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Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Wolfgramm Geneaology


St. Mauritien Lutheran Church, Pyritz, Pommern, Prussia our family church. Many of the Sanfts and the Wolfgramms were married and baptised in this church.


The following information is from the Wolfgramm & Sanft Family Reunion Website:

Is Wolfgramm spelled with one 'm' or two? BOTH are right!
Two Wolfgramm brothers signed a document. One did it with one "m" and a line over it, the other with two "mm"s. Full brothers, same parents -they just used different ways of writing their surname -until you remember the Sutterlein grammar rule for the letter "m", you won't understand why they did this and why they both are right.

How did we get our name, Wolfgramm?
Charles [Siale] Ataongo WOLFGRAMM, explained how we got our name. He learned this story from his father, our German immigrant: Emil Otto Friedrich WOLFGRAMM.

There was a Prince who wished to travel through his kingdom. He had to go through a wild forest filled with wolves. While traveling through the forest he and his party were surrounded by a pack of wolves. Our ancestor was a guard to the Prince and knew that if he could kill the leader of the pack the other wolves would scatter. He killed the leader of the wolf pack with his bare hands and when arriving back to the palace safely was granted a new name by the Prince. Our name used to be GRAMM and after this killing of the wolf leader we became known as WOLFGRAMM.

The town of Pyritz, Pomerania, Prussia is now, in our time, post WWII days, listed as Pyrzyce, Sczecin, Poland.

Our family tree starts withFriedrich WOLFGRAMM & Dorothea Sophia HEIDEMANN.
*Friedrich WOLFGRAMM b. 20 Feb 1799 in Altstadt, Pyritz, Pommern, Prussia and becomes a master blacksmith. Later in life he becomes a farmer on a land estate. He marries at age 23 years on 22 April 1822 in Pyritz, Pommern, Prussia to Dorothea Sophia HEIDEMANN. When Friedrich dies 20 Nov 1882 he owns more farmland than anyone in Altstadt. I found agriculture records listing his holdings at the town library in Pyritz. The book had been rescued from a fire at a home in the 1970s where the book was hidden in the wall of the house. I could still smell the smoke from that fire when I turned the pages in 1999 sitting in the small library in our small village that once was called Pyritz.

Dorothea Sophia HEIDEMANN is born on 6 Sep 1804 in Pyritz, Pommern, Prussia which is about a 15 minute walk west from Altstadt. Family tradition has her as daughter of Gottlieb [which means: God dear or God's love] HEIDEMANN [1775-1804] & his wife, Anna Christine WEIHERR [1780-?]. Dorothea Sophia Heidemann WOLFGRAMM dies from the result of a miscarriage at the age of 43 years old. Prior to her marriage to our ancestor, Friedrich WOLFGRAMM, Dorothea Sophia has a little daughter named Christine Wilhelmine HEIDEMANN who was 5 years old when Dorothea becomes Mrs. Friedrich WOLFGRAMM. Christine Wilhelmine HEIDEMANN would later stand as god-mother for all the children born to my ancestor - her half-brother, Friedrich Wilhelm WOLFGRAMM & his wife, Caroline Wilhelmine Julianna SANFT at the Lutheran family church in Pyritz. Christine can be found in German church books recorded as Frau [Mrs.] Gottfried HENZEL.

The 6 children of Friedrich WOLFGRAMM and Dorothea Sophia HEIDEMANN are:
1. Friedrich Wilhelm WOLFGRAMM married Caroline Wilhelmina Julianna SANFT (4 of their sons were sent to Tonga w/ Sanft cousins in 1875)
2. August Ludwig WOLFGRAMM (3 of his sons were sent to Tonga in 1885)
3. Hanna Luise WOLFGRAMM
4. Herman Carl Wilhelm WOLFGRAMM
5. Johann Augustine WOLFGRAMM
6. August Wilhelm WOLFGRAMM

{CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE ONLINE FAMILY TREE}

BE SURE TO GO ATTEND THE WOLFGRAMM FAMILY REUNION HIS YEAR!

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Congrats to the Jets!








They have just finished celebrating their 25th Anniversary in Minnesota, at The State Theater reliving their old hits. They even paid tribute to Michael Jackson, The Time and Prince, and of course they honored their parents, Maikeli and Vake Wolfgramm who joined them onstage.
We love you and wish we had all been there to celebrate with you!

Ofa Lahi Atu, thank you for always being in inspiration to all of your family!

Love from all the Wolfgramm family and of course I am sure that your number one fans
(Grandma & Grandpa)
where there in spirit cheering you on...... :){Grandpa & Selu-grandpa always sporting his
Jets Pin, even at church... :) }

Friday, April 2, 2010

Wolfgramm & Sanft Reunion


Wolfgramm Roots

CHRISTIAN FREDRICH AUGUST SANFT left Prussia (Germany) at the age of 26 years old and traveled to Boston (USA) than to California for the California Gold Rush. He made a small fortune and than traveled onto Australia looking for more gold. He heard about the coconut oil in the islands, which in those days was almost as valuable as gold. He arrived in Tonga in 1864 at the age of 42. He than sent for SOPHIE DOERNER from Germany and they were married once she arrived Tonga. CHRISTIAN was the only one of his brother’s and sister to come to Tonga.

