The Mailbox

The Mailbox, 1977
Every delivery day, 83 year-old Lethe waits at her mailbox for the mailman to arrive. mormonchannel.org/films
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

[@musicmanix]

This is my great-great-aunt. I love this video!

[@karadanvers6136]

This video taught me to love elderly people as a child. To value and cherish them. Still makes me cry 😢

[@julians9070]

You are correct Kara, when I enrolled in a Aged Care Course at a poltechnic, one question I was asked was "What do ou think of elderl people?" I replied that they had a life of experience , many are unable to care for themselves, ,we will one day be elderly ,we should take care of them. Aged care facilities can never replace thej joy of a loving family and a loving home.

[@mr.oddduck5871]

I also watched this as a child. It made me cry to see how lonely Lethe was. My grandparents lived till I was in my 40s, so I was blessed to have them around most of my life. It instilled in me a desire to write my grandparents more often. I was pen pals with my maternal grandmother most of my life. I'm thankful that I started writing letters as a child. We should never abandon the elderly and forget that they are lonely without social interaction as well. My grandparents were a huge part of my world, and I still look back on all the times I spent with them with fondness.

[@halgunn2372]

Lethe was a treasure to our family. We knew her sister in New Hampshire. We visited with her several times when we moved to Utah. I made sure that all my children got a chance to shake her hand. She would always say, "You are shaking the hand of someone who has shaken the hand of a man who shook the hand of the Prophet Joseph Smith." I hope that I got that right. The message of this video is timeless.

[@coraluz3247]

That is incredible. Thanks for sharing

[@robertjensen4525]

What a beautiful message the sadness that Lethe from not herring or seeing kids or grandchildren, I believe she died from a broken heart.

[@clayton9380]

I love spending time with my grandma. I treasure every moment with her. I love you grandma! 💗 👵

[@LivingCrusader]

This came really close to making me cry. And it made me wish I did more for my Grandma's who are both dead, but not gone. Our old ones need as much love and attention as our young ones. God forgive us if we neglect either.

[@gsmith6026]

I used to work in an Assisted Living Center and it broke my heart how many residents were brought there and their family never visited them until they were dying. Then they sat there weeping and wailing about how they were going to miss their mom/dad. It made me so mad because I had lost both my parents and would give anything to spend just an hour with them. 2 years of their parents in there and they never darkened the door. No letters, no phone calls, no gifts.

[@theonlyislanddiva]

I watched this when I was very, very young. I have loved it since and have been looking for it until I came across this! Thank you.

[@dianecombs3091]

Me too!

[@joshuajared100]

My sons are grown and I live with one for which I’m grateful. My youngest lives 3000 miles away with his family. He once asked what I wanted for Christmas. I said, send me a card and write a little blurb about one thing that I did right when I was raising you. He has done it for several years. How precious are those cards to me. They are more precious than gold.

[@JohnKirton]

One of my all time favorites... Having lost my mom recently it really pulls the heart strings

[@kwaterspeak]

I grew up watching this .. I've always loved watching this video ... still gets to me today ..

[@Easystep87]

My heart just snapped into five hundred pieces!

[@chantelgonzales913]

I really miss you grandma and I'm so grateful for the time we had and I love you so very much- I hope I will be wth her in heaven cause she was a saint!!💝💝💝

[@wudmud]

Thank you for having this movie available. I watched it years back and with today's technology it's important to connect through that personal touch of a good old fashion letter to our elders:)

[@janemarlo4978]

People of all ages live this way, neglected by their families and children. Conveniences in today's society keeps most people preoccupied with superficial things.

[@battleshipsailor7421]

Spot on!!!

