Gratitude

During a funeral yesterday for a precious six month old little girl, I gazed upon this tiny casket and was grateful. At this time of year we are reminded to focus on family and blessings of lasting importance. 

Idaho Falls Idaho Temple

As I looked and listened yesterday to messages of love, eternal families and the promises of temple sealing and covenants, my heart was full of thanksgiving. I was especially thankful for this place, one of the most important places for me personally on this earth:

In this building, on December 10, 1953, my parents covenanted with each other and with the Lord to be together for eternity. Their two children, Sherry and Kevin, were sealed to them on that day as a forever family. My sisters, Sandi, Louise and Carol, and I were born into this family covenant which promises eternal ties. 

I didn't meet Louise or Carol in this earthly existence and two tiny caskets were needed for them shortly after birth. Because of the temple promises, our family will one day all be together. 

Many years later, in 1979, I entered this temple as a bride and was sealed to my wonderful eternal companion. My sons were born into that covenant of an eternal family unit.

Many other family members have been endowed, married, and sealed in this beautiful temple and other dedicated temples around the world. Some of these sacred vows have been performed live, others vicariously. 

It was also in this hallowed building that my angel Mother began her journey home to her Heavenly Father. Because of the promises made and received in the temple, we know that we will be with her again if we live worthily.

There is so much to be grateful for because of the blessings of family and of the temple. 

Samuel Fuller, Pilgrim Father

Prominently among those credited with the formation of the Pilgrim Church in 1605 is the name Samuel Fuller, the brother of my 10^th Great Grandfather, Thomas Fuller.

It has been said, “The Pilgrims were not remarkable men … but they did possess fine qualities for the work which they were destined to accomplish, remarkable energy, faith, purpose, courage and patience.” (“Women of the Mayflower” by  Annie Russell Marble)

These admirable men were bound together by a common religious faith, but not common social status, representing all the different classes of English life. Yet, humbly they merged to form a community, each contributing to the good of the whole. Samuel was the son of a butcher, and before he moved from England to Amsterdam with the Pilgrim movement, had acquired sufficient education to practice medicine. Nevertheless, for the good of the group, he also learned the practical trade of “say weaver”, or the weaver of fine textured cloth (silk).

Samuel's life had not been easy. Prior to boarding the Mayflower, he had buried his first two wives, Alice Glascock and Agnes Carpenter and had wed his third bride, Bridget Lee. Bridget did not sail with him to America, staying behind with plans to join her husband later, after a settlement was established.  Samuel took with him a young servant, a fatherless adolescent boy named William Butten, who was the only passenger to die during the voyage itself, passing away three days before land was sighted.

At the conclusion of the crossing, in Cape Cod, on the 11th day of November, 1620, a platform of government known as the Compact was drawn on the lid of a chest on board the ship, and signed by forty-one of the principal men.

Although the original document has not been found, transcriptions of the period record that Great Uncle Samuel was the 8^th signer of The Mayflower Compact, which read as follows (SIC):

"In the name of God, amen. We, whose names are underwritten, the Loyal Subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord King James, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c. Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith, and the Honour of our King and Country, a Voyage to plant the first Colony in the northern Parts of Virginia; Do by these Presents, solemnly and mutually, in the Presence of God and one another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil Body Politick, for our better Ordering and Preservation, and Furtherance of the Ends aforesaid: And by Virtue hereof do enact, constitute, and frame, such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions, and Officers, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general Good of the Colony; unto which we promise all due Submission and Obedience. 

IN WITNESS whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names at Cape-Cod the eleventh of November, in the Reign of our Sovereign Lord King James, of England, France, and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth, Anno Domini, 1620."

The Mayflower finally set anchor in Plymouth Harbor in December, 1620. A year of extreme hardship and sacrifice followed. With sickness rampant, Samuel served diligently as physician and surgeon. His skills were also offered to native Americans who were injured during skirmishes with the settlers.

Samuel also played a prominent role in the church congregation, serving as Deacon in the church in Plymouth, a role quite different from Deacon in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints today.

In early autumn of 1621, the 53 surviving Pilgrims celebrated their first successful harvest, as was the English custom.  That 1621 celebration is remembered as the "First Thanksgiving in Plymouth."

Great Uncle Samuel is listed as one of the twenty-two men present.

