Patterns in our Family Tree

In a recent LDS General Conference, Elder Neil A. Anderson said,
"Find your grandfathers and grandmothers and your distant cousins who have gone before you. As you learn about your ancestors, you will see patterns of life, of marriage, of children;  patterns of righteousness and occasionally patterns that you will want to avoid."

I have been looking for some of these patterns.  Here's what I've found.

I first found the patterns of life:
Many of my family members lived to their late 80's.  Our oldest relative was Joseph Moulton who lived to be almost 90.  He was 10 when his family came across the plains with the Willie Handcart Company.   Reva Maxine Moulton is the oldest living family member to date at age 92 (in July 2014).

I found some patterns of illness:
Diabetes and heart disease seem to run in some lines of the Owen family.  Goiters was a problem in the Heber City area with the Moultons and Cleggs.  Weiss' seem to have heart disease issues.

I found the patterns of temple marriage:
Most of my ancestors were married in Holy Temples.  Mark's Jewish ancestors were married in synagogues and under a canopy.  It is interesting to learn how the wives in plural marriage were able to work out relationships with their "sister wives" through love, kindness, and long suffering.  We have 3 polygamous families in our Mormon lines and Thomas Moulton had 6 wives!
Patterns of divorce began showing as early as 1909 in the Owen family with Walter Bruce Owen's drinking problem being the main cause.

I found the patterns of children:
I was one of nine children.  My husband was one of five.  My mother was one of eleven.  My dad was one of five.  Many of my pioneer LDS families had 10-14 children!  We have eleven children and have been richly blessed by inviting these extraordinary spirits into our family!  Large families is a pattern that seems to be changing very quickly.  The term "Demographic Winter" is becoming a reality in my own lifetime.

I found the patterns of death:
Many mothers suffered the loss of children and often their husbands left them young widows.  Death came most often from sickness but one young Chase boy died from a gun accident.  Two brothers of Margaret Ann Griffiths, ages 9 and 11, died from starvation and cold on the high plains of Wyoming and their father died the very day the Martin Handcart Company finally arrived in Utah. The hope for the day of the glorious resurrection burns brightly in this family.  One Uncle who died mysteriously up Cottonwood Canyon and the cause of death was never determined.

I found the patterns of music:
The Moulton Family had many musicians.  Lillian Moulton was playing the organ when she was age eight!  All the brothers and sisters of Maxine Moulton played band instruments.  Henry Clegg played the dulcimer and led the choir in the Springville.  He and his two wives would go about singing as a trio.  The Chase family brought an organ across the plains in 1847.  It is in the Daughters of the Utah Pioneer Museum.  Many college level choir members are among our cousins. Instrumentalists from piano to trumpet.  The annual caroling of the Weiss family each Christmas Eve is a continuation of this pattern.

I found the patterns of family prayer:
 The George Ogden Chase family had 15 children.  We have records of their gathering daily for Family prayer.  The Owen family would obediently kneel each day.  As difficult as it might be, families continue to follow this pattern of gathering to give thanks each day.

I found the patterns of regular church attendance and testimony sharing:
It is just something most of our ancestors did each Sunday.  In the Owen family we see a continuation of the pattern of sharing during a family testimony meeting each month.  That pattern continues to bless our grandchildren.

I found patterns of teaching:
Many teachers in our family lines: Sunday School, Primary, Relief Society, Priesthood, Seminary, Scouts.  James Owen was a Seminary teacher from 1948-1952 in Idaho.  Ralph Owen was a lay preacher at the Dorans, Illinois Community Congregation.

I found the patterns of serving in Church Leadership:
Many High Priests, Bishops and Stake Leaders, Mission Presidents, and temple workers.  The outstanding women leaders in our family are also numerous.

I found the patterns of Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts:
Many Eagle Scouts and all the character traits that come with earning that rank.  Camping is a family pattern that continues because of love for the outdoors experienced by these scouts.

I found patterns of Young Women earning Medallions:
These daughters of God know they are loved and are true to the values they have been taught.  They have gone on to become wonderful sisters and mothers in Zion.  My mother has her young women books and her Golden Gleaner awards and I have my old green Primary Bandelo and my Young Woman Medallion. I guess memorizing the Articles of Faith and working toward goals seems to be a pattern.

I found patterns of love for freedom:
Many records show the engagement of my ancestors in spilling blood to protect their liberty.
World War 2.  World War 1.   Korean War.  Civil War.  Revolutionary War.  All heros.  Involvement in the political process is also a pattern I found in peacetime.  Mostly we have red conservative Republican blood and Jim Owen was willing to fight a long legal fight to keep "Big Brother" out of his pockets. 

I found the pattern of church missionary service:
My cousin put together the number of missionaries who have served who are descendants of Thomas Moulton.  So far the count is over 100 and "the hastening of the work" continues. 
In our immediate family all eleven children have served missions along with their parents.  Cousins who are faithful to their "call to serve" surround us.  James Owen, was a stake missionary for years and was an ordained Seventy before the new eight quorums of the Seventy were formed.  "Hurrah for Israel!"

I found patterns in Patriarchal Blessings:
Rising up on the morning of the first resurrection will be a joy as we meet up with many family members who have received this promise under the hands of revered Patriarchs.  Hyrum Smith told Father Issac Chase (Isaac was 51 years old) that he would live a long life and then "shall you go down to your grave, to sleep but for a moment, then shall ye be awaked by the Trump of God, to come forth in the Resurrection of the Just, in the Mansion of your Father."
  

I found the pattern of true discipleship:
So many family members were willing to sacrifice all for the building up of the Kingdom of God and establishing Zion. Families would move from lands far and near to join with the Saints of God.  They would give freely of their time and property.  They would serve and strengthen others.

What a blessing it is to see these patterns of righteous living in our extended families. These are patterns that will bring eternal happiness.  "And again, I will give unto you a pattern in all things, that ye may not be deceived; for Satan is abroad in the land, and he goeth forth deceiving the nations" (D&C 52:14).
 
 Elder Holland recently said:
"A long history of inspired voices point you toward the path of Christian discipleship. It is a strait path, and it is a narrow path without a great deal of latitude at some points, but it can be thrillingly and successfully traveled, “with … steadfastness in Christ, … a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men.” In courageously pursuing such a course, you will forge unshakable faith, you will find safety against ill winds that blow, even shafts in the whirlwind, and you will feel the rock-like strength of our Redeemer, upon whom if you build your unflagging discipleship, you cannot fall" (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, April 2014 General Conference).

What patterns do you see?