The Borcherts are Bikers???

Dear Friends and Family,

We hope you enjoyed a few facts about the Jacob Hamblin home, last blog.  This week we will highlight the Brigham Young Winter Home.

Brigham Young owned a number of properties in St. George and actually owned three homes.  The home he choose to winter in the last 7 winters of his life were in the home pictured below.  It really is a very charming New England-Victorian piece of architecture.  The colors are original and yes, Brigham had these saints learn to Faux Paint.  All the lumber in the home is pine and there are several different finishes on the wood.  The door/window casings are painted to resemble Oak.  There are several other pieces of furniture in the home that have been finished to resemble, Walnut, Mahogany, Marble and Birds Eye Maple.  Really quite remarkable since they had to use pine cones, feathers or any other choice little implement they could find to paint the grain they were trying to imitate.

OK, yes, one of the most asked questions is, "How many wives did Brigham Young have?"  Well, I think it will surprise some of you that he had 56 wives and 57 seven children.  Now-before some of you fall off your chairs, he shared a household with less than half of these women.  He had children with 16 of them.   He colonized hundreds of settlements and most of them still exist today. They run from Calgary Canada, to San Bernadino CA,including Las Vegas and Mesquite NV.  For a man who had 11 days of formal education, I would say he "Done Real Good!"  By the way, the three major Universities in Utah owe their beginning to Brigham Young.

As you can see in the pictures of his home, the Sisters were able to have a field trip to visit.  We actually trained the Sisters on giving a tour of the home.  Sometimes when we are swamped we call upon these very capable Missionaries to come bail us out.  This last Saturday we were short a Sr. Couple at Brigham's and we had 224 visitors.  The Sisters were unable to come, so we ran around like hamster's in their little wheels.  We just ran from one tour to the next and the funny thing is, Bruce and I will go all day without seeing each other.  He will have a tour in the house and I will have one out side or in the office.  It's bizarre.  (In a Good Way)

The last thing you need to know about this site, is Brigham had an office built adjacent to the home so he could do the business of the church.  This is where he, with a few of the Apostles, codified (wrote down) all of the Temple Ordinances for the first time.  Prior to this, they were given from memory. (Pretty impressive---heck yea!)

So p-day this week was an experiment in how young Bruce and I think we are.  We bought bikes and had rode along the Urban trails of St George going 15-20 miles each time.  So of course we think we can ride up Snow Canyon.  We load the bikes on the Jeep and take off.  We drive to the mouth of the canyon, unload the bikes and start up the canyon.  Wellllllll-not such a good idea.  We didn't realize how uphill this trail is.  We made it half way and could hardly stand up.  Usually, I'm like come on we can do this, but I was whipped.  My legs felt like rubber and I was wondering how I was going to get back to the Jeep.  Yep-we turned around and went back.  Down hill was heaven.  So we loaded up the bikes and went to the movie and had popcorn and Jr. Mints.

I'm not sure which storm to talk about.  AZ got hammered, UT got hammered and St. George was a virtual water fall.  As you can see by the pictures the Santa Clara and the Virgin Rivers were running fast and furious.  Sometimes I think "HE" just wants to remind us whose really in charge and who has the power. 

Our days are full and the weeks are flying by.  We are working hard, but happy for it.  When I stop to think of all of you, it makes me sad to think we don't see you everyday, but we are truly enjoying the time here and realize it will be over in a blink of an eye.  

Happy days to all of you and BE SAFE.

We love you,

Bruce and Dawna

Elder and Sister

PS.  I realized that I forgot to wish a Happy Birthday to our wonderful son-in-laws, Ryan (Sept 13th) and Eldon (Sept 27th), and our dear friend Karen Reeder (Sept 23rd)  At least I got their cards in the mail.

Leaf Peeping

Dear Family and Friends,

This week I have been thinking we  haven't told you much information about the Historical Sites where we serve.  So I'm going to highlight each site so that you will know the devotion, faithfulness and sacrifice that these pioneers endured during the early years of settling of St. George and the surrounding communities.  This week we will focus on Jacob Hamblin, since it is Santa Clara Swiss Days.  The Hamblin home is in Santa Clara which is a settlement that was actually settled before St. George.  A group of Swiss settled in Santa Clara, hence, Swiss Days.

