WE HAVE PICTORIAL PROOF OF TWO OF THE THREE NEPHITES

 Although many followers of Jesus do not believe Christ gave continued life on earth to John the Beloved til the Savior returns, but many do. And many Mormons or members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints believe that after the crucifixon of Christ on the Cross in the Middle East, he was resurrected and proceeded to come to the land that eventually became the America's. Christ visited the people that was here as recorded in the Book of Mormon. Although this writer is a sinner of the rules of the LDS, I am a firm believer in that the Book of Mormon is a written history like the New Testament of the Bible. After teaching and preaching to the people of the Americas and prior to his departure back to God, he felt very proud of his twelve disciples or Apostles here and three of those followers chose to remain on earth like John the Beloved and could Tare with no physical harm coming to them. As such, there have been many books and writings of sightings of the "Three Nephites" reporting the good and noble deeds they are doing until Jesus the Christ returns. If one could establish the facts, their just may be more people to offer their  "sightings" of Big Foot or "Sasquatch". Once again, this writer believes that John the Beloved and The Three Nephites or helping with good deeds on earth, but today we write of the sightings of "The Two Nephites"'. Elder Howarth is in the white shirt, and on a LDS Mission in Alaska. The taller guy is Gary B Jones of Nephi. They are distant cousins as their great-great grandfather is Edward Jones who was an arriving Mormon Pioneer to Nephi in 1852. Elder Horwath's grandparents are Mark and Patty Jones of Nephi. In Alaska, Gary is know as G.B. Jones, who was an Army Ranger during the Viet Nam Era; raced the thousand mile Sled dog race known as the Iditarod; returned LDS Missionary, and a well know author, with his most recent book entitled "Whisper's of the Trail', a copy of which he presented to Elder Howarth.

I TRYED TO CONVINCE TRACY BOOTH TO BE A NEPHI COUNCIL MEMBER

While doing a little written jargon with former Nephite Tracy Booth, we commented on some of the good people around about. We both conceded that one of the best families in Utah are the Wright Family of Milford and Beaver. To many of us, rodeo folks are about the only true sports hero's we have left, other than our Veterans. Tracy compared his father in law-Elwood Jenkins to Grandpa Bill Wright. He and his wife Evelyn are the parents of  13 kids, with the sons being in the Saddle Bronc competition while the daughters help Bill run their ranches. They have experienced injuries' as well as tragedy. But their faith in each other and their affirmation of their Mormon faith continues to bind them together. As I was once on the Nephi City Council, and experienced some discontent, as some of those I sat with seemed to  do away with the rural vision of Nephi, and raise prices of property and bring train loads of people and to build and build and build with no room to have gardens. One leader maintained that Nephi had plenty of water, but  it appeared he had no real knowledge of the State or Nephi, as we are and always have been dang dry. And talking to Juab County, the Assessor felt it was their duty to raise Property Taxes now to fit the slew of people that want to live here but compute to higher wages up north. I felt like our area was on a spiral downhill. It was not just the elected officials, but "selected" people by those who appeared to just want more money for themselves or to be hired by the people and business that were brought in as that have already been done by those who were booted out.. As I was often the only one that wanted to preserve our history, culture and friendly town, I felt the burden of the older folks were being taxed to death and we were encouraged to be less open about the raises to them. Tracy and others wanted me to run for Mayor and I wanted him to run for Bishop of an LDS Ward. If I ran for Mayor, there would be little chance I could persuade the voting Council Members who seemed bound and determined for growth and to get more money, but for themselves, not the people that move in and drive like a bat out of hell and permit the heavy loaded trucks to ruin the roads and cause accidents;, by hitting the railroad tracks at high speeds. But since I like to be of service to others, I will tell Tracy Booth that I will run for a Bishop for an LDS Ward, if he will run for Nephi Mayor and lead Nephi out of the apparent dismiss of our Ruralville. But I ran in to a road block by talking to a local Stake President. It may take a while, as I like to commit sins and it just may take a year or two to repent of my wicked ways. But dang it, I like to sin. And the second road block, I guess I have to get married. I tried that once and it lasted 16 years and shy about another go at it. But perhaps I can find a weekend wife, as I  watched  a TV series recently and well, I was love stricken, and having done several Hollywood movies, most of which were as Extra, I put in a call to my former Agent. He said something like "Fat Chance" but he used some foul language I can't repeat here. I am in love with Kelly Reilly, who  plays the role of Beth Dutton but dang she is already hitched. Now what ? I need a Bitchy but Sweet wife, but one that can bring hell and fire to members who are acting up, if I am to be the Bishop

