If you go back far enough into any city’s history, it usually all begins with just one or two people or families, hell bent on making it on their own, leaving all the familiarity of people and places behind for greener pastures and a fresh start. Case and point, Snowflake, Arizona, a tiny community that sits about an hour’s drive south of the famed corner in Winslow Arizona. I’ve often come up here in my 10 years plus of living in Arizona, mainly because the temperature is usually a solid 20 – 30 degrees cooler than the hot desert floor in Phoenix but as the years past by, I stopped merely “passing through” and began exploring around the sleepy town to see what daily life was like and to learn how the hell any place in Arizona got the name “snowflake”? Turns out, the name of the town is a combination of two family names, Snow and Flake. Back in 1878, Mormons were on the move all across the western U.S., settling in communities up in Utah, Idaho and even Arizona. William J. Flake led his and five other families into the area and settled there, describing the place as, “a thing of beauty with clear water and hills covered in green grass”. At an altitude near 5,000 ft, Snowflake, AZ experiences all four seasons and it certainly would have been a vision to see the untouched landscape 150 years ago. Meanwhile, Erastus Snow, a Mormon missionary and pioneer, sent out west to grow the church even larger and establish settlements along the Little Colorado River, crossed paths with Flake during this time and together they created “Snowflake” a permanent settlement in the high desert of Arizona. These men, along with hundreds more had to do everything to ensure the town’s future, from laying out roadways and irrigation systems to establishing churches, schools, law enforcement, fire and so on. In the end, tens of thousands of descendents of the first 50 or so pioneer families who inhabited the area have these two men to thank, plus the sacrifices of dozens more. This story of sacrifice, of settlement, and of having a vision for future generations is no different really than any other western town or city, settled by visionaries who sought out a new beginning, serving a greater calling larger than themselves. The sculpture you saw earlier and below was designed by Justin Fairbanks and depicts in stunning detail, the two men meeting in Winslow, forming a bond and partnership that would forever bear their family name on an Arizona state map.

During the October 2, 2005 General Conference of the church, Elder Boyd K. Packer, in a talk entitled “On Zions’ Hill”, referring to an experience the Prophet Joseph had in the home of Elizabeth Stevens Stevenson in Pontiac, Michigan, said: “The Prophet Joseph Smith had borrowed the volumes of the Book of Martyrs by the sixteenth-century English cleric John Foxe from the mother of Edward Stevenson of the Seventy. After he read them, he said, "I have, by the aid of the Urim and Thummim, seen those martyrs, and they were honest, devoted followers of Christ, according to the light they possessed, and they will be saved." As one who has always been interested in Church history and especially the parts wherein my ancestors participated, I was humbled by this brief intersection of the Prophet’s life with my ancestors. This Stevenson family gave to the church at least three stalwart saints from that Pontiac experience. The first was very well known in the church as Edward Stevenson of the Quorum of the Seventy; another less obvious because she was always known as Mary Clark, the wife of Ezra Thompson Clark, but no less faithful than her more noted brother; and mother Elizabeth Stevenson herself who survived through Missouri and Nauvoo and emigrated to Utah with her pioneer family and friends. So that the descendants of Elizabeth Stevens Stevenson, mother to Edward and Mary Stevenson, may better understand the context of that experience, I present several supporting pieces of information that develop more background for the incident and add to the information associated with that short episode in Church History. I personally first heard the story while listening to a popular audio recording prepared and presented by the distinguished professor and scholar from BYU, Truman G. Madsen. In an extract from that program on the Life of Joseph Smith, Bro. Madsen explains that even the Prophet, when overcome with persecutions and afflictions, when asking for peace of soul in moments of great anguish did not always receive the Lord’s full explanation. He was simply given assurance, the whisper of peace that reminded him that he was on track and not to worry about when his ministry would end. “Well, the Prophet had to endure and not know when. He had premonitions, over and over. He said things like, ‘Can I borrow that book?’ It was at the home of Edward L. Stevenson in Pontiac, Michigan, early 1830’s. Here is a book called Fox’s Book of the Martyrs. He takes it. When he returned it to Mother Stevenson in Missouri he said, ‘I have prayed about those old martyrs. These were men and women who had literally given their blood and lives in the testimony of Jesus. Various faiths, backgrounds, but their conviction meant death.’ He read it and said, “I prayed about them and they were good men according to the light they received and God has a salvation for them.” Question: Why would he have been preoccupied with that? Answer: My guess is that he anticipated that he would be numbered among them. Again and again he had promises, as I have told you, that his life would be prolonged to fill a certain mission. “Thy days are known”, he was told in Liberty Jail…. Apparent differences in the quoted portions of the Prophet’s words are not significant enough to worry, but they do spawn interest in knowing more of the factual basis and context of that experience. First, there was no Edward L. Stevenson home in Pontiac. It was the home of Elizabeth S. Stevenson, recently widowed mother of 7 children, one of whom was son Edward Stevenson, without an “L.” It was to that home that the Prophet Joseph came in late 1833. Speaking of Edward Stevenson, he was baptized soon after meeting the prophet and went on to become a faithful member of the church and ended his life with lengthy service in the Quorum of the Seventy. In his writings the following information is found from which the previous two authorities apparently derived their information. “Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and Martin Harris were also heard by the writer to