Memo #37 (Written June 1, 2003)

From: Richard Pratt

To: Those I Love

Re: FAITH

“Gospel” is from the Greek and means, “The good news”. And what is the good news? That God is, and without him we wouldn’t be for there can be no creation without a creator. For as the great prophet Lehi taught, “If there is no God we are not, neither the earth; for there could have been no creation of things, neither to act nor to be acted upon; wherefore, all things must have vanished away.” (2 Nephi 2:13) Then he continues, “for there is a God and he hath created all things, both the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are, both things to act (us) and things to be acted upon.” (Our environment)

Our Father in Heaven is the actual father of our spirits and our Mother in heaven birthed our spirit bodies there. After a thorough schooling there we had to be sent away for further education and to gain a physical body which was to become the eternal home for our spirit and has to pass thru the change we call death and resurrection.

Jesus has passed thru all these stations and is a resurrected being like his (and our) Father. Our Father taught us the gospel in our spirit existence and that by going thru the same pattern as He and the Son could become like they are and enjoy “Eternal Lives” or family.” this joyful message is the “Gospel or good news.” and the first principle of the Gospel is FAITH, “ FOR WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE HIM: FOR HE THAT COMETH TO GOD MUST BELIEVE THAT HE IS, AND THAT HE IS A REWARDER OF THEM THAT DILIGENTLY SEEK HIM.”

If faith, then, is so vitally important each one of us had better examine ourselves and determine if we have it. And if we haven’t got faith then we had better find out how to get it and strengthen it so that we ultimately will have sufficient faith to overcome the world’s temptations, which are Satan’s temptations and be prepared to enter back into the presence of God and eternally enjoy all that he has to give. 

Paul teaches that, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  (Heb. 11:1) Another prophet , Moroni, teaches that “faith is a hope in unseen things that are true.” Moroni continues, “wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.” (Ether 12:6) Notice that after the trial of our faith we receive a witness of unseen things that are true.

Our nation from the beginning has been called a “Christian Nation” although it has been greatly diluted the past 20 - 30 years by a great influx of non-Christian peoples. However, ask any of the so called Christians, “Do you believe there is a God?” and they will answer “yes”. So faith, then, starts with believing, but believing without action is dead and of no value. For as James says, “thou believest that there is one God; THE DEVILS ALSO BELIEVE AND TREMBLE.” (James 2:19) faith then is to ACT upon our beliefs! 

Faith, to have the power to save, must then be based on TRUTH. FOR THERE CAN BE NO POWER UNTO SALVATION IF OUR FAITH IS BASED ON THAT WHICH IS NOT TRUE.  So then we need to carefully check our beliefs and be sure they are true. And then act upon our beliefs find out what we must do to please God AND DO IT! THIS IS FAITH!

Or as Paul teaches: “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?and 

how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent?.... that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things?”

The prophet Joseph Smith states, “that there are three things necessary in order that any intelligent being may exercise faith in God unto eternal life and salvation.

1. The IDEA THAT GOD ACTUALLY EXISTS!

2. A correct idea of His character, perfections and attributes.

3. An actual knowledge that the course of life which we are pursuing is according to his  will.

For without an acquaintance of these three important facts, the faith of every rational being must be imperfect and unproductive.” (His third lecture on Faith)

So then who is God? He is our Father.

Who is Jesus Christ? He is our older or oldest brother. For as the Bible amply teaches, he is the first born of all spirits. And is empowered by the Father to be our Savior the author of our salvation. Jesus also carries the title of God, or God the Son.  

It is impossible for a person to be saved in ignorance. For he must believe that God is and that he is the rewarder of those who diligently seek him.

When the Savior shall appear (and that will be soon) we shall see that he is a man like ourselves. (D. & C. 130:1)

Remember that 40 days after his resurrection, having appeared at least 10 times to his disciples, He had insisted that they feel him so that they would know that he was real and had also eaten food and drink; He then led them out of Jerusalem and a short distance thereafter, “He was taken up and the clouds received him out of their sight and as he was caught up two angels appeared in shinning white apparel and said, “ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven, this same Jesus which is taken up form you into heaven SHALL SO COME AGAIN AS YE HAVE SEEN HIM GO INTO HEAVEN.” (Acts 1:9-11)

Also remember, “The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of spirit. Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us. (D.&C. 13022)

What shall I do to inherit the kingdom of God?

“There is a special sense of urgency infusing itself into many Church members everywhere that says, quietly, but insistently - this is the time for us to choose! It is not just that God will insist that we choose for our own sake, but that those who depend upon us, or use us as a reference point, need and deserve to know which way we are going. It is no good posing as a lifeguard if one is a non-swimmer. It is no good being a guide if one leaves his post and wanders with the multitude in search of another way, ‘for there is not an other way,’ especially at a time when there is a sharper and sharper divergence in the way of the world and the straight and narrow way. The disciple must not only stand in ‘holy places’ but on holy issues and ‘not be moved.’

“In short, the events of our time and spiritual decay in the world have produced for us the equivalent situation faced by many of the disciples who followed Jesus. They followed him unto he began to preach the ‘hard sayings’  - the doctrines that really demand not only belief, but performance; doctrines which would distinguish them from their contemporary society. The Lord wants us to put some distance - behaviorally - between ourselves and the world, not because we

love mankind less, but precisely because we do love them. It is for the world’s sake the we must sanctify ourselves. When Jesus’ followers faced their moment of truth, John records, ‘From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him,’ Jesus turned to the remainder and queried them, ‘will ye also go away?'

"Then Simon Peter answered Him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life, and we believe and are sure that thou are that Christ, the Son of the living God." (John 6: 66-67)

God lives! Believe and act upon that belief! 

I LOVE you, DAD, GRANDPA ETC 

David Pratt (the youngest brother to Richard) sent a wonderful letter. We will include major excerpts here. It was written May 1, 2003. He and his wife Beverly are serving a mission at the genealogy building in Salt Lake.

Dear Family,

I want to share some of the things I have learned about our family while serving on this mission. I will address my brothers and sisters so that you who are one or two generations removed from us will need to add some “greats” to the stated relationships.

