John Rowe Moyle
First the story, then the question.
One of the classic inspirational stories in church history is the story of John Moyle. A couple years back, President Uchtdorf retold this story in his talk “Lift Where You Stand” as quoted below.
“This year marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of John Rowe Moyle. John was a convert to the Church who left his home in England and traveled to the Salt Lake Valley as part of a handcart company. He built a home for his family in a small town a valley away from Salt Lake City. John was an accomplished stonecutter and, because of this skill, was asked to work on the Salt Lake Temple.
Every Monday John left home at two o’clock in the morning and walked six hours in order to be at his post on time. On Friday he would leave his work at five o’clock in the evening and walk almost until midnight before arriving home. He did this year after year.
One day, while he was doing his chores at home, a cow kicked him in the leg, causing a compound fracture. With limited medical resources, the only option was to amputate the broken leg. So John’s family and friends strapped him onto a door and, with a bucksaw, cut off his leg a few inches from the knee.
In spite of the crude surgery, the leg started to heal. Once John could sit up in bed, he began carving a wooden leg with an ingenious joint that served as an ankle to an artificial foot. Walking on this device was extremely painful, but John did not give up, building up his endurance until he could make the 22-mile (35-km) journey to the Salt Lake Temple each week, where he continued his work.
His hands carved the words “Holiness to the Lord” that stand today as a golden marker to all who visit the Salt Lake Temple.”
It is a remarkable story of a dedicated man, with a consecrated heart, that bears repeating.
Here’s the question:
One Sunday we were listening to this story, and my insightful EC leaned over and whispered to me:
“I think this story is really sad. You mean to tell me there wasn’t one person in the whole Salt Lake Valley that could lend this poor man a horse or a mule? Didn’t he have a home teacher, or someone in his quorum that could help? Where was his Bishop? It seems like a missed opportunity for service.”
— You need to understand that my EC is wise like that – always looking for ways to help. I need to remember that if I fail to care for those around me, someone’s suffering might become their legacy, and it probably won’t get talked about in General Conference.
Good story and good point by the EC. It reminds me of the serenity prayer and having the wisdom to know what we should endure and what we should change. We don’t know enough to judge, but John Moyle definitely endured his affliction well.
Hmmmm, now I *really* want to know who you are, even if you’re not in my ward….. I found your blog off a list of “favorite blogs” of a random friends, but I doubt she knows you either….
~Larkin
It is a very well-used story, but that doesn’t mean I’m not in your ward…
I was reading back on your old posts when I realized…. I must know you. I told this story in a talk I gave in my ward, three weeks before this post was posted. If not, that is a HUGE coincidence. 🙂
~Larkin
Your wife is indeed using her noggin.
As the wife of a traveling man, I’m also inclined to point out that if my husband just had one client (like oh, I don’t know, the Salt Lake Temple) instead of ping-ponging around the country (and the world) all the time, we’d move and eliminate his commute.
I’m just saying.
Oooh, great insight. Warn EC that if she keeps thinking this way, there might be a General Authority looking (BIG calling to follow) :-/
BTW, I followed you home from Cheese Boy’s blog 🙂
I know I’m in good company when I find that MY first thought is the same as your EC’s. Seriously, where were this man’s home teacher and/or bishop?! Of course, maybe he was stubborn enough to refuse the help and this just didn’t make it into the story. Bless his heart…
I grew up in Alpine (got Moyle park?) so his story is a biggie for my fam… I always liked to think of Brother Moyle as being like my Grandpa: a little stubborn, taking pride in doing things on his own, finding great satisfaction in his service, goodness to the core… (It’s like the women in my neighborhood who always refruse to have dinner brought to their house… we force dinner on them anyway… your wife is a genius–hope I can be like her when I grow up!)–Kandis
Your EC is a good woman. Whenever I hear that story I sort of cringe and think that Bro. Moyle was a tad obsessive and a bit of a nutter. Talented, but crazy.
I like the way your EC thinks. 😉
It’s a great reminder to always remember to serve others. 🙂
Legacy Building!! hahahahahah That’s what I’m doing!
Your wife is very wise. Let’s hope someone at least offered to walk with him!
Great, I can hear it now:
VTS: Sister Kari, this is your VT supervisor checking on your visits in April.
Kari: Nope. Skipped this month.
VTS: May I ask why?
Kari: I was “Legacy Building”
VTS: (pause) Thank you for all that you do. Maybe we’ll see you this Sunday.
So does that mean we don’t do our service so they can build a legacy? Or we do our service to stop these stories before they start?
Just wondering 🙂 Yes I do have an evil side.