My First Talk (With Pictures)

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.