Two of our great grand parents, Thomas Callister and Helen Mar Clark, met and fell in love in a tailor’s shop in Nauvoo. He had learned the trade of a tailor in Great Britain. She was an orphan at 15 when her mother Elizabeth died in the Nauvoo area in March 1845. Elizabeth Town Clark Morse received her patriarchal blessing in 1844. At that time, the patriarch declared, “thou hast passed thru many scenes of affliction and sorrow,” but the Lord would deliver her, “and thy children shall be there to assist thee.”

After her mother’s death, Helen apparently went to live with the family of John Smith, a cousin of the Prophet Joseph, who owned the tailor’s shop. Her job was to make button holes. Thomas felt obligated to ask their boss for her hand in marriage. At this point a scenario like Jacob’s quest in the Bible to marry Rachel unfolded. John Smith asked Thomas to marry his own daughter, Caroline, first before he could marry Helen. Thomas agreed but only had to wait some 3 months instead of seven years to also marry Helen at the end of 1845 when she was 16 years old. Our grandfather on the Pratt side, Nephi, was born in Nauvoo in Jan. Of 1846.

The Callisters and most of the Pratt family spent over a year at Winter Quarters and missed the first wagon train to Utah due to sickness on the part of the Callisters and the fact that Parley was on another mission to Great Britain with his friend and fellow apostle, John Taylor. They all determined to cross the plains in the second wagon train led by John Van Cott, Parley’s cousin and a member of the seven presidents of the 70. Parley’s horses were all gone when he returned to Winter Quarters. As they got out on the prairie he spotted some wild horses that John Taylor rounded up for him.

Caroline Callister lost her eight-month old son Thomas who is buried at Winter Quarters. She was too ill to attend the burial and had to lie in a wagon as they passed the grave. Helen held her up in the wagon so that Caroline could have “her first and last look at the little grave.” 

After arriving in Salt Lake, Parley took up his residence in a home just across the street from the south gate on Temple Square, approximately where the Crossroads Mall now stands. Orson lived on the northwest corner of the same block where there is now a hotel. The Callisters were about two blocks north of them where Thomas became bishop of the 17th ward in 1855. (Mom, Bev and I lived in that same ward in the early 1960s and even then the ward boundaries still included Temple Square.) In 1861, Brigham Young sent the Callisters south where Thomas first served as the bishop of Fillmore and then the as the first stake president. All together, he served some 14 years as bishop of the two wards, then 8 years as stake president. He ended his years as the stake patriarch. Not to be outdone, Helen was Relief Society President in Fillmore for 25 years. 

In 1870 Brigham Young sent 24-year old Nephi Pratt to Fillmore to manage the local tithing office. Such offices were necessary in the days when most paid their tithing in kind: produce, animals, wool, etc. Life on the Mormon frontier was sweetened by music, both choral singing and dancing. The local stake that Thomas Callister presided over was particularly proud of their choir. So much so that a history of the area printed much later featured the choir with individual photos of the director, organist, the organ, and each section of the choir. There is a photo of Nephi Pratt at around 30 years of age. He was a tenor and was joined in that section by his future brother-in-law, Clark Callister. I had no idea that such a photo existed and always pictured him as an old man. Nephi Pratt married Sarah (known as Sadie) Melissa Callister in April of 1880. At the end of that same year the choir gathered at the home of her ailing father to serenade him. Thomas died on my future birthday, December 1, 1880......

Memo #36 (Written May 1, 2003)

From: Richard Pratt

To: Those I love

Re: Spiritual Preparation

As pointed out in the last memo physical preparation consists of food, shelter and clothing which at the best will prolong mortal life but for a moment in the eternal scheme of things. The spirit obviously while in this body doesn’t need physical clothing and shelter but only food, spiritual food. What is spiritual food? And why is it so very important to our eternal happiness?

God is the source of all life both physical and spiritual and the spirit is the life of the physical body which is so obvious for when the spirit leaves the flesh in the change called death the physical immediately begins to return to the dust from whence it came. Only to be reactivated in the resurrection by the return of the spirit.

God then is the power plant that like an electric generator sends this life generating force thru out all space. To use this life giving source one must be plugged into it. For this is the only source of spiritual food. And without it the spirit in our body literally becomes emaciated and faint and sickens however it can never entirely die but in its poor condition when placed back in the resurrected flesh can only enjoy eternally only a portion of that which a healthy well fed spirit can.

Spiritual food then is to do the will of God not because that’s what he wants, although he does because he wants his children to be happy, but because it is the only way we can have a fullness of joy. And the will of God the Father is to accept Jesus Christ by believing on him and having faith (active belief) that he is indeed our Creator and Savior.

Who is faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods of which I have spoken, and the magnifying their calling, are sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies.....They become the church and kingdom, and the elect of God. And also all they who receive this priesthood, receive me saith the Lord; for he that receiveth my servants receiveth me; (of which I am one) Please believe me! And he that receiveth me receiveth my Father; and he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father’s kingdom; Therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him.  (D. & C. 84:33-38) And here is the best definition of spiritual food given by God himself:...Give diligent heed to the words of eternal life. For YOU shall live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God. (D. & C. 84: 43-44)

(Incidentally when one does the above they can cease to worry about the flesh for all things necessary for its well being will be provided)

Not automatically, but by your hard work with faith in Christ the needs of this life will flow unto you. Example: we were married May 19, 1934 in the worst year of the awful depression which began in September 1929 and didn’t end until Pearl Harbor December 7, 1941.

The day after our marriage date we had the clothes we were wearing no job, no education, no future but we did have $.35 cents and a loving family. We spent the 35 cents for a bag of oranges, a great luxury, so we could start with nothing. And 13 years later we owned, free and clear a beautiful ranch a mile and one half long in the beautiful cascade mountains of Central Washington. It had two sets of buildings and the ranch was stocked with the animals of the day. But we didn’t do it, yes we worked hard but so did our neighbors. But we were blessed with one money making opportunity after another, some of the details are listed in my auto biography which most of you have a copy of.

