.

5 Our family 50 years ago

Excerpts from the July 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, July 13.  I got up at 3:00 & took Gene in to Stake House to go to Temple at Idaho Falls. We were supposed to go to Boise to Dr. but Leva couldn't so I called them for an appointment for next week & had them send me enough pills to last.

Thurs, July 14.  We ate & Ivard took Dean, Dale & Jackie in to Primary, the first time Jackie gone, and he went to the dentist. He picked them up & brought them home at noon. Ivard & all the Kids went in to Stake House & Kids played ball. I had a bath & got some groc. & went in & watched most of game then Kids came home & Ivard & I went to Terrace Drive-Inn to show "Portraite in Black" wasn't so hot.

Fri, July 15.  I took Ray over to Jones's to go to Dr. with him for Scout Camp examination. Ivard got him a fishing licence. I worked on genelogy 6 hrs Ray went ward teaching

Sat, July 16.  Ivard got up & milked & Gene set water & they packed & at 6:10 I took them in to Popeltons & they went on a fishing trip up to primitive Area up by Atlanta for 3 days. I talked to Mrs Popelton awhile & came home & went back to bed awhile until Kids woke up. We were supposed to go to 70's Steak fry tonite but I didn't want to go alone.

Sun, July 17.  Ray milked Kay & Ray went to Priesthood & Kay came home after. I had a bath & me & Kids went to sunday school. Ray helped me get dinner & they did dishes & I got Jackie to sleep and worked on my genelogy. Ray milked then we all got ready & went to church. After church we drove over to A&W & Ray bought us all a root beer & pop corn. Ray got packed ready to go to Scout Camp tomorrow.

Mon, July 18.  I got up at 4: A.M & took Ray in to church to go to Camp Billy Rice for a week. I stayed until they left. Ivard & Gene got home from their fishing trip just as Kay was going to milk at 6: so Gene milked. Ivard didn't get any fish but Gene cought 7.

Tues, July 19.  Dean was 11 today. at 9:45 Ivard went in to dentist & Dale & I went shopping for Deans birthday presents & party favors. got a decorated birthday cake & icecream. Came home & Dean had dishes done & house cleaned up. I made punch & Dean fixed the games. At 2:30 the Garner, Kotter, Perry & Butler boy came & we had Deans party. It was 111 degrees at Boise today, hottest since they've kept records in the 1800s

6 What in the world

World cup
Although played in South Africa, this year's world cup ended up being totally dominated by European teams. Spain and the Netherlands played Sunday for first place in the soccer world, with Spain winning the cup by beating the Netherlands 1-0. Germany beat Uruguay 3-2 on Saturday to capture third place.

The world explained by graphs

7 A final word

The Apostle Peter taught that we are to "sanctify the Lord God in your hearts" and that we should "be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you" (1 Peter 3:15).

There are certain truths that are revealed from heaven by the power of the Holy Ghost, things that simply are, and we use such scriptural words as witness or testimony to express our answer to others. We simply bear testimony or share our witness, for example, that God lives, that Jesus Christ is the Savior and Redeemer of the world, that through Christ we have a lively hope of a glorious resurrection, that Joseph Smith is His revelator and prophet in these last days, that our current prophet is the Lord's mouthpiece in this day and time, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord's kingdom once again established on the earth in preparation for the second coming of the Messiah upon the earth.

Those are basic truths, and we bear witness of them, and anyone who is willing to pay the requisite price can likewise know by going to the God of heaven and receiving the revealed knowledge for himself or herself.

We bear such testimony in humility and patience, not with boasting or arrogance or contention—all of which drive away the Spirit of the Lord. Peter in that same passage tells us how we are to give that answer: "with meekness and fear" (1 Peter 3:15). The word fear, as used in the scriptures and translated into English in such passages does not mean being afraid. Rather, it suggests such notions as reverence, awe, or worship.