In 1853 Brigham Young called 22 men to the Indian Mission.  Jacob Hamblin was one of those men who left everything in Tooele and moved to Santa Clara.  The men built a fort and moved their families to Santa Clara in 1854.  They lived in the fort while traveling throughout Southern Utah trying to make friends, teach the gospel, elevate their living conditions and basically try to create a peaceful environment where the new pioneers and Native Americans could live together.  In 1862 a flash flood washed out the entire fort.  After this event Jacob moved up the hill and built the current cabin for his family.

Jacob Hamblin joined the church in Wisconsin, moved his family to Nauvoo, served a mission, came home when the Prophet Joseph Smith was martyred and then moved his family to Far West.  His first wife, Lucinda Taylor,  left him with four children which left Jacob a single father.  He met and married Rachel Judd and eventually moved his family (his 4 children and Rachel's 2 from a previous marriage) West and eventually to Tooele.  When the call came to serve in the Indian Mission there was no doubt in his mind he would go.  His conversion to the gospel had been nothing short of a miracle, having had the Book of Mormon placed in his hands by Lyman Stoddard and knowing of its truthfulness immediately.  There was opposition from his wife, in-laws and his own family, however he would not be deterred from being baptized.  From that point until his death, he depended on prayer and faith to guide his life.  His contribution to the settling of the southern part of Utah, northern parts of Arizona and parts of New Mexico is remarkable.  He served as president of the Indian Mission and served as a missionary over 32 years in this calling.  He had four wives, Lucinda Taylor, Rachel Judd, Priscilla Leavitt, and Louisa Bonelli and fathered 24 children.  He adopted a Native American Son and 3 Native American daughters.

This is such a cliff-notes version of his story, but it gives you an idea of his love of the gospel, his love for the prophet, Brigham Young and the Native American People.  It has been stated, "that he lived with the Indians, ate with the Indians and starved with the Indians.  He spoke over 9 Native American Languages and before he died, traveled over 30,000 miles in his saddle.  He was originally buried in New Mexico and then eventually moved to Alpine AZ.

We had to say good bye to one of our wonderful Sr. Couples, The Dewitts.  But as you can see we had a fun time doing it.  We wish them well on their next journey.  We will be loosing another two couples, the Child's and Drolett's next month.  We will remember all these couple's as they so sweetly trained and put up with us newbies.  What a wonderful example of service and testimony they have each shared with us.  Transfers are coming up this Saturday and we will loosing some of our sweet sisters as well.  Six of them will be returning home next Wednesday and I think I may cry.  What capable strong young women they are with limitless futures.  We love them all.

P-dayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!  We got up early last Friday morning and drove up to Beaver and across Hwy 153 and 137.  We went leaf peeping and wow we peeped a lot.  The leaves were beautiful and the weather perfect.  We stopped at Cedar Breaks and hiked the Spectra​​​​ Point trail.  This is a trail that goes right along the horse-shoe shaped canyon out to a 1600 year old Bristol Cone​​​​​​​​ Pine Tree.  The elevation was over 10,000 feet and it felt like we were sucking air through a plugged straw.  It was fantastic but rather challenging.  The forest ranger said it was a moderate hike and then I read the description in the guide book and it was listed as a strenuous hike.  It was a good thing it was only a mile out and a mile back, but wouldn't have missed it for the world.

Saved the best for last.  Our wonderful friends who continue to visit us.  Roger and Elaine Christensen stopped by for dinner and the production of Joseph at Tuachan.  We laughed all night and shared mission experiences.  Roger and Elaine served as Mission Presidents in the Long Beach Mission and loved every minute and we know their missionaries loved them.  Friends and Family are our greatest treasure.

We send love and happiness to all,

Bruce and Dawna

(Elder and Sister)

​

Excuse Me

Dear Family and Friends,

Another week has flown by and we just received our schedule for October and November.  It seems like yesterday that we picked up our schedule for July, August and September and now September is half over.

