 |
| Ezra Chase |
 |
| Isaac Chase |
I enjoy the story of my two Great, Great, Great, Great, Great Uncles, Ezra and Isaac Chase. They were very successful business partners in a farming and milling venture in Sparta, Livingston, New York. As their families prospered, they acquired many luxuries in their households, causing them to be referred to as "well-to-do Sparta citizens". They were very comfortable and thought they were settled for life.
In 1839 a missionary by the name of Pelatiah Brown introduced them to the restored gospel and they recognized the truthfulness of his message. They were baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on or before April 27, 1839, and soon afterwards the Sparta saints began to hold their meetings in Ezra's home. In September of that same year, Ezra was called to preside as the Branch President in Sparta.
When the Prophet Joseph encouraged the saints to sell their holdings and gather with the saints in Zion, the brothers followed his counsel, selling their homes, business, and 373 acres of land in Livingston County, at great sacrifice, but which still left Ezra with $3,765.00 and Isaac with $4,446.000, a considerable wealth at that time and place.
After acquiring the necessary provisions, they left Sparta together in a company of eight wagons (some accounts say eleven wagons). This was such a novel sight that many people flocked to see them. When they learned that it was Mormons moving to the body of the Church, they were very curious and asked many questions and especially wanted to see the Mormon Bible. When the Bible was handed to them they would say:
"Why, this
is the Bible we have."
And the answer was:
"Yes, it is, and the Bible we have."
I'm quite sure that these missionary minded brothers also shared the Book of Mormon, while their correct answer is still one that needs to be taught to the world. We believe the Bible to be the word of God, as far as it is translated correctly.
