Comments on: En Route to the Field: Missionaries Aboard the S.S. Vestris, 1928 http://www.keepapitchinin.org/2009/04/03/en-route-to-the-field-missionaries-aboard-the-ss-vestris-1928/ Where our past is never very long ago Sun, 12 Feb 2012 01:21:41 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Deborah Evans http://www.keepapitchinin.org/2009/04/03/en-route-to-the-field-missionaries-aboard-the-ss-vestris-1928/comment-page-1/#comment-27185 Deborah Evans Tue, 21 Sep 2010 16:14:48 +0000 http://www.keepapitchinin.org/?p=1457#comment-27185 I have come across this article a little "after the fact" but wanted to mention another miraculous twist in the story of Elders Huish and Burt. My husband, Bruce, is also a nephew of Elder Burt, and for over 10 years has home-taught a wonderful family. Just recently we discovered that the husband of this family, for whom Bruce has always had great love, respect and affinity, is the nephew of Elder Huish. I have come across this article a little “after the fact” but wanted to mention another miraculous twist in the story of Elders Huish and Burt. My husband, Bruce, is also a nephew of Elder Burt, and for over 10 years has home-taught a wonderful family. Just recently we discovered that the husband of this family, for whom Bruce has always had great love, respect and affinity, is the nephew of Elder Huish.

]]> By: Ardis E. Parshall http://www.keepapitchinin.org/2009/04/03/en-route-to-the-field-missionaries-aboard-the-ss-vestris-1928/comment-page-1/#comment-9009 Ardis E. Parshall Thu, 09 Apr 2009 17:31:39 +0000 http://www.keepapitchinin.org/?p=1457#comment-9009 Oh, NOW you tell me, Susan! The Archives are closing up tomorrow for two and a half months, while they move to the new building. I don't know that I'll be able to spend the time on this that I want to spend in the next 24 hours, but I'm going to try. Thank you for yet another unexpected and most welcome contribution from Elder Burt's family. Oh, NOW you tell me, Susan! The Archives are closing up tomorrow for two and a half months, while they move to the new building. I don’t know that I’ll be able to spend the time on this that I want to spend in the next 24 hours, but I’m going to try.

Thank you for yet another unexpected and most welcome contribution from Elder Burt’s family.

]]> By: Susan E. Woods http://www.keepapitchinin.org/2009/04/03/en-route-to-the-field-missionaries-aboard-the-ss-vestris-1928/comment-page-1/#comment-9005 Susan E. Woods Thu, 09 Apr 2009 17:02:48 +0000 http://www.keepapitchinin.org/?p=1457#comment-9005 Keith Burt was also my uncle, and I am a cousin to Alma, Robin and Morgan Davis. I have compiled a history of Elder Keith Burt from his birth until his death which is located in the LDS Church Archives. Included are letters received by the Burt family from around the world, offering comfort and hope that they will see their loved one again. There is also a very interesting history included about the Vestris and the concerns with its seaworthiness. At the time it sailed, life jackets were not required, nor was there any to radio for help. Following the sinking of the Vestris, changes were made to oceanliners by the US government. Incidentally, the Vestris was a beautifully outfitted cruise ship with all the luxuries one could imagine in 1929. Thank you for your post. The story continues to inspire family as well as casual readers. Keith Burt was also my uncle, and I am a cousin to Alma, Robin and Morgan Davis. I have compiled a history of Elder Keith Burt from his birth until his death which is located in the LDS Church Archives. Included are letters received by the Burt family from around the world, offering comfort and hope that they will see their loved one again.

There is also a very interesting history included about the Vestris and the concerns with its seaworthiness. At the time it sailed, life jackets were not required, nor was there any to radio for help. Following the sinking of the Vestris, changes were made to oceanliners by the US government. Incidentally, the Vestris was a beautifully outfitted cruise ship with all the luxuries one could imagine in 1929.

Thank you for your post. The story continues to inspire family as well as casual readers.

]]> By: Ardis E. Parshall http://www.keepapitchinin.org/2009/04/03/en-route-to-the-field-missionaries-aboard-the-ss-vestris-1928/comment-page-1/#comment-8861 Ardis E. Parshall Mon, 06 Apr 2009 22:54:20 +0000 http://www.keepapitchinin.org/?p=1457#comment-8861 What a responsibility (and an incentive) for a new missionary! Thanks again, for this additional glimpse at this story from the Davis family. What a responsibility (and an incentive) for a new missionary! Thanks again, for this additional glimpse at this story from the Davis family.

]]> By: Morgan Davis http://www.keepapitchinin.org/2009/04/03/en-route-to-the-field-missionaries-aboard-the-ss-vestris-1928/comment-page-1/#comment-8860 Morgan Davis Mon, 06 Apr 2009 22:47:29 +0000 http://www.keepapitchinin.org/?p=1457#comment-8860 My name is Morgan Davis, I am a brother to both Alma Davis and Robin Davis who have commented. Elder Keith Burt was my uncle. I can say amen to what Alma and Robin have said. I was called to service in the Argentina mission in early 1958 for 2 & 1/2 years. Pres. James E. Faust was my Stake President and was the main speaker at my missionary farewell. He said that I was specially called to serve in Argentina and that I was called to serve two missions. One for myself and one for my uncle Keith. In his talk Pres Faust told the story of how Elder Burt had been called to South America, with headquarters in Argentina, how the ship Vestris had sunk and how his mission had been changed, but it was still necessary to have me represent him by going to Argentina. My mission president, knowing this got me started by giving me as a senior companion the most dedicated elder in the mission. My name is Morgan Davis, I am a brother to both Alma Davis and Robin Davis who have commented. Elder Keith Burt was my uncle. I can say amen to what Alma and Robin have said. I was called to service in the Argentina mission in early 1958 for 2 & 1/2 years. Pres. James E. Faust was my Stake President and was the main speaker at my missionary farewell. He said that I was specially called to serve in Argentina and that I was called to serve two missions. One for myself and one for my uncle Keith. In his talk Pres Faust told the story of how Elder Burt had been called to South America, with headquarters in Argentina, how the ship Vestris had sunk and how his mission had been changed, but it was still necessary to have me represent him by going to Argentina. My mission president, knowing this got me started by giving me as a senior companion the most dedicated elder in the mission.