     God is no respecter of persons and wishes to sustain all his children spiritually and physically, but He will only do it for those who plug into the source of power which emanates only from him. Any other course will ultimately fail.

Any other course leads to disaster as is witnessed by the daily news. God doesn’t cause war, men cause war! There would be no war or any other violence if all obeyed Him. Neither would there be fires, earthquakes, storms, droughts, famines and other natural disasters or awful plagues and sickness. How does one become infected with the dreaded HIV viruses? It certainly isn’t God’s fault. But man chooses his destiny and receives what he deserves.

Back in 1831 God, a loving Father, said: “Wherefore the voice of the Lord is unto the ends of the earth, that all that will hear may hear. Prepare ye prepare ye for that which is to come, for the Lord is nigh.” And notice the next words: “I the Lord, KNOWING the calamity which should come upon the inhabitants of the earth (caused by their failing to plug into the source of all life thus weakening their spirit) called upon my servant Joseph Smith, and spake unto him from heaven and gave him commandments, and also commandments to others THAT they should proclaim these things unto the world; and all this that it might be fulfilled, which was written by the prophets... I the Lord am willing to make these things  known unto all flesh. For I am no respecter of persons and will that all men shall know that the day speedily cometh;...when peace shall be taken from the earth and the devil shall have power over his own dominion (Now) and also the Lord shall have power over his saints, and shall reign in their midst and shall come down in judgement upon the world. Search these commandments, for they are true and faithful, and the prophecies and promises which are in them shall all be fulfilled.” (Please read Doctrine and Covenants section 1)

What does the Lord require of us then? “Behold, the Lord requireth the HEART and a WILLING MIND; and the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these LAST DAYS.”

One last scripture of the many thousands: “For strait is the gate, and narrow the way that leadeth unto the exaltation and continuation of the lives, (meaning eternal families), and few there be that find it, BECAUSE YE RECEIVE ME NOT IN THE WORLD NEITHER DO YE KNOW ME.

BUT if ye receive me in the world, then shall ye know me, and shall receive your exaltation; that where I am ye shall be also.

This is Eternal Lives (FAMILY) to know the only wise and true God, and Jesus Christ, whom he hath sent. I am he. Receive ye therefore, my LAW D. & C. 132:22-24

I have answered the two questions given at the beginning: Spiritual food is to accept Jesus willingly and plug into the only source of life.

And its importance is that in no other way can we have eternal life which is forever families. 

I plead with you, if you have not yet done this: DO IT NOW!

Faith in Jesus Christ (means act) repentance of sin, Baptism by immersion by an authorized Priesthood holder and then receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost and walk by every word proceeding from the mouth of God. Then shall ye be spiritually prepared and ready to receive all that the Father has to give.

I love you, 

Dad, Grandpa, friend etc.

With May 19th (1934) the wedding anniversary of Richard and Adaline coming up We 

thought it would be fun for you to re read the dating and courtship of Adaline and Richard. They

both wrote of this in their books, Dad’s starts on page 74 second paragraph and goes to page 78.In Mom’s book see page 45 “Whisper of Romance” through page 46. Note grandma was always 

proud of how their posterity was growing and so I did some figuring and this is how it stacks up in2003: 6 children plus 37 grandchildren plus 82 great grandchildren with 2 more expected this yearadd it all together and you have 127 descendants for this wonderful couple. Note what a 

handsome young couple they are in their wedding picture. Try the following recipe, It was one Mom liked to make for special occasions. Matrimony Cake 1 cup brown sugar 1 cup butter 1 tsp. Soda 3/4 tsp. Salt 2 cups oatmeal 2 cups flour crumble these ingredients together. make a filling of: 1 lb. Dates (chopped) 1 cup sugar 1 cup hot water slowly boil until it thickens and then place in a layer over half of the dry mixture in a 9 x 13 inch 

cake pan. Top with remaining dry mixture. Brown in oven at 350* for about 15 to 20 minutes. Cut and serve in bars. YUMMY! Once upon a time, five thousand men along with women and children walked out of the city and 

gathered on a hillside to listen to the Son of God, and they grew hungry and weak. Quiz time: Q. What does Jesus want to do when people are hungry and weak? A. Feed them. Unfortunately, Jesus didn’t have any food. Neither did his disciples. In fact, they only found one boy (a Boy Scout, no doubt) who had come prepared, and he had only five barley loaves and two small fishes. The disciples pointed out the obvious problem: “What are they among so many?” Do you ever feel this way? After all, you are only one. You only have 24 hours in a day. You only have a limited amount of love in your heart. And there are so very very many hungry people 

surrounding you! What are your talents and your love among so many? Quiz time: Q. How does Jesus most often feed the hungry and weak? A. Through others. He magnifies whatever possessions and talents individuals like you and me 

are willing to share. The obedient disciples brought Jesus the few loaves and fishes even though they did not 

understand what Jesus would do with them. Jesus blessed them. He brake them. He sent his 

disciples to distribute them to the multitude. Over 5,000 people ate and were filled. Twelve 

baskets were taken up extra! What loaves do you possess? What small fishes? Do you believe that the Son of God can 

multiply them and feed multitudes of hungry souls? (Hint He can!) Start out with small multitudesif you choose, but PLEASE share your heart with the world around you. Sacrifice is not easy, but every little bit counts. If a few loaves and fishes can feed multitudes. 

Then a few kind words and smiles can feed a crowd, and a few hugs and moments of listening

with a compassionate heart can feed and fill a weak and hungry soul! If you open your heart wideenough to let the Love of God flow through it, you will experience the inexpressible joy of love 

and service. The night following the feeding of the five thousand, Jesus walked on water, by 

following His example, you will walk on air. Please accept this invitation to join our Savior’s Secret Service. If you love Him, Feed His SheepFeed His Lambs! Join by following these three simple rules: 1. Do secret acts of service. Use your talents in any way you can. Pray that the Lord will multiply your efforts. Pray that the Lord will multiply the efforts of other secret agents. 2. Invite anyone you think might be interested to join. Service is more fun with a friend. 3. NEVER give up or quit serving. May God bless you. May He hear all your secret prayers and reward you openly. May He grant 

you peace and fill your heart with His love. You are special and valuable and wonderful! Have a 

splendid week! Standards for the Strength of Youth (This is in the front of the girls personal progress books as well as other places.)The first Presidency has established guidelines for your daily decisions. 

