Birth and Ancestry
Elmina was Isaac's second wife and raised Isaac Morton Behunin. "Elmina Tyler married Isaac Behunin October 1, 1834, at the age of 23; he was 31 years of age. The third of eleven children, Elmina was born to Andrew and Elizabeth Cummins Tyler on April 23, 1811, in Soponias, Cuyuga, New York. She was the sixth generation of Tylers in America, and her progenitors were among the first immigrants from England."[1]
"When Elmina's family first heard the gospel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1832 from Elders Samuel H. Smith and Orson Hyde, her father Andrew was in direct opposition to it. Elmina wanted to be baptized and requested that her father permit it. She was 21 years old at the time.[2]
Her father told her, 'If you do join them, you must never darken my door afterwards'. Her older brothers said that they would shoot any Mormon Elder who dared to baptize her. When she came home on a visit her father asked her if what he had heard was true that she intended to join the 'Mormons'. She answered that she believed they were right and felt it her duty to join them.[3]
Her father wished her to reflect upon all these things before making a move in the matter. She replied that she had weighted them long ago and believed it to be her duty to be baptized. When the Elder's heard the story, Elder Smith replied, 'Mr. Tyler, we shall not baptize your daughter against your wishes. If our doctrine be true, which we testify it is, if you prevent your daughter from embracing it, the sin will be upon your head, not on ours or your daughters.'[3]
This remark pierced him to the heart. He began to think that possibly the 'Mormons' were right and he was wrong. He permitted his daughter to exercise her free agency. He took her on an ox sled to Lake Erie, a distance of two miles, where, after a hole was cut through three feet of solid ice, she was baptized and confirmed into the church by Elder Hyrum Smith.[3]
Elmina was the first of the Tyler family to join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons). Elmina was "a hearty pioneer woman with strong religious convictions." She "endured the hardships of the 'driving of the Saints' from Ohio to Utah."[1]
In addition to rearing the three children from Isaac's first marriage, Elmina gave birth to nine children of her own: Andrew, Alma, Polly, Nancy, Meribah, Steven Mosiah, Hyrum, Elijah Cutler, Almina, and Benjamin. Polly and Benjamin died in infancy. She taught her children to read, write, and understand the scriptures. Reports indicate that Isaac would say in the evenings, "Mother, read that scripture to us again." Other accounts state that she sometimes taught school.[1]
During the 46 years of her married life, she moved and setup households at least a dozen times in frontier communities under very adverse conditions.[1] After Isaac died, she went to Castle Valley with her daughters.[4] She passed away when she was 72.[1]
Elmina's Conversion and Baptism
Her father told her, 'If you do join them, you must never darken my door afterwards'. Her older brothers said that they would shoot any Mormon Elder who dared to baptize her. When she came home on a visit her father asked her if what he had heard was true that she intended to join the 'Mormons'. She answered that she believed they were right and felt it her duty to join them.[3]
Her father wished her to reflect upon all these things before making a move in the matter. She replied that she had weighted them long ago and believed it to be her duty to be baptized. When the Elder's heard the story, Elder Smith replied, 'Mr. Tyler, we shall not baptize your daughter against your wishes. If our doctrine be true, which we testify it is, if you prevent your daughter from embracing it, the sin will be upon your head, not on ours or your daughters.'[3]
This remark pierced him to the heart. He began to think that possibly the 'Mormons' were right and he was wrong. He permitted his daughter to exercise her free agency. He took her on an ox sled to Lake Erie, a distance of two miles, where, after a hole was cut through three feet of solid ice, she was baptized and confirmed into the church by Elder Hyrum Smith.[3]
Elmina was the first of the Tyler family to join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons). Elmina was "a hearty pioneer woman with strong religious convictions." She "endured the hardships of the 'driving of the Saints' from Ohio to Utah."[1]
Mother Elmina
In addition to rearing the three children from Isaac's first marriage, Elmina gave birth to nine children of her own: Andrew, Alma, Polly, Nancy, Meribah, Steven Mosiah, Hyrum, Elijah Cutler, Almina, and Benjamin. Polly and Benjamin died in infancy. She taught her children to read, write, and understand the scriptures. Reports indicate that Isaac would say in the evenings, "Mother, read that scripture to us again." Other accounts state that she sometimes taught school.[1]
During the 46 years of her married life, she moved and setup households at least a dozen times in frontier communities under very adverse conditions.[1] After Isaac died, she went to Castle Valley with her daughters.[4] She passed away when she was 72.[1]
References
1. Retrieved from HMdb.org.
2. A collection of writings by Daniel Tyler. Housed at Petty Family Records Center, St. George, Utah.
3. Platt, K. The Conversion and Baptism of Elmina Tyler Behunin. Retrieved from http://behuninfamily.org/behunin/Doc/elimina.htm
4. Behunin, E. (21 Aug 1930) S.L. Tribune & Richfield Reader.
2. A collection of writings by Daniel Tyler. Housed at Petty Family Records Center, St. George, Utah.
3. Platt, K. The Conversion and Baptism of Elmina Tyler Behunin. Retrieved from http://behuninfamily.org/behunin/Doc/elimina.htm
4. Behunin, E. (21 Aug 1930) S.L. Tribune & Richfield Reader.
No comments:
Post a Comment