38g - "The Gentiles Shall Be Like Fathers Unto Lehi's and Nephi's Descendants

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TODAY'S THEME



Lehi and His Family, After a Long Sea Voyage, Arrive in the Americas. -by Arnold Friberg



Father Lehi and Mother Sariah and their family are counted among the ancestors of Native Americans of our day. In this painting, standing to the right of his mother, Sariah who is next to her husband, Lehi, is Nephi. The nation that came from them is called Nephites as Nephi was obedient to his father and to God.

In the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ, Nephi wrote the following:

2 Nephi 10: 18 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, thus saith our God: I will afflict thy seed by the hand of the Gentiles; nevertheless, I will soften the hearts of the Gentiles, (Most of the people of our Day who came to the Americas) that they shall be like unto a father to them; wherefore, the Gentiles shall be blessed and numbered among the house of Israel.

19 Wherefore, I will consecrate this land unto thy seed, and them who shall be numbered among thy seed, (We Gentiles) forever, for the land of their inheritance; for it is a choice land, saith God unto me, above all other lands, wherefore I will have all men that dwell thereon that they shall worship me, saith God. (emphasis and clarification added)

Nephi also wrote the following:

II Nephi 33:3 But I, Nephi, have written what I have written, and I esteem it as of great worth, and especially unto my people. For I pray continually for them by day, and mine eyes water my pillow by night, because of them; and I cry unto my God in faith, and I know that he will hear my cry.

4 And I know that the Lord God will consecrate my prayers for the gain of my people. And the words which I have written in weakness (his words written in The Book of Mormon) will be made strong unto them; for it persuadeth them to do good; it maketh known unto them of their fathers; and it speaketh of Jesus, and persuadeth them to believe in him, and to endure to the end, which is life eternal. (emphasis and clarification added)

Our words to Nephi: Your tears need not now flow so freely for your descendants of our day as they did during your days on earth!

The reason this is so, is because the Lord has softened the hearts of us believing Gentiles of our day. Many blessings have already come and continue to come to your people in our day, first through the publishing of The Book of Mormon and the re-establishment of the Lord's authorized Church through which much attention is being given by its members to Nephi's descendants.

Because of the re-establishment of the Lord's authorized Church upon the earth in 1830 after all of the preparations through the instrumentality of the resurrected Ancient American prophet, Moroni and others, under the direction of the Lord Jesus Christ and His Father, things were set in motion to open the way for the fulfillment of all the promises made regarding the descendants of Israel, through Father Lehi, that we have read in The Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ.

The divinely authorized and divinely guided Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints knows keenly its responsibility to facilitate the recovery of the descendants of Father Lehi to the true fold.
As recorded in the Among those descendants of Father Lehi, the Lamanites, many have been blessed by the Indian Student Placement Program which was an official Church Program for a good number of years. It no longer is needed, having accomplished its purpose. I (J. Neil Birch) personally was employed in that program for about nine or ten years.

Doctrine and Covenants 49: 24 But before the great day of the Lord shall come, Jacob shall flourish in the wilderness, and the Lamanites shall blossom as the rose. (emphasis added)

Here are some evidences of special blessings that have showered down upon several Native Americans whose lives have been profoundly affected by the Gospel of Jesus Christ through The Lord's restored church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Flora Dude Shorten

"One of my earliest memories is sitting under the cotton bushes that made shade for me. My parents picked cotton in the cotton fields of Thatcher, Arizona. From what my Mom has told me, as a young child I became blind. My parents didn’t know why.

When I was about three years old the (LDS) missionaries started teaching my mom and dad in Thatcher. They asked my parents why I was always crying and my parents told them it was because I was blind. I guess the missionaries felt inspired to give me a Priesthood blessing to receive my sight back. My sight did return.

Through that experience my Mom gained a testimony that the church is true and joined the church in 1959. My dad didn’t join the church.

"One day I came home from seminary and while resting I went to sleep. I was then awakened by a black figure coming in the door and into the room. I tried not to notice but the figure came straight to me, it entered my body at my feet, and moved up toward my head. I couldn’t move and tried to yell but no sound came out. I was frightened but then remembered what I was taught in church, and in my mind I said, ‘By the power of Jesus Christ, I command you to leave.’ The spirit left my body the same way it entered—through my feet, and it then walked out the back door. I knew it was evil and wanted me in its power, but because of my knowledge I felt safe and at peace. I knew the church was true and right and I would always find peace of mind in it." (emphasis added)

Ezekiel and Pauline Sanchez


Ezekiel and Pauline Sanchez Stand on Either Side of one of their Daughters Who was Just Married. Their Entire Family is shown.



Pauline
Looking back, Pauline reflects, “My biggest challenge was in spending time away from my family at home. However, the Placement Program was a gift and a blessing for me--a gift I had to work for to gain the good things that came through it. Sometimes it was hard for me to enjoy the goodness of life that came to me when I knew my own family did not have the same things. But I felt my reservation family’s love and support and felt that for their sakes, I could not fail at what had been given me.”

Pauline relates that from the beginning the restored gospel felt good to her. “I think I was born with a testimony. Everything spiritual felt good and was good for me. I just flowed into it. I enjoyed what I was being taught. The men and women who taught me these truths exemplified them. I loved the scriptures and enjoyed reading them. My foster parents encouraged me spiritually, educationally, and in developing my talents. For example, I sang I am a Child of God at stake conference.

“My testimony grew every time I attended primary class. It was like line upon line, precept upon precept. Oh yes! I readily admit, at times, I felt like I was living in two different worlds. But when I pondered my situation and realized how happy having a testimony of the living gospel made me feel, I would move ahead and my confusion would end. I knew at age ten that I had a testimony. I used to surprise my friends when we had sleeping parties together by bearing my testimony to them.” (emphasis added)

Pauline learned to rely on the power of prayer as indicated from a summer reservation experience. “I was alone herding sheep and one of the big goats got a bucket stuck on its head over its horns. It tried hard but was unable to remove the pail. I was afraid I would get hurt if I tried to help. Remembering, the prayers offered by my foster family, I decided to pray about my dilemma. I whispered a humble prayer and when I opened my eyes the pail was gone from the goat.

“Another reservation incident involved my beloved mother when I was about twelve years old. Every year just before going back to Utah my mother would have the medicine man perform the Blessing-Way ceremony for me for my protection and well-being while I was away from home. My mother had left that morning to find a medicine man. As beautiful as those ceremonies were, I loved the God I had found and His greater power of the Priesthood.

I climbed upon a hill near my home and solemnly prayed, Father, I love my mother and she wants this ceremony for me. If you feel this is okay, then allow her to bring the medicine man, but if this is not right, then don’t let her find a medicine man.

