The Web Site is “True Blue”
by Jared F. Glade

When deciding on the color scheme for the web site, the story about Joseph F. Smith when he was returning from his mission in Hawaii kept coming to mind.

It should be understood that the feeling existing towards the Latter-day Saints was running very high. The terrible scene at Mountain Meadows was fresh in the minds of the people, and of course they erroneously blamed President Brigham Yound in particular, and all the “Mormon” people of being guilty of that horrible deed… There were many men scattered abroad who had murder in their hearts and who said they would not hesitate to kill “Mormons” wherever they were found. Under these circumstances the members of the Church were forced to travel in small companies on their journey homeward bound. One day after the little company of wagons had traveled a short distance and made their camp, a company of drunken men rode into the camp on horseback, cursing and swearing and threatening to kill any “Mormons” that came within their path. It was the lot of Joseph F. Smith to meet these marauders first. Some of the brethren when they heard them coming and had cautiously gone into the brush down the creek, out of sight, where they waited for this band to pass. Joseph F. was a little distance from the camp gathering wood for the fire when these men rode up. When he saw them, he said, his first thought was to do what the other brethren had done, and seek shelter in the trees and in flight. Then the thought came to him, “Why should I run from these fellows?” With that though in mind he boldly marched up with his arms full of wood to the campfire. As he was about to deposit his wood, one of the ruffians, still with his pistols in his hands and pointing at the youthful Elder, and cursing as only a drunken rascal can, declaring that it was his duty to exterminate every “Mormon” he should meet, demanded in a loud angry voice, “Are you a ‘Mormon’?”

Without a moment of hesitation and looking the ruffian in the eye, Joseph F. Smith boldly answered, “Yes, siree; dyed in the wool; true blue, through and through.”

The answer was given boldly and without any sign of fear, which completely disarmed the belligerent man, and in his bewilderment, he grasped the missionary by the hand and said:

“Well, you are the ______ ______ pleasantest man I ever met! Shake, young fellow, I am glad to see a man that stands up for his convictions.” (1)

So, I chose BLUE as the color for the web site.

Notes:

1. The Life of Joseph F. Smith (Salt Lake City: Deseret News Press, 1938), 188-189.