Part One:
Sister Beck said
“We study our history because it helps us change. Ultimately, the value of history is not so much in its dates, times, and places… It is valuable because it teaches us the principles, purposes, and patterns we are to follow, it helps us know who we are and what we are to do,…. (RS Gen Pres RS broadcast, fall 2010)
I have learned valuable lessons as I have studied our family histories.
I learned about faith and sacrifice, about perseverance and endurance, about love and life.
I learned about Jesus Christ and His Gospel, about Heavenly Father and His goodness.
I learned that it only takes one good woman or one good man to make a difference.
That reminds me of a bumper sticker that Connor and Terry saw = “One person can make a difference - Jesus did!”
We must learn of Him and try to be like Him. You’ll find Him, or people who believed in Him, or quotes from His servants scattered throughout our ancestors histories.
Elder Nelson said;
“Every human being who comes to this earth is the product of generations of parents. When our hearts turn to our ancestors, something changes inside us. We feel part of something greater than ourselves.” (Elder Nelson April 2010, Gen Conf) I believe that we feel that way because it is that way - we are part of something greater than ourselves. As I have studied about our “generations of parents” I have been drawn to each person I read about and I wanted to carry on with greater faith.
I wish I had known each personally, but realize that it cannot be. I do however, know them better and hope to recognize them someday when I will have the opportunity to meet them.
Let me tell you a little bit about the past, we’ll start with one good man -
Robert Harris JR. #62 pedigree poster on wall
Robert is Idris’ maternal gg grandfather.
Born Dec 1807 in England
Robert married Hannah Mariah Eagles
Hannah and Robert’s sister, Elizabeth and her husband, Daniel attended meetings to hear Elder Woodruff preach. Robert was not interested and wanted Hannah to “forget such nonsense”.
Hannah could never convince Robert to go with her, but she didn‘t stop.
One evening she brought the American missionaries to her home for supper. Robert came home and saw them in his home and became very angry.
He decided he would slip in the front door, take Woodruff by the neck and chuck him over the fence and off his property.
But, as soon as he entered the house a strange feeling came over him and he could not touch Woodruff. He was compelled to go from his house himself.
Robert was determined not to let this man and his strange new power overtake him, so that evening he organized a mob. The plan was to “rotten egg” the “Mormon preacher” then ride them out of the city on a rail and perhaps even tar and feather them.
Robert gave the signal and said, “Now is the time boys, let’s go in and pitch Woodruff and his companions out”. As they walked toward the house, Robert saw his wife on the front seat listening intently to the words of Brother Woodruff. Again that same strange feeling engulfed him and he became over-powered. He put up his hands to stop the mob and said, “there is something to this religion”. The mob all bowed their heads and walked away.
Brother Woodruff continued his meetings and Robert attended them. At the close of the sixth meeting Robert stepped up to Elder Woodruff and said, “You have made of me a convert to your teachings. I desire baptism at your hands.” He was baptized by Wilford Woodruff in March 1840, just three weeks after his wife.
He remained faithful and always eager to bear his testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel.
In 1841 they and their children boarded the ship Echo and that company of 109 souls sailed a 10 week trip to America.
Robert was a Father of 15 Grandfather of 132
Died in Utah, 1876, and President Woodruff spoke at his funeral.
Robert had a change of heart and he recognized the strange, but good feelings he was having and accepted the gospel. He was ONE GOOD MAN that saw the good and committed his life to it. The Gospel is Good!
Knowing this conversion story makes me feel even closer to and more thankful for Wilford Woodruff - He too, is ONE GOOD MAN who had a great effect on our family. I have had many sons that have served missions and many yet to serve, and they have or will touch lives like Wilford Woodruff did, just like many of you here who have, or will serve. (please sign our poster).
Now let me share about ONE GOOD WOMAN in our history -
Sarah Ann Cosgrove Auger # 21 on our pedigree
Keith’s maternal great grandmother (mother’s father’s mother)
Born Dec 1831 in England
Learning Sarah’s history encouraged me and reminded me that hope and happiness and joy are not products of our circumstances-
Sarah worked as a silk weaver in a factory when she was 7 or 8 years old.