Choosing to live these standards brings joy and helps qualify you for temple blessings....

commit to live them. As you do this your example will strengthen your family and those with 

whom you associate... Agency and Accountability: Choose righteousness and happiness, no 

matter what your circumstances. Take responsibility for the choices you make. Develop your 

abilities and talents, and use them for good. Avoid idleness and be willing to work hard. 

Gratitude Have a spirit of gratitude in all you do and say. Thank God for your blessings, and 

express appreciation to others who help you. Education: Prepare to be an influence for good in 

the world. Obtain an education, and be enthusiastic about learning. Family: Do your part to build a happy home. Honor your parents, and strengthen your relationships with your brothers and 

sisters. Friends: Choose friends who share your high standards. Treat everyone with kindness 

and respect. Invite friends of other faiths to church activities. Reach out to new converts and 

those who are less active. Dress and appearance: Dress modestly to show respect for God and yourself.... Entertainment and the Media: Choose uplifting entertainment. Avoid anything that is vulgar, immoral, violent, or pornographic in any way. Commit to keeping God’s standards. Music and Dancing: Listen to music that helps you draw closer to Heavenly Father..... Language: 

Use language that uplifts, encourages, and compliments others. Use the names of God and 

Jesus Christ with reverence and respect. Do not use profane, vulgar, or crude language or 

gestures.....Plan activities that help you remain close to the Spirit of the Lord....keep yourself 

sexually pure...Repentance: Through the Savior’s Atonement, you can receive forgiveness and 

be cleansed from your sins when you repent...Honesty: Be honest with yourself, others and the 

Lord. Do not rationalize that dishonesty is right. Sabbath Day: Use the Sabbath to worship the 

Lord, attend church, draw closer to your family and help others...Physical Health: Keep the wordof wisdom...service: serve others....Go forward with faith be true to the Lord and to His Church. Regularly pray in private and read the scriptures. Keep your covenants and listen to the 

whispering of the Spirit. The Lord will help you meet your trials and challenges. We are sons and daughters of Heavenly Father and he loves us! Obey his ways and be 

happy!

Memo #35 (Written April 1, 2003)

Memo #35

April 1, 2003

From: Richard Pratt

To: Those I love

Re: PREPARATION

Those prepared should have no fear but should rejoice. For God’s plan for this earth is right on schedule. The schedule that was set before the earth was. The earth was programmed to have 6,000 years of Telestial mortality. (Where we are now) and a 7,000th period of Terrestrial mortality at which time (end of 7000 years) the earth, a living organization, will die and be resurrected a Celestial orb and only those who have prepared for this great event will be able to dwell on it eternally. This is when the “Meek” shall inherit the earth, and will dwell upon it forever in the presence of God the Father, God the son, and God the Holy Ghost. All others at the final judgement will be relegated to a Terrestrial or Telestial earth according to their works. A few will even be sent eternally to dwell with Satan as “Sons of Perdition.”

Preparation consists of two parts. A physical preparation for our mortal body of flesh and bones and a spiritual preparation for the Spirit body which leaves the flesh at the change known as death. In the long run the Spiritual preparation is by far the most important for it determines our worthiness for protection while in the flesh and our eternal exaltation thereafter. But because, we are in the flesh let us consider the preparation necessary to assure that we live our allotted time on earth. Our length of life on earth was determined before birth. The righteous may not extend theirs much and the wicked shorten theirs a great deal.

Our mortal body, to survive, needs food, clothing, and housing. As the prophet Joel said: 

“The final war will leave the earth a desolate wilderness.” or as the prophet-apostle Orson Pratt describes conditions in the United States: (all of the early prophets of the church up to and including George Albert Smith (1870-1951) say the same thing but Pratt gives the best detail.)

“If it be asked, why is America thus to suffer? The answer is because they have rejected God...For these great evils, they must suffer; the decrees of Jehovah have gone forth...the great and magnificent cities are to be cut off. New York, Boston, Albany and numerous other cities will be left desolate. Party will be arrayed in deadly strife against party; state against state; and the whole nation will be broken up...dreadful revolution will devour the whole land. Then shall there be fleeing from one city to another, from one state to another, from one part of the continent to another, seeking refuge, from the devastations of bandits and armies; then shall their dead be left unburied, and the fowls of heaven shall summer upon them, and the beasts of the earth shall winter upon them. Moreover the Lord will visit them with deadly pestilence which shall sweep away many millions by its ravages; for their eyes shall fall from their sockets, and their flesh from their bones. (Atomic warfare perhaps) and their tongues shall be stayed in their mouths, that they shall not be able to blaspheme against their Maker. And it will come to pass, that the heavens will withhold their rains and their fruitful fields be turned into barrenness, and the waters of their rivers will be dried up, and left in standing pools, and the fish there in will die; and the Lord will send forth a grievous plague to destroy the horses and cattle from the land. Thus by sword and by pestilence, and by famine, and by the strong arm of the Almighty, shall the inhabitants of that wicked nation be destroyed.”

The Prophet Wilford Woodruff testified: “ The American nation will be broken in pieces like a potter’s vessel, and will be cast down to hell if it does not repent ~ and this, because of murders, whoredoms, wickedness and all manner of abominations, for the Lord has spoken it.”

These two prophecies are substantiated by hundreds of prophets from Moses to the current prophets.

So, where will we get food, clothing and shelter under such stringent conditions? President Brigham Young warned that a bushel of gold will not, at that time, buy a bushel of wheat. (One bushel of wheat weighs 60 pounds)

But we don’t have gold, we just have pieces of green paper with figures on them. The same size piece of green paper, we call money, may designate from one dollar to many dollars. Regardless of the amount indicated on a bill it will be worthless except perhaps to start a fire...

