Eliza Roxcy Snow, Purified Like Gold

Eliza Roxcy Snow

Eliza R. Snow was “an icon of faith (and) one of the best known of all Mormon pioneer women.  We hear her name often as an example of strength and devotion.”

(Davidson and Derr, Eliza, the Life and Faith of Eliza R. Snow, c. 2013, p. vii) 

There are six themes I think about when I consider Eliza's faithful life: her hymns, her poems, her journals, her leadership, her love of Holy temples, and her travels.

Her Hymns

Ten of Eliza R. Snow’s hymns are in the current LDS Hymnal (1985).  I remember the time my own mother sat me down and we talked about verse three of “O My Father”.  I was probably about ten years old.  It was the first time I learned that we had a Mother in heaven.

17-Awake, Ye Saints of God, Awake!

77-Great Is the Lord (in the first LDS hymnbook of 1835)

122-Though Deepening Trials

186-Again We Meet Around the Board

191-Behold the Great Redeemer Die

195-How Great the Wisdom and the Love

266-The Time is Far Spent

273-Truth Reflects upon Our Senses

292-O My Father

307-In Our Lovely Deseret

Her poems

Eliza was known as “Zion’s Poetess”.  She wrote over 500 poems, and many are funeral tributes to her close friends.  One poem expressed a few of Eliza’s feelings toward the practice of plural marriage.  It was given to Phebe Ogden Chase on the occasion of Isaac Chase taking a second and third wife  in Jan. 1846 while living in Nauvoo. Below is one stanza. 

Therefore, let your spirit rest

God will order all things well;

And ere long you will be blest

More than hymn speech can talk.

(Isaac Chase by William V. Sanders, 2000, p. 56)

Another poem was written for Phebe Ogden Chase shortly before Phebe’s death in 1872.  Phebe was confined to her bed in the spring of 1872 and her good friend Eliza R. Snow often visited her.   Just a few days before Phebe’s death, Eliza wrote this poem.

At the time of Mother Chase’s Last Illness

What is this that steals upon my frame?

  Is it death?

Which soon shall quench the vital frame

Is it death?

If this be death, I soon shall be,

From every pain and sorrow free.

I shall the King of glory see,

All is well.

I now am stepping on the shore,

All is well.

My sufferings here are nearly over,

All is well.

My hope is full, my title clear,

And best of all, my Savior’s here.

My soul is free from every fear,

All is well.

Cease, cease, my friends to weep for me.

All is well.

My sins are pardoned, I am free.

All is well.

The monster death has lost its sting,

My happy soul is on the wing.

The sweat of death is on my brow,

All is well.

There’s not a cloud that does arise,

To hide my Jesus from my eyes.

I soon shall mount the upper skies,

All is well.

Tune, tune your harps, ye Saints of glory,

All is well.

And I’ll rehearse the pleasing story,

All is well.

Bright angels are from Glory come,

They’re round my bed, they’re in my room.

They wait to bear my spirit home,

All is well.

Hark, hark my Lord my Master calls me,

All is well.

I soon shall see his face in glory,

All is well.

Farwell, farewell my friends adieu,

I can no longer stay with you.

My glittering crown appears in view,

All is well.

(Isaac Chase by William V. Sanders, 2000, p. 64)

Her Journals

Eliza kept a diary while crossing the plains in 1847 in the “Big Company” under the direction of the Jedediah M Grant  Company (third hundred).  The Isaac Chase Family had Joseph B. Noble as their Captain and Isaac was a Captain of Ten.  They departed June 19, 1847 and arrived in the Valley of the Great Salt Lake on October 2, 1847.

Eliza actually submitted her diary to assist “in making up the history of the Camp from W. Quarters.”  (Davidson, Derr, Ibid., p. 76) It is from Eliza’s writings that we have notes of the Isaac and Phebe Chase family as they made their journey from Winter Quarters to Salt Lake Valley.

Phebe Ogden Chase

171 individuals were in the Joseph B. Noble company when it began its journey from the outfitting post on the Elkhorn River about 27 miles west of Winter Quarters, Nebraska.  Among them were:

Chase, George Ogden	age 15	11 March 1832	5 May 1896
Chase, Harriet Louisa	age 13	28 April 1834	3 August 1907
Chase, Isaac	age 55	12 December 1791	26 May 1861
Chase, Phebe Ogden	age 52	7 December 1794	10 July 1872

--------------------------------

Desdemona Gleason, daughter of Phebe Ogden Chase, traveled with the Isaac Chase family from Winter Quarters to Salt Lake Valley in 1847. 

 Phoebe Chase and Isaac Chase are mentioned in these Eliza R. Snow journal excerpts.  Their overland travels were recorded by Eliza and are found here: https://history.lds.org/overlandtravels/trailExcerptMulti?lang=eng&pioneerId=1400&sourceId=5211

 Snow, Eliza Roxey, Journals, 1846-1849, vol. 2

Tu. 15^th. The brethren call a meeting around a Liberty pole which was erected yesterday, for the purpose of organizing the camp—judg'd to be more than 300 wagons cross'd over at noon this day—This afternoon several of the sis. met in a little circle on the prairie in front of our wagons. Br. Pierce met with us—fath[er] Smith stay'd until sent for on business—we had a good time, altho' the prairie wind was somewhat annoying. Sis. Sess., Chase & E. present. Rec.[eived] a letter from S. M. Kimball.

