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There were no clouds visible in the sky nor anything in all the world of even a grayish appearance so far as could be seen by Albert Clements. He stood or moved about as if standing or walking in an arc so light and buoyant was the beating of his strong healthy young heart. No wonder the world seemed beautiful to him that peerless autumn morning. It was his birthday, and 19 years before, on the 19th of Nov. 1801, his birth had occurred at Ft. Anne, Washington Co., State of New York. That place with his parents had always been his home. There it was that he was now engaged in chopping down trees on his fathers farm which were to be used for timber in building a house and making a home for himself and Ada Winchell, his sweetheart. Ada was one month and five days his junior, having been born Dec. 24, 1801, at Habron in the same county and state as himself. Good fortune had brought about an agreeable acquaintance between these two young persons, which almost immediately took on the form of a genuine friendship, and soon ripened into pure love.
Not until that faultless morning had Albert made his declaration and asked Ada to become his wife. The girl, who was chaste and honest in thought and being, without hesitation had met his approval halfway and agreed that their marriage should take place very soon. By Ada's very soon she had not thought to indicate an earlier period than the next spring or summer. But within a few weeks Albert's earnest persuasions won out in placing January 28, 1821 as the date for their wedding. The day came and the marriage was solemnized. "Are you happy dearest?" Albert asked of his happy smiling bride, when for a moment they were by themselves. Ada answered sweetly, "Happy Albert? I have never believed in what is said of wedding days being the happiest days of all until now." "And my greatest wish," Albert continued, "is that I may always be able to keep you happy, and to make each day and year better and happier than the last." "And my wish is," said Ada, "that I may ever prove true and the helpmate that you are taking me for."
No thought came to those young joyous souls of the sorrow and heartaches awaiting them in the coming years.
One year later their first child was born. And a few weeks after Ada confided to it's tiny unconscious ear the fact that she hadn't known how much happiness this life can bring to mortals until it had come to nestle in her arms. She and Albert were blessed with nine such priceless gifts in all, but not all of them came in to such peaceful pleasant surroundings. Albert and Ada remained in Ft. Anne until 1832 when a change came to them. Albert was returning from a business trip which had taken him some distance from home, and he brought his wife a book which he believed would interest her as it did him.
He told her he had met a minister of the gospel who had taught the same as Jesus had done when He was on the earth, and told of a young prophet named Joseph Smith. The ministers name was Sydney Rigdon and the book Albert had purchased from him was the Book of Mormon.
Albert and Ada together studied and embraced the gospel, were baptized and with their five children moved to Flence (could this be Florence?) Ohio to be near the saints. From that time on they followed the chosen people and shared their prosperity and disappointments, their sufferings and rejoicings. Other children were born to them in different localities, and some of their precious flock they buried by the way as they were being driven from place to place. Perhaps the most severely trying of these experiences came when their son, Paul, a young man was brutally killed during the persecutions of the saints in Missouri. But there was no thought ever turning back with either Albert Clements or his wife. They were united in all that came to them and the great love that they had for each other strengthened them for each emergency and every sacrifice.
After the expulsion of the saints from Missouri and when with the others, the Clements settled for a time in Nauvoo. A son was born to them on Nov. 15, 1842. They named him Albert Nephi for his father and their favorite hero in the Book of Mormon. The parents had each now reached the age of 41, and this in a way was destined to become the most prominent and important member of the family.
At the time of the martyrdom of Hyrum and Joseph Smith the Prophet and patriarch – Albert, like many of the brethren, was away from Nauvoo engaged in labors for the strengthening of the church and the support of the families.
When news reached him of the terrible tragedy at Carthage, he canceled all engagements, dropped the work he was occupied with and started for Nauvoo — there to face whatever hardships might be in store for him in connection with his beloved people and family.
At a small town one evening while on his journey, he met a relative of his mother with whom he had been associated in past years. This gentleman kindly invited Albert to his home to remain overnight and the invitation was accepted. He was traveling with a span of good horses, however, in the morning he found one to be very sick and unable to proceed on the homeward journey. Upon entering a nearby store for medicine with which to treat the disabled animal, Albert was highly delighted to run into Elder Sidney Rigdon, who was on his way from Pittsburgh to Nauvoo.