In early 1872 (abt 10 years later), eight of his nephews arrived and a 2nd cousin (Herman Guttenbeil) came to Tonga. There were 4 nephews from his older brother WILHELM GOTTLIEB HEINRICH SANFT who married CHRISTINE CAROLINE GUERR. The 4 out of their 10 children who were sent to Tonga were: their 3rd child: FRANZ CARL (FALANISI) SANFT, their 4th child: FREDRICH WILHELM ALBERT (‘ALIPATE) SANFT, their 5th child: OTTO ADOLF (‘ALOFI) SANFT, and their 9th child: FREDERICH WILHELM ALBERT (OTO) SANFT). CHRISTIAN also had 4 nephews from his older sister CAROLINE JULIANA HENRIETTA SANFT who married FRITZ KARL WOLFGRAMM. The 4 out of their 8 children who were sent to Tonga were: their 1st child: KARL FREDRICH (‘EFALAME) WOLFGRAMM, their 2nd child: WILHELM (VILIAMI) WOLFGRAMM, their 3rd child: GUSTAV FRITZ EMIL (LUI) WOLFGRAMM, and their youngest the 8th child: EMIL OTTO (OTO KOLOA) FRIEDRICH WOLFGRAMM. They ranged in ages from 29 years old to 16 years old at the time they arrived in Tonga in 1872.


About the year 1885 (abt another 10 years later), another set of Wolfgramm brothers arrived in Tonga. FRITZ KARL WOLFGRAMM (who married CAROLINE JULIANA HENRIETTA SANFT) had a younger brother AUGUST LUDWIG WOLFGRAMM who married CAROLINE FRITZ. They sent 3 out of their 15 children to Tonga. They were thier 5th child: FREDRICH GUSTAV LUDWIG WOLFGRAMM(Feleti), their 11th child: OTTO FRANZ WOLFGRAMM('Oto) and their 13th child: CHRISTIAN LUDWIG HERMAN WOLFGRAMM(Hamani Mataika).

Sunday, October 11, 2009

The Mega 80's Concert with The Jets

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

In Loving Memory of Grandpa Wolfgramm

Born: January 20, 1911
Returned with honor: September 16, 1997
Grandpas Obituary:

Iohani Otto Melila Wolfgramm, a spiritual church pioneer for his country and people, age 86, died peacefully at home in the arms of his loving companion and wife, Salote Fakatou, his immediate family and loved ones in Salt Lake City, Utah. He passed away on September 16, 1997 of cancer.

He was born January 20, 1911 in Haalauful, Vavaii, Tonga, son of Charles Fredrick Wolfgramm and Salome Fouu Afu. He married Salote Lasini Fakatou of Felemea on July 19, 1933 at Neiafu Vabau, Tonga, later sealed at the LDS Salt Lake Temple on November 10, 1965. Iohani was a high priest, Liberty 3rd Ward, Tongan Stake, Salt Lake City, Utah. Former ward member of the Kenwood Ward, Wilford Stake. Iohani and Salote Wolfgramm have lived and served faithfully in the church in Tonga Tapu, Haapai, Vavau, Eua, and in the U.S. They are temple goers with a deep love for the dead and temple service. They have filled several proselyting missions and numerous building assignments for the church in Tonga for about 30 years. Proselyting for 17 years labor missionaries, they filled seven missions for the church. Spent six years building Liahona High School and other chapels throughout the island. The Lord has blessed our family tremendously. The windows of Heaven were opened to us. We have experienced what we consider many miracles in the courses of our missions.Survived by Salote Lasini Fakatou Wolfgramm; children, Anna Malina (Joseph) Henderson, CA; Salesi (Fononga) Wolfgramm, Salt Lake; Taiana (Kalanite) Brown, Salt Lake; Tisina (Roy) Gerber, Salt Lake; Samuela (Manu) Wolfgramm, Salt Lake; Maikeli (Vake) Wolfgramm, CA; Leilani (Aaron) Watene, CA; Fololeni (Clinton) Borg, Lehi; Walter (Pasepa) Wolfgramm, Calif.; Norma (Vaikoula) Mee, AK; Elsie (Sione Veili) Ahokovi, West Valley; Richard (Pamela) Wolfgramm, FL; Tila (Tony) Brown, Taylorsville; Uni Wolfgramm, Kearns; Lose (Hosea) Fitita, Salt Lake; Semisi (Lora), West Jordan; 172 grandchildren and great-grandchildren, including the singing group "The Jets" and "The Polynesian Pearls"; brothers, Osika (Lavinia) Wolfgramm, Salt Lake; Koloti Wolfgramm, Salt Lake; Makanesi Wolfgramm; Walter (Lavender) Wolfgramm, San Diego; sister, Maata Mele Isileli Fiefia, Salt Lake. Preceded in death by daughters, Ofa Moana, Ana Sillito; and son, Napoleone.

Funeral service will be Thursday, 6-9 p.m. for family only. Friday, 6-9 p.m. for the public and Sat., 10 a.m. at Taylorsville Stake, 4951 S. 1950 W. Interment, Redwood Memorial Estates

A story about Grandpa....










IOHANI SOUGHT FROM A DREAM


It was the first Sunday of November 1979 and I was getting ready for an 8:00 a.m. priesthood meeting. I heard a knock at the door so came to answer it and found a woman at the door that I had never before met. She said, "I'm looking for 'Iohani Wolfgramm who is living at this address." I noticed she had been crying.

I said, "I'm Brother Wolfgramm, what can I do for you?" "I've come because my brother, Mr. Smith, died at the Cottonwood hospital last Friday and we have asked the doctor if he would bear with us and just leave him there in the room because we have a feeling that his life will return. This Sunday morning his wife went home to Bountiful to feed the children and get them ready for Church, while his sister and other family members are at his room, keeping their eyes on Brother Smith. The reason I came: In a dream my husband saw Brother Smith come to him and ask if he would look for a man by the name of 'Iohani Wolfgramm and gave him this address, and said, 'Go and ask Brother Wolfgramm to come and call my spirit so it can enter my body again.' That's why I came this moming. Will you come and give him a priesthood blessing?"

