From Mom:

Mother’s Day, Bishopric message May 8, 1977

By Gail S. Halvorsen, bishop

The thought expressed by Theodore Curtis that, “Motherhood is the noblest peak in the mountain range of character,” often reminds me of my Boy Scout days and one particular scout trip that was not in the mountains. It was a jamboree on the big lawn just north of the Hotel Utah (1933) and a long way from our home in Rigby, Idaho.

For several months Mother had been putting small change away for a pair of new shoes. The shoes were set aside at the local store until she could save enough money to pay cash. I remember her keen anticipation as her savings grew to almost three dollars.

She reached the three dollar goal the same week the scout master rode by on his horse to tell the folks about the jamboree in Salt Lake. I had already told him and the troop I couldn’t go. My time was completely taken helping Dad on the farm and there was just no money available for special or regular jobs during those difficult times. Mom knew how much that trip meant to me and signaled Dad to reassure the scout master that I could go. After he left I asked Dad where the money could come from and all he said was, “Don’t worry.”

The next day as I hurried off with the troop Mom pressed a small manila envelope into my hand. I will never forget that trip because when I got back home Mom still had on her old shoes, but a special light shone in her eyes. I am sure that light was there when I was born, and I saw it each time after that when she gave of her time and strength to do something special that made us happy, and it was also there when we did things to make her proud of our actions. I can only describe it as an expression of complete joy. It had the brightness of a piece of the star that shone over Bethlehem on the special night the Savior was born.

We warmly exchanged greetings and then I fully realized that my trip had taken the place of Mom’s new shoes. I had wondered where the three dollars for the trip had come from, but my selfishness kept me from admitting it must have come from my mother’s shoe fund until that moment when I realized she was still in her old shoes.

I have seen that light shine for similar reasons from the eyes of the wonderful mother of our children and from the eyes of mothers of this ward.

Let us as husbands, sons, daughters, brothers and sisters so live that our example will more often cause this special mothers’ light to shine because of our good works, and thereby express our gratitude to her for our very presence on this planet earth and the key part she plays in the Lord’s eternal plan.

That we may do this as members of the Oak Hills First Ward in Zion, not only at this time but throughout the year, for those mothers present and those beyond the veil I pray in the name of our Lord and Savior, Amen.

Gail S. Halvorsen

Bishop

Chapter 9: Berlin

What would it be like to go to 4 parties in one night? What about having 3 parties a week at your house for a bunch of adults? How about being driven around the city in a fancy car by a driver? Or living in a big house with two maids to help clean it? Would you feel like a movie star or some other famous person? Well, this is how life was for the four years that Grandma and Grandpa Halvorsen lived in Berlin. Grandpa was the commander at Tempelhof Air Base and they were expected to go to lots of dinners and parties, and in return, invite people to their home. They refused to serve alcohol in their home and instead served fruit punch or apple cider. This was a very big deal because everyone else expected to drink alcohol at these functions. In fact, Grandma and Grandpa said they didn't think they would be kept there for long because of their principles. Grandma said, "W don't care if we are sent home, we won't compromise our beliefs." Some people were grateful for Grandma and Grandpa's choice, and others criticized them for it. However most people admired them and loved Grandma for her warm, genuine personality as well as the exceptional food she prepared, and as it turned out, they stayed in Berlin at Tempelhof for 4 years--longer than any previous commander! This was an intense balancing time for Grandma--to support Grandpa in all these busy events, to fulfill her calling in the church, and to be the mother for her children at home. She was also expected to be in 5 different clubs, 3 of which she had to be on the board for for 4 years. She managed to do it all, although she said it was difficult. Towards the end of their stay in Berlin, she also was diagnosed with cancer, although her children didn't know it at the time. She kept in touch with her parents through letters, and supported her children who were away--Brad on a mission and Nana at school. To discuss: One of Grandma and Grandpa's greatest critics was a Mormon from Utah. He said that they shouldn't refuse to serve liquor their house in Berlin. Why did they stick to their guns on this principle? What did it teach their children? Grandma said in a letter to her parents how strange it was for "two people from the sticks" (meaning herself and Grandpa) to be in such a position of fame and acclaim. What was it about Grandma and Grandpa that attracted people to them? How can we apply this in our lives?