All the prophets have advised the following prepatory steps: One, get out of debt and stay out of debt. They are talking of consumer debt. Consumer debt is to buy things to satisfy our desires. They are usually not needed. There are some things that we can only acquire by debt such as a home and automobile. But if a three bedroom and 1 ½ bath home fills your needs do NOT buy a 6 bedroom three bath home. And a late model used car or even older is a tremendously better buy than a new car. I have had many used cars and they have all been very satisfactory. If you can’t control your credit cards, cut them up and throw them away. I carry only one card as a convince and I never use it to buy on time.

When we were expecting our first baby, I promised to wash the dirty diapers (NO disposable ones then) until we could pay cash for a washing machine. It was amazing how soon I came up with the cash to buy that first washer!

When I remember back to my young manhood some 75 years ago when most of our modern necessities had not yet been invented, it now makes me marvel that we lived very happily and comfortably without them.

No, I don’t want to go back to those days but I have acquired considerable of this worlds goods by staying out of debt.

I get 2 or 3 phone calls a day offering to refinance my mortgage at the present low interest rates. They can’t believe it when I tell them I have no mortgage.

Secondly, have a years supply of food, clothing and if possible fuel. Most of us have large closets jammed full of clothes already. As to food, an adult man can exist a year on 400 pounds of wheat. It would be nice to add to that a little salt, dried milk and honey or sugar, and don’t forget the yeast. The whole should not cost more than $100. ~ add other things as your personal finances permit. 

Does this mean that in a year every thing will be back to normal. NO! It simply means that you will have a years time to become self - sufficient. Those who know how to grow a garden and have seed will fare better than others.

now, does all this sound grim? NO! What an interesting challenge to become once again accountable for one’s self. And able to help those who couldn’t or didn’t listen.

So let us look forward to being able to survive that first year as we learn to care for our physical needs. 

It will be a great adventure. Memo 36 for May will be about spiritual preparations.

I love each one of you!~

                                    Dad, grandpa,etc Richard M. Pratt

Andy Hales wrote this essay in a competition. It took first place in district, post and state and 11th place in the national competition! He will receive about $2000 in awards. He is 14 years old and the son of Sharla and Jim Hales. (Sharla is the daughter of our daughter Kay and husband Vern Smith.)

Lives, Fortunes and Sacred Honor

“We mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.” these words are more than just an end to the Declaration of Independence. Our founding fathers were dead serious about them. They lived and died according to this pledge. I can make the same pledge to America.

Many soldiers have pledged their lives to America. During the Revolutionary War, many died for independence and the right to “lives, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” written of by Thomas Jefferson. In the Civil War, Americans died for the equality of its citizens. In World Wars I and II soldiers died to protect all people’s rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. In Vietnam, soldiers fought and some died because America asked them to. I am not called on to give my life for America, but I undoubtedly can live my life for America. I pledge to intelligently vote,  properly display our flag, and support our military.

Founding fathers pledged their fortunes, and unfortunately, many lost them. During the Revolutionary War in the Battle of Yorktown, the house of Governor Thomas Nelson (a signer of the Declaration of Independence) had been taken over for use as the British headquarters by General Cornwallis. Nelson fired at his own home with a cannon, completely destroying it. In a flash, he lost what had taken him years to obtain. Compared to Nelson, my pledge to willingly pay taxes is a small sacrifice.

Great people have pledged their sacred honor to America. Senator John McCain is one of them. During the Vietnam War he was taken captive, and held as a Prisoner of War for five years. He was treated terribly by the North Vietnamese forces. Afterward, instead of being angry, he continued to contribute to American society. Not only did he not turn his back on America, he served even more. He became a senator for Arizona. He later ran for president. I can pledge my honor as he did. I will be respectful, honorable and loyal to America.

I can pledge great things for my country. I don’t have to be a hero, just willing to be one. I pledge to America to live my life as a good citizen, to share my fortune by paying taxes, and to give my honor by respecting America and the freedom that it stands for.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The following is a poem written by Tammy Peterson a granddaughter. Her parents are Sheryl and Gibb VanOrman.

   Dear Grandpa,

Your life has been long each day a new task

of building a table

or something we’ve asked.

In wood you could form

A great piece of art

in creative shapes

that look really smart.

But other than wood 

you’ve chiseled away

at showing us how 

to not go astray.

The time that you took

to polish our grain

will help us achieve 

a more holier plain.

Memo #34 (Written March 1, 2003)

From: Richard Pratt

To: Those I love

Re: The Worlds present chronological Point in Time:

I will begin by quoting the closing paragraph of memo 32: “So as we approach the end many great and terrible things will happen in rapid succession. Those prepared shall have no fear but should rejoice. What a great time to live and have some foreknowledge of the great plan of redemption.”

President Hinckley has placed new emphasis on missionary work, raising the standards and insisting that only worthy young men WITH TESTIMONIES of the divinity of this great work will now be called. And as Elder Ballard states, “Church members have a remarkable message of startling truth that is needed in the world today....future missionaries must study and appreciate the gospel’s message, then learn how to share it with others in clear and simple terms.”

This new stress on warning the world caused me to reread and read again the 24th chapter of Matthew as found in the “Pearl of Great Price”. In this version the prophet rearranged the New Testament 24th chapter of Matthew in chronological order. No meaning is lost or changed but it is simply easier to understand. So I call your attention to it and you can plainly see where the world is chronologically as to the second coming of the Lord!

Notice that there are three divisions in the time sequence. Verses 1 - 21 concluded with the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in 70 A.D. and answered the disciples first question as to when that would happen. Then they asked two other questions: “What is the sign of thy coming?” “And the end of the world or the destruction of the wicked, which is the end of the world?”

The answer to the second question, “What is the sign of thy coming?” is answered in verses 22-30 and covers the early history of the restoration of the gospel down to the present.

