By Shawnee Hawkes

“Tell me, Mr. Knight, do you believe in Angels?”

~ Joseph Smith Jr. to Vinson Knight, May 1834 ~

Daniel McBride was born on September 13, 1766 in Stillwater, Saratoga, New York and married Abigail Mead in 1787.

According to one family story from Daniel’s life that as Daniel and his wife Abigail strolled from church, he said to his family: “There is something lacking, - I feel that I have not the authority, as the prophets of old – if only I could say to the people: ‘Thus saith the Lord.” This prophetic vision would remain with his family , until 1833 after Daniel’s death when Amasa M. Lyman, William F. Cahoon, and Evan M. Greene would preach the restored gospel to Daniel McBride’s family.

(“Life Histories of Shirley and May McBride

and their Ancestors” by Shirley M. Bodrero)

“Each of you is a spirit child of the Great God. He therefore loves each of you, is interested in you, knows you by name and is anxious to bless you and to lead you along. But his willingness to do this is limited by your faithfulness in keeping the commandments and by

your persistence in seeking him in fervent prayer. Therefore above all else, your lives should be centered on learning and keeping the

commandments of god and on seeking his daily guidance throughout earnest, heart-felt prayer”.

~ Daniel to his family, 1823 ~

“What we say about cheese…, applies also to the beautiful world in which we live. World’s don’t just happen. They are created. And their creator is God. The fact you have never seen him does not

mean he does not exist”. ~ Daniel McBride~

“I can assure you that your father is aware of what has happened since he passed on and that he rejoices with you in the Spirit

World”. ~ Joseph Smith Jr. to Martha McBride about her father

Daniel in the Spring of 1834 ~

After the death of her husband Daniel McBride Abigail would follow the saints from Kirtland to Nauvoo, and after the saints rest in Nauvoo. She would journey across the plains with her family, at the age of 77. Being one of the oldest women to walk across the plains. Abigail’s faith in her Maker was reaffirmed when towards the end of her life she fully realized, the fulfillment of the words of Joseph Smith Sr., the Patriarch, that she would go to Zion and have good health.

Abigail [sic] McBride born in Nine Partners Montgomery County N.Y. aged 66 years the 29th of January 1830

My aged sister—In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ the Redeemer of the world and by the Power and authority of the Priesthood I lay my hands on thy head and on head of thy Posterity and confer a Blessing—Thou hast had sorrow and afflictions out of which the Lord is delivering thee. He has established thy faith, thou hast obeyed the Gospel of thy Saviour, thy name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Thou art of the lineage of Abraham. If thou holdest on thy way, the time will come when thou, like Job shall see God in the flesh, standing upon the earth. Thou shalt see Angels and receive the communications of the Holy Ghost—thy children shall stand in the covenant by the Power of God—thou shalt go to Zion and be in good health. Thy mind shall be strong and rejoice in thy God. Thou shalt not want the things of this life. Give up thyself to God and thou shalt see thy Redeemer whom thou desirest to know—thou shalt be a member of the Celestial world. I seal these blessings upon thy head. I seal thee up in eternal life. Amen and Amen.

Kirtland June 8th 1836

(Recorded in Book “A” page 78, Transcribed from original hand-written document.Abigail Mead (1770-1854), “Belnap Family Organization: Histories and Documents”,

http://www.belnapfamily.org/abigailmead.htm)

Vinson Knight was born on March 14, 1804 in Norwich, Hampshire, Massachusetts, and married Martha McBride in 1826 in New York.

Shortly after being baptized Vinson and his family moved to Kirtland where he was put into the Presiding Bishopric.

During Vinson Knight’s last few years before his death while in Nauvoo he would be designated as Presiding Bishop of the Church on January 19th 1841.

Adam-Ondi-Ahman, where Vinson Knight was also

appointed Bishop.

