Leaf Peeping

Dear Family and Friends,

This week I have been thinking we  haven't told you much information about the Historical Sites where we serve.  So I'm going to highlight each site so that you will know the devotion, faithfulness and sacrifice that these pioneers endured during the early years of settling of St. George and the surrounding communities.  This week we will focus on Jacob Hamblin, since it is Santa Clara Swiss Days.  The Hamblin home is in Santa Clara which is a settlement that was actually settled before St. George.  A group of Swiss settled in Santa Clara, hence, Swiss Days.

In 1853 Brigham Young called 22 men to the Indian Mission.  Jacob Hamblin was one of those men who left everything in Tooele and moved to Santa Clara.  The men built a fort and moved their families to Santa Clara in 1854.  They lived in the fort while traveling throughout Southern Utah trying to make friends, teach the gospel, elevate their living conditions and basically try to create a peaceful environment where the new pioneers and Native Americans could live together.  In 1862 a flash flood washed out the entire fort.  After this event Jacob moved up the hill and built the current cabin for his family.

Jacob Hamblin joined the church in Wisconsin, moved his family to Nauvoo, served a mission, came home when the Prophet Joseph Smith was martyred and then moved his family to Far West.  His first wife, Lucinda Taylor,  left him with four children which left Jacob a single father.  He met and married Rachel Judd and eventually moved his family (his 4 children and Rachel's 2 from a previous marriage) West and eventually to Tooele.  When the call came to serve in the Indian Mission there was no doubt in his mind he would go.  His conversion to the gospel had been nothing short of a miracle, having had the Book of Mormon placed in his hands by Lyman Stoddard and knowing of its truthfulness immediately.  There was opposition from his wife, in-laws and his own family, however he would not be deterred from being baptized.  From that point until his death, he depended on prayer and faith to guide his life.  His contribution to the settling of the southern part of Utah, northern parts of Arizona and parts of New Mexico is remarkable.  He served as president of the Indian Mission and served as a missionary over 32 years in this calling.  He had four wives, Lucinda Taylor, Rachel Judd, Priscilla Leavitt, and Louisa Bonelli and fathered 24 children.  He adopted a Native American Son and 3 Native American daughters.

This is such a cliff-notes version of his story, but it gives you an idea of his love of the gospel, his love for the prophet, Brigham Young and the Native American People.  It has been stated, "that he lived with the Indians, ate with the Indians and starved with the Indians.  He spoke over 9 Native American Languages and before he died, traveled over 30,000 miles in his saddle.  He was originally buried in New Mexico and then eventually moved to Alpine AZ.

We had to say good bye to one of our wonderful Sr. Couples, The Dewitts.  But as you can see we had a fun time doing it.  We wish them well on their next journey.  We will be loosing another two couples, the Child's and Drolett's next month.  We will remember all these couple's as they so sweetly trained and put up with us newbies.  What a wonderful example of service and testimony they have each shared with us.  Transfers are coming up this Saturday and we will loosing some of our sweet sisters as well.  Six of them will be returning home next Wednesday and I think I may cry.  What capable strong young women they are with limitless futures.  We love them all.

P-dayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!  We got up early last Friday morning and drove up to Beaver and across Hwy 153 and 137.  We went leaf peeping and wow we peeped a lot.  The leaves were beautiful and the weather perfect.  We stopped at Cedar Breaks and hiked the Spectra​​​​ Point trail.  This is a trail that goes right along the horse-shoe shaped canyon out to a 1600 year old Bristol Cone​​​​​​​​ Pine Tree.  The elevation was over 10,000 feet and it felt like we were sucking air through a plugged straw.  It was fantastic but rather challenging.  The forest ranger said it was a moderate hike and then I read the description in the guide book and it was listed as a strenuous hike.  It was a good thing it was only a mile out and a mile back, but wouldn't have missed it for the world.

Saved the best for last.  Our wonderful friends who continue to visit us.  Roger and Elaine Christensen stopped by for dinner and the production of Joseph at Tuachan.  We laughed all night and shared mission experiences.  Roger and Elaine served as Mission Presidents in the Long Beach Mission and loved every minute and we know their missionaries loved them.  Friends and Family are our greatest treasure.

We send love and happiness to all,

Bruce and Dawna

(Elder and Sister)

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