[@akatsukiwannabeX3]

I remember watching this in grade 5 health class. as in a non Mormon school, and I was the only Mormon in the class. when I asked my teacher how she got it she said my mom gave it to her a couple years ago and my teacher liked using it for that class. LITTLE KID MISSIONARY MOMENT OR THE WIN

[@magnolianiualiku7129]

i love this movie.mormon movies are my favorite

[@l.a.maddogmaddin1672]

It still brings tears to this day. thank you for putting it on youtube

[@merebrlow9834]

L.A.Maddog MADDIN

[@1morehouse4me]

Although I have relinquished my membership to the LDS faith, this one video has stuck with me since it's release in 1977 when I had just graduated from High School. To always respect and cherish those who nurtured and contributed so much to us and to society. And to love and serve them, and most importantly to remember, never to forget...

[@homealone2nana]

one of my most precious memories is that of being there for my parents at the time they parted this world. Care-giving is a privilege. Regret is a horrible thing----

[@tweetthasweet]

I haven't seen this in YEARS!! I remember seeing this as a child and I was the only 10 year old crying in class, that's when I realized how much I missed my grandmother who lived far from me. She's passed now, I miss her everyday and I can't finish the movie even though it was one of my favorites. Cherish and love your elders.

[@ranipulla5005]

Very heart touching story I have never seen before ,thank you for director n producer

[@DavidKanar]

An oldie, but goodie. Great message.

[@jenfira]

I miss my grandma. She passed a month before I returned home from my mission. Family members said she asked about me before she passed. When I returned home, one night, I felt she was watching over me. I always visited her when she was alive. It was a special moment for me. That was 14 years ago. I still miss her a lot.

[@gsmith6026]

Oh so many memories of this movie. There were 3 that I loved; The Mailbox, Mr. Krueger’s Christmas and Nora’s Christmas Gift. Such great movies with wonderful messages.

[@gansosmansos]

Love that! Awesome message! Great memories. I think I'll write my grandparents.

[@MelissaServicePack7Lucky7]

This was really sad. :( Lethe reminds me of a friend of mine from church. She's 91 years old and we've been friends for about 23 years. We always send each other birthday cards and gifts and stuff for the holidays. I'm in Chicago right now and she lives in Maine. You know, in all the time I have known her, I don't even know if she has any children. I just know that she would always tell me I was the grand daughter she never had, back when i was a teenager. I'm going to send her a card on Monday, just to say hello.

[@gregeichelberger5365]

I miss my mom and dad ...

[@blancasedillo24]

Love this stories!

[@annabelle2ful]

I don't live near my parents. They are 90 and 86. This is why I call them every day. Any call can be the last one.

[@natsudamungprasert6385]

Please don't forget your loved ones.

[@GreenVeggieGirl]

This always makes me cry. Ever since I was little.

[@myflock000]

i agree

[@Twinkletoes1M]

no one cares

[@chantelgonzales913]

This has the best message ever always be there for your family cause that's what we take wth us to the other side not our. Worldly possessions 💝💝

[@gwenmangelson]

I have always loved this video!!! thanks for posting it!

[@GmaAlice]

A message for all children concerning their older parents. The old need as much love and attention as do the younger/ Never be too busy for your parents in their older years.

[@marinavalenzuela2095]

"Lethe - always to remember, never to forget".

[@MirroredMuse]

That mailbox is HUGE.

[@jefferylake62]

Life is so shockingly short. Don't forget your loved ones or carry grudges every one need love.

[@karenbrentlinger5250]

Calling is nice but writing is more personal. There is something about receiving mail which is so much better than a call

[@TayoEXE]

I realized that I often took advantage of today's conveniences in technology. With all the things we can do, we should at least be writing e-mails, messages, calling, or Skyping our loved ones more often. It's literally a button away now. I stay close to all my siblings and parents by calling them almost daily actually. I want to call my grandmother too, now...

[@skyisthelimit3844]

This is an all time favorite my mom use to play this all the time on the VHS until we knew it by mouth! Memories miss my mom!

