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# Chapter 1: From English Fields to Zion's Call

And now, as I sat there surrounded by these fragile pages, I felt a sense of responsibility, a desire to carry on the legacy of the Humpherys family, to preserve their stories and to share them with future generations. The idea for this book was born in that moment, a commitment to weaving together the threads of their lives into a tapestry that would honor their memory and inspire others to cherish the bonds of family.

The task ahead seemed daunting, but I knew that I was not alone. I had the *Humpherys Herald* as my guide, a treasure trove of information and inspiration. And I had the support of my family, their stories and memories waiting to be shared. Together, we would embark on this journey, and together, we would bring the story of the Humpherys family to life.

As I closed the lid on the box and made my way down the creaking stairs, I carried with me a sense of purpose, a commitment to honoring the past and shaping the future. The echoes of the attic, the whispers of the *Humpherys Herald*, would guide me on this journey, a reminder of the enduring power of family and the importance of telling our stories. The next chapter awaited, a journey back to the English fields where the Humpherys saga began, a quest to uncover the roots of a family that would one day find its destiny in the heart of the American West.

The whispers of the *Humpherys Herald* beckoned, drawing me back through time, across the vast expanse of the Atlantic, to a land of ancient stones and verdant fields: England. Here, amidst the rolling hills and quaint villages, the Humpherys family story begins, not with a thunderous roar, but with the quiet murmur of faith taking root in fertile soil.

While the names of the earliest Humpherys ancestors remain shrouded in the mists of history, their presence is felt in the spirit of resilience and unwavering belief that would define their descendants. It is a story of ordinary people caught in the currents of extraordinary times, their lives forever altered by the winds of religious change.

The 19th century in England was a period of profound transformation. The Industrial Revolution was reshaping the landscape, drawing families from rural villages to bustling cities in search of work. The old social order was crumbling, giving way to new ideas and ideologies. Amidst this upheaval, a new religious movement emerged from the United States, its message of hope and restoration resonating with those who felt adrift in a rapidly changing world.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, founded by Joseph Smith, offered a vision of a restored gospel, a return to the ancient truths and practices of Christianity. Its missionaries, bold and charismatic, spread their message across the globe, finding fertile ground in the hearts of those who yearned for spiritual certainty and a sense of belonging.

It was in this climate of religious fervor that the Humpherys family first encountered the teachings of Mormonism. While the *Humpherys Herald* offers no specific details about their conversion, we can imagine the scene: perhaps a traveling missionary preaching in a village square, his words drawing a crowd of curious onlookers; or a whispered conversation in a dimly lit cottage, as family members shared their hopes and fears about this new faith.

The decision to embrace Mormonism was not an easy one. It often meant ostracism from family and community, a severing of ties that had bound them for generations. Yet, for many, the promise of a restored gospel and the opportunity to gather with fellow believers in Zion outweighed the cost.

The *Humpherys Herald* offers glimpses into the broader context of early Mormon converts, their unwavering faith a beacon in the darkness. They faced persecution, ridicule, and economic hardship, yet their belief remained unshaken. They found strength in their shared purpose, their commitment to building a new community based on principles of love, service, and equality.

The call to gather to Zion, to build a new Jerusalem in America, was a powerful draw for these early converts. It offered a chance to escape the social and economic constraints of their homeland and to create a new life in a land of freedom and opportunity. But the journey to Zion was not without its challenges.

Leaving England meant leaving behind everything they knew: their families, their homes, their livelihoods. It meant embarking on a perilous voyage across the Atlantic, with no guarantee of safety or success. The *Humpherys Herald* doesn't tell of their voyage across the Atlantic, but we can infer much from the historical context. Ships were often overcrowded, with passengers crammed into cramped quarters below deck. Sickness was rampant, and food was often scarce and of poor quality. Storms could rage for days, tossing the ship about like a toy and filling the passengers with terror. Yet, even in the midst of these hardships, the Mormon converts found strength in their faith and in their shared purpose. They sang hymns, prayed together, and supported each other through the trials of the journey.

The mid-19th century was a time of both great progress and immense hardship in the United States. The nation was expanding westward, fueled by dreams of Manifest Destiny and the promise of land and opportunity. But it was also a time of social and political turmoil, with the issue of slavery threatening to tear the country apart.

Upon arriving in America, the Humpherys would have joined the ranks of countless other Mormon converts, their faces etched with hope and trepidation as they disembarked at bustling ports like New York or New Orleans. The journey to their final destination in the West was often arduous, involving long train rides, steamboat voyages, and arduous treks across the plains.

The early Mormon settlements in the Midwest, like Nauvoo, Illinois, offered a temporary haven, but they were also marked by persecution and violence. The Mormons faced hostility from their neighbors, who viewed their religious beliefs and communal practices with suspicion. Joseph Smith, the founder of the Church, was murdered by a mob in 1844, leaving the community in disarray.

Driven from their homes, the Mormons, under the leadership of Brigham Young, embarked on a long and arduous journey westward, seeking a place where they could practice their religion in peace. The Mormon Trail, stretching across the plains and mountains, became a symbol of their resilience and determination.

The *Humpherys Herald* doesn't tell us exactly when Thomas and Mary arrived in America or where they initially settled. However, we know that they eventually made their way to the western frontier, drawn by the promise of land and opportunity. The westward expansion of the United States in the 19th century was a period of great upheaval and transformation. Settlers pushed into new territories, displacing Native American tribes and transforming the landscape.

The Humpherys, like so many other pioneers, would have faced the challenges of frontier life with courage and determination. They cleared land, built homes, and established farms. They endured hardship and loss, but they also experienced the satisfaction of building a new life for themselves and their family.

The decision to leave England, to embrace a new faith, to cross an ocean, and to settle on the American frontier was a testament to their pioneering spirit. This spirit, forged in the crucible of hardship and sacrifice, would become a defining characteristic of the Humpherys family for generations to come.

As we look back on the lives of Thomas and Mary Sudbury Humpherys, we see not just names on a family tree, but real people who made difficult choices and endured great hardships for the sake of their beliefs. They were the foundation upon which our family in America was built, the source of the strength and resilience that would carry their descendants through trials and triumphs. From the limited facts in the newsletters, we can imagine their arrival in America, the land of promise, a new chapter beginning, a testament to courage.

And so, the Humpherys family story continues, carried westward by the winds of faith and the promise of a new life. The English fields may have faded into the distance, but the seeds of their legacy had been sown, ready to blossom in the rugged landscape of the American West. Their journey was far from over, but their destination, though unknown, was guided by a light that burned bright within their hearts.

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