I said, "I would like to help you but I can't. My bishop and stake president won't allow me out of the jurisdiction of my stake or ward to exercise my priesthood." The woman said, "May I please go and see your bishop and give him the information that my husband received?" So she went and spoke to the bishop. After she told the bishop the story, she was sent to the stake president. After the stake president heard the story, he gave his permission and said, "If this brother needs his help, he may go."
So the woman returned to my house and took me in her car to the hospital. When we entered the room I noticed all the family sitting around. His sister told me her brother had died on Friday. I met the brother-in-law who had the dream and asked if he would assist me in the administration. The brother-in-law told me to anoint the oil and he would give the blessing. I said, "Thank you." and we went ahead and gave Brother Smith his blessing. After we said 'amen' everyone sat down. They waited for about 15 minutes, nothing happened. They waited for another 30 minutes, nothing happened.

This went for an hour and still nothing. The sister began to cry again and called me aside and said, "My husband doesn't have enough faith when he prays, that's why my brother came in that dream and wanted you to give him the blessing because of the faith that you have. Would it be too much if we could all unite in faith and prayer and ask the Lord to bless my brother, and through your faith you can raise him from the dead?"

The brother-in-law returned only this time 1 offered the prayer. In my prayer I said, "Our Father in Heaven, we are here together with the rest of Brother Smith's family to offer a special prayer on his behalf. We know that he has been dead since Friday, but his spirit has come and asked if I could give him a blessing and call for his spirit to return to his body. We pray for his health to return to normal. We pray that his heart will start to function, his lungs and circulation start to work and each and every one of his veins and arteries will begin to function. Through the power of the priesthood and in the name of the holy Savior Jesus Christ, I command you, Brother Smith, for your spirit to now enter your body. And when you revive from your death bed you will know that it was through the power of Christ that your spirit has returned to your body. And you will stand as a witness to God that this is His gospel and this is one of the miracles that He performed among the people before His second coming. I pray for you that everything will function normally as we come to the end of our blessing and say this to you in the name of Jesus Christ and in the power of the holy Melchizedek priesthood which we bear."

Right after Brother Smith heard my voice, he slowly got up. When his sister saw her brother get up she started to cry loudly and ran up to him, and the rest of the family came running and hugged and kissed him. At that moment the phone rang and it was his wife. She asked her sister-in-law how her husband was doing. She asked if she would like to talk to him and handed Brother Smith the phone. They sat there and talked on the phone as if nothing had happened. They gave me a big hug and I was finally brought home.

Brother Smith knew he had to come back to finish his work on earth, and it was only through the priesthood blessing that this,could be accomplished. He told the family that for three days he had been there wanting to return to his body, but didn't know how. He saw his body laying there but no one could hear what he was saying. That's why his spirit went to his brother-in-law to find someone that had great faith and was given Iohani's name and address.

I received a call from the Stake President after I returned home wanting to know what happened to the man. I told him the Lord had heard my prayer and his life was revived. The Stake President told me that he would take away my restrictions, and I would be free to go anywhere that the Lord wanted me to go to bless the people.


OFA LAHI ATU GRANDPA!!!
....FAMILIES ARE FOREVER...

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Selu and Jason's baby is home!!



A little late, but welcome home baby Olivia!!
(Sale and Fononga's grandbaby)
She seems to be doing well and getting chubby!!!
We are all glad that she is healthy and strong!!
Lots of love to the Harper's!!

Congratulations to Leipua and Kime Lao!


Leipua and Kime were sealed along with their children, on June 6th, 2009 in the Salt Lake Temple.
The sealing was beautiful and what a great blessing it is for their sweet family!
Here are some pics...

Friday, December 19, 2008

Memories of our Uncle


Uncle Richard and his son Eli at grandma's putu.
(Jan . 2008)




Uncle Richard at grandma's burial. Jan. '08





Uncle Richard and Grandma




Wednesday, December 17, 2008

We love you uncle Richard-Families Are Forever




WOLFGRAMM, RICHARD 55, of Orlando, passed away Sunday, December 14, 2008. He was born December 10, 1953 in Haa' Lau Fuli, Va'Vau, Tonga. Richard immigrated to the US in 1965, from Tonga and moved to Salt Lake City. He served a mission for the LDS Church in 1973, at the 4-Corners, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado and Utah. He moved to Florida in 1976, where he met and married Pamela
Keggins November 15, 1978. Richard was a kind and giving husband, father, grandfather and friend. His generosity knew no boundaries and his love for his fellow man shone through in everything he did. Many were blessed that knew and were touched by Richard's goodness and will never forget his love and compassion. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Pamela; son, Zechariah and wife Kristen; son, Nasur and wife Anna; son, Buddha and wife Erin; daughter, Leilani and husband Chris Clifton; son, Eli; granddaughters,
Kalani, Irie, Emma and Kaya. 15 brothers and sisters also survive him. He is preceded in death by his parents, lohani' and Salote' Wolfgramm. The family will receive friends from 6-10PM Friday, December 19th at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Stake Center, 3001 S. Apopka-
Vineland Road, Orlando, FL 34786. Funeral Services will be held 10AM Saturday, December 20th at the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at 4020 S. Bumby,
Orlando, FL. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery, Orlando. Arrangements are being handled by BALDWIN FAIRCHILD FUNERAL HOME, PlNE CASTLE CHAPEL, 5800 Hansel Avenue, Orlando, FL 32809, 407-855-5800. View and sign the family guestbook at www.baldwinfairchild.com or

http://www.legacy.com/GB2/ListViewPage.aspx?bookId=652956510690


Monday, December 15, 2008

Wolfgramm Origins- with photos

Here is a bit of information from another Wolfgramm blog, the site can be found HERE.


