Lettice JOHNSON Rushton was blind. This was Joseph Smith, Jr., last Christmas before he was killed. It is thru his writings that I learned that Lettice RUSHTON was blind. Further, the event that is illustrated in this picture teaches us all an important lesson. Lettice's husband, Richard, had died just a short time before (4 Oct 1843). What strength this woman had to be out doing things for others at such a difficult time. http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/RelEducator/image/53114213042003_reledv3n2a10.pdf
This picture is of George WARDLE, Fanny RUSHTON, Fanny's mother Lettice JOHNSON Rushton, others of the RUSHTON family plus some friends. Here is the account from Joseph Smith's journal:
Christmas 1843: "Monday, 25.--This morning, about one o'clock, I was aroused by an English sister, Lettice Rushton, widow of Richard Rushton, Senior,(who, ten years ago, lost her sight,) accompanied by three of her sons, with their wives, and her two daughters, with their husbands, and several of her neighbors, singing, "Mortals, awake! with angels join," &c., which caused a thrill of pleasure to run through my soul. All of my family and boarders arose to hear the serenade, and I felt to thank my Heavenly Father for their visit, and blessed them in the name of the Lord. They
also visited my brother Hyrum, who was awakened from his sleep. He arose and went out of doors. He shook hands with and blessed each one of them in the name of the Lord, and said that he thought at first that a cohort of angels had come to visit him, it was such heavenly music to him."
Sheila Gibson ~ SpiritHawk
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Copyright © 2003 Ethereal World ~ 09 Sep 2003 10:00:00 GMT