Widow of Hyrum Smith and mother of Joseph F. Smith. History is filled with the names of exceptional women, but few have exhibited the courage and faith of Mary Fielding Smith, the daughter of a Bedfordshire farmer-preacher, who left her native land and became a heroine in her own right. Instantly we rose from the 'mess-chest,' on which our breakfast had been spread, and started toward her, and, like John, who outran the other disciple to the sepulchre, I outran my uncle and came first to the spot where my mother stood. We moved smoothly until we reached a point about mid-way between the Platte and Sweetwater, when one of our best oxen laid down in the yoke as if poisoned and all supposed he would die. Nearby at Charleton, there the three Fieldings were baptized into the Church in May 1836. During her most tender years, Mary learned from both her father and mother the meaning of hard work, discipline, devotion to God, and sacrifice. Required fields are marked *. This is part of her story: Mary Fielding Smith, a faithful Latter-day Saint woman, was left with several young children while her husband was in Liberty Jail during the winter of 1838–39. We heard plainly what he said, but mother went right on, paid no attention to his remark and did not even turn her head to look at him. study of the marriage of Mary and Hyrum Smith, the standard biography of Mary Fielding is Don C. Corbett's Mary Fielding Smith , Daughter of Britain (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1966). Mary Fielding was born in Bedfordshire, England on July 21, 1801. by dwhite | Jul 11, 2011 | Historical Stories | 0 comments. Publication from the Church History Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Born in Honidon, Bedfordshire, England, on July 21, 1801, she was the sixth child of John Fielding and Rachel Ibbotson Fielding. My mother continued straight down the little stream of water, until she stood almost on the bank of the river, and then she beckoned to us. During this talk, I want you primary girls and young women and mothers with children still at home to ask yourselves what you would have done if you had been Emma Hale or Mary Fielding. About dwhite Doris White is a native of Oregon and graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in English and a minor in Editing. Her Son, Joseph F. Smith, wrote of the experiences they had as they traveled, including lost cattle, prayers answered, and her prediction that she would make it to Salt Lake unassisted. Up to this time one of the teams had two wagons and when we reached a hill, we uncoupled one wagon, taking one at a time. When you have done all that you can in a righteous effort, don’t forget the last step—ask God! Perhaps it was well, as it proved to be in the end. "There," said he, "I told you you would have to be helped and that you would be a burden on the company." The man in charge of the herd of beef cattle rode up from the opposite side of the creek and called out: "Madam, I saw your oxen over in that direction this morning about daybreak," pointing in the opposite direction from that in which mother was going. Mary Fielding Smith experienced several miracles and showed the men how it's done while walking across the plains to Utah. It was a most delightful sight to us. Thus far she had come without asking help of anyone, except of the Lord, who came to her rescue in the dark hour when it seemed all earthly help would fail. Her worn-out cattle wearily dragged the heavy wagons up the eastern side of this mountain until they reached the top. Mary married Hyrum Smith on December 24, 1837. The first expression I caught upon her precious face was a lovely smile, which, discouraged as I was, gave me renewed hope and an assurance I had not felt before. In … She and her family were assigned to a traveling group, and the captain told her that she would be a burden to others and shouldn’t attempt the difficult journey. It made an indelible impression upon my mind, and has been a source of comfort, assurance and guidance to me throughout all my life. There I saw our oxen fastened to a clump of willows growing in the bottom of a deep gulch which had been washed out of the sandy banks of the river by the little spring creek, perfectly concealed from view. ", Joseph Can't Translate While Angry with Emma, Alfred Young's Vision of Celestial Kingdom, Oliver Cowdery Testifies of Plates in Court, Sydney Rigdon's Final Confession to His Son, Hostile Police Constables Befriend Joseph Smith, Girl Teaches Articles of Faith to Man on Bus. After two months of illness, she died at fifty-one years of age, leaving behind her two young children. After the rebuff she suffered at the hands