They Inspire Me

There is solace that comes in knowing, not just believing, that something is real. It is not the sort of comfort that sweeps away the broken glass or wipes up the spilt milk. It is the consolation of knowing that every malady, every distress, all sorrows can truly be healed, rather sooner or later. It is having faith.

I was reading over the journal of my forth great-grandmother. Her husband, Daniel, and she joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints while in Far West, Missouri. Persecution was more bitter then than it is now, and in the late 1840’s they, the family, began the famous pioneer trek west. The following are pieces of her own writing:

“On the 15th of June we left our log cabin for Winter Quarters…We crossed the Missouri on the 3rd day of July. On the 4th we went to the graveyard to take a last look at the piece of ground where we buried our first born, with hundreds of the Saints of God. On the 5th day we started for the valleys of the mountains, where the Prophet said we should go…

“In Winter Quarters we buried our oldest son, Morgan, but, my readers, the clouds of sorrow never gather so black but what there is a bright star to be seen by those that trust in the Lord. Joseph Young came to see Morgan [great-grandmother’s son] the evening before he died. At first he [Joseph] could not speak…He went to one side and gave vent to his feelings. He then came to Morgan’s bedside, spoke to him, and said he was perfectly conscious. He [Joseph] laid his hands on Morgan’s head and said, ‘Morgan, be calm as a summer’s morn; be quiet, all is well with you. It matters not whether you live or die, for there is no power in heaven, earth, or hell that will cheat you out of a martyr’s crown.’ Many other things did Joseph say, but they have left me. Morgan lay calm and quiet all night, perfectly rational. At nine the next morning he breathed his last, without a struggle or moan, as though he was going to sleep…

“My dear readers, do not think we landed in Salt Lake Valley on “flowery beds of ease”. We did not, neither did we expect to. We trusted in the God of Heaven for our deliverance. He has never forsaken his children when they obey his counsel.”

And in my forth great-grandfather’s journal, Grandpa Daniel wrote:

“The year 1838 opened as full of promise as 1837 had been. Our crops were planted as usual and the season progressed…In the fall the first mobs came on us, and I was called away to assist in guarding, and left my wife and children to raise and harvest the crop.

“The mobs by this time had commenced their attacks in Davis County, and I was called away three times that fall to assist in repelling those attacks. Each of these times we would witness many of the houses of the saints in a blaze. After returning…my wife and children loaded our things into the wagon and moved into Far West. That same evening…Brother Patton was killed. That fall the celebrated extermination order (of Mormons) by Governor Boggs was issued…

“Joseph sent us word to surrender our arms, which was done…The day following…we were marched in and compelled to sign over our real estate, as they said to defray the expenses of war.

“The next day we were called up again to listen to the celebrated speech of General Clark…He told us that we must disperse and scatter, and that we would never be permitted again to gather in a church capacity with Presidents, Bishops, etc. The next day we were called up again and fifty selected as prisoners, myself included…Brother Joseph and Hyrum and some others were imprisoned near us, and every day they were brought to court for trial…We were not allowed an attorney, but were told that we could send for witnesses to testify in our favor, and when any witnesses arrived they were arrested and thrown into prison , so that we had to quit sending for witnesses…The trials of Brother Joseph and Hyrum progressed…They failed to find testimony to convict them. On one occasion , when the brethren were brought in and we were shaking hands across the partition, Brother Hyrum said to me, ‘Brother Thomas, tell the brethren to pray tonight, and inasmuch as they will do this, not one hair of your heads shall fall.’

“And all through these times, whilst we had been mobbed and driven about, imprisoned, and in the power of our enemies, called on to sacrifice our homes and turn out into the world to start a fresh…During all this time we felt happy and cheerful, and felt to thank God for our deliverance and no spirit of regret, for what we had been called upon to sacrifice for the gospel sake.”