Eugene England - Sunstone Magazine

me reading from cover to cover, finding a vibrant
new life breathing in SUNSTONE'S
pages. Articles like Marybeth Raynes's views
on the link between sexuality and spirituality
and Scott Kenney's riveting revelations on
Joseph F: Smith (SUNSTONE, November
2001) represent the best of the SUNSTONE
tradition. The photo essay of Eugene
England's memorial service was deeply moving
and haunting, and Mark England's cover
art for the July issue was fascinating.
Sunstone has not only survived deaths and
transitions, it has tapped into an inspiring
fusion of energy and heart. A new life cycle
has begun.
All organizations, projects, and people go
through cycles-of birth and growth,
achievement and stability, testing and decline-to
be reborn anew, or succumb to
life's forces. We are blessed when we have
soulmates who will pass through these tasks
with us. SUNSTONE has been there like a
soulmate for its writers and readers, while
also surviving its own cycles many times. I
remember when the magazine struggled to
keep from sinking, then surfaced with steady
force in the early 1980s. Again, in 1986, it
treaded water after losing Peggy Fletcher, its
seemingly irreplaceable editor, only to
emerge dynamically under the charisma of
Daniel Rector and Elbert Peck. Now
SUNSTONE has surfaced again with the clean
and spiritual energy of an Olympic swimmer.
To me, it feels better than ever.
MAXINE HANKS
Salt Lake City, Utah
INSPIRING HISTORY
HE HONESTY AND humility of well-
T presented history is inspirational to me!
"Before the Beard: The Trials of the Young
Joseph E Smith," by Scott G. Kenney
(SUNSTONE, Nov. 2001) was most revealing
of how prophets can be affected by temptations,
even with liquor and tobacco, mamage
to the wrong person, and all other fears and
tempers. And then to realize what this person
finally became! Thank you, Scott, for the
wonderful work you are doing.
RHODA THURSTON
Hatch, New Mexico
later, Kenney tells us that Julina blessed
Joseph with his first child, Mercy Josephine,
on 14 August 1866. Does Kenney really believe
that Julina gave birth to their first child
just three months after they married? Does
SUNSTONE really believe this? Or was this
just an unfortunate mistake that erroneously
placed a great servant of the Lord and his wife
in a bad light? I urge SUNSTONE'S editors to
proofread more carefully Unless I am mistaken,
Mercy Josephine was born 14 August
1867, and SUNSTONE owes a lot of people,
particularly the Smith family, an apology
RANDELL L. WILKINSON
Tustin, California
Editor's Response: Our thanks for your careful
reading andfor catching that error We apologize
for our unfortunate mistake. Our intent in publishing
Scott Kenneyk article was not to cast
President Smith nor hisfamily in a bad light.
MONSON'S MANSIONS
OSS OUT THAT hortatory hymn line,
T ''Only he who does rnmething is worthy
to live, the world has no use for the drone."
You could reflect briefly on the ordained uses
of drones. But then focus on "There is an
hour of peace and rest unmarred by earthly
care," or as Dian Monson writes in "The
World Has Need of Willing. . . Tired People,"
(SUNSTONE, November 2001), sometimes
multitudes of hours. And just say, "Yes."
Yes, Dian, we need to be and are well reminded
that even Church members, although
rich, choice, special, and sweet, aren't
all the same, gifted the same, and given the
same opportunities. So we must stop judgng
and nudgng each other on any basis, but especially
on deeds done and words worked.
We can well ponder your words-retreat,
contemplate, meditate, silence, refresh the
soul, the solitude of prayer, private devotional,
communication with the Divine, spiritual
promptings, quiet understanding, a
thoughtful people, look for meaning, and the
still, small voice.
And after praying, we might try delaying
catapulting from our knees in favor of waiting
and listening for Go& answer.
LYNN SMITH
Denvel: Colorado
Letters for publication are edited for clari~
tone, and space. Send to cSunstone~t@aol.corn>.
Letters to authors are forwarded, unopened.
Visit dunstoneonline.com> to comment
or to read comments by others.
I
INCREDULOUS DATING
N "BEFORE THE BEARD: Trials of the
Young Joseph E Smithn (SUNSTONE,
November 2001), Scott Kenney states that
Joseph F: Smith mamed Julina Lambson on 5
May 1866, and that he was secretly ordained
an apostle two months later. A few pages
"You think yourfamily has been in the Church a long time?
Well my mother was a member of the 'Mormon Tabernacle Trio!'"
JANUARY 2002 PAGE 3