Written by her daughter Clara Woffinden Rhodes (1955)
BackIn the Heavens are parents single?
No - the truth makes reason stare!
Truth is reason, truth eternal
Tells me I've a Mother there.
How I cherish the memory of my own dear Mother, the one who gave me birth. The one who toiled, labored and sacrificed herself day and night for temporal comforts and blessings she could give to her children. A Mother who had the fear of God and love of truth in her soul. A Mother who gave up all that was dear to her, her home, her loved ones and bade farewell to her native land in order that she might worship God as she choose and that her posterity would have the privilege of living in this glorious country.
Well do I recall as a child placing her upon a pedestal, because I felt that she was almost perfect and if the world should come to an end I would stand close to her and no harm would come to us.
My Mother, Mary Jane Denton Woffinden was born Dec. 18, 1861 at Thurnsco, Yorkshire, England. She was the third child and eldest daughter in a family of nine. Her parents, John and Kezila Garwood Denton belonged to the church of England. Her father died when she was ten years of age. It seemed custom among the poorer class of people in England at that time to take their children out of school and place them in homes of Royalty to help earn their keep. So Mothers schooling ended at the age of 10 years.
Mary Jane Denton was married to Walter Woffinden, May 23, 1882 at Tankersley, Yorkshire, England. To this union were born several children, four boys and three girls. Horace, Mary Elizabeth (Lizzie), John, Sarah Ellen (Nellie), Thomas, Walter, and Clara. All except the two youngest were born in Yorkshire, England. Walter and Clara were born in America. Their eldest son Horace was born on their first Wedding Anniversary. Their second son, John died at the age of 11 months, 3 weeks and was interred at Tankersley, Yorkshire, England.
Well do I recall Mother relating the incident of his death. He had been ill for some time, however, feeling that he was a little better that day, left him with father while she ran across to the store. On her return, as she walked into the house he held his little arms up for her to take him and as she did so he lain his head on her shoulder and passed away.
Being the youngest and the last one of our family to leave home, Mother and I had many happy times together. She would relate experiences which had taken place throughout her life, especially those which had come to her when and after she joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. How I wish I had written them down at the time they were told to me. However because I neglected to do this, I will try and relate them now.
Mother joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 16 of April, 1887 and was baptized by Brother Francis S. Bramwell and confirmed a member of the Church the same day by Elder George Cook. In listening to her story of how she accepted the Gospel, this is what she said: She was visiting at a neighbor's home when two missionaries called and gave them their message. So impressed was Mother with their words, that night she prayed to her Heavenly Father and in her slumber she dreamed she was out walking with her babies. She passed a small shabby building in which a few people had gathered and were listening to a gentlemen preach a sermon; a sermon which seemed to her very enlightening. So impressed was she with her dream that the following day she took her babies and walked toward the direction which had been shown her, and there before her eyes was the same building, the same people and the gentleman explaining the Gospel which she had seen and heard in her dream.
Mother told us who the Elder was and the sermon he was preaching, but I cannot recall her words.
In one of Mother's patriarchical blessings, (and I have three of them in my possession) which was given by Patriarch John Smith in 1904, it states, "The eye of the Lord has been upon these from childhood and at an early day he gave thine guarding angel charge concerning thee, who preserved thee in youth from the evils of the world that when the Gospel reached thee thou didst yield obedience thereunto."
How proud Mother's posterity should be because of the fact that she was privileged to be a prophetess. The gift of speaking in tongues (which is the language of Adam) was given to her at the waters of baptism. In testimony in her own language, then getting permission form the Bishop or the highest Priesthood present (this was done to avoid the adversary from stepping in) she would speak in a strange language of beauty and charm. When she had finished the late Patriarch James H. Kirkham would nearly always give the interpretation. Many beautiful testimonies have been give through her, some of which I have a copy of in my "Book of Remembrance".
After my parents joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the missionaries were always welcome in their home. Mother was a mother indeed to them and no desire or want of theirs that ever come to her attention went unprovided. She served for the love of serving and the love of the Gospel. Many times she would clear her bedrooms in order that Sunday meeting might be held in her home.
Here is an incident which I shall attempt to relate that her posterity might have this beautiful story:
The Elders and a few saints had gathered together at our home to hold evening services. As one of the Elders was explaining the Gospel, there was a great disturbance taking place outside: A mob had gathered and was calling for those ______ ministers. Father was away working night shift in the mines. Mother, being the next head of the family stepped to the door and asked them to please leave. There were about eight or ten steps leading up into our home and first one would dare the others and then step up three or four of them shouting at Mother, telling her they didn't want her but those _____ ministers. Mother, praying desperately to her Heavenly Father for help said, " these people in my home are my guests and you have no right to molest them." As she stood calling upon her Father in Heaven a large sheet of fire appeared in front of her separating her form the mob. Frightened, they fled in all directions and the Bobbies or policemen came and took the Elders to their homes.
