A Child's Prayer is Answered

A beautiful Primary song asks an important question:

"Heavenly Father, are you really there, and do you hear and answer every child's prayer?"

Six-year-old Sara Emma Beard, my great aunt, never forgot what happened one day when her mother sent her to their grain bin in Wilford, Idaho, for wheat for the chickens. When she wrote her life story 45 years later, the Spirit she felt during that childhood errand remained  in her heart, because from that moment, she never questioned that God hears and answers prayers.  In her words:

“When I got inside the building I looked back and found the building completely surrounded by hungry cattle. I dared not to go out for fear of being trampled to death.

I was so frightened that the only thing I could think of was to get down on my knees and pray. I did, and when I looked out, there was not a critter in sight. My prayers have been answered many times.”

The Primary song answers its own question:

"Pray, He is there; speak, He is listening. You are His child; His love now surrounds you. He hears your prayer; He loves the children. Of such is the kingdom, the kingdom of heaven."

Happy Birthday Grandpa Beard

Happy Birthday, Grandpa Beard, born October 15, 1905!

Grandpa’s early life in Wilford, Idaho, in a family with twelve siblings, was no doubt full of hard work and sacrifice. From a very young age, he was required to labor in the fields and the barn. From this he learned to love work and he never shied away from it throughout his entire ninety-four years on earth.

Today’s focus is on happy times with his playful father and loving mother, as gleaned from delightful memories recorded by his niece, Edna Beard.

The following are excerpts from Edna’s account of Grandpa’s parents, who she refers to as Grandpa Beard (James Thomas Beard, Sr.) and Grandma Beard (Mary Goodworth Beard):

• I have so many memories of Grandpa Beard. The thing that stands out in my memory most is Grandpa blessing the food.  When we sat down to the big long table on benches that Grandpa had made, Dave and Elmer were at the end of the table on their special benches.  We all knew we couldn’t start to eat until the blessing was given on the food, which was given most of the time by Grandpa.  As soon as he lifted his head, he would reach for a bunch of watercress that he had gathered fresh from the spring, and give it a good shake at one of his grandkids.  It really gave you a start, with that shake of cold water!

(I am conflicted between envisioning an nostalgic scene from the television series, "The Waltons", or the dinner brawl from, "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers".)

Whittling

• Grandpa always got up early in the morning and built the fire with shavings he had whittled the night before on kindling sticks mostly with good pitch that took off like lightning. 
• My very special memory of Grandpa was when he whittled me a little doll from wood.  For hair, he put corn silk on her head.  I really loved that little doll.  He was always whittling a lot.  I can still see him now, in deep thought, just whittling away.

Toasting bread on a fork

•  I also remember him toasting bread on a fork in the front door of the old cook stove.  The toast was made form Grandma’s big slices of bread. 

• For a long time there was a high chair around that Grandpa had made for the babies to sit on.  He whittled all the spokes and the arms. It was really something.

• My fondest memories are of the wildflower garden that Grandma and Grandpa had in front of the mill house. They had a good tight fence made of 2 x 2. It was so lovely.  Grandpa had dug wild columbine from the canyon. The columbine was Grandma’s favorite flower.  They also grew Sweet Williams. The humming birds came several at a time, to flutter in and out of the garden. It was so beautiful, and Grandpa watered and took care of it faithfully.

• Grandpa liked to tease and always had to pull a little tuft of hair, and act like he hadn’t made a move. 

• Grandpa had a nickname for everyone. He called me “Betty Blue Clothes”.  When he called me that he sang a little song that he had made up about it. 

• Grandpa played the accordion, tunes like “Pop Goes the Weasel” and “Wait for the Wagon”.  Grandpa called the cows out of the canyon, and I can still hear him singing “Dandy Cow-ow”.  When he called Grandma, it was “Mary-e-e”, with a loving ring.

• My first memory of Grandma Beard is of how clean she always smelled.  She didn’t have deodorants or body powder that we use today, but I always loved to sit on her lap and have her pat me and sing very softly a little song to me, or even just to hum to me was very special.

