The Ghosts of Hobble Creek: A Father and Son's Tale

Hobble Creek's Grave: Father and Son, 

Father's Body Never Found

Photo of father, Robert Miller and son Billy Miller taken the summer before their deaths.

Hobble Creek, Springville, Utah in 1989 is the location and date of one of the greatest tragedies of all Springville history. It was in January that the reports of the greatest snowstorm to hit Utah and incidentally Robert Miller and his son Billy went out for a hunting trip down Hobble Creek Canyon. As the first signs of snow began to fall, the manager of Taco Bell found atop of Y Mountain, Martin Shean, sent out an emergency radio wave to all campers to not attempt the climb to Taco Bell. Robert Miller heard this call and decided that it was best they headed to KFC where resided the Great Colonel himself found on the opposing mountain view (on the other side of Lake Utah). This place was of greater ease of access for hunters that did not hunt so well. 

            Billy insisted that he have his daily fix of nacho chalupa. So he darted out into what was then beginning to be the great wall of china (in snow terms). Robert chased after his son and soon found that he was incapable of finding his son. Mulan came out and insisted that Robert go home, it was a lost cause to find his son Billy. Just as Robert was pondering the miraculous event of meeting Mulan in Utah, it began to dawn on him that it was beginning to be dark. He searched all night with only his handy dandy Energizer (insert advertisement, $?) flashlight. 

          One week later, searchers, who were utterly disappointed because Taco Bell on the ridge of Y Mount was completely destroyed from the snow storm, found no trace of Robert or Billy. Another week later, they found Billy's body in a cave. But no one could find the body of Robert Miller.We would then find Mulan in her own feature film sponsored by Disney nine years later.

          It is said for the hikers who pass through Hobble Creek Canyon during the night see a light shine on them and then disappear and whimpering and crying of a young boy. Many say, these are the lost souls of Robert and Billy Miller who never found each other. This could be the lost career of Michael Jordan explained. This may explain the failure of Hanes comfort waist band. But then again, this writer doesn't wear Hanes. So much for Hanes. 

To watch the video of said ghost story and the Ghost Seekers interactions with Robert and Billy.

Pulling Through

Hello, how are you? Fine? A little stressed? Yeah, I know the feeling. And it's okay, it's all going to be alright.

Tonight, to make room for the newly acquired item I bought (a 2 liter of A&W Root Beer to help with finals studying), I pulled out my almost empty gallon of milk and set it on my table. After a very short while of it being out, I thought to myself, "Oh, I should drink that milk." I figured I would drink it straight out of the container since it was only so little. I lifted the container to my mouth and begin to taste that first sip of my 1% milk. It instantly gave me a strong emotion, the kind you get when you experience something you didn't even think would happen. The milk was warm and almost instantly the rest of the milk ended up down my neck and shirt. There's a little left, actually. I don't think I want to finish it if I don't have to. I'm sure this has happened to all of us.

Sometimes life is like an almost empty gallon of warm milk, you just don't expect it. It could have been worse, I guess spoiled or filled with weird chunks. The last six months I have experienced a lot of warm milk that have spilled all over me in several different cases. You start to think what's wrong with yourself? You apologize to others and try to do things better but it seems to mean nothing. It's like your life crumbling similar to that sand castle you so carefully built, carving the towers and walls, and digging a deep enough moat to stop the waves to even getting close to your mighty castle. But somehow it always gets through the moat. Is something wrong with me? Am I not good enough? I thought I was strong enough to handle this, but I've found out that I'm now broken and in need of repair. It's taken a long time, many hours of prayer, endless tears I didn't think I had, and facing reality to get where I am today. And it's okay, it really will be alright. Just keep moving forward and you will pull through. Even through worse cases, like spoiled and chunky milk. Best realization is that God loves broken things.