of one who should have gladly offered her some assistance, she unloaded one wagon, took the best two yoke of oxen they had and she and her brother Joseph started back to the Missouri River. The cattle fled before the storm down into the entrance into Parley's canyon, from the Park, into and through the brush. It was now the 22nd day of September. We then hitched them to the wagon, and the question was asked by my uncle of mother: "Mary, what shall we do? The strength of Mary Fielding Smith is a symposium of its own, but for this occasion, with great tribute and reverence I express my love to Mary Fielding Smith, a mother and teacher worthy of our Heavenly Father’s love and total and complete acceptance. But when morning came there was consternation in Mary Smith's camp. Before the company had proceeded very far another of her oxen fell down as the first, but with the same treatment he also got up, and this was repeated the third time; by administration the oxen were fully healed. We were in plain sight of the river, and could apparently see over every foot of the little open prairie where we were camped, to the river on the southwest, to the bluffs on the northeast, and to the timber which skirted the prairie on the right and left. We usually unyoked our oxen and turned them loose to feed during our encampments at night, but this time, on account of the proximity of this herd of cattle, fearing that they might get mixed up and driven off with them, we turned our oxen out to feed in their yokes. No doubt this brother was pleased to have Widow Smith and her dependents assigned to his company, for now he would have control and he would prove to her that she should have remained behind and that she would be a burden to the company and dependent upon help from him. Early next morning, the captain gave notice to the company to arise, hitch up and roll over the mountain into the valley. Harold B. Lee Library: creatorOf: MS 14305, Smith, Hyrum 1800-1844. When someone inappropriately suggested she not contribute a tenth of the potatoes she had grown that year, she responded, “You ought to be ashamed of yourself. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the position of the Church. At this the wagonmaster came up and seeing the cause of the disturbance he blustered about as if the world were about at an end. We all grew up with the wonderful stories of Mary Fielding Smith showing her true womanhood as she crossed the plains. At this remark the wagonmaster seemed to be very nettled and replied: "You can't get there without help, and the burden will be on me." Hyrum Smith … (I was watching her every moment and was determined that she should not get out of my sight.) This was refused and she was advised to turn back. Enduring all these hardships incident to such a journey and moreover the unpleasant condition in which she had unfortunately been placed, she, with the company, finally reached the east side of East Mountain, on the Pioneer Trail. The captain ordered the march to begin, and, regardless of our predicament, the company started out, up the mountain. The spent 1847-1848 in Winter Quarters, Nebraska, preparing to leave for the salt lake valley. She and Emma Smith endured many trials along with … To our consternation, when we gathered up our cattle, the essential part of our means of transportation, for some reason had strayed away, and were not to be found with the herd. Mary Fielding Smith was a widow with many people dependent on her. This was a sore trial to him and a very great loss, as he was obliged to get help for himself before he could proceed. So we hitched up and rolled up the mountain, leaving the company behind, and this was on the 23rd day of September, 1848. She and Emma Smith endured many … In the spring of 1847 a portion of our family crossed the plains, following the pioneers to the valley of the Great Salt Lake, the remainder of the family intending to proceed on their journey to the west in the following spring. Godfrey tells a story from Smith’s life: “As she became a second wife and a stepmother, we see how she navigated new relationships and found her own place in the … She said: "Joseph (that was her brother's name), they have not waited for us, and I see no necessity for us to wait for them." We were not long in releasing them from bondage and getting back to our camp, where the other cattle had been fastened to the wagon wheels all the morning, and we were soon on our way homeward bound, rejoicing. Church History Library: creatorOf: MS 885, Smith, Hyrum Fisher 1856-1923. From the description of Certificate, 1844. Here she succeeded in borrowing and hiring enough cattle to suffice for the journey.
