Joseph Smith Family Search Memories

There are many inspiring stories about the Prophet Joseph Smith. He was sent by a loving Father in Heaven to teach His children on Earth. There are many miracles and miraculous stories around the prophet Joseph Smith, this account comes from the family of Ira Stearns Hatch. This family story has been passed down for generations bringing a reminder of the Prophetic mantle of the Prophet Joseph Smith.

Written by his Great-Great Granddaughter Edna Beth Workman

"Born Feb. 9, 1802, Winchester, Chesire Co. New Hampshire. At that time Winchester was a small town in the western part of the state.

He joined the westward movement and moved to New York State at a place called Farmersville, Cattaraugus, Co.

In this rugged wilderness Ira Stearns Hatch had very little opportunity for formal education but grew in strength and experience. When but 11 years old Ira made himself useful in the community by supplying wood for seven families whose husbands and fathers were in the War of 1812. Even in the primitive conditions under which Ira lived, he was taught to treat the Indians kindly and to deal with them fairly.

Ira courted and married Wealtha Bradford on January 26, 1824. Ira and Weltha resided on the hatch farmstead at Farmersville. It was a happy environment in which to raise a family. Weltha was a perfect helpmate and was devoted to her family. She helped to lead the family spiritually, giving them strength to endure the sufferings and hardships that would come their way. They were happy and satisfied to live peaceful, honest and industrious lives.

They did not affiliate with any religious sect.

In 1830 the Hatches became interested and decided to attend a meeting with some early missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints who were preaching the gospel to the Cattaraugus Indians, Elder Oliver Cowdery, Peter Whitmer Jr., Zeba Peterson and Parley P. Pratt. Weltha was the first to read the Book of Mormon and recognized it as truth. She wished to join the church immediately, but Ira advised her to wait on account of the persecution and the objection of their families. Weltha was baptized during the winter of 1832 in a hole in the ice being one of the first persons in the neighboring community to become a member of this unpopular faith.

About this time construction of the Kirtland temple had started. Ira though not a member of the church and Weltha decided to make a contribution to its construction. Ira was very anxious to meet the prophet, Joseph Smith and feel the spirit of the man. Upon arriving at Kirtland, Ira enquired for the prophet. He was told he could be found in the grove where they were cutting timber for the temple. Ira made his way to the grove. As he approached the workmen one of them struck his axe into a tree and came toward him. When close enough, he shook the hand of Ira and said, “Brother Hatch, I have been expecting you for 3 days: The money which you have brought will be used to help build the pulpit in the temple. ” This left Ira with no chance for doubt that Joseph Smith was indeed a true prophet. Ira’s testimony of the prophet remained Steadfast the remainder of his life.

Ira joined the church 2 years later, 1834. Ira and Weltha were given patriarchal blessings by Joseph Smith Sr. Later he and his elder sons assisted in the building of the Kirtland temple.

Soon after the birth of their seventh child in 1840 they sold their property to his brothers and moved to Illinois. They joined the Saints at Eton’s Creek some 20 miles from where the city of Nauvoo was being established. It was here that Weltha was stricken with Cholera, and she died November 3, 1841, leaving Ira with a family of 7 young children. Two years later he married Abigail Whitley, March 22, 1843, in Nauvoo.

Prior to their expulsion from Nauvoo, Ira and his family suffered the persecutions heaped upon them by the mobbing. At this time, Ira and his eldest son Meltiar were members of the Nauvoo Legion. While in the Legion Ira and Meltiar heard the last speech given to the legion by the prophet before he died.

Finally, the word came to move out. Their wagons were driven to the front porch and loaded. Ira and his family were traveling with Brigham Young’s company. Not all the immigrants stayed at Winter Quarters. They made their home on a rented farm a short distance south of most of the saints. The winter of 1847 was very harsh, and Abigail died in February of that year while giving birth to a son who died also. It was July 4, 1849, when they were able to commence their journey to the west in the Taylor Allen Co. They arrived in the valley just prior to the 1849 October Conference. They camped at the public square where the city County building now stands. The area in which they settled is where the oil refineries are now in Davis County."

The Prophet Joseph Smith was a visionary man, who has inspired generations. He was guided by God to teach and love. Finding these family history memories of the Prophet can help us understand him as a man of his time. The members of the Church loved him and admired him. God knew what was needed for this world, and the Prophet Joseph Smith introduced the love of God to millions.

References:

Ira Stearns Hatch by Great Great Granddaughter Beth Workamn.pdf

https://www.familysearch.org/memories/memory/217592466