Sometimes we know other things to be true, issues that grow out of the revealed knowledge we have been so mercifully blessed with, but are hard pressed to explain why they are true or even why we believe they are true. We find it difficult to articulate our position, particularly in terms that someone who does not believe the same way we do might understand.

An example for me is the divisive issue of same-sex marriage. Independent of the fact that people I love and sustain as prophets and apostles of God have spoken repeatedly and clearly and forthrightly on the issue, aside from that fact (which is sufficiently compelling for me), I simply have a gut feeling that allowing same-sex marriage is bad public policy, that it will lead to unintended consequences, and that it will take us places we really do not want to go as a culture and a society. But gut feelings, in and of themselves, are not particularly persuasive in the marketplace of ideas, in a civil discussion of the issues of the day, in persuading people not necessarily to accept but to even see our point of view.

I believe there is compelling evidence that society's support of traditional marriage is beneficial to society. And though it is beyond the scope of our present time or space, there are equally compelling reasons we should not abandon too lightly what has served our civilization well through so many generations and centuries.

It seems, therefore, that to fulfill Peter's admonition that we "be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you" (1 Peter 3:15), we have to be able to articulate in reasonable terms the reasons why we believe the way we do. We need to take time to think about and ponder the issues involved. We need to do our homework. We need to study and read what others have said. If applicable, we need to know what credible research brings to bear on the issue at hand. And we need to seek the guidance of heaven. Then we will be able to speak "the truth in love" (Ephesians 4:15), as the Apostle Paul counseled us to do.

1 The Liberty Bell

"And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubile unto you" (Leviticus 25:10).


Tradition tells of a chime that changed the world on July 8, 1776, with the Liberty Bell ringing out from the tower of Independence Hall summoning the citizens of Philadelphia to hear the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence. Nice story, except that historians doubt its authenticity since the tower of the Pennsylvania state house, as the building was known in 1776, was in disrepair, and the bell would not have been rung on that occasion.

That said, however, the Liberty Bell has become an enduring and beloved icon of the freedoms and opportunities we enjoy as Americans. It is a widely recognized symbol associated with the founding of our country, whose 234th birthday we just celebrated this past weekend.

The Pennsylvania Assembly ordered the Bell in 1751 to commemorate the 50-year anniversary of William Penn's 1701 Charter of Privileges, Pennsylvania's original constitution. It speaks of rights and freedoms now valued by people the world over, including Penn's ideas on religious freedom, his liberal stance on Native American rights, and his inclusion of citizens in enacting laws.

As the bell was created to commemorate the golden anniversary of Penn's Charter, the quotation "Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof," taken from Leviticus 25:10, was particularly apt. The biblical phrase immediately preceding "proclaim liberty" is "And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year." What better way to pay homage to Penn and hallow the 50th year than with a bell proclaiming liberty?

While the bell probably did not toll in July 1776, tradition holds that it was rung in 1774 to announce the opening of the First Continental Congress and again in 1775 after the Battle of Lexington and Concord. During the Revolutionary War the bell was removed from Philadelphia, along with ten other bells, to prevent the British from capturing them, melting them down, and molding them into cannons. The State House bell was hidden beneath the floorboards of a church in what is now Allentown, Pennsylvania, where it remained for nearly two years.

There is disagreement on when the first crack appeared in the bell. Hairline cracks on large bells were bored out to prevent their expanding. The fatal crack occurred while the bell was being rung to commemorate George Washington's birthday on February 22, 1846.

Abolitionists in 1837 first called it the Liberty Bell, a full 61 years after the birth of the nation. Before that it had simply been known as the State House bell or sometimes the Independence Bell. A pamphlet published by the American Anti-Slavery Society, who adopted the bell as the symbol of the abolitionist movement, contains the first known written reference to the bell as the Liberty Bell.

The Liberty Bell, along with the flag, became symbols of a united nation during the decades following the Civil War.

