"Liberty! --Electric Word!"

One of the highlights of my Independence Day this month was pure serendipity. I was reading Uncle Tom's Cabin in the car as we made our way to our 4th of July celebrations and got to the point where George and Eliza are preparing for the last leg of their journey to Canada and freedom. This passage was appropriate and electrifying:

"Their night was now far spent, and the morning star of liberty rose fair before them. Liberty!--electric word! What is it? Is there anything more in it than a name,--a rhetorical flourish? Why, men and women of America, does your heart's blood thrill at that word, for which your fathers bled, and your braver mothers were willing that their noblest and best should die?

"Is there anything in it glorious and dear for a nation, that is not also glorious and dear for a man? What is freedom to a nation, but freedom to the individuals in it? What is freedom to that young man who sits there, with his arms folded over his broad chest, the tint of African blood in his cheek, its dark fires in his eye,--what is freedom to George Harris? To your fathers, freedom was the right of a nation to be a nation. To him, it is the right of a man to be a man, and not a brute; the right to call the wife of his bosom his wife, and to protect her from lawless violence; the right to protect and educate his child; the right to have a home of his own, a religion of his own, a character of his own, unsubject to the will of another...."

 

What I've Been Reading, Round 2

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg--This was my second go at this book. The first time I read it I was really disappointed. Almost disgusted. I could not for the life of me see what all the fuss was about. (This is a Newberry Award book that makes every reading list and is touted as being wonderful.) As a mother I was appalled at a 9-year-old and a 12-year-old running away...especially into New York City! (I am now very aware that any time I begin a book or movie with high expectations I will be let down. Very little seems to live up to my expectations. When I back off and wait and read or view again, after being disappointed, I often find the book or movie to be better than I initially thought. Is the lesson to have no expectations? To begin with an open mind? Not sure.) I recently revisited this book by reading it aloud to my kids, after reading Deconstructing Penguins, for the purpose of teaching them about deciphering literature, and looked at it with a fresh (and informed) eye. I still can't say that I like this book, but at least this time I could find a way to appreciate it. And my kids did see and get the theme as well and we were able to have a good discussion, though none of them loved the book, either. But in the course of it we did take a little aside to learn something of the Renaissance, Michelangelo, and the Sistine Chapel, so there was value in whole thing.

Washington City is Burning by Harriette Gillem Robinet is a quick historical fiction read for youth set during the War of 1812 when the British marched on Washington and burned down the White House. It has a lot to do with slavery. I consider this a less-than-flattering glimpse at Dolley Madison, but real history cannot flatter anyone all of the time. Full of courage and action, this book has betrayal and loyalty and does give you a little something to think about.

Stout-Hearted Seven:  The True Adventure of the Sager Children Orphaned on the Oregon Trail in 1844 is not an especially cheery book. These kids had one twisty-turned trial after another. Still, it's a good book in that it accurately portrays the reality of the time period, emigration on the Oregon Trail, and settling in Western territories. (I asked my kids to write a little bit about how they would feel if they were one of the Sager children.) It's also a testament to the influence of parents, even after they are gone, and made me think a lot about the blessings of siblings. 

When I discovered, after reading Narcissa Whitman's journal, that she was upset that her family had published it, I felt kind of guilty for reading it. Too late. 

My Journal is the daily record Narcissa Whitman kept to send to her family as she traveled what would become the Oregon Trail. As a brand new bride, Narcissa Whitman was the first white woman to travel from the East across the continent. She and her husband went to build a mission to minister to the Cayuse Indians in the Walla Walla, Washington area (but they traveled all the way to Vancouver for supplies, etc. first). 

After reading the Stout-Hearted Seven I wanted to know more about Narcissa. It is detailed journals like hers that allow us to know so much about history. This isn't a particularly exciting read, but I came away admiring this good, faithful woman. 

Love, love, love By the Great Horn Spoon! The story of a boy and his butler heading to California during the Gold Rush in an effort to save the boy's aunt's family home, this is one clever story. It's a great read for historical fiction, but it's also a good story to illustrate how resourcefulness, creative thinking, problem-solving, optimism, good manners, and work win the day. I read this aloud to the family during our unit study and everyone enjoyed it. Now if I can just get one of my boys to turn out as brilliant as Praiseworthy...

Jacob Hamblin was an early convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (baptized 1842) who went West with the Saints to the Salt Lake Valley. He was a frontiersman who settled the Santa Clara area of Southern Utah and explored much of Utah and Arizona.  (We toured his home in Santa Clara a few years ago.) He faithfully served President Brigham Young as a missionary to the Indians and was the peacekeeping force between numerous Native American groups and the Mormons, as well as other immigrants and government officials.

While some parts of this book are written rather dryly, it is full of fascinating accounts of the many singularly unique experiences Jacob had in his life with the Spirit, with prophecy, with priesthood blessings, with faith and answered prayers. It inspired me to want to be ever more faithful and closer to the Spirit. It is also an honest look into the hearts, minds, and cultures of the Native Americans with whom Hamblin dealt--both the bad and the good. I believe every member of the Church should read this, as well as those interested in Utah and/or Native American history.

