Kenneth R. Hardman
Stories of God's hand—seen across generations
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“In the spring of 1908, Dad was called on a mission to Norway. Mother and five children were left home. In the spring of 1909, Edna was stricken with pneumonia, so the doctors thought. It later was diagnosed as spinal meningitis. One cold wintry night, Mrs. Williams, a neighbor, came over to help mother as…
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Lars Josephson came by train…to Brigham City. There he worked on the railroad…then drifted northward and took up a 160-acre farm at St. John, Idaho…He got a job in Star and Marsh valleys to pay for a yoke of black oxen…Crossing the Bear River, one of the oxen got stuck in quick sand and they…
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“Lillie’s life was not an easy one, but she knew how to find joy in work, in her family, friends, in service to others and many other little things. She loved the beauty around her and worked to keep her garden and flowers a delight to all who came to call. She created beauty with…
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In 1848, five-year-old Francis Ann Coon and her siblings tried to cross the Garner pasture, but the bull saw them and charged. They ran for safety. Her sister “Permilia…climbed [a] tree and…[her brother] John handed all the younger children up before he climbed up himself” narrowly escaping the animals wrath.1 The Coon family, in route…
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Dusty Roads – by Brent Greenhalgh (a tribute song to Jacob and Maria) Jesus walked upon the water, they had faith to sail the sea. Jesus walked the dusty roads, they did the same for me. Their legacy of love, for Christ lives on in what I do. With faith in Christ like they, I’ll…
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I have been reading biographies and autobiographies about my wife’s ancestors, Lars Charles Josephson and Anna Isaacson, and their 12 children. I am very inspired by them. At first, all I could see was how brave they were and how difficult life was for them (from my perspective); but the more I read, the…
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On the farm young Ferril was taught by his father “to work hard and be a good person.” In addition to farming, football, dancing and music, Ferril was good “with [his] hands and could do construction and other tasks… The principal… once said, ‘I never had a son, but if I had I would like…
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“Grandfather always had such lovely flowers. He took great pains with them and spent many hours in caring for them. One summer afternoon, the flowers were a riot of color and bloom. As I ran into grandma’s house, I noticed how beautiful they were. Grandfather and Grandmother were both inside. I said hello and stayed just a minute or two. Then,…
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“I was 22 years… old when my first babe was placed in my arms… We arrived at the hospital just before 6 PM… The night was long and the pains were hard. My husband… was kind and attentive. ‘When, oh when would my baby come?’ I was a little frightened. I…pulled [at my husband] when…
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“Walter and Ben, were brought home shot in the legs,” the wagon jolt having discharged a gun. Ben lost his leg but Walter recovered. Their mother, Ruth Keep Griffin was acquainted with difficulty but met life with courage and a smile, likely influenced as a child by the faith of her family. “One night while…