Su. 20^th This mor. heard the painful news of a combat between Jacob Weatherbie & another br. & three Indians. Br. W. was shot by one of the Indians thro' the body, while endeavoring to prevent them robbing his wagon. Those 2 brethren had been sent back to Winter Quarters on business, & were at the time of the encounter about 7½ ms. on the other side the Horn. My health ill today, not able to attend the general meeting, but sis. [Phoebe Ogden] Chase, Sessions, &c, met with us at br. [Robert] Peirce's wagons, & we had a rejoicing time.

Wed 30. The day cool—Capt. P's ten take the lead of J[edediah]. G[rant].'s hnd [hundred]—soon after we start P.'s & the other com.'s come in sight—J. T. is moving on in front—we are on an extensive prairie with little shrubbery & the camp can be view'd at once, which presents a very imposing sight—had the pleasure of seeing a herd of antelopes running in every direction. Stop'd about one o'clock by the side of a stream & near its mouth. P. rides forward—thinks best to cross the Platte.

Sis. Chase, [Hannah Harvey] Peirce, Hendricks, &c, call into br. [Joseph Bates] Noble's with me—sis. [Mary Adeline Beman] N[oble] receives the gift of tongues—sis. Hunter call'd at the carriage—had a good time—she said had been better since sis. Sess. & I call'd on her. Trav. 8 ms.

Tu. 27^th Start 10 min. past 7. at 10 arrive opposite Ash hollow, where we halt for the purpose of getting timber to repair wagons in case of accident. Ate our bread up for supper & have no wood, expecting to find it last night, but thro' the kindness of Moth. [Phoebe Ogden] Chase, we are supplied with the addition of b. chips & we have a good breakfast This is the 3rd time I have done so much cooking as to bake the pan—cakes since we started—The Ind. that annoy'd us last night, pass us & strike their tents & travel with us till near night, when they fall in our rear & we encamp near them—a large com. on the other side the river. It commenced raining just as we stopped—no time to cook supper—I am quite sick this aft.—glad to crawl to bed. Trav. 12 ms.

Fr. 30^th Bro. Woodard came to Capt. N this mor.—told him he should leave the 50 unless he could either be paid for the work he had done or have his tools carried. We start ten min. past 7—the 2nd 50 in sight in our rear & 2 or more comp. in front. Move rapidly on with the same tranquility as yest., except Fath. [Isaac] Chase stopping a few min. to arrange his oxen. Capt. P. drove past him. The bluffs truly present views wildly magnificent. We arrive nearly opposite the peak, which we saw yest. mor., & encamp. The sun has been scorching thro' the day, tho' the nights are like Oct. I went to see sis. [Esther Shaffer] Ewing at noon, who has been very sick for some time. Br. [James] Hendricks' oxen which almost gave out yest. still travel on. Our people saw a man across the way—found him to be from California. Trav. 22 ms.

Fr 6th

Moth. Chase & I have a treat in the eve. Jacob Cloward baptiz'd, &c My health much better. A Spaniard supp'd with us. Taylor enc[amped] on the other side the Island.

Mo. 9^th Move on—leave the 2nd 50 doing their blacksmith work with coal that father Chase burnt for us, &c We are now among the much celebrated "black hills"—pass Hunter & find that P. P. has gone on—we stop by the river where we find a patch of grass, currants & buffalo berries—the country here is rugged enough—A scene fil'd with scrubby pine, hemlock, cottonwood, &c, very thinly scattered, with bluffs presenting the appearance of well fortified castles, the inhabitants of which exclude themselves from our view, altho' 2 grizzly bears have been seen. Last night had a fine shower.

Mo. 16^th A motion is made to start—when the cattle are brought up, 16 are not to be found—do not find them thro' the day. William is out on foot & alone for his ox which is gone with the rest—we feel very anxious for him on account of the large wolves & Indians. I go to Moth. Chase's—hear that Pioneers [Pres. Brigham Young's company] have arrived at the upper camps—that the City [Salt Lake City] is laid out &c sis. H. calls while we are having a rich treat from on high. Call on sis. Meeks. find her better—sup at home on a rabbit pot-pie.  

Fr. 27^th. Start in good season—the road is very smooth insomuch that Capt. P. wishes me to record the circumstance of fath. Chase riding up hill for the first time. We pass sev. saltpeter springs & the carcasses of 10 or 11 cattle. We encamp in an environ with majestic bluffs—a slue [slough]—creek & a cold spring. The country is very mountainous & rocky. Large piles of rock lying strew'd about the barren surface, & ornamented with a red moss—Trav. 20 ms.

Th. 9^th Last night all guard was neglected & about 20 horses & mules stolen. An arm'd com. was put on the track—late this eve. 2 horses are brought in by one of the com. The forepart of the day very cold—I spent it with moth. Chase. Had a spiritual treat wherein both rec'd great blessings. She said certain intelligence should come to me thro' the proper channel, &c We then enjoy'd a treat of tea & pancakes.

