Description

Singing with a Beautiful Voice

The year was 1908 and the place was the seaside village of Felixstowe, Suffolk England. A Latter-day Saint missionary came to town named Moses Edwards of Manderfield, Utah. In his labors he introduced the restored Gospel to the Alexander and Mary Ann Beeson family and invited them to attend Church. It is said that Alexander “readily accepted the teachings and beliefs of the LDS Church and very much embraced the gospel.” 

However, the Church was not popular at that time and “folks feared the mobs should they attempt to attend LDS Church services…. Mobs would gather on Sunday morning and block the way of people going to church. That day, the [Beeson] family took a side street and worked their way along the riverfront, approaching the meeting house from a different direction.”

Can you imagine today having to sneak by stealth into Church in fear of your life? Would you go?

“As the family walked into the meeting, the meeting had already begun and the congregation was singing the hymn, ‘The Spirit of God.’”

According to Beeson family records one youthful voice stood out above them all.  “There was a young boy in the congregation who was singing with a beautiful voice.” Alexander’s son, Frank immediately felt a calming spirit within the chapel, forgetting about the mobs outside. 

Evidently, others in the family felt the same and the family was baptized. In 1909, Father Beeson emigrated to Zion. In 1910, the rest of the family joined him, and they settled in Beaver, Utah, where they lived out the remainder of their days in faith. 

And by the way, that boy with the beautiful voice…

His name was Herb Carsey. He and 14-year-old Frank became fast friends. When the Beeson family settled in Beaver, Utah, the Carsey family also emigrated and settled in Magna, Utah. The friendship of the two lads deepened and lasted the rest of their days. 

Who can measure the good across generations that one English lad singing with inspired power was able to accomplish? 

Source: 

Keith Cartwright, Frank’s grandson. Original in author’s possession. 

Glenn Rawson