“The Call”

 written by

Torleif S. Knaphus in 1934

Page 6

KFO News

Torleif Knaphus was an excellent example to us in keeping journals and other writings to document one’s life.  In order for us to leave a legacy for our own families, we should remember that “The faintest pen is better than the strongest memory”!

“The Call” was written by Torleif regarding his trip to Hill Cumorah to examine the potential site for the monument one year prior to its placement and dedication.  At this time he was almost 53 years old, had been widowed for 2½ years, daughter Olive had just gotten married, and he had 5 children at home ranging from Grace (age 15) to Jack (age 5).

 

Torleif tells of his train trip through Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa and Chicago.  They took a bus to Detroit, Michigan and drove a new car into Canada (including Niagara Falls) and onto Palmyra, New York, the Smith farm, and to choose a site on Hill Cumorah for the monument.  Then on his way back to Utah he traveled through New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., then visited his brothers (Lars & Sakarias) in Iowa before returning home.

Torleif in his studio – 1934(age 52)

Concerning his visit to the Sacred Grove alone, Torleif writes in “The Call”:

 

“The morning was beautiful.  As I arrived, the sun had just risen over the eastern hills, the birds were singing all around me, down on the Smith Farm the geese and ducks were gaggling, the big red squirrels were playing leap frog in the tall beautiful trees around me - so rich in variety, so artistically placed.  As the bright light from the rising sun broke through …”

 

To read Torleif’s account, “The Call”, including added photos, CLICK HERE

 

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