Family History Stories

This past August there was a story published in The Friend magazine (an LDS magazine for kids) about my 3rd great grandmother (on my father's side). I had never heard this story...among many others.

 The story is called The Ducks New Clothes. I thought it was a funny little story. When we told it to our kids, they got a kick out of it. 

I had also read and heard of some other stories that I thought were incredible! There was a man by the name of James Stephens Brown (also on my father's side- my 3rd great grandfather (my grandfather's mother's grandfather)) who was an incredibly faithful man and a great missionary. Here is a small portion of his biography from of one of his experiences on his mission. Before he left, broth President Brigham Young and Willard Richards had told him that men would seek to take his life, but that he would return home safely and honorably. 

"The young braves came armed with muskets, shouting and yelling, saying they were going to

have a fat roast for tomorrow. They kindled fires and began shouting, singing, and dancing. They kept up a continual howl all night long, while James and his friends held prayer and testimony meeting, never sleeping a moment the whole night. The next day was spent in continued feasting and rowdiness. In the afternoon, two large ruffians came to bring James before the council. Suddenly, it was brought to James's mind the promises that had been made to him by Pres. Brigham Young and Willard Richards, that though men should seek his life, yet he should return in safety to the bosom of the Saints. The Spirit told him that he had not forfeited those promises, and all his fear was driven away. Without hesitation he arose and walked out to the beach where the people were assembled. One faithful Mormon man named Rivae and his wife with an eight month-old baby in her arms stepped forward. This brave brother said, "If you burn this man," pointing to James, "you burn me first." Then the heroic wife stepped forward, holding her babe at arm's length and shouted, "I am a Mormon and this baby is a Mormon. . . . and you will have to burn all of us, or Mormonism will grow again." Rivae and his wife were ordered to stand back, and James was confronted by Tabate, the spokesman. He said, "Iatobo, you have caused the people of our land to sin by having them to travel more than a Sabbath day's journey on the Sabbath. You have also taught the people that God is a material God, and that is not lawful to teach in our land." He then said, "Look there at that fire. It is made to consume the flesh off of your bones." At that moment the Spirit of the Lord rested mightily upon James, and he declared, "In the name of Israel's God, I defy ten of your best men, yea, the host of you, for I serve that God who delivered Daniel from the den of lions, and the three Hebrew children from the fiery furnace!" He was absolutely cool and unshaken. After this stirring speech, the natives began to

quarrel and fight with one another until the whole assemblage were fighting. There was no more talk of burning him, and he was left to do his work on the island. Some two months later as James was traveling alone he happened upon one of the old men who had been a party to the decision to burn him. When the man saw James, he turned and ran. James overtook him and demanded to know why he ran from him. He answered, "Your God is a God of power and I was afraid to meet His servant." James asked how he knew that his God was a God of power and why they had not burned him as they had decided to do. He answered, "At the moment that you defied us, there was a brilliant light or pillar of fire bore down close over your head. It was a bright as the sun. We remembered reading in the Bible about Elijah calling fire down from heaven so that it consumed the captains and their fifties. . . . The young men did not see the light. They were going to burn you, and we tried to stop them. So we got into a fight. Now we all know that you are a true servant of God and we do not like to meet you out of fear."

James later married a woman named Lydia. Her grandfather's name was John Tanner. There is actually a video of his story on the church's website as well as on Amazon Prime. It's titled "Treasure in Heaven: The John Tanner Story." I love this man and his example and faith! I am so blessed with such a wonderful heritage!