1968 Encounter at Adam-ondi-Ahman, Missouri

Click on the picture for an enlarged and better view. Also scroll to the bottom of the picture for date and location.
This is one of pictures in my mother's stuff. I thought you'd enjoy what I added?! Bill

4 Patriarchal Blessing to Nathan Orson Tenney

Sometime before 1943 Grandpa Nathan Orson Tenney wrote an article entitled: "Analysis of my Patriarchal Blessings given by Patriarch Hrum G Smith, Samuel Claridge and John F. Nash". Nathan actually had four official Patriarchal Blessings in his lifetime. An unusual feat compared to our day.

The first blessing was given in 1908 in Thatcher, Arizona by Samuel Claridge. The second blessing came in 1916 during the time the family had traveled by railroad to Salt Lake City for the Sealing of the family in the Salt Lake Temple. That blessing was given by the Patriarch to the Church, Hyrum G. Smith. The third blessing came in 1931 in Mesa, Arizona by John F. Nash. The last blessing was given in 1943 in Mesa, Arizona by Franklin Thomas Pomeroy. This last blessing is not referenced in the article written.

"Analysis of my Patriarchal Blessings......."
by Nathan Orson Tenney

"I am of the lineage of Ephraim, numbered among the sons of Zion, born an heir thru my faithfulness to the blessings, gifts and privileges promised unto the sons of Israel in this generation thru the New and Everlasting Covenant. I am the child of the covenant and am highly favored in receiving my body thru parents who have received their blessing in the House of the Lord.

My mission in life.....I am to be made useful in assisting to bring about the Lords purposes in this great dispensation, I will be called upon to take an active part in many of my labors in helping to bring about the Zion of our God upon the earth. I will preach the gospel to the Jew and Gentiles. I am to officiate in many of the sacred ordinances of the gospel and hold places of trust, both in civil and religious positions. I am to grasp every opportunity to teach the principles of righteousness to those whom I meet in my daily labors for there are many honest souls around us who are seeking for the truth. I am in later years to be called to labor in the House of the Lord for the salvation of my kindred who have passed away. I am to remember the needy and destitute and give to them of my fullness which the Lord will multiply upon my head.

My posterity.....I was promised in my first blessing given by Patriarch Claridge (He gave it to me June 22, 1908) that I should be blessed with sons and daughters that would be an ornament in society.

Patriarch Smith on June 13, 1916 told me in a blessing that I should be blessed with a name and posterity which will be honorable in the land.

In a Blessing given me by Patriarch Nash, August 20, 1931, I was told that I have a family that is choice in the sight of the Lord, that they are faithful and obedient to the requirements the Lord has made of them. And as I teach them the truth pertaining to salvation they will grow in grace and be an honor and comfort to me while I live upon the earth. They come of an ancestry who have done much in causing the Gospel to be spread upon the earth.

Blessings promised in the future.....I will see the power of God made manifest while on my mission in many ways. I will have the privilege of leading many Lamanites into the waters of baptism. I will see the power of the three Nephites made manifest among that people in my day. I will assist in locating them in different places and give them the true order of civilization. I will see the power of God resting upon them and their countenance become white and filled with the spirit of love of the gospel. I will lead them in the defense of Zion and no power shall stay my progress."

***********************************
The fulfillment of Patriarchal Blessings are not confined to this life. The veil is thin between our pre-earth life and our life after the death of our mortal bodies. The temple sealing of Nathan Orson Tenney and Myrtle Mary Wear Tenney was not canceled in life. All of their 10 children were either sealed with them in the Salt Lake Temple in 1916 or "born in the covenant" after 1916. All those children have the fullness of that covenant and ordinance intact!

Grandma Myrtle Mary Wear Tenney received three blessings in her lifetime. The first was in Salt Lake City in 1916 at the time of the family's sealing in the Salt Lake Temple. That blessings was given by the Patriarch to the Church, Hyrum G. Smith. Her second blessings was given in Willcox, Arizona dated August 8, 1920. The name of the person giving the blessing is not identified. Myrtle's last blessings was given in 1931 in Mesa, Arizona by Patriarch John F. Nash.

