Feast or funeral? A compelling way to think about the sacrament

Editor's note: The views, information, or opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author. Readers should consider each unique situation. This content is not meant to be a substitute for individual, professional advice.

Brigham Young was lying in the bed of a wagon, having been severely ill for the last twelve days, when he saw the valley for the first time.1 He was forty-six years old, short and quite stocky, a carpenter by trade and physically robust; but “mountain fever” could put even the strongest men flat on their backs. Several diseases fell under that generic name because they all produced high fever, severe head and body aches, deep pain behind the eyes, chills, nausea, and vomiting. Colorado tick fever was one of the least severe of these illnesses, usually passing in a few days after the onset of the symptoms, but Brigham had been down for almost two weeks, suggesting that he may have contracted the more serious Rocky Mountain spotted fever. If so, it was remarkable that he was still alive. That strain persisted for weeks, and the fatality rate was high owing to the inflammation of the heart, lungs, and brain or the kidney failure it produced. The only known treatments were home-brewed remedies and rest, but sleep was hard to come by in a wagon on the plains. Summer days were bright and hot, and Brigham would have felt every bump in the road as the wooden wheels rolled over the uneven land. And he wasn’t alone in his suffering. Thirty-seven other Latter-day Saints traveling with him had also contracted the fever—a full quarter of the company. But they did not have the luxury of time to grant the sick much rest.2

A few simple words directed at your Amazon or Google smart speaker will, beginning July 22, 2020, bring scripture, music, general conference talks, and other important content from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints into your home.

Editor’s note: “We asked, you answered” highlights memorable responses to discussion questions posed on LDS Living’s social media accounts. Follow along on Facebook and Instagram @ldsliving to contribute.

A Latter-day Saint History video briefly highlights how one member of the Willie handcart company was from India. Here is a little bit more about her in celebration of Pioneer Day.

On Saturday, July 18, 2020, the Feather River California Temple became the fourth temple to have a broadcast groundbreaking ceremony due to current COVID-19 guidelines, but that’s not the only way the groundbreaking of the eighth temple in California was remarkable.

This story originally ran in the July/August 2020 issue of LDS Living.

Bridger Walker, age 6, touched the hearts of many after shielding his sister from a neighborhood dog at high cost to himself. His story has been covered by major news outlets such as Yahoo! and ABC News, and he’s received messages of love far and wide, including from celebrities like Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr. But what many may not know is that the Walker family are Latter-day Saints and through this experience they have spread a message of love and a call to “comfort those that need comfort.”

The five Tabernacle and Temple Square organists won’t be giving the organ pipes a break anytime soon. As part of the kick-off concert for the "Piping Up: Organ Concerts on Temple Square" series, all five musicians played a part to bring the finale from “The William Tell Overture” to life. The video displays the true skill of these organists, who filmed their parts individually at different times on the Conference Center organ and were then combined into one soundtrack. This upbeat, exciting piece is one even those unfamiliar with classical music are likely to recognize.