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Drusilla Hendricks

We admire our pioneer ancestors for their courage and their sacrifice, and well we should. We read about what they did, and we stand back in awe wondering if we could do the same these days. Well, in that spirit, may I share the story – the ‘touching’ story of Drusilla Hendricks?

In 1839 Drusilla was living in the happiest days of her life – a new home, a new faith, and a loving family. Then one night her world was changed. Her husband, James, was shot in the neck by a mob, leaving him paralyzed from the neck down. The mob then drove her from her home and ransacked it. The family returned to their home only then to be ordered to leave the state immediately.

Drusilla sold the family land for enough money to buy oxen to pull a small wagon, and she then set out for Illinois in the cold winter weather of early March. When she finally settled, friends built a log cabin for her, which she then chinked and plastered herself.

After that, to make ends meet, Drusilla, with a family of 5 children under the age of 11 – she began raising a large garden, taking in boarders, and selling homemade gingerbread and mittens. Drusilla worked hard; she did all that she could to support herself.

But again, their peace was only temporary. Mobs again descended upon her people, and in the winter of 1846 Drusilla again loaded up her family, crossed the Mississippi River, and turned her face to the west.

They had not gone far, however, when word came that volunteers were needed to join the United States Army in a war with Mexico. By now Drusilla’s oldest son, William, was 18, and William wanted to join the army. For 7 years this son had been her greatest help. There was no way. How could she give him up? How in the world would she survive a more than 1000-mile journey across the wilderness without him? There was no way.

Then one morning as Drusilla was preparing to fix breakfast, the familiar voice of the spirit spoke to her in words such as these:

“Drusilla, do you desire the greatest glory of heaven?”

“Yes, Lord,” she answered.

“Then, how can you get it without making sacrifices?”

“Lord, what lack I yet?”

The voice of the Lord came softly, “Let your son go in the battalion.”

William joined the army with his mother’s urging. But the pain and the grief were too much for her. Seeking seclusion, Drusilla knelt down and poured out her heart, as only a mother would understand, to a loving God. She told the Lord He could take her oldest son if He wanted, “but please – please Lord, spare his life.”

And then with that ‘peace that passeth all understanding,’ the Lord spoke to this woman of awesome faith. Gently and reassuringly, He said, “It shall be done unto you as it was unto Abraham when he offered Isaac on the altar.”

Shortly after; she kissed William, pushed him off, and stood watching until he was out of sight. It is nice to know that 15 months later William rejoined his family in the Salt Lake Valley.

(Story based on Historical Sketch of James Hendricks and Drusilla Dorris Hendricks.” Typescript: LDS Church Archives)

My dear friends, true religion requires sacrifice or it will never produce strong faith. We of this pampered generation need not worry about whose sacrifices were greater, the pioneers’ or ours. For the faithful, a just and loving Father in Heaven will make sure that the sacrifices and trials we endure are sufficient for the glory we will receive. But please know this: Those of us who are fond of our comfort and ease, there must be a price paid for faith.

It was once said this way: “… No cross, no crown; No gall, no glory; No thorns, no throne.” (President Ezra Taft Benson, Area Conference Report, Taipei, Taiwan, 1975, p. 3.)