Verse 22 says in part: “For in those days there shall also arise false Christs and false prophets...that if possible they shall deceive the very elect.” I will briefly mention two.

In 1842, a George Miller, a self-professed prophet, stated emphatically that Christ would appear at such and such a date in 1842 and that all that believed him would dispose of their worldly goods and with him ascend a certain high hill to meet the Savior. A considerable following did so. Dressed in white they spent a cold and miserable night on the hill top and in trying to return to their homes in the morning were for the most part repulsed by those to whom they had given their worldly goods.

Miller then declared that he had made a miscalculation and set a new date but with few followers and the same disappointment as before.

There have been false Christs and false prophets reported in the past 150 years from Australia to Europe and the Americas. I will only relate one more.

In New York in the 1930s a black man claimed to be Jesus Christ and had come to burn the world and salvation would come only to those who sent him their tithing. So many contributed that in a short time he was a very wealthy man and just disappeared, I suppose to enjoy his ill-gotten gains.

I was on my first mission at the time and met two elderly widows who regularly contributed. When asked why, they replied, “we’re not taking any chances.” Of course if they had known their scriptures they would not have been deceived.

Describing this past century verses 23-30 warns; “and you shall hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that ye be not troubled, for all I have told you must come to pass; but the end is not yet.” The theme continues... the Saints are to be gathered (they have been and are) more wars, nation against nation...famines and pestilences, and earthquakes...iniquity shall abound. All of this has and is happening.

Now we come to the answer to the third question: “The Second coming in power and the destruction of the wicked.”

Starting with verse 31: “And again this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world, for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come, or the destruction of the wicked.”  THIS IS THE POINT WE ARE NOW AT! This new missionary thrust will finish reaching those who have not yet heard the warning cry.

And verse 32: and again shall the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet be fulfilled. The first abomination of desolation was the slaughter of 1,100,000 Jews, few prisoners were taken, men, women, and children were killed indiscriminately at Jerusalem in 70 A.D. 

Or as the Book Of Revelation tells us. The combined world armies of two hundred million (the current number of all armed forces) will engage in such a terror that one third of the world’s population will be killed. “And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk. Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts. Revelations 9:18-21

This third world war will end with a world wide assault on Jerusalem. And as the Old Testament Prophet Joel said: will end with all nations attacking the Jews. This supports the quote in the previous paragraph from the Revelation of John.

Joel continues: “a fire devoureth before them and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the Garden of Eden before them, and behind a desolate wilderness, yea and nothing shall escape them.” Joel 2:3

God does not send wars upon the nations. They bring the wars upon themselves by turning away from God and casting him out of their collective and National lives as per the present conditions in the United States. No nation or world of nations can long remain at peace that turn their back on God. So the final result will be an all destroying third world war. And those who escape the war will be incinerated as the earth is cleansed by fire. EXCEPT FOR THOSE WHO ARE PREPARED. 

When will this all happen? Back to Matthew 24:34 “Verily, I say unto you this GENERATION, in which these things shall be shown forth, shall not pass away until all I have told you shall be fulfilled.”

As Isaiah prophesied: “the earth also is defiled under the inhabitants there of because they have transgressed the law, changed the ordinances and broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore the earth is burned and few men left. 

Conclusion: “If ye are prepared ye shall not fear.” D & C 38:30.

“Be of good cheer. And do not fear, for I the Lord am with you; and ye shall bear record of me, even Jesus Christ, that I am the Son of the living God, that I was, that I am and that I am to come.” D & C 68:6     NEXT MONTHS MEMO: Preparation!

Love,

Dad, grandpa etc (Richard Marden Pratt)

Dawn wrote a poem that Dad sent out with this memo. It is a tribute to our Mom. 

I Am Mother 

I am cheerful and courageous,

Meeting each oxygen-tethered, blind day with appreciation

To our Father in Heaven for the many blessings He gives me,

Positive of Hope in Christ.

I Wonder: Is my own mother,

Now long since passed beyond the veil, standing near?

I like to imagine her, Rose Marie Enders Kearl,

Standing across the room, her melted-chocolate eyes

Gleaming approval on her daughter.

I imagine I hear her name -

Gently whispered, like the lingering fragrance her name implies,

Reminding me of the flower garden she so lovingly nurtured-

Like she did us, her eleven children.

I see her turn. She smiles.

She reaches for Pa’s hand. They are young, like I once was.

I want to join them. I feel impatient for that day,

Yet hesitant to let go of my own title “Mother”

To become “daughter” again.

But I must be cheerful and courageous.

Meeting each oxygen-tethered, blind day with appreciation

To our Father in Heaven for the many blessings He gives me,

Positive of Hope in Christ.

I shut my eyes and pretend that Final Day is come.

I feel Ma and Pa’s arms enclose my bony stooped shoulders

Like a Cashmere wrap. I feel renewed. Warmed. Strengthened.

I yearn to go with them. But I worry about Richard, my soul mate.

He is yet vital while I wither. I cry! Bereft. Incomplete without him.

I refuse to imagine our “Apartness”.

I must be cheerful and courageous,

Meeting each oxygen-tethered, blind day with appreciation

To our Father in Heaven for the many blessings He gives me,

Positive of Hope in Christ.

I understand the Day will come.

We are born to die! To die and then go on to greater things. 

I say life on Earth is just the beginning of our Father’s wonderful Plan.

I dream of our Forever Family. Six out of Six. United. Progressing. 

One Heart. One Mind. For Eternity.

I try to impart to these Dear Ones the WORD,

The wisdom I have won in my 80+decades. I hope they listen!

I pray to God they listen, they strive. What more honor could I ask?

I also hope to be able to endure myself. With Nobleness. With Dignity.

I am cheerful and courageous,

greeting each oxygen-tethered, blind day patiently with appreciation:

Thanks to our Father for the many blessings He gives me!

Thanks be for Certainty. Love. Hope. For my Savior, Jesus Christ.

I am Adaline Kearl Pratt, a Daughter of God...................

(a tribute to my own lovely Mother– born September19, 1913 * died July 13, 2000).

