Richard Pratt's Memos: November 2011

November 1, 2011

To: My Beloved Family

From: Dad, Grandpa etc. Richard M. Pratt

Re: Fantastic Victory ~ extracted from that book by W. Cleon Skousen

(This is good reading! Go for it!)

One of the greatest signs of the imminent coming of our Lord Jesus Christ is the gathering of the Jews to Jerusalem. They are his people. He is a Jew and tho they have been rebellious and crucified him, He has never disowned them and when they finally repent and except Him as Savior they will regain their leadership in the millennium.

Here are two great prophecies of many from the ancient prophets concerning NOW and the future of the Jews: “Egypt shall be a desolation, and Edom (means the whole world) shall be a desolate wilderness, for their violence against the children of Judah, because they have shed innocent blood in their land. But Judah shall dwell forever, and Jerusalem form generation to generation. For I will cleanse their blood that I have not cleansed: for the Lord dwelleth in Zion.”

Joel 3: 19-21

“And the Lord shall inherit Judah his portion in the Holy Land and shall choose Jerusalem again.” Zechariah 2: 12 Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem... all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it...and they shall devour all the people round about, on the right hand and on the left: and Jerusalem shall be inhabited again...In that day (now) shall the Lord defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem,...and it shall come to pass in that day, (now) that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. Zechariah 12:2-9 (Better not mess around with Jerusalem and the Jews)

Note: Joel was prophesying about 850 B.C. and Zechariah four hundred years later. And both over twenty five hundred years ago. In the last ninety years those prophecies have been and are being fulfilled.

Today ~ all the nations of the world are against Jerusalem and the Jews. If they would read these two prophecies and the many others in the Bible and Book of Mormon of a like nature they would stay away from the Jews. Following is a brief history of the return of the Jews in the past ninety years.

“And verily I say unto you, I give you a sign, that ye know the time when these things shall be about to take place ~ that I shall gather in, from their long dispersion, my people, O house of Israel, and will establish again among them my Zion.” 3 Nephi 21:1

On October 24, 1841, one of the twelve apostles of God, Orson Hyde, returned to Jerusalem and specifically dedicated that land for the return of the Jews. His prayer was most prophetic and has been fulfilled. (Wish I had space to print it here) But it is exciting to know that prophecies that have stood unfilled for hundreds even thousands of years are being fulfilled. Even in our life time!

After the Roman destruction of 70 A.D. it was illegal for a Jew to be found in Palestine. This was enforced until 1917 when the British army freed the Holy Land from the infidel Turks who had ruled if for centuries. This was the opening for the Jews to return. But the British tried to prevent it for world diplomatic reasons. They couldn’t. At that time the land of Palestine had suffered the same fate as the Israelites. And was so barren that it barely supported at an existence

level only about two hundred thousand Turkish nomads.

The land of Palestine is so small that a man can walk across its width in two days, about 65 miles, and its length in a walk of about 160 miles. Its bounded on the West by the Mediterranean Sea, on the North by Lebanon, North East by Syria, South East by Jordan and Egypt on the South. All of these neighbors are Islamic and anti-Judaism. Together they number about one hundred million and have some of the finest soldiers in the world. And their intention since the Jews started returning 90 years ago is to totally destroy them. Three wars have been fought between Jeudah and their combined host from 1948 when the Jews, then less than one million, won their independence and became a nation. The last of the three wars was in 1967 when with a population of about two million, the Jews defeated this great host in one week. Or Just six days. Also their enemy was supplied with ample arms and war materials by Russia who also sent Russian military experts to advise how best to get rid of the Jews once and for all. And all the rest of the world was cheering them on.

The Jews didn’t have a chance to survive. The leaders pondered their dilemma and decided their only hope was a sudden and surprise attack. Every able bodied man eighteen and older and single women of the same age were conscripted to fight.

Monday June 5, 1967 ~ the first day. Their just target was the massed Egyptian army on their South border with seven hundred of the latest heavy bombers and hundreds of tanks.

The surprise attack started at mid-night. The goal to wipe out 700 bombers while still on the ground. They succeeded. At daylight they concentrated on the tanks with such ferocity that the Egyptian crews abandoned their tanks and fled on foot thru the desert an estimated thirty five thousand perished. The Jews painted their six pointed white star on the captured tanks and used them against the enemy by the end of the third day the Jews were at the outskirts of Cairo and Egypt was suing for peace.