]]> By: Points of Interest, vol 2. #6 « Mind, Soul, and Body http://www.keepapitchinin.org/2009/04/03/en-route-to-the-field-missionaries-aboard-the-ss-vestris-1928/comment-page-1/#comment-8843 Points of Interest, vol 2. #6 « Mind, Soul, and Body Mon, 06 Apr 2009 14:38:22 +0000 http://www.keepapitchinin.org/?p=1457#comment-8843 [...] Keepapitchinin, Ardis Parshall shares the gripping story of two landlocked, sheltered youth who departed for a Mormon Mission in 1928, only to be involved [...] [...] Keepapitchinin, Ardis Parshall shares the gripping story of two landlocked, sheltered youth who departed for a Mormon Mission in 1928, only to be involved [...]

]]> By: Ardis E. Parshall http://www.keepapitchinin.org/2009/04/03/en-route-to-the-field-missionaries-aboard-the-ss-vestris-1928/comment-page-1/#comment-8827 Ardis E. Parshall Sun, 05 Apr 2009 14:42:54 +0000 http://www.keepapitchinin.org/?p=1457#comment-8827 Thank you, Robin. Your family's comments keep adding detail and perspective that wouldn't be possible from any other source. I hope at least one of you has written down what you remember hearing from your mother and others, so that it isn't lost to your family? These details (together with a transcription of President Grant's condolences, and the letter from Elder Talmage) would be of great interest to the Church to preserve in its archives, too. Thank you, Robin. Your family’s comments keep adding detail and perspective that wouldn’t be possible from any other source.

I hope at least one of you has written down what you remember hearing from your mother and others, so that it isn’t lost to your family? These details (together with a transcription of President Grant’s condolences, and the letter from Elder Talmage) would be of great interest to the Church to preserve in its archives, too.

]]> By: Robin B. Davis http://www.keepapitchinin.org/2009/04/03/en-route-to-the-field-missionaries-aboard-the-ss-vestris-1928/comment-page-1/#comment-8825 Robin B. Davis Sun, 05 Apr 2009 13:51:00 +0000 http://www.keepapitchinin.org/?p=1457#comment-8825 Robin Davis, brother to Alma and uncle to Ryan Davis- I have in my possession, a book of Poetry sent to the parents of Elder Keith Burt after the accident at sea. The handwriting and message of condolence is from President Heber J. Grant. to the parents. President Grant's handwriting is excellent, as we have been taught due to his practice in penmanship. My mother, Nina Burt, shared that Keith's passing at sea was such a blow to her father, that he would walk the streets of Cardtson, (Alberta Canada) trying to make sense of it all. Interestingly, several of us - relatives of Keith - have served missions in South America, Elder Keith Burt's destination. Robin Davis, brother to Alma and uncle to Ryan Davis-
I have in my possession, a book of Poetry sent to the parents of Elder Keith Burt after the accident at sea. The handwriting and message of condolence is from President Heber J. Grant.
to the parents. President Grant’s handwriting is excellent, as we have been taught due to his practice in penmanship.
My mother, Nina Burt, shared that Keith’s passing at sea was such a blow to her father, that he would walk the streets of Cardtson, (Alberta Canada) trying to make sense of it all.
Interestingly, several of us – relatives of Keith – have served missions in South America, Elder Keith Burt’s destination.

]]> By: Ben Pratt http://www.keepapitchinin.org/2009/04/03/en-route-to-the-field-missionaries-aboard-the-ss-vestris-1928/comment-page-1/#comment-8822 Ben Pratt Sun, 05 Apr 2009 07:01:09 +0000 http://www.keepapitchinin.org/?p=1457#comment-8822 Thank you, Ryan and Alma. It's remarkable and touching to have you commenting to this post. You have really added a lot! Thank you, Ryan and Alma. It’s remarkable and touching to have you commenting to this post. You have really added a lot!

]]> By: Ardis E. Parshall http://www.keepapitchinin.org/2009/04/03/en-route-to-the-field-missionaries-aboard-the-ss-vestris-1928/comment-page-1/#comment-8814 Ardis E. Parshall Sat, 04 Apr 2009 14:29:57 +0000 http://www.keepapitchinin.org/?p=1457#comment-8814 Ryan, and Alma B. Davis, this is an unexpected and poignant connection. Thank you both for taking the time to comment, with contributions that couldn't have come from any other direction. Yeechang Lee, you ask questions that I don't know the answers to, but which would make a great post if I can find them out. I'll see what I can learn -- thanks for the idea. And thanks to all others who have read and commented. Ryan, and Alma B. Davis, this is an unexpected and poignant connection. Thank you both for taking the time to comment, with contributions that couldn’t have come from any other direction.

Yeechang Lee, you ask questions that I don’t know the answers to, but which would make a great post if I can find them out. I’ll see what I can learn — thanks for the idea.

And thanks to all others who have read and commented.

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