Pioneer Husking Parties

There was little entertainment (at least by our standards) during the pioneer years of the Church. It’s true that Brigham Young understood the value of entertainment and had stages built where the saints could forget life for a moment or two. One such form of entertainment took place during the summer and fall in the form of corn husking parties. These were generally organized by the young people. Quite often the party would take the form of a race, or for the first person that found a red ear of corn (actually quite rare). This red ear symbolized a few things. If a young lady found it, it meant that she would be the next to marry. If a young man found it, it meant that he would lose his girlfriend. It wasn’t all bad for the young men though. Depending on what the pre-established rules to the party were, the red ear of corn could also mean what if a young man found it?

 

a.      The next to marry

b.      A kiss from any girl of his choosing at the party

c.       A date from any girl of his choosing at the party

d.      Prosperity

 

Yesterday’s answer:

 (D)   Joseph Smith

Developed by Viennese physician Franz Gall in the 1790s, phrenology taught that the brain was composed of multiple, innate faculties, each with its own seat or “organ.” The shape of one’ skull was determined by the development of the organ that lay directly beneath. Since the strength or weakness of each trait affected the topography of the skull, phrenologists believed they could determine a person’s personality and intellectual capacity by “reading” the shape of the skull. Strong characteristics produced bumps; weak characteristics left depressions.

The greatest traits, such as benevolence and parental love, were believed to be situated in the frontal lobes, while animal drives such as appetite and combativeness were located at the base of the head. Thus, according to phrenology, the best men would have large heads and noble brows, while the basest men possessed small heads and meager brows.

During the summer of 1842, a phrenologist visited Nauvoo, in part because “a large number of person in different places have manifested a desire to know the phrenological developments of Joseph Smith’s head.” Joseph agreed to have his head read, and in July an analysis “showing the development of his much-talked-of brain” was published. Of the forty traits for which Joseph was measured, the vast majority were highly developed, including a “great power of analysis” and “the ability to think and reason clearly.” On the other extreme, the phrenologist found that while Joseph had a “love of music,” he was without quickness to catch or learn tunes by ear.” He further concluded that Joseph “views the approach of death without fear,” which he interpreted to mean that Joseph had an “indifference to life.” Joseph allowed his chart to be published “for the gratification of the curious, and not for [any] respect [I entertain for] phrenology.”

Orton, Chad M. and William W. Slaughter, Joseph Smith’s America (Salt Lake City: Deseret Books, 2005), 188.