Dear Brother Knight, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I lay my hands upon thee and seal upon thy head a father’s blessing, which shall be for thee and thy children, and thy children’s children, even to the last generation, and if thou art faithful thou shall have power to confirm it upon their children and thy children shall confirm it upon their children, and thus by the authority of the holy priesthood shall the blessings remain to all thy generation. And thou shalt have all the blessings that a father could bestow upon thee, were He even here present; for thou art of the seed of Israel, and an heir to the blessings which were pronounced upon the head of Abraham in the hands of Melchisedek [sic] and by virtue of my calling in the Church, I seal them upon thee. The Lord loves thee; he has looked upon all thy ways and brought thee thus far that He might make thee useful in His Church. Thy family shall be blessed and when thy children are afflicted with sickness, thou shalt have power to rebuke the disease and Satan shall have no power over them if thou wilt teach them in the ways of righteousness; for thou shall attend to this instruction in the principles of the Gospel that, at the age of eight years, they may be baptized. Thou art a chosen vessel unto the Lord, and if thou art faithful before Him, thou shalt be sanctified and enjoy a fullness of glory. If thou wilt seek it diligently by lifting a warning voice, thou shalt yet see many of thy friends embracing the truth, bowing to the requirements of the everlasting Gospel. Thou shalt open thy mouth and the Lord will fill it with words of wisdom upon the principles of righteousness that thou mayest teach thy fellow men. Ask and thou shalt have success in this ministry and words of wisdom to thine own astonishment. The heavens will yet be open before thee and thou shalt have the ministerings of holy angels. Thy faith shalt be increased becoming more and more perfect until by the power of the Holy Spirit thou shalt behold within the veil. Thou shalt have many afflictions, calamities and wars in thy day, for great tribulations await the wicked and many dissolutions must fall upon them. But thou shalt escape if thou art faithful and the Lord will give thee many great and unspeakable blessings and grant thee life as long as life shall be for thy good and His names glory.

I seal these blessings upon thee in the name of Jesus Christ and in His name I seal you up unto eternal life. Even so, Amen.

Joseph Smith Sr., Evan M. Green, Clerk, June 24, 1835Kirtland, Ohio

(Vinson Knight (1804-1842), “Belnap Family Organization: Histories

and Documents”, http://www.belnapfamily.org/vinsonknight.htm)

“That is very interesting and helpful; sometimes they make the best converts, provided they are sincere and morally sound”. ~ Joseph Smith Jr.

to Reuben McBride about his brother-in-law Vinson Knight in 1834 ~

“Vinson, your mission in life is to help the poor and the downtrodden”.

~ Revelation, 1834 ~

One story that can be taken from Martha’s life is when Emma Smith spoke to Vinson Knight upon arriving in Kirtland in May of 1834 speaking of Martha, Emma said “Joseph has told me about your baptism and about your wife, Martha, and your children. We are anxious to have you move here and to become a part of our community life. As soon as you arrive, please let me know as I would like to welcome Martha personally. She will find life here full and engaging”.

Martha McBride Knight“This gift if you receive it with

real intent and tend carefully to it, will reveal to you all things that

you should do throughout your lives”. ~ Joseph Smith Jr. to

Martha and Vinson on their day of baptism ~

Sister Knight, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I lay my hands upon thy head and ask for thee a blessing, even a father’s blessing. The Lord, thy God, loves thee and notwithstanding Satan has tempted thee many times and wrought to overthrow thee, yet thou has been sustained and upheld by the hand of God, because of thy youth and the tenderness of thy mind. Let thy head now be lifted up that thou mayest receive the desires of the same in blessings. Thou shalt have all the blessings in common with thy husband and thy age shalt be as his age, thy comfort as his comfort, and thy joy as his joy. Thou hast had many desires for thy friends and the Lord will hear and answer thy prayers, yea, all the desires of thy heart, for thy friends shall be given thee and, if thou art faithful to thy covenants, all that thou desireth in righteousness shall be thine for the Lord delights in blessing the pure and upright in heart. The Lord will teach thee wisdom and thou shalt have understanding to bring up thy family in the ways of truth but thou must be in subjection to thy husband in all things according to the law of the Lord. Lift up thy heart in gladness for great things await thee. Thou shalt be satisfied in beholding the glories which shall come unto the faithful in these last days and thy children shall rise and call thee blessed. With these blessings I seal thee up unto eternal life. Amen.

Joseph Smith Sr.Evan M. Green, Clerk

Kirtland, Ohio 1835

(Martha McBride (1805-1901), “Belnap Family Organization: Histories and Documents”, http://www.belnapfamily.org/marthamcbride.htm)

Ruben McBride was born on June 16th 1803, and married Mary Ann Anderson .

Some spiritual experiences that Ruben experienced was the experiences and trials of Zion’s Camp, and was a watchman for the Kirtland Temple. “Here, on John Cooper’s rolling acres in

northeastern Clay County, two miles north of Excelsior Springs, was the campsite for Zion’s Camp from June 19-22, 1834. they had come from Kirtland “to assist our brethren, to bring clothing, etc. and to reinstate them upon their

land”. ~ Ruben McBride, speaking

of the Zion’s Camp experience ~

Another particular spiritual story from Ruben’s life is that Ruben was the first person to be baptized in the Nauvoo Temple Baptismal Font.

The image on the left is the first page of a letter that Ruben wrote to his sister Martha speaking of the baptismal experience.

James McBride married Betsey Mead in 1818, and in 1833 after joining the church James took his family to Kirtland to live with the saints.