But already Jordan had invaded Palestine from the South East. Jerusalem was a part of Jordan at that time. While peace was being worked out with Egypt. The Jews with little chance to rest, sleep or eat, charged back home to repel the Jordanians. The shrapnel and bomb fragments fell in a heavy hail upon the border sanctuaries such as the garden tomb. Dr. Matter, its caretaker was forced to take his wife and daughter and seek refuge inside the sacred tomb itself. I’ve been in that tomb and it would be a pretty safe place. Problem was he came out too soon. Mistaken by Jewish soldiers as an enemy they shot and killed him.

Fifteen thousand Jordanian soldiers were killed that day. The Israeli command had decided that the battle of Jerusalem should follow the same tactics as those used by the Roman general, Titus, when he conquered Jerusalem in 70 A.D.

By afternoon of Tuesday the second day of the war, everything had changed by this time Israel had fought and overwhelmingly won the initial phase of her miracle war. Egypt and Jordan were flat on their backs and Syria soon would be. The Soviet Union was faced with traumatic calamity of losing from two to three billion dollars in Arabian military investments. In 48 hours Israel had gone from one of the weakest nations in the Mediterranean Middle East to one of the strongest. And Israel was not through. This was enough for Russia. She sent out the cry of the wounded bear, “Cease fire!” “Cease fire!”

Severe handicaps were voluntarily assumed by the Israeli commanders as they plotted their attack to capture Jerusalem the third day of the war. They decided to do it without air or tank support. This was so that none of the holy places would be damaged. This cost them heavily in their number of dead and wounded. But even the troops who would pay the cost agreed that this was the only way to do it. For centuries the Jews had been saying, “NEXT YEAR IN JERUSALEM!”

Organized resistance by the Jordanians collapsed swiftly in the old city, but snipers remained a few days longer. Besides snipers, there was the peril of simple emotion itself. “My men were walking about the old city as in a dream, a platoon leader says, “tears rolled down their faces. They did not even bother to take cover. They had realized the two thousand year old prophecy of recovering Jerusalem. They touched the wall called the wailing wall and sobbed. Unshaven, red-eyed from lack of sleep soldiers, their combat uniforms stained with sweat and blood, donned their skull caps, opened small leather-bound prayer books and rocked back and forth as they chanted, “Thank the Lord, for the Lord has been kind.” Beyond the wall heavy firing could still be heard. One-eyed General Dayan announced that Jerusalem would never be relinquished by the Jews again.” (However in the battle, soon to be fought, called Armageddon it will take the personal arrival of the Savior to save the Jews) (Mother and I visited this area in 1972 five years later.)

Thursday June 8, 1967, the fourth day of the war. Russians were discovered as being commanders and military advisors to the Arabs. With Egypt and Jordan subdued only Syria remained in the fray. But perched on the Golan Heights just above the Sea of Galilee they could virtually shell all the center section of Israel. They had to go! June 9, the fifth day of the war, Jewish leaders had hoped they could persuade the Syrians to stay out of the war. The Syrians had answered with bombs and artillery. Israel regrouped their forces from Egypt and Jordan. General Moshe Dayan, the Israeli minister of defense immediately ordered the subjugation and occupation of the Syrian highlands and a penetration into Syria of at least twelve miles. Military authorities who visited the region after the war were amazed that the Israelis ever made it. No amount of bombing and shelling could have dislodged the Arabs. It was a furious frontal assault by Israeli infantry willing to engage in hand-to-hand combat which made the difference. Israeli troops made it to the trenches and cornered the Syrians inside and the fighting was furious.

Saturday, June 10, the Sixth and last day of the war the Israelis had gained the top but the retreating Syrians resisted savagely. But by mid afternoon it was plain that the spirit of resistance was breaking up. Syrian soldiers abandoned their posts. Some fled toward Damascus (capital of Syria) others tore off their uniforms in order to hide among the populace. Many surrendered or were captured. Intelligence reports indicated that Damascus lay naked and defenseless just thirty miles away! As far as Israel was concerned the war was over. It was also over for Syria. At 6:09 P.M. the Syrians accepted the terms of surrender.

