Memory from Jerry

We often hear stories of widowed women who even though they themselves have very little are still willing to give to the Lord’s church from their meager store.  Our mother, Verna Davis, was just such a women.  A few years after our father died, our ward was divided and a new church building was needed.  At that time, people in the ward had to contribute 50% of the cost of a new building.  Along with fund raisers, members were given an assessment.  The bishop did not want to give mother an assessment due to her meager income but she insisted she could contribute.  She was a great cook and a terrific candy maker, especially her peanut brittle, which she poured onto a marble slab and with rubber gloves, would stretch the hot candy until it was paper thin and would melt in your mouth.  She came up with a plan to make and sell her candy at Christmas time.  She got the word out about her candy sales, bought one-pound boxes, individual candy papers, ingredients and got to work.  The one pound boxes of peanut brittle were her best sellers.  She also offered boxes of assorted candy which included home-made chocolates, stuffed dates, divinity, fudge, toffee, caramels and others.  Mother made the best molasses taffy I have ever tasted and that could even be included.  Mother worked long hours, the house smelled delicious and candy boxes were stored everywhere.  If my memory serves me correctly, she did this two years.  I don’t know the exact amount she contributed to the building fund but I believe it was several hundred dollars and she had done her part in building up the kingdom.  The building she contributed to is the building Mary and Don Belnap meet in at present.  She knew the church was true and knew the Lord would bless her when she put her faith and trust in Him.  I think both Lyle and Paul make candy from mother’s recipes.  Others might do the same.  Both the candy and the example are a legacy for us.