Comments on: Antonio E. Duran: Converted by the Book of Mormon

By: Ardis E. Parshall

Ardis E. Parshall — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 01:08:42 +0000

Petra, what a lovely addition to all the Duran family reminiscences! Thanks for taking the time to write this out — and thanks to the other family members who continue to comment.

By: Petra D. Garza

Petra D. Garza — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 01:03:09 +0000

I’m the seventh child of Antonio Duran and Juanita Ronge Duran. I would like to say a few words about my mother. It comes to my mind that behinD every great man there is a great woman. This great woman was my mother. We came from a big family and in those days it was very hard for our parents to give us everything we needed and both of them did everything they could to take care of us. My husband remembers that when she used to visit us she was always ready to preach the gospel to anyone who took the time to stop and listen to her. I remember that we were so dedicated to go to church that we would walk an hour and a half to get there. Her testimony of the gospel was so great that when she would visit us in los angeles, california she would take a bus by herself to get to the temple in an unfamiliar city that she didnt even know. Behind her she left a legacy that was memorial to us and we will continue to take part in it. I was born of goodly parents and i have a strong testimony of the gospel.

By: kristy for Rafael R Duran

kristy for Rafael R Duran — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 04:53:33 +0000

I am Rafael, son of Juanita & Esteban Duran i remember living in valle hermoso, Tamps. Where my Dad would host gatherings and people would come from all around the area. I was about 7years old i recall one of many gatherings of mutual we held outdoors on our farm. Neighborhood kids at times adults would gather in front of the farm across from ours and would mock us and throw things at us even with sling shots. One time my brother Helaman was struck on the head, to this day he still has the scare on his head. I am a active member of the church and i have many memoies & stories of those days.

By: Kristy J Duran Keers

Kristy J Duran Keers — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 23:25:05 +0000

Dear Sister Parshall, i am Kristy Duran Keers another Granddaughter of Esteban Duran. My Dad is Rafael R Duran 6th child born to Juanita & Antonio Esteban Duran. Thank you for this article it has prompted us all to stir up old memories. I was in my teens when Grandpa passed away. My Dad and two of his sisters had moved & now lived in California. Therefore I was not able to visit our family in Texas much. I was very young & I remember sitting in someone’s living room while the adults talked. I heard the adult’s grandpa my aunts &uncle talking and grandpa or my dad recalled a story of how Antonio was so committed to the scriptures and lead by example. He once threw his mothers things, which were considered to be idols in the fire place. When his mother seen what he had done she was so mad at him & proceeded to punish him. She asked him why he did that and showed her & quoted the scriptures of our heavenly father being a jealous god. “ thy shall not worship any others/ idles” There were other story I heard them all talk about. The importance of tithing and how he would tell his children blessing had been bestowed on them. One summer it had been so hot, the land dry and being farmers all in the area they all needed the rain. Then it rained and it only seemed to rain on his land/property. The surrounding lands were hardly wet or not at all. So he would go on about the blessing of tithing and prayer. I heard many things even my family & cousins chuckling under there breath “oh no there goes Grandpa” “don’t get him started, he will have a scripture for that”….but I loved being in his presence whenever I could. He would be… (I know he is) very proud of his family. I would also like you to know his great grandson, my son Christopher David Keers is currently serving a mission in Perth West Australia, and another Grandson Matthew is preparing for and a waiting the call.

By: Esther Duran

Esther Duran — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 01:23:22 +0000

I’m Esther Duran, eighth child of Antonio and Juanita Duran. Yes, I remember my father’s love and dedication to the gospel. As a 4 year old I remember living in Tamps. Mexico where my father had relocated to homestead some land. I remember holding meetings in our back yard. I remember Brother Domingo Flores, (who is related to the Flores in Lillian’s story) also Brother Guzman Trevino, Brother Villegas, Brother Refugio Reyes. All these brothers would meet in the back of our yard and hold church meetings for members and nonmembers. Sometimes the Elders would sleep at our house. At times nonmember neighbor men on horses would pass by and throw stones and break our windows because they did not like the Mormons. In spite of those persecutions, those days were good times because the spirit was felt when we gathered together to learn the gospel. My father strengthened our testimony on tithing. There was a time that a hail storm ruined the crops of our neighbor farmers, but the hail skipped father’s crops. He would credit this blessing of his crops being spared due to his paying tithing. I love this story and still cherish to this day. We never had much of material belongings, but we had love and happiness in the gospel and we are all still faithful and active members.

By: Jeremy James Duran

Jeremy James Duran — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 02:36:57 +0000

I too am a grandson of Grandpa Duran and remember as a young boy when I would stay in Edinburgh to visit, grandpa would come over early in the morning and call me by name to let me know he had breakfast for me: a Coke and carne asada tacos! Those memories have remained with me and will forever be a reminder of the spiritual giant grandpa Duran was. I have served a mission and remain faithful in the church. I am married in the temple and sealed to my wife and children and will continue to carry on Grandpa Duran’s legacy.

By: Amy T

Amy T — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 19:04:46 +0000

I’ve really enjoyed this post and the responses to the story from Antonio Esteban and Juanita’s family.

I teach in the Young Women in a ward on the East Coast, and on Sunday the lesson topic was “Who am I, and who can I become,” so I shared this story as well as several of the comments, including Lillian Cooley’s story (18), and what Alberto Duran (22) said about, “It is amazing what one person’s faith and actions can do to influence whole generations.” I agree! It’s a beautiful story.

By: Jessica Ruggles

Jessica Ruggles — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 18:47:32 +0000

Hi, I am also the granddaughter of Esteban Duran. I am truly grateful for his conversion to the gospel for if not for him I would not be a member of this great church. I will be forever grateful for the legacy he has left behind because his legacy will continue to live on for generations to come. He was a great man and I have many fond memories of him. I look forward to the day when we can meet again and to see my grandmother Juanita for I never had the pleasure to know her. Thank you for reminding us where it all began.

By: Julia

Julia — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 18:22:13 +0000

What a beautiful story and how wonderful to have so many people bring that additional information about Antonio and the life and example he lived!

By: Susan Duran

Susan Duran — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 06:21:12 +0000

I married Antonio’s 11th child, Antonio, otherwise known as Tony or “Crow” to his many cousins and friends. We have been married for 39 years and the first 17 were blessed by the influence and love of my father-in-law. Our 3 children, Jessica, Jeremy, and AnaLisa, have wonderful memories of time spent with Grandpa Duran, his wonderful sense of humor, laughter, and some craziness (like the time Grandpa took them to buy fireworks for New Year”s eve and AnaLisa, who was just 5 yrs old, came back with a huge rocket to set off!) I only wish I could have gotten to know my mother-in-law, Juanita, for I think she was an amazing woman to have raised 10 wonderful children and left such a legacy (unfortunately she died a little more than a month after we were married.) I will always be grateful to them for raising such a fine son. The whole family (all the nieces, nephews, and their families as well as numerous cousins) has always made me feel a part of la familia, a part of something truly special, and I will love them all forever!!