World history would never be the same. A tiny beleaguered territory with a population of less than three million had stood up to the mighty Soviet Union and her Arab allies, totaling 110 million. Little David had taken on Goliath and won again. In six days Israel had doubled her population, and quadrupled her territory going form 8,000 square miles to 34,000. And their famous city, Jerusalem, was back in their hands.

Israeli Prime minister said to the Arab leaders: “We fought only because you left us no choice. We deeply regret the money wasted which could have gone to the development of your countries. Since 1952 ten billion dollars has been spent on arms. Had these vast sums been applied to economic and social needs millions of human beings who are steeped in poverty could ~ 4 ~

by today have enjoyed an appropriate standard of living.”

the Arabs had suffered 35,000 dead and three times that many wounded. To avoid contagion and epidemics Israeli bulldozers covered heaps of sand over the scattered bodies of Egypt’s host who had fallen. Egyptian prisoners were released by the thousands to return home.

The Israelis had suffered 679 dead and 2563 wounded.

The final battle of the Jews is Armageddon, against all the world. It’s all prophesied and will conclude by the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, the rescuing of the Jews, their acceptance of the Christ. The resurrection of the just and cleansing of the world by fire. It is an exciting time to live and to watch it unfolding. The scriptures are true. You can read more about the 6 day war. There were a number of miracles I have not mentioned. With all of my heart I hope those reading this will align themselves with Jesus Christ and his gospel. IT IS TRUE! He will come again!

My love always,

Dad, Grandpa Pratt etc.

A side note to all the readers of my father’s memos. I have counted and there are only 8 more to come out after this one. He told me when he handed me the note books that I was to just put out one each month and there would be enough to last a bit past three years. And that will be the case. We can post earlier memos on this site if you have an interest. Comment if you would like that. Love, Rose I think Dad & Mom would have enjoyed the following .

Doctrine & Covenants 78:19

And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold. ......vs. 22 and he that is a faithful and wise steward shall inherit all things.

“The Pilgrims must have been very grateful for their new land of freedom. During this Thanksgiving we too lift grateful hearts and voices to that great Father who led those early pilgrims, who led our founding fathers and who leads those who will follow him today. Let us thank Him for his rich blessings and especially for this great land of freedom and prosperity. What a blessed privilege he has given us to live in a land choice above all other lands.

How shall we show our thanks to our Heavenly Father for this choice land? By being good citizens of our country. By upholding the constitution, by seeking good and honest men to govern, by living virtuous lives and spreading the gospel, there by helping defend our land from the evils of Satan. For only through righteousness will we remain free and strong. As we think of the gratitude we have for our homeland at this Thanksgiving time, let us rededicate ourselves to preserving it in righteousness for our posterity.

Written by: Kay Pratt Smith

Twas the Night before Christmas out on the ranch -anonymous

'Twas the night before Christmas & out on the ranch

The pond was froze over & so was the branch.

The snow was piled up belly-deep to a mule.

The kids were all home on vacation from school,

And happier young folks you never did see-

Just all sprawled around a-watchin' TV.

Then suddenly, some time around 8 o'clock,

There came a surprise that gave them a shock!

The power went off, the TV went dead!

When Grandpa came in from out in the shed

With an armload of wood, the house was all dark.

"Just what I expected," they heard him remark.

"Them power line wires must be down from the snow.

Seems sorter like times on the ranch long ago."

“I'll hunt up some candles," said Mom. "With their light,

And the fireplace, I reckon we'll make out all right."

The teen-agers all seemed enveloped in gloom.

Then Grandpa came back from a trip to his room,

Uncased his old fiddle & started to play

That old Christmas song about bells on a sleigh.

Mom started to sing, & 1st thing they knew

Both Pop & the kids were all singing it, too.

They sang Christmas carols, they sang "Holy Night,"

Their eyes all a-shine in the ruddy firelight.

They played some charades Mom recalled from her youth,

And Pop read a passage from God's Book of Truth.

They stayed up till midnight-and, would you believe,

The youngsters agreed 'twas a fine Christmas Eve.

Grandpa rose early, some time before dawn;

And when the kids wakened, the power was on..

"The power company sure got the line repaired quick,"

Said Grandpa - & no one suspected his trick.

Last night, for the sake of some old-fashioned fun,

He had pulled the main switch - the old Son-of-a-Gun!

Richard Pratt's Memos

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Family Pictures

Memo #134