Wed. 22^nd The cattle cannot be found till too late & the majority move to stop till morning—the day spent trafficking—the 2nd 50 come up. Last night Br. Vance arrived—speaks of a frost there that injur'd the crops. I am quite sick in the forenoon—much better in the eve. Moth. Chase & I have a rich treat in the carriage—with a promise of new int. if diligent & submissive—Br. Love, lost an ox—Capt. P. buys a pair & a cow & calf.

Her Leadership

Eliza was sometimes called the “Presidentess” among the early LDS pioneer women.

Eliza was secretary and taking minutes of the first meeting of the Relief Society in Nauvoo on March 17, 1842.   (You can see the actual RS minute book at http://josephsmithpapers.org/person/eliza-roxcy-snow.)

Phebe Chase was not in the congregation that first day, but she was a charter member of the LDS Relief Society as were her daughters, Sylvia Vanfleet and Desdemona Gleason.  (Isaac Chase by William V. Sanders, 2000, p. 26)

In April 1868, Eliza R. Snow began re-establishing the Ward Relief Societies throughout the Utah Territory.  She served as the General Relief Society President from 1880 until her death in 1887.  Of course, being a plural wife of Joseph Smith and then of Brigham Young placed her in immediate circles of the general church leadership.

Salt Lake Endowment House

Her Love for Holy Temples

She loved the temple and presided over women’s ordinance work in the Salt Lake Endowment House beginning in May 1855.  She came to Logan, Utah in 1884 for the dedication of the Logan Temple. Beginning at 8:00 a.m. on the day the Logan Temple began receiving patrons, Eliza was there working. She was 80 years of age.

Historic Logan Temple

Her Travels

Eliza traveled all over the Utah Territory to build up the Ward Relief Societies, the Young Ladies Retrenchment Society (later known as Young Women's Mutual Improvement Association) and the Primary Association.  She went on a nine month tour of Europe and Palestine with her brother, Lorenzo Snow, and others when she was 68 years of age.   Having personally made the trip to Israel in 2014, I thought of Eliza often and especially when I visited the Mount of Olives.  (See  Davidson, Derr, Ibid,  pp. 128-129)

Eliza is the first given name of one of my granddaughters.  I hope my granddaughter Eliza will look to her namesake with the same respect and admiration I have come to feel for Eliza R. Snow.  Eliza was, like gold, purified.

 “Change is the key word to this dispensation. The righteous, like gold, must be seven times purified.”        --Letter from Eliza R. Snow to Mary Elizabeth Rollins Lightener

Eliza Roxcy Snow

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For more information, see  http://josephsmithpapers.org/person/eliza-roxcy-snow 

Isaac Chase-Evacuation Planner for Nauvoo Exodus of 1846

In the summer of 1845, preparations for the evacuation of Nauvoo were beginning.   The city's population was about 15,000, 90% were LDS and preparing to leave.  There was a shortage of wood, tents and foodstuffs.

Isaac Chase

Isaac Chase helped to coordinate the purchase and distribution of goods and resources as the Saints were preparing for their 1846 spring exodus.

In the manuscript found in the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, the History of Rhoda Chase Stoddard Hinman, we read that wagon shops were all over the city and Isaac Chase was called upon by Brigham Young to supervise the wagon building and tent making efforts.

In The Iowa Mormon Trail by Black and Hartley (page 39), we read:

"Every available space, from the shop to the parlor, was used to assemble boxes, covers, wheels, and harnesses.  Nearly 1500 wagons were ready for the westward trek by Thanksgiving of 1845 and another 2000 were partially completed by midwinter.  Confident that most wagons would be ready by spring, Church appointed trustees advertised their need to purchase cattle for the journey."   There were 20,000 acres of good farm land offered in exchange for working cattle and mules.  

At the same time the Latter-day Saints were building wagons, buying teams, sewing canvas for tents and wagon tops, and stockpiling and drying the food for their journey west, they were trying to finish building the Nauvoo Temple.

In the Papers of Isaac Chase found in the LDS Church archives (Microfilm MS#1560) is this note from Brigham Young:  (Feb 1, 1846)  Brother Isaac Chase, you will please let Bro. Hanson and Bro. Ragan have access to the canvas as I have appointed them to make tents."  As he distributed the canvas cloth, Isaac made an inventory of the material issued to friends, neighbors, and relatives.  A handwritten record showing this distribution is in the Papers of Isaac Chase and also listed in the Isaac Chase biography written by William V. Sanders in May 2000 (p. 54):

2 pieces of canvas to Phineas Young

1 to Lorenzo Young

6 to Hosea Stout

1 to Willard Richards

John Scott for wagon and tent

John Lyttle 1 tent

Benjamin F. Johnson 1 tent

David Fulmer 1 tent

L.D. Miles 1 tent

David Sessions cloth for tent

Wm Huntington tent cloth

Stephen Markham 5 tent cloths

Isaac sold his city "lot number two in Block number sixty nine of the City of Nauvoo" (Hancock County, Illinois Deed Book) and received the money from the sale before leaving Nauvoo. 

William Sanders writes:  "Isaac Chase was lucky that he did find a buyer for his city lot.  He received about one tenth of the property's actually value.  ....Isaac originally paid $1200 for this city lot.  He sold the same lot with all of its improvements four years later for $150.00."  (Isaac Chase, p. 57.)

