Fifty Years ago..John F. Kennedy visited SLC and I was There

When I was ten years old, my mom took me to see President John F. Kennedy. 

 It was September 26th of 1963.  He came to Salt Lake City for a visit. 

 I don't know why she took me, but she and her friend took me and my friend to see the President.  My parents had not voted for President Kennedy. They supported Richard Nixon.  (I guess it was before they realized how "tricky" he really was.) 

Anyway, off we went to see the President.

  He was to speak at the Mormon Tabernacle on Temple Square, right in the middle of all that was Mormon. 

 Thinking back it is amazing to me how many people were there. 

 Downtown Salt Lake City was packed. 

 This was conservative Repulican Utah.  But he was our President, and back then people thought it was cool to see and hear the leader of the nation, even if you didn't vote for him. 

 It was too crowded for us to get into the Tabernacle or even Temple Square.

  It would be a while so we just decided to hang out at the west entrance of what was then Hotel Utah, hoping to get a glimpse of his car as he drove down the street.  The main entrance of the hotel faced south, so we were amazed when his bubble topped car slowed down and stopped right at our entrance and he got out. 

We were within about five feet of the President. 

 (Probably an impossibility today.) 

 I don't even remember any secret service, although I'm sure they were there. 

 He was very tall and handsome with beautiful eyes.

  I remember, even at ten thinking he had gorgeous eyes. 

 He looked straight into my eyes and smiled and waved and was gone into the hotel. 
Of course I didn't know then what would happen in just a few weeks time. 
I have never forgotten that experience.
 

It was just two months later as I sat in the lunch room in my school that the nation heard the horrifying events unfolding in Dallas. 

 The nation came together mourning the loss of this bright young man. 

 

It seems strange to know that its been 50 years. 

 It doesn't seem that long ago. 

 I've always loved history. 

 I guess I'm getting old enough to be one of those people who say "I remember when...."

Grateful for this Nation

After months of watching, reading and listening to the different political parties present their case, I am grateful the election is finally over.  I am somewhat disappointed by the outcome, but not as upset as many seem to be.  For I am an eternal optimist who loves this country. I know who is in charge, and because of that, I have faith that we will be taken care of.

 

  I love what The First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints wrote today.

 

" We congratulate President Obama on winning a second term as President of the United States.

 

After a long campaign, this is now a time for Americans to come together.  It is a long tradition among Latter-day Saints to pray for our national leaders in our personal prayers and in our congregations.  We invite Americans everywhere, whatever their political persuasion, to pray for the President, for his administration and the new Congress as they lead us through difficult and turbulent times.  May our national leaders reflect the best in wisdom and judgement as they fulfill the great trust afforded to them by the American people.

 

We also commend Governor Romney for engaging at the highest level of our democratic process, which, by its nature, demands so much of those who offer themselves for public service,  We wish him and his family every success in their future endeavors."

 

 

As I  travel through this beautiful country and read the words of our Founding Fathers I have come to appreciate this nation.  There have been many times through our history when there has been division among its people.  But we come through and become stronger and better. 

 

 

 

 

I just read Washington's Earnest Prayer.  It seems as applicable today as it might have been all those many years ago.

 

"I now make it my earnest prayer, that God would have you, and the State over which you preside, in his holy protection, that he would incline the hearts of the Citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to Government, to entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another, for their fellow Citizens of the United States at large, and particularly for their brethren who have served in the Field, and finally, that he would most graciously be pleased to dispose us all, to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humilty and pacific temper of mind, which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without an humble imitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy Nation."

 

George Washington

"God Governs the Affairs of Men

I love this picture by Andy Thomas

 of these guys just hanging out, laughing and telling jokes...

And this one..having a grand old time!

Look at Ronald Reagan's face,

and President Lincoln. 

Wouldn't it be fun to be there with them..

listening to them joke and tell all the stories that they know!

I wish the artist would paint one big picture with all of them, democrat and republican, sitting around joking and laughing. That would be one occasion I'd like to sit in on!

They probably all have enough perspective and appreciation of what it takes to run the country that they could sit down and really visit.  There would most likely be disagreements, and some "I would have done this or that," comments.  But I'll bet for the most part there would be respect for each other, regardless of their party. 

painting by Andy Thomas

I often wonder what past President's would think of us today.   Abraham Lincoln said,

"We have forgotten God.  We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own.  Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us."

On Doug Wright's radio show the other day, he was talking about

some people organizing a prayer and fast day for Mitt Romney, so he( Mitt) will win the election. Doug's view on this was that he would feel more comfortable praying for God to watch out for our country as a whole.   Not us telling Him what we think is best.  I am voting for Mitt Romney, yet I agree with Doug Wright.  I have always felt that we should pray to God to lead us and direct us as a people, having faith that He will.  I always pray for and respect our country's leaders, whether I vote for them or not.  They all need our prayers.  As Abraham Lincoln said, "do we think we have a superior wisdom of our own?"  It is God who has preserved us, strengthened us and enriched us, and He will continue to do so..if we are humble. 

