03/27/2020
Hello, Hyrum 3rd Warders. We sure miss gathering together each week in church! It seems such a long time since we saw you!
We would like to propose a Ward Family History activity to help keep us connected during the Covid-19 isolation.
Please search out and share stories, quotes, or summaries of events about your ancestors dealing with difficult times or overcoming hardships. We believe sharing these stories can help us in our own uncertain times.
As an example, here is a paragraph of Mary Eliza Shumway's recollection of leaving their beautiful home in Nauvoo in 1846:
Mary Eliza said that her mother, Julia, delayed coming to their loaded wagon which was ready to depart the city. When Julia finally came out of the house, she said, "I was scrubbing the floors! I just couldn't leave my beautiful birch floors all spotted and blotched! Move over Mary. I'm to drive this wagon. Your father will come on horseback." Mary Eliza then said that before the wagon was away from the house, a man and his wife, who were both strangers to the Shumways, stepped onto the front doorstep and in a loud voice shouted to those standing about, "We're taking possession of this house!" And then he opened the door and he and his wife went inside, closing the door behind them. Mary Eliza remembered she saw her mother's upper lip quiver as she wiped away a tear and said simply, "Let's go!" As they left, Julia whispered to Mary Eliza, "Don't look back, Mary. Never look back! Always keep your eyes on the present and on what lies ahead!"