As a deeply religious people, the Pilgrims undoubtedly prayed at the 1621 harvest feast. Their prayers were spontaneous  and the exact words are not known. A typical prayer of gratitude of the period, as recorded in 1625 gives us an idea of what  this Thanksgiving prayer may have included (SIC):

“O Lord our God and heavenly Father, which of Thy unspeakable mercy towards us, hast provided meate and drinke for the nourishment of our weake bodies. Grant us peace to use them reverently, as from Thy hands, with thankful hearts: let Thy blessing rest upon these Thy good creatures, to our comfort and sustentation: and grant we humbly beseech Thee, good Lord, that as we doe hunger and thirst for this food of our bodies, so our soules may earnestly long after the food of eternal life, through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, Amen.”

Samuel died in 1633, one of at least ten who succumbed to a smallpox epidemic in Plymouth.  This is recorded in the writings of William Bradford (SIC): 

".... and in the end, after he had much helped others, Samuel Fuller who was their surgeon and physician an had been a great help and comfort unto them.  As in his faculty, so otherwise being a deacon of the church, a man godly and forward to do good, being much missed after his death. And he and the rest of their brethren much lamented by them and caused much sadness and mourning amongst them, which caused them to humble themselves and seek the Lord; and towards winter it pleased the Lord the sickness ceased."

  

Seeing the Good

On this day, one hundred and twenty years ago, Ethel Hurst was born in Hyde Park, Utah. She is shown here, 100 years ago, in 1915, with her siblings.

Ethel is seated third from the left on the front row

Ethel married Robert Rector Speas and became a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother.  She spent her life using her many talents to bless the lives of everyone around her. 

Perhaps Ethel's greatest talent was the ability to consistently see the good in others. Although the small community in which she lived, Woodville, Idaho, was idyllic, not everyone who lived there was perfectly good, except to Ethel's eyes. Her words were always kind and uplifting about others. Of course, as with all talents, this was not simply a gift, it was practiced over a long period of time until it became part of Ethel's very nature. A very close acquaintance in her community beautifully described her  talent: "I never heard Ethel say anything bad about anyone."

Ethel's granddaughter, Marsha

Ethel became very important in the life of this little girl, me. A seemingly insignificant event that happened when I was about five illustrates how my Grandma Ethel strengthened others through her talent of seeing good.

One day Grandma joined my Mom and I on a routine trip to the grocery store. After our shopping was done and we were on our way home, Grandma reached over the car seat and handed me a nickel. That doesn't seem like much today, but in 1963, a nickel was a lot to me. 

Grandma sweetly told me she was so proud of me - my behavior that morning had been the very best and I hadn't begged for a single thing during the whole excursion. 

Grandma Speas

Why do I still remember that tiny little experience fifty-two years later? Because Grandma made me feel so good about myself, and it was genuine, not phony. I knew that her praise was earned and that her words were true. I don't know how long of a wait it was, or how many shopping trips preceded this one, but Grandma patiently waited for an occasion to reward me with positive words. 

Grandma practiced that same patience and positive reinforcement with everyone. I love her so much and honor her today on her birthday.

Two books

Take a look at the home of my Great, Great Grandparents, Richard Brooks and Johanna Evans Goodworth in Kamas, Utah. 

Richard was born in England and came to Utah in  a handcart company of Mormon immigrants.

Richard's formal education was limited to the 6th grade, but his thirst for knowledge didn't stop as he left the schoolroom; he continued to learn through self-education. His life story lists only two books that he studied and absorbed, but these two provided what he needed  in sacred and secular learning.

1. The Bible - Richard was known as quite a Bible student. With a remarkable memory, he not only studied this sacred book, histories state that he could quote much of the Bible from memory giving chapter and verse. 
2. The dictionary was said to be his constant companion and he used it almost continually.
   

Richard's example of perpetual learning and making the most of what you have available is inspiring to me. With vast amounts of information available instantaneously through electronic access, the skills of study and memorization are sometimes neglected in our day. 

Richard must have understood and believed the principle that is now included in the Doctrine and Covenants 130:18. This section includes instruction that the Prophet Joseph Smith gave in 1843:

•  "Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection." 

I hope to meet my Great, Great Grandfather someday and maybe he'll teach me a thing or two.

Faith and Finances

Winfield Hurst

My grandma had a favorite brother named Winfield. I like to think he had a favorite little sister, named Ethel. They were nearly four years apart, but very close and loyal to one another throughout their lives. 