• If Grandma ever gave a baby something, like a cookie or a piece of bread and butter, she had to put it in both little hands. She always loved their little hands most of all, and would hold their little hands in her hands and say, “I do love their little hands”.

• How, I wonder, did she cook and take care of so many, and always had lots of food on the table, along with peace and harmony? 

• She always called her sons “My Dear Boys”, and the daughters, “My Dear Girls”. 

• I loved Grandma’s house at the ranch, but I especially loved the one at the mill. The old floorboards and the tables and benches were always scrubbed white with lye water.  

• I remember at the mill house, huge bumblebees would fly in. Of course we were always scared of them, but Grandma would just talk to them and somehow get them into her apron and carry them outside. She would never let anyone harm a bee. 

• At the birth of each grandchild, Grandma would be there for the delivery, and stay until the new mom was back on her feet. She bathed the tiny one, cooked meals and kept up everything else that needed to be done. 

• Grandma was never idle. If she had to go to town with Grandpa to take lumber, she would always take her knitting along and sit there knitting away as the oxen slowly made their way along. 

• Grandma made the best teacakes. Mid-afternoon she always thought the men needed a bite to eat around 3 o’clock. She hurried and stirred up the teacakes, with a few raisins in them. When they were fresh and hot from the oven and spread with fresh butter and cut in squares, she would send them out with a child to the mill. The men would shut the mill down and have their bread. They either had tea or root beer from the spring house, which Grandma made and kept in a big keg with a spigot on it. I don’t know how she made that either. I wish I did!  It had stinging nettle and dandelions in it, and various barks and roots. 

• Living at the mill most of every summer, Grandma would milk the cows.  Sometimes she made cheese; but once a week she would separate the milk and take the cream to town to trade for groceries. Sometimes she would trade a little of the cream for a piece of cloth to finish a quilt she was making. 

• Her quilts and knitting were beautiful.  

• How she ever got so much done besides is a mystery to me; like 12 huge loaves of bread every day, washing on the board, scrubbing, and making the meals.

The Second Wife

Thomas and Mahaleth Beard

"In this day and age it is easy to fall into the trap of thinking a new car, job promotion, beauty makeover, or some level of fame will make us happy. And sometimes it happens - for a time. But it never lasts because wealth, power,  beauty and fame simple don't bring lasting happiness, as much as we wish they would. Rather, true happiness comes from following Christ's example and developing Godlike attributes such as goodness, love, justice and mercy. It comes from serving others and helping them to follow the example and teachings of Jesus Christ. It comes from overcoming the appteties of our human bodies and instead following the promptings of the Spirit. It comes from working hard and having a healthy lifestyle, friends, family, and personal achievements. Regardless of what you do or don't have in this life, your deepest, most lasting happiness will come from knowing God's plan and following it."

These words from lds. org are exemplified by my Great, Great Grandmother, Haley Tanner.

Mahaleth “Haley” Abiah Tanner was born March 30, 1867, in Union, Utah, to John Joshua and Mahaleth Chase Tanner.

Little is known of her life before her marriage June 27, 1884, at the age of seventeen, to my Great, Great Grandfather, Thomas Beard, Jr., age 48. They were sealed for time and all eternity in the Endowment House.

Mary Ann Openshaw Beard
Thomas' First Wife

In this union, she became Thomas’ second wife. As a young man of 22, Thomas had married Mary Ann Openshaw, age 35, the young widow of James Simister. Hence, at the time of Thomas’ marriage to Haley, he had already been married to his first wife, Mary Ann, for twenty-five years. 

President Wilford Woodruff

Three years later, only eight months after the birth of Haley’s first son, John Tanner Beard, her husband was called on a mission by President Wilford Woodruff on October 15, 1887, to his native land, Great Britain, where he labored for two years “without purse or script”. He departed, leaving Haley and young John alone during this service, undoubtedly lonesome for their husband and father. The missionary was described as being willing at any time to oppose friend or foe in defense of the Gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Although it is hard for us to understand the relationships in a plural marriage, everyone said how kind and thoughtful "Aunt Haley" was to Mary Ann, who was known as “Grandmother Beard”. They lived in separate homes, but Haley took care of Mary Ann, especially in her old age. Mary Ann passed away in 1901.

