Comments on: Laura Rees Merrill: Replacing Fear with Peace

By: Ardis E. Parshall

Ardis E. Parshall — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 23:48:11 +0000

Thanks, all. The “saints’ lives” posts are my favorites to write, and I appreciate hearing that you enjoy them.

I don’t know how many of the letters Laura received from families might be in her papers at USU; the online cataloging isn’t detailed enough for me to tell. The few scraps I’ve found reported in other sources aren’t lengthy enough for me to be able to answer your particular question, Hunter, except by supposing what I might write if I were in their shoes — I doubt I would have done more than say thank you, and write about my boy because Laura seemed like someone who would listen. I have a feeling, but obviously no way to know certainly, that most of the letters she wrote to the families are still tucked away in family Bibles or cedar chests.

Thanks for the response from your father, Mark. To be remembered that way by a fellow missionary after more than a half century!

By: Hunter

Hunter — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 21:51:42 +0000

Yes, this story is so incredibly sad. Not to be too morbid, but my wife has said that one of her worst fears is the thought of having to bury one of her own children. The thought of laying a loved one’s precious body in the cold earth is almost too much. And so, I could really relate to Laura Merrill’s concern over “what it might be like to have a loved one lying exposed to the weather and to wild animals.”

So, are there extant copies of Merrill’s letters to the families? And did any of the responses indicate any sort of surprise at such wonderful Christian compassion from a Mormon stranger?

By: Maurine

Maurine — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 20:54:24 +0000

Ardis, this was a a very touching story. I’m so impressed that she would describe the beautiful valley and actually send pictures to the families. If she had only written just a short note or letter, it would have been appreciated, and more than most of us would do, but she was very much in tune to what more was needed at that time.

By: Ray

Ray — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 18:04:25 +0000

My oldest son is waiting for his mission call, and my second son will leave in less than a year. I have four daughters who might serve missions and might not. Regardless, if people describe my children like Mark’s father described Sister Merrill, I will go to my grave knowing I have succeeded in life.

By: Ray

Ray — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 17:58:57 +0000

Another post that made me cry. Thanks, Ardis.

She and her companions worked like lions “who were hungry.”

What a wonderful description, Mark B.

By: iguacufalls

iguacufalls — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 17:20:50 +0000

Thanks, Ardis – posts like this remind me that I still have much to aspire to.

By: Mark B.

Mark B. — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 17:08:38 +0000

I just spoke to my father, who remembers Sister Merrill very well.

He said that the most memorable thing about her was that she worked, very, very hard–whether in the heat and humidity of a Toronto summer, or in the bitter cold of the winter.

She and her companions worked like lions “who were hungry.”

He also said that the mission president was careful to assign her companions (who would have been nearly 50 years her junior) who were vigorous and healthy, so they’d be able to keep up with her.

Altogether a remarkable woman.

By: kevinf

kevinf — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 17:01:38 +0000

My own words fail me, so I am reminded of these words from Matthew Chapter 25:40:

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Beautiful story, Ardis. As always, it is things like this and the story of Sister Willes and the boys in primary in Heber City, that make reading your posts such a pleasure and an inspiration. Thank you so much.

By: Rick

Rick — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 15:41:23 +0000

Thank you, Ardis. Your posts are so consistently interesting and uplifting!

By: Mark B.

Mark B. — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 15:39:04 +0000

An extraordinary story, Ardis.

Since her time in the Canadian Mission matches my mother’s service there, and overlaps a substantial portion of my father’s, I’ll have to ask if they have any memories of this remarkable woman.