He That Hateth His Life in This World

Today we remember the pioneers who entered the Salt Lake Valley 179 years ago. One of the things that made them unique compared to other travelers to the west at that time—such as those going to California or Oregon—can be summed up in one word: covenant. A revelation to Brigham Young at Winter Quarters says this, “The Word and Will of the Lord concerning the Camp of Israel in their journeyings to the West: Let all the people of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and those who journey with them, be organized into companies, with a covenant and promise to keep all the commandments and statutes of the Lord our God….. And this shall be our covenant—that we will walk in all the ordinances of the Lord” (Doctrine and Covenants 136:1-4). They were not traveling to find gold or become rich or obtain the very best spot of land; they went in order to keep their covenants with the Lord and follow Him. Many of them had made covenants in the Nauvoo Temple to consecrate their lives to God and keep His commandments, and President Brigham Young encouraged them this way as he commandment those in Winter Quarters to help those in need: “Now is the time for labor. Let the fire of the covenant which you made in the House of the Lord, burn in your hearts, like flame unquenchable.” That fire of the covenant that burned in their hearts led them to traverse unthinkable hardship as they came west and forsook their worldly goods for the kingdom of God.

            I decided to read about the life of one of my pioneer ancestors today, Henry Brett Skidmore, who indeed chose to be valiant to his covenants with the Lord. He is my third-great grandfather, and he was born in 1830 in Philadelphia. He joined the Church in 1850 there and later became the president of the branch until he left for the Salt Lake Valley in 1855. One account reads, “In 1855, Henry and Sarah Ann and four year old Harriett, together with his mother, two brothers and two sisters left Philadelphia with the John Hendley Company for Salt Lake City. They arrived at the end of their destination that same year after many hardships and trials. These were made particularly difficult because Henry was responsible for the care of all the family and he was also a Captain over one of the units…. This first year Henry and his family lived mostly on Sego roots and lambs quarters (a root used for greens). This was a real trial for them. By comparison, in Philadelphia, Henry had made good money, and his family had been well cared for.” He had been very successful in Philadelphia working for Henry Disston who made saws that are still known today. My ancestor “worked very hard at this trade and became the foreman of the factory, being next in authority to Mr. Disston himself. During his employ, Henry invented the band saw and put it in as a product of the company. When he joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he told Mr. Disston his ambition was to go west and live among the Latter Day Saint people. His employer was very much upset over him leaving and promised Henry if he would go to Chicago, he would set him up in a business of his own. Henry turned this offer down and later went to Utah. Mr. Disston made three visits to Salt Lake City to try and persuade Henry to come back to Philadelphia. He said he would make him his partner and give him half of the business, but Henry refused, saying that the Gospel meant more to him than all the money in the world.” That final statement sums up the attitude of so many pioneers—the only reason they could endure such hardships and forsake their worldly goods for a life of hardship and suffering was because the gospel meant more to them than the things of the world. He could have been wealthy and might even have made his name in that Wikipedia page if he had stayed with Mr. Disston; but instead he chose to sacrifice his comfortable life, survive by eating roots, and give his time to serve the Lord.

Henry Skidmore and so many other pioneers took to heart these words of the Savior: “He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour” (John 12:25-26). He served in a bishopric in East Millcreek for 33 years, one of the longest bishoprics in the history of the Church. All three members of the bishopric died within a few days of each other after their tireless service. He gave his life in mortality to building the kingdom of God and surely the Father will indeed honor this pioneer and so many others for their commitment to keeping their covenants with Him.