Description

I Heard a Plain Voice

In 1847- 48 the Samuel and Elvira Steele family was living in Mt. Pisgah, Iowa. They were a
part of the great exodus of the Latter-day Saints from Nauvoo to the Rocky Mountains.
According to family history, Samuel left his wife and family for a time and went to work about
200 miles away. Many of the Saints at that time traveled south and found work in northern
Missouri. It is presumed that Samuel did the same. While he was gone, his daughter three-year-
old daughter Lovina was playing before the fire when a hot coal popped onto her dress and set it
ablaze. In panic, Lovina ran outside where the wind caught the fire and spread it. A neighbor saw
Lovina and ran to help. The fire was extinguished but Lovina was badly burned. The family
joined together in fasting and prayer for Lovina’s recovery and that her father Samuel would
come home.

Meanwhile, Samuel and a friend had completed the long winter journey and had indeed found
the work that was promised. One night as they left a prayer meeting, Samuel announced to his
friend that he:

“Must start home in the morning.” His partner was surprised, “We have just got located and ready to work,” he said. Brother Steele said, “While the meeting was going on I heard a plain voice saying you are wanted at home. One of your family is ill and nigh unto death.” Brother Steele was determined to go but his partner said, “It is winter, the snow is deep, the weather is cold, no conveyance, no road broke.” Brother Steele said he must go home.”

Samuel traveled two day’s journey toward home when he met friends who were on their way to
Pisgah with a horse and sleigh. They offered Samuel a ride. Upon arriving home, he learned that
his daughter had been severely burned and was very low and near death. He later described in
graphic detail just how severe her wounds were. The family was surprised to see him. He
explained the voice he heard and the message. Curious, they questioned as to the exact time the
message was received. They then told him,

“That night, that hour, that minute, we were all in fast meeting praying to the Lord to send
you home.”

Lovina would recover but carry those scars the rest of her life. She came on to the Salt Lake
Valley, married Benjamin Franklin Barrus and settled in Grantsville. This was not the only
moment when this hardy pioneer woman proved the steel of her faith.

Source:

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/memories/KWN2-841