Several years before his marriage to Haley, Thomas (who had been a coal miner most of his life) had been called by the President of the Summit Stake to devote his time to growing vegetables, seeds and flowers. Haley loved flowers and helped her husband in this activity from which they made a very meager income, as the climate in Coalville was quite cold. She also assisted Thomas in landscaping many homes and gardens in Coalville for which they won many blue ribbons and gold medals for best displays at the Summit County Fair.

In 1907, Thomas was called to care for the Coalville Tabernacle, both inside and out. The Beard family labored together to upgrade the grounds and plant flower beds and shrubs. It became known as one of the most beautiful spots in the state and people traveled from all over Utah to see it. The General Conference of the Church was held in this tabernacle at one time, and many spoke of the beautiful building and landscaped grounds.

Thomas Beard passed away December 23, 1917, leaving Haley a widow at age 50.

Haley continued to be known as a willing helper to anyone who needed her help. During the bad flu epidemic of 1918 “Aunt Haley”, as she was affectionately called, went from home to home to nurse and care for the sick, but she, herself, never contacted the flu.

Throughout her life Haley was never heard to complain and was a very pleasant and loving mother to their nine children. She was happy.

The past and the present

Just a glimpse of this Tetonia, Idaho, home takes me back in time to family visits to Grandpa and Grandma Elmer and Lucille Beard. The scene on the front lawn marries the past and the present. 

• The milk can on the front step reminds me of the dairy operation which governed the Beard's lives throughout my childhood. The cows scheduled the time to rise and the time to eat the evening meal.
• The trampoline in the yard speaks of the love between generations as the home passed on to children and grandchildren.

My Uncle Leon lived in this home from childhood to the end of his life. As a single adult, he shared the home with his parents until his mother's death in 1982, after which he and Grandpa shared the household chores as two bachelors.

The following year Leon was married, just shy of his 41st birthday, to Sue Woolstenhulme. A daughter and a son, Katie and Kerry, joined the family and lived here as a multi-generational family until Grandpa passed away in 1999, at the age of 94.  

Sue continues to live in the home today and her grandchildren are frequent guests in the home that has been loved by generations.

The barn and outbuildings played as must a role in family life as the home. 

One of my favorite things to do in Tetonia was to see the curious contents of the shanty behind the home. I'd like to know the stories the walls could tell.

Sing, Sing, Sing

This is my Great, Great Grandfather Richard Brooks Goodworth. He is the Grandfather of my Grandfather Beard.

Richard was born in Crowle, Lincolnshire, England on March 26, 1846, to a large family with three half-brothers, four half-sisters, and later two younger brothers rounded it out to an even ten children. His mother had been widowed with seven children and her second husband, Richard's father, passed away when Richard was only seven years old.

Great, Great Grandfather Goodworth's appearance was very distinctive with an abundance of black, straight stiff hair. A very creative person, he enjoyed changing his look often by wearing different styles of facial hair, sometimes chin bare and sometimes not.

Although the exact date is unknown, he was probably baptized in his native land, and after emigrating to America he served as a Sunday School teacher in the Kamas Ward. 

As sometimes happens through miscommunication and misunderstandings, Richard became offended. He chose to let his feelings keep him away from church activity and could not be persuaded to return. Nevertheless, he was known in the community for his friendliness, honesty and consideration.

Everyone knows that the Beard family is blessed with superior musical talent. Some of that musicality was inherited from this good man. His talents and hobbies were writing poetry and singing. 

It was said that he could sing all night long and not repeat himself. Many neighbors were invited to spend evenings in the Goodworth home enjoying this entertainment.

At the age of 50 he contracted severe pneumonia. There were no doctors in the area, so his wife Johanna treated him with every remedy she could acquire, but his strength never returned. 

Richard did not feel worthy due to his inactivity, but obviously had great faith he God. He knew that his eighteen year old son Joseph was a righteous man and that the Lord would answer his prayers. So one evening he asked Joseph, "Mind doing me a favor?" His son eagerly replied, "Anything I can." Richard's request shocked his son, "Before you go to bed, pray that if I can't get well, I may die. Pray for me to die without suffering." Joseph protested vigorously, "I can't." But his father was insistent and reminded him, "I've always taught you to keep your word." 