"My paternal ancestry that I know about is Prussian and Jewish. Prussia is the V-shaped region comprising states in Germany's north-east that spread into what is now the Polish south-west. Prussians invented Germany in the 19th century, thanks to Bismarck. Other great Prussians predating Bismarck include Catherine the Great (the princess who became Czarina of Russia), and Frederick II of Prussia - better known as Frederick 'the Great'. Jews were typically oppressed by Germans of all kinds starting from the time of the Crusades and Prussian Jews were no exception, but by the early 19th century, Napoleon found reason to grant them theoretical citizenship and legal equality. Some of the beneficiaries of this improvement were Jews in the southern Prussian county of Pommern.

Wolfgramms -
also variously spelled as Wulfgram, Wol
fram and often with two 'ff's as well as two 'mm's - may have been among them. The name means ‘does not fear wolves’. In the 1850s, the German writer, Victor von Scheffel, commended the prose of Wolfgram to his readers. In the early 13th century, Wolfram von Eschenbach – a Bavarian - commends his readers to the finest writer of German prose, Wulfgram. According to Germanic legends, a 5th century (Roman Empire) Wulfgram was a protégé of Theodoric I, King of the Goths (ie. Visigoths) from 418 to 451CE. Theodoric was an ally of Gundicar (or Gunther or Gunnar), first King of the Burgundians. These two were engaged in war against Attila, King of the Hun from 434 to 453CE. Gundicar was killed by Attila’s forces in 437CE. According to this tradition, Wulfgram died a heroic death in a subsequent stoush with Attila and his palace guard. He and four others from Theodric’s court lost their lives defending Gundicar’s widow, Hildiko, from the Hun.

M
y ancestors (great-grandfather Wolfgramm) came from the Prussian town of Pyritz (in Pommern county) as it was then, Pyrzyce as it is now (a
s it is within Poland's borders). Pyrzyce is a town in a region of beautiful lakes and forests and known for its sizeable Jewish community. Many of the Wolfgramms are listed in the Pommern telephone directory of 1939 and are found among the lists of (Polish-Prussian) Jews of the region. Other Wolfgramms turn up from time to time – one was a co-founder of the KPD, the German Communist Party, after the First World War. Some are listed among the 359 from Pyritz/Pyrzyce who died in the First (Great) World War. My father's family were interned in New Zealand during part of the Second World War - that's what I was told, but no one seems to know where, under what circumstances or for how long. Uncle Bill Wolfgramm was a pioneer in putting South Sea hawaiian-style popular music on vinyl records straight after WW2. More recently, Paea Wolfgramm won a silver medallion for heavy weight division boxing at the Atlanta Olympics (1996). Greg Wolfgramm played rugby league for ‘Canberra Raiders’ in the Australian NRL competition during the early ‘90s. More Wolfgramms were and are pop singers and some are grid-iron players in America."


These photos below were taken in Pyritz, Pommern, Prussia

by Caroline Wolfgramm Irwin

I copied them from the Wolfgramm/Sanft family group on Bebo.


Hammermuhle where the 1st Wolfgramm Blacksmith lived in the 1500s. Now in Poland.






St. Mauritien church - Emil Otto Friedrich Wolfgramm & his siblings were blessed in this church.





The ruins of the Leine Chapel where Wolfgramms worshipped.






This is the home of August Ludwig WOLFGRAMM pictured below, he lived on Bahnhoff StraBe, Pyritz

We miss you Grandma!




Salote Lasini Mele Tuipulotu Fakatou-Wolfgramm 6/27/1915 ~ 1/26/2008 Our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great- grandmother Salote Lasini Fakatou-Wolfgramm returned to ourHeavenly Father at the age of 92. She was born in Kolonga Tongatapu, Tonga, daughter of Penisoni Kaufusi Fakatou'io and Seluvaia Mafi. Salote and the late 'Iohani Otto Wolfgramm were married July 2nd, 1933, later sealed at the Salt Lake City Temple in November 1965. Together they had 19 children, 115 grandchildren, 220 great-grand-children, and four great-great- grandchildren- all of whom were born in Salote's lifetime. Among her many accomplishments were her dedication to her family, commitment to magnify her callings, genealogy work in the Church, and endless service to her fellow beings. Salote and 'Iohani served eight full time missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her undying love and wonderful example will live on in our hearts and lives for many generations. Salote we love you and will miss you greatly. "God be with you 'till we meet again." 'Ofa lahi atu fau! Funeral services will be as follows: Family Viewing, Thursday, Jan. 31, 2008, 7-10:30 p.m., Taylorsville 6th Ward, 5450 S. 600 W., Taylorsville, UT. Public Viewing, Fri. Feb. 1, 2008, 7-10:30 p.m. Funeral Service, Sat. Feb. 2, 2008, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Services Friday and Saturday will be held at the Salt Lake South Tongan Stake Center, 4660 W. 5015 S. Kearns, UT. Burial will be at Redwood Memorial Cemetery, 6500 S. Redwood Road. Online condolences at www.serenicare.com
Create a lasting online memorial with a biography, photos, videos and more

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Uncle Ualeta Wolfgramm (Grandpa's brother)




Our wonderful uncle returned to our Heavenly Father on Sunday, he was 87.
The funeral will be this weekend in San Diego, CA.