Phebe Ogden Chase

The official exodus began on Wednesday, February 4, 1846.  On that day many Saints were ferried across the Mississippi river on flat boats and camped in Iowa Territory on the banks of a small stream called Sugar Creek.  The Chases left about three weeks later.

There are two accounts of the exodus by the daughters of Isaac Chase.

Harriet Louisa Chase McLaughlin states:
"...we crossed the Mississippi River and made our way to Winter Quarters where father dug a hole in to raise of ground and covered it.  In this, we lived all that winter on corn that we parched and ground and packed into two barrels before we left Nauvoo.  This we ate with milk."  (See May McLaughlin Tanner's, Early History of Harriet Louisa Chase McLaughlin, LDS Church Microfilm MS#14442.)

Rhoda Chase Hinman

Rhoda Chase Stoddard Hinman recorded:
 "...we were complelled to leave Nauvoo in the spring of 1846, the first company leaving in February crossing the Mississipi River on the ice.  Clarissa, Desdemona, Sylvia and my father (Isaac Chase) were in this company.  I did not leave until the 20th of May."

It appears that the five Chase wagons crossed the river after February 26, 1846. (See Sanders, Isaac Chase, p. 59.)  "It was on the morning of Feb. 26 that the temperature dropped to twenty degrees below zero assuring a solidly frozen river so, even though it was unbelievably cold, many families who had been waiting for an opportunity to start west crossed the Mississippi.  They then joined the earlier pioneers who were already at the Sugar Creek encampment."

Clarissa Ross Young

The first 2 wagons transported the Isaac Chase family members (Isaac, Phebe, Clairssa Ross Young, George Ogden, and Harriet Louisa Chase) as well as food and household items.
The 3rd wagon carried the gristmill equipment, sawmill irons, a pump organ, farm tools, and black locust tree seeds.
The 4th wagon was Alanson and Sylvia Van Fleet and their family.
The 5th wagon belonged to John and Desdemona Gleason.

George Ogden Chase

Desdemona Gleason

Riding or walking alongside the five wagons in this Chase family group were:

Isaac Chase-age 55

Phebe Ogden Chase-age 52

Clarissa Ross Young-age 32 (Married to Brigham Young)

George Ogden Chase-age 14

Harriet Louisa Chase-age 12

Alanson Van Fleet-age 27

Sylvia Chase Van Fleet-age 27

Elias Van Fleet-age 9

Joseph Van Fleet-age 3

John Gleason-age 27

Desdemona Gleason-age 25

"My dear hollyhocks bowed their stately heads as if to bid me a farewell"-Rhoda Chase Stoddard Hinman

Rhoda, Isaac's daughter, shared her emotions in leaving behind her home:
"...never shall I forget my feelings as I took the last look at the once happy home (May 20, 1846).  As we descended the eastern slope of the Mississippi River before crossing over, my dear hollyhocks bowed their stately heads as if to bid me a farewell.  We loaded what we could in a single wagon bed, leaving the rest behind, then I bed adieu to Nauvoo the Beautiful."  (See Hinman, Early Reminiscences of the Isaac Chase Family, LDS Church Microfilm MS #8434)

This photograph of surviving pioneers of the 1847 trek was taken on 24 July 1897, the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the pioneers in the Salt Lake Valley. Most pioneers in this photo arrived in the Salt Lake Valley in September 1847. The portrait was taken on Temple Square.

"How difficult this experience must have been on the Chase family.  For the first time in many years they were forced to sleep in a tent or in the bed of their wagons and the temperatures rarely climbed above the zero mark.   The (Chase) family had been accustomed to comfortable, warm homes and camping on the banks of the Mississippi River in the dead of winter was the first of many, many physical challenges which they would be forced to endure in the next few years.  It was their baptism into pioneer life."    (See Sanders, Isaac Chase, p. 60.)

Stained glass window from the Salt Lake City Daughters of the Utah Pioneer Museum.

Phebe Chase, Charter Member of the Nauvoo Relief Society

It is March and the LDS Relief Society women always celebrate the birthday of the "Female Relief Society" around March 17th.  Having attended many of these events, I thought to share with the family the involvement of the Chase family women as "charter members" of the Society.

March 17 is still celebrated as the birthday of the Latter-day Saint Relief Society.

On March 17, 1842, 18 (or 20) of the women of Nauvoo gathered to organize a kind of "benevolent society" to assist the workmen who were building the Nauvoo Temple.

Phebe Chase-Charter Member of the Female Relief Society

It appears that Phebe Chase was formally inducted into the Female Relief Society in the fourth meeting on Thursday, April 14, 1842.  (See transcript of document below.  The original is found at the josephsmithpapers.org site.)

Original page 26 from the 1852 Nauvoo Female Relief Society minute book.

14 April 1842 • Thursday

Minutes of the Proceedings

of the

Fourth Meeting of the Society.

[1 line blank]

Lodge Room, April 14,th 1842.

Meeting opened with singing “How pleasant ’tis to see” &c.

Prayer by Prest. Emma Smith— after which Councillor  [Sarah Kingsley] Cleveland arose and address’d the meeting, informing them  that the case of Clarissa M. had been satisfactorily settled  she having testified in her own hand writing that she had said  no wrong &c. Mrs. C. continued by cautioning the Society  against speaking evil of Prest. J. Smith and his companion — that it would not be a light thing in the sight of God — that they had prov’d themselves; and the case of C. M. should  be a warning, how we hear and how we speak— express’d  her fears that the Lord would cut off those who will not  take counsel &c.

