Mary Malden Peek
was my 4th great grandmother. She was born in England. When she was just a young girl, she lived a life similar to other girls her age.
One of her favorite things to do was sew.
Another was to enjoy tea,
when she was invited with her mother and some of the other ladies. While she was still quite young, her father died, leaving the family with not enough money to live on. Mary took jobs sewing to help with the family’s income. One day their family met some missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, “the Mormons”, and they were touched by the things the missionaries said.
Mary knew in her heart that what the elders were teaching her was true, and she wanted to be baptized.
At the time this happened, there was some persecution happening to members of the church, as well as the missionaries. They had to meet in barns and other places that they might not regularly meet. Also, when someone wanted to get baptized, they would have to do it in secret. Mary wanted to be baptized so bad, she didn’t want to wait until others were okay with it. So they made a plan. She would be baptized in the shed. They dug a hole and spent the whole day filling it with buckets of water till it was deep enough for her. That night, after dark, she was baptized. When I was baptized the water was clear and clean and warm. My family was there and it was safe and wonderful. Mary must have really wanted it, to go through all that. I’m not sure if she felt safe, but I’m pretty sure that water wasn’t clean or clear or warm. She and her family later left England to come to Utah to be with other members of the church. Mary walked to the Great Salt Lake Valley. She married a good man, and lived a good life full of happiness. She never regretted her choice to join the church. I love her for all she went through, for her courage, drive and purpose.
Her life was full!
Find one of your ancestors who was amazing and tell the story to your family! Happy Family History Friday! Love, Joy
Such an amazing account there. I have so much respect for the early pioneers and all they went through. Their conviction is amazing!