Tuesday, July 28, 2015


Hi to everyone.  We have not been here for a while because of an unexpected trip to the hospital.  Peter went in for surgery and has had an extended stay.  Your thoughts and prayers are, and will be appreciated.  I am not all that technology minded, I don't have things set up to post from a distance. I will try to post a few things, but your patience will be appreciated. Meanwhile,  take a look back for older posts. Thanks to you all for your continued interest in Mt. Pleasant History.  Kathy

A real quirky thing happened to brother Donald.Same day that Peter had his surgery, Donald had eye surgery and went into cardiac arrest.  CPR was immediately given, but the technicians, while trying to bring him back,  broke his sternum and  7  of his ribs.  He is now better and up on his feet again. What a day for the Hafen Family.


Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Salvation Wheat (shared by Tudy Barentsen Standlee)

“Salvation Wheat” 

Canute Peterson

When Father Peterson was on his first mission, it happened that the farmers in Lehi had their wheat planted before Sister Sarah Ann Peterson (affectionately called “Mommie Peterson” by Aunt Maria and Aunt Charlotte and their children). She had her wheat planted later and plenty deep. Their wheat came up fine before hers did.

Then came the crickets and grasshoppers and ate up every spear. Then Mommie Peterson’s wheat came up fine and neighbors and others helped her water and tend her wheat and she raised 40 bushels. This kept all of Lehi from starving. Big men would come to her for a biscuit. Mommie Peterson saved some of this wheat in a bottle to show Father when he came home. He called it “Salvation Wheat,” and said that when he died he wanted that bottle of wheat buried with him. He loved that strange and beautiful incident and the “Salvation Wheat” very much and often spoke of it.

When Father was dead, and dressed in his beautiful Temple clothes, and placed with tender love in his coffin, Brother Nels and Sister Bertie carefully and lovingly placed the cherished bottle of “Salvation Wheat” by his beloved feet, just under his linen robe. His wish was thus carried out. The material for the foregoing strange and beautiful story was very kindly sent to me by Sister Bertie Beal. July 13, 1939


(the following comes from wikipedia)
Canute Peterson


Canute Peterson (also Knud Peterson) (May 13, 1824 – October 14, 1902) was a Mormon pioneer settler of Utah Territory and was a leader in LDS Church.


Peterson was born in Bergen,Norway. In Norway, he became a member of the Religious Society of Friends and emigrated to the United States in 1837. In 1842, while living in La Salle County, Illinois, he became a member of the LDS Church. After joining the church, he became a missionary to Norwegians living in Wisconsin.


Peterson led a company of Mormon pioneers to the Salt Lake Valley in 1849. He was one of the founders of Lehi in Utah Territory.


From 1853 to 1855, Peterson was a missionary in the Scandinavian Mission, where he preached in Norway and became the president of the Christiana Conference of the church. Later, from 1871 to 1873, Peterson returned to the Scandinavian Mission as the Mission president, where he guided the missionary work in Norway, Denmark, and Sweden.


In 1867, Peterson was asked to move to Ephraim, Utah to be abishop of the church there. Peterson was instrumental in assisting the Latter-day Saints make peace with the Native Americans inSanpete County. The Canute Peterson House, a house he built in Ephraim, is listed in the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.[citation needed]


On 1882-10-14, Peterson became a member of the Council of Fifty. When Peterson died in Ephraim, Utah, he was serving as thepresident of the Sanpete Stake, a position he held since 1877. Peterson was also ordained to the office of patriarch. Peterson is considered to be one of the founders of Snow Academy, know today as Snow College.








Canute Peterson home in Ephraim, Utah






The Canute Peterson House is a historic residence in Ephraim,Utah, United States. Built in 1869 by Canute Peterson, an early Latter-day Saint leader inSanpete County, it was designed by architect William H. Folsom. In 1978, it was listed on theNational Register of Historic Places.[2]


Richard Nibley, brother of Mormon scholar Hugh Nibley, purchased and restored the home in the 1960s. It sits next door to the historic Bank of Ephraim building. After many years of trying to acquire and tear down the home to make way for a drive-up window, the Bank of Ephraim failed in 2004 and was taken over by Far West Bank.

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

A Letter Returned ~~~ Unopened



Jacob Hafen Jr.  Died of Pneumonia in France While Serving in World War I


Mt. Pleasant Utah November 6, 1918
Dear Bro., I've written to you before but I never hear from you.  I hope and pray that you are good and  feeling well.  All at home are well as usual and of course some of us don't feel so good.  The Democrats feel fine today.  The State went straight Democratic.  Sanpete County went Democratic but one man.  New York went Democrat and most of the states. So you see we Democrats feel jubilant.

Virgil Burnstead is at Camp Logan Colorado; Clive is on his way to New York.  Jewels is at Camp Lewis.  How are you by this time?  Guess you are a real Yankee soldier and raise hell with the Hun. Shoot straight and hit them hard. According to the papers Huns will soon be whipped.  Hope they are and then we will be through with wars.  

How is your health and do you ever get any mail?  The folks all write to you and we are getting nervous about you as we haven't hear from you for 6 weeks, but I guess it isn't your fault.  I was up to see your wife and mother and they are O.K. but are anxiously waiting to hear from you.  Mother feels quite good.  Have you been in any battles?  Be brave and fight hard and trust in God.  He will preserve you  and I know He will.  I know that you will come back again.  What an honor it will be to come back a Triumphant Victor. We are all waiting for the day when this is all over and you all get back home again.
to the grandest and greatest nation of the world.  I often wish I was with you over there and doing my bit with you, but I am trying to do my bit at home.  Helping the Liberty Loans War Savings Stamps  and Red Cross as much as possible.  We can't all fight, some must be at home and do other things.  

The influenza is doing its fatal work.  Jim Ericksen's brother has two boys laying dead.  John Larsen Watch Maker has lost two boys, Eric and the one-eyed one. Mortin Rasmussen has lost grandchildren.  Arthur Jorgensen died also. We have 185 cases in town.  There is none in the Hafen Family.

You must write often and send you wife your card so she can send you a Xmas box.  We are going to send you a few dollars as a token for Santa Claus.
If the war ends, you must let us know when you are coming home and we will send you a few dollars so you can see different things and probably buy different things.


Don't forget this.

Boyd, Neil and Bert all say "Hello to Uncle Jake" and say "Tell him to give the Germans the Dickens. I have joined the National Guard. 

 We have about 100 members.

The crops have been good this season, with exceptions.  Weavel worked a hardship on that crop.

Well Bro.  be of good cheer and don't get down hearted.  All will be well. Trust in God and He will be with you and all at home.  Carrie is dropping you a few lines.  Brother don't fight .... those cursed Huns, but fight like a man - an American

Wishing you success and best love and God's choicest blessings on you to preserve and shield you is the wish of your loving brother, Wilford.  Write as soon as you can.


Hello, Uncle Jake.  How are you by this time?  I hope you are O.K.  We think of you every day, wondering where you are and what you are doing.  I do hope you keep well, as health is everything to you.  Don't think we have forgotten you.  We are all anxious to know how you have it.

We got Virgil's picture yesterday.  He likes camp life fine.  He says he was getting darn lazy.  We would like a picture of you in your uniform.

Well, I guess Wiff is telling you all the news so I will say good bye for this time. Hoping you plenty of health and God's Blessings.  I remain as ever,  Carrie

Write as soon as possible.



 Through the death of Jacob Hafen Jr. in France October 6, 1918, the honor of  Gold Star Mother was bestowed upon Lizetta, Jacob Jr's mother.


Monday, July 13, 2015