Isaac & Lucy Morley

Isaac & Lucy Gunn Morley

Kids: Philena, Lucy, Editha, Calista, Unnamed Daughter, Unnamed Son, Cordelia, Theresa, Isaac

Isaac Morley was known to the Prophet Joseph Smith as Father Morley. He was a faithful, wonderful member. I love his stories of leadership and repentance and never-ending faith. Following is a story that took place in Manti, Utah with the local Indian tribe (credit to Richard Henrie Morley for this work which was part of his thesis):

About March 1, 1850, Chief Walker accosted Morley with a merciless request, one few civilized white men could accept with dignity. Morley's plural wife, Hannah, had given birth to a son named Simeon Thomas. This child, who had large laughing brown eyes and curly brown hair, was a great source of joy in their home since he was born late in the couple's life. The weather was brisk when Walker arrived and whereas he had never threatened the colonists with open rebellion before, he did this day. He rode his white horse to within a few feet of Morley's cottage door and demanded that Morley give his "papoose" in exchange for the colony.

The motivation for this brutal request came from a whim of Walker's squaw, who coveted the infant. Walker might have employed this cunning method to test Morley's courage, as God had tested Abraham of old by asking him to sacrifice his beloved son, Isaac, to see if he could be trusted. Father Morley was willing to give anything except his son, "Take bread or beef instead of my papoose," he pleaded, but Walker gestured no other prize would satisfy him.

When the Chief stepped forward, Sister Hannah Morley fainted and her husband asked that his own life be taken. The tall Indian refused, so Father Morley reasoned with those in his house: "It is better to lose our baby than the whole settlement and the boy too." He handed the one‑year‑old Simeon to Walker who wheeled his horse around and rode off with other tribesmen.

Brother Morley encouraged his wife to have faith that all would be well with Simeon. She had no faith in the crafty Indian chief, but together they prayed throughout the night for their son's safety. After daybreak, Walker returned Simeon who was very dirty, uninjured, and happy to see his parents

When asked to explain why the child was returned, Walker replied, "Your squaw feel bad, we bring him back." Walker's wife was quick to explain, "He laid in my arms all night and sleep tight." This experience seemed to weld a friendship between Morley and the Chief.

About two weeks after this incident, on March 13, 1850, Chief Walker came to Manti at President Morley's invitation and offered himself to be baptized for the remission of his sins. Considering the request a "distinct privilege," Morley baptized him in City Creek and confirmed him a member of the Church Three months later, on June 9, Walker was ordained an elder in the Melchizedek Priesthood, the first of his tribe to be so honored.

Joseph & Lucy Allen

Joseph Stewart & Lucy Diantha Morley Allen

Kids: Mary, Caroline, Lucy, Cordelia, Calista, Joseph, Isaac, Charles, Hyrum, Harriet, Simeon, Clara

Grandma Florence Cheney shared these stories regarding her grandfather, Joseph Allen:

The Power in Prayer

While grandfather was in Zion's Camp, walking as he did most of the way, his shoes gave out and he went on as long as he could without any although his feet were sore and bleeding. He said to his companion one day, "I simply cannot go on any further.“ They knelt down and prayed to the Lord to assist him in some way to be able to travel on. 

After resting for some time longer, they arose to go and there by the side of the log was a pair of shoes. "These were surely meant for you, Brother Allen," said his companion, "They would not fit my feet, they are too small“. So grandfather put the shoes on, which fit perfectly and they traveled feeling secure that faith in the Lord always brings tis' reward. 

(Later while he was on a mission in Indiana the following incident occurred.) 

It was in the spring of the year, he and his companion had made an appointment for a meeting the following evening. The next day as they were going to fulfill their appointment, a little stream which they had crossed the previous day was swollen to a flood of rushing torrent, impossible to cross. They knew of a ferry up-stream some distance but going to that crossing would make than late for their meeting, so they did not know what to do about it. 

Grandfather said, “Let us ask the Lord." They knelt and asked the Lords assistance. As they arose from their knees they saw a big man on an extra large horse coming across the stream toward them. The horse could not possibly have touched the bottom of the stream. "Do you gentle-men wish to cross?" he asked, "I will take you over." 

They then mounted the horse with the man and were soon safely on the other side. After climbing off the horse, they turned to offer their thanks to the kind benefactor, when to their surprise and astonishment both horse and rider were gone. They went their way rejoicing having learned the power of faith in the true Gospel.

William & Ellen Fowler

William & Ellen Bradshaw Fowler

Kids: Harriet, Henry, Florence

William Fowler wrote the famous LDS hymn, “We Thank Thee O God For a Prophet.” He was part of many miracles as a missionary and early church member. Here is the story of his conversion:

On his first contact with the missionaries he was given a tract that had the testimony of Joseph Smith written in it. Upon reading the tract he declared that the writer was certainly a man of God and a Prophet. He had not even read the Book of Mormon and would not get one for a while because they were in short supply in Great Britain, but he already had a burning testimony of Joseph Smith (Chene', Helen). 

William was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (also known as the Mormon Church) on the 29th of July 1849 at Sheffield, England, by Elder J. V. Long. William would face difficulties on account of his new faith. His boss discharged him when he found out he had joined the Mormon Church and William had to find other employment. He had to learn to deal with the common prejudice against the Mormons. 

William became engaged to a young lady who attended the Mormon meetings, but was not a member of the Church. She accompanied him to meetings, and she said she would be baptized. However, whenever she was asked to set her baptismal date, she always answered, "Not yet, but I will soon." William rented a house and bought all new furniture to furnish it. One day, he approached her very gravely and asked, "Are you going to be baptized before our wedding?" "No," she said very firmly. "Why not?" He asked anxiously. "You have told me all along you would be." "What difference does it make?" She asked. "It makes all the difference in the world to me," he answered. "I will not marry a girl that does not belong to the Church." "Well," she said. "I'm not getting baptized to suit your whim." "If you thought as much of this Church as I do, you would want to belong to it. If you will not be baptized that puts an end to our marriage, definitely." "You do not love me," she accused, "or you would not let that hinder us." "I do love you," he said, "very dearly, but my religion means more to me than my love for a woman, so we will not be married." he arose and went away very sadly and in sore disappointment. 

He took the furniture back to the firm where he had purchased it; but hey would not accept it at full value. He had to sell it at a discount. This all contributed to his unhappiness. But he had demonstrated his faith his loyalty to the Church. At some point, William's brothers, John, Henry, and George all heard the gospel and joined the Church. This must have been a great joy to William.