Amanda

By: Kristine Keele, "Amanda," Friend, Apr. 1985, 36, 37, 38, 39

Illustrated by Larry Winborg. Published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Picture of Isaac Higbee and modified register added by Jacqueline Leatham

Isaac Higbee b. 23 Dec 1797 Galloway, Gloucester, New Jersey

Amanda Higbee was frightened. Papa had warned her about the wicked men who hated Mormons. The previous May Papa had baptized her, and it had been the happiest day of her life. Today was the worst, or so Amanda thought. Papa should have come home last night, but he hadn't. Mama said not to worry, but Amanda was afraid some of the wicked men had caught him.

In the next room a door slammed, and Amanda rushed out. But instead of it being Papa, it was her brother Josiah, yelling, "Ma! The mill's on fire! Walker's barn is burning, and they're heading toward the Robison's!"

"Who are 'they'?" asked Ma as Josiah tried to catch his breath.

"A mob of Missourians. They had guns and torches and everything! I heard them say that they were going to burn all the Mormons out of Jackson County."

If Ma was frightened, she didn't show it. Instead, she gathered her children about her and said, "Children, your father warned us that this might happen. I'm afraid it won't be long before they'll be here. Listen carefully. This is what you must do …"

After listening to Ma's instructions, the children quickly obeyed. Mary gathered up the bedding, while Josiah brought the wagon around. After handing Joseph a bag of grain, Amanda helped Hannah with the cooking gear. In the distance, a reddish glow lit up the sky, and Amanda could hear men shouting. A few pieces of furniture were loaded into the wagon, and then the Higbees were off, with Josiah driving.

On the road ahead they saw several of their friends and neighbors. The Robisons and Walkers had escaped in time, as well as the Stones and Ewells. Amanda waved to Elizabeth Robison, but Elizabeth just stared past her. Wondering why, Amanda turned around and saw wagon loads of people coming from every direction. Behind them were burning farms and houses. Amanda started to cry. It was too much: Papa was lost, their home was gone, and now they were fleeing for their lives!

"What's this?" Ma said, turning around. "Tears, Amanda? Hannah, you too? What you need is a good story."

Amanda didn't think a story would help, but Ma continued anyway. "Did you know that we are just like the Nephites in the Book of Mormon?" she asked.

"We are?" Josiah asked, "I don't remember anything like this happening to them."

"Oh, yes, Josiah," Ma replied. "The Nephites were driven from their homes many times. Like us, they believed in a prophet of God, and because of their belief, they were often persecuted and sometimes put to death."

"Did they have a prophet named Joseph Smith, too?" sniffled Hannah, wiping away her tears.

"No, Hannah. But there were many other prophets. Let me tell you about a prophet named Abinadi. When he preached to a certain king by the name of Noah, the wicked king refused to believe Abinadi's words. He ordered his men to bind Abinadi and kill him by setting him afire."

"Did they really burn him?" asked Amanda.

"Yes. But one of the king's men, Alma, believed what Abinadi had taught. When Alma tried to save him, King Noah became even angrier, and he ordered his men to kill Alma too. Luckily Alma escaped from the king's guards and hid.

"Alma repented of his sins and preached privately among the people the things that Abinadi had taught. Every day more and more people came to listen to Alma. In time over two hundred believers were baptized.

"One day," continued Ma, "King Noah heard about Alma's success and sent out an army to destroy Alma and his followers. However, when King Noah's army reached the forest near the Waters of Mormon where Alma and his people had been gathered, no one was there. Heavenly Father had warned Alma, and everyone had escaped.

"After traveling in the wilderness for eight days, Alma found another beautiful place for his people to live. There they built houses, planted crops, and were very happy. They lived in peace for several years. Then a group of Lamanites and apostate Nephites found them. They were as bad as King Noah. They made Alma and his people [page 38] slaves; they beat them for believing in Jesus Christ, and if any of Alma's people were discovered praying to the Lord, they were to be put to death."

"You mean the Nephites were killed just for praying?" gasped Mary.

"How would the Lamanites know if they were praying--did they have spies?" asked Josiah.

"I don't know, Josiah," Ma replied. "But the Nephites were brave people. They outsmarted the Lamanites by praying in their hearts. Heavenly Father heard their prayers and said to Alma, "Thou shalt go before this people, and I will go with thee and deliver this people out of bondage' (Mosiah 24:17). Then He caused the Lamanites to fall into a deep sleep. While the Lamanites were asleep, the Nephites escaped. Soon they found a country with a good king, Mosiah, and they lived there in peace and prosperity."

"I liked that story, Ma," said Amanda. "Please tell us another."

