In the early days of the church, men left their young families behind while they went on missions to help spread the gospel.
Look at this experience of President Young and Kimball:
“‘September 14th, … President Brigham Young left his home at Montrose to
start on the mission to England. He was so sick that he was unable to
go to the Mississippi, a distance of thirty rods, without assistance.
After he had crossed the river he rode behind Israel Barlow on his horse
to my house, where he continued sick until the 18th. He left his wife
sick with a babe only three weeks old, and all of his other children
were sick and unable to wait upon each other. Not one soul of them was
able to go to the well for a pail of water, and they were without a
second suit to their backs, for the mob in Missouri had taken nearly all
he had. On the 17th, Sister Mary Ann Young got a boy to carry her up in
his wagon to my house, that she might nurse and comfort Brother Brigham
to the hour of starting.
“‘September 18th, Charles Hubbard sent his boy with a wagon and span of
horses to my house; our trunks were put into the wagon by some brethren;
I went to my bed and shook hands with my wife who was then shaking with
a chill, having two children lying sick by her side; I embraced her and
my children, and bade them farewell. My only well child was little
Heber P., and it was with difficulty he could carry a couple of quarts
of water at a time to assist in quenching their thirst.
“‘It was with difficulty we got into the wagon, and started down the
hill about ten rods; it appeared to me as though my very inmost parts
would melt within me at leaving my family in such a condition, as it
were almost in the arms of death. I felt as though I could not endure
it. I asked the teamster to stop, and said to Brother Brigham, “This is
pretty tough, isn’t it; let’s rise up and give them a cheer.” We arose,
and swinging our hats three times over our heads, shouted: “Hurrah,
hurrah for Israel.” Vilate, hearing the noise, arose from her bed and
came to the door. She had a smile on her face. Vilate and Mary Ann Young
cried out to us: “Goodbye, God bless you!” We returned the compliment,
and then told the driver to go ahead. After this I felt a spirit of joy
and gratitude, having had the satisfaction of seeing my wife standing
upon her feet, instead of leaving her in bed, knowing well that I should
not see them again for two or three years’” (Orson F. Whitney, Life of Heber C. Kimball, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1967, pp. 265–66).
I remember Grandma Johns sharing this story shortly before
she and grandpa went on thier mission to Tonga. I remember feeling
comforted everytime I would read the end of their emails saying "Hurrah
for Israel!" This brought to my remembrance why they were serving a
mission and why it was important to support them.
Like Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball, I'm not
leaving home in the circumstances I imagined. But, I know my purpose.
I will be laboring to bring others unto Christ and to build up the
kingdom of God. Indeed, this is a happy day. Hurrah for Israel,
Hurrah!
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