"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." Ether 12:27

Joseph Smith and His Family

This morning I woke up early with normal stomach pains that I've been battling for a handful of years now so in order to try to fall back asleep and attempt to subside the pain in a different way than normal I decided to pull out my Joseph Smith books, study a little more about what he had done. I came across a few passages that were from his letters while he was in Liberty jail and they mentioned his family. I am always amazed with what he had to say and what he did for them but it hit home a little bit more this time I think because a family is the thing I want more than anything. I'd like to share some of these passages I found. Not all are from his letters from Liberty.

Joseph and his family had family prayer:
Words of William Holmes Walker from his diary found in the BYU library: My Father sent me to Nauvoo on some business with the Prophet. I arrived at his house just as his family was singing, before the accustomed prayer. His wife, Emma, was leading the singing. I thought I had never heard such sweet, heavenly music before. I was equally interested in the prayer offered by the Prophet. Much pleased with my visit, and my business accomplished satisfactorily, I returned home in a few days. (TK, p. 147)

How we should treat each other:
Letter to the elders of the church, Kirtland, 1 September 1835: Fathers should be kind to their children, husbands to their wives, masters to their slaves or servants, children obedient to their parents, wives to their husbands, and slaves or servants to their masters. (HC 2:263-64)

Select letters to his family from Liberty and Richmond jail:
Letter to Emma Smith, Richmond, Missouri, 12 November 1838. Written two weeks after he was first incarcerated on 31 October 1838: God grant that I may have the privilege of seeing once more my lovely family in the enjoyment of the sweets of liberty and social life; to press them to my bosom and kiss their lovely cheeks would fill my heart with unspeakable gratitude....Tell little Joseph he must be a good boy. Father loves him with a perfect love. He is the eldest [and] must not hurt those that are smaller than him, but comfort them. Tell little Frederick Father loves him with all his heart. He is a lovely boy. Julia is a lovely little girl. I love her also. She is a promising child. Tell her Father wants her to remember him and be a good girl. Tell all the rest that I think of them and pray for them all....Little Alexander is on my mind continually. Oh my affectionate Emma, I want you to remember that I am a true and faithful friend to you and the children forever. My heart is entwined around yours forever and ever. Oh may God bless you all, amen. (PWJS, pp. 367-68; standardized).

Letter to Emma Smith from Liberty Jail, 4 April 1839: I think of you and the children continually....I want to see little Frederick, Joseph, Julia, and Alexander, Joanna, and old Major [their horse]....I want you should not let those little fellows forget me. Tell them Father loves them with a perfect love, and he is doing all he can to get away from the mob to come to them. Do teach them all you can, that they may have good minds. Be tender and kind to them. Don't be fractious to them, but listen to their wants. Tell them Father says they must be good children and mind their mother. My dear Emma, there is a great responsibility resting upon you, in preserving yourself in honor and sobriety before them, and teaching them right things to form their young and tender minds, that they begin in right paths, and not get contaminated when young by seeing ungodly examples. (PWJS, PP. 426-27; standardized)

Joseph Smith Jr. was a beloved son, brother, father, and husband. As we see through just these few quotes he had an extreme amount of love for his children and wife. Not only did he express it but so did others mention in their diaries. I think to my own parents, namely my father and the amount of love that he has for my brothers and my mother that I can't help but imagine if he were in a similar situation to Joseph he'd write very similar letters filled with compassion and love.

I am grateful for the plan of salvation that makes it clear to me that my family will be sealed to me and me to them for all eternity. Someday I will have my own family and I am so grateful for them already. I was so close to one woman that I was able to imagine and even plan what it would be like to have a family with that my level of understanding and love increased for my future family. It did not work with this sister and my heart is still heavy over it. My understanding and perspective of the great plan of salvation has helped me to move forward day by day. I don't know how people can move forward without this knowledge. Joseph revealed this knowledge, this probably is a major factor as to why he loved his family so much. I hope to have that same happiness with a family of my own someday.

The Mormon Church and the Israeli Palestinian Conflict

The Israeli and Palestinian conflict is a very hot topic. Many usually have a biased opinion before they even bother to look at the other side because that's what they've been taught. In United States we see much pro-Israeli media and financial support (something like 10+ billion a year) probably for what is called Zionism.

