Native American Biography: John Lynch Adair, Cherokee

John Adair is of Cherokee and Irish descent.  When he was ten years old, his people were removed from their native lands and moved to Indian Territory in Oklahoma.  John Adair was important in the new community as he provided leadership.  When he was older, he penned the Cherokee Constitution which came out of a convention for that purpose.  After declaring that the East and West Cherokee were now unified, the constitution continues, "We, the people of the Cherokee Nation, in National Convention assembled, in order to establish justice, insure tranquility, promote the common welfare, and to secure to ourselves and our posterity the blessings of freedom—acknowledging with humility and gratitude, the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe, in permitting us so to do, and imploring His aid and guidance in its accomplishment—do ordain and establish the Constitution for the government of the Cherokee Nation.'
The constitution was published when Adair was already older, 1893.  Adair passed away in 1896.  The Constitution would remain in effect until the statehood of Oklahoma in 1907.

Eliza R. Snow

Eliza R. Snow is best remembered for her poetry, at least one of which has been put to music, "O My Father."  This beautiful description of our Heavenly Mother, and eternal realms is a Mormon gem.   However, a book I am now reading, "Signs, Wonders, and Miracles"  it points to her as a widow of the martyred prophet Joseph Smith.  She had asked the Lord to take her as well.  However the prophet appeared to her from beyond the veil, and told her that was not God's intentions for her.  The prophet told her to "be of good courage and help to cheer and lighten the burdens of others."  Eliza was later asked by Brigham Young to organized relief societies in the local units of the church.  She then became the second general president of the relief society. 
Although  "O My Father" is a poem well revered, I like another even better: A Word To Saints Who are Gathering

by Eliza R. Snow

Think not, when you gather to Zion,

Your troubles and trials are through--

That nothing but comfort and pleasure

Are waiting in Zion for you.

No, no; 'tis design'd as a furnace;

All substance, all textures to try--

To consume all the "wood, hay and stubble,"

And the gold from the dross purify.

Think not, when you gather to Zion

That all will be holy and pure--

That deception, and falsehood are banish'd

And confidence wholly secure.

No, no, for the Lord our Redeemer

Has said that the tares from the wheat

Must grow; until the great day of burning

Shall render the harvest complete.

Think not, when you gather to Zion

The Saints here have nothing to do

But attend to your personal welfare,

And always be comforting you.

No, the Saints who are faithful are doing

What their hands find to do, with their might

To accomplish the gath'ring of Israel

They are toiling by day and by night.

Think not, when you gather to Zion,

The prize and the victory won--

Think not that the warfare is ended,

Or the work of salvation is done.

No, no; for the great Prince of Darkness

A tenfold exertion will make

When He sees you approaching the fountain

Where the truth you may freely partake.  (LDS Women)

Now, recently in the media we are made aware of another way to think of Eliza R. Snow, as a survivor of gang rape.  This knowledge helps me to appreciate this woman even more.  Two times she has to pick herself up, and go on.  I noted in the "Liahone September 1987" this story about Eliza Snow>  With the expulsion of the Saints "a man taunted Eliza R. Snow, saying, “Well, I think this will put an end to your faith.” She replied, “No, sir, it will take more than this to put an end to my faith.” He humbly responded, “I must confess you are a stronger person than I am.”  Eliza R. Snow is a person among people.  A person who overcame hardship, and was able to help many others.  A woman who fought for women's suffrage and women's rights.  (Utah had women's suffrage long before any other state or territory, but it was taken away by the federal government.)

Book Review: A Time It Was Bobby Kennedy in the Sixties

A Time It Was Bobby Kennedy in the Sixties photographs and text by Bill Eppridge, essay by Pete Hamill, Abrams, New York, 2008.
 This is a photographic history of Bobby Kennedy, his campaign and assassination.  Bill Eppridge was attached to the campaign as a photographer for LIFE magazine.  This is a fascinating documentary of why Kennedy decided to run, and of his last night in California.  Turns out Sirhan Sirhan was Lebanese, and was getting back at Booby Kennedy for his brother's stand on Israel.  Bill Eppridge too the famous photos of the busboy holding up Kennedy's head after he had been shot.  This book is fascinating, and moving.  I remember living through those events.

