It is stunning and revealing to consider the heroin
influence in the lives of both my father and my father-in-law. The
powerful impact of heroin on Lorin Wayne Goates, George Edgar Neilson, and
their descendents cannot be underestimated.
The idea or suggestion, however, that heroin had any
effect on Lorin Goates or George Neilson should be very disturbing to anyone who
knew them. But almost as troubling is
the fact that more recognition is not given to the "heroine" in each
of their lives who almost single handedly and against incredible odds instilled
a testimony of the gospel and preserved temple covenants for them and future
generations.
Without question, their mothers, Clara Evans Goates and Ester Luella
Stephenson Neilson, are heroines deserving of recognition and incredible
appreciation from their posterity, and especially their descendents who value
the restored gospel. It is hard to
believe that anyone would envy Clara's or Ester's lives or the situations they
faced, which were filled with incredible tragedy and hardships.
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| Clara and her children about 1914 |
Clara Evan Goates was only 29 years of age in 1906 when her husband
of seven years, Joseph, tragically died from typhoid fever, leaving her
with four children, the oldest only 6 and the youngest about 8 months old.
She was left to be a single parent and the
sole provider for her young family.
No doubt the stress of having to work and always being concerned about
her children at home took a heavy toll.
Father told the
story of him and his twin brother luring a chicken into the house while their
mother was at work, and then chasing it all around until they were able to catch
and kill it.
I can only imagine the
frustration and despair Clara must have experienced when she came home to a
house full of feathers and who knows what else.
She was doing the best she could, but no doubt felt at times it all was too much and she was
failing.
There
was no way she could know the incredible influence she would have for good on
her children and future generations.
It
was stunning to me when in my mid-forties I discovered how she had directly
affected my life for good, as I explain in
my posting about Clara's influence on me.
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| Esther and her son George |
Ester Luella Stephenson Neilson's situation was different,
but no less difficult.
She did have the
advantage of having a husband to provide for the family, but his licentious and
drunken behavior in his later years makes one wonder how any of his children
were able to be faithful to the gospel or lead even semi-responsible
lives.
This is not the forum to disclose
and discuss family secrets related to Ester's husband, but being aware of his
dissolute father, I once asked my father-in-law while camping out under the
stars, how it was that he chose to be a good person and so committed to the
gospel.
He did not hesitate a second,
but simply said it was because of his mother, Esther.
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| George & Marjorie |
It wasn't Esther's lot to bring up her children on her
own, however she had the unenviable task of having to overcome the bad example and
influence of their father.
That is not
to say that he did not have positive qualities, but fortunately because of
Esther, their children did not follow in their father's debauched ways.
And not
only did she have to surmount her husband's bad example, but Esther was also required
to suffer for years with the nightmare of Alzheimer's.
It is difficult, if not impossible to believe
that anyone would want her life and the trials she endured.
And yet, there are dozens of her posterity who have served missions,
married in the temple, and strive with all their might to be faithful to the
gospel.
It is very questionable whether
any of her descendants would enjoy these blessings without her valiancy and
godly influence.
 |
| The heroine influence |
I marvel at the remarkable individuals and the families who
are descended from these two extraordinay women, and I recognize that without the saintly influence of Clara and Esther,
our lives would be missing the eternal blessings and covenants we value most. Truly, Clara Evans Goates and Ester Luella
Stephenson Neilson are heroines whose influence for good permeates our lives.
Post Apology - a part of me is sorry for resorting to yellow journalism to draw attention to Clara and Esther. It certainly is not my intent to impugn them or to leave the reader with any suggestion of drug involvement by family members who have proceeded us. Quite to the contrary, my intent was to draw attention to how beneficial and significant their lives and contributions have been to their posterity. I am sorry if my attempt and use of sensationalism has left a bad impression or taste in anyone's mouth.
