1947 (Tuesday) – Over a week since I wrote. I have been home most of the time. Last Thursday evening Earl (Earl Sperry Lunt) and Edna (Edna Viola Nelson) took Lillian (Lillian Lunt) and me to the Capitol Hill Ward to a Stake Reception where all members of the stake were invited and all past members. Many of the Stake members, officers of the Stake and some of the different organizations were lined up and the guests shook hands with each one and then went down to a basement room and had some refreshments. Each family was presented with a little book for a souvenir. It was very nice.
On Friday evening Edna, Grace (Grace Viola Harper), Mable Sears, Lillian and I went to the 19th Ward to a Historical Pageant celebrating the 100th Anniversary since this stake was organized. Earl was author and director over it all. The different wards prepared an act. It had for the first scene a family group having a home night. The father surprised them by producing a Stake Book of Remembrance, loaned him for the evening, and the following scenes were supposed to be stories told by the father.
First the scouts came to view the land, then crowds of pioneers with Brigham Young declaring “This is the place”, the story of the crickets, the amusements of the pioneers, including some good dancing, then the drama, a scene from the first theater by Phil Margaretts Co. Minnie Margaretts prepared that one and it was very colorful and good. Earl took part in it.
The finale was the dedication of the Salt Lake Temple. A man representing the president of the church read the Dedicatory Prayer. He had a splendid voice, every word could be heard and the reader seemed to feel the spirit of the occasion. Gradually as the prayer continued people in white came on to a platform behind a veil and behind the scene, very low, a chorus sang the Hallelujah chorus. At the close of the prayer, the chorus of the song swelled out loud and clear. It was very impressive. I asked Brother Van Aughton if he was satisfied and he replied “very much indeed”. Earl brought us home.
Sunday was Stake Conference. At the morning session, was President George Albert Smith, President George F. Richards and Bishop Wirthlin. There was a beautiful spirit present, I only wish I could remember more of what was said. President Smith mentioned more than once how he enjoyed his boyhood days in the 17th ward, where he was born. The people were counseled to live closer to their God, there was disappointment because so many people were absent.
It was a lovely day, so warm and sunshiny.
On Monday we were busy in the home all day. Lillian did some weeding in the east garden.
Today (Tuesday the 21st) – Dad (Alfred Oscar Lunt) and I walked up to the polling place to vote in the primary. He came home and I went to the bank and to the market and then returned home. Afternoon, we, Lillian and I, went to Relief Society.
I have prepared some pedigree charts and group sheets to send to Aunt Florence (Sarah Florence McCune) for her to send to Clinton (Clinton Edward Lunt) as he is over the Genealogical work in his ward or stake.