First LDS Chapel in Manteca: Pine Street Chapel

The Pine Street Chapel was the first LDS chapel in Manteca.  It is located close to Doctors Hospital.  The Manteca Branch was first organized as a Sunday School in 1946, and as a branch in 1947.  They met in the Legion Hall.  In 1950 the branch was formed with President Donald Nicolayson.  The chapel was dedicated in 1957.  They were still a branch.  The branch had to contribute $50,000 as their share.  They raised money by raising tomatoes and beans.  They also did much of the labor except for the electricity and the bricklaying.
A ward was organized in 1959.  D. Leon Ward was called as bishop.  When Manteca Stake was formed in 1981 there were three wards in Manteca.  Manteca had been part of the Modesto Stake, and Tracy part of the San Joaquin Stake.  They were combined as the manteca Stake.  D. Leon Ward, who had previously served as the Modesto Stake president, was the first stake president of the Manteca Stake.  The Union building was completed in 1984, and became the stake center.  Before this stake offices were in Tracy.  The Pine Street building was also proving too small.  The current stake center on Northland was completed in 1991, and the congregation and stake offices were moved there.
The Pine Street Chapel was sold.  It is currently occupied by the Fellowship Baptist Church.

 Looks great for an almost 60 year-old building.

World War II in Colour 5: Red Sun Rampant

This documentary episode starts with the Japanese attack of Pearl Harbor.  The surprise attack damaged the American fleet in the Pacific, but it wasn't the knock out blow as the U.S. carriers were not in port.  Japan was defeating everyone in the region in the air, on land and at sea.  This movie follows the conflict until in each of these areas, the Japanese had been bested.  The Battle of the Coral Sea was basically a draw, with two carriers damaged on both sides.  The Yorktown was damaged on the American side, but quick repairs prepared her for the next battle.  However it was a moral victory for the Americans.  having cracked the Japanese code, The U.S. were laying in wait at Midway, where the Japanese planned to establish a forward base.
While the Japanese were bombing Midway Island, The U.S. were able to catch them unaware, and pound them from the air.  The initial torpedo planes were unsuccessful, but the dive bombers coming from the clouds were able to inflict serious damage to three carriers.  The Japanese had four carriers in the area.  They were able to inflict a counter blow to the Yorktown, but again the Americans finally caught the fourth carrier and inflicted heavy damage.  This day would mark a great difference at sea, while four Japanese carriers were gone, one American carrier was sunk and another damaged.
ON Land and air, the battle to Guadalcanal was important.  The Japanese were establishing an air base, but the American marines attacked and took control of the base.  however the Japanese fleet was able to cut them off by chasing the American boats away, sinking a couple.  Even so the completed the airway, and were resupplied by air.  In addition the planes were able to harass the Japanese.  It was some months before they were refortified with troops, but eventually the Americans were able to get through, and slowly Guadalcanal was taken.

Book Review: It's Slinky: The Fun and Wonderful Toy

It's Slinky: the Fun and Wonderful Toy by Lou Harry, Running Press Books, Philadelphia, PA, 2000.
This books allows a lighter view of history.  the Slinky, developed shortly after WWII is a toy that has stood the test of time.  It has many off shoot toys and the company that makes Slinky has expanded.  However the original toy (in silver instead of black steal now) has withstood the test of time.  The most famous Slinky toy is Slinky the Dog.  He made it big time in Toy Story, and even sacrificed himself in the first Toy Story to save the day.
The Slinky was developed by a husband and wife team Richard and Betty James.  They did not expect the remarkable response they received.  It was Betty James who became the pioneer, as Richard left her on a religious crusade.  He later died in South America.
Slinks has not been without competition.  They had to win a law suit against the company Quirly for copyright infringement.  They were the company contracted to make the Slinky.
Slinky lead to other pull toys besides the dog.  There is a seal, a train and many others.  There are also Slinky Sillies--characters with Slinky arms and legs.  And Slinky eyes are just crazy.
I must admit, I have never gotten the skill to really enjoy a Slinky.  I can make it go back and forth however.  It is pretty cool the way it works, and the book tells it demonstrates many scientific principles.  You know you have arrived when you are on a stamp, and Slinky was featured in the decade of the 40s stamp set.

Book Review: Henry's Freedom Box

Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad, by Ellen Levine, illustrated by Kadir Nelson, Scholastic Press, New York, 2007.  Caldecott Honor Book.
This is a fascinating and beautifully illustrated telling of the story of Henry Box Brown.  He is the man who sent himself to freedom.  This was not without risk.  Even though they had painted "This side up" on the box, people did not always looking at the writing, and he suffered a bad time being upside down with the blood rushing to his head.
The book also explores his reason for escaping to freedom.  He was motivated by the loss of his wife and children.  Although he had been allowed to marry, his wife belonged to someone else, and she and the children were sold.  He watched helplessly as the took them away.  I want my children and grandchildren to know that people had to struggle for freedom in our country, and that others were willing to sacrifice to help them in this pursuit.