As a Latter-day Saint growing up I often heard from Sunday School and Seminary teachers that we need to support the Jews because they will be on the right side. What side were they talking about? Now that I have been studying the Middle East and its modern and past issues for the last 4 years at Brigham Young University, I have seen that much of those teachings were only the teachers' opinions, not actual church doctrine. Official church doctrine and opinione are two very BIG differences because one is concrete and we should follow, the other is just commentary that we just don't know if it is true or not (and nor does it make a difference in our eternal progression here on earth). 

Below is a portion of an address given by my professor James Toronto and his wife at a BYU Women's Conference in 2001:

" My third and final example of how a skewed understanding of doctrine can lead to unkind attitudes and behavior is close to my heart and personal experience. For the past 25 years in my work in the Middle East, I have read and heard expressed many times the view that LDS teachings about the gathering of Israel and the establishment of Zion imply that the Church supports the Jews in their struggle with the Palestinians and other Arabs in the Holy Land. There is not time today to discuss adequately why this is an inaccurate interpretation of LDS doctrine and a misrepresentation of the Church’s stance on this extremely complex international political issue. Suffice it to say for now that LDS authors, speakers, teachers, and celebrities who advocate and perpetuate these views are not official spokespersons for the church, even though they are often perceived and cited as such. Many times over the years I have had conversations with Arabs and Muslims, including many students at BYU, who are friends of the Church but, having read this popular LDS literature about the Middle East conflict, are deeply troubled by what appears to be strong bias in favor of Israel. Some of these unofficial and inflammatory LDS writings have even appeared in Arab newspapers in the Middle East purporting to represent the Mormon view on this issue. This problem is especially painful for members of the Church who are Arab (and they are numerous, active, committed, many having served missions and been endowed in the temple) who love the Gospel but are greatly perplexed and saddened when they encounter attitudes among fellow members that reflect a pro-Israeli, anti-Arab prejudice.

            Those who do speak officially for the Church–the First Presidency and the Twelve– have never expressed support for one side over another. On the contrary, they have exhibited scrupulous impartiality in all their utterances and actions dealing with the Middle East crisis, and have sought tirelessly to build strong relations with both Jews and Arabs in an effort to bring about greater peace and stability in the region. Elder Howard W. Hunter, who had in-depth understanding of Middle Eastern issues, once addressed this concern in a talk at BYU:

As members of the Lord’s church, we need to lift our vision beyond personal prejudices. We need to discover the supreme truth that indeed our Father is no respecter of persons. Sometimes we unduly offend brothers and sisters of other nations by assigning exclusiveness to one nationality of people over another. Let me cite, as an example of exclusiveness, the present problem in the Middle East–the conflict between the Arabs and the Jews. . . . Both the Jews and the Arabs are children of our Father. They are both children of promise, and as a church we do not take sides. We have love for and an interest in each.^{[i] "}

Toronto, James and Diane. “No More Strangers and Foreigners.” In Ye Shall Bear Record of Me: Talks from the 2001 BYU Women’s Conference. Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 2002.

 I believe with what President Hunter stated, "we have love for and an interest in each" because guess what? We have a love and interest in everyone on that lives on this earth, no matter what religion or ethnicity. I read an article given to me by a friend who studied at the BYU Jerusalem Center written by a member of the LDS church in a Hebrew/English newspaper. He stated in this newspaper that any Mormon that supports Palestine does not understand what it means to be a good standing member of the church. I commented on his article stating that his facts with the conflict were correct but that his statement of not being a good standing member of the church was incorrect.

Let it be clear that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not condemn one over the other because of their religious affiliation (there are many Christians in Palestine that have been there since the time of Christ). The church does not support any such opinion that one is more righteous than the other, that we need to choose which side to be on, or that Judaism will be the victor over the Muslims. These opinions are simply just those, opinions.

My opinion?
Both are at fault when it comes to the conflict. Both need to learn to love each other. And my Sunday School and Seminary teachers were ignorant in this area for teaching false church doctrine.

