Martha Matilda McGill Nelson - Life Story Part Six

Martha Morgan: A Journey to Zion

by Alan Morgan Kendall
(pictures and documents added)

Life in Nephi 

The first settlers came to Salt Creek in October 1851, so when the Morgans arrived the next

year, things were still just getting started. [Salt Creek is east of Nephi, Utah]

Salt Creek Canyon

     William and Martha left few records of their time in Nephi. One can be sure that they were more concerned with surviving than with leaving a history of it. William was now challenged with becoming a farmer rather than a miner. Fortunately, he had some experience of working in the fields as a youth, but it must have been, none the less, a learning experience for the entire family.

A sad reminder of their stay in Nephi is a tiny grave. Martha gave birth to a daughter, Mary Ann Elizabeth in 1853, but she lived for only just over a year.23

Their sadness must have been offset by being involved and working cooperatively with the Saints in Nephi. It was now not only what they had sought for in leaving their native land, but necessary for their survival. They received further comfort and reassurance in August of 1854 when William Cazier laid hands upon them and pronounced a patriarchal blessing, declaring them to be descended from the noble tribe of Joseph, and revealing other aspect of God's will that would comfort them in their journey yet to come. Both William and Martha received their blessings at this time, as well as their older children Catherine, 12, and Daniel, 10.24  

[I have William and Martha's patriarchal blessings, if any of you want them, please get in touch with me or leave a note in the comments and I will see that you get one.  They are beautiful blessings.  However, Martha received her blessing after the death of William.  William received his in 1854 and Martha, her's in 1882] 

Sacred Covenants

The sacred endowment and the marriage sealing were the pinnacle of the eternal ordinances offered to the Latter-day Saints. Upon their arrival in the Salt Lake valley, the vanguard of pioneers under the direction of Brigham Young began  making preparations for the building of a temple for these holy purposes. As the completion of this or any temple was still years in the future, a means was provided for church members to receive the endowment. It was the Endowment  House, built on what is now temple square in Salt Lake City. 

Endowment House

It appears that William and Martha were anxiously engaged in the work of the Kingdom, and also anxious to receive their ordinances. The Endowment House was opened in 1855, and they

made the journey to Salt Lake City in September of that year. That was a trip of 90 miles and

probably took 4-5 days to complete. Travelers in those days frequently stayed with family or

friends in the evenly spaced settlements along the Wasatch front. Significantly, they were

joined by Andrew and Jane Patterson for the trip, who must have traveled all the way from Cedar

City, an even lengthier journey.

And so it was that the four of them and about twenty others, spent the day on 4 September 1855

in the endowment house, for it was an all day experience in those times. Among those administering the endowment were such luminaries as Heber C. Kimball, W. W. Phelps, and Eliza R. Snow. Another present who probably remembered the Morgans from his days in Scotland was Apostle Orson Pratt. At the conclusion of the day at 4 pm, as the sun hung low over the Oquihhr Mountains, William and Martha knelt at an altar in the endowment house and were sealed as husband and wife for eternity by Pres. Kimball. J. W. Cummings and W. W. Phelps acted as witnesses.25 

Sources

23. LDS Church Membership Records.

24. Index to Patriarchal Blessings: 1833-1963. Family History Library [FHL] Microfilm

392673, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.

25. Endowment House Records. Family History Library Special Collections [FHL] Microfilm

1149524, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.