Motioned by Councillor Cleveland, seconded by  Councillor [Elizabeth Ann Smith] Whitney, that the following persons be received  into this Society—— passed unanimously,

Clarissa Wilcox	Lydia Anderson
Phebe Knights	Catharine Mellon
[blank] Wight	Hannah Pierce
Lydia Huntington	Betsey Roundy
Phebe Miller	Phebe Chase
Phebe Angell	Nancy H. Rockwood
Drusilla Hendricks	Nancy Winchester
Polly [Knight] Stringham	Martha Peck
Asenath Sherman	Cornelia J. Fisher
Lydia Anderson	Electa E. Whiteside
Charlotte Hawes

Prest. E. Smith arose and address’d the  meeting by saying that the disagreeable busines of searchi ng out those that were iniquitous, seem’d to fall on her— [p. 26]

Transcription of page 26 of the 1842 Relief Society Minute Book.  (See JosephSmithPapers.org)

About two weeks later, Joseph Smith addressed a large assembly of women in the April 28, 1842 meeting where Phebe and her daughters, Sylvia Van Fleet and Desdemona Gleason, were likely in attendance.  The Prophet said:

"I now turn the key in your behalf in the name of the Lord, and this Society shall rejoice, and henceforth; this is the beginning of better days to the poor and needy, who shall be made to rejoice and pour forth blessings on your heads."  (See HC 4:606-607)

Phebe Ogden Chase

Phebe was a "compassionate service" volunteer and looked after the needs of the temple workmen.  She provided meals, mended clothing, and acted as a nurse for workmen who were injured on the job.  Also she assisted the families of the workmen and was especially helpful and kind when there was illness or the death of a family member.

According to a note found in the personal papers of her daughter, Phebe was among those ordained and set apart to administer and visit and bless the sick.  The handwritten note says:

"...ordained and set apart to administer to and visit and bless the sick of Nauvoo were Emma Smith, E. R. Snow, Zina Young, Mary Ann Whitney, Phebe Chase, and Pricinda Kimball."
(See LDS microfilm MS#9489, Personal Collection of Harriet Louisa Chase McLaughlin, by Phebe McLaughlin Welling.)

Phebe was ordained by the Prophet Joseph Smith

Women are not ordained now, but apparently Phebe was set apart and ordained by the Prophet Joseph Smith to administer to the sick.  "She had the gift of healing sealed upon her.  She was very faithful in this calling and many seemingly miraculous healings resulted.  At one time, her husband Isaac, was so ill his life was despaired of  She went out under the trees alone and prayed for him and in a few moments he began to get better and soon recovered."  (See LDS microfilm MS#2050, Reel 17, 25:3:7, History of Isaac Chase, by Phebe M. Welling.)

There were seventeen meetings of the LDS Relief Society during the first year of its existence and Phebe was in attendance at most of these meetings.  By May 1842, the membership was large enough that the 1,341 members held meetings in the four different LDS wards of Nauvoo. 

Thirty-four meetings of the Relief Society were held in Nauvoo and the Chase family was represented at most of these meetings.   The final meeting was held on Saturday, March 16, 1844.  It wasn't until the group immigrated to Utah Territory that they again organized.

Here are some other interesting facts:
(See  http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/relief-society-history)

Nauvoo Relief Society Minute Book — As a part of the comprehensive works entitled the Joseph Smith Papers project, the detailed minutes of the 34 Relief Society meetings held in Nauvoo, Illinois, are now available online. The records document the organization of the group in March of 1842, the six doctrinal sermons Joseph Smith presented and other details about the efforts to assist the poor, to contribute to the Nauvoo Temple construction and to describe the rising tensions or persecutions faced by the residents.

Daughters in My Kingdom — A volume, published in 2011, that describes the history and the work of Relief Society, the adult women’s organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in scriptural, anecdotal and biographical accounts. The record describes the “heritage of Relief Society, not just the women who lived in the past; but also about women all over the world today who make and keep covenants within the Church.”

One interesting fact was that the Nauvoo Lodge of Free Masons was organized a few months before the women's Relief Society.  Isaac Chase petitioned to join the Masons on May 19, 1842 and was accepted into the Nauvoo Lodge on June 2, 1842.  He was 50 years old at the time.  Large numbers of Nauvoo citizens were inducted into the fraternity.  Their "Rising Sun Lodge" became the largest in the state of Illinois.  (See Ivan J. Barrett, Joseph Smith and the Restoration, page 510.)

12 Characteristics of 12 Impressive Ancestors

I thought I would share some of the outstanding characteristics of our ancestors.  Most of these individuals have more complete stories elsewhere on this blog. These are characteristics that have impressed me and are worthy of emulation by their descendants. 

Perseverance-Jensine Marie Jensen Moulton
Mary was one of three plural wives who moved to Old Mexico to try to keep the Joseph Moulton family together.  Things didn't work out when the law against polygamy caused her husband to live with his first wife and "Mary" did her best to provide for her family.  First as a seamstress, then a store owner.  She ran boarding houses in Utah and California and cared for many years for her invalid daughter. 

