Some Family History

Last week for my ward FHE, the lesson was based off of Quentin L. Cook's talk "Hope Ya Know, We Had a Hard Time" from November's General Conference. Our teacher related a story in the article about Helen Mar Whitney. I thought to myself, 'my grandmother's name is Helen Mar, I wonder if we're related.' So tonight I checked some family group records, and lo and behold, Helen Mar Whitney's maiden name is Kimball, daughter of Heber and Vilate. Which makes her our great-great-great aunt. I thought this was pretty interesting so I'd thought I'd share it will you.

Here is the excerpt from the article:

Even with their common faith, the Saints had experienced much hardship and approached the evacuation of Nauvoo with very different expectations. Some looked forward with optimism, others with concern. Two excellent examples are presented by Helen Mar Whitney and Bathsheba Smith. Both have left compelling records of their feelings.
Sister Whitney recorded her expectations upon leaving Nauvoo: “I will pack away all my little ribbons, collars and laces, etc., for we are going where we cannot purchase them. We are going out from the world to live beyond the Rocky Mountains where none others will wish to go. There will be neither rich nor poor among us, and we will have none but the honest and virtuous.”10 Sister Whitney’s words resonate with an idealistic optimism....

Both of these LDS pioneer women remained strong in the gospel throughout their lives and provided wonderful service in building Zion, but they faced many additional trials and hardships, which they both faithfully endured.12 Despite Sister Whitney’s optimism, her first three children died at or near birth—two of them during her extended exodus from Nauvoo to Salt Lake.13 Sister Whitney has blessed us with her writings in defense of our faith and was the mother of the Apostle Orson F. Whitney.