Sidney and Albert were both exceedingly gratified at meeting each other and they sought and had a few moments privately in which they discussed the great calamity that had befallen their people in the awful death of their beloved Prophet leader. Sidney comforted his old friend Albert by acquainting him with the fact that he, himself, was hastening to the Saints to take the position awaiting him as their guardian and director in place of the slain prophet whose loss they mourned. A great burden was lifted from Albert's grief-stricken heart. Although on account of the sick horse, he could not travel on that day, it did not matter so much. President Rigdon would soon be with the crushed and hopeless Saints, would arouse their stunned energies and revive their faith and confidence in the goodness & wisdom of God. Albert felt sure his own family would be all right. His dear noble Ada would be staunch and brave as she had always been and would keep their children safe and contented. He would be with them again before long to help cheer and comfort them, and all would be well with them and with the Church.
By the exercise of great care and skillful nursing the sick horse was rendered able to travel within a few days. But Albert realized that very gentle treatment and no haste with the horse must still be cautiously observed in order that he might proceed on his way with some degree of safety. Other hindrances were also met with. The mending of a broken wagon wheel caused a delay of several hours, then came the humane necessity for helping some over-loaded wagons with poor, rundown teams across quite a long stretch of heavy almost impassable roads. Thus one thing after another transpired to lengthen out the time of Albert's journey until the 15th day of August 1844, when he reached Nauvoo. So excited and over-joyed were his wife and children to have him at home with them again after so long a separation. It seemed to them like years instead of months with all the distressing things which had happened during his absence. Nothing was talked of or perhaps even thought about but their own family affairs for an hour or more following his reaching home. By that time all the children had turned their attention to other things which interested them except baby Albert Nephi, who refused to leave his father's arms for any other position.
When husband and wife were alone they placed their arms around each other and looked into each others eyes with love and confidence as true and tender, if not so young and impulsive, as that which stirred their hearts the day on which they were married more than twenty years before.
"Albert dear," said Ada, "I should have been the happiest woman in the world, I think, if, one week ago this morning you had been with me in the meeting that was held in the Grove."
"Why dearest?" "Was the meeting different to or better than others we have attended together," Albert asked.
"Don't you know about it? Haven't you heard?" exclaimed Ada almost incredulously.
"I have heard nothing and know nothing of it – tell me," Albert inquired.
"Well, I have been thinking all along that surely you would be told all about it, and of course you would be feeling relieved and happy over it," Ada responded. "But if you have not heard then certainly I shall gladly tell you, for all must know about the most marvelous and glorious meeting that the Saints here have ever known."
Albert was beginning to be enthusiastic and anxious to hear the whole story. Taking the baby's hand from covering his mouth he asked eagerly – "Was President Rigdon there in his place and did he take up the reigns of government and start the good work speeding on with new force & vigor?"
"Why do you ask a thing like that, Albert?" Ada questioned, with a look and in a tone that would indicate she almost felt it sacrilege for her husband to have given utterance to such thoughts. "Yes," she continued, "Sidney Rigdon was at the meeting, but he was no better prepared to take the leadership among our people than this baby of ours is. I have heard him speak in meeting when the Spirit of God was with him and when he propounded principles of truth and righteousness in a way that would be instructive and convincing to honest hearts. But he had changed. He has lost the faith and power he possessed when he stood next to the Prophet and was humble and fearless as the Saints must be to live near the Lord. He was the first speaker in the meeting, and he said he had come to offer himself as a guardian and a leader for the Church, that he was the man appointed by the Lord to be spokesman for Joseph. But he was entirely void of the Spirit he formerly manifested. He could scarcely talk at all some of the time. There was nothing of the grand personality of the Prophet to draw the Saints toward Sidney Rigdon, either in his voice or words or looks. He talked for one hour and a half and we became very tired sitting on those hard wooden planks, but in all his discourse there was nothing to lift the cloud of sorrow from our hearts or to arouse our faith and hope to new life." Ada paused and Albert spoke with undisguised misgivings and said, "You certainly surprise me, Ada. Was that the thrillingly delightful meeting you wish I might have attended?"