Having received a burning testimony of the Gospel, Mother never faltered from her duty as a member of the Church, even though it meant sacrifice and courage as she faced criticism from her loved ones. Her own Mother refusing to come near her home because of the evil spirits and curse which had been brought to that home by the Mormon ministers.
As each new babe came into their family, they were unable to get help so Mother would act as her own nurse with the help of a little crippled girl.
From childhood she was taught obedience and reverence of Deity and to honor and respect the aged. In a little book which I have in my possession she had written "I have visited an elderly sister every day for five years."
Many times, night or day she was called to help the Doctor bring a little spirit into the world. A babe whose parents were unable to pay for the service of a nurse. How I loved to watch her bath those tiny infants each day until their Mother was well enough to do it herself. Perhaps her pay would be material for an apron or a piece of bacon or just a sincere "thank you".
Although Mother did not cross the plains she was a pioneer in word and thought and deed. She fought the battle of life with weapons of love and faith. When I reflect on the home of my childhood and the part she played, these are the things which come to my mind: She was gentle, calm, and prayerful. She fed those who came to our home hungry. Especially do I recall the Indians who came begging for food and it was always given to them willingly.
As I paint the picture of our Mother in my mind, I can see her peaceful countenance, and her beautiful brown eyes, the sight of one being destroyed while in young motherhood, as she was stitching the shoe of one of her children, the needle broke, striking her in the eye.
I recall the love she had for her companion and her little family. She stood at the cross-roads and showed us the way. The price she paid to become acquainted with her God was to her a privilege to pay. Her humility and guidance will live forever in the hearts of her children and loved ones because a Mother like ours is more than a memory, she is a living presence.
Quite a number of years ago in a small country town not very far from here, a mother sat weeping and praying over what was supposed to be an infant son. I say "supposed to be" because this little one, although seven weeks old, weighed only three pounds and besides it's infinitesimal size, it had a serious physical defect.
In those days there were no incubators for premature babies, so this one was kept in a small box with medicated cotton for a bed. Folks came for miles to see this tiny freak, especially doctors who shook their heads and went away. Of course nothing could be done. But the Mother never ceased to fast and pray that her little one might be spared. Never for a moment did her faith fail her. She had absolute assurance that she would rear this babe. Her explicit confidence in her Heavenly Father was astounding. Then one day, when it seemed that something would have to happen one way or another, the paternal grandfather of this tiny baby, came over from the big house on the corner through his magnificent garden to the little house by the railroad tracks where this Mother lived with her large family, to offer any help that he might to her and the infant. He took one glimpse at the tot in the box, then turned to the Mother and said: "Louie, I want you to give up this babe and let it go. We all know that only your faith and your prayers are keeping it alive. The time has come now, for us to look out for you. Why, you haven't even been up and about since the poor little thing was born. Now we must take care of you before we lose you too. Besides, who knows, suppose by your faith and your prayers, this babe is permitted to live. Chances are, it will be a life time burden to you and the family, for the doctors all say that it can never amount to anything. Now I think it is best that we give it up and let it's spirit go back to where it came from." The Mother said nothing and one more tear dropped onto the old home made carpet.
The rugged old pioneer picked up his hat and strolled back through the garden through the front gate and up the street to the meeting house where the meeting was about to convene. In those days they held fast meetings on Thursday afternoon.
Presently the father of the infant cam into the house from the barnyard. He, too, looked at the baby, heaved a long sigh that seemed to convey an attitude of despair and then he said to the mother, "I don't suppose I can do any good here, so I'll go down to the field and do some ring plowing." He hitched his team to the Wagon and drove over the railroad tracks. the rattle of the wheels as they bounced over the rails had scarcely died away when the Mother said to her sister-in-law who was serving as the baby's nurse, "Sarah, we are going over to the fast meeting and get this baby a name and a blessing."
"But how can we go to the meeting?" protested Sarah. "We have no horse and buggy left with us and you haven't walked a dozen steps since the baby was born."
"We'll manage somehow," the Mother remonstrated. "I'll take this small light rocking chair, drag it a few steps and sit down to rest. You come along with the baby. He isn't very heavy, you know."
So in that manner these two women with a wee babe and a rocking chair made their laborious way to the meeting house. When they arrived the brethren were blessing the babies and this little one was given a name and along with the others under the hands of its maternal grandfather, a venerable gentleman who was bent over and scared from the mobbing he had suffered over in England, because, as his neighbors said, "He was running away to join the Mormons."
After this ordinance had been attended to, the time was given over to testimony bearing and there arose in the audience a woman of rare spirituality, a Sister Mary Jane Woffinden. She spoke of the many blessings she had received through the Gospel, especially that she had been privileged to come to this goodly land and publicly give thanks for her family, her husband and loved ones and for the health and strength she enjoyed. Then she began to speak in a strange language - a language of exquisite beauty and charm, like music or distant rippling waters. As she spoke she occasionally made a gesture toward this Mother and the small baby, so that the audience gathered the impression she was speaking about them.
