Journal of Mary Phyllis Fisher - Thomas Davies

mountains. I have been tired today. Oh dear I am getting old. I’m so grateful for Father. He is
so good to answer my questions. He has to remind me so often of the things I have promised to
do, and what to do. His mind is as clear and bright as it was about 50 years ago. I’m so grateful
he has such a keen mind. I don’t know what I’d do if he didn’t.
1975. August 13 th
This morning we drove down to Magrath and saw Ann. Lore and Barbara and family were not
home. They must be taking an outing too. We visited with Anne for a little while and then
came home. David is going on a mission this fall. He has been asked to prepare to go.
I must go to bed. I forget things so often. I think I should have more sleep. David is going to
Halifax on his mission, Anne said. They are calling the Canadian boys to go on their mission to
Eastern Canada it seems.
1975. August 18 th
It has been a lovely Sunday. Father went to Priesthood meeting. For the first time I was late for
Sunday school. Ren had saved me a seat on the stand where the old folks have to sit. But I sat
down at the back of the hall with the young adult group until the classes went to their different
rooms. Then I went up on the stage. I felt embarrassed and hope I won’t be late again. I looked
at the clock and thought, “Oh I’ve lots of time to fix things for dinner” But the next time I
looked it was almost 10 o’clock. I hurried but they were just starting to sing the first song so I
sat down at the back. We came home after meeting, had dinner then Dora came over for awhile.
I played the piano and read and then went to bed.
1975. August 19 th
[I think this was written on the way home from a visit with Lloyd and Jane in Toronto. Did they
go twice?]
……….. City Mac Comb[don’t know how it is spelt.] But it is a large city. We are just passing
through it. The houses are big brick houses. We are now passing over a large bridge. Now
everywhere you look you see huge trees and brush of every kind and houses built back in the
trees with corn fields near by. Then pasture land where cows are grazing.
We are now in Carthage and are going to see the jail where the prophet was killed. There is a
large college, university, hospital and large homes here.
It is now 6 0’clock. We just came out of the Carthage jail. The guide took us through and
showed us the room where the prophet was killed, also rooms that showed the kitchen, living
room, and the prophet’s room. The furniture is supposed to be from the Smith home. The
guide, who is a member of the Reorganized church, told us the story of the prophet Joseph
Smith, how he was killed and about his family. The guide said that only about 40 % of those
who go through are not LDS. It surely touched our hearts as we realized more fully his suffering
and death.
We are now driving along the river. The trees along the road are just like a forest. We have
entered a parking place by the river and are going to put up the tent and stay for the
night. The children are so tired and Michael is crying so we must stop and rest for the night.
1975. Noon, August 20 th
We have been driving all morning and are now in Nauvoo. We have been to the Joseph Smith
home and heard the story of the First Vision. Also we visited the Brigham Young home. They
97