2 Quote of the week

"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and success of liberty."

— John F. Kennedy (1917-1963), 35th President of the United States

3 This week in our family

Dates we missed by not publishing last week

Tues, June 29: Bill's birthday [Gail]
Thurs, July 1: Andrea Lynn Real's birthday [Gene]
Thurs, July 1: Hyrum Hoff's birthday [Dean]
Sat, July 3: Sheryl's birthday [Ray]
Sun, July 4: Independence Day
Mon, July 5: Independence Day holiday

Dates for this coming week

Wed, July 7: Robert and Rachael Hodson married 2001 [Dean]
Wed, July 7: Vince Oveson's birthday [Dean]
Thurs, July 8: Josh Price's birthday [Lyle]
Fri, July 9: Savanna's birthday [Gene]
Sat, July 10: Richard Craine's birthday [Gail]
Sun, July 11: Ray born 1945 [Ray]
Sun, July 11: Samuel Taylor's birthday [Dean]
Sun, July 11: Kay and Karen report their mission to Peru
Tues, July 13: LeAnn's birthday [Dale]
Tues, July 13: Next issue of newsletter

4 Bits and tidbits

A distant cousin dies
The following obituary was published in Salt Lake City in the Deseret News on Tuesday, June 29, 2010. Paul was a son of Norton Cleverly, who was a son of Lee and Sybil Cleverly, who used to live near Ivard and Dorothy when they still lived in northern Utah and then later when they lived in eastern Oregon.

Paul Ray Cleverly returned home to his Heavenly Father unexpectedly on Saturday, June 26, 2010 at the young age of 41. He was born April 1, 1969 in West Valley City, Utah. He was the fifth child of Norton A. and Arlene Garlick Cleverly. He grew up in Magna and graduated from Cyprus High School. A devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Paul served a mission to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He married his sweetheart Natalie Partridge on January 24, 1998 In the Salt Lake Temple. He was a proud daddy to Makayla (4 1/2 years) and Reese (2 months). Paul loved spending time with his family and friends and loved to play games and work on his collections. In addition to his wife and children, Paul is survived by his mother; sisters Lauretta (Rich), Kerry (Tim), Susan (Casey); brothers Greg (Tammie), Kevin (Rosanne); mother and father-in-law Dave and Janet Partridge; brothers-in-law Donald and Douglas; and many extended family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his father; sister-in-law Tracie; niece Linzie; and grandparents. A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, July 1 at 11:00 a.m. at the West Jordan 21st Ward on the corner of 7530 South 2700 West, where friends may call upon the family one hour prior to services. There will also be a viewing on Wednesday, June 30 from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City. Interment to follow at Bountiful City Cemetery, 2224 South 200 West, Bountiful. We love and miss you, Paul.


Lyle's family
Lyle came to Utah this past week with Nancy Smith (a daughter of Lee and Sybil Cleverly) to attend the above-mentioned funeral of Paul Cleverly (a grandson of Lee and Sybil Cleverly). Lyle spent Monday evening, June 28, with Claudia and me here in Bountiful. He stayed other evenings in West Bountiful. We picked him up Wednesday evening to go with us to eat dinner in the Bountiful Temple cafeteria and then do sealings with us as a part of our ward sealing assignment. He attended the funeral on Thursday morning before returning home to Parma.

Gail's family
Sunday afternoon I talked on the phone with Lynda. We had a nice chat, updating each other on our various families. She mentioned that John and Morgan are expecting another child. This will give her 12 grandchildren, I think she said. She has even more great-grandchildren. She and some of her family will be going up to Red Fish Lake in Idaho this coming week.

Kay's family
Kay and Karen made it safely home from their mission in the Peru Lima Central Mission and will be reporting in their sacrament meeting this coming Sunday at 1:00 p.m. We repeat the directions Karen sent out several weeks ago to assist any of you who are planning to attend:

"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 and priesthood third."

