This story was shared by master storyteller Glenn Rawson in May 2023. I quote: It was May 1848, when Elisha Groves and his wife Lucy set out from the Missouri River, and took their journey to the valley of the Great Salt Lake. They were among nearly 2,000 people traveling in this huge wagon company … Continue reading A Pioneer Mother Crossing the Plains with Broken Legs and Ribs
"Poetic Wednesday" "Abou Ben Adhem" Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!)Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,And saw within the moon light in his room,Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,An angel writing in a good of gold:Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,And to the presence in the room … Continue reading “Abou Ben Adhem”- Famous Poem About Loving God by Serving Our Fellow Men
"Sunday Sermon" David O. McKay was called to serve a mission in Scotland in 1897. He became very discouraged with his lack of convert baptisms. Combined with the brutal weather, he got very homesick. Discouraged, Elder McKay and his companion decided to go sightseeing. One day they spent several hours browsing around Stirling Castle. As … Continue reading Missionary Struggles Pt. 2 – David O. McKay
"Sunday Sermon" Part 1 Several of the modern prophets and apostles struggled, and became discouraged, while serving missions in Britain. President David O. McKay became so discouraged and homesick in Scotland, that he and his companion spent much of their time sightseeing instead of proselyting. President Joseph Fielding Smith got so frustrated, he exclaimed, “Anyone … Continue reading Missionary Struggles Pt. 1 – Gordon B. Hinckley
"Fun Facts Saturday" The Crown Jewels of England Those who watched the recent coronation of King Charles III got a glimpse of the most precious object in the world - the Imperial State Crown. This priceless object is part of the Crown Jewels of England, kept under incredible protection in the Tower of London. When … Continue reading The World’s Most Precious Object
"Court Case Friday" As a young D.A. I was assigned to prosecute a unique shoplifting case. A poor elderly woman walked into a grocery store and stuffed dozens of canned goods into her coat and dress. She made no effort to conceal what she was doing. The bulges in her clothing were obvious. She left the … Continue reading “How do I prosecute a food shoplifter, who is a poor Nazi death camp survivor?”
"Poetic Wednesday" Alfred Joyce Kilmer (1886-1918) is an American poet. He was killed in action, at the age of 32, in the Second Battle of Marne in the final days of WW I. “Trees” is his most popular poem. TREES I think that I shall never seeA poem lovely as a tree. A Tree whose … Continue reading “Trees” – “Poems are made by fools like me, But only God can make a tree”
Sunday Sermon Learning from each other We Latter-day Saints never claimed to have a monopoly on truth. There is much we can learn from our Christian cousins, and there is much they can learn from us. (See: "20 Distinctive Beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints," londonedition.net, Oct 3, 2021) We also … Continue reading 5 things we can learn from our Christian cousins
"Fun Facts Saturday" Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland. It is a beautiful, ancient, and fascinating city. It is my second favorite city in the word. (Of course, my namesake London is first.) Famous Castle and Ancient Graveyard The most prominent site in Edinburgh is the massive castle built atop a volcanic hill in the … Continue reading Tales from Edinburgh Graveyard (“Graveyard Shift” “Dead Ringer” “Saved by the Bell”)
"Court Case Friday" Body Burned and Dumped by the Side of a Road In 2009, a burned body was dumped overnight in an office parking lot in Irvine. Police Sketch of Murder Victim The victim was an African-American female, in her mid-20’s. Because the lungs were smoke-free, it was clear that the body was burned … Continue reading Traffic Ticket Case DNA Solved a Cold Case Murder
The London Edition 