"My Birthright" an essay by Nathan Orson Tenney

Sometime in the late 1930's or early 1940's my grandfather, Nathan Orson Tenney, wrote a short essay entitled, "My Birthright". It was from a Genealogy class assignment from his daughter, Opal Tenney Goodman, who requested his contribution. His writing shows a deep eternal and spiritual insights of latter-day gospel doctrine possessed by a well-read scriptorium. Such was my Grandpa Tenney.

"My Birthright"

My birthright dates back to a time which has no beginning. In my first estate I was a God in embryo. From that time until now I have advanced as a God in embryo step by step which privileged me first to be born into a spirit in my Heavenly Father's kingdom. And there I remained in the scheme of life until I had gained knowledge and experience which advanced me to a standard that entitled me to an earthly tabernacle.

At which time my spirit was born into this body which I am now in possession of prior to this life which was designated as my first estate. I am now living in my second estate, which gives me great privileges according to my worthiness. I am a child of the covenant and highly favored in receiving my body through parents who have received their blessings in the house of the Lord.

A am of the lineage of Ephraim numbered among the sons of Zion, born an heir through my faithfulness to the blessings, gifts and privileges, promises unto the sons of Israel in this generation through the new and everlasting covenant.

Under my progress of Godhood I have advanced until I have acquired the Holy Priesthood, which makes me a great God in my sphere of life or (Embryonic state ) than before.

Through the privilege of the Priesthood, if I am faithful to its offices and callings I will acquire dominions over the universal forces of the earth.

Blessings I can pass on to my posterity are to magnify my callings to the priesthood by keeping all the commandments of the Lord and remaining faithful to the covenants I have made with Him that I may thereby be more capable and worthy of teaching them the truth pertaining to salvation. That they may be faithful and obedient to the requirements of the Lord and grow in grace, and be an honor and comfort to me while I live upon the earth and eventually gain an exaltation in the Celestial Kingdom of God

The Prize I am seeking is to complete my mission on this earth and perfect myself through these experiences so that God the Eternal Father will say, "Well done through good and faithful servant. As thou hast been faithful over a few things. I will now make you ruler over many things". As this time will be my third estate and I will be privilege to beget spiritual children and prepare them that they may go on through the different stages or progression continually gaining knowledge and power. At a later date when sufficient spiritual children have been born into my kingdom, and they have been tried and tested, I will then say unto the Gods which are above, and below me. "See here is space let us go down and make an earth upon which these may dwell and we will prove them herewith and see if they will be faithful to our commandments".

Then I will take on the responsibility of an earth like unto this one and I will still go on progressing of which there is no end. Great and marvelous are the works of God and the privileges of man.

Nathan Orson Tenney

"My Birthright" an essay by Myrtle Mary Wear Tenney

Sometime in the 1930's or early 1940's Opal Tenney Goodman requested her mother, Myrtle Mary Wear Tenney, to write a short essay entitled "My Birthright". Here is the typed version of that original testimony which was handwritten on legal-size paper. This came about as an assignment in a Sunday School Genealogy class where the student was to get information from the parents. This was "Lesson One" assignment.

My Birth Right
[by Myrtle Mary Wear Tenney]

I am of Divine Lineage having spent my preexistence life in the presence of my Heavenly Father and Mother receiving instructions and training directly from them, partaking of their wonderful influence and of the opportunities for advancement there. I was taught that I should come to this earth and receive a body in order to progress in my second estate and go on to perfection.

I looked forward to this great event with much joy and satisfaction, had a great desire to come through a righteous lineage so that I might progress and advance in my Father's work here on earth.

Because of my faithfulness there, I was permitted to come through a righteous lineage. Through the loins of Joseph, I was reserved for six thousand years there to come forth in this dispensation when the fullness of the gospel is upon the earth and God's chosen spirits are to dwell here. I have been born of worthy parents. My heritage is one of the very greatest in all the world. I would not exchange it for one born heir to millions in worldly wealth or for one born heir to rule an empire. My birthright surpasses all these and I am very thankful and greatly blessed because of my lineage.

