Yesterday we visited a small town in Pennsylvania called Lititz. One of the main tourist attractions is the Wilbur Chocolate Store/Museum that has been around since 1865. In 1884 they started manufacturing chocolate. (Yeah – now I have your attention.) It was interesting enough, but it was almost closing time and the workers obviously wanted to get us all out so they could go home.
We did buy a little box of chocolate covered “sponge” on our way out. Some people call it “honeycomb”, I grew up calling it “seafoam”. I just realized how far I have veered off my purpose of this post…
So, I looked up the history of chocolate on Wiki , and confirmed my fears:
“It is believed that the English company, J. S. Fry & Sons made the first chocolate for eating in 1847″ (source)
Why does his matter? It matters because it means that Joseph Smith never got to eat a chocolate bar! He was killed in 1844. That is so wrong! After all the things that Joseph did for us, our faith, and the world, you would think he could have at least gotten the chance to enjoy a chocolate bar. (I hope you all know by now that I have a great love for the prophet Joseph, if not, please read this: (Previous post) )
This morning I had some quiet time, and my thoughts turned to Joseph’s lack of chocolate, and I started thinking, if I had the opportunity to give Joseph a candy bar, what would I choose? Would I go with a pure chocolate bar? MIlk or dark? Snickers? Ooh – Milky Way?
Then my amazing brain began to pursue this idea further. If I could escort Joseph Smith around for a day, what would I do with him?
It seemed easy at first. Then it got more complicated. Would keep him to myself and my immediate family? If it went public, that would be the end of the day – the media, the crowds, etc. So, I figured he could just hang with me and my family.
Here are some things I would do, and would not do:
I would:
Buy him a candy bar.
Let him drive my truck. In an empty parking lot.
Take him for a ride on the freeway. (Me driving)
Take him for a drive to see church buildings and temples.
Have FHE. Even if its not Monday.
Show him the good and bad of the internet.
Have him autograph my Triple Combination.
Set up SKYPE call with President Monson – me included!
Take him to see a 3-D movie, just to watch his reaction.
Apologize a lot. For myself and society.
Break out the BBQ ribs.
Have him explain to me how the translation process worked.
Sit and listen to him tell stories until he can’t talk anymore.
Bring close friends and family together and have a testimony meeting.
Try my best to explain how grateful I am to him.
I would not:
Buy him a 44oz caffeinated beverage.
Show him “The Work and the Glory” movies.
Take him to the mall.
Try and amaze him with my knowledge of the scriptures.
Let him watch TV or listen to talk radio.
Show him my garden.
Ask him to do chores.
Try and explain things like tattoos and piercings.
Videotape the experience.
Show him this post.
Oh, and my answer to the orignal question is “Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups”. But not the full size ones, the miniature ones wrapped n foil. (No, not the new tiny ones without wrappers)
I know I already presented the perfect list and choice, but now it’s your turn. If you could spend the day with the Prophet Joseph…
– What would you do?
– What would you NOT do?
– What candybar would you buy for him?
(The obvious answer: “I would do whatever he wants to do” is unacceptable for this exercise. And boring.)
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I would definitely challenge him (or rather, have my husband challenge him) to a stick-pulling competition. I mean really. Is there anything better? I say not.
My husband works for Russell Stover (yeah, THAT Russell Stover), and I’d bring an assortment. I’d just spend the day with the family with him. Like Robyn, I’d let him let my kids climb on him while we talked of shoes and ships and sealing wax. Maybe sing. Maybe watch the new Bible movies on Mormon Messages. I probably wouldn’t bring him to Liberty jail, which is near where we live, but I would bring him to our new temple here.
What a great question. (though I am SURE they have chocolate in heaven.)
