Akron Ohio Stake News

Hear Him

by Sister Alice Hauser, Stake Relief Society Second Counselor

During these past weeks, I have been continually drawn to President Nelson’s words from General Conference this April. “Hear Him.” (April 2020 General Conference) He promises that although the temples are closed because of the pandemic, that if we turn to Family History work, we will be able to “increase and improve our ability to hear Him.”

I have taken those words to heart. One thing that I have focused on is reading the personal histories, letters, and patriarchal blessings of my mother and grandmothers, and the great women that gave life to them. It has bolstered my strength and endurance during these difficult times, and many times, I have felt the presence of the Holy Ghost, not only as a comforter but also as witnesses of our Savior and our Heavenly Father.

My great grandmother, Leona Jane Hatch Wilcox, is one of my greatest examples of strength, humility, and endurance. She married at age 20 in 1905 to Joseph Edward Wilcox in the Salt Lake City Temple. They had a farm in Farmington, Utah. After her first son, Ellis, was born, her husband was called to Australia for a three-year mission in 1907. The postcards that have been preserved leave just a trace of her loneliness and struggles to maintain the farm in his absence. But she continually showed her love to him and hoped that they would one day be together again. When he returned, they had my grandfather Wilford, and four more children, but their youngest, baby Dale, passed away before he was a year old. Harley, a few years younger than my grandfather, fell out of one of their cherry trees and spent two years in Primary Children’s Hospital in a body cast. When he was finally released, his back was so crooked that he spent most of his days in a wheelchair. Leona spent many hours tutoring him since he couldn’t go to school. 

They had an old victrola, and Harley loved to listen to music. In 1925, her beloved Joseph was electrocuted in a freak farming accident. His brother Clyde was driving horses they were using to move a derrick. Something scared the horses, and they raced ahead before they could lower the pole. The pole came in contact with a high-tension power line, and everyone fell with the shock. 

My great grandfather was the only one not to get up. The boots he was wearing were old military boots with iron-studded soles. He was killed instantly. Two weeks later, their youngest son, Joseph, was born. Leona was left again, this time to raise six children by herself and run the farm. She lost Harley to complications of his fall when he turned 18 and the old victrola was never to be used again. Her 16-year-old daughter LaVaun passed away a year later to meningitis. 

Not only did she love and mentor these children and run a farm in difficult times, she loved and mentored my mom, who at 18 lost her own mother. My mom always referred to Leona as “Grandma Wilcox on the Farm.” How she loved her. The few times I remember being with Great Grandma Wilcox are precious to me. 

I climbed those same apple trees that cost Harley his health and then his life. I remember her brown bread and her old black iron stove. She wrote me letters as a child and made me a quilt for my doll. 

I take courage from her. If she could handle such a life, can I gather some of that strength and be a force for good during these times? Well, yes. And so can you. 

I’ve been watching the sisters around me serve with great strength and personal revelation. Some of those acts of service have been making masks for health care workers, family, and friends. Bishop Hauser and I have been the beneficiaries of hot bread and cookies.

Sisters have delivered meals to those in need. Our Primary chorister put together a beautiful video of all of our ward children singing and holding the words to a beautiful song…sharing it online to uplift us. Families are gathering in prayer and fasting with our prophet, praying for our country. 

There are countless needs in communities all around us. President Nelson said, “I renew my plea for you to do whatever it takes to increase your spiritual capacity to receive personal revelation.” Let’s take his words and gather the strength from the women who made the way for us, and invite our Father to instruct us on the best way to use that strength. 

Shall we not carry on in so great a cause? (Doctrine and Covenants 128:22)

We love each one of you. May God bless you and keep you. Hear Him.