"God governs the affairs of men. 

And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice,

is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?"

Benjamin Franklin

I think I'm right, no..I know I'm right!

Have you ever seen something similar to this? Did anyone step forward and look at the other kids and say,"I think you're right." It would be surprising if that happened. As I watch those running for office they remind me of a group of little kids who look just like this. Of course, much more is at stake. But why is it that everyone running feels like they are the only one that is right? Why is it that we as people find it so important to always have our positions be the right and only way to do things? We spend a lot of energy attempting to prove our point. I wonder why these candidates spend so much time undercutting the others? Don't they give the American people any credit? We can read and learn about the candidates and find out where they stand and what kind of character they have, and then vote for the person who we believe will do the best job. Why should I believe anyone who is tearing down another?  Is Jon Huntsman considered a moderate because he reaches out to hear all sides?  Is Obama upsetting his own party because he sometimes compromises on issues?  Maybe Mitt Romney's flip flopping could be that he is trying to work with the people he is serving at the time.  I don't know.  I just wish more politicians would spend their time living and doing things that make me believe in them.  I haven't heard much from anybody about how to solve problems, because they are too busy telling why the other guy can't solve anything. I think one of the biggest problems we have in this country is that nobody in Washington will work together to get anything done. They all have to be right, which means everybody else is wrong, which means they use up too much time arguing and never getting anything positive done. The first person that comes along and promises to work with the other side to solve our problems gets my vote.
This is what I believe and I know I'm right!!!!!

I am Concerned!

Today the President of the United States is giving a speech to the children of this nation. I am concerned by the uproar by so many around this country. Many people do not want their children to hear any speech given by this President for fear of what he will say to them. Before I go on, I want to state that my political views are usually conservative, although I do look at what a candidate says and does before I vote for him or her. I just feel that it is a sorry state of affairs that because of party lines we have lost sight of the respect we owe our elected officials, especially our President.

Laura Bush and other very conservative Republicans have read President Obama's speech, and have encouraged parents to let their children listen to what the President has to say. President Reagan and President Bush gave the same type of speech about furthering education in this country and there was never this kind of uproar about them talking to our kids.

I was just a little girl when President Kennedy was in office. My parents were republicans. I am sure they did not agree with all that he did or his politics. But they taught me to respect the office that he held. When President Kennedy came to SLC in September of 1963, and spoke in the Tabernacle, my mother took me to see him, because it was historic! The President came to our city! What an honor! I learned from their example that you don't have to agree with somebody, you certainly should fight to change things that you feel need changing, but you always respect those that are serving, and you certainly don't turn a deaf ear to what they are saying..otherwise how do you know whether you agree or disagree?

Politics Aside

Putting aside who you voted for...today was a historic day.
History is so exciting to be a part of and
I am grateful I was able to watch this happen.

Unite the Clans

I read in the paper today that "Obama and McCain plan to pull ads on Sept.11 that criticize (attack) each other , a respite from the political fray to honor the anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks."  I am very interested in politics, but I will admit freely I do not understand them at all.  I think I have a simple mind.  From all I read both candidates and both political parties want the same things for our country.  Both sides have common goals for Americans.  To be prosperous, happy, lower taxes, secure, educated...the list goes on.  But how to reach that common goal is where it always gets so difficult.  When I read that for a day the two candidates won't be attacking one another to honor those that died in another attack I think everyone has gone nuts!!  As I said, maybe I am just a simple minded person, but why can't there be some give and take?  Why can't two sides see that there might be a little bit of good on the other side?  Here is a total never going to happen example:  What if McCain and Obama ran as Co- Presidents?  What if McCain appreciated and let Obama run with his youth, energy and enthusiasm...his ability to energize the people, his new ideas for change, because this old country needs change every few decades or so...and not be envious, but proud of him and what he brings to the country?  And why couldn't Obama look to McCain with love and admiration for his many years of service for his wisdom, his determination and leadership skills and will to live and great love of country and want to sit at his feet and learn from him?  And then the two of them work together?  Wow, Can anyone ever see that happening?  

     I know that I'm really going off now into the realm of unreality and romance, but a line from the movie "Braveheart" always sticks with me when things seem ununified and like they are falling apart.  William Wallace is fighting for Scotland's freedom from England and no one can agree how to go about it.  He knows that only by getting the Nobles and the Peasants to agree to be One, will they achieve that goal and William begs them to "Unite the Clans"  for freedom.

     We learned in Relief Society on Sunday that Zion is any place where people are of like mind.  Whether it is a family, a ward, a land, a Country... and when people are united they can work miracles.  So Obama and McCain...don't just stop attacking for one day to honor those who died on 9/11 - stop attacking each other every day and start working to UNITE our country everyday to honor them and every other person who has given their life for our freedom and for our Country.  The UNITED States can work miracles!!!!!!