This book was handed to me by a friend when my son broke his arm. She wanted me to read the chapter about how to heal broken bones with herbs, suggesting an alternative to surgery. I had about 36 hours from the time my friend handed me the book to when my son's surgery was scheduled, and I felt really pressed for time and stressed out. Still, I read the chapter and was intrigued enough that I read it to my husband, then read it to my son. After some additional research on my son's injury and the proposed surgery, prayer, and discussion with my husband and son, we opted to go the surgery route. But I was interested enough in what the author had to say at that point that I read the entire book as I sat in the hospital during the surgery. It has certainly given me a lot to think about.

Dr. Mom:  Success Stories of an Herbalist Student could really use a professional edit, but there's no doubting the sincerity of the author. This is an inspiring collection of experiences from one year in the life of a mom as she became an herbalist student and worked to heal her family and friends from their surprisingly many and awful accidents and illnesses.

EVERYONE should read Uncle Tom's Cabin! This was a book on my bucket list and I am so, so, so glad that I read it. I didn't get very far into it before deciding that my children all needed to read this book as well, in their high school years. 

Often referred to as the book that started the (American) Civil War, this is an important book for both history and literature studies. It's also an important book for Christians to read, even today, to take a good, hard look at themselves. While Uncle Tom's Cabin exposes the many facets of slavery in 19th Century United States, it is also a commentary on women's rights, the many of the flaws of human nature, and regional traditions. More than that, it addresses liberty and what it really means to be a Christian. 

It does get a little preachy at times, but the bulk of this book is so good, so important, that I will be reading it again.

This nonfiction book is a wonderful companion to Uncle Tom's Cabin. It gives the historical background and setting for how and why UTC came to be written. After addressing the cause, it explains the effect of the book throughout the United States as well as abroad. (Uncle Tom's Cabin was the secondmost-read book on the planet in its time, second only to the Bible!) It tells much about the author, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and her family, as well as other abolitionists and movements of the day. It also contains a brief synopsis of UTC.

I'm in the middle of several additional books and anxious to find time to read a long list of others I hope to share about. I love books!

Abraham Lincoln's Surest Signature

Jim Weiss has been recording history and literature for 27 years. He even tells a story about the painting featured here in his interesting CD "Women in Blue or Gray, True Stories from Both Sides of the Civil War."  (Hint:  Why is there an empty chair?)

The video below is an excerpt of one of the many well-researched and animatedly told stories from "Abraham Lincoln and the Heart of America." These CDs are a couple of resources I'm using for our unit on the American Civil War.

For Mothers

I'm continuing to clean out old files and attempting to reduce the paper piles in my house. Today I came across a very old group email exchange between homeschooling mothers that I had printed off. One mom had asked, "Do you all have a favorite scripture that you have posted somewhere around the house that is especially for you as a mom, and a homeschool mom at that? I read a book recently that challenged the reader to really search for a scripture that she could commit to memory that would encourage her in her endeavor as a wife and mother...."

This same mother shared the scripture that she had found for herself:

"Wherefore be not weary in well doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great. Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind; the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days." (Doctrine & Covenants 64:33-34)

Another mother replied that she had posted the following in her house:

"And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." (Deuteronomy 6:7)

"Material possessions, and so-called professional advantages are nothing compared to a righteous posterity. In the eternal perspective, children--not possessions, not position, not prestige--are our greatest jewels." - Ezra Taft Benson

 "Mothers, you are your children's best teacher. The Church cannot teach like you can. The school cannot. The day-care center cannot. But you can, and the Lord will sustain you. Your children will remember your teachings forever, and when they are old, they will not depart from them. They will call you blessed--their truly angel mother. Mothers, this kind of heavenly, motherly teaching takes time--lots of time. It cannot be done effectively part-time. It must be done all the time in order to save and exalt your children. This is your divine calling." -Ezra Taft Benson, To the Mothers in Zion pamphlet

Having quotes of scripture and counsel to help stay focused and moving forward is a great boost on rough and tough days, whether you collect them somewhere or post them on a bathroom mirror.

One of my personal favorite quotes, that I truly believe in and try to live by, was quoted by Elder Anderson in Conference. It is from an excellent article written by Rachel Jankovic, titled "Motherhood is a Calling."

 "Motherhood is not a hobby, it is a calling. ... It is not something to do if you can squeeze the time in. It is what God gave you time for."

As I've mentioned before, and as was suggested by my friend above, memorized scripture is a key source of comfort, motivation, and guidance. When things get fuzzy or frazzled, being able to mentally recall words of God that speak to your soul is invaluable.

There are two scriptures that mean a lot to me as a mother, and especially as a homeschooling mother. While I do consider myself to be an intelligent and capable woman, I recognize that I do not know everything. My love for my children has me ever searching for what I can and should do that is right for them and by them. For all the worldly wisdom out there from the countless "experts," my main source of guidance is my children's Father in Heaven.