Overcoming Obstacles-Emma Amelia Croft Chase
Emma Amelia Croft would settle for nothing less than a temple marriage in the Logan Temple. Amelia wrote letters to her fiance's Centerville Bishop to help Frank get his temple recommend.  Twenty-five years into their marriage, her husband deserted their family of nine children.  She did the best she could to carry on as a single mom.  She passed away in 1933 in the home of her daughter, Clairissa Chase Weiss, before knowing whatever happened to her husband.  

Taking Risks-George Ogden Chase
George Ogden was unafraid to try.  He fearlessly headed west with his family in 1847 as a young boy of 15.  One risk he took was marrying Emily Hyde, the Apostle Orson Hyde's daughter.  Emily had a home in Farmington and was mother to six of George's children.  She felt George was away from home to much and eventually asked to be divorced and moved to California.  George was obedient to the Prophet Brigham Young when Brigham suggested he take the young school teacher, Josephine Streeper, as a plural wife.  Fifteen children were born to that union.  George helped build the mill at Liberty Park and another mill in Farmington.  He discovered natural gas in Ogden and built the first bicycle track and lakeside resort on the shores of the Great Salt Lake.  He was a farmer and respected in Chase Park, north of Centerville, UT.  He was unafraid to take risks.

Creativity-John Croft
John was a branch president in England.  He was a counselor in the Presidency on the boat as they crossed the ocean. He married into a respected family and brought his new wife with him to America in 1860.  He did carpentry work on the Lion House, the Bountiful Temple and many of the fine homes in Salt Lake.  He helped plan and build the canals in Enterprise/Peterson area.  He helped his son in law, Frank Leslie chase, build the farmhouse that still stands in Centerville, UT.  John Croft's Enterprise farmhouse and outbuildings were among the finest in Utah.  He was an inventor and was among the first to use a power pump to irrigate his fields.

Hospitality-Phoebe Chase & Chase Family
Christmas was quite a production at Chase Park in Centerville, UT.  The tradition of hosting all the extended family continued until Kate Chase's death in 1937.  Kate learned from her mother, Josephine and her grandmother, Phebe.  Phebe regularly hosted her son-in-law, Brigham Young, and his good friend, Heber C. Kimball, at their Liberty Park home.  The Salt Lake Chase home was known a favorite "out of town" spot and the site of numerous dances, parties, and sleigh rides.

Generosity-Simon S. Weiss
Simon S. Weiss was a Jewish man with a very generous streak.  When his wife's father disappeared, he was quick to take the family in and support them during difficult financial times.  His mother-in-law, Amelia Chase, was cared for in his home until her death. 

Devotion to Family-Hyrum Chase Moulton
Chase would lower the kitchen counters to make them easier for his eleven children to help their mother.  He was continually remodeling and enlarging his Heber City home.  His Ford Garage was "through the block" and water filled inner tubes brought fun to all the neighborhood kids in summer. He left his business in Heber and worked as a plumber in Wyoming and in Salt Lake to provide for his large family during the depression. His children all learned to thread pipes and dig ditches after school to help him in his work. 

Developing a Talent-Margaret Lillian Moulton
Lilly played the organ for church functions from the time she was eight years old.   For many years she accompanied soloists and played the hymns for funerals all over Wasatch County.  Lilly could have been a concert pianist or a tabernacle organist according to her professor at Brigham Young Academy.   Instead, she became a mother of eleven very musical children, helping them each develop their own musical talents.  

Work-Henry Clegg, Jr. 
Henry Clegg, Jr. was a beloved Conference President in England for many years before leaving to come to America.  With help from the Perpetual Emigration Fund, he planned to bring his wife, Hannah Eastman, and his two sons, to Zion.  In Kansas his wife became ill and died from cholera. A few days later his infant son passed away as well and was carried back to be buried in his mother's arms.  Henry came to Utah and married two more wives.  He worked hard to provide for his large family in Salt Lake, then Springville, and was an early settler in Heber Valley.  He was always teaching his 25 sons how to work to provide for their families.  He was a cobbler, kept cattle and sheep, worked a farm, made shingles, ran a grocery store and made time to become a beloved Bishop in Wasatch Stake, Heber City 2nd Ward.

Sisterhood-Ann Lewis and Margaret Griffiths-Plural Wives
Ann Lewis and Margaret Griffiths were sealed to their husband the same day by Brigham Young.  They learned how to work well together and even sang and performed with their husband all over Provo/Springville.  They sang in the choirs and worked with their husband to build up his new businesses.  They supported him while he was Bishop in Heber.  These sister wives respected each other and learned to work well together.

True Conversion-Isaac Chase  
This good Quaker recognized restored truth and joined the LDS Church in 1840.  As one member of the family wrote:  "He left his wealth in New York and Nauvoo.  He left his tools at Liberty Park but he always kept his testimony."  "Father Chase" once spoke in General Conference.  When asked to leave his mill at Liberty Park and move to Centerville, he did.  We don't have all the details of his business dealings with Brigham Young, but we know he died faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ that he loved.  Some family members felt Brigham had cheated Isaac in taking over the Liberty Park Mill property.  Isaac said, "Land o' mercy, don't look at the faults and shortcomings of the people for your guidance.  Look well to the principles of your Church!"


