Forever Stalwart Book Update

Sister Sharon Church and I view the Salt Lake Temple from the Church Office Building after a Family History Discovery event this morning, then spent the afternoon working with some wonderful OFFICIAL STAFF personnel at the Church History Library who were helpful in finding and preparing our permissions request for “the book.” They are smothered with requests, but promised to submit ours to the legal department by the first of next week. No idea how long that process will take, but you can be sure I will let you know as soon as it is done. It really is going to happen! Please stay tuned.

[Note: Elder and Sister Church (from American Fork) served a Family History Mission scanning records from the South Dakota Historical Society. They also taught a seminary class for us (as CES missionaries). Our mission apartments were across the hallway from each other. Friendships are eternal.]

Exciting Find: Grandpa Titus loved the Book of Mormon. I do too!

Even though "the BOOK - Forever Stalwart" cannot be released until that last permission statement comes in, I have decided to move forward with this blog and share some of the inspiring "tender mercies" experienced along the journey of it's creation.

Would you believe?  We found a Book of Mormon that actually belonged to Titus Billings!

So here's the scoop, a DUP (Daughter's of the Utah Pioneers) lesson mentioned a Book of Mormon owned by Eunice Billings Warner Snow (daughter) and claimed it was preserved in the Provo DUP Museum. Of course I rushed right over. It is precious and kept in a locked glass cabinet. You cannot touch it or take pictures without special permission. Read on, if you want to learn about a real tender mercy.

Just then, the Museum Director entered. Everyone was surprised and I was delighted. She wasn't scheduled to be there, but felt impressed to come. Long story short, she unlocked the cabinet and with gloved hands removed the book. Again, I could not touch it, but did ask if she would open it. 

The inside cover was signed by Titus Billings! In his hand writing! Underneath Eunice had added: "Is now the property of Eunice Snow, 5th Ward, Provo."

Needless to say, I was very overjoyed. Decades ago my father assigned me to write the biography of Titus Billings and share every treasure we could find about him. Dad even moved to Titus' Independence Stewardship property in Missouri and spent years searching history for facts. "Forever Stalwart" is the compilation of everything we could find (with the Isaac Morley and Edward Tuttle stories added). I was allowed to take these three photographs for the book. (Of course proper permission forms and fees were satisfied.)

Have you ever been frustrated? My book is done, but I can't share it yet!

"Forever Stalwart" was proofed, uploaded, and made print-ready weeks ago. What is the hang-up? We are still waiting on one last written release statement for treasures (photos, letters, documents) being included in the book. To be legal we must have that permission or remove the valued items. We have chosen to wait it out. Thanks for you patience.

The moment it arrives presses will roll!