1 Love and Marriage: A Kids' View

February is for Valentines and romance and love. A friend at work shared with me some views of love and marriage as seen through the eyes of children.

1. HOW DO YOU KNOW WHO TO MARRY?
You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming.  [Alan, age 10]

No person really decides before they grow up who they're going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you're stuck with.  [Kristen, age 10]

2. WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE TO GET MARRIED?

Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then.  [Camille, age 10]

3. HOW CAN A STRANGER TELL IF TWO PEOPLE ARE MARRIED?

You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids.  [Derrick, age 8]

4. WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR MOM AND DAD HAVE IN COMMON?
Both don't want any more kids.  [Lori, age 8]

5. WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A DATE?

Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough.  [Lynnette, age 8]

On the first date, they just tell each other lies, and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date.  [Martin, age 10]

6. WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?

When they're rich.  [Pam, age 7]

The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn't want to mess with that.  [Curt, age 7]

The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them. It's the right thing to do.  [Howard, age 8]

7. IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED?

It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them.  [Anita, age 9]

8. HOW WOULD THE WORLD BE DIFFERENT IF PEOPLE DIDN'T GET MARRIED?

There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn't there?  [Kelvin, age 8]

9. HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK? 

Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a dump truck.  [Ricky, age 10]

2 Quote of the month

While we do not know all the answers, we do know important principles that allow us to face tragedies with faith and confidence that there is a bright future planned for each of us. Some of the most important principles are:

First, we have a Father in Heaven, who knows and loves us personally and understands our suffering perfectly.

Second, His Son, Jesus Christ, is our Savior and Redeemer, whose Atonement not only provides for salvation and exaltation but also will compensate for all the unfairness of life.

Third, the Father’s plan of happiness for His children includes not only a premortal and mortal life but also an eternal life as well, including a great and glorious reunion with those we have lost. All wrongs will be righted, and we will see with perfect clarity and faultless perspective and understanding.

- Quentin L. Cook

(October 2011 general conference)

3 This month in our family

Lyle's family
Mon, Feb 13: Scott's birthday
Thurs, Feb 23: Lyle & Barbara married 1954

Gail's family
Sat, Feb 4: Caitlin Foley's birthday
Mon, Feb 6: Kate's birthday
Thurs, Feb 9: John's birthday
Wed, Feb 15: Faustino Dela Cruz's birthday
Fri, Feb 24: Jeff & Liz married 1990

Kay's family
Thurs, Feb 2: Charly McAllister's birthday
Tues, Feb 7: Nicolle Higley's birthday
Thurs, Feb 16: Cassidy's birthday

Gene's family
Fri, Feb 3: Bob & Kimberley Ellis married 1989
Sat, Feb 11: Samantha Packwood's birthday
Fri, Feb 17: Emily Real's birthday
Mon, Feb 20: Louis Real's birthday
Tues, Feb 28: Shawn Tully's birthday

Ray's family
Wed, Feb 29: Blake Austin DeMartini's birthday

Dean's family
Mon, Feb 6: Claudia's birthday
Thurs, Feb 9: Anna Halverson's birthday
Fri, Feb 10: Ben's birthday

Dale's family
Sat, Feb 18: Dale & LeAnn married 1984

Everybody!
Thurs, Feb 2: Groundhog Day
Tues, Feb 7: Full moon [Snow moon]
Sun, Feb 12: Abraham Lincoln's birthday
Tues, Feb 14: Valentine's Day
Mon, Feb 20: Presidents' Day holiday observed
Wed, Feb 22: George Washington's birthday

4 Bits and tidbits

Claudia and I returned last night (Tuesday, January 31) from a week-long visit to our daughter Rachael and her family in Harrisburg, Illinois. We flew into St. Louis and then drove east and south for about two and a half hours to reach the town of 9,000-some people in rural southern Illinois. Our son-in-law Robert is a medical doctor and the head of the hospital's emergency room. They have four daughters, ranging from 9 years old down to a year old.

Having been gone the final week of the month, and desiring to meet our publication deadline early on the morning of the first of the month, this is the only tidbit we're offering this month. But we'd love to hear from many of you before next month's issue on March 1.

5 Our family 50 years ago

Excerpts from the February 1962 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 Colorado Avenue in Nampa, Idaho.

Thurs, Feb 1.  I came home from work, I was so tired I went right to bed & slept all day. Got letter from Kay.

Fri, Feb 2.  Ivard went back to hospital. Dean home sick - sore throat. Gene went to dentist & got his new glass tooth, got his tooth wrecked in foot ball. Ivard went to Dr. this morning & had a shot & at noon he called & said he wanted him right up to hospital so at 3: I took him up & they put Stomache Pump on him.

Sat, Feb 3.  Got letter from Ruth to say Uncle Stan died Thursday. We went to hospital and visited Ivard. He feels better. Dean sick in bed all day. My nite off.