[@bbodie52]

This film was produced in 1977 - 35 years ago! Time passes so quickly! Hard to believe that the little girl in this movie is about 40 years old now. I found a nice article on the Internet that was originally published in the Deseret News, dated January 29, 1977, about Lethe Tatge, the 83-year old actress who starred in this film. It was her 11th film. If you use Google.com to search for her name, you should be able to find it. It is well worth reading!

[@corinnalafarouche]

very meaningful video! thanks for posting it!

[@julietasutton1350]

Thank you for this old but a very good movie, I have seen this once and very touched once again after viewing it again. This is worth sharing for those who may not see this yet.

[@67F250]

I've been waiting for years for this video to be uploaded somewhere!! You just made my week.. thank you

[@louisxiv631]

I'm not crying...I'm just sweating from my eyes... *Turns around and bawls eyes out*

[@ToliniTuione]

I remembered this movie when I was a teenager. I love it.

[@mackayjae1939]

I have a feeling, even before I watched the end that she would die. Where's her grandkids when she needs them? This made me visit my older lady neighbor. I also wrote a letter to my grandma.

[@abrahamgonzales6965]

I have loved this movie since I was a little girl. My grandma where are her mission to LA and I got to go and visit her at the visitor center and watch this movie and others I sure miss her I would do anything to spend five more minutes with her it’s so important to reach out to your lovertr ones because you don’t know how long you have with them and it’s the right thing to do as well make God bless you all

[@socalcasedog]

I cried the whole time. I miss my family so much. Ive felt so darn alone most of my life. This hit me as if it was my inner self telling the story. Being a relativly new convert I know ive got a much bigger family now but not a day goes by that I dont feel the emptiness within my heart

[@chantelgonzales913]

I know it's hard I have the same type of family as long as you do what's right that's all that matters always remember that the Lord see everything 💝💝💝

[@BryanCaballero74]

I remember watching this video on my COR Weekend and subsequent weekends...a powerful film, even to this day... thanks for the great memory!

[@l.a.maddogmaddin1672]

I saw this movie when it first came out. L.A. Visitor center. Great memories

[@abrahamgonzales6965]

I saw this movie in l LA visitor center when I was just a little girl while my grandma served her mission. It’s so important to visit or call your family and friends you never know who’s lonely 💕🙏

[@bhivesc]

Today, we now have e-mails, mobile phones, social media, etc. God has made it easier now than before.

[@thatonedude.8440]

Never fails to make me cry.

[@DRAKE_DOES_STUFF]

I love these videos so heart warming and sad

[@angelo8424]

I remember first watching this when I joined the Church in 1999, and here it is again, on Christmas Day, 2022.

[@papadonto8]

The sad thing is, even today, when email is so convenient, children still don't write tor talk to their parents like they should. My kids never say anything, or write or anything. My son is on a mission and I have written him so many times and nothing, I know how she feels.

[@BekahBrown]

I remember watching this in seminary way back in 9th grade! :) Thanks for the great flash back!

[@karukun0212]

Mom, I miss ya. Back in the day I would frequently watch this movie with the kids for FHE and think of you.

[@maliahatch5495]

I love this video so much one of my favorites!

[@Seek-God-First]

Call or visit your mother often, God bless

[@lmddrs]

My brother served his mission in West Virginia with the brother of that cute little girl.😊

[@zequixrules]

So sad but a nice classic

[@bridgetmorpurgo]

The adorable little girl is played by actress Rachel Jacobs. She and her brothers were in a ton of shows & commercials as kids. The brothers went on to create Yo Gabba Gabba! on Nickelodeon. Amazingly talented family.

[@mommyoftrips]

They showed me this movie in Primary on the projector and it gave me nightmares and lifelong anxiety. Thanks, BYU Films.

[@battleshipsailor7421]

Sounds like her son was a real winner. Couldn't take time to visit his mom. Yes I know folks get busy, but come on at least take time to visit the folks that brought you into this World!!!

