Noah Webster (Webster Dictionary) and my Family History??

Yes, it is true. Noah Webster was in fact part of my family history. Am I related to him? Not as far as I can tell at this point but it is fairly clear my relatives, the Hjorth family (pronounced y-ort) from Denmark, after making their journey to Utah in the 1860's were not just ordinary members contributing to the Lord's kingdom. The Hjorth's are converts of the church from Denmark, I am related to them from my Hancock line which comes from my father's grandmother's side of the family. They were a simple and humble family that loved the gospel without a doubt. It amazes me that no matter what we do, we will do a great work for the Lord as long as we are faithful.

The lessons you will learn from the following passage are tremendous. I have learned that God is merciful to all people. God has a great love for those that have done much to contribute to the good of His children. Family History does in fact change lives. Visions are real. Faith exceeds all trials. And researching your family history will empower you to be better.

I read this story years ago at my Aunt Lynn's house and when I first read it, it helped shaped my testimony as a young boy and still does to this day. Please be respectful of this experience and know that this is God's work. If you are new to family history or the meaning of temple work for in Latter-day Saint temples, I encourage you to go here and to ask a Mormon friend which you may know.

I bare my witness that God is no respecter of persons, He loves all of His children the same. His gospel has been restored through the prophet Joseph Smith and temple work and family history are one of the Lord's many tender mercies that shows us that He is God.

Noah Webster 1758-1843

August Adrainus Hjorth

A WONDERFUL TESTIMONY OF THE WISHES OF THE DEAD GIVEN TO AUGUST ADRAINUS HJORTH SR., 1893. Dictated to Arthur S. Larsen Nov. 1932 at the home of his daughter, Mrs. S. Edward Hancock, 1776 South 9^th East St. Salt Lake City, Utah.

“Although so many years have passed since that time, it seems as though it was only yesterday that these experiences came to me,” said Brother Hjorth, who was reluctant to speak of them because of the lightness with which some people have been wont to treat this sacred subject. I assured him that to me it would likewise be sacred and would be guarded as such.

A year ago I listened to Brother Hjorth relate this subject at a family reunion, as encouragement to the young people as well as the old, to engage in temple work for their kindred dead. My wife, a kinslady, had spoken of this instance to me once or twice many years ago but now to hear from Brother Hjorth’s own lips these precious things filled me with great interest in the same; and then it was that I resolved to obtain a copy or take down in writing what could be disclosed to me. The following is from his own lips and in his own words:

It was early in the spring of 1893. After retiring to my bed one evening as usual and had fall asleep, I was given this dream. Suddenly it seemed I found myself in a large city, the sidewalks of which were thronged with people. I was trying to wedge my way through in an endeavor to proceed along the walk and while doing so I casually looked up and caught sight of a tall gentleman with a tall black hat, dressed in a black suit of clothes.

I thought him so different to any of the many people who were thronging the sidewalks. As we approached each other I saw him also wedging himself through the crowd. As we met face to face, I tried to step aside for him to pass, but he would step with me in the same direction so that I could not get by him. While I was trying in this way to avoid him, or rather move out of his way, he called me by my name and asked me if that was not my name to which I replied: “Yes that is my name.”

I now observed that he was not different to any of the other people whom I could see along the sidewalk. In continuing his conversation he said to me, “I have been watching over my people. They have done no temple work and there is no one I can depend on to do my temple work for me. I understand you have been doing much temple work so I have come to ask you if you will do my temple work for me.

I have done much for the American people giving them the proper definition of the English language. Now will you promise to do that work for me? My name is NOAH WEBSTER.” He discussed his anxiety over his people, not one being in a position to do this work then asked me the second time if I would promise to do his work for him to which I answered: “yes, I will.” Then awakened. I awakened my wife and told her of my dream and asked her what she thought about it. She said, “Surely, you much go and do it.”

Time passed on with spring activities until months had come and gone. I almost forgot about my sacred charge and promise. I had noticed a dead limb on one of my pear trees in my orchard, overhanging the young, ripening fruit underneath it and set out to remove it with a saw. When the limb was released enough I took hold of it to swing it away from falling on the small fruit below. This effort and weight of the limb partly turned me around suddenly with it as it fell to the ground.

As I thus turned, to my surprise Noah Webster stood by my side. He spoke before I could open my mouth, saying: “Mr. Hjorth, you have not done what you agreed to do for when I visited you before. Will you promise to do it now?” Shaking like a lead I answered, “Yes, I will do it now.” I was glad to make this promise and in all sincerity feeling condemned as I stood there before him.