Time passed, and my mother returned alone, unable to find a medicine man. She went again the next day but he had not returned home yet. After that I don’t remember having the Blessing Way Ceremony done for me. I have come to understand the sacredness of the power of God by experiencing through His power the purer knowledge of my value to the Creator, physical and spiritual healing, the solid sense of well being and protection, and the personal guidance that has led me to make good choices.”

Pauline speaks of finding the true way while living in differing worlds, “I struggled trying to live the good traditions in these different worlds. It was difficult until I finally realized that as long as I live the gospel of Jesus Christ, no matter what culture I was in, I would be alright because the principles taught by Jesus Christ enhances and makes whole the true teachings of good traditions in different cultures.”

In obtaining her patriarchal blessing Pauline had a preliminary experience which offered perspective and understanding. In relating this happening she remembers receiving this life enhancing and guiding information a day after her sixteenth birthday and she became enthusiastic in discussing it.

“I don’t know how my foster parents arranged it, but I received my blessing in Salt Lake City from Eldred G. Smith, the Church Patriarch. In an attitude of fasting, my foster mother and I visited with him. During that time I was still seeking answers to questions concerning LDS beliefs and the Navajo beliefs, so I asked him about some of the good that tribal medicine men did.

Elder Smith said as he extended his left arm out and moved his right hand down from his left shoulder to his elbow, ‘A medicine man can only do so much; they can only go so far!’ Then he pointed to my whole arm and said, ‘But the priesthood goes all the way!’

I was impressed because he respected the goodness that I felt about some of the medicine men’s healing ceremonies. Yet it confirmed the feelings I had that the priesthood is whole and complete.

“My patriarchal blessing was wonderful! The comfort that I received concerning my parents was very important. It helped me to always strive to honor them. Living on the reservation, my family didn't have many of the conveniences. Although my foster parents weren't rich they had a kitchen with a refrigerator, stove and oven, and they owned nice cars and an ample farm. I had a room of my own.

“My foster parents were great ‘nursing fathers, nursing mothers,’ to me, but Heavenly Father made it clear to me that my parents on the reservation were of supreme importance because of who they are and because of the heritage I have been given through my parents that all the riches in the world could not give me.

“Additionally, my patriarchal blessing revealed to me that I would have an opportunity to become educated and I needed to take advantage of my learning. Secondly, I needed to be grateful for the valuable Placement experience which I was currently undertaking. Third, I would find the man to whom I would be married and I would have the opportunity of becoming a mother.

Although these promises were somewhat ordinary, they were also wonderful! It was wonderful to be open to them. “Thus the Lord had spoken to me and I was so grateful! I more fully tried to live the way my primary teachers and my young women leaders had taught, and to prepare myself for marriage and the man who would come into my life. And also, they told me, when he arrives you will know he is the one.
If I was righteous the Lord would bless me with the man I was supposed to marry.

“First and foremost, I wanted to marry a faithful priesthood holder. Secondly, I wanted to marry someone who would respect my family, whom I could take to the reservation and he would not be disappointed that we didn’t have running water, lacked electricity, had dirt floors, or lived under a tree. Third, I wanted him to be able to communicate with my mother and dad.

“As a high school senior with encouragement from my laurel leader, I had written a five-year plan for my future life. Included in my goals was to marry a Navajo in the Salt Lake Temple and to graduate from BYU when I was 24 years of age. My written goals became part of me as I carried them around in my mind and in my heart.” (emphasis added)

Ezekiel

“Then, one morning, he surprised me by saying, ‘Pauline, I have these tender feelings for you and I want you to fast and pray with me to see if we are meant to be married and be eternal companions’ . . . Taken back, surprised, and feeling not ready for such a momentous commitment, I told him, ‘No.’ . . . I was surprised at how I felt in my heart that I had said the wrong thing!

My logic kept telling me that I had said the right thing because my intention had been to marry a Navajo and obtain my degree before marriage. I felt I was too young and had too much schooling left. However, after two weeks of experiencing unusual events and then attending a special fireside, I knew that I needed to fast and pray with him. I entered the fast logically feeling that the Lord was going to say, ‘No.’ We began our fast, and how it happened I don’t quite understand, but within 24 hours, I knew that he was the man I was to marry. (emphasis added)

There will be additional excerpts from chapters of the book, Blossoming II in yet undetermined numbers of my blog posts . The evidence of the blossoming of Latter-day Lamanites you will read from Native American Mormons will touch and inspire you.

These portions of life stories you just read were used with permission of Dale and Margene Shumway, Authors of the book, Blossoming II. which is available on Amazon.com entitled The Blossoming II: Dramatic stories in the Lives of Native Americans. Also both Blossoming books are available by contacting the Shumways by email: dm06shumway@yahoo.com, by mail 486 W 40 N. Orem, UT 84057, or by telephone 801 235 0986. The retail cost is for book I $12.95 and for book II $14.95 plus postage. As for the Blossoming II books. They are available on Amazon.com titled The Blossoming II: Dramatic stories in the Lives of Native Americans. Also both Blossoming books are available by contacting us by email: dm06shumway@yahoo.com, by mail 486 W 40 N. Orem, UT 84057, or by telephone 801 235 0986. The retail cost is for book I $12.95 and for book II $14.95 plus postage.

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The following link, when clicked upon, will allow you to view the latest Mormon Messages Video. You will find it very well done and hopefully applicable to you and to your particular needs. Mormon Messages

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This website is not owned by or affiliated with the Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes called the Mormon or LDS Church). The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the position of the Church.


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TO ACCESS NEIL BIRCH'S BLOG INDEX To Either Read the Full Index Item Which Refers To This Blog Post, (Or An Item Which Refers To Any Other Blog Post You May Desire To Access): After Reading All of This Paragraph Please Click on the Following: The Gentiles, but especially LDS Church members in the Western Hemisphere Shall Be (and already are) Like Fathers and Mothers Unto Lehi's and Nephi's Descendants in Our Day. -Post 38g. When You See the Picture of Our Savior Jesus Christ Sitting Next To a Little Boy, Please, Scroll Down To Your Target Item Or Use The Alphabetic Scrolling Device. (When It Has Been Installed.)

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"Have You Really Read the Book of Mormon?" Legal /Statement. Thank you for visiting. The author retains intellectual property and creative licensing rights. Permission to use or reprint must be given in writing. © Est.2008 Neil Birch Legal /Statement.

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I deeply appreciate your readership and hope you found very beneficial, that which was presented to you in this blog post.

If you have any questions about what you have read or viewed in this post or in any previous posts of mine, or if you even have a curiosity about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and or its teachings, please e-mail me. I'm Neil and my e-mail address is: jneilmelva@gmail.com. If you contact me I'll get back to you just as soon as possible.

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Neil Birch

38f - Moroni's Plea to The Lord, Jesus Christ Has Been Granted!

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DISCLAIMER

This website is not owned by or affiliated with the Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes called the Mormon or LDS Church). The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the position of the Church.