"And I do this for a wise purpose; for thus it whispereth me, according to the workings of the Spirit of the Lord which is in me. And now, I do not know all things; but the Lord knoweth all things which are to come; wherefore he worketh in me to do according to his will." (Words of Mormon 1:7)

This second scripture is a powerful example to me of what is possible when the Lord is your mentor. If He can guide Nephi to build a ship--and a better one than anything anyone knew how to build at that time--then surely He can guide me to being the mother my children need, and He can do so better than the so-called parenting experts doing things after the manner of men.

"...And the Lord did show me from time to time after what manner I should work the timbers of the ship.

"Now I, Nephi, did not work the timbers after the manner which was learned by men, neither did I build the ship after the manner of men; but I did build it after the manner which the Lord had shown unto me; wherefore it was not after the manner of men.

"And I, Nephi, did go into the mount oft, and I did pray oft unto the Lord; wherefore the Lord showed unto me great things." (1 Nephi 18:1-3) 

 

I'd love to hear the scriptures, counsel, and inspiration that helps you stay a hard-working, fully invested, ever-loving mother. Post it in the comments below.

BUSY - Being Under Satan's Yoke

I found the following while going through a very old stack of papers. I have from time to time recalled this lesson when my life seems full of inconsequential busy-ness and I feel the Heavens are quiet and I am far adrift from my spiritual moorings. It's definitely something to think about.

BUSY

Satan called a worldwide convention. In his opening address to his evil angels. he said, "We can't keep the Christians from going to church. We can't keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the truth. We can't even keep them from conservative values. But we can do something else. We can keep them from forming and intimate, abiding relationship with Christ. If they gain that connection with Jesus, our power over them is broken. So let them go to church, let them have their conservative lifestyles, but steal their time, so they can't gain that experience in Jesus Christ.

"This is what I want you to do, angels. Distract them from gaining hold of their Savior and maintaining that vital connection throughout their day!"

"How shall we do this?" shouted his angels.

"Keep them busy in the nonessentials of life and invent unnumbered schemes to occupy their minds," he answered. "Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, then borrow, borrow, borrow. Persuade the wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to work 6-7 days a week, 10-12 hours a day, so they can afford their lifestyles. Keep them from spending time with their children. As their family fragments, soon, their homes will offer no escape from the pressures of work. Over stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still, small voice.  Entice them to play the radio or cassette player whenever they drive, to keep the TV, VCR. CDs and the PCs going constantly in their homes. And see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays non-biblical, contradicting music constantly. This will jam their minds and break that union with Christ.

"Fill their coffee tables with magazines and newspapers. Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day. Invade their driving moments with billboards. Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, sweepstakes, mail order catalogs, and every kind of newsletter and promotional offering free products, services, and false hopes. Even in their recreation, let them be excessive. Have them return from their recreation exhausted, disquieted, and unprepared for the coming week. Don't let them go out in nature to reflect on God's wonders. Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, concerts, and movies instead.

"And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences and unsettled emotion. Let them be involved in soul-winning, but crowd their lives with so many good causes that they have no time to seek power from Christ. Soon they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing their health and family for the good of the cause."

It was quite a convention in the end. And the evil angels went eagerly to their assignments causing Christians everywhere to get busy, busy, busy, and rush here and there.

Has the devil been successful at his scheme? You be the judge.

What about this definition of BUSY?

B-Being U-Under S-Satan's Y-Yoke 

I think sometimes we get mixed up. For instance, we are supposed to be "anxiously engaged," and we are warned and commanded not to be idle, but I think we can be busy and idle simultaneously, and we can be busy without being truly engaged. For instance, think of an employee who is always looking to look busy, without really having to work. You know, the guy who does a cart run even though he just did that. From my own experience, I relate to the junk mail reference listed above:  when it comes time to clean up areas in my home I often find that way too much time ends up being spent on mail and flyers and newspapers and whatever other papers are lying about. Before I know it, my time to tidy is gone and all I've done is read a bunch of junk. It's so frustrating!

All too often I am regretfully busy. I say this because there are times when a neighbor or family member or friend will say, "I would have (asked, told, talked to) you, but you're so busy I didn't want to bother you." Oh, the sting! So let's ever keep in mind that "being busy" can too often morph into "being too busy."

A few more thoughts:

"I fear that many of us rush about from day to day taking for granted the holy scriptures. We scramble to honor appointments with physicians, lawyers, and businessmen. Yet we think nothing of postponing interviews with Deity--postponing scripture study. Little wonder we develop anemic souls and lose our direction in living. How much better it would be if we planned and held sacred fifteen or twenty minutes a day for reading the scriptures. Such interviews with Deity would help us recognize his voice and enable us to receive guidance in all of our affairs." -Carlos E. Asay, 

"I've come to understand something that happened to me in my early teens. I was in a hurry when I felt, not heard, a voice, an impression, which I knew then was from God. It was close to these words: 'Someday, when you know who you really are, you will be sorry that you didn't use your time better.' I thought then that the impression was odd, since I thought I was using my time pretty well and I thought I knew who I was. Now, years later, I am beginning to know who I am - and who you are - and why we will be so sorry if we do not invest our time well...." -Henry B. Eyring