"The Devil isn't Dead Yet."

In honor of Pioneer Day I chose an ancestor to feature who was an exemplary Pioneer-"One who goes before, showing others the way to follow." I am impressed with all that she and her family endured for their faith and I'm honored to be counted as one of their posterity. May their sacrifices not be for not as their children and children's children further the cause of truth with courage and love for God and their fellow man.

Tamma Durfee Miner was born in the state of New York, Madison Co, Town of Lenos (Lennox) March 6, 1813. She married Albert Miner on the ninth of August 1831. She first heard of the Book of Mormon from Solomon Hancock who preached in their meeting house of the Methodist and Campbellites. She believed in the truths of the restored gospel and was baptized Dec. 1931. Her husband, Albert was baptized the first of Feb. 1832. His mother, brothers and sisters had a great deal to say about the Mormons, but he told them that the more they said the sooner he would be baptized because he was convinced that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was true. They lived in Kirtland, Ohio until those that left the Mormon church over disagreements grew worse in animosity. Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon and Father Smith had to leave in the middle of the winter. Albert Miner and Tamma's brother Edmond had been Joseph's lifeguards in Kirtland.

The Miner's moved to what they called "Log Creek" six miles from Far West, MO. They had no flour and were in rather bad condition generally for the mob had the area surrounded and were breathing threats of maltreatment. Albert was selected to go for some flour. When returning, the mob captured him and took him to their camp. After explaining that his family and others had no bread to eat he was permitted to deliver the flour under guard sent by the mob to bring him back to their camp. Here he was held prisoner until they broke camp, taking his best horse, and leaving him with the other to get his wagon back as best he could.

Tamma relates, "I was there when they killed David Patten, when they took lots of prisoners and the saints had to lay down their lives for their enemies. Enemies to the truths of Heaven came along, 100-500, right to our houses, and nobody but women and little children around. They had taken our men prisoners without any cause; only because they were Mormons, and believed in the truths of the Gospel. Governor Boggs issued an "Extermination Order" and 1500 saints had to flee for their lives. Tamma's husband, Albert, and her father, Edmond Durfee, were appointed to help remove the poor from the state of Missouri.

They moved to Lima, IL and lived peacefully for a time where she had 3 more children. "But the devil wasn't dead yet." The next spring they moved 3 miles east of the Nauvoo temple. In 1844 Joseph and Hyrum Smith were killed. One year later the mobs returned to drive the people from the outer settlements to Nauvoo. Tamma's father's house was burned, the mob rolled her sick brother up in a bed and threw him outside. A month later, father Edmond and others returned to harvest crops. One midnight they rushed to put out a straw stack fire. "Suddenly two whistles were heard and 6 shots fired from the darkness. Edmond Durfee died from a rifle ball just above the heart.

As mob activity increased, it became clear that there would be no peace for the Mormons in Nauvoo. When reports were sent to Brigham Young that pressures were being put upon the U. S. President to send Federal Troops to prevent the Mormons from leaving Nauvoo, for fear that once in Mexican territory they would join other nations against the United States, he sent word for the saints to leave immediately. It was the end of February in severe weather. Most left before the ice broke in the Mississippi river.

Tamma and Edward stayed behind because she was due to give birth. In May they sold their place for a team of oxen thinking to leave in 2 or 3 weeks, but most of the people remaining in Nauvoo were women and children who didn't want any more men to leave for fear of what might happen. Tamma, Albert and family and her oldest brother and his family stayed. The mob gathered every week night in the town square. The men told the mob they would go as fast as they could get ready and get items to go with.

By August there remained about 1,000 saints in Nauvoo, many of whom were sick, aged, widowed, or fatherless.  They appealed to the governor who sent 10 men to appeal for a peaceful settlement. The mob answered with an attack on Nauvoo. During cannon fire exchange between what she thought were 50 Mormon men, including her husband, Albert, and 2000 mobbers, 3 Mormons died and 3 were wounded.  Her brother was shot between the chords of his heel. The Mormon women rolled the cannon balls up in their aprons, took them to their boys who would put them in their cannon and shoot them back again, still hot. It was a fearful time. On the third day the Mormons laid down their arms and surrendered. Nearly 2,000 men dressed in black rode 2 by 2 on horseback around the temple. They then ransacked everything of value that the Mormons had before they sadly left their beautiful city.

