This angel woman is the great-great grand daughter of Sarah Sturtevant Leavitt
This story written by Norma Horsley Hayes and given to Mary Winsor Carter.
My father's mother was Melvina Abbott,daughter of Lovisa Leavitt who
were Lemuel Leavitt and Laura Thompson.
Lemuel parents were Jeremiah (RIN 1932) Sarah Sturdevant Leavitt.My stepmother's parents were Orange Decater Leavett; son of Lemuel. And Mary
Ellen, Daughter of Dudley, so they were cousins. Clarence and I had been married several years and had two little girls when the events began that brought about one of the most important things in my life.My parents were inactive for most of my life,so I didn't really know much about the gospel and married out of the church.One day two woman of the Jehovah Witness stopped by and asked if they could have Bible study with me.I knew nothing of Religion and thought it wouldn't hurt me to learn a little more about the Bible.This went on for about a year I guess and I began to get interested in their teachings. I felt that I should write my folks about it and see how they felt The church did seem to be very important to them,though I knew they had a testmony It must have been about this time that Mary (Mary Winsor Carter)found out I had been raised a Mormon. We had been acquainted with the Carters for some time think Anyway,She began visiting me often and talking about the gospel.I put up some argument at first,but she had such a sweet spirit about her and some very convincing principals so that I realized I would have to find out for myself what was right.My parents were very upset,naturally,when they recieved my letter and would have come to see me but mother was ill,but she wrote me a long letter and sent me a Book of Mormon,which I didn't have.
I began reading it and could hardly put it down.Also,I began praying earnestly to know the truth,promising Heavenly Father that if he would show me the truth I would follow it.That afternoon I burned the Jehovah Wittness books I had and when the woman came, I told them I had found the truth.
For about 3 days,I prayed at every apportunity,and kept a prayer in my heart as I went about my work.One morning as I stood at the sink,contemplating my
promiess I had the most wonderful feeling - as a great burden lifted from my
shoulders.I knew what Mary had been telling me was true,as was the Book of
Mormon.That afternoon I burned the Jehovah Wittness books I had and when the women came I told them I had found the truth.
When my folks came down later,Mother told me of an amazing thing that happened.Her father died when she was a girl, and on severaly occasions after her marriage to Dad,in times of serious illness or trouble,he would appear to her.in a dream to comfort her. One night after she and Dad had prayed about me,he came to her and said,"Elfonda,do not worry about Norma.One of our people is working with her and she will be alright."
One evening when we were visiting at the Carters,Mary had her genealogy
out on the table,and I noticed the names of Jeremiah Leavitt (RIN 1932)and
Sarah Sturdevant Leavitt (RIN 1933),Which I Knew were my ancestory -and there
was the dream.
Mary Cordelia Winsor was born 3 November 1909 in Thatcher, Arizona. Her parents were Joseph Winsor and Sarah Olive Hamblin. She married Philo Coombs Carter, son of Philo Vinson Carter and Nellie Pearl Coombs
Correction as of Nov 14, 2007
Cordelia THURSTON (AFN: 1QR4-2S) correction this is my mother's mother not Sarah Olive Hamblin