By Dawn Pratt Taylor written February 2003

Memo #33 (Written February 2, 2003)

From: Richard Pratt

To: Those I Love

Re: I Belong

Yes, I belong and so do you. We can not get away from it. And we shouldn't want to for when we try to convince ourselves we don’t belong we become a “loner, miserable, sickly both body and soul and doomed to not only an early mortal death but also unhappiness and misery in the world to come until we discover that we really do belong.

First of all we belong to a family, the family of god and in mortality to the family that makes our mortal life possible. We start mortality as a son or daughter and as we advance in years we become a brother or sister, cousin, niece, nephew, aunt, uncle and if we go full circle a mother and a father and on and on.

Then we belong in so many other ways to all people. We belong to our city, our state and to our country no matter where we live. In my grade school days, the day always started by singing, “My Country Tis of Thee”, all four verses and then we pledged allegiance to the flag. The feeling of belonging, called Patriotism was so strong that I would cry, not sobbing, but just tears of joy running down my face because I belonged. My class mates would do the same. 

I loved the extended family system in the islands. The oldest couple lived in the center home and all others around them. They soon formed their own village.

Two young men, working on the school compound at $3.00 a day had me promise not to give them a single dollar as they were saving for their missions. They needed $240.00 each before they could go. In the poverty stricken country of Kiribati that was a lot of money, but they had to have that much before the church would furnish the rest. Yet they came to me one day in tears and asked for $5.00. Having promised not to give them any until they reached their goal, I asked why and what they needed it for.

Their answer, “Family member died, family needs money.”

I tried to find out how they were related to the deceased person. They didn’t know for they don’t try to categorize into cousins etc. it’s just all family. I finally figured out that they were third cousins which is not “family” here.

“The law of family worship” by Elder McConkie states in part: “All things center in the family, and the family is the center of all things. Salvation is a family affair and consists of the family unit in eternity. God himself is exalted and omnipotent because he is a Father, and his kingdoms and dominions are composed of his children over whom he rules in equity and justice forever. The whole system of salvation, of revelation, of religion, of worship ~ all that comes from Deity for the benefit of man ~ is tied into a divine patriarchal system. If any of us gain the fulness of reward in our Father’s kingdom, it will be because we enter into family relationships that are eternal in nature; it will be because we have perfected our own patriarchal family units. These concepts are part of the very foundation upon which true religion rests.

True worship is a family affair. God deals with and through families, righteous families, faithful families, families who will believe and obey. The whole object and end of true religion is to enable a man to become ~ through celestial marriage ~ an eternal father in his own right, and to enable a woman to become an eternal mother. It is thus inevitable ~ it could not be otherwise ~ that God, who is our Father deals with chosen and favored families in making his 

mind and purposes known to mortals.” 

How, then, do we become a part of that eternal family? Remember that mortality is a time of testing to see if each of us will accept Jesus as our Savior and live by every word that comes from the mouth of God. To do less than this will find us eternally cut off from our family or as the prophets say, “we will have neither root (ancestors) nor branch (descendants).

Remember “there is a law irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundation of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated. And WHEN WE OBTAIN ANY BLESSING FROM GOD, IT IS BY OBEDIENCE TO THAT LAW UPON WHICH IT IS PREDICATED.” Doctrine and Covenants 130: 20-21

“A man must marry a wife by my word, which is my law, and by the new and everlasting covenant, (in a temple) by him who is ... appointed unto this power and the keys of the priesthood...and they shall inherit thrones, dominions, kingdoms etc.” Doctrine and Covenants 132: 19 and verse 20 continues, “then shall they be Gods, because they have no end (their family increases eternally)...then shall they be Gods, because they have all power...verily, verily I say unto you, EXCEPT YE ABIDE MY LAW YE CANNOT ATTAIN TO THIS GLORY. 

“If a man marry him a wife in the world, and he marry her not by my word... they are not bound by my law when they are out of the world. Therefore, when they are out of the world they neither marry nor are given in marriage. (They do not belong) 

They are appointed angels... and are servants to those who are worthy of celestial families. For these angles did not ABIDE MY LAW. Therefore they cannot be enlarged, but remain separately and singly, without exaltation in their saved condition eternally and are not Gods, but are angels of God forever and ever.

Notice this next one: If a man and a woman decide to live together without the formality of a wedding and they make a covenant with each other to meet and continue their romance after this life. It cannot be done. When they are out of this world, they cannot come together there because the angels and the Gods are appointed there, by whom they cannot pass. For they have not obeyed my law. For my house is a house of order, saith the Lord God. 

I know a very fine man, who maintained that God, being a God of LOVE would certainly not separate, after death, a husband and wife who loved each other. His reasoning was very faulty because God is also a just God and justice decrees that we obey the law to get the blessing and a loving couple who have not complied with the law of eternal marriage will not be able to come together after this life. As mentioned in the previous paragraph they will not be able to pass the angels who guard the way to exaltation which is eternal families.

So who ever you are, where ever you are, if you want to belong obey the law and it shall be done!

Accept Jesus Christ as your Savior and your only hope. For without Him there is nothing. For he (Jesus) has said: “ He that receiveth my servants receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth my Father and he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father’s kingdom; THEREFORE ALL THAT MY FATHER HATH SHALL BE GIVEN UNTO HIM. And this is according to my law. 

I LOVE you,

Dad, Grandpa etc.

DAD INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING FROM MOM'S JOURNAL WITH THIS MEMO!

Excerpts from Adaline Kearl Pratt’s journal of 1970 -1972

August 16th 1970:

Sunday evening the 16th we were given a farewell at Sacrament meeting. Richard and I spoke. My talk followed a song by Dawn and two of her Tabernacle Choir friends. I started the talk with “It takes a heap of living in a house to make it home” and told about family and how we had really found the 8th ward and Provo home. Then ended my about 12 minute talk with the scripture: “May the Lord bless you and keep you, may He make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you.”

Then Richard talked and continued on about the home and family paying me the nicest tribute that I have ever had. Then he had me stand next to him and with his arm around my shoulders bore our testimony as one.