[@brentkillian]

Loved this video I grew up on this

[@slashdemonfire5024]

Loneliness kills elderly people quicker than anything, 😢 REMEMBER we are all going to get old

[@nanij1057]

Great message

[@joyrneywithme]

I always cry everytime I watch this, 😭💛

[@rayeisenstein1297]

I miss my Foster Parents

[@Kruansamurai]

Whaaaa? that was so sad! im going to go write my grandma right now!

[@katiescarlett71]

Still a tear-jerker.

[@ReezyRobyn5]

How sad. I think we all have someone who we could think of more often

[@myopiniononly8170]

Some people act too busy to send a text message.

[@amazinggrace4924]

Except to their "friends."

[@avg1712]

This was my favorite when I was a little Girl, I was the same age as the little girl in the movie when it came out.

[@waltzofficial6044]

God Bless Her Soul.

[@EpicCowlick]

I'm writing letters TODAY!

[@Marosean]

Poor lady😢

[@sharonflay5024]

I’ve seen this it’s so 🥺 at the end of the movie but happy at the same time 🎚 😇

[@sharonflay1593]

The Mailbox is a 1977 American 24-minute short film Produced by BYU motion picture studios.

[@waltzofficial6044]

I use technology too much I've decided to lean twords writing letters. This was a really sweet movie. I actually watched this in class and when it ended, my tears felt like they filled my eyes to fast. I saw other kids with tears in they're eyes as well, I was imbaressed but luckily no one saw me. And again I say this was a sweet short film 10/10

[@anonb4632]

A lot to be said for a letter or a postcard. So much nicer than an email or being sent bills all the time.

[@kjmw33]

I'm wondering when we're going to have uncle been on here.

[@kungfunugget8815]

this made me cry, its because she received a letter in the exact time she had a heart attack. I hope she can read the the letter in heaven.

[@jimgardner1569]

Very interesting but obviously very sad video. What got my attention was that she was living in Midway, Utah. My parents moved there from southern California in 1986 and are now buried at the cemetery there although my dad didn't care for Utah and moved to Washington after my mom passed away. They had a nice house in a fairly open area but now the area is overdeveloped. They're probably glad they didn't live to see that.

[@kasmus22]

Dude I'm going to cry ;(

[@erwintipton1142]

they didn't show the whole ending. ,,she says. do you write to your grandparents. then she pauses. and says, well you should

[@shirleypost3351]

Good lesson

[@micblue4739]

I know exactly how lethe feels my birth mother passed away in 2019 of April and now because of some poor choices my father has made they have cut contact off from all of my friends and family it hurts this movie has brought a little bit of peace the sad thing is that both of the family members are members of the church that are supposed to know better I've reported the abuse and neglect numerous times but because of pride they keep denying everything that's happened I would try reporting it to the local church leaders but I'm afraid they just punish me even more my family that is. Is there anything that church can do?

[@haileymartin6221]

This is so sad!!😥

[@clarknathang.belarmino_g1036]

For an old movie this is really good

[@myflock000]

that will be me dieing alone because i have no one

[@novemberday8277]

Me too, and I'm dealing with it right now too. It would be nice to have someone drop by or call to check on me.

[@myflock000]

@@novemberday8277 i here that!! expaly theses day's!!

[@abbieperrin5635]

I remember seeing this in second grade. Too heavy for seven year olds!

[@Zooksboardshop]

Classic

[@Lazaro38Roca2]

This Is The reason Why I haven’t left the house As Grown A Z Z Man 👨 I worried 😟 too much For My Parents , I love ❤️ them because of their sacrifice to raise me and my brothers who now live in Utah , I Don’t Ever Want Them to end up like old lady of the “mailbox “ Very Sad 😞 Ending .

[@courtneyrice7100]

I'm crying...

[@SharpnessSword]

aww. . .

[@tinmanfrisbie]

This is sooooooo depressing.

[@tristanjequinto213]

i wonder if this is a true story