testify that they, in open day, stood in the presence of the God who ministered unto the Prophet. And indeed there was a power accompanying these testimonies which was irresistible, and which made deep and lasting impressions. Although a mere humble widow's son, I felt proud and blessed of God, when he honored us by coming under our roof and partaking of our hospitality. Oh! how my heart swelled with delightful emotions of heavenly love, as I selected and presented to him some of our choice apples in exchange for the golden nuggets of celestial truth, which he bestowed upon us as he partook of the humble but hearty hospitality of a widow's table! We were proud, indeed, to entertain one who had conversed with the Father and the Son, and been under the tuition of an angel from Heaven, and who, under the immediate direction of the Almighty, had organized the true church on the earth after the exact pattern of that organized by God, through Jesus Christ, eighteen hundred years before. In parting from under our roof the Prophet expressed a desire to have a loan of a large English Book of Martyrs which we possessed, promising to return it to us when he should meet us again in Zion, in the State of Missouri, which he did, and on returning it he said, “I have, by the aid of the Urim and Thummim, seen those martyrs, and they were honest, devoted followers of Christ, according to the light they possessed, and they will be saved. " From Bro. Stevenson’s autobiography additional information adds more perspective and detail: The following year after the organization of the Pontiac Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of L. D. Saints, in 1834, we had the pleasure of having a visit from-The Prophet Joseph Smith; a plain but noble looking Man, of large frame and about 6 feet high. With him were his Father Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and Martin Harris, whose sister Sophia Kellog lived in our settlement, a great stir was made in this settlement at so distinguished visitors. The meetings held were crowded to see and hear the testimonies given which were very powerful. “During the Prophets visit to Pontiac he visited our house. I got him some very early apples and he dined with us and while looking over our very large Book of Martyrs he felt a degree of sympathy for those Martyrs and expressed hopes for many of those who had suffered death for their faith as for as they understood and borrowed the book to take home with him to return it to us when we met in Zion Mo. - which he did do, saying, “Mother Stevenson, I have seen those Martyrs by aid of the Urim and Thummim.” He also looked over our large Bible and remarked that much of the Apocrypha was true as well as the bible required much of the Spirit of God to select from those things correctly and finally in his review of the Book of Martyrs & Bible said there are thousand of good people in England and those old countries who are waiting for the fullness of the gospel and it will not be long before they will flock to Zion, for Ephraim dwells largely in those parts. . . . the visit of this Man of God to our house and the testimonies of the 3 witnesses left a lasting remembrance with us and will stand as a witness against those who were so favored above many. . .” “I recollect that the Prophet Joseph Smith, at my Mother’s house in 1834 while dining with us said there were thousand’s of the children of Ephraim’s waiting in Europe for the gospel.” “Now comes fresh again to my mind what the Prophet said in my widowed Mother’s house in Pontiac, Oakland County, then Territory of Michigan. While looking over our Book of Martyrs & large Bible, the Prophet said, “Most of those martyrs died fully believing in Christ, and for the gospel’s sake and their reward is sure. Mother Stevenson there is a great many in Europe who are waiting for the fullness of the gospel and tens of 1000 are ready and waiting to receive it for there is a large amount of Ephraim blood in that land a great work to be done in that country.” These remarkable insights from the Prophet were early in the Church’s history and are valuable in explaining the early efforts of an obscure and fledgling church in foreign missionary work. Bro. Stevenson’s record of the Prophet’s comments provides unique and valuable insight into the probable origin of the Prophet’s early interest in spreading the gospel to Europe. From the Prophet’s own record we have this account under the date of October 1 – 15, 1834: “Having accomplished all that could be done at present, on the 16th of the month, in company with my brother Hyrum Smith, and Elders David Whitmer, Frederick G. Williams, Oliver Cowdery, and Roger Orton, left Kirtland for the purpose of visiting some Saints in the state of Michigan, were, after a tolerably pleasant journey, we arrived at Pontiac on the 20th…. After preaching, and teaching the Saints in Michigan as long as our time would allow, we returned to Kirtland, greatly refreshed from our journey, and much pleased with our friends in that section of the Lord’s vineyard. This account lacks any details of the experience Edward Stevenson reports, but at least substantiates the timing of the events. What was so remarkable to a young Edward may have been routine for a prophet, especially THE Prophet of the last dispensation. A. Charles Clark October 8, 2005 & March 27, 2017 Noblesville, Indiana HYPERLINK "mailto:ACCLARKK@gmail.com" acclarkk@gmail.com Note: If any reader of this narrative knows of additional sources that document this experience, I would appreciate knowing of it; with the same invitation extended for corrections and clarifications. In Edward Stevenson, Reminiscences of Joseph, the Prophet, and the Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon (1893), 6. [This is the footnote provided in the internet version of Elder Packer’s talk presented on the Church’s website.] “Joseph Smith the Prophet” Truman G. Madsen, Bookcraft Recordings. Eight lectures on Four Cassettes. Date unknown. Elder Edward Stevenson, Reminiscences of Joseph, the Prophet and the Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon. Salt Lake City. Published by the Author. 1893. pp. 5 - 6 Edward Stevenson, Autobiography of Edward Stevenson, 1820 – 1897. Joseph Grant Stevenson, Editor. Stevenson’s Genealogical Center, Provo, Utah. 1986. p. 7 Ibid. p. 8 Ibid. p. 24 Ibid. p. 74 The Journal of Joseph – The Personal History of a Modern Prophet. Compiled by Leland R. Nelson. Council Press, Provo, Utah. 1979, p. 84 – 85.

