Stephie

The story isn't mine to tell, but I'm going to share what I know of it. It takes place sometime in the early 20th century in the small Utah town of Panguitch to a young boy named Stephie.

Stephie was from a tight-knit LDS family; his uncle was the church bishop. When Stephie was seven, he decided he wanted to be baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on his eighth birthday. Unfortunately, his birthday was on a Wednesday and most baptisms take place on the first weekend of the month. Well, seeing as Stephie was so adamant about being baptized on his special day, his mother convinced the bishop to grant Stephie's wish, but the bishop insisted on having the confirmation done at the regular time. Stephie said that was fine with him as long as he could be baptized on his birthday.

So, on Wednesday (not sure of the actual date) Stephie and his family went down to the canal for the sacred ordinance of baptism, as there wasn't a baptismal font in the town yet. As his uncle the bishop took Stephie into the waters, he reminded Stephie that the confirmation would take place on the next fast Sunday, the first Sunday of the following month. Stephie nodded his head and prepared for the ordinance to be performed. But as his uncle lifted Stephie from the waters of baptism he felt the impression to do the confirmation immediately. And so, that's just what they did. Stephie was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church on his eighth birthday.

Later that day, as he and his cousins ran around the farm yard playing hide-and-go-seek, a tragic accident occurred. As Stephie was running into the hay-barn to hide, a large, metal hay fork, held over the door of the barn by a chain, fell right on top of the young boy. One of the large tines pierced Stephie's face and head. His family rushed him to the house where his mother cared for him as best she could. The doctor wasn't able to arrive to help Stephie for twelve hours. By then it was just too late. Stephie returned to his Father in Heaven on the very same day that he accepted the gospel and was baptized and confirmed a member of His church.

Consider the guidance of the Holy Ghost. How this story would be different had Stephie and his uncle not listened to the promptings of the Spirit. Let this be a simple testimony of a living God who knows each of us, and longs for our return.

The reason I am sharing this story with you is today, on our trek to southern Utah, we took a detour to the tiny town of Panguitch in search of Stephie's grave. We didn't find it, but we did find a few other interesting things.

Only in Panguitch, Utah can you find images like these:

A skeleton riding a tractor,

and rusted metal giraffes roving a front yard.

Have a great week. Post to you soon!