Testimony-Emma Amelia Mitchell Croft
Emma Amelia wrote a letter to her missionary son encouraging him to be patient with those who persecuted him.  This letter to her son was read by a member of a mob in Arkansas who was about to tar and feather Frank.  The ruffian's heart softened as he read of the missionary's mother counsel and Frank was allowed to leave unharmed.  Emma Amelia was known for her powerful prayers.

Hastening the Work of Salvation

Map hanging on the wall at Maxine Owen Webb home.

I was recently considering the great missionary tradition in our extended family.   

 

Great definition of a missionary!

Many family members have made great sacrifices so that others could go and preach the Gospel full-time. When our children were young they sang "I Hope They Call Me On a Mission".

Here are the links to some great missionary songs:     

https://www.lds.org/training/wwlt/2013/hastening/special-broadcast#media=47537905441776330780-eng

https://www.lds.org/training/wwlt/2013/hastening/special-broadcast#media=77154214576189546470-eng

1 Peter 3:15 teaches us to:

•  be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.
  
  Our ancestors showed us their willingness to sacrifice in order to share the Gospel Message with others.  We can see through their lives the great blessings that came from their sacrifices.
  
  

Early Missionary Service Tradition

First modern day missionary of the Weiss Family.

Isaac Chase was a Quaker living in New York when he heard the Gospel message from Elder Petaliah Brown.  Later Isaac was called as a missionary to New York.  He was serving as a missionary in 1844 when he learned of the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith.  Isaac's mission was to increase understanding of the "Mormon" Church through promoting the political platform of Joseph Smith as a candidate for US President.

John Griffiths-Missionary in England.

 (The following information is found at the cleggfamilyhistory.org site:  John Griffiths History.)

John Griffith-Missionary in England

John Griffiths met the first four missionaries to arrive in England. He and his first wife, Margaret, were baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the river Mercy in Liverpool, England on January 20, 1840. They were baptized by John Taylor while serving his first mission to England. 

John Griffiths went to London to what was called the Latter Day Saints Depot. There were only four Mormon Elders there at that time. They laid their hands on him and ordained him an Elder and sent him preaching. He would work all day from six in the morning until six at night. Then he would eat his supper and go preaching. Some times it would be eleven and twelve o'clock before he would get home. 

There were no conveniences and no railroad in Woolwick at that time, so he had to walk. He raised up many branches of the church in England, including Woolwick, Welling, Elton, Greenwich, Aeptcord and many others. 

The first men to join the church in Woolwick were Arron Paintor, Mr. Bates, Thomas Fisher and William Blacksnore. John was a boiler maker by trade and so was Mr. Bates. One day while Mr. Bates was at work a large piece fell on him and they took him to the hospital. While they were taking him there his last words were calling John's name. He died a short time later. The people all thought it was John who was dead.

John and his wife were with the mourners and they could hear the people say, "Now Griffiths is dead, down with Mormonism". They were surprised when they heard John preaching the next Sunday. They thought it was him that was dead. 

He got along nicely after that and raised quite a nice branch. He would go and preach on Sundays as well as Sunday night. He was a faithful Elder in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Moulton Missionaries

My Great Great Grandfather, Joseph Moulton, crossed the plains as an eleven year old in the Willie Handcart Company.  He was married with three wives when he was called in 1885 as a missionary in West Virginia.  1885.  "After serving a year, President Hatch sent for him to come home, feeling that his family needed him." (See p. 460 of How Beautiful Upon the Mountains.)

My Uncle, Duane Moulton was on his mission in the South Pacific when his father, Hyrum Chase Moulton, died.  Duane served in the Cook Islands and in the Samoan Mission.

My Aunt, Deaun Moulton (Weed) went to the California Mission in 1944.  It was a time when it was less common for sisters to serve missions.

My Uncle, Rex Moulton served as a missionary in the Western States Mission.

Deaun Moulton and Floyd Weed would serve as mission presidents in the Thailand, Bangkok mission and then as missionaries on Temple Square.

Mardene Moulton and Ron Folkerson were mission presidents in Stockholm, Sweden during the same time Cyndy Owen was serving in the Italy Rome (South) Mission.  Folkersons returned home and served another mission as Directors of all Church Service Missionaries from 1974-1979.

Rex and Jaquie Dansie Moulton served in New Zealand in a kind of building mission for the LDS church in the 1960’s.  Their family lived in 3 areas and supervised construction of many chapels during the 3 or so years they lived in New Zealand. (Jacquie served a mission in Oslo, Norway before she married Rex.)

Maxine Owen Webb and LaVarr Webb served as Public Communications Missionaries in the New Jersey area.

James Owen Family

List of missionaries from wall.

My father, James Owen, joined the LDS church while in the US Army.  He freely shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ with all in his immediate family, but non of them joined the church.

James Owen joined the LDS Church during his 3.5 years in the US Army.

He then came to BYU and met his future wife, Reva Maxine Moulton.   Jim went to Hugh B. Brown, a respected BYU religion professor, and asked for counsel as to whether he should serve a full-time mission or get married.  Brother Brown said it was time that Jim fulfill his mission of raising a righteous posterity.  James later served as a Stake Missionary first in the Columbia River Stake and then while living in the Portland Oregon Stake.

