Honor, Praise, and Veneration

Words of Lemuel Sturdevant Leavitt (1827-1916):

Our crops had been very poor. There was never enough water for each man to irrigate his scanty acres. We not only had our own families to feed, but often the Indians came and demanded bread. One winter was particularly hard. Our crops were more meager than usual and the winter was extra-long and severe. Our bins, as well as those of most of our neighbors, were getting pretty low so it was decided that I should make a trip to Parowan to replenish our supply of flour. At that time it was a hazardous undertaking, for in the winter a trip over the snow covered mountains to the north, with no road to follow, was a real undertaking, however, it was necessary that someone make the trip.

I suffered intensely from the cold, yes; even hunger, but I finally made the trip with 500 pounds of flour. Within twelve hours most of the neighbors had come to borrow just a few mixings. We tried to distribute it and make it go as far as we could until we were left with only fifty pounds. I could see that unless another trip was made soon the entire colony would be faced with starvation so the very next morning I set out again. This time I had to go to Beaver which is forty miles north of Parowan. My brother-in law owned the mill in Beaver. When I told him our dire needs he gave me twice the amount I could pay for, saying he had plenty. He insisted that I take the flour adding, “I can’t let my baby sister’s children go hungry.” I think he would have done the same for anyone.

On the return trip I had the misfortune of getting both of my feet frozen, but the Saints in Santa Clara were kept from starvation.