Sun, Feb 4.  Jerry & Ray went to Priesthood. Dean stayed home sick. Ray came & got me & Jackie & Dale. Jackie had to give 2 1/2 min. talk. Ray said she did real good. We stayed to Fast meeting. At 3: I went to hospital. Came home at 5: & Gene & Gail were here, brought Pick-up home. Gail got home from Sacramento yesterday, didn't get a job. We went back up to hospital & visited Ivard.

Mon, Feb 5.  We went to hospital & visited Ivard from 1: until 3:30. Dean went back to school.

Tues, Feb 6.  I came home from work and took Dale to school & Jackie down to Kotters to stay all day so I could sleep. Ray worked after school until 6: Dean fixed supper & went up & saw Ivard until time to get Jerry.

Wed, Feb 7.  The roads were glass - I was until 9:15 getting home - rained & froze. Got up at 12:30 & went up & met Jackie at her dancing lessons. I went & visited Ivard after dance & got groc. Ray didn't go to school today but went to work this afternoon. No one went to see Ivard or any where else tonite.

Thurs, Feb 8.  Roads were terrible, too slippery to take Sis to Kotters. I made her go to bed with me at 11:30. We got up at 3: and took Jackie to Primary & visited Ivard until she was out then Jackie & Dale & I visited Ivard until time to go get Jerry. I had meat loaf in & Dean finished getting supper. Took Stomach Pump out of Ivard.

Fri, Feb 9.  Roads were slippery but not as bad as last two days, thawed all day. My ankles are swelled so bad. At 2: we went & ordered a potted chrys. to send Ivard at hosp. We got up to hospital at 4: just as they delivered flower. Ivard gets to come home tomorrow..

Sat, Feb 10.  Ray & I went to hospital at 11: & brought Ivard home. I played Scrabble with Ivard. Ray & Jerry went to a "Gold & Green Ball."

Sun, Feb 11.  Jerry, Ray & Dean went to Priesthood. I got my lesson in bed. I got up at 10: & got ready & Dale, Jackie & I went to Prayer meeting & sunday school. Came home at 2: & fixed chicken & noodles & mashed potatoes, peas & shrimp salad & we ate. Jerry - Ray, Dean & Dale went to church & Jerry & Ray went to Fireside. Dean & Dale came home with Bishop when he brought Kays money.

Mon, Feb 12.  I came home from work & went right to bed. I got up at 2: and wrote a long letter to Lyle then I fixed supper. After supper Kids went to Mutual and I wrote to Mother.

Tues, Feb 13.  Gail - Lynda came, I was in bed. I only had 2 hrs sleep today & it was my period too. I was comeing so hard I called in & laid off. I rode over to Caldwell with Ivard to take my riders.

Wed, Feb 14.  I don't feel good. I made some red jello for valentine & went to store & got groc. Ray had me buy a valentine cake for everyone & he got some valentine candy. Jackie bought some valentine candy & fixed in nut cups for her valentine to everyone. I came home & took Jackie to dance lesson. I laid off sic.k.

Thurs, Feb 15.  I didn't do much today. Crocheted on my piano scarf. Played Scrabble with Ivard. Ray came home from school & took Jackie to Primary when he went to work. I laid off sick.

Fri, Feb 16.  Got letter from Kay. We joined Sun Vita Corp. for $149.45, we hope to make some extra money. Ray & Dean went to Idaho City for tonite & tomorrow with Our ward Priesthood. My nite off.

Sat, Feb 17.  Dale went to Cub Scouts at 1: then came home after & sold candy bars for scouts, sold 11. Ivard Jackie & I left for Adrian at 1:30. Gail was to ward reunion at Owyhee Ward so we drove up there. I didn't go in. We weren't even invited this year. Ivard told Gail we'd joined Sun Vita Corp. & he could have 8% if he wanted to work a little, he doesn't, so he'll be sorry, that will be more for the rest of us.

Sun, Feb 18.  I read paper & got my sunday s. lesson in bed. Got up & took Ivard, Jerry, Ray & Dean to Priesthood. I got ready & Dale, Jackie & I went to sunday school. Jerry went to 6th Ward to talk as traveling companion to High Councile. Ivard cooked dinner today while we were gone.

Mon, Feb 19.  Gail, Lynda & Kids came at 3:30 & stayed to supper and at 7: they left Kids here with Dale & went to a Sunvita meeting with Ivard. Jerry & Dean went to Mutual. Dale went out & sold 7 Scout candy bars.

Tues, Feb 20.  I came home from work & never got up until 4: I was so tired. Ivard tended Sis & did last nites dishes. Dale came home & went selling the rest of his candy bars.

Wed, Feb 21.  Gail - Lynda & Kids went to California, found out when Ivard called them. No one had fixed supper so I had Dean make them hambergers. Ivard & Jerry went to Sun Vita meeting at Chief Motel.