Do I support one side over the other?
No, I believe the oppressed deserve to have an equal voice.

Do I feel my testimony has been shaken because of these opinions that I've been taught? Absolutely not. There are no hard feelings towards them and my testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is even more firm through experience and prayer.

---

[i]. Howard W. Hunter, “All Are Alike Unto God,” BYU Speeches of the Year, 1979, pp. 35-36.

Lessons Learned in 2011 - What Is Really Important?

The year 2011 was an amazing year. I turned a quarter century, began BYU's second year of Arabic, gained everything that life had to offer for me at the time. It was full of scary, sad, and happy moments. I learned more of myself and how others feel and work. It seems the more I learn the more I realize how much I do not know and how everything is in God's hands. I met many great new people and built better relations with those I already knew. I hopefully didn't harm friendships and if I did, I am sorry for anything I have done wrong. I thought I'd put out a list of things I learned this year.

1. Buying a used laptop on eBay can be cheaper money wise but so is your experience with the item.

2. When I am home and the whole family gathers together in my parent's home, it is so loud! I now have 5 nephews and 2 nieces under the age of 7. I think my parent's need a bigger house. 

3. I learned how to appreciate the great weather of San Diego just a little bit more. It was sure warm this Christmas break and my few trips during the summer were great. 

4. I learned how much I appreciate my brothers and family. Click here

5. Money isn't everything and we must be wise about it. We get sucked up into how much money we are going to make and pleasing others that we forget have faith that all will be okay after we do all that we can. I also learned that I can be more frugal with my money and make better choices on what I do with it. 

6. I learned how hard Arabic really is. It is a beast and I will conquer this beast.

7. I learned what it would be like in graduate school and that I will survive it. I had an upper level class with the topics on contemporary Islamic issues (I will post my findings on here someday). There were only two of us in the class and as me and the other student turned in our final paper on the very last day of finals week, I couldn't be more proud of how we worked together so well and learned in a setting that I loved. Our professor was very happy with our efforts. It was a great a great boost after a time of lack of confidence in myself. Probably my happiest moment in my academic life. It told me I can do it, I can accomplish my academic goals. 

8. I never loved anyone more than I have than this last year. I never felt so high on life and the gospel. I learned a new level of being closer to my Father in Heaven. I learned how happy and confident I could be in life. I was the best man I had ever felt like I had ever been, even better then how I felt on my mission (which says a lot). I felt indefinitely in debt to her and the Lord because of how she made me feel. For the first time, I felt I had a purpose with another individual that I had been yearning for. What a miraculous feeling! I learned more than ever what a best friend meant and how happy a relationship could be. To me, no one was more of a princess than she was. 

9. In contrast, I learned what depression and heartache was. I felt more lonely than ever before. I felt a strong sense of loss of confidence and happiness. It taught me what others may feel, those that didn't have friends or something missing in their life that stopped them from doing their best. It was really helpful to have these feelings because I now can see a little better the life of those who struggle with sadness and depression. It is not a fun experience and I hope to be a better support for those that are struggling.

10. I learned that even though things may seem lost, we can still pick up and do better than what we think we can do. I can do anything and I will accomplish more than what others think I ever will.

Those are just a few, there are many many more lessons I have learned that I do not want to bore you with. But I'd like to share one last one that I learned more of this year and that is the reliance upon the atonement of Jesus Christ. I am nothing and He is everything. Heavenly Father loves me so much that he would give up His only Begotten Son for everyone that has and will live here in this beautiful world. I learned a little more what the power of prayer can be. I learned a little more of what it means to serve those around you. I learned a little more of how precious others are to God. My testimony is stronger, my ability to discern right from wrong is clearer, the spirit speaks a bit more sharper, and my love for my Savior has reached a new level. I got to do what I am commanded to do. I must keep breathing. I must keep myself clean from the stains of the world. I must keep the commandments. I must give more of myself into the hands of the Lord and trust that will all work out.