Everyone agreed, and soon their mother was telling them about Alma and his adventures in the city of Ammonihah. While her mother explained how Alma and Amulek escaped from prison, Amanda realized that she had forgotten all about her own problems.

When nightfall came, the Higbees looked for a place to spend the night. Rain had started to fall, so they decided to camp in the shelter of an overhanging bluff. Some of their friends camped near them, and for a while everyone felt safe. Then, about two o'clock in the morning, the rain turned into a raging storm, and a small stream near the camp became a roaring river. Amanda watched in horror as trees and bushes were swept away. Grabbing her belongings, she joined the rest of the family as they raced for shelter. Earlier, Josiah had spotted a cave near the top of the bluff, so they headed toward it.

Because Ma had become very ill during the night, Brother Carr offered to carry her to the cave. Walking next to them, Amanda felt like crying again. And when she saw that the cave was filled with wild hogs, she was terrified. But she, Mary, and Josiah decided that the family needed the cave more than the hogs did. So, grabbing sticks, the children attacked. The hogs fled.

Ma was carried in as soon as the cave was cleaned out as well as it could be. Too sick to lie down, Ma spent the rest of the night sitting in her chair. Amanda curled up between Mary and Hannah. Sharing a wet blanket, they tried to sleep as lightning crackled, thunder boomed, and babies cried.

Morning came, and with it the sunshine. A familiar voice awakened them. "Hello! Anybody up there?"

Amanda ran from the cave, shouting, "Papa! Papa! You're safe! You found us!"

Behind her came the rest of the family. Soon everyone had been hugged and kissed. Then Papa explained how he had found them. After hiding for several days, he had returned home to find it burned and his family gone.

"Did you cry, Papa?" asked Amanda, snuggling closer to him.

"Yes, Amanda. I cried, and I prayed. Then this morning I rode into camp and heard about some crazy kids who had chased wild hogs out of a cave so that their mother could get in out of the rain." The children smiled proudly, and father finished by saying, "Do you realize you probably saved your mother's life?" He picked up Ma, and they all worked their way down the hill, a complete family once more.

Later that day the Higbees stood near the bank of the mighty Missouri River, where many of the Saints were lined up, waiting to cross over. These people had just fled fire, flood, and mobs. However, hope was in their hearts, for ahead of them was a new land. Like the Nephites, they would again plant crops, build houses, and live in peace for a few years. Their hard times were not over, but for now they were safe and happy to be alive.

The Higbees' turn on the ferryboat came, and they began the crossing. Looking at the brown waves slapping against the sides of the boat, Amanda felt sick. Oh, Heavenly Father, she silently prayed, help us.

Heavenly Father did help them. They made the trip safely--all except Ma. She was nearly unconscious when Papa carried her up the bank. Some women, seeing her condition, rushed over to help. Within minutes a tent was put up, and Ma was carried inside.

"Is Ma going to die?" asked Hannah fearfully, trying to peek into the tent.

"No," replied Papa. "Your mother's baby is ready to be born."

And sure enough, at that very moment they heard the cry of a newborn baby.

"Yippee!" yelled Josiah. "We just got us a brother."

"It could be a girl," Amanda reminded him.

But Josiah was right. Cradled in Ma's arms was a beautiful baby boy.

"Look at his little fingers and toes," Hannah whispered.

"Hello, baby!" said Joseph.

"His eyes are so big," sighed Amanda.

"What's his name?" asked Josiah.

"Let's call him Alma," Ma suggested, and everyone agreed.

Modified Register for Isaac Higbee

First Generation

Isaac Higbee

was born on 23 Dec 1797 in Galloway, Gloucester, New Jersey. He died on 16 Feb 1874 in Provo, Utah, Utah. He was buried in Provo, Utah, Utah. He was sealed to his parents on 13 Dec 1930. He was baptized on 1 May 1832. He was endowed on 16 Dec 1845 in the Nauvoo (original) temple. He was the son of Isaac Higbee b. 17 Jun 1761 at Galloway, Atlantic, New Jersey and Sophia Somers b. 18 Aug 1766 at Galloway, Atlantic, New Jersey.

Isaac married (1) Keziah String daughter of Thomas String and Hannah Alvinson on 11 Feb 1819 in , Clairmont, Ohio. They were sealed on 14 Jan 1846 in the Nauvoo (original) temple. Keziah was born on 25 Dec 1802 in Gloucester, Camden, New Jersey. She died on 3 Nov 1841 in Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois. She was sealed to her parents on 19 Nov 1992 in the Provo Utah temple. She was baptized on 30 May 1931. She was endowed on 8 Jun 1931 in the Salt Lake temple.