My life has come down from generation to generation through the patriarchs and prophets of ancient Israel. Through the noblest and most faithful of their descendants through the Dark Ages from many God-fearing men and women of honest lives. I am grateful to my progenitors for through them I have received in my veins the very best blood in the land.

Because of my birthright and my own obedience to the principles of the Gospel I am entitled to the blessings of the Holy Priesthood. This is truly a Pearl of Great Price worth more to me than any other earthly possession. Through it I can gain the righteous desires of my heart--eternal family happiness, wisdom and knowledge and ultimately eternal life to dwell with God, the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ in the Celestial Kingdom.

I am now upon my mission. My days of expectancy are over. I am being tested to see if I will do the things I have promised I would do. I have accepted the Gospel Plan. It appealed to me when I first heart it. The more I heard the more I rejoiced and now I have a burning testimony of this glorious Gospel Plan which is the dearest thing in all the world to me. I hope to pass it on to my posterity and live faithful to all the covenants I have made with my Heavenly Father. I know that he has been mindful of me and has had his watchcare over me and brought me out of a world of unbelief. My greatest desire is to increase my testimony and work faithfully wherever I am called to labor in the Lord's Vineyard, keep his commandments and all the covenants I have made with him.

[signed]
Myrtle Mary Wear Tenney

Larry Dean Goodman letter to his Grandma Tenney

Myrna McFarland Goodman, Larry Dean Goodman
& Uncle Lee Romney
Gilbert, Arizona
at the home of Bill & Jeannie Goodman for Opal Tenney Goodman's 90th Birthday Party
29 March 2003

Larry Dean Goodman
Murtaugh, Idaho
1947
age 10

I recently found a letter written by my brother, Larry Dean Goodman. It was written June 22 1958 during the time I was living with him and his wife, Myrna Joyce McFarland Goodman, in Tucson, Arizona while he and I were attending the University of Arizona. The letter was the occasion of the 72nd birthday for our grandma, Myrtle Mary Wear Tenney. I've typed the letter content for easier reading--see below.

This letter shows the spiritual maturity and insight Larry had regarding his relationship with his Grandmother, the Church and his Savior. At the time the letter was written Larry and Myrna had only one child, Scott. Shane, their second child, would be born two months later in August 1958. Larry is 21 years old and was serving as a Tucson LDS Stake Missionary.

Enjoy!
Cousin Bill
(As always click on the picture to enlarge for better view and reading.)








June 22, 1958
5001 E. Hawthorne
Tucson, Arizona

Dearest Grandma,

I have often wondered what could be done for me to show my appreciation to you for the effect you have had on me and the influence your life has been through your words and actions for the betterment of my life.

You are not a person to cherish the material things of life, therefore, I will not attempt to show my love for you by those material things that can be bought, but with words that are written and come from my heart.

If I were asked who is the greatest woman in the world I would not hesitate a second to say "my Grandmother". And if asked why I would list or say these things: Her finest quality is patience which coincides with her wonderful humility, her love can only be exceeded by the Savior Jesus Christ, she is ever ready to help someone else who is in need of extra love and physical help. She is very wise and can give advice that is logical and helpful at all times.

I have seen her weep and laugh which proves her feelings to be of and for all things, her laughter brings out the sense of humor she so well has. After a day's work that would take two people to accomplish she can sit down and tell a story that will fascinate the listeners to a degree that they will be spellbound and never grow tired of hearing them. My favorite one that she tells is the story of the Black Bear and the Grey [Brown] Bear cousins visiting each other, which proves to me her quality of intellectual imagination and a touch of psychology which both are important in bringing up children. Her good judgment is strictly an intellectual quality with an imagination to it.

And most important of all she uses these talents she has developed in being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which requires a true follower of it to have these qualities in order to be a true Saint of the latter days. And I must honestly say that she has presented these wonderful developments to me in a such a way that I can declare her to be the most perfect person I have ever known!

Grandma, I could write all night on my love and admiration of you but time won't permit but these are the main points on what I base my feelings for you.

You have been such a strength to my testimony that I hope my children may have the privilege of knowing you and get the good out of it that I feel I have.