From that moment on Richard refused further medication. Joseph's prayer was answered and Richard passed away on May 9, 1896. He is buried in the Old Cemetery located in Francis, Utah.

Uncle Leon's Resting Place

Elmer Leon Beard is my well loved uncle. 

When he passed away in December, 2013, at the age of 71, his wife Sue and son Kerry lovingly constructed his casket by their own hands of weathered barn wood from buildings that had been on the Beard property for generations. It is very probable that the wood was milled by the Beard family.

Leon's resting place in the Cache Clawson Cemetery in Tetonia, Idaho, has recently been marked by this beautiful memorial stone.

I'm confident that Leon is well pleased with the engravings which celebrate everything he held dear:

• His wife and children
• The temple which signifies his eternal link to his family including his parents and siblings
• The farm, illustrated by a barn, silo and corral
• The Teton Valley, with the beautiful Teton Peaks, his lifelong home. 

No further epitaph is necessary.

Lucille Beard Groceries

The date is October 12, 1939. The past fifteen months my Grandmother Lucille Chase McCracken Beard had seen tremendous lows and highs. She has buried her first husband, Demar, worked multiple jobs to provide for her son and daughter, married her long time friend Elmer, and she is now nearing the delivery of her third child, who will be a son, Aaron.

As much as possible, the family table is spread with home grown produce, game, and eggs and dairy products fresh from the barn.  Food is preserved for the cold winter months, but, the growing season is short in Tetonia and gardens are plagued by late and early frosts, making self sufficiency a challenge.

This picture of the interior of A. C. Miner's Store in Tetonia was taken approximately during this time period and gives a glimpse into Grandma's shopping options. 

Here is an exterior photograph of the grocery.

The grocery store ads from The Ashton Herald newspaper on this date, October 12, 1939,  give us a glimpse of what Grandma would spend for foods to supplement what they could produce themselves.

I'm impressed with some of the prices, but not so much with the selection. Two pounds of peanut butter for a quarter sounds like a deal; I wonder if my dad ate PB & J's.

Frozen Sensation

Some of the finest brush strokes in the creation took place in Swan Valley, Idaho. Summer scenes of vibrant color and authentic rural life are among the most picturesque your eyes will ever behold.

I'm told that winter is glorious there as well; I'll have to trust the testimony of others on that count - too cold for my blood.

The most popular sight in this locale, however, is of a very cold variety, and is on a much, much smaller scale - the size of ice cream cones sold in the corner country store. 

Back in the day, summer excursions to Grandma and Grandpa Beard's home often included a side trip to Swam Valley for a cone filled with  square scoops of delectable ice cream. Leon seemed to suggest this outing on a regular basis. No wonder he was everyone's favorite uncle.

I'm told that this phenomenon started quite by accident clear back in 1946 when the owners of the store, Harry and Grace Traver, decided to sell Farr's Ice Cream from Salt Lake City to attract tourists. Grace mail ordered an ice cream scoop from the east coast and much to her surprise when the package arrived she discovered that the scoop looked very different from what she thought she had ordered. 

Indeed, it was square! She didn't like it, not at all. It was crazy! But Harry decided that the novelty might be just what they were looking for, so they gave it a try.  

The square ice cream cones became an instant attraction and the popularity continues today, although the store has undergone significant renovations that have diminished the rustic charm from the days of my youth.

During the summer months, especially on the Fourth of July, the lines extend clear out into the roadway. In fact, even though I am not an ice cream connoisseur, I had bragged about the cones so much to Dean that we stopped there on our first time in Swan Valley together. The line was sooooo long, that he decided it wasn't worth the wait. He's sampled the treat since, but still mourns that first fateful day. 

The most popular choice is "Huckleberries and Cream" and keeping up with the demand for that flavor requires thirty tubs per week during the summer months.

The moral of this story is that if you are traveling through Swan Valley, you really should carry on the family tradition of ordering the frozen sensation from 1946, the square ice cream cone. And enjoy the other scenery while standing in line.