"Wait," Ada answered. "That was only the fore part of the memorable meeting, and that part was exceedingly tedious and unsatisfactory. But as soon as Sidney Rigdon had finished and sat down, Brigham Young arose and, oh, Albert. It was Joseph. He spoke with the voice of Joseph – that is what I do so wish you might have seen and heard."
"Well, Ada, what of it all?" Albert queried. "Can't you tell me? Was anything decided concerning the future movements of the Church. Who will take the lead – was that fixed?"
"It certainly was, Albert, that question settled itself – or the Lord settled it. Sidney talked for a long time as I said, and offered himself as a guardian for the people, but this speech was delivered in a doubtful, hesitating, even cowardly way. It failed to impress the Saints with any confidence in him or desire to accept his offered guardianship. I believe many must have remembered as I did how Sidney, after being brutally dragged out of bed by drunken mobs, and with the Prophet who was treated the worst of the two – tarred and feathered, said if Joseph Smith's God was going to let him be put through such a course as that, Joseph would have to take it without him for he could not stand such usage. Many of us heard him say that, and also knew that he proved treacherous to the prophet and the Church because of cowardice, instead of standing like a hero and sharing the Prophet's sufferings even unto death if it had been required. There was nothing about Sidney Rigdon to inspire even common sympathy or respect."
"Ada dearest," Albert said as he moved across the room, "I fear you are greatly prejudiced against President Rigdon. I feel that he has been misjudged and unfairly dealt by." Ada felt a strange suffocating pain in her chest as she listened to those words from her beloved husband. So many were weakening – undecided – so much was being said among the false pretenders around them. She saw that Albert's features were drawn and troubled and he saw with great hurt in his heart that she was very pale.
Let me finish telling you of the meeting, Ada said. "The last was the good part. When Brigham arose and commenced speaking his face and form immediately assumed the exact appearance of the Prophet Joseph Smith. He spoke as distinctly in the voice of the Prophet – as closely as you ever heard Joseph speak himself. He told the Saints that the keys and power of the leadership of the Church had been sealed upon the quorum of the Twelve Apostles with Brigham Young as their President. This had been done by the Prophet himself by commandment from the Lord, and much more he said, although he took but a short time to say it. The Saints were all converted to the fact that Brigham Young was the right man, with the Twelve, to lead the Church now, and all the congregation voted for that – there was not one hand raised in opposition.
As the family gathered around the dinner table there seemed something strangely cold and lacking in harmony which they could not understand, for there should have been rejoicing in a goodly degree over the safe return of husband/father.
As the meal finished a messenger came to the door and beckoned Albert outside. Albert talked with the young man for a few moments, then came in and informed Ada that there was a meeting of some of the brethren that evening and he was asked to attend. Whe Ada inquired further Albert informed her that the meeting was called by Sidney Rigdon and Sydney Marks. "Surely you will not attend it, Albert," Ada exclaimed most alarmed. "Certainly, I shall," Albert responded with finality in his voice.
From that time on differing opinions in relation to their religious views rendered Albert and Ada Clements very unhappy. The most severe trial of their faith came to them from the fact that Albert saw Sidney Rigdon as his leader, while Ada had actually seen the mantle of Joseph Smith fall upon Brigham Young and knew positively that Brigham was chosen of God to direct the affairs of His church and people. She knew this was the truth by even a stronger evidence than seeing with her eyes and the hearing with her ears. She knew it by "the testimony of the Lord (which) is sure, making wise the simple." But with all the power she was able to exert in her husbands interest she could not make him see it. He was so blinded by the influence of crafty men, and though he tried with all the fervor of his soul to induce his wife to see the subject as he viewed it, she had been shown the true light, accepted it, and was determined to follow wherever it should lead.
The Clements were scriptural students and they read and talked over the Savior's sayings found in St. Matthew 10:37 – "He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me." Ada remarked that although husband or wife were not mentioned it might be supposed justifiable to include them in the argument also. Albert asked, "And will you give me up, Ada, and follow Brigham Young into the wilderness you know not where or what fate may await you, while I shall remain in peace and have no more of the persecutions and judgments to which we have so long been subjected?"
"I shall continue with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and share its fate, even unto death should that be necessary," Ada replied. "But I shall never cease to love you, Albert, whether you follow Sidney Rigdon or any other man. And I shall pray for you always that you may be brought to see the truth even as Saul of Tarsus. For you are blinded as was he by delusive spirits and the craftiness of unreliable men."