We have had another wonderful week teaching, however, I had my first encounter with someone who really doesn't like Mormon's.  They were an older couple from Tennessee who wanted a tour of the Tabernacle.  I introduced myself and before I started the tour, I looked over at the woman and could see real animosity in her eyes(the death look).   Immediately I thought of Elder Holland's talk about the sweet sister missionary who encountered an angry man in the park who spit at her and threw mashed potatoes in her hair.  I began to wonder if this man and woman would spit at me or take a swing.  I started the tour and then the questions began (or accusations).   She and her husband questioned me about the Sacrament, missionaries who are barred from their families for two years, tithing etc.  By the time I had finished I was exhausted and wanted to do exactly what the sister missionary wanted to do to her attacker.  Grab them by the neck and say "Excuse Me" you come into our place of worship and belittle, mock and generally hate us.  But I didn't.  I offered them all the literature, maps and even a Book of Mormon.  You would have thought I had offered them poison.  She even refused the Family Search handout, which everyone takes.  I politely smiled and wished them a good afternoon and thanked them for coming.  No response:(  They were with another couple who sort of distanced themselves from us a little and at the end they did take the Family Search handout and very quietly in my ear, thanked me for the tour.  I'm not sure if they were embarrassed by their friends behavior or not, but I think they felt sorry for me. 

But, we had a fantastic day on Wednesday.  Bruce is always in rare form.  His mad sales skills are used to the fullest extent.  He can get almost anyone to take the literature and Book of Mormon.  He also has the ability to teach.  His tours usually last longer than most, but its because he is teaching the Apostasy, The plan of Salvation, or the Restoration.  I had the most lovely couple from St. Louis Missouri.  He was a dentist and she was a chef and both were Jewish.  I gave them a tour of Brigham's house and they asked questions about the martyr of Joseph Smith, the persecution of the Saints and lots about Brigham Young.  At the end they took a Book of Mormon, The Family Proclamation, and the Living Witness of Christ.  He asked me if they could could go on a mission and I told them sure, we would just have to baptize them first.  They laughed and gave me a hug and thanked me over and over again for a wonderful tour and more importantly for answering their questions.  I don't think they will convert, however, I pray they have better feelings about Mormon's and understand us a little better.

The other wonderful part of our week is our visitors from home.  We got to see & visit (and I got a hug) from Bryon Madsen.  Bruce gave him a tour of Brigham's and I was so busy with other tours that I didn't get to talk much.  We hope to visit with him more as he comes to work here a few days each month. (Bryon, so sorry I didn't get a picture of us!)  We love those who stop by and wonder how we are doing, or what are we doing, or are we doing anything!!  

Our other visitors were a complete surprise for me.  We watch for visitors from a Gazebo apart from Brigham's house.  On Wednesday afternoon two women walked up and sat on the porch of the house.  It was Bruce's turn to give a tour so he walked out to greet them.  He escorted them into the house and then came back to the Gazebo to tell me they wanted a tour from a woman.  I went "OH NO" this is going to be difficult.  I walked into the house and there were two sweet friends from high school.  Kathleen Thomas Murdock and Susan Christensen Fagen had just retired and decided it was time to take a girl trip. They were in St. George to see the productions at Tuacahn.  We visited and laughed for over an hour.  It was so fun to catch up, hear about their children and what is happening in good ole' AF.  It was like 1970 all over again (yes that's the year I graduated from HS, don't laugh, you'll be old someday).  

Last but not least, Bruce's sister Bev stopped by on her way back to Mesa.  We had dinner and a wonderful "catching up session".  We are glad she made it home safely after the huge rain & flooding trouble that AZ had.

Its time to get ready for Jacob's so better stop before I don't have enough time to make myself presentable (its getting harder every day and taking more putty and plaster).  We think of you often and pray all is well in your world.  "Keep on Truckin" & keep in touch.

Love to All,

Bruce and Dawna (Elder and Sister)

A Turtle??