They had the following children:

Josiah Higbee was born on 10 Jan 1820 in Tate, Clermont, Ohio. He died on 17 Mar 1847 in , Clermont, Ohio. He was sealed to his parents on 29 Jun 1931. He was baptized on 1 Feb 1930. He was endowed on 29 May 1930 in the Salt Lake temple.

Mary Keziah Higbee was born on 5 Sep 1821. in , Clermont, Ohio. She died on 17 Mar 1847 in Near Florence, Douglas, Nebraska. She was sealed to her parents on 29 Jun 1931 in the Salt Lake temple. She was baptized on 30 Mar 1964. She was endowed on 3 Feb 1846.

Mary Keziah Higbee is the 2nd great grandmother of Jacqueline Nadine Spendlove Leatham

Mary married Lewis Curtis Zabriskie son of Henry Zabriskie and Eleanor Galpin on 15 Apr 1838 in Quincy, Adams, Il. They were sealed on 11 May 1853. Lewis was born on 17 Sep 1817 in , Hamilton, Ohio. He died on 17 Nov 1872 in Spring City, Sanpete, Utah. He was buried in Nov 1872 in Spring City, Sanpete, Utah. He was sealed to his parents on 21 May 1974 in the Provo Utah temple. He was baptized on 19 Apr 1836. He was endowed on 3 Feb 1846 in the Nauvoo (original) temple.

Summers Higbee was born Aug 1823 in Palestine, Drake, Ohio. He died in Aug 1823. He was sealed to his parents on 29 Jun 1931.

Amanda Melvina Higbee was born on 20 May 1826 in Palestine, Clairmont, Ohio. She died on 24 May 1882 in Provo, Utah, Utah. She was buried on 26 May 1882 in Provo, Utah, Utah. She was sealed to her parents on 29 Jun 1931. She was baptized on 16 Oct 1967. She was endowed on 9 Jan 18, 1846.

Amanda married John McEwan ⁷ on 23 Dec 1845 in Nauvoo, Hancock, Il. They were sealed on 9 Jan 1846 in the Nauvoo (original) temple.

Hannah Higbee was born on 23 Jul 1828 in Tate, Clermont, Ohio. She was sealed to her parents on 29 Jun 1931. She was baptized on 30 May 1931. She was endowed on 8 Jun 1931 in the Salt Lake temple.

Hannah married Warren N. Johnson on 13 Oct 1852 in Tate, Clermont, Ohio. They were sealed on 19 Nov 1992 in the Provo Utah temple.

Joseph Higbee was born 15 Dec 1830 in , Hamilton, Ohio. He died on 9 Feb 1850 in Provo, Utah, Utah. He was sealed to his parents on 29 Jun 1931. He was baptized on 1 Feb 1930. He was endowed on 2 Jun 1930 in the Salt Lake temple.

Alma Higbee was born on 9 Nov 1833 in , Hamilton, Ohio. He died in

1835 in , Clay Co., Missouri. He was sealed to his parents on 29 Jun 1931.

Emma Higbee was born on 2 Nov 1836 in of, Provo, Utah, Utah. She died on 23 Jul 1925 in Mesa, Maricopa, Arizona. She was buried on 25 Jul 1925 in Mesa, Maricopa, Arizona. She was sealed to her parents on 11 Feb 1858. She was baptized on 2 Nov 1844. She was endowed on 11 Feb 1858.

Buried in city cemetery

Emma married Henry Clay Rogers on 19 Oct 1856 in of, Provo, Utah, Utah. They were sealed on 11 Feb 1858 in the Endowment House temple.

Margaret Keziah Higbee as born in Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois. She died on 25 Aug 1843 in Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois. She was sealed to her parents on 2 Jun 1931. She was baptized on 24 Oct 1953. She was endowed on 5 Nov 1953.

Lucy Ann Higbee was born on 31 Oct 1841 in Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois. She died on 2 Nov 1841. She was sealed to her parents on 29 Jun 1931.

Isaac married (2) Charlotte Woods on 30 Apr 1842 in Nauvoo, Hancock, Il.

Isaac married (3) Eliza Darling on 12 Jan 1846. They were sealed on 14 Jan 1846.

Isaac married (4) Elizabeth Nelson on 2 Apr 1856.

Isaac married (5) Jane Nelson on 29 Jul 1865.

Isaac married (6) Elizabeth McClelland on 29 Jul 1865.

Isaac married (7) Sarah Crosby on 10 Oct 1868.

Isaac married (8) Sophia Chlorinda on 10 Oct 1868.