She married John Wood in 1849, (18 yrs old) but was terribly abused and lay dying for quite some time. Her parents took her home, cared for her and she recovered.
Family search shows a child, Margaret Wood or Auger , born in 1849 and died in 1850.
Sarah was raised a Methodist, but became acquainted with the principles of the LDS church and was baptized in November 1850.
She immigrated to America where she met Jabez Auger who had immigrated just shortly after she did, and they were married in January 1856.
They returned to England for a few years where they had four children, each dying within a few days or months after their birth.
Their 5th child, Henry Daniel, was born in June 1863.
Sarah and Jabez came back to America on the ship Belle Wood. Their baby was very ill and for days lay in a coma, apparently dead. Sarah hid him in a trunk of clothing to keep the officers from throwing him overboard. The baby recovered and they arrived safely in New York the first of June 1865.
Another child was born, living only a couple months, and again another child, Rosa was born.
Records show that in 1866 Jabez (31), Sarah (35), Henry Daniel (3), and Rosa Jabezina (infant) crossed the plains in the William Henry Chipman Co. They saw hard times, feared Indians, and did a considerable amount of walking every day.
In November 1868, after 6 weeks of ill health Jabez died of Typhoid fever and other complications.
Sarah married George Bowering in Sept. 1869.
They loaded their belongings and headed out with a group in a wagon train.
One evening they came to a large deep creek with a bridge with no side rails, about 20 feet above the water. George was walking and Sarah was driving the wagon. She didn’t know much about driving & could not see where she was going, and her children were clinging to her as they followed another wagon over the bridge. One of the rear wheels was off the bridge and she was frightened. She said it appeared to her as if a voice said “to the right!” and with that she jerked the right rein and got over safely, and contributed it to what seemed a “supernatural hand or power”.
The next morning in crossing another creek the wagon got over safe, but did not get far enough up the hill before stopping and the horses began to back down and ended up in the creek with water filling the wagon. Sarah threw her children to one of the men, who placed them on land, and then threw the luggage. They finally got the wagon out of the creek and reloaded and went on.
One evening while George was gone to a meeting, Sarah was adding fluid to a lamp when Rosa bumped her and the fluid caught fire and immediately the house was aflame. Henry was nearby, holding a match to help light the room. The children’s clothing caught on fire and Sarah ran out with them, got the fire off their clothing, but lost their home and belongings.
Sarah was left home with the children while George traveled to teach in a neighboring town, coming home only on weekends. It was during this time that she gave birth to twins. (boy and girl)
Their baby boy was sick and died during the night.
George came home and gave their daughter a blessing, then went back to school, but had to return home again because their baby daughter had died and Sarah was sick and dying herself. He stayed for 2 weeks and Sarah’s health improved, but then took a turn for worse.
George said that it seemed that “an evil spirit took possession”. They administered to her and she started to mend.
George died in 1898 and Sarah went to live with her daughter, Rosa.
If counting, you would realize that only 2 of Sarah’s 11 children lived to adulthood. She was married three times, the first husband harming her terribly, leaving her to die, and the other two dying, leaving her alone.
Through all her trials she stayed firm in the faith and had a strong testimony.
Elder Anderson said that “hope, with its attendant blessings of peace and joy, does not depend upon circumstance. The true source of hope is faith—faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and in His infinite Atonement, the one sure foundation upon which to build our lives.” (Elder Andersen in April 2010 gen conf)
I know that Sarah Ann Cosgrove Auger had that kind of faith in the Lord, and that is what helped her thru her trials in life. Knowing that gives me strength.
“No matter the size of the issue, how we respond can reset the course of our life.” We must “never let an earthly circumstance disable us spiritually”. (Elder Hallstrom, spring 2010)
I think Sarah understood and lived by that truth. And that is what helped carry her thru life.
Not only was Sarah ONE GOOD WOMAN, but her son, Henry Daniel Auger was ONE GOOD MAN. He was the baby hidden in a trunk on the ship and the little boy who held the match for his mother to light the lamp when their clothing caught fire, and the house burned down.
Henry is Keith’s grandfather.