Thus they came to the parting of the ways.
Ada with her children – who decided to stay with their mother, left Nauvoo among the earliest of the Saints who were driven from their homes there, and moved to Winter Quarters. To his credit, Albert was generous in providing as comfortably as he could for the travels of his wife and children, although they were leaving him in sorrow and loneliness.
A number of years passed before Ada and her children were able to journey on to the Rocky Mountains. Albert Nephi, the son born in Nauvoo, was a boy nearly 10 years old and drove his mother's ox team across the plains when the family came in Captain Warren Snow's Company, arriving in Great Salt Lake Valley, October 9, 1852.
During all the poverty and struggles of the early pioneers through which Ada had passed, she never lost faith in the innate goodness and integrity of her husband's heart. Nor did she neglect to mention him in prayer, asking that his heart might be touched with the testimony of the divine mission of Joseph Smith as a true Prophet of God, whose life, like that of the Savior had been sacrificed for the truth's sake. If only this could happen she knew he would be turned from the folly of being misguided by apostate leaders, and through repentance forgiven of his sins.
One day quite a shock came to Ada. An Elder who had been commissioned to look after some matters in the affairs of the church had just returned from a trip East. He called on Ada and told her he had run across her husband while passing through Iowa. Albert appeared to be in good health and was prospering in a worldly way. The surprise came then, which for a time somewhat bewildered Ada. The Elder informed her that Albert had employed and paid him to accompany him to some lawyers who had made out a bill of divorcement, which needed only Ada's signature to make it a legal document dissolving the bond between them which had united them as husband and wife. The plea which Albert had used in the case was desertion. All there was for Ada to do to make the decree complete was to sign her name to it in the presence of witnesses. Only a brief time she waivered while she considered the question. It would be as well she decided. The marriage had been only for this life, any how. It had nothing to do with the eternity beyond. So the affair was settled and Ada Clements was a divorced woman. The Elder sent the document to Albert.
In 1863 when a young man of 21 years, Albert Nephi drove an ox team back across the plains as a church teamster to assist in bringing a company of Saints to Zion. He found time to visit his father who was greatly surprised and over-joyed to behold again his youngest son. How delighted that father would have been could he have prevailed on his son to remain with him and share and inherit his worldly possessions. He had been prospered in acquiring means and was well off as far as worldly riches go. He had also married a good and pleasant woman who kept a neat and comfortable home for them, but no child was ever born of their union. The home was in Iowa and the father had joined a branch of what was then known as the Josephite Church.
Had Albert Nephi been disposed to remain there with his kind hearted affectionate father what a life of ease and pleasure he might have found. Great opportunities might have been his for acquiring knowledge from schools and by interesting travel – instead of passing his days and years laboring for a living and attending to duties required of him as a member of the Church. But all those alluring prospects held no temptation for the honest hearted Utah boy. He was glad to see his father and spend a short time with him, and to bear a humble, sincere affirmation to him and his wife that he knew by the testimony of the Lord that Brigham Young was indeed the Prophet's lawful and heaven-appointed successor. Then he wanted to hasten back home to Zion and his loved ones there as soon as he reasonably could – which he did.
When Albert Nephi reached home, his mother was glad to learn that Albert had married a good woman. "It is better for him," she commented. "The man is not without the woman, neither the woman without the man in the Lord."
The next year, 1864 the Clements moved from Utah to Idaho and settled at Stockton, a branch of Oxford. In 1865, Albert Nephi married Elizabeth Ann Boyce. His mother was persuaded that she might do more good in the world as a comfort to others and by being helped herself over some hard places in life by marrying a man named James Steers, consented to the change this brought to her. After a few years James Steers died. Other years passed and again for the sake of helping and of being helped, Ada was married to a Mr. Wilbur. He also died after a time. No children were born of either of these marriages, nor had Ada consented with either for a church marriage in the Endowment House – which was being used then temporarily while the temples were being built.