Friday, October 10, 2008

"LDS Members asked to Support Proposition 8"


In the midst of a new political race to decide who will be our next President of the United States,the First Presidency has urged all members to actively participate and excercise our freedom in voting for a President that we feel will represent our morals and beliefs....In addition they have asked members to do whatever they can to SUPPORT PROPOSITION 8...I've copied the statement that was released by the First Presidency regarding this message as well as other thoughts on how we as members need to support this PROP 8 that will preserve the "Traditional Sanctity of Marriage"..may we all listen to a Prophet's voice which will always lead us in the way of the Lord.
The Divine Institution of Marriage
Marriage is sacred, ordained of God from before the foundation of the world. After creating Adam and Eve, the Lord God pronounced them husband and wife, of which Adam said, “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” [1] Jesus Christ cited Adam’s declaration when he affirmed the divine origins of the marriage covenant: “Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh.” [2]
In 1995, “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” declared the following unchanging truths regarding marriage:
We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children . . . The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity.
The Proclamation also teaches, “Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.” The account in Genesis of Adam and Eve being created and placed on earth emphasizes the creation of two distinct genders: “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” [3]
Marriage between a man and a woman is central to the plan of salvation. The sacred nature of marriage is closely linked to the power of procreation. Only a man and a woman together have the natural biological capacity to conceive children. This power of procreation – to create life and bring God’s spirit children into the world – is sacred and precious. Misuse of this power undermines the institution of the family and thereby weakens the social fabric. [4] Strong families serve as the fundamental institution for transmitting to future generations the moral strengths, traditions, and values that sustain civilization. As the Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirms, “The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society.” [5]
Marriage is not primarily a contract between individuals to ratify their affections and provide for mutual obligations. Rather, marriage and family are vital instruments for rearing children and teaching them to become responsible adults. While governments did not invent marriage, throughout the ages governments of all types have recognized and affirmed marriage as an essential institution in preserving social stability and perpetuating life itself. Hence, regardless of whether marriages were performed as a religious rite or a civil ceremony, married couples in almost every culture have been granted special benefits aimed primarily at sustaining their relationship and promoting the environment in which children are reared. A husband and a wife do not receive these benefits to elevate them above any other two people who may share a residence or social tie, but rather in order to preserve, protect, and defend the all-important institutions of marriage and family.
It is true that some couples who marry will not have children, either by choice or because of infertility, but the special status of marriage is nonetheless closely linked to the inherent powers and responsibilities of procreation, and to the inherent differences between the genders. Co-habitation under any guise or title is not a sufficient reason for defining new forms of marriage.
High rates of divorce and out-of-wedlock births have resulted in an exceptionally large number of single parents in American society. Many of these single parents have raised exemplary children; nevertheless, extensive studies have shown that in general a husband and wife united in a loving, committed marriage provide the optimal environment for children to be protected, nurtured, and raised. [6] This is not only because of the substantial personal resources that two parents can bring to bear on raising a child, but because of the differing strengths that a father and a mother, by virtue of their gender, bring to the task. As the prominent sociologist David Popenoe has said:
The burden of social science evidence supports the idea that gender differentiated parenting is important for human development and that the contribution of fathers to childrearing is unique and irreplaceable. [7]
Popenoe explained that:
. . . The complementarity of male and female parenting styles is striking and of enormous importance to a child’s overall development. It is sometimes said that fathers express more concern for the child’s longer-term development, while mothers focus on the child’s immediate well-being (which, of course, in its own way has everything to do with a child’s long-term well-being). What is clear is that children have dual needs that must be met: one for independence and the other for relatedness, one for challenge and the other for support. [8]
Social historian David Blankenhorn makes a similar argument in his book Fatherless America. [9] In an ideal society, every child would be raised by both a father and a mother.
Challenges to Marriage and Family
Our modern era has seen traditional marriage and family – defined as a husband and wife with children in an intact marriage – come increasingly under assault. Sexual morality has declined and infidelity has increased. Since 1960, the proportion of children born out of wedlock has soared from 5.3 percent to 38.5 percent (2006). [10] Divorce has become much more common and accepted, with the United States having one of the highest divorce rates in the world. Since 1973, abortion has taken the lives of over 45 million innocents. [11] At the same time, entertainment standards continue to plummet, and pornography has become a scourge afflicting and addicting many victims. Gender differences increasingly are dismissed as trivial, irrelevant, or transient, thus undermining God’s purpose in creating both men and women.
In recent years in the United States and other countries, a movement has emerged to promote same-sex marriage as an inherent or constitutional right. This is not a small step, but a radical change: instead of society tolerating or accepting private, consensual sexual behavior between adults, advocates of same-sex marriage seek its official endorsement and recognition.
Court decisions in Massachusetts (2004) and California (2008) have allowed same-sex marriages. This trend constitutes a serious threat to marriage and family. The institution of marriage will be weakened, resulting in negative consequences for both adults and children.
In November 2008, California voters will decide whether to amend their state constitution to define marriage as only between a man and a woman. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has joined in a broad coalition of other denominations, organizations, and individuals to encourage voter approval of this amendment.
The people of the United States – acting either directly or through their elected representatives – have recognized the crucial role that traditional marriage has played and must continue to play in American society if children and families are to be protected and moral values propagated.
Forty-four states have passed legislation making clear that marriage is between a man and a woman. More than half of those states, twenty-seven in all, have done so by constitutional amendments like the ones pending in California, Arizona, and Florida. [12]
In contrast, those who would impose same-sex marriage on American society have chosen a different course. Advocates have taken their case to the state courts, asking judges to remake the institution of marriage that society has accepted and depended upon for millennia. Yet, even in this context, a broad majority of courts – six out of eight state supreme courts – have upheld traditional marriage laws. Only two, Massachusetts and now California, have gone in the other direction, and then, only by the slimmest of margins – 4 to 3 in both cases.
In sum, there is very strong agreement across America on what marriage is. As the people of California themselves recognized when they voted on this issue just eight years ago, traditional marriage is essential to society as a whole, and especially to its children. Because this question strikes at the very heart of the family, because it is one of the great moral issues of our time, and because it has the potential for great impact upon the family, the Church is speaking out on this issue, and asking members to get involved.
Tolerance, Same-Sex Marriage and Religious Freedom
Those who favor homosexual marriage contend that “tolerance” demands that they be given the same right to marry as heterosexual couples. But this appeal for “tolerance” advocates a very different meaning and outcome than that word has meant throughout most of American history and a different meaning than is found in the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Savior taught a much higher concept, that of love. “Love thy neighbor,” He admonished. [13] Jesus loved the sinner even while decrying the sin, as evidenced in the case of the woman taken in adultery: treating her kindly, but exhorting her to “sin no more.” [14] Tolerance as a gospel principle means love and forgiveness of one another, not “tolerating” transgression.
