We are so excited because we actually worked on our project the whole week and did most of it without needing help. Between Grandpa and I we digitized over 2,000 documents. Next week we will definitely try to break that record. Most of the documents are from 1870 to 1871. We have come to love the simple probates with one or two pages. Last week we did one with well over 500 documents that we had to digitize. Since they are really old we need to be very careful to not damage anything as we photograph them. I think it is much easier on the document doing it this way and the quality of the capture is so nice and clear that almost anyone would be able to read it. I love that the Church recognizes the importance of this work so families will have access to past generations. My hats off to the camera department in Salt Lake City for developing these cameras for us to use. It is very interesting to see the cost of a funeral in 1870 especially when you know what it costs for a funeral today and even what different things cost since they often list all of their assets and what they think they are worth. I will try to show some of that in the coming weeks.
On Saturday morning Grandpa and I drove just over an hour to Vermont and visited the birthplace of Joseph Smith. What a beautiful area and what a special experience that was. They had the foundation of the cabin outlined so we could see how big it was. I think I can easily say that most of your bedrooms are about the same size as this cabin. The parents slept on the bottom floor and the six kids slept in the loft up above. They didn't live in the area for long but it is an amazing experience to be there. In 1905 a member of the church, Junius F. Wells wanted to erect a memorial to Joseph Smith and he needed a piece of granite that was 38 1/2 feet high to represent each year of Joseph's life before he was martyred at Carthage, Illinois. The people didn't think they would be able to get a solid piece that tall but fortunately they found one and brought it to the area. How they got it there was another amazing story! I will be putting pictures on the blog so you can see what I am talking about. The actual memorial is 50 ft high which includes the base that the obelisk sits on. A special ceremony was held on his 100th birthday and his nephew President Joseph F. Smith (Hyrum Smith's son) was there and dedicated it. These are some of the facts but I can't share the Spirit that permeated the area. You have to come some day.
When we came back from Vermont we went to see the Shakers Village which is about 20 minutes from us. We had noticed a sign for it on our way back from the lake the week before. The Shakers came from England and came from a Methodist and Quaker beginning. Their official name was United Society of Believers. They were known for their exuberant dancing and got the nickname of Shakers. There were 19 communities from Maine to Kentucky but the one here was considered to be the oldest with most of the original buildings. I thought it was interesting when we were looking around they were talking about at their peak of success they had 300 followers. That didn't seem like much to me, but when you hear some of their ideas you can probably understand why. They practiced celibacy, dancing during worship (women on one side--men on the other--NO touching) pacifism, community ownership, equality of sexes, and living simply. The problem was celibacy doesn't help a community grow very much. They recruited families and apparently parents who didn't want or couldn't care for their children brought them to the Shaker Village. The state apparently sent orphan children to live there as well. It seems that everyone was happy there but when the kids were old enough they left and eventually only two women were left in the Canterbury community. In 1992 the last of the Shakers here died and now all the buildings are a museum. It was interesting to see it and if you check in the next day or two I hope to have the pictures on the blog.
Today was fast and testimony Sunday. The Bishop asked Grandpa and I to bear our testimony at the beginning of the meeting which we did. Fortunately Grandpa let me go first so I got to tell everyone about our 20 wonderful grandkids. I said a few other things as well! We hope you enjoyed the letters we sent last week. I hear some letters are on their way back to us. Can't wait! Rachel I apologize for being so wordy but so much to share! :) Have a great week everyone. I hope you are checking the blog. Love, Grandpa and Grandma-Mom and Dad
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