Dean's family
Paul and Eliza and their two boys traveled from Atlanta to Harrisburg, Illinois, over the Fourth of July weekend to visit Robert and Rachael and their three girls. They arrived late Friday and returned home late Monday.

5 Our family 50 years ago

Excerpts from the June and July 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. These excerpts report a trip Dorothy, Kay, and Jackie took to Utah while Ivard, Gene, Ray, Dean, and Dale stayed in Idaho. Ruth and Ray Tovey and their family came from Utah to visit.

Thurs, June 30.  We got a new tire on car, fan belt. Kay came home & washed car & had bath & packed. I iorned, we ate & I had bath & packed. Fran. & Jimmy came at 7: & at 9:45 They went to Utah with Kay - Jackie & I. drove slow.

Fri, July 1.  Ivard took Ray in to go to Scout Camp at 9: AM. for order of arrow. We got to Jim Petersons at 6: A.M. Lavon was up. we visited awhile then she got breakfast & we ate. At 11: Jackie & I went to bed. Jackie & I got up at 4: We ate supper at 5: & Kay Jackie & I went up to Ruths & visited until 10: then we went to Grantsville to Mothers, she got home from Spokane yesterday. We got there at 11: she was in bed. Ruth is going up to our place Sunday morning.

Sat, July 2.  Kay took Mother Kent & I to Salt Lake at noon & he went out to Petersons to stay until Monday nite, he was going to keep car. We went to Walgreens & had dinner then we went up to Archives & hunted genelogy all afternoon but didn't find one thing. Berniece kept Jackie & at 4:30 her & all kids came in & got us.

Sun, July 3.  Ray got home from order of arrow at 4 A.M. We got up late, fast day & I worked on genelogy all day. Mother went to fast meeting at 2: & Jackie had a nap. I ate a snack & worked on genelogy some more, writeing histories for mother out of the Lee book before I give it back. We went over to Bernieces & had supper at 6: & visited then her & mother walked down to Palmers after Larell & Jackie, they ran away. Ruth & Ray & Kids got here [in Nampa] at 4: & went to church with Ivard.

Mon, July 4.  Mother got up & went to sunrise services with Berniece then they came back & we went up to Lions Club breakfast came back & did genelogy then at 11:15 we rode up to Parade with Ken & Berniece. Came home & ate & worked on histories then at 5: we went down to Ken's Mother & ate barbacued chicken done in iorn pots in hot coals & potatoes done same way sure good & hot rolls mother took & good salad & strawberry sherbert Berniece took. Ken had few fireworks went home after dark & I packed. Kay came at 10:30 with Claudia & we went to Bountiful & gased up & took Claudia home & got Fran & left for home at 12:30. I had to drive most of way. Ivard & Kids, Ruth, Ray, & Kids went to Idaho City on picnic. went to Caldwell fireworks.

Tues, July 5.  The car sounded funny when we drove over 35 miles so we drove slow from Streville to nearly Mountain Home, when it stoped. We got home at 9:30 A.M. Ruth was just doing up the dishes. I helped her & Janice copy all the genelogy I had. At 5: Ruth, Ray & I & Kids went in to Nampa to Park & we all went swimming it sure was nice. I was sure tired after driveing most of last nite.


Wed, July 6.  At 10: Ivard, Jackie, Dean, Dale & I took Ruth, Ray, Kim, Janice & Sharon over through Caldwell & Wilder & showed them were we used to live then we stoped in Adrian & talked to Gail then we went to Nyssa to Gails & had dinner. At 2: we went over by Ontario then to Lawrence & Aftons & visited.


Thurs, July 7.  Ivard, Ray T., Kim, Gene Ray, Dean, Dale Janice & Sharon went to Nampa bowling. When Kay came home at 5:30 he took Ruth Jackie & I in to Park & met the rest of them in swimming. At 7: we went over to Stake House & Kids played ball. Gene pitched the whole game & we won.


