By: Delbert H Hall Sr

Delbert H Hall Sr — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 15:27:34 +0000

In my comment earlier today, I discovered that I was mistaken. My grandfather, Helon Henry Tracy, did mention Orson F Whitney in his journal. His journal entry for Saturday, May 27, 1882, includes the following: “… In the evening 10 or 12 of the bretheren came in to Derby among them was O F Whitney editor of the “Star” … Sunday May 28 Attended meeting the forenoon at the Athenaum Hall (at which Henry spoke) … In the afternoon speakers were .. and Bro O F Whitney of the Millenial Star office.”

By: Delbert H Hall Sr

Delbert H Hall Sr — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 11:33:24 +0000

I first thought of looking up “Orson F. Whitney” on the web while, as usual, singing hymns from the LDS hymn book every morning. I have always loved hymn #37, “The Wintry Day, Descending to Its Close,” the text written by him and music by Edward P Kimball. Your web site, short and sweet, opened my eyes to the possibility that my grandfather, Helon Henry Tracy, might have known Orson. They were both close to Lorenzo Snow. My grandfather served as Lorenzo Snow’s scribe for a season. My grandfather also served a mission in Great Briton in 1881-1882, during the same time that Orson was there. If they knew each other, unfortunately, Helon (known to his family as Henry) did not mention Orson F Whitney in his journal. Orson lived in Salt Lake City and Henry lived in the Ogden-area Mormon settlement of “Marriott.” where I was born in 1929. Although having lived in Virginia for most of my life, I still love “The wintry days … amid the vales of Deseret.”.

Comments on: Orson F. Whitney: Mormon Apostle, Poet and Historian

By: Delbert H Hall Sr

By: Delbert H Hall Sr