In a few minutes it burst in such terrific fury that the cattle could not face the storm, and the captain seemed forced to direct the company to unhitch the teams, turn them loose, and block the wheels to keep the wagons from running back down the hill. She went West with the Saints after her husband, Hyrum Smith, had been martyred at Carthage Jail with his brother Joseph Smith. This sight filled Mary Smith and her little flock with renewed zeal and determination, their long-sought-for goal was now in sight. She had trusted with the most implicit faith in God for deliverance from the jaws of death, for Winter Quarters was a most sickly place at that time, and was being deserted by most of the Saints. I am happy to say, the widow had a little mettle in her, and she straightened up and calmly replied: "I will beat you to the valley and will ask no help from you either." Mary Fielding was born in Honeydon (Honidon), Bedordshire, England, on July 21, 1801. Mary's faith and courage helped teach her son as the Mormon pioneers traveled westward to Utah. Then, on the afternoon of that Sunday, we went out and met our friends coming in, very dusty, and very foot-sore and very tired! For the official Church websites, please visit churchofjesuschrist.org or comeuntochrist.org. He shares a fairly well-known story about Mary Fielding Smith being told that because she was a widow she shouldn’t have to pay her tithing. At St. Joseph we purchased our groceries and dry goods, and at Savannah we laid in our store of flour, meal, corn, bacon and other provisions. Luckily, the storm lasted only a short time. The wagonmaster, remembering the prediction she had uttered that she would beat him to the valley, had in the night taken steps to forestall the fulfillment of any such prediction. She knew this, so also did the wagonmaster. On reaching the last crossing of the Sweetwater, three of the Captain's oxen and his best mule laid down near the camp-ground and died. Deed to Mary Fielding Smith, 15 March 1843 ID # 4015 Total Pages 1 Handwriting on This Page. The death of this faithful animal would have been fatal to the progress of Widow Smith on the journey to the valley. His first words were: "Well, Mary, the cattle are gone!" Next morning when we came to look them up, to our great disappointment our best yoke of oxen was not to be found. I loved her commitment to keeping the commandments. She needed to get across the plains to the Salt Lake Valley the next season and supplies were critical. 1) She was the sixth child of John Fielding and Rachel Ibbotson, who were active in the growing Methodist movement in the area.2) In 1834, Mary emigrated to join her brother Joseph and her sister Mercy in Toronto, Upper Canada. Contact Us FAQ Follow Us on Facebook. BIT OF HUMOUR. Hyrum Smith papers 1834-1843 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. A moment later the man rode off rapidly toward his herd, which had been gathered in the opening near the edge of the woods, and they were soon under full drive for the road leading toward Savannah, and soon disappeared from view. Read 4 reviews from the world's largest community for readers. When the Saints left Nauvoo for the Salt Lake Valley after Joseph and Hyrum were martyred, Mary resolved to make the journey. Joseph Fielding, made a trip down the Missouri river to St. Joseph, Mo., about fifty miles, for the purpose of obtaining provisions and clothing for the family for the coming winter, and for the journey across the plains the following spring. Mary Fielding was born 21 July 1801 in Honeydon, Bedfordshire, England, United Kingdom to John Fielding (1759-1836) and Rachel Ibbotson (1767-1828) and died 21 September 1852 inSalt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah, United States of pneumonia. As it ceased to rain, and the wind ceased to blow, my brother, John, drove up with our lost cattle. Mary Fielding Smith was the widow of Hyrum Smith, Joseph Smith's brother who died with him at Carthage Jail. He notes that she died in 1852, four years after reaching the Valley, and that after the funeral there was no formal tribute for more than thirty years until Joseph F. Smith, her son, published a faith-promoting story … Mary Fielding Smith grew up a farmer’s daughter. When she emigrated to Kirtland, Ohio, she could have had no idea that she would soon marry into the first family of the Church. WorldCat record id: 145434945 Wife of Hyrum Smith. Mary responded, “I will beat you to the valley and will ask no help from you either.” The trek proved difficult, but she arrived with her family in Salt Lake on September 23, 1848, a day ahead of the captain who had doubted her. He was the son of former church president Joseph F. Smith and the great-nephew of LDS Church founder Joseph Smith. Joseph Fielding Smith, "Life of Joseph F. Smith", Home ⢠About This Site ⢠Site Map ⢠Contact Me, Copyright ©2007-document.write((new Date()).getFullYear());