Albert Nephi went east a second time to assist in bringing emigrants to the Valley in 1868. This time he drove a horse team. Again he visited his father, and with him attended one of his Church meetings. On returning home the father asked his son how he enjoyed the services. The son promptly replied, "It was as sounding brass and tinkling cymbals." He then bore a strong testimony of the truth of the gospel to his father and said, "The day will come when you shall see the light, and when that time does come – father, and with your religion goes everything else and you haven't anything, remember you can have a home with me. Just send me word. Here is a purse, I wish to give you as a token, and I pray it may ever be full."
In the years that followed nothing was heard from the father. Albert Nephi was in a new part of the country, Idaho, working steadily and bravely making a livelihood for his young and increasing family. During this period the father's wife died. His means all slipped away from him. The mother, twice widowed was now alone, living some distance from her son, Albert Nephi. The mail came into their town twice a week from Corinth.
On Friday morning the mail brought Albert Nephi a letter from his father, telling him his prophecy had been fulfilled that he was left desolate and had no sufficient means to come to him; but that he had seen his mistake and wished to come to his people. In the afternoon the mail went out and with it a letter from Albert Nephi, telling his father that on the following Monday he would go out on the mail and send him money for his train fare. At that time he only had 50 cents in the house, but the money must come, he knew it would. How he prayed and schemed.
Sunday morning came and as yet nothing had been brought to the mind of Albert Nephi to show him how he was to obtain the money which he must have. He sat in his front room; the south door was open, letting in a flood of bright sunshine. His heart was lifted in prayer. A stranger rode up to the gate. Without waiting for him to dismount Albert Nephi hastened to him and passed the time of day. The following conversation ensued: Stranger: "Do you know of anyone with a yoke of oxen for sale?" Albert: "Oh, yes, I have two of them." Stranger: "Where are they?" Albert, "In the pasture, shall I drive them here, or will you go there?" Stranger: "I will jog on down with you."
All the while from Albert Nephi's soul the prayer was being offered up: "O Father in Heaven, put it into his heart to buy them. For the promise to my father I must keep."
When the oxen were rounded up, two fine yoke in all, the stranger selected one pair and paid Albert $100 for them. Next morning Albert was off to Corinth, and borrowing $100 more forwarded the $200 to his father. He then made arrangements with Brother David Eccles to meet his father when he should arrive in Corinth, and gave him every attention in case he, his son, should not be there himself.
Albert Nephi had confided a little scheme to his wife, and she prepared a room for his mother and persuaded her to come and spend a week or two with them – all unconscious of the fact that her "first love", the father of her children was soon coming to them.
At the proper time Albert Nephi drove over to Corinth to receive his father and take him home. Bro Eccles met him; his father just arrived and was resting in the best hotel in town. The charge for his entertainment Brother Eccles paid. When the father and son met, there was in that hotel a scene of great rejoicing, although no dry eye were beholding it. It was a reminder of the memorable meeting of Jacob and Joseph in Egypt. As soon as he was able to speak, the father drew a purse from his pocket and said as he handed it to Albert Nephi, "Do you remember this my son?" "It is your with all it contains and I am now in your keeping." His fare had been $180 and $20 remained in the purse.
Albert and Ada knew nothing of the meeting planned for them by their son and his wife. Not withstanding the long separation and the changes brought to both, there was nothing between them that could not be readily forgiven – a complete and sincere reconcilliation immediately followed. Albert was humbly penitent for the mistaken course he had pursued. And his wife and their children, also the church authorities were all rejoiced to forgive and receive him back into the true fold of Christ.
Albert Clements & Ada Winchell did their courting all over again and after awhile, when they were all ready their faithful youngest son, Albert Nephi, fixed up his wagon and drove them to the Endowment House in Salt Lake City. They there received blessings and promises reserved for the pure in heart who are obedient to the laws of God. Albert Nephi had unique privilege of witnessing the marriage of his own father and mother – their true marriage, uniting them for time and all eternity. Before leaving the sacred building, Ada referred to their former marriage so long ago and so far away in Ft. Ann – how happy they had been then in each others love. And she said, "But this day is far more blessed and our happiness more sure and complete. Is it not so, dear Albert?" Her husband responded tenderly and reverently, "Indeed it is true, and my dearest Ada, this glorious triumph over which we gratefully rejoice today, I humbly and fervently acknowledge is very largely due to your undeviating faith and prayers and faithfulness."`
Brother Joseph
