"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."