This was the missionary card carried by James A. Owen in 1971 while serving as a Stake Missionary in the Portland West Stake.  This was in his wallet in the Owen Family trunk of memorabilia.

James A. Owen is listed under the 12th Ward Missionaries in 1965.

James A. Owen's Release Letter from Columbia River Stake Mission President.

These red handwritten notes were to help Jim Owen in presenting discussions.

James A. Owen Missionary Discussion Handbook.

All of the families of these missionaries have been blessed by the missionary labors of their parents:

Mark Weiss- Switzerland Zurich Mission
Cyndy Owen-Italy Rome Mission

Steven Owen-Texas Austin Mission

Donald Owen-England Coventry Mission

David Owen-Texas Dallas Mission

These four cousins were in the Missionary Training Center at the same time!  Jennifer Weiss was then teaching Mandarin Chinese while Derek Ostler, Steven Daniels, and Deborah Weiss were studying before leaving on their missions.

Many grandchildren of James and Maxine Owen have served and hanging on the wall at Maxine Owen’s home is a map with pins showing all the locations.  It was last updated in 2014.

The Mark and Cyndy Weiss Children have served all over the earth:
This video reminded me of the "Missionary Mindset" that was in our home for so many years.

https://www.lds.org/training/wwlt/2013/hastening/members-and-missionaries?lang=eng#media=33443191723762703990-eng

These are the 6 missionary plaques we have received from the wards where we lived when the missionaries were called.  We need to get 5 more of them to complete our collection!

Allison-Concepcion Chile Mission

David-Fortaleza Brazil Mission

Tamarah-San Bernardino California Mission (Spanish)

Christine-Guayaquil Ecuador Mission

Jennifer-Taichung Taiwan Mission

Deborah-Quito Ecuador Mission

Jonathan-Berlin Germany Mission

Samuel-Cuiaba Brazil Mission

Benjamin-Buenos Aires West Mission

William-Concepcion Chile South Mission

Joseph-Sydney Australia South Mission (Spanish)

Sarah Daniels (Mexico) and Tiffany Owen (Poland) -Cousins who left about the same time.

And so we are at the end of one era and the beginning of a new one.  Soon it will be Grandpa and Grandma Weiss (Mark and Cyndy) leaving on a "Senior Couple Mission". 

Where in the world will Cyndy and Mark Weiss serve as "Senior Couple Missionaries"?

Map with dots showing where missionaries have served throughout the world.

Building up the Kingdom of God on earth has been part of the heritage left to us by our ancestors.  
As baptized members we are all "Called to Serve Our King."

Joseph Weiss with his mission call to Sydney Australia South.

How did these ancestors and their latter-day descendants find the courage and strength to sacrifice and give so much in missionary service?

Elder M. Russell Ballard helped answer this question in his talk given in April 1999.
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1999/04/like-a-flame-unquenchable?lang=eng

"Somehow we need to instill in our hearts the powerful testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ like unto that of our pioneer forefathers. Remember when Nauvoo fell in September of 1846 and the unbearable conditions of the Saints in the poor camps. When word reached Winter Quarters, Brigham Young immediately called the brethren together. After explaining the situation and reminding them of the covenant made in the Nauvoo Temple that no one who wanted to come, no matter how poor, would be left behind, he gave them this remarkable challenge:

“Now is the time for labor,” he said. “Let the fire of the covenant which you made in the House of the Lord, burn in your hearts, like flame unquenchable” (Journal History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 28 Sept. 1846, 5; emphasis added).

Within a few days, in spite of near-destitute conditions at Winter Quarters, many wagons were rolling eastward to rescue the Saints in the poor camps along the Mississippi River.

"Sometimes we are tempted to let our lives be governed more by convenience than by covenant. It is not always convenient to live gospel standards and stand up for truth and testify of the Restoration. It usually is not convenient to share the gospel with others. It isn’t always convenient to respond to a calling in the Church, especially one that stretches our abilities. Opportunities to serve others in meaningful ways, as we have covenanted to do, rarely come at convenient times. But there is no spiritual power in living by convenience. The power comes as we keep our covenants. 

"As we look at the lives of these early Saints, we see that their covenants were the primary force in their lives. Their example and testimony were powerful enough to influence generation after generation of their children."

We sing:  "I'll Go Where You Want Me To Go, Dear Lord".
This video shows how we keep that promise in our every day lives:
https://www.lds.org/training/wwlt/2013/hastening/members-and-missionaries?lang=eng

Tiffany Owen serving in Poland.

The "Hastening the work" continues in our day.  We need to take the Gospel to every nation and kindred and tongue and people.

First Weiss missionary (David) and last Weiss missionary (Joseph).

(See: https://www.lds.org/training/wwlt/2013/hastening/special-broadcast.)

"There is a way for everyone … to participate in this great work. We can each find a way to use our own particular talents and interests in support of the great work of filling the world with light and truth." --President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Christ spake to his disciples in Jerusalem commanding them saying:  "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." (Matthew 28:19).

Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ is truly a work of love:  our deep love for God and for all of God's children.  This love of God is spreading and will one day fill the whole earth.

Mark Weiss saying good-bye to Joseph as we leave him at the Provo Missionary Training Center June 2013.