Janet Morgan Williams

by

Gladys Williams Bradfield

Jennett, or Janet as she was christened, was the daughter of Thomas Morgan and Ann Sanders. She was born 21 August 1838 in Pwlly Cwn, a subdistrict of Llanelly, Brecon, Wales. Her father was a collier.

She was born to parents whose privilege it was to hear and accept the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ in 1849. Also, it was their privilege to welcome into their home the missionaries to whom they were so indebted for the wonderful message they had brought to them from Zion. Janet was baptized in the year 1849, and in her soul burned a testimony of the Gospel of our Lord and Savior. This testimony she bore many times. Following is a copy of her testimony she wrote to her niece, Elizabeth Morgan, of Ohio, the 16 May 1896, which was sent to Gay in 1950, rewritten by a pastor of the Re-Organized Church, for Anna Morgan King. Another niece of my grandmothers'. It reads: "Now we want to live so we can meet our dear loved ones again, there is only one way that we can do that, by obeying the true Gospel that is the only true Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We can be baptized and go through the house of the Lord and get those dear one's sealed to us for time and Eternity, by doing work for them in the Temple of the Lord. This Church is the only true Church. This is the Church we believe in where we can work out our own salvation and also work for the dead and bring them out of bondage. This Church has been called the Mormon Church, but it is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."

At the age of twenty-four while Janet was attending fast meeting the gift of tongues was manifested. The interpretation was that she, a chosen daughter of the Lord, would leave them, would marry a Gentile and be persecuted for the Lord's sake. Many years would pass before she would have the privilege of mingling with the Saints, but her faith would never leave her and the Lord would be mindful of her all the days of her life.

The Lord was mindful of her, and is mindful of her posterity. Janet could have listened, but soon after this prophecy she married a gentile, a man who was not a member of the Church she loved so much. John Williams was his name. A son of fine people. A class, in their estimation, a little higher than that of Janet's. He was a man of fine physique, six feet two inches tall weighing two hundred twenty-five pounds. Honor and virtue first in mind, with an undying love for things of life that money can buy. Luxuries and comforts of life he knew. Family estates were many, and they wanted for nothing. But a love for Janet actually burned in his soul and he won her, and upon her he showered these comforts and luxuries.

To them were born ten children. Many of them were born on the Church Farm, one of the family estates, and here four of their children died in infancy.

Then came an urge to cross the waters to America. Canada was it not a part of England? Janet was so happy. To her God she went in fervent prayer, and begged Him to bless her husband with this desire that they might go to Canada to be nearer to Zion. In all this time she had been forbidden to attend her beloved Church. Then one day they sailed. Not a thing was forgotten. The best ship of the day. First class passage. Many heirlooms were stored in the old steamer trunk or the old red box as we later called it. England and Wales were left behind. Forever for Janet, but not so for John. He returned to his homeland to take care of his property and to get the annuities from them.

The voyage to Canada was nearly more than Janet could stand. Her illness was so great the doctor gave up all home of her recovery. The Captain was worried because a death on board a ship was a serious thing. The disposal of her remains was discussed. John knelt by her side and begged her to get well. He told her that her wish would be his law. Janet put forth all her strength, and the Lord blessed her. Her life was spares and her health was restored, and they reached Canada safely.

They lived peacefully and happily in their home, Their address was Dochester Station, Middlesex, P. 0. Ontario, Canada. Here they lived for several years. Then came an urge to cross the Great Lakes into the United States. Janet prayed constantly for this. Her faith increased. Her longing for the Saints grew stronger. They moved to East Saginaw, Michigan. There they settled on a farm. A lovely place. Everything was desirable. Good schools for the children, and again all was well. It was here that they lived to rear their children. My father being an older one. (Harry Morgan Williams) Then came sorrow. Diphtheria came like a flame of fire, destroying as it hit. Three of their children died within three days, four days later the fourth one was claimed by death, leaving only two. Harry and Annie, the oldest. Home didn't seem the same. The absence of the children nearly drove John mad. Janet's faith was strengthened and her desire to be with the Saints was even greater. Not a word did she say of this; but only prayed constantly. Then came a letter from Janet's brother, Edward. He was leaving for America, for Utah, for Zion. He asked them to meet him as he passed through on his way to Utah. John met him, but Janet was unable to. When he reached Utah he went to Scofield, a booming mining town where nearly all the people were Latter-Day Saints. There he obtained work. He wrote to John and Janet praising this beautiful new country. He had not found what he wanted, the Gospel, and it made everything beautiful. John made another trip to Wales to get the annuities and to visit old friends and relatives. When he returned he was not contented, and once more had an urge to leave. "Janet, let's go to Utah." These words she had hoped and prayed for, but she did not dare let anyone see or know her desire to go. But to Utah they went, to Edwards' home in Scofield. John, Janet, Harry and Annie. Annie was twenty and Harry was eighteen. When they arrive in Colton, a junction to Scofield, they had to change trains. When John saw the lonely looking station he said to Janet, "Come, I'm going back to Michigan, this is too desolate." "You may go, but I'm here to stay," Janet informed him. All was not well. John was disappointed and forbade Janet to meet the Latter-Day Saints or to have anything to do with them. Annie died, and Harry married a fair haired little Welsh Girl, and to them was born a daughter whom the named Annie, This little babe probably played a big party in softening the heart of John. John, being a farmer by heart and nature, needed the country, so he homesteaded a farm in Castle Valley, three miles from the town of Cleveland, Emery, Utah. It was a desolate valley, bare and dry. In the summer he would farm and in the winter he would go back to Scofield to the coal mine. On the 3 December 1888, Janet was re-baptized, as was the custom in those days. Also was Harry and Annie. At last John gave his permission for Janet to attend her meetings, and finally he too, decided to be baptized, but was never confirmed a member of the Church. He died 27 August 1898 on the farm in Cleveland, Utah. Janet was alone with him. Her trials seemed never to cease. Now she was alone. One son, a daughter-in-law and three grandchildren.

Her yearning and longing for the Gospel was fulfilled. She went to the Temple to have John's work done. There she was tried again. The Temple President told her that the Lord would raise up a companion for her that would be worthy of her and her children. She said, "No." If she couldn't have John she would go without. Sometime later the President of the Temple called her back and told her the work would go on, that she could be sealed to John. John, too, was on trial. It was probably then or never for him and he chose his Janet. They were sealed to each other 12 July 1911. She had had her own endowments in July 1899. She remained true and faithful and received her blessings she had prayed for. God bless her soul. To her posterity she left a heritage that is revered and cherished. We love her memory and are very thankful that she followed the dictates of her heart and came to Zion. She died 3 December 1928, after she was ninety years old in August. She was buried beside her John in the Cleveland Cemetery, Cleveland, Emery, Utah.