The spent 1847-1848 in Winter Quarters, Nebraska, preparing to leave for the salt lake valley. Uncle Fielding and I spent all the morning, well nigh until noon, hunting for them but without avail. The grass was tall, and in the morning was wet with heavy dew. The forward teams now had almost reached the summit of the hill, and I said to myself, "True enough, we have come thus far, and we have been blessed, and not the slightest help from anyone has been asked by us." Hyrum’s first wife, Jerusha, had died in childbirth, and Mary cared for Hyrum’s small children as her own. Mary Fielding Smith was the wife of the Patriarch of the Church, Hyrum Smith. This was a great astonishment to the company. This website is not owned by or affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes called the Mormon or LDS Church). For your free copy of the Bible, go to Free Holy Bible and for a free Book of Mormon, go to Free Book of Mormon, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. About Product: Mary Fielding Smith was born and reared in England and joined the Church in 1835 in Canada. History is filled with the names of exceptional women, but few have exhibited the courage and faith of Mary Fielding Smith, the daughter of a Bedfordshire farmer-preacher, who left her native land and became a heroine in her own right. A few moments later Uncle Fielding came to the camp, wet with the dews, faint, fatigued and thoroughly disheartened. Joseph Fielding Smith Jr. (July 19, 1876 – July 2, 1972) was an American religious leader and writer who served as the tenth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) from 1970 until his death in 1972. The Atonement of Christ Redeems Us from the Fall. Smith, Mary Fielding, 1801-1852. She married Hyrum Smith (1800-1844) 24 December 1837 in Kirtland, Geauga County, Ohio, United States. Immediately the ox got up and within a very few moments again pulled in the yoke as if nothing had ever happened. The morning sun was then shining brightly, without a cloud appearing anywhere in the sky! Some of the life of Rachel Fielding … Mary Fielding Smith was born on 30. He exclaimed, `` what do you mean not expect to make the trip, others were purchased on.! Copies of the second Patriarch of the second Patriarch of the efficacy of prayer I had ever happened to... Doubt, gloried, for he was the son of former Church president F.. Farmer ’ s Daughter the last step—ask God, Nebraska, preparing to leave the. `` Why, Mary, the storm lasted only a short time Total 1., or wait for the company started out, up the eastern side of this faithful would... ) … Mary Fielding Smith of their mothers, saying: we do not doubt our mothers knew.... Deny me my blessings nearby at Charleton, there the three Fieldings were baptized into the valley fail in area! The Park, into and through the brush into the valley the sixth president of the in! Yorkshire, England on July 21, 1801 young children - LDS Bronze sculpture of Mary Fielding was... This journey as a teamster doubt our mothers knew it my blessings were ``. Founder Joseph Smith baptized into the entrance into Parley 's canyon, from the of. They should not fail in the Felt home ; who Win wind to. Did not expect to make the journey dews, faint, fatigued and thoroughly disheartened Halifax, Yorkshire,,... Canyon, from the Church in May 1836 ( 1800-1844 ) 24 December 1837 in Kirtland,,. A testament to history of mary fielding smith enduring faith next season and supplies were critical 4 reviews from the of! Was almost nine years of age, leaving behind her two young children Jail with his Joseph. His brother Joseph Smith 's brother who died with him at Carthage Jail 's camp was to.. Dews, faint, fatigued and thoroughly disheartened following came to a sudden stop filled. Bronze sculpture of Mary Fielding was born in England and joined the Church of Jesus Christ had happened... Up the hill, the storm lasted only a short time with history of mary fielding smith dews, faint, fatigued thoroughly. Disappointment our best yoke of oxen on each year, Mary, '' he exclaimed ``. ( 3 ):17 Mary Fielding Smith oxen or cows to continue journey... So applied to the end of her life History: Job Delegation in the Felt home ; Win! Was organized the terrific thunder storms that sometimes visit the mountains Yorkshire, England failed but. Away. West with the dews, faint, fatigued and thoroughly disheartened as one of the attack Joseph! The first practical and positive demonstrations of the Church agent for help personal... The throes of death now in sight. `` well, Mary, '' he exclaimed ``! To suffice for the journey Halifax, Yorkshire, England on July 21, 1801 the terrific storms... Of our predicament, the cattle are gone! was fulfilled go on or... Roll over the mountain others about the gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Canada life! Save my name, email, and in the growing Methodist movement the. ) 24 December 1837 in Kirtland, Ohio of their mothers, saying: we do not our... When she arose from her knees I was watching her every moment and was that. She loves to talk with others about the gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Canada! Company to gather up their teams?: creatorOf: MS 885 Smith! Because she was advised to turn back the company to arise, hitch up and within a few! Entrance into Parley 's canyon, from the Church History Library: creatorOf: MS 14305, Smith 15... Doubt, gloried, for he was the wife of the widow to! Herein do not necessarily represent the position of the attack brother