Winfield was called as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Southern States Mission, where he served with Elder Clinton R. Thorne. These missionary companions developed a great respect for each other and when the time came for Winfield’s release, the Thorne family invited him to visit their home, as they had come to feel as if he were a family member, through their son’s glowing reports.

         

My suspicion is that the Thorne’s had plans for the returning Elder, for soon after he arrived everyone seemed to be exceptionally busy with work to do, except their daughter Arvella, who was surprisingly free to entertain Winfield.  He soon recognized her as an “unusual and superior young woman”, but he didn’t dare let himself fancy her as more than a friend, for she was popular, with a home and parents that could give her everything, while he felt he had little to offer.

After an extended visit, the pair continued their courtship through letters, which Arvella said were few and far between and terribly lacking in romance, but I’m sure you have already guessed that the two fell in love and were married.

Winfield was right about having little to offer in the way of temporal means, but the couple pooled their faith and spiritual resources in a way that supported and sustained their large family and brought them much happiness.

An article in the Deseret News on December 6, 1941, describes how this faithful partnership succeeded:

The story was captioned: 

• Nine years after starting life anew with nine children, Bishop Winfield Hurst of Declo, Idaho, has paid off a farm mortgage and is completely out of debt, because of his family’s special effort to live the Gospel as advised by Church leaders.

The article then told Winfield and Arvella's story in his own words:

Winfield and Arvella's Family

“For several years we lived in the Milk River Valley of Montana.  We weren’t well satisfied with conditions there as we had a large family of small children and they were deprived of many opportunities enjoyed by children who live in an organized ward.  

So in the fall of 1932 we decided to leave and go to a place where conditions were more favorable to rearing a family.

This was at a time when the depression had reached its worst stage, and to pick up and move with a family of small children to a place where we were unacquainted was a big undertaking and a great responsibility, but after a lot of serious and prayerful thought we moved to Declo in the Burley Stake.  Here we purchased an 80-acre farm.  

After the expense of moving we were able, by practicing strict economy, to make a down payment of $1,000 on a farm.  Then we went to work.

President Heber J. Grant

We had nine children, the oldest a girl of 13.  How to pay for our home was our problem.  

We were familiar with the advice of President Heber J. Grant who said, ‘If you want to get out of debt pay a full and honest tithing.’  We had always paid our tithing, but now resolved to make a special effort to see that this law was complied with in full, for we recognized Heber J. Grant as a prophet of the Lord and also the Lord’s mouthpiece here on earth.  We also believed in the words of the Lord as found in the Doctrine of Covenants:

I the Lord am bound when you do what I say, but when you do not what I say, you have no promise.

Times have not been what one would call good since we located here.  During that time three more children have come to our home, making twelve in all.  We have enjoyed a good, comfortable living during these nine years, and a few days ago when the sugar refinery paid for our beets we were able to make the final payment on the farm mortgage and now we are free from debt.  

This is only additional evidence to us that it pays to follow the counsel of Church Authorities, and that the Lord will surely make good His promises.”

Now we can see why Grandma admired and respected her older brother Winfield. He has been an inspiration to many through his faithful obedience and thrift.

A Shock of Corn Full Ripe

Richard Warren - to right of center in rear

As Thanksgiving approaches, I am grateful for Richard Warren, my eleventh Great Grandfather. (Without going into detail, suffice it to say that I descended from him through the Chase line.) I am equally appreciative for his remarkable wife, Elizabeth Walker Warren.

Mayflower

Richard was born in 1578. He married Elizabeth and they became the parents of five beautiful daughters. He came to America on the Mayflower, alone, in 1620. Elizabeth waited three years before bringing her daughters, aboard the ship Anne, to join their father in the New World.

Annie Russell Marble, author of The Women Who Came in the Mayflower described Elizabeth as a “companion of good breeding and efficiency”. She further editorialized of the five daughters, “it is safe to assume they were attractive for, in a few years, all were well married.”

Two more sons were born to the family in America before Richard’s death in 1628. The New England Memorial recorded his death with honor in this manner (SIC): 

“This year (1628) died Mr. Richard Warren, who was an useful instrument and during his life bare a deep share in the difficulties and troubles of the first settlement of the Plantation of New Plymouth.”

Elizabeth Walker Warren

Evidently Elizabeth was a woman of independent means, for she never remarried.

