The East Phoenix Valley is replete with LDS pioneer heritage. The names of pioneer families adorn our streets, buildings and schools. We often casually pass by a geographic location without considering the history of the family for which the location was named, or why the family name was used. The inquiring minds of Arizona Beehive readers want to know! In each issue we now present the history of one “famous” Mormon family name. We hope you enjoy learning about these families, and encourage you to reach out to The Arizona Beehive with ideas for families to feature in the series.
By Hillary Jade Fevrier
The Ellsworth Family The Decennial Ellsworth Family Reunion Celebrates the Life of the Prolific Pioneer Edmund Lovell Ellsworth
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t some point in life, everyone considers their legacy. What mark will I leave on the world? Was my life significant? Maybe it happens as a teen, dreaming of being a rockstar and changing the world with music. Maybe it happens in the sunset of life, when the end seems near and that legacy is knocking at the door. As Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we might consider our legacy in a particular way as we reflect on past and future in an effort to “maintain an eternal perspective.” For the descendants of early convert Edmund Lovell Ellsworth, their legacy is rooted deep into the tradition of the restored Church. Ellsworth was born in upstate New York in 1819. When he heard about his mother joining the Church, he rushed home to “save her from the delusion.” Well, the rest is history and this powerful convert went on to impact the development of the church across the United States and beyond. From New York, he moved to Nauvoo, where he met and married Elizabeth Young, eldest daughter of Brigham Young. In 1854, Ellsworth was called to serve a mission to England. Upon his Right to Life Rally
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March and Rally for Life states loud and clear that we will not close our eyes. Instead, we shall stand up, convinced that to stand for life is to stand for the truth.” During the rally, ultrasound technician Iveth Tarantino from Life
return in 1856, he was put in charge of the First Handcart Company, which was later renamed “The Ellsworth Handcart Company.” Brother Ellsworth led countless early Saints west and was asked to take other single women in need of a provider as his wives. In the late 1800s, the persecution against polygamy was at its height and Ellsworth found it necessary to relocate. He ended up in Arizona, but was not able to escape some jail time. In 1885, he was freed and allowed to return to Show Low, where he had been living. As he passed through Mesa, he felt compelled to relocate again and finally settled there with his four wives and forty-two children. After battling heart failure for years, Brother Ellsworth was able to complete one final act of faithfulness. In 1893, he made the arduous trek back to Salt Lake to attend the dedication of the Salt Lake Temple. He died eight months later in Mesa. With forty-two children, the number of descendants of Edmund Ellsworth is estimated at about 30,000 individuals. The Ellsworth Family Reunion is open to any and all members of familial lines that proceed from that one faithful man. Choices Women’s Clinic, performed an ultrasound on a pregnant woman while another woman and a young girl sang to the beat of the unborn baby’s heartbeat. “I hope it had a good effect because they were able to listen to it, and that’s a very rhythmic, beautiful sound,” Tarantino said. “You cannot forget it once you’ve heard it.”
Photo Courtesy of Cory Ellsworth
Father, leader, missionary, and devoted Latter-day Saint, Edmund Ellsworth.
Whether we are descendants of Edmund Ellsworth or not, we can all follow his example of dedication, personal sacrifice, and faith in Jesus Christ. Then, someday, we can leave a legacy of our own. Whether it’s the legacy of a rock star or a handcart pioneer, a stay at home mom or retail store clerk, we can all leave the legacy of making the world a little better because we were here. The once-every-ten-year Ellsworth Family Reunion (in this case after 12 years, due to two years of Covid Emotional Self-Reliance Continued from pg. 11
Another sister, Angie Dunn, shared, “I found great value in meeting with my emotional resilience class each week. It was an opportunity to glean new ideas from my ward sisters’ testimonies and personal experiences. I was grateful for the spiritual uplift and having our class meetings togeth-
Photo Courtesy of Cory Ellsworth
The headstone of Edmund Ellsworth is a reminder of his inspiring life
restrictions) will be held on Friday, July 1, 2022, and Saturday, July 2, 2022 in Show Low, Arizona. It is sure to be a great time that will connect Ellsworth family descendants across generations. er helped me stay accountable to the small goals I was working on.” To participate in a Self-Reliance class, check with your local stake leaders. Not all stakes are offering these courses; however, a neighboring stake will be offering classes in this program. All are welcome in Self-Reliance classes, member of the Church or stake offering the course notwithstanding.
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