Happy Father’s Day everyone!

If the answer is no, it’s not worth the fight

“Learn not to make a big deal of things that should not be a big deal,” she said, “let it go for the sake of peace.”

(click on the document above to see the details)

So, more searching turned up some other interesting documents. For all of you Lunts out there, this should be of interest:

It seems as though Henry was in trouble with the law…

I’m still gathering info about Samuel Denton, Robin’s great great grandfather, who was fighting for the Union during the Civil War and, among other notable events, participated in Sherman’s march through Georgia! Wow. (more on that soon!)

Anyway, there are lots of stories out there that can be uncovered.

Today’s Sundays With Scott is not a spiritual message, at least not overtly, but honors a political and religious man that clearly helped our country through a dark time.

144 years ago this week just a few blocks from where I now sit, Abraham Lincoln was killed only two days after learning of the end of the Civil War. We have learned a lot about his life and especially his presidency lately. He seems to live up to all of the hype that we hear about him. Among other things, he delivered two very beautiful inauguration addresses. The 2nd address was particularly moving where he called for a union divided to forgive and move forward. He was a fierce opponent to slavery and, despite political opposition, had the courage to sign the emancipation proclamation. He was unwavering in his goal to preserve the Union.

One of the great privileges of living in DC is the close access to numerous artifacts and exhibits in our country’s history. Yesterday, we visited the Library of Congress which is showing a special exhibit all about Lincoln. You see many documents written at the hand of Lincoln himself, including the Gettysburg Address and the 2nd inauguration, as well as some touching personal letters to Mary and others.

For me, the most touching of the items was a small case displaying the contents of Lincoln’s pockets on that fateful spring night 144 years ago at Ford’s Theater.

Two pairs of eyeglasses, a pocket knife, some clippings of newspapers (most of them favorable articles about him), and, most puzzling, a 5 dollar confederate bill. I snuck a picture:

I find these items incredibly touching, particularly because he certainly didn’t expect to show anyone the contents of his pockets that night. So, the honesty of what they reveal about him is poignant. The newspaper clippings show that he was in need of reassurance. Perhaps he read those articles multiple times to ease his concerns.

The item that touches me the most is the 5 dollar confederate note. Did he carry that with him to remind him of the plight of the South? Did someone give that to him as a gift? It’s a mystery, but for some reason it seems important to him.

In the same case as these personal items is a copy of a well-known poem written by Walt Whitman upon hearing of Lincoln’s death. So moving. Here is the text:

O CAPTAIN! my Captain! our fearful trip is done;
The ship has weather’d every rack, the prize we sought is won;
The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,
While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring:
But O heart! heart! heart!
O the bleeding drops of red,
Where on the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.

O Captain! my Captain! rise up and hear the bells;
Rise up—for you the flag is flung—for you the bugle trills;
For you bouquets and ribbon’d wreaths—for you the shores a-crowding;
For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning;
Here Captain! dear father!
This arm beneath your head;
It is some dream that on the deck,
You’ve fallen cold and dead.

My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still;
My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will;
The ship is anchor’d safe and sound, its voyage closed and done;
From fearful trip, the victor ship, comes in with object won;
Exult, O shores, and ring, O bells!
But I, with mournful tread,
Walk the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.

Just this past weekend, during the LDS General Conference, one of the apostles, Elder Holland, spoke about one of the lonliest moments in the history of the world, when Christ was left to suffer just before his death. I will not even attempt to paraphrase the beautiful message that Elder Holland recounted so gracefully. I will only refer you to his own words. You can read the talk for yourself. Elder Holland finishes with this line: “As we approach this holy week—Passover Thursday with its Paschal Lamb, atoning Friday with its cross, Resurrection Sunday with its empty tomb—may we declare ourselves to be more fully disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, not in word only and not only in the flush of comfortable times but in deed and in courage and in faith, including when the path is lonely and when our cross is difficult to bear.

Among the notable messages was a touching talk by our beloved prophet, Thomas S. Monson, about how faith can carry us. “The future is as bright as your faith.” he said.

Also notable was a beautiful talk by Jeffrey R. Holland about the Savior’s mission and how He experienced abject loneliness so that we never have to.

Sister Barbara Thompson talked also about the power of Christ. “Whatever happens in life, Jesus Christ has the power to save.”

A new apostle was named to fill the late Elder Wirthlin’s position. Neil L. Anderson, humble and kind, spoke of how our day has been long prophesied. He pointed out that today’s faithful members are modern-day pioneers. “We must remember who we are and what we have in our hands,” he said. He encouraged us to be prepared for change, an inevitable part of life, by doing these things:
1 – Follow the prophets
2 – Keep an eternal perspective
3 – Have faith
4 – Be of good cheer

One theme I heard many times was that of the opposite nature of Faith and Fear. “Faith and doubt cannot co-exist,” said Elder Anderson. President Monson reminded us that we need to live by Faith not by Fear.

During the priesthood session, President Uchtdorf talked about the danger of being distracted by simple things and losing an eternal perspective. In a powerful message, he recounted the story of Nehemiah who, tempted by the world while carrying out one of God’s missions, used as his rallying cry: “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down!”

President Eyring warned that we are in the midst of a great war between good and evil but if we bind together, we will remain safe.

Although the conference messages are not yet ready for web links, you can watch any piece of the conference in the video player at the church web site.

Last week we enjoyed a visit from two of my four nephews. It was fun to see the energy of the next generation.

This week, we are pleased to host my mother and her husband. They represent the generation ahead. Wise, experienced, and still fun. So, where does that put me? Good question. Wedged in the middle I supposed. Not so wise, with not as much energy…

This week Robin and I have had the pleasure of hosting Hayden and Adam, the two oldest sons of my two oldest sisters. We have taken in a lot of the city in a short time, including a day trip to Philadelphia. It is always fun to see DC through the eyes of first-time visitors.

I can’t help but reminisce about when I was 18 and full of life, and probably annoying at times — not unlike these young men. The future, for them, is a blank canvas. But that’s no different than for the rest of us.

We flew over Canada today where I snapped a few photos from the window, including this one. It was incredibly beautiful. At times like that it’s easy to appreciate the beauty of God’s creation.