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Show AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF JAMES TUCKER BORN JULY 22, 1836 in PARRISH OF EASTDOWN, DEVONSHIRE, ENGLAND. PIONEER OF SEPT. 3, 1860 The distance traveled each day varied from twleve to twenty miles. The health of the Company was good. Every one was congenial and sociable, the entire trip was remarkable. We arrived in Salt Lake in September, I think it was the 11th of the month. (It was actually Sept. 3, 1960) My wife and I resided in Salt Lake until the spring of 1862, when we moved to Morgan, Morgan County, Utah. I purchased a farm consisting of forty acres and commenced to till the soil and learned to raise the things upon which to exist. Our first home was built of Cotton wood logs, the roof of the house was of lumber covered with dirt. Our lights were made with a button and a rag set in a saucer of fat. In the fall of 1864 after giving birth to our second child my wife was afflicted with a severe sickness, and her spirit left her body for 36 hours, but through the power of the Priesthood she was restored to her health and strength. She was the mother of 12 children, ten girls and two boys. All are living at this date. I have 76 living Grand Children and 11 that have passed to the Great Beyond also 45 great grand children. We purchased a lot in Morgan City and built a brick house upon it. It was one of the first brick homes to be built. The brick were manufactured by Charles Turner and Co. Nails were 40 cents per pound, and the price of every¬thing else was high. My first plow cost $21.00, and was made from the tires of Uncle Sam's wagons that were burned at the South Pass at the time Johnson's Army was sent to punish the Latter-day-saints, but all these things proved a benefit to the saints, and the establishment of the things proclaimed by the Prophet Joseph Smith. Our lot and farm was in an uncultivated condition but when properly cul¬tivated produced every thing to our satisfaction. In 1869 we were visited by grass hoppers in such vast numbers that the sun was hidden from our view. In many instances entire crops were destroyed by them. One season we obtained only one kettle of potatoes, our entire crop being destroyed, and only 300 bushels of grain were raised in the whole valley. In 1870 a general fast day for the entire Stake was called to petition our Heavenly Father for assistance. Our prayers were answered and we were given help in many ways, but do we remember it today? When I first came to Salt Lake City I worked at my trade which was a cord-winder or maker of shoes. In the first 6 months I did not receive one dollar in cash, nor store goods but was paid in produce and other things that were man¬ufactured but we were entirely satisfied with our conditions. My wife with many others were compelled to gather wild fruit, and also to make our garments from the wool of the sheep. Our first herd of sheep was five in number, but we increased them until we had sufficient for our use. I helped construct the first brick school house at Morgan, and have assisted in building all those since. I was distributor of water for irrigation purposes for 12 years and the only compensation received was "thank you". I was also school trustee for twelve years with but little remuneration. Brother Richard Fry and myself plowed the first irrigation ditches in Morgan City, the same are used today. I was County Commissioner for one term, and County Treasurer two and one half terms, and have worked in many other public positions. I was ordained a Priest in 1859; ordained an Elder by J. V. Long in the Endowment House in 1860; ordained a Seventy in the fall of 1861 by Elder Phipin, I was selected as scribe for the members of the Seventies, and when the 35th Quorum was organized was ordained one of the Seven Presidents. I continued to act as secretary for the Quorum until released by council on account of advanced age. I was then ordained a High Priest and was appointed scribe for the Quorum. I was then selected to act as Geneological Representative for the Morgan Stake and filled that position with satisfaction for four years. After the Death of President William Hemming of the High Priest Quorum, Olaf B. Anderson was chosen President and I as one of the Councilors, which position I occupied for sometime. I was released from this position on account of the extensive work I was doing at the Temple. I have continued to labor for the benefit of the sons and daughters who have passed from this mortal existance unto the Life Immortal to await the Reserrection Day. I have labored continuously for a long time and have gathered a great many thousand names and have performed duties for six lines of relatives. I am 87 years of age. Yours in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. James Tucker. And I also desire to add to my previous record, the following testimony that of the truthful evidence of the power of the priesthood and of Father and the Son Jesus Christ which has been restored in this day and generation in which we now live. I desire to repeat the following time and condition that of my wife at the time when her spirit separated from her body for the space of thirty-six hours, and during that period of time she did sing twice and she declares that she was reluctant to return and enter her body of flesh and continue her mission. It was predicted by the elders that she would not pass from this life, neither did she. This was a testimony of the power of the priesthood of the Eternal Father given unto the sons and daughters in the flesh which we may obtain through obedience to the Eternal Laws of the Father. Many times has the power of the priesthood been made know unto all present in the healing of the sick members of my family. I will refer to one instance when I was afflicted with appendicitis. The pain was so severe as to cause drops of presperatioon from my body continuously. At that time the elders were called for the purpose of petitioning the Father and the performance of the ordinance of administration in my behalf. The Elders called were Robert Hogg and Richard R. Fry. The sealing of the anointment was by Brother Robert Hogg and in the name of Jesus Christ he rebuked the pain and said that it should leave my body, and it was affirmed and the pain ceased from that moment unto the present time of writing. This must be attributed to the power of the priesthood after the order of the Son of God. There are personal witnesses now who can testify to the truthfulness of this statement. Many other times has the power of the priesthood conferred upon the sons of God in the flesh. There will be one other testimony I wish to relate. The Prophet Joseph Smith proclaimed that some individuals were fore-ordained for some attainments previous to our earthly tabernacle in the flesh and bone, and also has President Wilford Woodruff made the same statement. In April 1894 on the morning previous to my departure for a mission to Great Britian, Patriarch Evan Richards came from Round Valley to Morgan at an early hour in the morning for the sole purpose of giving me a blessing. This was uncalled for by myself or any member of my family and he predicted that I should go in peace and return in safety, and I would labor in the Temples for the salvation of the dead, and that I would receive direct communication from the spirit world, and I sesire to affirm that to be true as the sun gives light through the clouds and that darkness does follow it. In conclusion I desire to add to the foregoing record, that in the year 1861 I continued to work at my former trade that of cord winder. I arranged and placed together some of the equipment for theatrical performances, such as boots and fancy slippers made from sheep skins, also the yellow and red leather placed before the entrance at the home of Henry lowering. Our entertainment consisted of dancing mostly. The Quadrille being the most popular dance. Often our dances commenced at 4 o'clock in the afternoon. I also desire to add that I have been interested in gathering geneolegy of my forefathers. In 1889 I visited my aged mother, Susan Blackmore Tucker, and since that time have worked along this line. Having gathered information of my relatives back to the year 1511, and I am still continuing this work. We have obtained over 9000 names, 8000 of which have been officiated for, and recorded in the Temple of the Lord. |