Testimony and Final Parting Instructions EZRA THOMPSON CLARK — July 24, 1901 To my Wives and Children: Feeling that I shall not enjoy the privilege of addressing you in a united capacity many more times during my earthly sojourn, I am impelled by a husband's and a father's love to offer you my final and parting instructions. I bear you this my testimony: Portrait of Ezra Thompson Clark I. Before I left Nauvoo, I heard the Prophet Joseph say he would give the Saints a key whereby they would never be led away or deceived, and that was: the Lord would never suffer the majority of this people to be led away or deceived by imposters, nor would he allow the records of this Church to fall into the hands of the enemy. I heard Joseph say this, and I also heard him say that he would roll the burden of the Apostleship upon the quorum of the Twelve. I heard Joseph preach many times; heard him, in the last sermon he ever delivered, bear testimony to the truth of the work that God had called him to; also that the Lord had never suffered him to be slain by his enemies, because his work had not been done, until a short time ago. He had now laid the foundation of this work, and rolled the burden of the priesthood upon the Twelve; and, having given them their washings and anointings, they would now bear off this work triumphantly, and it would roll on faster than ever before; and, if the Lord was willing to accept of him, he was willing to go. This he spoke to the people. I was one who heard his voice, and know that he spoke like an angel from heaven. I never heard him speak with more power than then, and I heard him many times. I was satisfied. I knew him to be a prophet of God. I had heard him prophesy many times, and had seen his prophecies fulfilled, and had also shaken hands with him, and he had blessed me, and I had felt the influence and power of the Lord upon him and upon me, and I have never forgotten that blessing from that day to this, and I never shall. Two days later the Prophet was martyred, and two or three weeks later, when the saints held a conference, and Brigham Young arose as leader of the Church, I want to bear record that he spoke as Joseph used to speak; to all appearances, the same voice, the same gestures, the same stature. I bear this record to all the world, to my children and to my children's children, and also bear record that this work is God's work, and that it will roll on as it has done from that day to this. I have never turned my face away, and have always had delight in keeping the counsel of His servants in every particular. I have had many privations, and many trying scenes traveling on the plains and on the desert, and I know that those men who have stood at the head of His Church are men of God, and also the men who now stand at the head, and they will bear off this work triumphantly, and I say to my children and to my grandchildren, if they will do right and keep the commandments of God, no good thing shall be withheld from them, and they shall have a testimony that God set up this work, and it will roll forth, and those who help it will stand, and those who fight against it will fall and crumble with the wicked. I bear this testimony, and leave it for the benefit of my children and my children's children, for I realize I have but a short time to live upon this earth. I have passed my seventy-seventh year, and it has been a pleasure to me to be associated during that time with the Prophet and apostles and those whom I know were men holding the holy Melchizedek Priesthood. I bear this testimony, and wish it written that my children and my children's children may know that I have finished my work, and bear this testimony before them, and all the world, in the name of the Lord Jesus, even so. Amen. II. In order that the unity which has prevailed in my family, and the spirit of brotherly and sisterly love may endure, I desire that a family organization may be effected and made perpetual; that a meeting of my family and as many of my descendants as can possibly do so, be held here once a year for the purpose of maintaining the interest of the family and for keeping a family register and for mutual aid and encouragement. In order that my wishes may be more fully understood, and the responsibility of carrying them out placed upon my family in such a manner as to leave no doubt or misapprehension in the minds of my wives or children and their families, I desire that the following organization shall be effected. First — I desire that the following shall constitute an executive committee, Joseph S. Clark, Edward B. Clark and Amasa L. Clark, whose duty it shall be to act as arbitrators in all differences or disputes that may arise among members of my family; that the said committee by its chairman shall fix the dates for annual reunions and such other meetings as he may think proper and desirable. Second — I appoint as chairman, my son Joseph S. Clark, and I place in his hands the sum of $— to be used as a genealogical fund and for such other purposes as the executive committee shall, in their judgment, deem necessary in making effectual these my final instructions to my family. Third — I appoint hereby, Susan D. Clark as family secretary and registrar, and Horace W. Clark as assistant, whose duty it shall be to keep in order the family record and collect all items of family biographies, and such history as shall be thought desirable for such records. Fourth — In case of the death or incapacity of any one of the executive committee to act, the other two