PROVO, UTAH
Family members of missionaries in the 1830s were crucial to the growth and development of the Church, Chad M. Orton said during BYU's annual Church History Symposium on March 5.
Brother Orton, archivist with the Church History Library, shared personal writings of many women in the Church who were left to run the home and raise the children when their husbands were called to serve a mission, without any idea of a time frame.
"For the vast majority ... the acceptance of a mission call meant having to leave wives and children behind," Brother Orton said. "While attention has long been focused on the sacrifices of these missionaries' thrilling and inspired missionary stories associated with their work, the accompanying growth of the Church couldn't have happened without the support of the missionaries' wives and children who made sacrifices at home so that the gospel might go forth into all the world."
Brother Orton's presentation looked to the women involved in missionary work as some of the unsung heroines who, when asked to sacrifice, continued to lead their families with faith.
"For most missionary wives it was a matter of both pride and concern," Brother Orton said. "These wives were honored to be married to someone deemed worthy of such a call, at the same time these wives realized that their lives were being turned upside down."
From the farm chores and duties of running a home to leading their family in faith, women asked to support their husbands while they served missions had to learn new skills in order to survive. Oftentimes the upkeep of a home alone became a challenge.
"They had to learn new tasks and take over for their family," Brother Orton said. "To accommodate, the wife often had to add her husband's responsibilities to her own already heavy duties. The children were also called upon to assist as best they could."
Oftentimes children were asked to help in chores, taking up much of their time and preventing them from attending school. Even with everyone pitching in to help, families often had to take in boarders to help pay for everyday life.
Brother Orton shared a story of one woman who said in a letter to her husband that she was "so tired of being the man and woman both."
But despite the difficulty, women of the Church were able to support their husbands and continue on raising their children because of their deep testimonies and hope for the future. They were able to see the hand of the Lord through many miracles, Brother Orton said.
Although some couples never experienced an earthly reunion, it was their "faith and sacrifice to endure trials" that many of the early members of the Church will be remembered for. It was their faith, Brother Orton said, and a consecration of their heart, might, mind and strength that they were able to survive.
"While these missionary wives were exercising faith, they could not have endured well without a driving force," Brother Orton said. "Their sacrifice and willingness to endure trial with a measure of hope and charity continue to be hallmarks for Church members today."