Thurs, Feb 22.  I came home from work & went to bed until noon then got up & we went up town & spent nearly all of my little check for groc. $23. Ivard took Jackie to Primary & Ray to work. I got up at 5:15 & made a meat loaf & spring salad for Dales Gold & Blue Cub Scout banquet. Jerry took Dean, Dale & Jackie & went to banquet, Cub Scouts. Ivard & I went to Stake House to First advanced Genealogy Course. I'm the Secretary.

Fri, Feb 23.  I came home from work & Ivard & Jackie were gone to Merridian after a load of wood for fireplace. I got up at 1:30 & Jackie & I went to Boise with Ivard to Dr. Smith, he said he was doing fine.

Sat, Feb 24.  I came home from work & went right to bed. I got up at 1: Ivard took Dean & Dale to barber & had their hair cut. Dean cleaned bathroom, hall & his bedroom & made a choclate, but cake. fixed spagetti for supper. Ivard went to Boise to Sunvita meeting. Jerry went to Stake dance & Ray went to Party. I went to bed until time to go to work.

Sun, Feb 25.   I came home from work & went right to bed, I feel awful, have sore finger & blister on my heel. Alice taught my sunday school class & I stayed home. [Tonite] we all went to church, Ivard & I were honored guests with the rest of parents of our wards missionaries. We sat in quire seats & each got a coursage. They read a letter from each missionary honoring their Parents.

Mon, Feb 26.  Colder - down to 10 degrees. I came home from work and went to bed. I was half froze, I sure love my electric blanket. Ray came home from school & went to work. Came home & him - Jerry & Dean went to Mutual. I doctored & went to bed at 7: until time to go to work.

Tues, Feb 27.  Got down to 7 degrees. I came home from work & Ivard & Jackie had gone to Merridian for another load of wood. I soaked my sore finger awhile. Ivard went to a genealogy meeting at church then took his ex-rays back to hospital. Dean made spagetti & cooked frozen peas for supper & I made a spring Salad.

Wed, Feb 28.  I ate & soaked my sore finger while we played Scrabble. The calves got out & I about froze to death helping get them in. I went to bed at 11: & woke up at 1:30. Gail came. They got back from Calif. yesterday. We signed him up as our first Sunvita prospect. I lent him the $145. Jackie didn't have a dance class today. Dale went to Cub Scouts. Ivard went to Sunvita meeting & Jerry went to M. Men Gleaners. I went to work at 11:

6 What in the world

The price of a first-class postage stamp went up to 45 cents on Sunday, January 22. It was the first rate increase in two-and-a-half years. Previously purchased Forever Stamps can still be used to pay postage.

Monday, February 6, will be the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth's coronation.

The public open house of the Kansas City Missouri Temple will be from Saturday, April 7, through Saturday, April 21 (excluding Sundays). The temple will be dedicated on Sunday, May 6, in three sessions. A cultural celebration will be held the day before.

7 A final word

I currently have the privilege of being a Sunday School gospel doctrine teacher in our ward here in Bountiful. A dream calling if ever there was one! This year we have the opportunity to study the Book of Mormon once again.

A couple Saturdays ago, just before going to bed, I finished preparing my lesson on Lehi’s vision of the tree of life. During the night, in the hours just before dawn, I had a dream of my own.

We were canning milk in fruit jars, using the same methods I followed as a child when I helped Mom can fruits of various kinds. I remember thinking as a part of the dream, or in those first moments of wakefulness just after the dream, that people don’t actually can milk at home using the same hot-water-bath method used to can peaches or applesauce or apricot jam. But in the dream we were.

The canning jars had to be sterilized by washing and rinsing in hot water (a dishwasher likely would accomplish the same purpose today, but in those long-ago days we did not have dishwashers). The jars had to be kept hot until they could be filled with fruit—or, in our case, milk—and then placed carefully into the canner full of hot water. The lids used to seal the jars likewise had to be sterilized in boiling water. Impurities that might contaminate the food could not be tolerated. And then the food was cooked, with the filled jars boiled in water for a determined amount of time.

As I lay pondering on the dream, I was given to understand that my dream was not really about canning. Instead, it was about coming unto Christ, and being perfected in him, and denying ourselves of all ungodliness (see Moroni 10:32).

The meticulous attention to the details of preparation and sterilization and processing, requiring both water and heat, was about repentance and being cleansed in water and by fire. It was about strict obedience to the requirements and ordinances God has revealed for entering in at the strait gate.

The whiteness of the milk, as opposed to the color of whatever fruit might have been involved, was about being sanctified and purified. It was about having garments “washed white through the blood of the Lamb” (Alma 13:11; see also Revelation 7:14 and Ether 13:11).

The dream was about fruits being gathered in and preserved by the Lord of the vineyard (see Jacob 5:77). Or, in terms of the symbols of Lehi’s dream, the dream that inspired all of this in the first place, it was about those who “came and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press their way forward, continually holding fast to the rod of iron, until they came forth and fell down and partook of the fruit of the tree” (1 Nephi 8:30) and thus qualified, because of the love of God, for eternal life.