He was dressed in the same costume and with the same countenance as I had seen or looked upon him in my dream. I wept and he wept with me as he begged of me several times. “Will you do it now?” to which I gladly promised in the words “I will.” Thanks to God that I could see him this time in reality. I asked him where his record was for I had not thought of that before, my interest being so absorbed by Mr. Webster’s presence, and his impressive visit with me. TO this he replied, “You have a brother in law on the Provo Bench. Go to him and he will give you my record.” I stretched out my hand to shake hands with him and he suddenly vanished.

Going into the house, I related to my wife Mr. Noah Webster’s visit to me while at my work in the orchard, after telling her that he had called on me again. She agreed with me that we would at once prepare to perform this sacred duty, keeping my promise to one from the realms of departed fellowmen.

This day was Friday and the following Sunday we set out for the Provo Bench, a distance of 37 miles, with our horse and buggy. Upon arriving at my brother-in-law’s place, he, Otis L. Terry, came up from his orchard. I related my purpose of this visit before I got out of the buggy. He thought it very strange that I should come such a distance for that purpose and when we came into the house, Sister Terry was still more excited over our visit and said that something strange must have happened. When I asked Brother Terry if he had such a record he said, “Sure I have.” He then brought to me a copy of the Webster Dictionary wherein were inscribed the names of Noah Webster’s family, which I copied.

About two weeks later we made ready to go to the Manti Temple to attend this temple work I had harnessed my team, placed wood, coal, bedding and other requirements in the wagon and had gone into the house to let my wife know I was ready to hitch up the team if she was ready to go. She said the bread was not quite baked but it would not be long. I lay down on a couch until the bread would be ready when I was suddenly rendered entirely helpless, except for my speech.

I called to my wife and on seeing me in such a condition she stated, “It is all off going to the temple now.” I told her to go to the door and see if anyone was coming and if so, tell them to go and get my brother-in-law, Mr. Amasa Tucker who lived nearby. She did so and saw a little girl and called to come to her and sent the girl with the message, Mt. Tucker was there within a few minutes. On seeing me he said, “You cannot go to the temple.” I told him to pick me up and stand me on my feet, which he did, but I couldn’t stand on my feet. I told him to stand me against the door frame, which he did.

I then directed him to get the team and hitch them to the buggy. The bread being ready, I asked my wife to get into the spring seat and take the lines, for she was a good driver. Then I told Brother Tucker to help me into the seat by my wife for I was determined to go to the temple. We were on our way, our course being one block south, a short distance west, then south toward Mt. Pleasant. As this turn was made to this road directly south toward the temple practically all of the affliction which held me so fast disappeared and I was permitted to continue my journey with perfect ease and comfort. 

In due time we reached the temple where I went directly to the President’s office where I found President and his counselors, Mabin and Thompson (I do not remember which was the President at the time, Wells or McAllister). They listened to my interesting story and said decidedly, “You must go ahead and do the work.”

It was not a regular baptismal day but the font was filled and we gladly went about doing the baptismal work for the Webster Family. When I had been baptized for the last name on my list, Brother Farnsworth, who was directing the baptizing said, “Brother Hjorth, go right on with these other names,” which I did. They numbered about forty and belonged to a man who had been brought in that day to be blessed for his health, he not having walked for thirty years.

Just as I had been confirmed for the last name on this list and was in the act of turning from my chair to go down from the font, I caught sight of a group of people emerging from the dressing room with angelic countenances. They formed a line and filed along the wainscoting in the air. They moved along westward of the south corner of the room, then north and disappeared through a door in the northeast corner of the room.

Whether they represented the Webster group or that of the afflicted man I do not know. However, they signified great satisfaction over the work which had been done. My attention had been entirely on this group of visitors that when I gave myself to leaving the font platform, I found the brethren below becoming impatient for me to hasten down as they wanted to finish mopping the water from the floor. After I had dressed, I hastened to the office and related what I had seen in the font room, to which the Presidency said, “Brother Hjorth, don’t worry, such are frequent transpirings.”

I do not remember this brother’s name but after he had been home from the temple a month, he, knowing where I lived and remembering my name, wrote to me informing me that he was walking all about and doing various kinds of work…milking cows, cutting weeds, etc.

I have often lain awake at night pondering over this sacred work done and how it came about, my trial and triumph in its performance and of how I had wanted to ask of Mr. Webster by what means he so suddenly and yet so naturally presented himself to me when he had held me to interestingly to his mission and had vanished before I could venture the question.

