This time of year is one
of my favorites. With the warm weather and the holidays it’s a great time for
family get togethers, picnics and reunions. I have been able to have some great
talks with the OLD TIMERS about the OLDEN DAYS. I love history and especially
family history. It’s neat when you can feel a part of something great. Lately I
have been reading my family histories. It was exciting to read about some who
were amongst the early saints. One in particular was a body guard for the
prophet Joseph Smith. Reading his journal, I was so amazed at his faith and
determination.
Chapman Duncan
Each ancestor leaves a
footprint in my heart as I begin to realize the great sacrifices that they have
made and their part in the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Their
lives have touched my life and made me who I am today. The choices they made
have deeply affected me and their testimonies have strengthened my own
testimony
The influence they have
on me is not because they were someone of great notoriety, But because they
were just everyday people with great faith, with a love of our savior Jesus
Christ and because of their personal integrity. Those are the things that have
touched me,
One in particular is my
Great Grandfather, Ainley Macey. Ainley was born in 1885 in Yorkshire England.
As a youth he was
religious, attending the Methodist Sunday school and his parents went often to
the Salvation Army. He said that as a family, “they were very strict in keeping
the Sabbath day holy.”
Ainley's Parents
When he was a teenager
the missionaries called upon his home and his mother began to be taught the
gospel. He wasn’t allowed to join in, but he was so desirous to know what they
were teaching that he listened though the transit window above the door. He
wanted to know more and sought out the missionaries on his own. He went to
their meetings and compared their teachings with that of other churches. He
prayed humbley and sincerely to know the truth and was baptized at the age of
19. he had the opportunity to migrate to America
with a family from his small but faithful branch in Hull.
Ainley at age 19
His father told him that
if he left he would break his mothers heart and would no longer be their son.
Ainley left his home and family knowing he would never see them again in his
earthly life. His faith was so strong and he knew he was making the right
decision.
Suzannah and Ainley Macey
He passed this great
faith and testimony on to his children. His son Waldo or Walt as he liked to be
called, is my grandpa, A man who I truly love and respect. He was raised in
humble circumstances, with a love of the gospel of Jesus Christ, love of his
family, love for his fellow man and love for this great country.
Walt Macey
Early in his married life
he desired to be self employed and started a grocery business with a partner.
Over a 16 year period they built their business up to 3 stores on the west side
of salt lake, although being successful, grandpa was frustrated because he and
his partner disagreed when it came to the stores being open on Sunday. If my grandpa
would go on vacation, his partner would advertise the store to be open on
Sundays and then he would struggle to get it closed again.
Joseph Fielding Smith and his wife with Walt
One of his good customers
was Joseph Fielding Smith. One day while visiting with my grandpa, he pointed
to a sign in the window that read “Open Sundays” and said “Walt, as long as
that sign is in the window, I wont be shopping at your store.”
Grandpa had been taught
to keep the Sabbath day holy from his parents and with determination to do so
he dissolved his partnership. Grandpa took 1 store, his partner took the other
took.
People thought that he
would surly fail, but the opposite happened. With his commitment to be closed
on the Sabbath day, his store which was open 6 days a week flourished while his
former partners other two stores, which were open 7 days a week, eventually
went out of business. One night at about 11pm the phone rang, grandpa
recognized the voice immediately, “Walt! I’ll be back!”
True to his word when the
sign “closed Sundays” appeared in the window Joseph fielding smith returned.
Growing up I didn’t
associated my grandpa with the stores he ran, He was just my buddy. He was the
one I went to for spiritual guidance. He knew the gospel and he loved the
gospel. I used to just love to sit and listen to him. If I was ever struggling,
he always knew what I needed to hear and he guided me in his sweet loving way.
Through his faith, his example and his integrity, I have grown to be able to
now pass these truths on to my children.
Grandpa and I after Preschool Graduation at Crown Burger
Before he died he told me
“Never miss an opportunity for growth.”
This is the first time I
have spoken in sacrament meeting. When I was younger, they never called on me;
it might have been the Elmo t-shirt and tube socks that caused concern about
what I might have to say.
It wasn’t that I lacked a
testimony, just my strong desire for comfort and lack of fashion sense. As an adult as opportunity have come along it
seems like Satan is right there to discourage me. I have allowed doubt, anxiety
and stresses of life to win. When brother Staheli asked if I would talk, there
is was grandpa’s voice in my head saying “Never miss an opportunity for
growth.”
So even thought those
doubts started creeping in, HERE I AM!
After I accepted this
speaking opportunity a tragedy happened in the family. It would have been so
easy to tap out. My weekend was looking crazy with family coming into town, a
birthday and a funeral. But because of the examples of my grandparents, I stand
before you with a supportive family in the pews.
I am so grateful for my
great grandfather for having the faith and strength to leave all he knew for
this great gospel and I am so thankful for my grandpa and the examples he set
for me. I know this gospel is true and I know we are so blessed by the actions
of our ancestors I challenge you to keep a journal, write your history and tell
your story. Boyd k packer said “If you fail to write your history your pathway
crumbles behind you.” Continue your own legacy of faith and strength.
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