“We are as one! We work together. Our love has continued to grow as the years have progressed. We are proud of each other and of what the other one has done and is doing. We have a strong testimony and a great love for our Heavenly Parents and their children. Our great desire for our family is that they will love and serve the Lord that their lives will be blessed with the richness of His spirit.”

September 19, 1970 my birthday

The neighbor boys brought me cards and presents. The Bishopric sent a card and a family nearby sent me a gift... the remembrances most of which were a surprise since I was new here. The best remembrance was from my husband. A card and candy with love. Then Sunday evening Gibb and Sheryl and Roger and Rose Marie phoned to wish me a happy birthday. They no sooner hung up until Kay and Vern phoned. Carolyn and her family sent a gift and card, and earlier Steve and Gae sent a tape and card, and Dawn and Nelson a card and gift. So all in all it was really nice to be remembered by all of our wonderful family. And today I received a card and letter from Mother, Noreen, Mint and Jack.

Sunday October 4, 1970

was mother’s birthday. I am thankful to have had such a very fine and choice mother. We went to church where I taught a group of Lamanite girls while Richard taught the priesthood. In the afternoon sister Shelly came over. Later Elder Olsen came down from the mission home and brought a tape recorder playing a tape that Steve and Gae had sent us. It was nice. Everyone sounded just like they were in the room with us.

Wednesday the 7th

President Tingey gave Richard and I a nice compliment today when he was in the office awaiting a call. We were talking about mission presidents etc and their work etc. he said, “your husband would make a wonderful M. Pres. And you would be a good mission Mother. You both have the right kind of abilities.” I doubt if we’ll ever be called but it was nice to have him think us worthy. After work I dropped Pres. Tingey off at the airport where he flew to SLC for a mission Pres. Seminar. None of the M Home cars were there to take him out. So I did my good deed for the day! Ha!

Letter from my husband...dated Oct. 25, 1970 (from this letter we only included 3 paragraphs)

The void I feel when you are gone increases each time we are separated. I feel more keenly that our days are numbered and that we will soon be temporarily separated by the grim reaper. This will be the worst time of life.

I doubt if it matters who goes first. I am sure that the one who goes will be as anxiously waiting to be reunited as the one who stays. I love you more than I can tell. Only the gospel means more to me, and yet how do you separate the two? Without you the gospel would have little meaning and without the gospel, eternal separation from you would make life unbearable. How grand to know that we two are one through all the eternities. Thank you for being my wife.

Enjoy our kids. I love them next to you and am so proud of them all including their kids and spouses. My love for my family (as you well know) surpasses by far any and all other emotions and is the greatest thrill of life. They truly are my reason for living. May we all always be worthy to freely go and come to see each other.

Until Thursday then, all my love, Richard

October 23, 1970

I left Holbrook at 3 PM and arrived at Provo 5:20 AM. I slept most of the night so it was a painless way to make a journey. However, I missed the sights which I did enjoy on our homeward journey to Holbrook. I visited with Sheryl and Gibb, Carolyn and Family, Rose Marie and family and Dawn and Family. Carolyn, Rose Marie and I went to SLC and had dinner and did some genealogy. I was able to help Sheryl with the new baby girl who is really a doll with its dimples and black hair. I stayed at Rose’s and Roger’s nights. Dad drove up to Provo on the 29th to join me for the next few days. We did some good family visiting and had a Halloween party at Carolyn’s Saturday evening. ThenSunday evening we were the speakers at the Sacrament meeting. We told about our experiences in Arizona with the Lamanites and our visits to Hopi land. The family got together afterwards.

Saturday December 19th

We arose early and left Holbrook for Provo, Utah. After a successful drive we arrived in Provo by evening and went to Rose and Roger’s who were decorating a big Christmas tree. The next 2 weeks were greatly enjoyed by visiting our families in Provo area. Richard also did some work on Dawn and Nelson’s house and spent several days at Carolyn’s working with Steve finishing up the small bathroom with built-ins shower etc. we came home feeling good after seeing each family progressing in faith and works. We are proud of our family and glad to see it grow and strengthen. All but Kay and Vern and family were there. And they plan to come to AZ for a visit soon. This we anticipate.  

Sunday Feb. 7, 1971

We went to Sunday school then testimony and sacrament meeting followed. We fasted and had special prayers to ask for an answer to a problem that has been bothering us of late. We wonder if we should stay in Holbrook next year or to return home to Provo. There is so much need here for good Seminary teachers. Richard is very good. The kids love him and he changes lives. His BYU rating is that of a “Master Teacher”’ one of the top 10% of teachers in the Church System. He could also teach in Provo, Utah, and we could live there where most of our married children live and where we own our home. Our desire is to find out what the Lord would have us do. Here I contribute to working in the S W Indian Mission Home helping keep records, along with other home and church duties.

Mother’s day 1971....has been different than any previous year because we are away from our children and grandchildren. But I have felt peace and happiness in spirit knowing that they were where they were and that they were doing that which we could feel proud.

January 30, 1978

Even at this late date my heart is warmed when I think of our experiences in the Arizona desert. They were rich and rewarding. We grew in faith, had many rich and exciting experiences and made a host of good friends. And Richard did a work there that will long be remembered. Just this week we received a letter from Holbrook Stake President Williams, thanking us once again (after 7 years!) For the good influence we had on the youth and people of Holbrook. It was gratifying.

And once again we felt sure that the Lord had guided us to the desert to bless us along with the people there. It was a sacrifice to leave our home and family but we are taught that sacrifice brings forth blessings, and maybe our family even did some growing by our being away.

(Mom always made home and relationships beautiful. To read in her journals was to ‘hear’ Mother’s voice again.) 

To close this month’s memo here are the words to a primary song:

I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints. I know who I am. I know God’s plan. I’ll follow him in faith. I believe in the Savior Jesus Christ. I’ll honor his name. I’ll do what is right. I’ll follow his light. His truth I will proclaim.

With Grandpa and Grandma leading the way....teaching us how to trust and obey! We Belong!