Today is the 2nd day before Christmas, Dec. 23rd, but it is also the birthday of the prophet Joseph Smith. I have to mention Scott's love for this man and how his admiration helped us and others find our own sense of gratitude for this prophet of the Restoration.
Scott loved to watch Saturday morning baseball on TV as a child. His favorite part he told me was the very beginning when the National Anthem was sung. He said that he felt something in him swell up when he listened to that song. So when Scott first heard the First Vision story when he was about 10 years old when his Grandfather took him to church, he said that familiar "Star Spangled Banner" feeling washed over him with such a force that he cried. I do not think that Sunday School teacher, Gordon Reeder, who he remembered always, knew how that day was a pivotal moment for Scott. Scott said that he just knew the minute he heard about Joseph Smith, that he was a prophet and that the Restoration of Christ's church was here on the earth. He was blessed never to wonder again once he heard that truth.
Throughout, Scott's life he sought opportunities to not only study about the prophet Joseph Smith but also bear testimony about the prophet. He studied constantly and was drawn to others that had a similar quest for understanding. He always was ready to defend the prophet and did not let the negative stories or statements waiver his conviction that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. He was even privileged to meet and help the posterity of the Prophet Joseph in various ways. I will not be able to detail everything here because I am trying to write this with all my nieces and nephews over to spend the night and make gingerbread houses and it is crazy. I will have to save those for another time.
Let me just say that we had the opportunity to have some special family trips centered around the Restoration and Joseph Smith. We got to go to the Navuoo temple dedication, because of Scott's foresight in putting in for tickets to attend years before it was complete. What a wonderful experience to attend one of the first sessions once the temple was dedicated. We also were able to visit some of the church historical sites in Missouri as well. When Hayden was 14 and in his Freshman year, Scott felt that it was important to take the family to Palmyra, New York and the Sacred Grove and Kirkland Ohio. With much sacrifice we took that trip even when it was so cold. I am so grateful that Scott insisted that we make that trip and that he was there to enjoy that with us. It was an influential experience for us all, with lasting memories and giving us stronger convictions to live the gospel.
Each of us have commented on how our own testimonies have been strengthened through Scott's zeal for the Restoration of the Gospel and his love of the prophet Joseph Smith. We are grateful to have heard him bear testimony often on the subject and receive for ourselves that "Star Spangled Banner " feeling.
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