may appoint a successor, and the executive committee is hereby authorized, in case of death or incapacity to act, to appoint a successor. Fifth — I desire that when the family meet in their annual reunion that the executive committee shall hold special meetings for the purpose of hearing questions that may arise, and giving assistance by way of counsel and advice to members of the family who may be laboring under difficulties, or may be in any way at variance with any member of this organization. Sixth — I desire that the membership of this organization shall consist of my wives, my sons and daughters, their wives and husbands and their descendants. I am impressed in this the evening of life, to admonish my family of the importance of devoting some measure of their time to temple work, and it is my wish that a genealogical record be prepared, to include as many of my ancestors as it is possible to get information about; and when this record shall have been compiled, it is my most earnest wish that I may have, as often as possible, a representative in one of the temples of my Heavenly Father, to perform work for the dead. If I could behold the spirit of union and mutual love and support in the conduct of my family as I now look upon their future lives, I should feel that great satisfaction and pleasure that I have always enjoyed in the happiness that comes from family union; I desire to urge the mothers to teach their children to attend their primaries, Sunday schools and meetings, and to observe the law of obedience, and of baptism at the age of eight years; that they may also teach the Word of Wisdom, to pay their tithes and offerings, and to honor the Priesthood; and I promise the mothers that if they will do this, in the sincerity of their hearts, they will bring forth noble sons and daughters to bear off this work, and it will be a great honor to them and the family at large, and they will live long upon the earth to inherit it, and no power of evil shall prevail against them; and I seal these blessings upon them by power of the holy Melchizedek Priesthood. I admonish those who are strong to be thoughtful of and helpful to those who are weaker; and I trust that it will never occur to any member of my family that any one of them shall ever be justified in taking any undue advantage of another. I warn my family against any spirit of dissension, and commend to them the spirit of fairness, justice and impartiality towards one another. I plead for the weak, because the strong will take care of themselves; and those who cherish the memory of their father, and honor the name he has given them in life, will feel the responsibility that they are under, and all the members of this organization should protect one another's good name, and avoid any unseemly gossip; be charitable, helpful, patient, kind and loving towards one another, and God will sustain you and your families as you have sustained me and mine. While it has been my privilege, because of the natural endowments with which God has clothed me, to accumulate something of this world's goods, I would not have my family suppose that I esteem money as I esteem honor, virtue, and, above all things, fidelity to the Church of Christ; and I trust that no one of my family will ever seek and appreciate the treasures of this world above the treasures that come from an honorable and God-fearing life devoted to religious duties, and the obligations which men owe to one another and to their God. I have accumulated since my earliest settlement in Farmington, as much property as I reasonably could along the street on which a number of my family are now living, and I desire, so far as my family can, consistent with their best interests, that they maintain their real estate, that they may be helpful to one another; and that the homes of my family here may always be a gathering place for those who may be scattered in different parts of this and adjoining states, and I especially commend the spirit of hospitality to my children. These parting instructions have been the burden of my thought during the closing days of my career among you, and it is my wish that at every family gathering these my parting words be read before the assemblage of this family organization. [To read more about the circumstances surrounding this final testimony and instructions, please go to Noble Pioneer: A Biography of Ezra Thompson Clark , by Antone Clark, pages 11-15, and 255-258.]

Ezra, noa a patriarch, gave "final and parting instructions" to his posterity as well as admonitions with equally rich promises and blessings. Among those, he specifically requested we gather annually for hte purposes of keeping a register. THe purpose of a register being to keep a record of every member of his rapidly growing and rowing and growing and rowing.

Ezra, noa a patriarch, gave "final and parting instructions" to his posterity as well as admonitions with equally rich promises and blessings. Among those, he specifically requested we gather annually for hte purposes of keeping a register. THe purpose of a register being to keep a record of every member of his rapidly growing and rowing and growing and rowing.

Ezra, noa a patriarch, gave "final and parting instructions" to his posterity as well as admonitions with equally rich promises and blessings. Among those, he specifically requested we gather annually for hte purposes of keeping a register. THe purpose of a register being to keep a record of every member of his rapidly growing and rowing and growing and rowing.