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TODAY'S THEME

Painting: Tom Lovell

Moroni, son of Mormon was given the task of preserving the plates of gold upon which his father had abridged the records kept by the prophets of their nation for over nine centuries. In the painting above Moroni is shown praying before burying the plates securely in the ground.

Painting: Tom Lovell


It was Moroni as a resurrected person, an angel of light, who appeared to Joseph Smith on September 21, 1823 in the second story bedroom where Joseph and a younger brother slept. Joseph would become eighteen years 0f age in December of that year. That night Moroni began the preparation Joseph needed in order to be fully prepared to translate the record contained on the plates of gold.
Once a year for a period of four years, he, Moroni, met with Joseph to help him prepare in every way possible to be ready to translate these sacred records into the English language by the Power of God. Then on September 22, 1827 Moroni delivered them into Joseph's hands.

Painting: Kenneth Riley

Painting: Del Parson

Later, the right time had come and Joseph was fully prepared and began translating the record contained on the plates of Gold. He was assisted by a scribe, Oliver Cowdery, shown in this painting: Others had assisted as his scribe, but Oliver was Joseph's scribe most of the time.

The prophet, Moroni, during his earthly ministry between A.D. 400 and 421 wrote the following urgent message to readers not yet born (people of our day). You and I are among them. Please take note of Moroni's special plea in verse 37 to the Lord regarding the descendants of his people who live in our day: The Lamanites (Native Americans in this case)!

Mormon 9: 30 Behold, I speak unto you as though I spake from the dead; for I know that ye shall have my words.

31 Condemn me not because of mine imperfection, neither my father, because of his imperfection, neither them who have written before him; but rather give thanks unto God that he hath made manifest unto you our imperfections, that ye may learn to be more wise than we have been.

32 And now, behold, we have written this record according to our knowledge, in the characters which are called among us the reformed Egyptian, being handed down and altered by us, according to our manner of speech.

33 And if our plates had been sufficiently large we should have written in Hebrew; but the Hebrew hath been altered by us also; and if we could have written in Hebrew, behold, ye would have had no imperfection in our record.

34 But the Lord knoweth the things which we have written, and also that none other people knoweth our language; and because that none other people knoweth our language, therefore he hath prepared means for the interpretation thereof.

35 And these things are written that we may rid our garments Of the blood of our brethren, who have dwindled in unbelief.

36 And behold, these things which we have desired concerning Our brethren, yea, even their restoration to the knowledge of Christ, are according to the prayers of all the saints who have dwelt in the land.

37 And may the Lord Jesus Christ grant that their prayers may be answered according to their faith; and may God the Father remember the covenant which he hath made with the house of Israel; and may he bless them forever, through faith on the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. (Emphasis Added)

I am publishing this blog post after having given my blog readers, whoever they may have been (hopefully you were among them), the opportunity of reading about, in the last five blog posts of mine, the great examples of faith shown by those five Lamanite couples. Each couple's story is told in one of five specific chapters from the Book, Blossoming II, written by Dale and Margene Shumway of Orem Utah. (At the end of this post you will be told how obtain your own copy of this very interesting and inspiring book if you desire to do so.)

Each chapter of Blossoming II covers relatively briefly the life story of one of these twenty three Native American couples who were born in our day and who have come to know because of their faith that they are representatives of Moroni's people to whom he was referring in the scripture I have used as TODAY'S THEME.

In this, today's post, 38f, I have selected specific evidence given by three of the five couples whose chapters I copied in full from Blossoming II, in my past five blog posts. This specific evidence demonstrates how each of them has become fully convinced that they have in this life been blessed by the power of the Lord Jesus Christ, just as the ancient American prophet Moroni prayed (above) they would be blessed in our day.

Many of you readers will have read these segments previously if you read my previous posts in which their life stories were featured. However, I give these much shorter and specific accounts to you now to allow you to focus on the spiritual witness each of these modern day Lamanites experienced.

Ernie and Dorinda Crocker

Taken From My Post 38a on Ernie & Dorinda Crocker
Ernie: "It was hard at first for me to really become active (in the LDS Church), but I had a lot of friends who encouraged and helped me. Our mailman who had the route between Maverick and Cibecue was our (LDS Church)branch president, and he became a good friend of mine. Whenever we had free time, he would take me hunting and fishing. After he moved away, one of the local Apache men became branch president until he ran for politics. I became branch president around 1962, after having been a member for four years. Since that time, I have served as branch president three different times for a total of eighteen years.

"I have loved being able to serve in my church and also with my tribal council. But serving in the church has been more fulfilling because I have felt the influence and the power of God and have had the influence of his hand and inspiration in my callings. Another wonderful happening for me was when I took Dorinda to the temple when I was 32. (Neil's Note: This was for the purpose of making their marriage last for eternity, and not just for this life.)

"Another high point in my life was my opportunity to serve as a counselor in the Show Low Stake (of the LDS Church) Presidency for three years.

In speaking of spiritual experiences, let me tell you about a dream which had a strong impact on me. In my dream I saw my father in the other world lying on a bed alone by himself. In my dream, I said to my dad, ‘Where’s Mother?’ With a sad forlorn look on his face, he answered, ‘I don’t know.’

In figuring out this short dream my inspiration is that it is a message about the importance of doing our family history or genealogical and temple sealing for our kindred dead.

I believe the meaning of my dream is that if we are faithful and are up to date in this important work then we won’t have any worries about where our parents or grandparents are in the afterlife. If we do our part they will be safe and with their spouses as they continue to progress in the next world. (Clarification and Emphasis Added)

Dorinda Crocker

Elder Brown (a recently released LDS missionary who had served among the Whiteriver Apaches) made the arrangements with friends of his family, and in July, I went to live with Dr. Elmo and Rhea Eddington and their daughter, Jane, in Lehi, Utah. The Eddingtons also had two married sons. Jane was the same age as me. I stayed with the Eddingtons until the end of my eighth-grade school year, living with them each year from September until the first part of June.

It was quite a strange experience for me: the food tasted different, I had my own bed, and I had a shower just for me. It was all new to me. Yes, I enjoyed it, and I learned a lot from the Eddingtons. They really took good care of me and made a home for me, even though I wasn’t a member of the Church. Doctor Eddington had his own hospital and it seemed he wasn’t home very much.

Mrs. Eddington—I called her Grandma Eddington— took care of the family and was involved in many things in the church and community. Jane and I attended Sunday School on Sunday mornings and Sacrament Meeting on Sunday evenings, and we went to Mutual during the week. The church was in walking distance. We walked through a park to get there. During this time, I learned a lot spiritually and became acquainted with the doctrine and teachings of the Church.