Fri, July 8.  We got up & had breakfast & Ruth & Ray left at 8:30 for Sun Valley on their way home. Gene, Ray & Dean did beets.


Sat, July 9.  Kay & Gene went to work. I spent all afternoon working on books & doing genelogy. Ray did beets until noon. Dean scrubbed kitchen & Ray waxed it. Ivard watched T.V. all afternoon Ray did dishes & cleaned up the house. Kay got through with his job today.


Sun, July 10.  Kay didn't go to Priesthood or sunday school nor Ivard, they watched ball game. Me & little Kids went to sunday school. Gene & Ray went early to priest hood in pick-up. Came home & Ivard had a beef stew all cooked & ready to eat. We ate & Ivard, Jackie & I had a nap. Ray made some icecream & we ate it when we got up. Gail, Lynda & Kids came a few min. then we went to church & they went home. We all went.


Mon, July 11.  Ray is 15 today. him & Gene went out in beets after Gene did chores. We had Rays supper but didn't have a cake or any presents. We were all broke. I worked on genelogy 3 1/2 hrs this morning. We went in & watched Kids play ball. They won. Gene pitched


Tues, July 12.  Ivard came home & went to bed. I was washing most of day. this afternoon I worked on genelogy Kids did beets & Ivard watered this afternoon. Ivard & I went to Stake house to a genelogy leadership meeting.

6 What in the world

Celebrating a century of musical excellence
On September 1, 1910, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Columbia Records teamed together to make the Choir's first recording, renditions of "We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet" (which has not survived) and "Let the Mountains Shout for Joy" (which has survived). In celebration of that event, a commemorative three-CD set has now gone on sale with some of the Choir's most-requested numbers during that 100 years on two of the discs and 11 historic videos and six vintage audio recordings on the third disc. President Ronald Reagan referred to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir as "America's Choir."

World  Cup soccer
The United States tied England and Slovenia and beat Algeria before being defeated 2-1 by Ghana in its fourth game of the World Cup. Favored Brazil defeated Korea, the Ivory Coast, and Chile, and tied Portugal, before being defeated 2-1 by the Netherlands in its fifth game. Holland, Germany, Spain, and Uruguay have reached the final 4.

The world explained by graphs

7 A final word

This past weekend we celebrated the 234th birthday of our country. As with most if not all of you, I am profoundly grateful to be an American.

As a young man I lived for two years in Brazil. I have returned three times to visit and have traveled all over that vast country that represents half the continent of South America. I have a great love and appreciation for its citizens. Kay just returned from his second two-year stint in Peru. He and Karen have undoubtedly left their hearts with the humble people of that Andean country. Others of you, similarly, have lived in other lands and climes. You likewise have yearnings for those nations and peoples.

And yet, none of these places compares to the United States of America, a land unique in all the history of the world for its commitment to and defense of freedom and justice and liberty. We have come to it in starts and fits, to be sure, since that sweltering summer day in Philadelphia in July 1776 when Thomas Jefferson penned those immortal words: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

But it has been a consistent ideal we have struggled toward through the years, now approaching two and a half centuries, as we finally gave citizenship to the slaves, as we extended suffrage to women, as we struggled through two world wars and other conflicts, some yet raging, to extend the blessings of liberty to all the world, and as we finally stopped seeing the slant of a person's eyes or the color of his skin.

Abraham Lincoln, who as our 16th president presided over the nation during what was perhaps its most perilous hour, spoke of America as a city set upon a hill and as the last best hope of earth. He said, in words with which all of us should be familiar:

"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

"Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

"But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate—we cannot consecrate—we cannot hallow—this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth" (Gettysburg Address, Nov. 19, 1863).

May that be our resolve as Americans in the 21st century, that all who have served and died in the cause of freedom, who gave the last full measure of their devotion, shall not have done so in vain and that this nation, under God, shall not perish from the earth.