An interesting insight into Elizabeth’s faith, fortitude and character is found in the Court Records wherein her servant was prosecuted for (SIC), “speaking profane and blasphemous speeches against ye majestie of God. She (Elizabeth) exhorted him to fear God and doe his duty.”

The widow Elizabeth survived her husband for forty-five years, living to the age of ninety-three, a remarkable lifespan for that generation, leaving seventy-five great grandchildren.

At the time of her death, The Old Plymouth Colony Records paid her tribe (SIC), “Mistress Elizabeth Warren, having lived a Godly life came to her Grave as a Shock of corn full Ripe. She was honourably buried on the 24^th of October (1673).”

The Evolution of a Name

Where did the name McCracken originate and how has the name evolved through time? 

This is a fun question to research and there nearly as many opinions and theories as there are experts. Here are a few highlights:

Heritage:  I’ve long been told that my heritage is Scotch-Irish, which I always assumed meant a mixture of Scottish and Irish blood lines, but many reputable sources argue with that reasoning. Instead, they boldly claim that the label Scotch-Irish refers to people of Irish descent who moved to Northern Ireland and resided there for a short time before immigrating to North America. That sounds reasonable, but nevertheless, in our case, there seems to have been more than more than one move back and forth between Scotland and Ireland, so there is a good chance we are an exception to the above rule.

Spelling: I quickly learned in elementary school that it was necessary to verbalize the capitalization when spelling my name, “Capital M, little c, Capital C, r, a, c, k, e, n, - no spaces.”  

Although that is the correct way for our modern family tree, a preliminary family history search returns a myriad of variations on the name, including: MacCracken, MacCraken, MacCrackan, MacCrackin, McCraken, McCrackan, McCrackin, McCraccan, McCrekan, MacCrachen, McCraikane, M'Craken, Makcarkan, Makcrakane, Makcraken, Makcrakane, M'Crekane, M'Crokane, McKraken, McKrachin, McKeracken, M'Krekane. 

No wonder some of our ancestors said, “Mack, just Mack, will do just fine.” Brilliant!

Variations: How did all of these variations come to be? The first logical reason would seem to be that few common laborers were trained in writing, spelling and phonetics; genealogies were recorded by oral historians.  That is true and the word “oral” is the key to the puzzle. To put it another way, the pronunciation of consonants in the Scottish Gaelic language is largely responsible for the variations and changes in spelling (this will be explained later).

Origin: Most name experts believe that McCracken originated from the family name of Nachten, Lord of Moray, who lived in the 9th century. Over the course of time as his family grew, generational prefixes were added to the name. The Gaelic word for “son” is “mac”, which was added as a prefix to family names. Thus, his sons were Mac Nachtans.

Not convinced? Mac Nachtans? That's not even close to McCracken! How did Mac Nachtans become McCrackens?

Gaelic, like all languages, has its own special sound and spelling rules. These are not just “made up” rules, but have really good reasons. For example, it is quite awkward to sound a “k” followed by an “n”. The American solution to this dilemma is to forget the “k”, as in “know” and “knot”.

Gaelic speakers had a different idea, pronouncing “kn” as “kr”. (Actually, Gaelic didn’t have a letter “k”, but we’re talking about the sounds here.) 

Let’s apply this to names. Let’s use our good friend Neil as an example. His son’s family name would be Mac Neil, using the prefix as described earlier, but his son’s name would be pronounced Mack-reel, changing the “n” to an “r” sound. Make sense?

Okay, but wouldn’t that make Mac Nachtan, Mack-rotten? Oh, dear, there must be more rules we can apply.

The letter combination “ch” in Gaelic was pronounced like a “k”. So the name Mac Nachtan would be Mack-Rocktan to our ears. Getting closer …

As this is becoming quite tedious, here is one simple version of one possible progression from Nachtan to McCracken:

Nachten

Son of Nachten was Mac Nachten

Pronounced Mack-Rocktan

The “t” was difficult to hear and was dropped to make the name Mac Rachen

The “c” sound was duplicated to become Mac Crachen

If “h” sounds like a “k” – why not spell it that way – MacCracken

“Mac” abbreviated to “Mc” - Mc Cracken

Condensed to one word – McCracken

Although our family name has apparently had many mutations and variations throughout the ages, I certainly hope that the family will always remain true to the statement on the Mac Nachtan Clan Crest which bears a castle tower surrounded by a circlet and the pledge “I Hope in God”.