In a surprise to me, the Book of Mormon was introduced to me not by my foster family, but by an Apache lady married to an Anglo who happened to be living in Lehi. I loved reading that book and I worked hard to learn its meaning. After I finished reading it I knew I wanted to become a member of the Church. I wrote home to my father asking him to give me permission to be baptized, which he granted, and I was baptized. (Emphasis Added)



President David O. McKay

 A special spiritual experience happened at Christmas time in Salt Lake City before I joined the Church. I was watching the Christmas parade with my foster family. They were excited about seeing the float with President (of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) David O. McKay on it coming toward us: ‘Here it comes! Here he comes!’ I was watching with much interest. When the float passed by and I saw him, I was overcome with spirit and emotion. I felt weak! And then I almost jumped out of my skin for he was looking right at me. I was so amazed at the sight of this grand prophet and the fact that he noticed me - an Apache Indian girl from the reservation.

I couldn’t get over the strong feelings I had as he passed. We went to a restaurant to eat after the parade, and I couldn’t even eat. My family said, 'Aren’t you hungry?’ All I could say was, ‘President McKay—President McKay!’ (Emphasis Added)

During the time I was there, the mother of one of the missionaries asked me if I wanted to have a patriarchal blessing. She explained the purpose of a patriarchal blessing and she made arrangements for me to get my blessing from Patriarch Eldred G. Smith: (The main Church Patriarch!) I was thrilled at the opportunity.

My patriarchal blessing has given me direction and spiritual understandings that have been a big blessing in my life. It was overwhelming to me to have a spiritual picture of my future because I was feeling all by myself, with hardly anyone to support me except the Church. (Emphasis Added)

Bitsoie, Gary and Bernice

Second-generation Latter-Day Saint, Gary Bitsoie, had the blessing of being born into a member family and of being able to watch the conversion of his medicine-man grandfather and his grandmother. “When I was a little boy, I remember my grandpa Cecil Begay saying that he was searching for truth. I attended the missionary discussions with my grandparents while they were investigating the Church. When Grandpa joined, he surprised his friends and family by retiring from being a medicine man and announcing, ‘My search for the truth had ended.’ Even some of his immediate family were upset with him for giving up his reputation and influence in the community for the Church. When confronted, Grandpa would smile readily and take out his Book of Mormon.

(Neil Birch's Note: You may realize, as I have in reading that, that Gary's Grandfather, by the Holy Spirit, was able to recognize the truthfulness of those things that his and Gary's Great Ancestor, Lehi, knew to be true. His grandfather's heart had been turned to his fathers (ancient Nephite ancestors of his) and was greatly blessed by that knowledge. And as you will learn now, so was Gary and his family!

One day (Gary was at the LDS Provo, Utah Missionary Training Center preparing for his mission in Southern California)we were learning the third discussion about Jesus Christ and something wonderful hit me in my mind and heart: “I went to the temple and received my endowments that month. I was called to serve in the San Bernardino California Mission. I had a special experience just before entering the Missionary Training Center. One night my grandpa came to me in my dream and said,

‘You need to be prepared. Be careful in this world that you live in.’

All of a sudden, I had an overwhelming feeling that the Church was true. I couldn’t stay seated in class because the feeling was so powerful and pure. I got up and walked quietly in the hall. It was quite a strong revelation--so much so that I couldn’t sit still! I kept walking up and down the hall for about ten minutes. It was the first time I’d ever had this deep kind of religious experience. From that day to now, I’ve known the Church is true.

It was a stern warning, and it helped me finish my preparations and leave worthily for the MTC in June.

And later in the Blossoming II Chapter about Gary, this is told:

During those two years at school Gary met his future wife, Bernice Begay, while he was working as a tutor of math and basic programming at the multi-cultural center. As fate would have it, he had actually become aware of her two years prior to their first official meeting. “I first saw Bernie in December 1984 after returning home from my mission. As was customary in the Cedar North Stake, I was sent out with a high councilman on speaking assignments for the first four months I was home.

On that particular Sunday I was in the Cedar City Indian branch working my way to the podium, when Bernice, accompanied by her sister, walked in through the front door. Then, it was as if time stopped. I saw in vision that she was going to be my future wife. I was really scared and perplexed, wondering why this was happening!—I didn’t even know who she was! I composed myself quickly in order to give my talk.

“Time passed. I mostly forgot about the experience and went my merry way to college. When I got a job as a Native American tutor, Bernice (Bernie) became my boss. As we got to know each other, she found out that I had become mostly inactive in the church and she made it her mission to get me stalwart again. Also, she became my social coordinator by trying to get me dates with other Native American girls because I seemed a little slow and inexperienced and had never known any LDS Native American girls to date. I felt comfortable in talking to her about anything and we started doing things together.

“That year Thurl Bailey and Hot Rod Huntley of the Utah Jazz came to SUSC to host a basketball conference. I was really interested in seeing it, so I asked Bernie to come along. We had a great time, and after that, we started spending more time together.

“I unofficially proposed in November of’1986, but it didn’t happen in the traditional sense—with me down on my knees with a ring—actually, I was totally unprepared for what I said. We were sitting in her apartment, talking about our future goals and dreams and having a good time. Completely spontaneously, I blurted, ‘Yeah, when we get married, I want to go to Disneyland!’ Shyly, she looked at me and said, ‘Did you just propose to me?’ I replied, ‘I guess I did. Do you want to marry me?’

Bernice Bitsoie

“Two of the best parts of my (Indian) Placement (Program) experiences were learning how to ice skate on the pond and beginning to obtain a vision of the wonders of the Church. It felt really good to go to church in Cedar Fort. I loved singing the Primary songs. At my young, eager age I related positively to the church and was able to really feel the Spirit. I feel that the Lord must have taken an interest in me because I learned a lot, and by the time I arrived back home, I knew the Church was true. That summer, I tried to share the Book of Mormon story with my parents. I wanted them to learn what I learned because I knew it was from God. When they told me they didn’t want to be Mormons, I felt really bad. I tried a few more times to convert them, but then, I knew I had to back off. As they started to attack some of my new beliefs, I knew it was time to stop religious talk for a time. (Emphasis Added)

“My parents, as members of the Native American Church, every summer would hold a peyote ceremony for us kids to help us do well during the next school year. That summer, because of my LDS beliefs, I decided I would go to the meeting, but I wouldn’t take the peyote. When I informed my father of my decision, I was unprepared for his volatile reaction. My dad was really upset, and criticized me, saying, ‘You need to take peyote; it’s part of who you are; you grew up in this church. Besides I’m your father and you have to listen to me.’

As I responded, I was feeling as angry and hurt as he was, so my response was a strong one. I said I would never do peyote, that he couldn’t force me because I knew it wasn’t right, that I now believed in the LDS Church, I was going to be a Mormon for the rest of my life, and he couldn’t change it. Then, I worried because his face seemed even angrier than before, but then something good happened. He didn’t say anything more!