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MAKE SURE YOU KNOW THE PROPER USE OF A BATHROOM IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY

During my hikes in the country of North Wales, which is in the British Isles, I spent a month doing research on my mothers forefathers, being the Harris Family. That was during 1967 but spent time there on two other occasions. Much of my search of family history lead to the Church of England (C of  E), which were in the various Parish's. The C of E broke off from the Catholic Religion during the reign of King Henry the Eighth when the Pope refused to grant him a divorce during the 1500's. Perhaps.......only perhaps, divorces are now easy to come by as Kings no long chop the heads of wives off. And maybe, just maybe, the other wives prayed to have King Henry the Eighth die from Syphilis or so the legend is. One thing for sure, VD is nothing to Clap about. Now back to Harris research. Other times, I spent much time walking through the cemeteries, as many of them are in the Parish grounds. If one goes to many parts of Germany and visits their pubs, it is permittable to pretend the urinals are against the wall outside which may be called a Kneip, Bar or Tavern. In other European countries, there is often only one open restroom and used openly by men and women. If one travels to the countries in the Pacific Rim such as Viet Nam, a man or woman wanting to use a regular toilet is normally out of luck. They do have an open door policy with a large hole in a corner where you brace yourself against the wall and do your business. Learn to bring your own paper and hand wipes. The first time a gal needs to go, a gentleman may stand to protect their privacy when other folks that walked in to the corners. Same thing applies to Central and South America, and many of us, both men and women bathed in nearby waters, as they do in Mexico. Once doing the restroom routine in Mexico, some loose an interest in eating Mexican food. In England, the TP is thin like pages from Look and Life, which we used on the farm in two holers. And it is okay to call them PC;s as that stands for Public Convenience. Or call them Johns or Crappers, as it was there where John Crapper invented the water above the toilet and you  pull the chain to let more water on the roof in. And no more visits to Paris for me. Sewage glows in to Sein River. NOW  ONE LAST WARNING. IF YOU TRAVEL TO THE BEATIFUL ISLANDS OF JERSEY, SARK OR GUERNSEY IN THE CHANNEL ISLANDS, ALWAYS ASK TO GO IN A REGULAR PRIVATE RESTROOM. IF YOU DON'T HAVE WATER IN THE BOWL DON'T PULL THE CHAIN. THE ISLANDS ARE FULL OF NAZI BUNKERS AND HAVE AWFUL PUNISHMENTS BY HANGING YOU ON A WALL THAT WAS A FORTRESS AGAINST BOTH NAPOLEON AND HITLER.   