I just hope too that my mother, my wife, and my daughters will develop into a person such as you are. What a wonderful teacher they could be to their surroundings if they would. I know Grandma that just writing these things won't show my appreciation for you and thank you enough as will my trying to live the Gospel in its true and complete way and be able to dwell with you in the eternities forever in which I look forward to after my mission in this life.

I want you to know that Myrna and I think of you always and you're ever in our prayers. We thank God for the privilege we had for our Temple Marriage and for your presence there. Myrna loves you very much too, and we always look forward to seeing you.

I hope the Lord will bless you with many happy and healthy days to come and that you may continue to be a strength in the Testimonies of others through your words and actions.

Again I must say I love you and appreciate you very much and hope to see you soon.

With Love,
Your Grandson,
Larry Dean Goodman
(signed)

Inez Crawford Harris 100th Birthday Party!

Our sincere thanks to John and Mitty Crawford for the photo shoots in this Birthday Series!


Patsy Howard Porter & Inez Crawford Harris
September 5, 2009
Prescott, Arizona
She's 100 Years Old!
(Inez not Patsy!)

Inez Crawford Harris & John Crawford, her nephew
and son of J. L. Crawford
J. L. Crawford and Inez are siblings.
September 5, 2009
Prescott, Arizona

I

Patsy Howard Porter & Inez Crawford Harris
Patsy is her niece and daughter of Pansy Crawford Howard.
Pansy and Inez are siblings.
September 5, 2009
Prescott, Arizona

Mary Converse Crawford, John Crawford & Karen Harris Owens
September 5, 2009
Prescott, Arizona
John and Karen are 1st Cousins and
Mary is their Aunt who was married to Bill Crawford.
Bill Crawford and Inez Crawford Harris are siblings.
John's dad is J. L. Crawford and Karen's mom is Inez Crawford Harris.

Mack Owens & Mitty Crawford
September 5, 2009
Prescott, Arizona
Mack is married to Karen Harris Owns and
Mitty is married to John Crawford.

Bill Goodman & John Crawford
"Two Wear 2nd Cousins both born in 1940!"
September 5, 2009
Prescott, Arizona
Bill's mom is Opal Tenney Goodman Allen and she is a 1st cousin to John's dad J. L. Crawford.
So that makes Inez Crawford Harris my 1st Cousin once removed.
Hope you got all of that!

Art Crawford & John Crawford
September 5, 2009
Prescott, Arizona
Art & John are 1st Cousins.
Art is son of Bill Crawford and John is son of J. L. Crawford.

Eldon & Patsy Howard Porter with Mitty & John Crawford
September 5, 2009
Prescott, Arizona
Patsy & John are 1st Cousins
Patsy's mom is Pansy Crawford Howard & John's dad is J. L. Crawford

The best thing Elden Porter ever did was to marry Patsy Howard!
September 5, 2009
Prescott, Arizona
Eldon has made such a wonderful contribution to the Crawford and Wear family by his service in the community and in the LDS Church.
Patsy and Elden you and your family are loved by so many people! It was their son, Ron E. Porter, who brought to life the story of our
Grandpa William Green Wear in book form in 2006.

Debbie Howard & Patsy Howard Porter
September 5, 2009
Prescott, Arizona
Debbie is the daughter of Virgil Howard son of Pansy Crawford Howard
who is a sister to
Inez Crawford Harris.
That makes Debbie and Patsy--Niece and Aunt.

Bill Goodman & Karen Harris Owens
September 5, 2009
Prescott, Arizona
Wear 2nd Cousins!
See Dean Harris in the left background!--with the mature gray hair.

Mack & Karen Harris Owens hosted the 100th Birthday Party in their big yard.
Her mother, Inez Crawford Harris, lives next door.
This made a wonderful setting for a very special birthday party.
There were so many relatives in attendance that
I did not have time to greet each one personally.

Miss Nina Belle Tenney

From time to time I receive photographs of relatives from different sources. This new one of Aunt Nina Belle Tenney Parry came from Ron Billings, my Tenney 2nd Cousin. Thanks, Ron!


Nina Belle Tenney [Parry]
Circa 1934
LDS Business College
Salt Lake City, Utah
age 18