Fun Family History

"And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers..." Malachi 4:6

This story about the conversion of my great, great, great grandfather, David Minshall Evans, makes me smile.

In the fall of 1841, David's brother, William, was walking down the street of Liverpool, England, on his way to church. While walking he heard singing...the most beautiful singing he had ever heard. He followed the sound of the music down an alley and up some rickety stairs, to where a few people were congregated. The singer was John Taylor. (The same John Taylor who later became the 3rd President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.) Well, the singing was so beautiful that William decided to stay and listen to the sermon. Upon returning home, my great, great, great grandfather reprimanded his brother for missing church. William responded by telling them that he was where they should have been and that they all needed to hear the wonderful truth he had heard that morning.

Before long, both of these brothers were converted to the gospel and then helped convert other members in their family.

This story does not end here.

I later learned that William Minshall Evans is the great grandfather of Marjorie Pay Hinckley, wife of Gordon B. Hinckley. She said of this event, "I never sing the hymns of the church without remembering that is was the singing of a hymn that opened the door to the gospel for my family and made it possible for me to enjoy all the blessings that have followed."

One more point of interest...(I am still smiling)...

Becky and Nancy Hoole, sisters and great, great, great granddaughters of David Minshall Evans married Jeffery and James Taylor, brothers and great, great, great, great grandsons of John Taylor. Fascinating to me---that both great grandfathers on both sides were together in a meeting in England in 1841-one teaching--one learning the gospel.