Anna Elizabeth Ruesch was nine years old in June of 1873 when her family left their ten room home on the Rhine River in Switzerland to gather with members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Salt Lake Valley to “build Zion”.  The reality of the work of building Zion began with difficult travel by ship that saw them bury her baby brother at sea just two days before reaching New York.  Eating the last of their provisions, stale bread, the family completed the journey by train to  Salt Lake City where her parents received the blessing of their endowments and sealing in the Endowment house.  Their traveling continued south by wagon train to St. George, Utah to help build the temple there.

 

Anna recorded, “We arrived in St. George in August.  How hot it was!  Flies everywhere.”  The sun reflecting off the sand and stone damaged her father’s eyesight and he spent his days in the dark cellar and nights bathing his eyes with cool water from the creek eventually regaining his sight.  They battled snakes and mountain fever that took her sister and on many days I’m sure they were discouraged. 

 

Yet along with the struggles, Anna recorded the sacred feelings she had as she entered His holy house, received her own endowment and was sealed to her parents, blessings received through days and years of faith in Jesus Christ.  With the blessings of the temple received, the family once again relocated to Manti where they helped to build another house of the Lord.  In this house Anna’s children would receive the same blessings.   The Savior promised, “In this world you shall have tribulation but be of good cheer.  I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) 

 

“…The simple doctrine of Jesus Christ…allows us to be spiritually cleansed and ultimately be welcomed into God’s presence, to live with Him and His Son in glory forever in families.”  (President Henry B. Eyring, October 2024)

 

For every struggle, be of good cheer, He has overcome the world and we can overcome the world through Him.