From the Relief Society:
I have always enjoyed reading stories and learning more about my deceased ancestors. So, in December when Bishop Allan asked families to have a “family history experience”, Richard and I decided to give our family a special Sunday Challenge. It involved each of us finding an ancestor who had joined the church and share their story and how they were converted to the church.
Everyone immediately got to work. It was fun to see multiple devices in our home all on Familysearch.org and reactions on family members faces as they researched various individuals.
I researched my Great Great Grandfather William Mendenhall who was born in Delaware in 1815. He learned the trade of brick mason starting when he was 16 years old. He and his wife, Sarah, first heard the Mormon missionaries in the spring of 1841 and William recorded in his journal, “Early in the spring of 1841, I first heard a Mormon Elder preach. I was at once convinced of the truthfulness of the gospel, and was baptized by Elder William A. Moore in Red Clay Creek, December 12, 1841.” It was also recorded that “Sarah heard the joyful tidings with the same recognition as her husband. They were both baptized and Sarah received censure and ridicule from her family members for the rest of her life.”
They lived in Nauvoo at the time of the prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum. Sarah Mendenhall wrote, “We lived there three years and were there when the Prophets Joseph and Hyrum were martyred. I ever feel thankful to my Heavenly Father that I was permitted to hear and see them. I saw them in life and I saw them in death.” William built many homes in the Nauvoo area and helped cut stone and wood and lay brick for the building of the Nauvoo Temple.
Some of the buildings he built are still standing today. In 1852 William built his own covered wagon and traveled with the Saints to Salt Lake City.
I am so grateful that our family took the time to research more about our ancestors and how they were converted to the church. It has strengthened my testimony and my desire to learn more. I hope that you will all have a desire to find out more about your ancestors and share their stories.
-Lindsey Stevens
From the Young Women:
One of my favorite quotes is “Sacrifice does indeed bring forth the blessings of heaven, because sacrifice is a law of heaven. And when we live according to any law of heaven, heaven responds.” (Sister Nelson)
Lately my mom has been encouraging our family to do more indexing and as we have the heavens have truly been opened unto our family through out these tough times. I testify that indexing and recorded pairing are sacrifices that open the heavens unto us in the name of Christ, Amen.
-Cambria Cann