Stillman's Faith

Margaret Carol Pond>Stillman Harris Pond>Martin Pond>Stillman Pond

Stillman Pond lost more than most when the Saints were expelled from Nauvoo. He, his pregnant wife, Maria, and their seven children were forced out of their home at the point of bayonet. They had few provisions for their journey across Iowa. As a result, one by one the children became ill and died, including the twins that Maria gave birth to in a wagon. Maria, weighed down by sorrow, and ill with consumption, finally died after standing at the gravesides of all of her children. Through all of this Stillman's faith never seemed to waver.

James E Faust spoke of Stillman Pond several times. He admired Stillman's courage and faith in the face of great adversity. Here is what he said:

“Having lost these nine children and his wife in crossing the plains, Stillman Pond did not lose his faith. He did not quit. He went forward. He paid a price, as have many others before and since, to become acquainted with God” (This account of the experiences of Stillman Pond was related by James E. Faust, “The Refiner’s Fire,” Ensign, May 1979, p. 54).

Stillman was blessed for his faith. He remarried and had fourteen more children. He served in many different callings, including Senior President of the 35th Quorum of the Seventy,  being an officiator in the Endowment House, and working on the St George Temple.  He was a farmer in Richmond, Utah, and was able to invest in ZCMI when it came there. He was honest, generous, hardworking and a great example of the kind of person I want to be.

You can learn more about Stillman HERE.