In today’s secular world, the idea of tolerance has come to mean something entirely different. Instead of love, it has come to mean condone – acceptance of wrongful behavior as the price of friendship. Jesus taught that we love and care for one another without condoning transgression. But today’s politically palatable definition insists that unless one accepts the sin he does not tolerate the sinner.
As Elder Dallin H. Oaks has explained,
Tolerance obviously requires a non-contentious manner of relating toward one another’s differences. But tolerance does not require abandoning one’s standards or one’s opinions on political or public policy choices. Tolerance is a way of reacting to diversity, not a command to insulate it from examination. [15]
The Church does not condone abusive treatment of others and encourages its members to treat all people with respect. However, speaking out against practices with which the Church disagrees on moral grounds – including same-sex marriage – does not constitute abuse or the frequently misused term “hate speech.” We can express genuine love and friendship for the homosexual family member or friend without accepting the practice of homosexuality or any re-definition of marriage.
Legalizing same-sex marriage will affect a wide spectrum of government activities and policies. Once a state government declares that same-sex unions are a civil right, those governments almost certainly will enforce a wide variety of other policies intended to ensure that there is no discrimination against same-sex couples. This may well place “church and state on a collision course.” [16]
The prospect of same-sex marriage has already spawned legal collisions with the rights of free speech and of action based on religious beliefs. For example, advocates and government officials in certain states already are challenging the long-held right of religious adoption agencies to follow their religious beliefs and only place children in homes with both a mother and a father. As a result, Catholic Charities in Boston has stopped offering adoption services.
Other advocates of same-sex marriage are suggesting that tax exemptions and benefits be withdrawn from any religious organization that does not embrace same-sex unions. [17] Public accommodation laws are already being used as leverage in an attempt to force religious organizations to allow marriage celebrations or receptions in religious facilities that are otherwise open to the public. Accrediting organizations in some instances are asserting pressure on religious schools and universities to provide married housing for same-sex couples. Student religious organizations are being told by some universities that they may lose their campus recognition and benefits if they exclude same-sex couples from club membership. [18]
Many of these examples have already become the legal reality in several nations of the European Union, and the European Parliament has recommended that laws guaranteeing and protecting the rights of same-sex couples be made uniform across the EU. [19] Thus, if same-sex marriage becomes a recognized civil right, there will be substantial conflicts with religious freedom. And in some important areas, religious freedom may be diminished.
How Would Same-Sex Marriage Affect Society?
Possible restrictions on religious freedom are not the only societal implications of legalizing same-sex marriage. Perhaps the most common argument that proponents of same-sex marriage make is that it is essentially harmless and will not affect the institution of traditional heterosexual marriage in any way. “It won’t affect you, so why should you care?’ is the common refrain. While it may be true that allowing single-sex unions will not immediately and directly affect all existing marriages, the real question is how it will affect society as a whole over time, including the rising generation and future generations. The experience of the few European countries that already have legalized same-sex marriage suggests that any dilution of the traditional definition of marriage will further erode the already weakened stability of marriages and family generally. Adopting same-sex marriage compromises the traditional concept of marriage, with harmful consequences for society.
Aside from the very serious consequence of undermining and diluting the sacred nature of marriage between a man and a woman, there are many practical implications in the sphere of public policy that will be of deep concern to parents and society as a whole. These are critical to understanding the seriousness of the overall issue of same-sex marriage.
When a man and a woman marry with the intention of forming a new family, their success in that endeavor depends on their willingness to renounce the single-minded pursuit of self-fulfillment and to sacrifice their time and means to the nurturing and rearing of their children. Marriage is fundamentally an unselfish act: legally protected because only a male and female together can create new life, and because the rearing of children requires a life-long commitment, which marriage is intended to provide. Societal recognition of same-sex marriage cannot be justified simply on the grounds that it provides self-fulfillment to its partners, for it is not the purpose of government to provide legal protection to every possible way in which individuals may pursue fulfillment. By definition, all same-sex unions are infertile, and two individuals of the same gender, whatever their affections, can never form a marriage devoted to raising their own mutual offspring.
It is true that some same-sex couples will obtain guardianship over children –through prior heterosexual relationships, through adoption in the states where this is permitted, or by artificial insemination. Despite that, the all-important question of public policy must be: what environment is best for the child and for the rising generation? Traditional marriage provides a solid and well-established social identity to children. It increases the likelihood that they will be able to form a clear gender identity, with sexuality closely linked to both love and procreation. By contrast, the legalization of same-sex marriage likely will erode the social identity, gender development, and moral character of children. Is it really wise for society to pursue such a radical experiment without taking into account its long-term consequences for children?
As just one example of how children will be adversely affected, the establishment of same-sex marriage as a civil right will inevitably require mandatory changes in school curricula. When the state says that same-sex unions are equivalent to heterosexual marriages, the curriculum of public schools will have to support this claim. Beginning with elementary school, children will be taught that marriage can be defined as a relation between any two adults and that consensual sexual relations are morally neutral. Classroom instruction on sex education in secondary schools can be expected to equate homosexual intimacy with heterosexual relations. These developments will create serious clashes between the agenda of the secular school system and the right of parents to teach their children traditional standards of morality.
Finally, throughout history the family has served as an essential bulwark of individual liberty. The walls of a home provide a defense against detrimental social influences and the sometimes overreaching powers of government. In the absence of abuse or neglect, government does not have the right to intervene in the rearing and moral education of children in the home. Strong families are thus vital for political freedom. But when governments presume to redefine the nature of marriage, issuing regulations to ensure public acceptance of non-traditional unions, they have moved a step closer to intervening in the sacred sphere of domestic life. The consequences of crossing this line are many and unpredictable, but likely would include an increase in the power and reach of the state toward whatever ends it seeks to pursue.
The Sanctity of Marriage
Strong, stable families, headed by a father and mother, are the anchor of civilized society. When marriage is undermined by gender confusion and by distortions of its God-given meaning, the rising generation of children and youth will find it increasingly difficult to develop their natural identity as a man or a woman. Some will find it more difficult to engage in wholesome courtships, form stable marriages, and raise yet another generation imbued with moral strength and purpose.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has chosen to become involved, along with many other churches, organizations, and individuals, in defending the sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman because it is a compelling moral issue of profound importance to our religion and to the future of our society.
The final line in the Proclamation on the Family is an admonition to the world from the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve: “We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.” This is the course charted by Church leaders, and it is the only course of safety for the Church and for the nation.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Genealogy Are We Doing It?