“That was the first time I defended my testimony; it was a turning point. My dad never asked me to do peyote again. But overall, despite our spiritual alienation, my parents were happy for me because I was learning and going to school regularly. My dad’s philosophy was ‘Go to school, learn English, and get an education so you can get a better job and have a better life than we have.’ He wanted me to become an educated person; it didn’t matter where I attended, just as long as I had a good experience.”

Milt, Catawba Tribe and Nora, Navajo Tribe

Milt Watts:


While we were there, Brother and Sister Davis, friends of my parents, invited our family to dinner. Before we ended the night, we had a testimony meeting in which we sat in a huge circle because the Davis’ had a large family.

As each person around the circle bore testimony in turn, I began to worry about what I would say when it was my turn. I wanted to say that I knew Joseph Smith was a prophet, that  started to build: I knew Joseph was a prophet.

When it came to my turn, it was almost impossible to speak, but as I bore my brief and tearful testimony, I felt a power within testifying that what I was saying was true and that if I believed it, which I did, I ought to do my best to always follow the Savior.

My father was sitting next to me, and I was grateful when he reached over and put his arm around me. My parents were not openly affectionate people, and that occasion was one of the few times I remember my dad hugging me.” (Emphasis Added)

I had some wonderful teachers and great experiences. When I was a junior, my seminary teacher, Kent Garner, stopped the class one day, came over to me, and stood me up. He said, ‘Class, this is an American Indian.’ I wondered, ‘What is he doing this for?’ Then he said, ‘This is a Lamanite! This is who we read about in the scriptures.’ Everyone was impressed. It was one of many experiences that touched me personally and made me think that somebody cared. I think I was goal-oriented as a high school student, but my goals were general, not specific: get the best grades I can, don’t get in trouble, always be a good Latter-day Saint, go to college, go on a mission, and get married in the temple. I graduated from high school in 1965.”

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These life story excerpts you just read were used by permission of Dale and Margene Shumway, Authors of the book, Blossoming II. They are available on Amazon.com entitled, The Blossoming II: Dramatic stories in the Lives of Native Americans. Also both Blossoming books are available by contacting the Shumways by email: dmo6shumway@yahoo.com by mail 486 W 40 N. Orem, UT 84057, or by telephone 801-235-0986. The retail cost is for book I #12.95 and for book II $14.95 plus postage. As for the Blossoming II books. They are available on Amazon.com entitled The Blossoming II: Dramatic stories in the Lives of Native Americans. Also both Blossoming books are available by contacting us by email: dmo6shumway@yahoo.com, by mail 486W 40 N. Orem, UT 84057, or by telephone 801-235-0986. The retail cost is for book I $12.95 and for book II $14.95 plus postage.

____________

TO ACCESS NEIL BIRCH'S BLOG INDEX To Either Read the Full Index Item Which Refers To This Blog Post, (Or An Item Which Refers To Any Other Blog Post You May Desire To Access): After Reading All of This Paragraph Please Click on the Following: (Present day) Lamanites, About Whom You Have Been Learning in that Section of this Index Have Been Featured. . . Post 38f. When You See the Picture of Our Savior Jesus Christ Sitting Next To a Little Boy, Please, Scroll Down To Your Target Item Or Use The Alphabetic Scrolling Device. (When It Has Been Installed.)


"Have You Really Read the Book of Mormon?" Legal /Statement. Thank you for visiting. The author retains intellectual property and creative licensing rights. Permission to use or reprint must be given in writing. © Est.2008 Neil Birch Legal /Statement.

_____________

I deeply appreciate your readership and hope you found very beneficial, that which was presented to you in this blog post.

If you have any questions about what you have read or viewed in this post or in any previous posts of mine, or if you even have a curiosity about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and or its teachings, please e-mail me. I'm Neil and my e-mail address is: jneilmelva@gmail.com. If you contact me I'll get back to you just as soon as possible.
I invite you to let your friends and relatives know about this blog if you think they would be interested. Please be advised that I also have an additional blog. It is in Spanish: http://varsinaisella.blogspot.com/ Its content is translated from the English in this blog.

Neil Birch

38e - Flora Dude Shorten and Her Family Have Been Blessed by Her Experiences with the Indian Student Placement Program of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!

To Access This Blog's Index, Please Scroll Down To the Fifth Paragraph From The End of This Post

DISCLAIMER

This website is not owned by or affiliated with the Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes called the Mormon or LDS Church). The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the position of the Church.

****

TODAY'S THEME

Painting: Harry Anderson I am applying those beautiful deeply meaningful words of promise by our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ to the dear woman and her family on whom we will focus during this blog post. Of course, these promises apply to all of the righteous.

3 NEPHI CHAPTER 22 In the last days, Zion and her stakes shall be established, and Israel shall be gathered in mercy and tenderness—They shall triumph—Compare Isaiah 54. About A.D. 34

1 AND then shall that which is written come to pass: Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child; for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the Lord.

2 Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thy habitations; spare not, lengthen thy cords and strengthen thy stakes;

3 For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left, and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.

4 Fear not, for thou shalt not be ashamed; neither be thou confounded, for thou shalt not be put to shame; for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.

5 For thy maker, thy husband, the Lord of Hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel—the God of the whole earth shall he be called.

6 For the Lord hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God.

7 For a small moment have I forsaken thee, but with great mercies will I gather thee.

8 In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment, but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer.

9 For this, the waters of Noah unto me, for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth, so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee.

10 For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.

11 O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted! Behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colors, and lay thy foundations with sapphires.

12 And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones.

13 And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children.

14 In righteousness shalt thou be established; thou shalt be far from oppression for thou shalt not fear, and from terror for it shall not come near thee.

15 Behold, they shall surely gather together against thee, not by me; whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake.

16 Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy.

17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall revile against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord. (Emphasis Added)

Northerly View of the San Carlos Apache Reservation

Photos received through Google Search


A San Carlos Apache Woman of a Much Earlier Generation.
San Carlos Apache Men at Work - 1886



Flora Dude Shorten



I was born September 10, 1950, in San Carlos, Arizona at home. There was no doctor so my Dad, Ralph Dude, assisted my mom, Louise Stewart Dude in bringing me into this world. He also signed my birth certificate. My maternal grandmother is Fannie Stewart Kenney and my Paternal grandmother is Ada Hicks Dude Dia. I am the third oldest of eight brothers and one sister.

One of my earliest memories is sitting under the cotton bushes that made shade for me. My parents picked cotton in the cotton fields of Thatcher, Arizona. From what my Mom has told me, as a young child I became blind. My parents didn’t know why. When I was about three years old the missionaries started teaching my mom and dad in Thatcher. They asked my parents why I was always crying and my parents told them it was because I was blind. I guess the missionaries felt inspired to give me a Priesthood blessing to receive my sight back. My sight did return. Through that experience my Mom gained a testimony that the church is true and joined the church in 1959. My dad didn’t join the church.