These, and other difficult trials came his way, but like his mother, he didn’t let his circumstances disable him spiritually.
Henry’s history tells us that he was never heard to speak ill of anyone or tell a bad story. He was a great joker and loved fun, But he was ONE GOOD MAN.
Other good men and good women can be found in our past - some are shown on the walls here. Each has made it possible for us to be here and to have the gospel in our lives.
But let’s talk about the present -
ONE GOOD MAN
Keith Auger Hebdon
Born Dec. 1921 in Utah, 1 of 11 children.
Worked hard all his life.
(who in the room is six now?) At age six - worked for Fred Jensen.
(who in the room is 14 now?) age 14 - helped Ross Taylor with thrashing.
He thinned beets, herded cows - (who in the room has done either of those?)
He has never been afraid of work - always worked hard to make a living for his family.
He too has endured many trials throughout his life and can surely testify to the truthfulness of the gospel and how the Lord can be our strength.
Keith married ONE GOOD WOMAN
Idris Egbert , who has remained his one and only and served him well.
Born Jan. 1921 in Idaho, 1 of 5 children.
She too has always been a hard worker. As a child she would carry water from the ditch or pump to the house to be heated for laundry or other uses. (who has had to do that?)
She fed lambs with a pop bottle filled with milk (has anyone done that?)
She became a teacher, taught 4th grade ?how many years? (who is in 4th grade now?)
She is still always up and going to make sure that those in her home are taken care of and fed, even if they are only there for a few minutes. (we’ve all experienced this, each time we visit)
Keith and Idris are the parents of 7 (please stand)
Grandparents of 37 (please stand)
Great grandparents of 54? (please stand)
Others have married into the family 30? (please stand)
And others have joined and helped complete the family 13? (please stand)
Making a total of 142? people in the family, though not all are in attendance today.
This number will continue to grow. The future will bring more and more to the family. How delightful.
Keith and Idris have set a wonderful example for us, their posterity. They have proved that one good man or one good woman can travel thru life with an enormous amount of trial and never give up God and Christ and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Bishop Keith B. McMullin has counseled:
“If we are to fulfill our destiny and return to live with our Father in Heaven, we must keep His commandments and pattern our lives after the Savior.” (See p13, May 2010 Ensign)
Keith and Idris have patterned their lives after the Savior, still striving daily to keep His commandments.
Part Two:
Elder Uchtdorf spoke to the YW in a broadcast in March 2010. I loved his inspiring message. He spoke of how the phrase “once upon a time” seems to promise something: “a story of adventure and romance, of princesses and princes. It may include tales of courage, hope, and everlasting love. In many of these stories, nice overcomes mean and good overcomes evil.” He thought that perhaps the part he loves most in the stories is when he reaches the final lines of the story to see the “enchanting words, ‘And they lived happily ever after.”
Elder Uchtdorf compared our earthly life as our “once upon a time”, “complete with your own true story of adventure, trial, and opportunities for greatness, nobility, courage, and love“. He reminded us that “Heavenly Father offers to [us] the greatest gift of all—eternal life—and the opportunity and infinite blessing of [our] own “happily ever after.”
He continued to remind us that “such a blessing does not come without a price. It is not given simply because you desire it. It comes only through understanding who you are and what you must become in order to be worthy of such a gift.”
Learning of our ancestors helps us understand who we are. Our ancestors knew Christ and we can too. Learning of Christ helps us understand who we are and what we must become.
Elder Uchtdorf promised that
Trial Is Part of the Journey, but we must
Stay True to What You Know Is Right because
The Gospel Is the [ONLY] Way to Happily Ever After
We’ve heard of good people who have gone thru trials, stayed true to what they know is right, and lived the gospel. It’s up to each of us individually to be sure that we become just ONE GOOD WOMAN or ONE GOOD MAN that will keep this family linked together for eternity. You are the author of your own life story - make it a good one!
Elder Andersen reminded us that “Two men can do anything as long as one of them is the Lord”, Which means that all it takes is ONE GOOD MAN / WOMAN, with the LORD on their side.
And Pres Monson has promised:
“Your future is as bright as your faith”.
