Mealtime at Moccasin

At mealtime the table was set for a dozen or more people. The knives and forks were placed on the table, plates were turned over with a glass or cup by them. A spoon dish was in the middle of the table by a vase of flowers, when flowers were in bloom - wild flowers and the ones we raised. We all had our special spoon and would say please pass the spoons. Mother liked the same spoon each time too.

The food was placed on the table. Our chairs had their back to the table and we would all kneel down by our chairs and have our family prayer each morning and night and the blessing on the food at our mid-day meal. Father always led in this, then the next meal he would ask mother, then the oldest son or daughter and down the line until all had a turn, and then we would start over. Even the baby just learning to talk had a turn, with mother's help.

We were always together at meal-time. It was a pleasant and happy time. Each morning or evening at mealtime, just so we got it done, father or mother would read a chapter or two from the Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants or faith promoting stories. Sometime our older brothers and sisters would do the reading. It made good readers of them.

The large bell was fastened on top of the granary, just a few steps from our back door and was rung awhile before mealtime so we could all come and get washed up nice and clean for the meal. We could hear the bell ring all over the place.

- Lucy Heaton Esplin