THE WORD OF WISDOM-IS IT A MORMON DEGREE OR SCIENTIFIC PROOF

 In 1833, Mormon Prophet Joseph Smith is said to have received a Divine Revelation about the evils of consuming strong drinks; coffee; tea; chewing and smoking tobacco. There are some writings to say that the revelation came a day after the wife of Joseph Smith complained about cleaning up the School of Prophets, where Latter day leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ gathered to discuss the organization of the restored Church. I guess if it was me to have to clean up such a place, it would be no different than a cowboy bar of yesteryear cleaning up a Spittoon. Then another story reported that in his own writing, Joseph admitted consuming wine at a wedding and at various occasions for ten years after the Word of Wisdom decree. Then again, Porter Rockwell was a trusted bodyguard to both Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, and Porter  had a continual hankering for Aunt Emma's Medicinal compound. In fact, after Brigham Young was leaving the Santa Clara home he had, his wagon driver was Porter Rockwell, who had been tipping the bottle quite heavy the night before, and Brother Brigham said something similar to "Porter, it doesn't look good for you to be drunk after me giving a speech to members about the Word of Wisdom." At the time, their was a Church owned Wine making place in St. George and ran the place as the wine was used for their religious meeting and the building is still there. In Nephi, Utah, their was another place where the Vine Bluff Cemetery now exists. When they started to bury people there, the name was modified to call it Vine Bluff Cemetery. Now adays LDS Saints are preached to take the Word of Wisdom seriously. Perhaps they did, especially in 1930, when a brilliant Scientist; Scholar and Author by the name of John Widtsoe came along and wrote a pamphlet, then a book inspiring LDS Leader's to insist on making the Word Of Wisdom a very truthful and divine word. It wasn't long before world leaders took heed to the sensibility to the pamphlet below. In addition, Widtsoe became President of the AC college(Utah State): the University of Utah, then an Apostle for the LDS church. SO BELEIVE IT OR NOT-YOUR HEALTH DEPENDS ON IT and perhaps, just perhaps, so does God.

    

                            

IN SEARCH OF MORMON PIONEER EVAN HARRIS SAWMILL

A group of one of the Sawmills that was operated by Evan Harris of Nephi, Utah occurred a couple weeks ago by 13 Kin of Mormon Pioneer Evan Harris was conducted on Evans Ridge and Sawmill Canyon, both named after Evan Harris of Nephi, Utah. As a kid, my father drove his truck down to where one of the Sawmill's was, and it was fun to research the area. Most of the implement's he used has now been stolen by hikers or hunters who used the road by truck and mules who then pawned it for sale or melted it down for love of cash more than history. When the Forest Service was established in 1905, most folks didn't seem to appreciate the excessive taxes they created or the unmanaged control of the Americas of  open land. Often times, passing people, like the Federal Government, had little or no knowledge of the strong winds who ordered "Let it burn" policy in their Washington DC chairs, having no apparent knowledge like the local people, then it was reported that  Hollywood "Tree Huggers" had more cents that sense and forced the Feds to block many of the open roads and trails throughout Utah and Juab County. Years ago, Juab County ask me to help fight the Feds to testify in Federal Court to keep the forest roads open. I foresaw what the outcome would be as the County was defeated and my maps and testimony were destroyed so it couldn't be appealed. The "let it burn" is said to have killed many deer and animals; cattle; trees; hiking trailer and cabins that had been built before the Forest Service was born as well as the BLM. In  addition to the implements burned or stolen in Sawmill Canyon, Evan Harris lived and operated a Sawmill on private land below where the Ockeys had their RV park That sawmill and the historic home of the Harris has now been destroyed by fire, again we heard by local firefighters say it was another "let it burn" order from the DC Federals. That RV park has how been closed due to reported excessive control by Nephi City; State of Utah and the Federal Government over water; power lines over the beautiful area and land. In order to give perspective of all and to give thanks to the Evan Harris original family of Nephi for providing a book of the Mormon Pioneers of Nephi log homes which include bringing the logs down for the log cabin at the Nephi Pioneer Park as asked by Alice P. McCune, President of DUP and she paid tribute to him at his 1934 Funeral. As a part of my duty as a law enforcement officer, I am afraid to admit I was a party to appending the  "sawmill gang"  who illegally cut telephone poles near Moab.  All were "tree huggers".  I am a tree lover but hate those that do so with no respect.                                             

Top row: Kent, Clint, Bonnie, Hal, Jaynette, Rob, Jack, Jarett, Wyatt, Weston

                                                      Bottom Row: Hailey, Kami, Brooke 

                                                                   

                                Hal Jones in old tree stand for deer hunters or eye out for Forest cops.                                                                 Jarett Snyder finding Spike to hold Sawmill Up