We all know that grandpa and grandma's passion was genealogy and temple work. What better tribute could we give them and our ancestors than to do our genealogy. So with this in mind our wonderful Aunty Malina has asked each of us to write down our genealogy, birth dates etc. so that she can compile a revised family genealogy book for our family, there have been a few new additions to the family since grandma has passed on. She asked for each of us to do our families individually then our parents and their parents names and any other names of our grandparents on both sides if possible. If you would like to compile them and then maybe email them to Esca it would be very helpful not only for the family genealogy book but for your own families and children to know who their ancestors are. This is a great goal and challenge for each of us to try to accomplish! I hope everyone is doing well and I also hope to hear from those who are contributors or even the family who might be reading this.

**If you still don't know how to leave a comment, click on "comments" just below this post and a new window will open for comments. You don't have to have an account to leave a comment, just leave us your name so we know who you are. Thanks and sorry for a huge delay in posting. Remember to get started on food storage, little by little, if you haven't already done so with the way the economy is we would be foolish not to do something. Tila and Tony are great at this and can offer some great tips.
Have a wonderful week!**

Ofa Atu!

Saturday, September 20, 2008

A bit late, but congratulations to the Epenisa Family!


The Epenisa Family ('Isi and Vise)
and their boys Tau and Fonua
were sealed as a family in May 2008
in the Salt Lake City Temple.

Monday, September 1, 2008

“If Ye Are Prepared Ye Shall Not Fear”

My mom and dad are into town for a baptism on my dad's side. Mom talked to me while we were cleaning the kitchen and reminded me about Grandpa and Grandma's wise counsel that they had given us for years.
To prepare ourselves.
We are so blessed to have come from the most wonderful Grandparents who have loved, taught and nurtured us in so many ways. I have been thinking about what they have told us time and time again, to prepare ourselves, to repent, to have food storage for our families and to live righteously.
I have to admit if anything were to happen to our little family and there was some type of disaster we would not be fully prepared for an emergency. I have set in my heart and mind goals for our family in many different aspects, but mostly spiritually and with food storage. I am sure that grandpa and grandma know what lies ahead for us and now the time is drawing nearer to our Saviors return, and we see it all around us just watching the news and all of the crazy things that happen in the world. At times I get distracted by my life and I don't see clearly what is most important for my families future. And that is- preparing ourselves with spiritual and temporal nourishment and provisions

to protect and preserve our families lives. I hope that we will take time to ponder
the many things we have all been taught by our Grandparents and our church leaders so that we will be prepared to withstand all that we might face in the years to come.




Excerpts from Elder L. Tom Perry
“ ‘If Ye Are Prepared Ye Shall Not Fear’,”
Ensign
, Nov 1995, 35



....On a daily basis we witness widely fluctuating inflation; wars; interpersonal conflicts; national disasters; variances in weather conditions; innumerable forces of immorality, crime, and violence; attacks and pressures on the family and individuals; technological advances that make occupations obsolete; and so on. The need for preparation is abundantly clear. The great blessing of being prepared gives us freedom from fear, as guaranteed to us by the Lord in the Doctrine and Covenants:

“If ye are prepared ye shall not fear” (D&C 38:30).