Dear Friends and Family,

First and foremost, thanks to all who sent Birthday wishes my way.  It is so wonderful to know you are thought of and remembered.  And thank you to my wonderful Kids and Grandchildren who surprised me by pulling up to the side of our car while we were driving down Bluff Street, honking their horn and leaning out the windows yelling Nema & Papa.  At first I thought Bruce had cut someone off, but when I saw those sweet faces, my heart leaped for joy.  My arms ache to hug all my grand kids, but having those three visit was pure joy.  They visited all the historical sites and wanted to know everything we are doing.  But best of all, they crawled in bed with us in the morning and snuggled.  (now that's a birthday present)  Thanks, Becky and Ryan.  And thanks to Kati for giving us the week off from blogging.  (Its really hard, this really isn't me but the kids insist)

Our other wonderful event this weekend was a visit from our friends, Karen and Steve Reeder. We had a fun filled 2 days.  We had tickets to Tuacahn and watched Wizard of Oz.  (So cute) They visited all the sites and heard all the stories about Brigham and Jacob and how the saints were able to build the Temple and Tabernacle.  We got up early Sunday morning and drove to Pine Valley to attend church at that beautiful and historical building.  It is the oldest working chapel in the church.  After church we drove up to Mountain Meadow to visit the monument.  It is a sobering experience, but the church has done a beautiful job of the memorial and the grounds.  Thanks to Karen and Steve for visiting, you made our weekend.

Two weeks ago on our P-day, we drove up scenic highway 12.  For those of you who are unfamiliar with Southern UT, this is the road that goes east from Bryce Canyon over to Escalante, Cannonville, Tropic, then across a road called "The Hog Back" to Boulder.  (Hog Back road, 1000 ft cliffs on both sides of the road with no guard rails on either side.)  This drive is one of 5 in the US that is highly recommended to be one of the most spectacular in the country, and the last highway improved and paved in the Southwest. We can now testify that it is truly one awesome road..  We continued on through Boulder to Torrey, then drove back to Escanlante to spend the night at a bed and breakfast. It was wonderful to experience this part of the State, it is incredibly beautiful, we hope to go back and take a couple of the hikes and roads that go to some spectacular slot canyons and water falls.

The work in the historical sites continues to amaze me.  On the Saturday of Labor Day we had more than 475 visitors at BY's home, 259 at Jacob Hamblin's home and well over 1500 at the Visitor Center.  Some of these visitors are members but a good number are not.  It is our privilege to introduce these people to the church and its doctrine, give them a Book of Mormon and invite them to read it, We then give them a post card that they can fill out with their email address or home address and then drop it in the mail.  This generates the teaching online that the missionaries do all over the world.  Bruce, met his German buddy, who knew exactly where his Great Great Grandfather had come from and how to pronounce "Borchert".  We practiced and practiced, but our German friend just laughed at us.  He had been given a B of M before and was bringing his son on a tour of the US.  He loved the VC and wanted his son to experience it.  His son took a B of M and he did give Bruce his email address.  Success, we can establish contact with him and continue our fellowship and invitation to read the Book of Mormon and have the missionary discussions.  (Who Knows)

Well, I am sort of excited that my server has been down for the past two days.  I typed this message on Sunday but couldn't send it.  However, yesterday and today we had terrific rain.  I am attaching a picture I took tonight that is about 1 1/2 miles up the road from where we live.  The stream filled so quickly that it jumped the road (Dixie Rd, for those who are familiar with St. George) and took out a huge storm drain that ran under the road.  They have heavy equipment there now trying to shore up the banks so hopefully they can save the road.  Pretty exciting.  Also, there is a State Park up by Snow Canyon which preserves Deseret Tortoise's and Gila Monsters.  We have been there numerous times to see the tortoise's or a Gila Monster, with no success.  But we saw one tonight.  Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

Well, its time to clean our Condo so we can play tomorrow.  "Its P-Day"!  We send love to all and pray all is good in your lives.  If you are close to St. George, let us know.  We love visitors.

Health and Happiness,

Bruce and Dawna

Elder & Sister

Surprise!!!

This is a big birthday month for our family and we kick it off September 1st for my mom. No one wants to celebrate their birthday alone so this happened...

Awesome surprise Becky and Ryan!!! Happy Birthday mom...we love and miss you tons.  Next year we'll have a raging party with everyone.  AND since it is your birthday, we'll let you off the hook from writing a letter this week :)