Albert ferried his family across the river to the Iowa side where they camped for 2 weeks, many dying from exposure, in sight of 1,000 empty houses. The city of Nauvoo was sacked and the temple burned.

In October, Tamma's 7-month old baby died. At that point Tamma became ill and never sat up for 9 months. Her oldest daughter, Polly, cared for the family and nursed her sick mother. They had no bread to quiet the hungry cries of their children, but at Montrose, IA, miraculously, quail came "like beautiful clouds sent from heaven" in answer to their prayers. The birds were so tame they were easily caught by hand.

The Miners lived in Iowaville, Iowa  for a while while Albert worked at hauling and running a ferry boat across the Des Moines river. He wanted to see his folks before moving out west. He started a foot to the Mississippi River all alone. Short of means, he went on two or three miles and right before him was $5.00 in silver on the ground. He found his folks all well, but no one believed in the Gospel.  All opposed him. They offered him everything if he would stay and not go with the Mormons, but the Gospel, the truths of the Book of Mormon, and the Holy Priesthood were all he wanted. He returned to his wife and children in Iowa, tired, homesick and very unwell. He died January 3, 1848.

Since Albert had been so very anxious to keep up with the church, Tamma and her children worked and got things ready to go to the Salt Lake Valley. She and her 5 boys and 2 girls started with the Warren Foote company of wagons on June 10, 1850. "We traveled across the plains with ox teams. Had many a struggle, although we got along much better than anticipated." She arrived in Salt Lake Sept 15th. Eventually she married Enos Curtis who, like her first husband, was a very good man. They settled in Springville, UT.  Tamma had 5 more children (a total of 15.) She died at 71 in Springville and is buried in the Springville cemetery.

At the end of her story she wrote, "I write this that my children may have a little idea of what their parents have passed through. I hope my children will appreciate these few lines for I do feel highly honored to be numbered with the Latter-Day Saints. I pray that my posterity will all prove faithful that they may receive a great reward."

Celebrating Goodness- Katelyn Jones is going on a mission!

"Most people carrying heavy loads begin to doubt themselves and their own worth. We lighten their loads as we are patient with their weaknesses and celebrate whatever goodness we can see in them. The Lord does that." Henry B. Eyring

When I read this quote on the Relief Society board, (See, I don't get all my quotes from facebook) I wanted it to become my new mantra. I'm going to become very good at "Celebrating goodness" I started my new life in a very fertile "goodness" soil. I spent the weekend with the Jeff and Mary Jones family where goodness and celebrating goodness are very well developed.

I was taken from the airport to the house by Jeff's lovely mother. It was wonderful to see her again. She even came into the airport to get me which is above and beyond the Stoker way. It's baggage drop pickup with all the love in our heart if you fly into Atlanta.

At the house, the youngest kids were in charge until their parents came home from Utah. It was just me so no one needed to worry, but can I say the house was sparkling? There were vacuum marks on the rug of the living room that looked like a magazine. (We learned that saying from my mom which obviously means that visual perfection has been attained.) The kitchen floor gleamed as did the counters. I was duly impressed, but it knocked my socks off when only-brother pulled dinner nachos out of the oven just in case anyone was hungry. That's some goodness right there. Oh, and he took the garbage out without being asked and answered the celebrating with, "It's my job." Impressive.

Daughter #3 gave up her awesome room and I enjoyed very good accommodations for the duration of my stay. I saw an excellent room decorating idea. She had lined her wall with little hand made signs of things she loved. I enjoyed reading them and getting to know more of her goodness. I want to make a wall like that and one of the first signs I'll put up is "Kristen."

Sunday morning was a special day. I learned about the goodness of daughter #2 when I looked over at her on the computer. I expected to see Facebook, but instead I saw Family Tree. This girl is on genealogy fire. She also contributed to family readiness by beautifully styling the hair of the littles. They looked fab and then she got herself ready and she looked fab.  But my favorite Anna goodness was when she made her missionary sister's favorite treat for the special day in her dress and heels.

