"I Know God"

Elizabeth Read

There once existed in London, a small bookshop owned by the Read family in the early 1850's.  They lived in the back of the shop with their five children.  In my minds eye, I  imagine them going to school, reading books in the evening and gathering for meals.  During one of these meals, two young men from America came knocking at their door.  They said they had a message to share about the gospel of Jesus Christ.  The family replied that they were not interested but invited them in to share their evening meal.  As they spoke that night, Elizabeth, the mother, became more interested.  There was something about these two young men and she felt a desire to know more.  They returned, eventually teaching the whole family, save the older two teenage children.  As the family listened to the message of the "restored gospel" and read their literature, especially the Book of Mormon, a spiritual account of an ancient American civilization, they felt the spirit of the Lord touch their hearts and desired to join this new church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Life was not easy following their decision.  Many people stopped frequenting their store.  The children were mocked in school.  Elizabeth took to doing laundry to help support the family.  The older two children could not understand the choice their parents had made and became angry.  In time, the Reads made the decision to emigrate to America and join with other "saints" (members of the church) in the Salt Lake Valley.  Heartbroken, they said goodbye to the older children, who refused to come, and set sail for America.  From New York, they mostly traveled by train to Iowa City.  There the church had organized companies of handcarts that would travel the 1000 miles across the plains.  

Assembled Handcarts

They joined the Martin Handcart Company.  The number of saints that had come to America had been greater than anticipated and many of the supplies had been exhausted.  They were the last group to organize that year and were delayed several precious weeks waiting for new carts to be assembled.  The task before them was daunting but they were "filled with the spirit of gathering."  Anxiously, the set off.  Tragedy hit the Read family early on.  Walter, the youngest, turned nine on the trail.  There was a strict rule that children must stay with their family.  However, Walter loved to watch the men drive the cattle and begged and begged to be allowed to go up ahead and do so.  Being his birthday, his parents gave him permission.  After some time, Walter grew tired and found some shade under a bush to wait for his family.  He promptly fell asleep.  The whole company passed by unawares.  That evening when the Reads went to look for Walter he was nowhere to be found.  They counseled with the leaders of the company who decided that given the lateness of the season, they could not afford to wait.  Walter's father, Sam, was given a horse and he returned to look for the child.  Walter was eventually found but it took Sam months to do so.  Meanwhile, Elizabeth and her two daughters, Alicia (11) and Thisbe (9) continued on alone.  

Being Rescued

Mile after foot numbing mile passed.  Their worst fears came to pass as the mountain snows hit early that year. In some places they had to break through the ice to cross treacherous rivers.  It was in one of those that little Thisbe rushed into the frigid water, trying to steady their cart that threatened to turn over in the current.  She became soaked to the bone and nearly died from exposure.  High in the mountain passes of Wyoming the company could go no further.  Many weakened and died.  Through the heroic efforts of men sent from Salt Lake, the company was rescued.  Food was delivered and they were brought to the point where wagons could deliver them the rest of the way to the Salt Lake Valley.  


Safe at last, Elizabeth's thoughts turned to her children in London.  She wrote them a letter and detailed all that had transpired.  Sharing it first with her two girls, Alicia responded, “they’ll say, ‘We knew it was a mistake to gather to Zion.’ They’ll be glad they stayed home. They’ll think that the Lord deserted us.”

Woodcarving depicting Elizabeth, Alicia and Thisbe

“He didn’t” Thisbe said stoutly.


“He didn’t,” Ma agreed. Then she wrote again:


“My dear children, we have suffered beyond anything you can imagine. We have seen our comrades weaken and die and be buried in trenches of snow. But in all this suffering we have come face to face with God. It was God who upheld us when our weary bodies would have given up the ghost. It was God who preserved Thisbe to us when it seemed that she would never live. Yes, my children, for the first time in my life I know God. I know that He hears our prayers, and that in His wisdom all is for the best” (The Tempered Wind, Chapter 7).

Yes, Elizabeth is my great-great-great grandmother, passing then through Thisbe.  The legacy of strong faith and strong women runs deep in my family.  In my next post, I'll explore more what it means to know God in the midst of our trials and afflictions.