When I was four I developed polio in my left leg. I remember going to the Indian hospital in Phoenix and having to go through several surgeries. I remember being with many others who had polio worse than I did and I remember being grateful that mine wasn’t any worse. I didn’t have to walk with braces or crutches. All they did was put a cast on me. They caught it in time. Now I just have a slight limp. I was really grateful that I didn’t have to go through the hardships of the other kids I saw.

Cotton picking was only seasonal, so after the harvest we would go back to our home in San Carlos. We caught the train that goes through Thatcher and on to San Carlos. My dad was a construction worker and painter, and built roads during part of the year. We always moved with Dad wherever he went. We lived in Roosevelt for a while where Dad helped build the Roosevelt Dam. We also lived in Seneca, a little place, where Dad helped build the road through Salt River Canyon. And we also went to Point of Pines when Dad worked with the timber. Dad always had a job.

Our home in San Carlos had two bedrooms, and one big giant living room. We had electricity and an indoor bathroom.

My Dad drank when I was small. It wasn’t too happy in those times. My Mom wanted my brothers and sister and me out of the house when Dad came home drunk. She would tell Dad to walk up the railroad tracks with us to his parent’s house, and then after four or five hours Mom would come and gather us all up and would walk us back home and Dad would stay at Grandma’s. He tried to be abusive to my mom but mom was able to keep him from hitting her. When we were old enough we also kept him from hurting Mom.

My Mom only went up to about eighth grade and Dad only to fifth. He was also in the army during World War II.

I attended Rice Public school, in 1956, which was only a few houses away from our house, in a one-room stone building where there was one teacher for three grades. We didn’t have kindergarten. I started first grade when I was six years old. The teacher, Mina Thompson, was a member of the church from Globe, Arizona, which was about 20 minutes away. I ran away several times at first. Each time my mom would march me back up there. she wouldn’t let me stay home. Then I got used to it and liked it. I
went there for three years until I went on Placement.

The whole family attended church. Dad didn’t join the Church but he went to Sacrament Meeting and made sure the family went.

In 1958 I was baptized at the age of eight. I remember that I was afraid of the water. It was cold so I cried. My brother Steve was baptized at the same time.

When our San Carlos branch received word about the Indian Student Placement Program, a lady from the branch, Sister Christine Weich, came and told my mom that this would be a good opportunity for our family with so many children. Sister Weich explained how it worked and the things that we might experience and learn, and told us we would be in an LDS home. My mom and dad asked my brother Steve and I if we wanted to go. They left it up to us, and we both said we wanted to go, so my brother Steve Dude and I Flora Jane Dude were the first to leave San Carlos to go on the Placement Program.

I went to Provo, Utah, and my brother to American Fork. The only Placement worker I remember is Brother Mauray Payne. He came to a Placement reunion in San Carlos last year.

The Neil Isaac family that I went to live with were nice. I had a lot of brothers and sisters. The first thing I remember that my brothers and sisters did was walk me down the middle of the street shouting ‘Come and see my little Indian sister!’

At night I would get homesick and start crying. I cried until I went to sleep. I did this for two or thee weeks until my foster parents said, ‘You had better stop crying or we will send you home.’ I didn’t want to be sent home and make my parents feel bad, so I quit crying and started to enjoy new things and my new life.

I was only able to live with the Isaac Family for about three months because my foster mother became really sick. My many foster brothers and sisters had to split up and live with relatives. My foster dad asked me if I wanted to go stay with my best friend Becky Smith. ‘Yes, I would really like that!’ I replied. So I went to live with the Jessie and Merle Smith family on the Provo Canyon Road. I loved my life with Mom and Dad Smith! I felt loved, needed, wanted, and a part of the family!

My foster dad grew a lot of fruit trees, raised horses, and was a bus driver for the elementary school. It was a farm area and it was fun; there were a lot of things to do. I got so close to that family that every time I had to leave to go home, for two weeks before. We cried before and after I got on the bus. (I also cried when I left my natural family to go back on Placement.) My foster parents were affectionate; they were a hugging and kissing family. I had to get used to that. I remember my foster dad holding me on his knee and I felt so proud when he would say, ‘This is my daughter, Flora,’ and give me a big hug. I just felt at home with them. My Foster mother told me that when Becky, my foster sister, first saw me she really fell in love with me. She said that was the first time she had ever seen such a cute little Indian girl. She was always good to me. We were close to each other. We would get ready for Sunday on Saturday evening. We would take baths together and our older sister Donna would clean us and wash our hair. When Becky and I would be taking baths Becky was always the first one to get out of the tub and while I was standing there waiting for Donna to get me out, I would see a brown ring around the tub and I was always thinking, ‘Oh, no, my skin color is coming off!’ I never knew it was just dirt but after that I never scrubbed myself too much. To this day this makes people laugh, but I wanted my parents to know me. I didn’t want all my skin color to come off.

After our baths we would get together for something special like ice cream or popcorn. Dad would play the guitar and teach us silly songs. I knew I was loved.

Church was always enjoyable for me. We did lots of fun things in Primary. We sang songs I liked. The children were always kind to me and included me in on anything. I learned to love reading the scriptures, and I memorized many of them. I liked passing my achievement requirements and working toward goals. I also liked Girl’s Camp and begged my Mom in Arizona to send me back to Utah just to go to camp, and they let me. I learned to pray and seek the spirit and to pay my tithing. I knew I had lots of blessings and I needed to help serve my brothers and sisters. I learned so much and loved the gospel.

When I first went back home from Placement, I couldn’t talk Apache. My parents and Grandma talked to me in Apache and I understood it, but II couldn’t speak it for about two weeks.

I stayed with the Smiths about three years. At that time my foster brother went on a mission and my foster parents had to support him financially and it was necessary for me to go to another home. This was hard but I understood. I kept in close contact with the Smiths, visiting them often.

My next foster home was also in Provo nearer to Orem. I stayed with the Neil Stanley family for one year and attended Grand View Middle School.

Going to the Placement youth conferences and meeting new friends was exciting. I loved hearing the students bear their testimonies of the truthfulness of the gospel and I would share mine also.

Next I was placed in Santaquin with the Gerald and Mona Woodbury. They were a young couple, both teachers, with no children yet. My foster father was called to teach seminary in the Tongan Islands. Mom and Dad Woodbury wanted to take me with them, but I didn’t want to go. I didn’t know where the Tongan Islands were. I thought maybe they were in Africa or somewhere dangerous. I told them no, I would go back home to San Carlos.

I always loved going to church. It made me feel happy. I didn’t understand why some of my friends quit coming. I took all the lessons to heart and my spirit grew and grew. It was no problem for me to serve in any part of the church. I never turned down a position. I wanted blessings from my Father in Heaven.