However, the result is a marvelous piece of work accomplished in keeping with the teachings of our great church, and at the behest of one who had passed through the experience of mortality and death, and followed by the approval of many others from the unknown world at the conclusion of our work at the baptismal font. 

My Brothers' Keeper

I want to thank my family for everything, but particularly my five brothers.

I have grown up in a wonderful family where my parents equally raised and taught six sons about principles of the restored gospel, happiness and life lessons. I am grateful for them and the immense amount of love that they have shown equally to each of us. I am number four of six boys. No girls (my mom wanted a daughter, that's probably why there are six of us). There is a 14 year gap between the oldest and youngest.

My brothers and I have had many years together now and have definitely had our ups and downs while we were young but now things are always good, always supportive and looking out for each other. Not that we were bitter enemies or never appreciated each other, we just had I think the typical brotherly fights. I often was the last to jump in a dogpile and at the end always the one on the bottom. Growing up as number four of six boys has been a reward and blessing but I didn't see it that way. I loved my brothers but I never fully appreciated them and understood what it meant for me to be their brother and them to be my brother.

It was a few years ago while I was at the beginning of my BYU studies that I began to realize what is meant to truly love and appreciate my family, particularly my brothers which I didn't always get along with. It was during a time that one of my older brothers who was particularly having a tough time and I was in Utah while he was in California. I was thinking a lot about him and one Sunday during church we sang the song, "Lord, I would Follow Thee," a classic song in the LDS hymnbook. The song speaks of following the Lord by helping others. The last two versus' struck out to me that had never before.

I would be my brother's keeper;

I would learn the healer's art.

To the wounded and the weary

I would show a gentle heart.

I would be my brother's keeper-

Lord, I would follow thee.

Savior, may I love my brother

As I know thou lovest me,

Find in thee my strength, my beacon, 

For thy servant I would be.

Savior, may I love my brother-

Lord, I would follow thee

As I sang these versus I began to cry realizing that yes, this song was referring to all of God's children to as "my brother" but this was much more personal, I am actually my brothers' keeper. I am to help them and ask for help to love them just as my Savior loves me. My brothers, at that moment, became not people I just grew up with, that I just so happen to share the same parents with but that these were my brothers, my family that I am sealed to for all eternity. I instantly gained a greater sense of love for my brothers and it changed my perspective on eternity, family, and happiness.

I would like to mention a little bit about what I appreciate for each of them.

Brian: My oldest brother, the righteous example to all of us younger in the family. He is solid in the gospel and firm with his knowledge of his purpose in life. Great father and husband to his family and great support to me for whenever I have random questions. He is very well rounded and uses his talents to bless others. I will always be grateful for the eldest child in a family because of his example.

Eric: My second oldest brother, the example of integrity and always having fun while doing it. He is I guess you can say the comic relief, that taught us all to have comic relief even during the darkest time. Even though he may be a bit goofy, he takes his purpose and calling in life serious. His family means everything to him and  I appreciate that example of what they mean to him. I will always be appreciative of his joy in life. 

Keith: My third oldest brother, the brother right above me and probably the one I have mot memories of doing things with. He is particularly strong with the adversary, he shows what true faith means. His example of integrity and do whatever it takes to get it done always inspires me. His love for his family and those around him are respectable. I can't express how grateful I am for his kindness to me from as early as I can remember. He is always the one to include in all activities when I am home, even if it means late nights playing the Wii. 

Kyle: My first younger brother, the Man among men. He has a humble and reverent heart. Always knowing what right from wrong is and following what is right. He was a young boy that I have seen to turn into a wonderful, faithful young man. He doesn't know it, but I have always looked up to him. I am grateful for his expressed excitement to spend time with me and to be excited for me to come home. 

Matt: My youngest brother, the hardworking and missionary spirited young brother. I am so grateful for his amazing ability to keep life simple and full of his joys. I admire his love to read. He has turned into a wonderful young boy that had great love for others into sharing the love for others through his missionary efforts as of recently. He inspires me to do more than what I thought I couldn't do. 

All of my brothers have been examples of being a missionary, working hard, putting on the good fight when it is tough, loving their parents, loving their wives and family, being sealed in the temple, and many many other things. I am grateful for their love and I pray that I would be their keeper, that I may love them as the Savior loves me. I am grateful to call them each my brother and I hope to be my brothers' keeper as I follow my Savior in keeping his commandments and serving His children.