Just as it is important to prepare ourselves spiritually, we must also prepare ourselves for our temporal needs. Each of us needs to take the time to ask ourselves, What preparation should I make to care for my needs and the needs of my family?

First, gain an adequate education.

Second, live strictly within your income and save something for a rainy day.

Third, avoid excessive debt.

“Live within your means. Get out of debt. Keep out of debt. Lay by for a rainy day which has always come and will come again. Practice and increase your habits of thrift, industry, economy, and frugality” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1937, p. 107). We should have displayed in a prominent place President Clark’s description of interest:


Fourth, acquire and store a reserve of food and supplies that will sustain life. Obtain clothing and build a savings account on a sensible, well-planned basis that can serve well in times of emergency. As long as I can remember, we have been taught to prepare for the future and to obtain a year’s supply of necessities. I would guess that the years of plenty have almost universally caused us to set aside this counsel. I believe the time to disregard this counsel is over. With events in the world today, it must be considered with all seriousness.

.....Start now to create a plan if you don’t already have one, or update your present plan. Watch for best buys that will fit into your year’s supply. We are not in a situation that requires panic buying, but we do need to be careful in purchasing and rotating the storage that we’re putting away. The instability in the world today makes it imperative that we take heed of the counsel and prepare for the future.

President Lee, in commenting on Lehi’s great vision, said this:

“If there is any one thing most needed in this time of tumult and frustration, when men and women and youth and young adults are desperately seeking for answers to the problems which afflict mankind, it is an ‘iron rod’ as a safe guide along the straight path on the way to eternal life, amidst the strange and devious roadways that would eventually lead to destruction and to the ruin of all that is ‘virtuous, lovely, or of good report’ ” (Ensign, June 1971, p. 7).

Unfortunately there are too many of us that are like the scoffers in Lehi’s vision. They stand aloof and are inclined to hold in derision the faithful who have chosen to accept Church authorities as God’s special witnesses of the gospel and his agents in directing the affairs of the Church. My sincere counsel to you today is to remember the good basic principles we have been taught from the very beginning—principles of thrift, industry, and integrity that have served mankind in every period of time. Avoid the great and spacious building that is the pride of the world, for it will fall, and great will be the fall thereof.

May God bless us with the wisdom to follow the counsel we have received as we prepare spiritually and temporally for the strength and security of our family units, is my humble prayer, in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, amen.





Family Missionaries Around the World


(Grandma and Grandpa returning home from LDS mission 1980's)



Behold, the field is white already to harvest; therefore, whoso desireth to reap, let him thrust in his sickle with his might, and reap while the day blasts, that he may treasure up for his soul everlasting salvation in the kingdom of God.
D&C- 6:3

Our Family Missionaries




Welcome Home!!
Vanessa Tauteoli
-
Chris and David Tauteoli's daughter(Tisina and Roy Gerber's granddaughter)
recently returned home from her mission to Spain.
Thank you Vanessa for your wonderful example of service, missionary work
and dedication to the Lord! Ofa Atu!


Please remember our current missionaries in your prayers!




Steven Henderson

is currently serving in Cambodia





Stephanie Pikula

is currently serving in Dominican Republic





* Please feel free to comment on this post
if it needs to be updated. Thanks!*

Saturday, August 2, 2008

May We So Live

First Presidency Message- August 2008
By President Thomas S. Monson







Suddenly and without warning, on a bright day in September almost seven years ago, two airliners crashed into the twin towers of New York City’s World Trade Center, leaving devastating destruction and death. In Washington, D.C., and in Pennsylvania, two other airliners came down, also as a result of a terrorist plot. These tragedies snuffed out the lives of thousands of men, women, and children. Evaporated were well-laid plans for pleasant futures. Instead, there were tears....

Read the entire article by clicking HERE.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

An old blog I posted on my page...memorial day!


Dont be fooled by this 'little' woman(about 4 11')...we use to call her our little 'troll' cuz by the end of the day she'd have some major hair fly aways and looked just like one,...like my grandpa,..she is the most AMAZING woman I probably will EVER know. Mother of 18 children,...and not ONE stretch mark on her belly...she was sweet,..but one tough, devoted mother and grandma. Her daily routine for many many years consisted of waking up early in the morning,.read her scriptures,.off to the temple..back home for a snack..read again her scriptures,..back to the temple,... home for another snack...and again off to the temple...and back home for dinner....she went 3 to 4 times a day,..everyday...unless she was with one of her grandchildren (she has over 100) or with one of her great-grandchildren (she has over 200)....my dream is to be like her!
SALOTE(Charlotte) WOLFGRAMM 1915-2007 (Buried the same day as Gordon B. Hinckley)


Now this is thee most AMAZING man I EVER have known...just thinking of him alot lately and appropriate for memorial day! He served missions thru out his life in the most trying ways..,had the gift of miracles...his faith was tremendous, his love for everyone,.unconditional..., everytime I visited, he would say 'Are you happy?'.. and look me in the eye, squeeze my hand and just smile..he told me how to be happy thru his smile and embrace..and with every visit a different lecture so to say,.just thru his smile....I have totally felt the loss of this most inspirational, awe inspiring soul who has ever lived....one of the unknown heroes of our day! I see him in my dreams often:)
IOHANI OTTO WOLFGRAMM R.I.P. 1911-1997