The very prepared and insightful Katelyn spoke in church for the last time before going on her mission. It's clear that she has many gifts to dedicate to sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. I'm proud of her courage and faith. And she was very fun to be with. Even though it was a big day she remained calm, grateful and kind.

Daughter #4 set a great example for us in church. She was taking notes in her little church journal and commented that she felt the spirit during the meeting. I learned that she also writes very good songs.

Baby girl Jones is called "Lovey". She gives special hugs that warm my heart and help me know that God's love is real and good.

Throughout the day family and good friends came by to say "Goodbye" to Katelyn and give us a lot to celebrate.

Good luck, good Katelyn. Oxox and as Rebecca would say, "Go and do. The church is true!"

Janus and Ila Miller pictures

Axel Johnson, Donna Miller Johnson, Jeanene Miller Jaussi, Janus Miller, Ila Casto Miller, Milo Miller

Janus Miller

Ila Miller-school teacher in OR

Janus and Ila and Robert Wayne Nordmark in Nauvoo 1978

Robert Wayne Nordmark visiting Janus and Ila  in Missouri

Sam Miller, Janus and Ila

My perfect family.

So now that I've gathered all the memories(explanation here)I have been in sentimental heaven. I laid all the pictures on the coffee table and sorted them into piles. I read every letter and card, looked at every news clipping, and basked in my love for my family.  I have such fond memories of these people and cherish the time we've had together.

The thing about great families, and great anything for that matter, is that they are not without some not great parts. There were some not great hurtful words, some not great disobedience to parents, some not great losing of tempers, some not great selfishness, some not great lack of forgiveness, some not great pridefulness in our home. But God puts us in families so we can practice overcoming these weakness with people who won't leave us. Brothers and sisters don't quit each other. We tell each other to stop being annoying, say we're sorry and move on. And then we see what is great. Remember making up dance routines? Remember riding our bikes to town? Remember watching old movies? Remember building tent cities out of sheets? Remember playing kick ball in the yard?  Remember sleeping on the trampoline? Remember how funny, smart, kind, talented, good, athletic, beautiful, clever, and musical you are? Remember how I'll always love you?

Parents are wonderful not because they handle each situation perfectly, but because they give their all to help their children become the best, happiest people they can be. I happened to be blessed with very dedicated parents. The only thing more important than our family was God. Sometimes we gave them a run for their money. What could have prepared them for all that we presented them with?  Did they know they'd see illness, heartache, rebellion...? They never thought of turning back or bailing out. They kept feeding us and loving us and caring for us and giving us what they thought would benefit us the most. Sometimes that looked like withholding.

We didn't go on elaborate vacations. We visited relatives, camped and fished a bit,  and went to Disneyland, which with 10 kids is amazing.

 But we did build a kayak out of canvas, painted it and floated it on the canal. When we added on to the house and the slab was poured, we spent family night painting it with our names, messages, checkerboard, hopscotch, etc. and anticipated with glee the time capsule we were creating. We put on programs and rode the donkey and climbed the rafters in the barn. We had fancy New Year's Eve dinner and a Christmas full of tradition. We went fishing and crawdadding. We went on hayrides and had barn dances.We spent the summers doing chores and laying around so bored that we ended up reading and making up games and dressing up in costumes. We took piano lessons and practiced cheerleading or catching a football on the lawn.

 And we knew what our parents believed. We knew that they knew that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and we read from it every day. We knew that they wanted to serve God because we went to church every week and they dedicated their time and talents to strengthen the church in our area. We knew that they wanted to help their fellow man and we knew that honesty is important. And we knew where to find them. If they weren't at church they were home. Dad was in the garden or working on an art project. He welcomed company and was always available to talk, although he sometimes would give us a job which helped with crowd control.  Mom was taking care of the baby or learning to play the piano or listening to Barry Manilow and Englebert Humperdink, or just around where we needed her. And they loved us.

When I look back on my childhood I see a lot of important things that happened that have been a great gift to me. And I consider myself very blessed to have the family I do. Every single person in my family is human and perfect for me. And I want to be with them forever.