One inspiring example is from an early Saint of the nineteenth century, Warren M. Johnson. he was assigned by Church leaders to perate Lee's Ferry, an important crossing over the Colorado River in the desert of Northern Arizon. Brother Johnson endured great challenges yet remained faithful his entire life. Listen to Brother Johnson explain his family tragedy in a letter to President Wilford Woodruff:
In May 1891 a family.... came here to [Lee's Ferry] from Richfield Utah, where they... spent the winter visiting friends. At Panguitch they buried a child, ... without disinfecting the wagon or themselves... They came to our house, and remained overnight, mingling with my little children.
We knew nothing of the nature of the disease [diphtheria], but had faith in God, as we were here on a very hard mission, and had tried as hard as we knew how to obey the [commandments]... that our children would be spared. But alas, in four and a half days [the oldest boy died] in my arms. Two more were taken down with the disease and we fasted and prayed as much as we thought it wisdom as we had many duties to perform here. we fasted [for] twenty-four hours and once I fasted [for] forty hours, but to no avail, for both my little girls died also. About a week after their death my fifteen year old daughter Melinda was alsot stricken down and we did all we could for her but she soon followed the others... Three of my dear girls and one boy have been taken from us, and the end is not yet. My oldest girl nineteen years old is now prostrated from the disease, and we are fasting and praying in her behalf today... I would ask for your faith and prayers in our behalf however.
"Press On" by Joseph B. Wirthlin
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