Grandma Emmy

Did You Think to Pray?

2Nephi 32:9

But behold, I say unto you that ye must pray always, and not faint that ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord save in the first place ye shall pray unto the Father in the name of Christ, that he will consecrate thy performance unto thee that thy performance my be for the welfare of thy soul

When Grandma Emmy and Grandpa Sollie were on their honeymoon, Grandma came out of the bathroom ready for her first night with Grandpa, thinking they would start their marriage with prayer. She was surprised to find that Grandpa was already in bed. Grandma asked, “Sollie aren’t we going to pray?” and Grandpa replied, “What’s the purpose, they only hit the ceiling anyway”. Grandma was determined never to cry to a man to get her way so she stood tall and said, “Well, I’m glad I kept some money for a phone call home.” She went back into the bathroom and quickly realized she had nothing to change into so she put her bathrobe over her pajamas. Upon entering the bedroom she found Grandpa Sollie sitting at the edge of the bed. He said, “Emma that will never happen again”. The two of them prayed together that night and continued to pray throughout their marriage, never missed.

Everything has its Purpose

Doctrine and Covenants 64:32-33

But all things must come to pass in their time. Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great.

Grandpa Sollie was drafted into the U.S.Navy as an apprentice seaman. Grandpa and Grandma thought he would be exempt because he had a knee injury and two children, but it was WWII and men were needed. He went off to boot camp at Farragut, Idaho for 12 weeks before leaving for the war. Grandpa Sollie was away from Grandma Emmy and their 2 small children, Carol and David, for about 2 years. When Grandma speaks of that time of life it is only with gratitude and joy. It was during Grandpa’s time at boot camp that he attended the meetings of various churches. Grandpa was not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at that time. In fact all of his family were baptized into the Episcopalian Church. When he came home on leave he asked to be baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He was baptized and confirmed before leaving for war and also ordained to the office of a Priest so he could officiate in the Sacrament wherever he was in the war. He could renew his covenants with his Heavenly Father no matter where he was on Sunday. His experiences away from home at boot camp brought a change to his heart. Grandma had been a faithful member her entire life and having Sollie join her in her faith was a blessing she treasured.