In 2011, the Church produced a heartwarming short video called 'The Joseph Millett Story.' [I] Through his journal, we learn that Joseph had a Canadian connection. [ii] (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2011-02-0050-joseph-millett-story?lang=eng)
Brother Millett was born on December 20, 1833, in Ernestown, Upper Canada, into a newly converted Latter-day Saint family who eventually settled in Utah. In 1852, he was called to serve a mission in the far-off British colony of Nova Scotia. Joseph was only nineteen and single. This was unusual, as in those days, missionaries were usually married men in their thirties or forties. [iii] In preparation for his mission, he was endowed in “the old Council House” [iv] and received several blessings, including one from President Brigham Young.
The Lord Requires Faith and Focus
Without purse or scrip, Joseph set off for Nova Scotia. On his way, he visited his older half-brother, Nelson, in Wisconsin. Nelson offered Joseph a 160-acre farm if he would abandon his mission and marry Nelson’s sister-in-law. Joseph joked that Nelson “did not offer enough' [v] and proceeded on his mission.
After many adventures, such as crossing the mighty Mississippi on ice floes, he finally reached Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. In his journal entry for April 16, 1853, he reflects on what sustained him on his seven-month trek:
“I had to rely on Him whose business I was on. I felt my weakness. A poor, ill-clad boy in my teens, thousands of miles from home, among strangers...the encouraging words of President [Brigham] Young [and] the faith I had in the gospel kept me up…Many a time, I would turn into the woods...in some desolate place with a full heart, wet eyes and face to call on my master for strength and aid. I believed the gospel of Christ.” [vi]
In Yarmouth, Joseph met other Latter-day Saint missionaries, who advised him to continue on to Halifax. In the capital, he eventually got the address of the Halifax branch president, John Skerry, where he “found welcome.” [vii] A few days later, he received a letter from the other missionaries stating that they had given up on Nova Scotia and were returning “to the States.” [viii] They suggested that he do the same. His reply was, “I had been sent on a mission and I would do the best I could to fulfill that mission.' [ix]
Acting Upon Promptings Brings Blessings
His journey was not over. After an eight-day schooner crossing from Halifax, he arrived at the outport of Gaberouse (present-day Gabarus) on Cape Breton Island. Here, he found a few Latter-day Saint families among a large group of “Gentiles,” [x] some of whom spoke only Gaelic. A few days after arriving in Gaberouse, he received a referral to visit the Cann family in Fourchu, a town about seven miles away. On his way there (on foot), he had a unique experience:
“On my way along the beach, I saw a large duck on the waves…The Spirit said to me, ‘You are going among strangers…Take the bird with you.’ When [the duck] got close to the shore, it put its head under its wing. So I jumped [in] and caught it.” [xi]
When he got to his destination, he used an interesting door approach: “I told them that I had come from Gaberouse to preach the gospel to them. Here is a bird. I saw it out on the water, and thought I would bring it along, that it might be good to eat.” [xii] He concluded his entry with, “It was cooked and we ate it. It was fat and good.” [xiii] He didn’t record if the Canns joined the Church, but they did allow him to hold cottage meetings in their home, much to the displeasure of the local “sectarian minister.” [xiv]
The Work Moves Forward in Surprising Ways
A short time after returning to Gaberouse, Joseph welcomed a temporary companion, Elder Allen Adamson. His new companion taught Joseph how to baptize. Over the next two months, despite intense opposition from local clergy, missionary work blossomed, including the organization of the Gaberouse Branch. When it came time for Elder Adamson to leave, Joseph was distraught. He wrote, “Oh, must I part with a good companion like him.” [xv]
With Elder Adamson gone, Joseph carried on solo and had much success. As winter approached, he was transferred to New England. March 18, 1854, found him ministering in Lowell, Massachusetts, where he got a life-changing letter: “Received letter from [mission] President [Orson] Pratt. Said as I was single, I could marry a Wife, with his aprobation.” [xvi]
The next day, Joseph helped organize the Lowell Branch. Two days later, he headed for Manchester, New Hampshire, to visit twenty-four-year-old Sarah Elizabeth Glines, whom he had met earlier. Sarah welcomed his attention, and five days later, Joseph and Sarah attended a Sunday meeting in Lowell at the home of Branch President Eliakim Davis. He recorded, “Sarah Elisabeth Glines and myself stood up and was married…the cake was passed around. The evening was agreeably pased by the Saints.” [xvii]
The young couple had a brief honeymoon in Boston before Joseph dropped Sarah off at her aunt’s home in Peterboro, New Hampshire. She stayed there until Joseph completed his mission in October 1854. Because of the death of their first child and Sarah’s ill health, they didn’t make it home to Utah until September 19, 1856. Besides raising eight children, Joseph and Sarah spent the rest of their lives fulfilling assignments from President Brigham Young to strengthen pioneer settlements in Utah, Arizona and Nevada.
A Life Well Lived
A tribute by Joseph’s son and namesake sums up the life of his father:
“He lived a faithful life, was kind and benevolent to all, full of charity
and sympathy, ever seeking where he might do good to the poor and
fatherless and those in need, denying himself the comforts he might
have enjoyed had not his means been spent helping others.” [xviii]
At the end of the video mentioned above, the actor portraying Joseph’s character delivers this profound message, “It’s good to think, the Lord knows Joseph Millett.” [xix] Through his fascinating, faith-promoting diary, we can all know Joseph Millett. Through the restored gospel, we learn the comforting truth that our Heavenly Father knows and loves each of us.
Footnotes:
[i] “Joseph Millet,” Films, Gospel Library
[ii] Joseph Millet Journal and Papers, 1852-1932, Joseph Millett Sr. Diary, Church History Catalog, Salt Lake City
[iii] Early Missionaries,” Church History Topics, Gospel Library
[iv] Joseph Millett Sr. Diary, Church History Catalog
[v] Joseph Millett Sr. Diary, Church History Catalog
[vi] Joseph Millett Sr. Diary, Church History Catalog
[vii] Joseph Millett Sr. Diary, Church History Catalog
[viii] Joseph Millett Sr. Diary, Church History Catalog
[ix] Joseph Millett Sr. Diary, Church History Catalog
[x] Joseph Millett Sr. Diary, Church History Catalog
[xi] Joseph Millett Sr. Diary, Church History Catalog
[xii] Joseph Millett Sr. Diary, Church History Catalog
[xiii] Joseph Millett Sr. Diary, Church History Catalog
[xiv] Joseph Millett Sr. Diary, Church History Catalog
[xv] Joseph Millett Sr. Diary, Church History Catalog
[xvi] Joseph Millett Sr. Diary, Church History Catalog
[xvii] Joseph Millett Sr. Diary, Church History Catalog
[xviii] Joseph Millett Sr. Diary, Church History Catalog
[xix] Joseph Millett Sr. Diary, Church History Catalog