                                                                              

                                                                          
                                 

            
 

THIS IS A 1984 PHOTO OF THREE GREAT FRIENDS OF KENT JONES

Often times, our life's on earth are just a challenge to all of us. I see it as only a test to gain the strength to get back to our real home from whence we were once sent here. During his last years on earth. I would often take 90 plus year old Ron Jones for a ride. He was a true American Cowboy and had the wisdom of such. When asked of the hardships he went through, he acknowledged them, saying that everyone has their own special challenges, and our jobs were like his western philosophy to "just hang on for eight  seconds" and it will be over. I believe that to be true and tired to teach my two sons that. And the rest of us may not ever really know the burdens each of us carry, but we need to be able to help them carry the share of their load, with out breaking our own backs. After I married, and drank of the pure water of Nephi canyon, a magical and mystical thing happened. Two toe headed kids were born and it fulfilled my purpose in life. At the time I thought it was just going to last eighteen years and all the work would be over. Well, no quite. I had enjoyed the times we spent together in sports, hiking, farming and riding horses together. As kids hit the teenage age, they pick up new friends and it seemed like I didn't have the control on them like I did before. In the photo, there should be three guys on the porch of  the Nephi Jones Family house that has been graduating kids to Adults since 1885. That photo was taken my me in 1984 after the man in the middle-Alma Jones called the night before, to see if I could help plaster the wall leading down to the homes fruit room. So I grabbed Justin and Troy and we came down to work. I am glad we did and it was the last photo I was able to take of my Dad and two sons together. Alma died two months later and it broke my heart. Then seven years ago tonight at 1030 PM, Justin took his own life, after going through deep depression. And that has been a very depressing situation for his younger brother Troy, and liken unto Troy we are trying everything we can to help him as much as we can, but there are times, at least sometimes,  we spend untold amounts of money trying to help somebody and it is not quite enough. But regardless- I feel love, friendship and everlasting devotion to those three, and many more, and to God who sends Guardian Angels to help each and every one of us. 

KAY ANDERSON CARROLL WAS LAID TO REST TODAY

I only knew Kay by that name, being acquainted with her in a comparably small number of students at Juab High School in Nephi, Utah. She was the Class of 66, but if we were only a grade or two apart, we all were friends and often shared classrooms together. I often visited Kay at her home, and recalled how much she missed her husband-Douglas Carroll who had previously died. I was going through my own remorseful situation and visiting with Kay who helped me. Often times we all go through troubling times or turmoil, and it is good in a small town that we can reach out to others. Somewhere in the past I have written about the professionalism of the Anderson Funeral Home and how it has gone from fathers to sons for more than a century. When Mike Anderson took over after Miles passed, Kay was instrumental in helping to ease the caller of a family member who has passed. And luckily Mike has son-Chad who has taken over the Anderson Funeral Home and banded with Goff and made it an excellent blend of professionals in those rough times. I am not sure, but I got the impression that Kay had a voice in developing her own program. In many cases funeral's can go on and on, but this one covered all they needed to and according to my Nortonville Clock, it lasted 48 minutes. Kay is mighty proud of her two sons-Brad and Brace, and Brace has taken over many of the Juab County deaths. Watching all of the Anderson's pay respect to all those that passes is so assuring. They are God sends, and they can feel the importance of their duty. I was impressed to watch the two casket barriers bring in the earthly body of Kay. They appeared to be two young granddaughters and Mike helped train them going around corners. After the funeral, I spoke to Kay's sister-Jolene, who was the widow of Joe Christensen, another respected Mortician that worked with the Anderson's. I told Jolene I would miss her and Kay as greeters at the Nephi Hospital. They were a great blend greeting and crocheting at the same time. Kay Anderson will be missed at the hospital; fixing the hair of patrons of the funeral home and at the County Fair. But think of all the great humans that are excited to see God's precious daughter again who can now walk with no pain!