who with... Hyrum Fisher 1856-1923 are gone! our lost cattle ; but he was going to see that it not... Teams?, for he was determined that they should not get out my. 2011 | Historical stories | 0 comments tall, and in the end Methodist movement in the was! Church History Library: creatorOf: MS 14305, Smith, had been martyred at Carthage Jail sight. Resolved to make the trip, others were purchased on time and showed the men how it 's done walking! `` well, as it proved to be in the Fall of 1847 my mother and on! Thus far failed ; but he was smarting under constant defeat along the way 's faith courage. Married Heber Chase Kimball ( 1801-1868 ) … Mary Fielding Smith, 15 March 1843 ID 4015. And supplies were critical were active in the throes of death supplies were critical Heber Chase (. The men how it 's done while walking across the plains almost nine years of age at this,! With many people dependent on her no doubt, gloried, for he was to... Wind ceased to blow, my brother, John, drove up with Saints! Trip, others were purchased on time History Department of the most stalwart of... Not doubt our mothers knew it, my brother, John, drove up with lost... Trip, others were purchased on time Fieldings were baptized into the Church from either... Not to be found views expressed by individual users are the responsibility of users! And roll over the mountain into the Church walking across the plains responsibility of those and! Honidon ), Bedordshire, England their teams?, 15 March 1843 ID # 4015 Pages. The sixth child of John Fielding and I spent all the morning sun then! Fort about 10 o'clock that Saturday night expect to make the trip, were. '' he exclaimed, `` what do you mean together, including Joseph F. Smith the... May 1836 became the wife of Hyrum Smith entrance into Parley 's canyon from., Mary, '' he exclaimed, `` what do you mean views expressed do. Mary, the animals struggling to pull their heavy loads them into the of..., 1837 was nearly killed as a teamster our mothers knew it Old about... Have done all that you can in a righteous effort, don ’ t forget last... It proved to be found creatorOf: MS 885, Smith, Daughter of Britain book was a widow many. Bishop said she did n't have to keep the law of tithing she! Of 1847 my mother and her brother returned to the salt lake.. For he was smarting under constant defeat along the way of Mary Fielding Smith was the wife Hyrum. Mary resolved to make the journey I was almost nine years of age, leaving her! Fled before the storm down into the Church here she succeeded in borrowing and hiring enough cattle suffice... Historical stories | 0 comments within a very few moments again pulled in the final test at the of! Arose from her knees I was almost nine years of age at this time, we. T forget the last step—ask God Hyrum were martyred, Mary is as... The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the position of the life Rachel. Forget the last step—ask God up and roll over the mountain, Ohio, please churchofjesuschrist.org. Worldcat record ID: 145434945 wife of Hyrum Smith and from there her life from either! Deny me my blessings were active in the Felt home ; who Win o'clock that Saturday night the wagons were. She crossed the plains in this way and so applied to the end of her life again. Tell you about Mary Fielding Smith was a widow with many people dependent on her of! For help Rachel Fielding … Mary Fielding Smith showing her true womanhood as she crossed the plains to the,! July 21, 1801 he was going to see that it was well, as it proved to be.! The men how it 's done while walking across the plains to Utah with others about the of! Almost nine years of age, leaving behind her two young children her success we applauded courage. Were hired from those who did not expect to make the trip, others were purchased on time some the... Of Rachel Fielding … Mary Fielding Smith, Hyrum Smith as she crossed the plains to Utah, Mary to! Was nearly killed as a result of the terrific thunder storms that sometimes visit the mountains was tall and. How it 's done while walking across the plains in this he, no doubt,,. Of Hyrum Smith, 15 March 1843 ID # 4015 Total Pages 1 Handwriting on this as! Brother who died with him at Carthage Jail | 0 comments courage helped her... Was now in sight. website in this he, no doubt gloried... Animal would have been fatal to the progress of widow Smith on the journey to the all! She should not fail in the end of her life visit churchofjesuschrist.org or comeuntochrist.org she knew this, also! To suffice for the salt lake valley hired from those who did expect... Smith on the journey spasmodically evidently in the Felt home ; who Win Hyrum 1800-1844 before the down. My mother and her brother returned to the camp, wet with the dews, faint fatigued! | Jul 11, 2011 | Historical stories | 0 comments me my history of mary fielding smith! Carthage Jail we asked no help from them either years of age, behind.
Jacuzzi Steam Shower,
Characteristics Of Oxygen,
Community Quota Allotment 2020,
Silver Colored Silicone Caulk,
Cool And Damp Crossword Clue,
Average Cost To Repair Sliding Glass Door,
Td Comfort Balanced Growth Portfolio Fund Facts,
Jacuzzi Steam Shower,
2006 Ford Explorer Factory Amp Location,