Sunday, October 14, 2012

Sunday Tidbits- Wards

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1.      When the first wards were established in the Salt Lake Valley, Brigham Young asked that each ward construct what?


A)     A ward monument

B)     A ward chapel

C)     A ward fence

D)     A ward farm


2.      Which ward may very well hold the Mormon world record for the largest ward (number of families in the ward) ever?


A)     The Calgary 3rd Ward during the 1970’s

B)     The Salt Lake City 13th Ward during the 1860’s

C)     The London, England 2nd Ward during the 1920’s

D)     The Nauvoo 2nd Ward during the 1840’s


3.      As early as 1849, the wards in Salt Lake City had what to distinguish the wards apart?


A)     A ward flag

B)     A ward mascot

C)     A ward nickname

D)     A ward girls camp


Yesterday’s answer


(A)   John Taylor


The following from the autobiography of Parley P. Pratt


I preached to the people, and was kindly entertained till Monday morning, when I took leave and entered Hamilton, a flourishing town at the head of Lake Ontario; but my place of destination was Toronto, around on the north side of the lake. If I went by land I would have a circuitous route, muddy and tedious to go on foot. The lake had just opened, and steamers had commence plying between the two places; two dollars would convey me to Toronto in a few hours, and save some days of laborious walking; but I was an entire stranger in Hamilton, and also in the province; and money I had none. Under these circumstances I pondered what I should do. I had many times received answers to prayer in such matter’s but now it seemed hard to exercise faith, because I was among strangers and entirely unknown. The Spirit seemed to whisper to me to try the Lord, and see if anything was too hard for him, that I might know and trust Him under all circumstances. I retired to a secret place in a forest and prayed to the Lord for money to enable me to cross the lake. I then entered Hamilton and commenced to chat with some of the people. I had not tarried many minutes before I was accosted by a stranger, who inquired my name and where I was going. He also asked me if I did not want some money. I said yes. He then gave me ten dollars and a letter of introduction to John Taylor, of Toronto, where I arrived the same evening.

   Mrs. Taylor received me kindly, and went for her husband, who was busy in his mechanic shop. To them I made known my errand to the city, but received little direct encouragement. I took tea with them, and then sought lodgings at a public house.

   In the morning I commenced a regular visit to each of the clergy of the place, introducing myself and my errand. I was absolutely refused hospitality, and denied the opportunity of preaching in any of their houses or congregations. Rather an unpromising beginning, thought I, considering the prophecies on my head concerning Toronto. However, nothing daunted, I applied to the Sheriff for the use of the Court house, and then to the authorities for a public room in the market place; but with no better success. What could I do more? I had exhausted my influence and power without effect. I now repaired to a pine grove just out of the town, and, kneeling down, called on the Lord, bearing testimony of my unsuccessful exertions; my inability to open the way; at the same time asking Him in the name of Jesus to open an effectual door for His servant to fulfill his mission in that place.

   I then arose and again entered the town, and going to the house of John Taylor [future prophet of the Church], had placed my hand on my baggage to depart from a place where I could do no good, when a few inquires on the part of Mr. Taylor, inspired by a degree of curiosity or of anxiety, caused a few moments’ delay, during which a lady by the name of Walton entered  the house, and, being an acquaintance of Mr. Taylor’s, was soon engaged in conversation with her in an adjoining room. I overheard the following:

   “Mrs. Walton, I am glad to see you; there is a gentleman here from the United States who says the Lord sent him to this city to preach the gospel. He has applied in vain to the clergy and to the various authorities for opportunity to fulfill his mission, and is now about to leave the place. He may be a man of God; I am sorry to have him depart.”

   “Indeed!” said the lady; “well, I now understand the feelings and spirit which brought me to your house at this time. I have been busy over the wash tub and too weary to take a walk; but I felt impressed to walk out. I then thought I would make a call  on  my sister, the other side of town; but passing your door, the Spirit bade me go in; but I said to myself, I will go in when I return; but the Spirit said; go in now. I accordingly came in, and I am thankful that I did so. Tell the stranger he is welcome to my house. I am a widow; but I have a spare room and bed, and food in plenty He shall have a home at my house, and two large rooms to preach in just when he pleases. Tell him I will send my son John over to pilot him to my house, while I go and gather my relatives and friends to come in this very evening and hear him talk; for I feel by the spirit that he is a man sent by the Lord with a message which will do us good.”

Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt, pg. 171-174.

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