When she had finished the late Patriarch James Kirkham arose and gave the interpretations of the testimony. He said that this sister had spoken in the language of Adam and that she had conveyed a message and a promise to this Mother who had fasted and prayed so long for her little one. The patriarch said that on account of the exceedingly great faith of this Mother that her child which had been appointed to come into this life only long enough to receive an earthly tabernacle would now be privileged to live, to grow to manhood, rear a family, perform a work of which this Mother would be well pleased.
You can imagine, after a blessing like that, how much easier and shorter were the steps back home to the little old shack by the railroad tracks. When they arrived there assisted by kind friends and neighbors, Sarah undid the baby's wraps to make it comfortable and as she did so she exclaimed excitedly, "Louie, Louie, come quick. The babe, he's perfectly normal." Sure enough, all signs of the physical defect had disappeared. The child, in very truth was "perfectly normal."
That woman of great faith was my Great-Grandmother, and the wee one, who was blessed in the language of Adam - Lestley (Lesley) Goates.
| Names and Places | |
|---|---|
| The Mother: | Louisa Munns Goates |
| Place: | Lehi, Utah |
| The Aunt: | Sara Weeks Munns |
| Date: | March 1894 |
| The Father: | George Hyrum Goates |
| The Prophetess: | Mary Jane Denton Woffinden |
| First Grandfather: | William Goates |
| Second Grandfather: | James Munns |
Written record by Ruby B. Clayson
I moved to Lehi, Utah about 1914 and lived in the Second Ward. Here my family and I attended church regularly. I learned to love the dear people to that ward and I could not help but notice that they were a very spiritually minded people.
I especially felt this in the Fast and Testimony meeting held the first Sunday of each month. To begin with the member of the Bishopric who was in charge of the meeting kindled the fire by bearing his testimony and per chance telling some faith-promoting incident. There was never any time that went to waste, for the saints seemed to deem it an opportunity to have the privilege to bear their testimonies.
One sincere, faithful Latter-Day Saint, I shall never forget, Sister Mary Jane Woffinden. She was such a humble, sweet woman and so full of faith and the Gospel meant life itself to her. When she bore her testimony you could feel the spirit of the Lord with her and everyone's faith was strengthened. She was a convert to the Church from England and she understood the Gospel. She had made many sacrifices for it and had an all abiding faith in her Heavenly Father. I have often heard her speak in tongues. Patriarch James M. Kirkham nearly always had the interpretation. I have listened to many beautiful blessings for the saints if only they would be faithful. One Sunday Sister Woffinden stood up and said, "Bishop Goodwin, I have the spirit of tongues, but Brother Kirkham is not present to interpretate, what shatll I do?' The Bishop said, "Sister Woffinden, you go ahead, I have faith that the Lord will give the interpretation. It has been nearly forty years since this took place and most of it is still very vivid in my mind, but one thing that is not too clear is that I can hardly remember all to who, the interpretation was given and who gave the part that given to them and which ones told it to me after. Hyrum Evens was given part of it, and I think Sylvan Clark, and I am quite sure there were two others but they do not come to my memory now, but each were given part of the interpretation. The Bishop got up and said, "Sister Brown, I feel that you have something to do with this. Won't you get up and tell us?" I was crying but I got up and got control of myself sufficient enough to tell the people that I did not have any of the interpretation, but I knew part of it had been for me and that the Lord had sent comfort to my heart. I had buried a baby about a year before this and Sister Mina Webb had buried a little boy about the same time and neither of us seemed to get the comfort we sought and we always attended every meeting but both of us sit and cried all the time. I didn't complain. I felt that whatever the Lord did was for the best but I still grieved sorely. I fasted and prayed for strength and comfort and this was the answer to my prayers.
While I did not understand a word it was like as if a soothing balm had been poured into my soul and the grief left me and the comfort that came to me was beyond my understanding. I think it was Hyrum Evens who was given the part of the interpretation. He said that the women who had lost their children would be blessed and comforted. Comfort and healing came to my soul during the time Sister Woffinden was speaking. Such healing and comfort would never come from any other source than our Heavenly Father. Everyone who was in that meeting almost felt that they had been in the presence of angels.
That reminds me that on other occasion Sister Woffinden spoke in tongues and she said that many of our dead relatives were present at that meeting and she could see them and mentioned their names. She was a wonderful woman and her faith in the Lord brought blessings to many.
Ruby B. Clayson
Original in possession of MarJean Peters. Typed from a copy of that original 1-23-96 by Carol Peters Weddington. Great Grand Daughters of Mary Jane Denton Woffinden.