The family went through all of the persecutions of the Latter-day Saints and were driven out of Missouri into the state of Illinois. Weakened by the hardships and cruelties of the winter and events in Missouri, James became sick in the Spring of 1839, passed away in August of that same year and was buried in an unknown grave.

Betsey Mead McBride was bon on February 6th, 1802 in Chester, Washington County, New York, and married James McBride in 1818.

Latter on in 1839 after leaving Missouri Betsey’s husband James would pass away, and Betsey would remain unmarried for the rest of her life.

One spiritual story from Betsey’s life is that despite the mounting persecution in Nauvoo Betsey and her mother-in-law Abigail Mead McBride were endowed in the Nauvoo Temple shortly before her family commenced their trek westward, so that their ordinances would be completed.

After Betsey’s death in 1881 her obituary stated “She was a

woman of integrity and truth and died in full faith of the hope

of Israel”.

(“Life Histories of Shirley and May McBride and their Ancestors”

by Shirley M. Bodrero)

Henrietta Belnap daughter of James and Betsey McBride married Gilbert Belnap on the 26th of June 1852, and crossed the plains with her widowed mother Betsey Mead McBride .

One story from Henrietta’s life is that while crossing the plains with her mother they lost all their oxen and a cow, and had to leave their wagon behind, and walk to Zion.

One spiritual story from Gilbert’s life is that Gilbert was able to accompany the Prophet Joseph Smith to Cartage Jail, and was there with the Prophet the night before he was killed. Thus being one of the last individuals to see and be with the Prophet Joseph in this life.

“I loved [Joseph Smith’s] company. The sound of his voice was music to my ears. His counsels were good; his theological

reasoning was of God; his acts were exemplary and worth of imitation; … Although opposed by the combined powers of earth and hell, by the inspiration of God he restored the gospel to the earth, organized the Holy Priesthood, consecrated the land of Zion, planted a great city, gathered his thousands around him, and laid the foundation of a mighty work. At the same time he endured the most unparalleled persecution of any man in the history of our country. Like one of old, his arms were made

strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob”. ~ Gilbert Belnap ~

I can almost see the faces, in the lines of these pages.Feeling as if I am there, standing beside them in every care.

During the restoration and all they’d have to bear. I was there as Reverent Daniel yearned for something more, could

the answer he was seeking be in the words this farm boy bore? It filled his family’s home and his small New York town, many

would mock how crazy his words sound. I was there when Martha first touched the Prophet’s hand, and for the rest of her life see it all first hand. She felt the spirit within her and knew it to be true, with the saints she

would gather to a place called Kirtland. Her sacrifice helped build a temple, in which great manifestations came about. I can almost hear on that March dedication day, the voice of

Sister Knight in the great Hosanna Shout!

For I was right there with every tear that feel down, in every prayer that was said. When the heart would break and the pain was so great. When the spirit of God felt strong, in every trial that seemed so long. In the feeling of

peace and hoping that joy would never cease. In every moment I can see them there, for I feel it right here.

I was there when the call was sounded and boldly Reuben would stand, and courageously shout Yes to march to Zion’s land. I was there when Vinson,

with Joseph stepped on Holy ground as he looked at the land of Zion his heart was astound, until in ‘38 the mobs would fiercely round. Not knowing

how great would be his calling, his life for the work he sure would not be stalling.

I was there as James left his home in Far West and was driven further west, in the dead of winter only knowing what God knows best. A prayer he whispered

that the saints would soon find rest, and that his faith would get him through his final test.

I was there as the saints became a mighty people building their Temple City, along the swampy banks of the Mississippi . There they received every blessing from on high, soon afraid,

that they might have to bid it all goodbye.

I was there that silent morning as Gilbert would hear Joseph say, “I will always do the Lords way”, when wishing he could stay,

he took one final glance and tearfully turned away. He rode beside him as they left their Nauvoo home, and together walked into a red

building made of stone. Those final moments were solemn as they sang in the old jailed room, for that June day, later in the afternoon, would

soon end in gloom. But the saint’s new Joseph would live again, in triumphant glory just like he began. They crossed the wide frozen river

seeing all that was left behind… to return, no never, but knowing it would stay in their hearts forever.

I was there along the trial, as Abigail with her children sang, “All Is Well”. Hoping Daniel was watching from the other side of the veil. She was old and frail at 77, faithful and strong she stepped into the valley

with Brigham in the summer of ‘47. For I was right there with every tear that fell down, in every prayer that was said. When the heart would break and the pain so great. When the spirit of God felt strong, in every trial that seemed so

long. In the feeling of peace and hoping that joy would never cease. In

every moment I can see them there, for I feel it right here.

~ Dedicated to Daniel and Abigail McBride and Their Children and to all the Saints who took part in the Restoration ~