Reeses Stix. Lite, not heavy w/ a little bit of crunch, still packed with the c/p-b taste. & I’d let all my grandkids climb all over him, play piggyback, ask him to teach them the ‘stick’ game & have a race around the block. Then I’d make him my famous pb rice krispie treats & give him a big hug & tell him thanks for all the heartache, suffering, enduring & faith he gave as such a great example to us all.. & I’d drive him over to the Oakland temple & ask if he’d like to do a session with my kids & I. & I’d take him to the cafeteria (yep, Oakland has one) & buy him a nice lunch & a Utah dark mint truffle.. You know, ‘cuz it’s the little things…
I’d be selfish and sit him down and grill him on any gospel questions I could think of. When it comes to chocolate bars, technically Reese’s don’t qualify as a bar, but they’re one of my favorite confections. A newcomer on the scene is Snicker’s Peanut butter squares. While also not bars, they are definitely Brother Joseph worthy. Speaking of prophets and chocolate, I was once in line at the Bluebird restaurant/candy shop in Logan, UT when President Monson came in to buy some chocolates. I let him cut in front of me (of course). Apparently, the current prophet is a chocolate fan.
What a dream come true that would be. And, what great ideas you and everyone has. I would mostly listen, but I’d like to share with him that my Dad’s name was Hyrum, his dad’s name was Hyrum, and Grandpa Hyrum’s twin brother’s name was Joseph. I’d take him to any cemetery in the valley and show him how many times this attempt at honoring him has been repeated. And, along with MMM, I would fail miserably trying to thank him.
I agree with chibbylick. I’d sit him down and ask the hard questions. 1) “Can we get down to the nitty gritty on polygamy, because I don’t want to seem faithless or anything, but I’m not too keen on sharing unless I have a few more details.” 2) Would you have known which was the Father and which was the Son if one had not designated the other? Do they really look the way they are portrayed (white hair, beards, etc.)?” 3) “Do you know my father-in-law and could you please take a message to him from me?”
And I’d have to go with some German or Swiss chocolate, like Milka, or something. Because you can bet when those people came over from Europe, a chocolate bar for the prophet was probably not on their list of necessities.
Maybe we could organize a fireside at the stake center and he could tell us what we need to hear. Maybe we could make it a regional conference and rent out Madison Square Garden — Lincoln Center’s across the street from the Manhattan Temple, but it doesn’t hold as many people. I imagine that would be one Sunday School class where people wouldn’t hang out in the hall. As for chocolate … he can have whatever he wants 😉
I would gather my family, and sit around together talking. I’d ask the hard questions, like ‘what’s with polygamy?’ Marrying other women without Emma’s approval, girls who were underage, and women who were already married to other living men, and having it all be secretive is just begging for some clear answers. I’d give him Cadbury chocolate 🙂
You would show him the BAD of the internet?! I don’t know if that’s such a good idea Brother MMMM.
I SO agree about not showing him and Work and Glory films.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this post.
So.. let’s see…
I would take to the gym and see how much he could bench press. He’s darn strong, ya know.
I would NOT show him my shoe collection. (I could have used that money to feed a lot of poor and downtrodden folks. I’m greatly ashamed.)
I would buy him a puppy. (But only because you took Reeses Peanut Butter Cups already and there are no repeats in this game. No other candy compares in my mind so a puppy it is!)
We would play Rock Band with Hymns. (I know that doesn’t exist but it would if Joseph was visiting.) And ask him for a blessing.
I wouldn’t say any cuss words.
And endulge him in a cornicopia of chocolate treats. Choc. covered Almonds, Caramello, Choc. Caramal Macadamia Nuts, Dark Choc. Pomegranites, And Stephens Raspberry Hot Choc.
Take him for an airplane ride! And ask him TONS of questions. Then watch him play stick pull with my husband who is also named Joseph and is the same height and stature, just to see who would win. 😀
Ferrero Rocher or Lindt Dark Truffles top my list of chocolate candy. Though a Reese’s would be a close second!
May a non-Mormon answer? I’m assuming the answer is ‘yes.’
Maybe he had enough of outdoor activities, but I’m leaning toward those, i.e. a canoe ride down a river. But, that’s kind of selfish of me, ’cause that’s one of my favorite things to do.
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup. Absolutely (see above).
I would take him to a Sunday morning performance of Music and the Spoken Word by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and watch his face as they sang “Praise to the Man”.
Then we’d share a king-sized Snickers.
My husband said, “I would take him shooting.”
I still haven’t figured out what I would do with him, yet. I would however, give him some of those dark chocolate/raspberry Dove chocolates that have the nice sayings on the inside of the wrapper.
It is hard to add to your list since you covered things so thoroughly but I would ask how how to get 14 years olds interested in religion. (I teach SS)