I didn’t return on Placement for three years. I think the main reason I decided to stay in San Carlos during eighth, ninth, and tenth grades was because I was getting older and I saw I didn’t really know my relatives; I didn’t even know who my first cousins were; I didn’t know anybody anymore; I didn’t know San Carlos. I really missed Placement, but those years also gave me valuable experience. It made me realize how much the church meant to me and how helpful it was to have the guidance of a strong family. No one would say, ‘Let’s go to church. Let’s go to seminary.’ I had to decide for myself. I became a stronger person and learned who I really was.

One day I came home from seminary and while resting I went to sleep. I was then awakened by a black figure coming in the door and into the room. I tried not to notice but the figure came straight to me, it entered my body at my feet, and moved up toward my head. I couldn’t move and tried to yell but no sound came out. I was frightened but then remembered what I was taught in church, and in my mind I said, ‘By the power of Jesus Christ, I command you to leave.’ The spirit left my body the same way it entered—through my feet, and it then walked out the back door. I knew it was evil and wanted me in its power, but because of my knowledge I felt safe and at peace. I knew the church was true and right and I would always find peace of mind in it.

In our small branch during our young women’s lesson, some girls were making fun of what was being taught and then started making fun of me for believing it. They kept mocking me with, ‘Goody, goody,’ or ‘Quit being so good.’ I couldn’t take it anymore and stood up and admitted, ‘Yes, I know the gospel to be true. I know that this lesson is the truth. If you don’t believe it, you don’t have to be here.’ They were quiet for the rest of the lesson. At that time I didn’t realize I was bearing my testimony, but I felt strong and peaceful.

During that time at home, I remember my parents never let the missionaries or white people in. They said, ‘Our home is no good; it’s ugly and everything is old.’ I told her, ‘Mom, don’t feel like that. White families’ homes are like that too. Their homes get old too; their homes get messy too. I know that. I lived in those homes.’ So people slowly started coming into the house because I was there. Whenever company or a white person came by, my family would scoot me out there to talk to them. They didn’t frighten me at all; they were just people.

While I was on the reservation I served a three month youth mission one summer in Zuni, New Mexico, Southwest Indian Mission. I really enjoyed this experience and knew I had to go on a full-time mission when I was old enough.

Some of my siblings were on Placement while I was at home; however, I am the one who stayed longest. My brother Steve only stayed one year. After three years at home I went back on Placement again.

During my three years on the reservation I kept going to church. I never missed. I went to seminary and I went to all the activities. I never had a problem keeping church standards. I missed the guidance and the strong family values that I experienced on Placement. On the reservation I saw a lot of problems. It was really hard, but I was able to withstand the challenges.

After three years on the reservation, a representative came around recruiting students for Placement saying that California had opened up and asked me if I would like to go back. I did. I went to California and first went to an older couple with no children and didn’t like that situation. My caseworker agreed I would be better off in another family with a daughter my age. My foster sister and I graduated from North Hollywood High school together. My families in California were not as dedicated to the church as my families in Utah and I was uncomfortable when they missed church and participated in other activities on Sunday. I received a Patriarchal blessing in California by Abraham Cooley which reinforced that I was indeed a child of God and had a lot to contribute to my fellow men.

My goal after high school was to go to BYU because it was in Provo and because it was close to the Smiths. My case worker helped me fill out admission and financial aid application papers for me to go to BYU and I was able to reach that goal. I wanted to be a nurse and took science classes but most of all I enjoyed my religion classes. I loved being at the ‘Y’ with members of the church sharing our strength with each other. The Lamanite Generation was a shining example of good to me.

After two years at BYU I was called on a full-time mission to the Northern Indian Mission in Rapid City, South Dakota, under mission president Rex C. Reeves. Going to the temple in preparation for my mission was a highlight in my life. I loved the covenants I made with Heavenly Father. I accepted all the promises.

I flew into Rapid City and was assigned to an area called Hardin, Montana, close to the Crow Reservation. I was very humbled by my first missionary companion. I don’t know why in the world the missionaries and others treated her so indifferent. Her name was Christy Bogart. She was very humble. She only had a few pieces of clothes and none of the other sister missionaries ever thought they could help her. They just neglected her. I wrote to President Reeves about it. They got her some decent clothes. I taught her how to take care of her personal hygiene. I helped her and she helped me to be a good missionary.

Some of the families we visited had old houses and used cardboard to cover their walls. The first family we went to visit was an old grandma. Sister Bogart said hesitantly, ‘We have been to this house and they never let us in.’ But this time I went to the door first and they invited us in. We talked to them about the church and they listened and they were quiet even though they probably did not understand all of what we said because they spoke Crow. Their granddaughter translated for us. The grandmother came over and gave me a hug and offered us food. Sister Bogart and I worked with them until I was transferred.

A spiritual experience for me with Sister Bogart was when we were teaching a family called Mountain Pocket--a mom and dad and six or seven children. We taught them and prayed with them and they were really growing in the gospel. They accepted to be baptized and they thought we would baptize them. We told them no, we didn’t have the authority to baptize them—the Elders would do that. Then we taught them about the Priesthood. That whole family became members of the church and it was wonderful to see them come to church and see them grow. It was a special time for me to see a whole family receiving the blessings of church membership.

Sister Bogart was finishing her mission and I was transferred to Lame Deer, Montana, where my cousin became my companion, Sister Marvel Dosella.

Sister Dosella and I went into the community; we were part of the community; the people knew who the sisters were there in Lame Deer. We spoke Apache together there among the Northern Cheyenne. After Marvel left I became a senior companion; they sent me a youth companion, Sharon Newholy, a Sioux . She was afraid to teach and mostly read the scriptures for me as I taught the lesson.

In Lame Deer we taught a Sister Medicine Talk, one of the oldest ladies we taught. She became a strong member. She said her husband used to be in the church. We started teaching her grand kids, and we held Primary in our house. We used to teach them from Gary Grower seminary videos and her church materials. We told stories and sang songs like a regular Primary class.

Whenever we talked about the gospel the spirit was so strong that the adversary worked harder. Some men used to have Pow-wows in a lodge nearby where they prepared their ceremonies. They would sing and chant and pray. Sometimes when we would return to our trailer we could feel the adversary’s spirit there. We knelt down and prayed and prayed and prayed, and sometimes we were so frightened we would leave and run down to the Elder’s trailer and have the Elder’s come and bless our trailer. I had a lot of experiences like that dealing with the adversary and how strong he is. He is real! He wants to get things his way, but you have to be stronger than he is.

Later I was transferred to the north-east corner of Montana. The first Lamanite brother I met was Gerald Red Elk and his wife Lenora. They were strong in the church. Brother Red Elk was a district president there. He had a rough life and tells his story of how he overcame alcohol. He used to tease me; instead of calling me Sister Dude, he called me Sister Dud. I didn’t mind. He and Sister Red Elk took good care of the missionaries. I had two brothers who went on this same mission after me and the Red
Elks took care of them too.

Serving my Heavenly Father and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ was the best. I know Jesus is the Christ and felt everyone needed to know. I love my brothers and sisters up North.

When missionaries would finish up their time, the usual farewell words were, ‘We’ll see you at BYU.’ After my eighteen-month mission it seemed going back to BYU was the thing to do. My sister Lorraine was there too and we roomed together. I mainly had B’s and C’s in high school. I had a C average at BYU. I took physics over three times until I got a B. I did okay in microbiology but didn’t like physics. Although I had many friends both girls and boys, I was not interested in marriage. Probably the reason I did not want to get married was because I used to see, especially at home, broken families and how hard it was. It took my little foster brother Scott, after he returned from a mission, to scold me. He looked me straight in the eyes and said, ‘Flora, I’m worried about you.’ I said, ‘Scott, why? I’m doing all right!’ He replied, ‘Flora, you are not living up to your responsibility. I looked at him and I knew exactly what he was going to say. I realized what he was talking about. That really shot me in the heart and I knew I needed to get married.

I listened to my foster parents so much. They used to always talk to me. They would sit me down and say, ‘Now, Flora, we don’t want half this and half that—we want Indian grand kids. We don’t want half white and half Indian. They often repeated that because I was growing up with the mainly Anglo people in Utah. My mom, however, was disappointed that I married an Apache instead of a returned white missionary.

I got a job and kept up my church activity and attended the temple two or three times a week. I stayed at BYU one more year but didn’t have my heart in it and was drawn back home. I then went to a community college but only got as far as a certified nursing aid.

It was at this time in my life that I got to know the man I was to marry, Russell Jay Shorten. He was raised and went to school in San Carlos and never went anywhere else. I didn’t really get to know him earlier because I was gone so much from San Carlos. The people there would see me leave and see me come back and see the things that I did. Russell was a friend of my brothers. He wasn’t a member of the Church when I met him; he was a Lutheran. We would never force our religion on him. We took a trip to Provo and my brothers invited him to come along. We were all shocked when he told us straightforward, ‘I want you to take me to Salt Lake. I want to go to the visitor’s center.’ He must have been very impressed for when we got back he started taking the missionary lessons and within two weeks he was baptized.

During this time Russell and I were getting acquainted, we were never alone. We would go as a group with my brothers and sister. We went to dances, movies, church activities. It seemed like when I was in San Carlos I always had to take my brothers and sister. About a year later, we decided we were in love, and I finally felt ready to get married. I was 25 years old which seemed really old to me in those days because my friends married much earlier. On November 11, 1977 we were married civilly in Globe, Arizona by our good friend and the first counselor in the stake presidency, and then December 1, 1990, we were married in the temple. Russell was very strong and active in the church and became a first counselor in the branch presidency. He was doing really well and our children were sealed to us. However, a bitter wind blew on my family. Russell turned toward the traditional ways. My children were raised in the church but now that they are all grown, they have chosen inactivity so I go to church alone. My two sons are Joseph, 27, and Michael, 26. My daughter is Katherine Louise, 25.

I am disappointed and saddened that my husband and children are inactive at present, but I have strong faith that this will change. I keep enduring and helping because I love my Heavenly Father and want to see him again. I have had many callings in our branch in all areas of the church organization and I am thankful for them. I have worked in every auxiliary and I have been relief society president more than once. I have had more than twenty years of callings. The gospel and my testimony of Jesus Christ give my life meaning and purpose. The gospel is life itself!

Since returning to San Carlos and becoming married, along with being a good mother to my kids I have had several jobs and positions mainly in education and in the medical field.

My first job was working with the San Carlos School District doing liaison stuff bringing the community and the school together. I held this pposition for 17 years and I am proud of the fact that I started the first parent-teen class in our community which has helped many families.

I became interested in helping the mentally retarded kids even though I wasn’t trained in it. I became a special education aid helping with the severely handicapped or retarded. My class is actually only a few students-- students who are very few in numbers but large in heart.

I want to tell you about one of my students. Have you ever heard of a severe problem called Rett’s Syndrome? In this malady a child may seem normal at birth, but later they don’t develop normally and may not be able to walk, talk, eat, or even be toilet trained. My young student has resided in a wheelchair for the last six years. I have fed her, helped keep her breathing, changed her diaper, and have loved her. I love this work and I love children I have worked with. I feel like I am working with angels.

Thank you for reading about my life.



Here I Am With My Family, From Left to Right, Michael, Katherine, Louise and Russell

_________________________

This life story you just read was used with permission of Dale and Margene Shumway, Authors of the book, Blossoming II. They are available on Amazon.com titled The Blossoming II: Dramatic stories in the Lives of Native Americans. Also both Blossoming books are available by contacting us by email: dm06shumway@yahoo.com, by mail 486 W 40 N. Orem, UT 84057, or by telephone 801 235 0986. The retail cost is for book I $12.95 and for book II $14.95 plus postage. As for the Blossoming II books. They are available on Amazon.com titled The Blossoming II: Dramatic stories in the Lives of Native Americans. Also both Blossoming books are available by contacting us by email: dm06shumway@yahoo.com, by mail 486 W 40 N. Orem, UT 84057, or by telephone 801 235 0986. The retail cost is for book I $12.95 and for book II $14.95 plus postage.

____________


TO ACCESS NEIL BIRCH'S BLOG INDEX To Either Read the Full Index Item Which Refers To This Blog Post, (Or An Item Which Refers To Any Other Blog Post You May Desire To Access): After Reading All of This Paragraph Please Click on the Following: (Present day) Lamanites, Such as Flora Dude Shorten Have Been Blessed By Devoted Latter-day Saint Families, Who Have Been Blessed For their Loving Service - Post 38r. When You See the Picture of Our Savior Jesus Christ Sitting Next To a Little Boy, Please, Scroll Down To Your Target Item Or Use The Alphabetic Scrolling Device. (When It Has Been Installed.)

____________

"Have You Really Read the Book of Mormon?" Legal /Statement. Thank you for visiting. The author retains intellectual property and creative licensing rights. Permission to use or reprint must be given in writing. © Est.2008 Neil Birch Legal /Statement.
_____________

I deeply appreciate your readership and hope you found very beneficial, that which was presented to you in this blog post.

If you have any questions about what you have read or viewed in this post or in any previous posts of mine, or if you even have a curiosity about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and or its teachings, please e-mail me. I'm Neil and my e-mail address is: jneilmelva@gmail.com. If you contact me I'll get back to you just as soon as possible.
I invite you to let your friends and relatives know about this blog if you think they would be interested. Please be advised that I also have an additional blog. It is in Spanish: http://varsinaisella.blogspot.com/ Its content is translated from the English in this blog.

Neil Birch