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Show 48 anticipated-yes, the happy day when I should see Milford again. Night before last he came. I cannot give utterance or expression. Most fervently I thank my Eternal Father for His great mercy and goodness unto us in bringing our loved one so safely home again, and oh again do I thank Him that Milford has returned in full fellowship of the Priesthood, that he has been faithful in every duty to his brethren, his family and unto our Father in Heaven. He brought the family with him who had been so very kind in administering unto his wants and necessities, who had watched soothed and relieved him when in pain and sickness. Yes, Brother Hilstead8 and Family who had been instruments in the hand of God of preserving his life. Oh, should I not feel grateful for their great kindness? My heart would be base indeed did I repel the inward flow of gratitude therein when ere I think of the life-the precious life they saved for us. 0 Father in Heaven bless them and I pray Thee give into my hands power to recompense them for their many kind and noble services unto one who was far away from kindred, friends and home.9 One can merely guess at the level of intensity of life in the Milford Shipp family as they are finally reunited, and gaps in the journal are eloquent with it. Twelve days after Milford's return, no doubt recalling a Pioneer Days outing, Ellis provides one brief but pivotal paragraph. Monday Morning July 24th 1871 At eight o'clock the whistle sounded and a company-many gay and lively, some wearing the expression of calmly happy enjoyment and occasionally one cold and impassive were speedily swept along the route between here and Og-den. Milford took his seat beside me and as if in answer to the fervent prayers I had made, he began talking on principle [polygamy]. He marked out the course we should take to gain an exaltation, that in this life we must lay a foundation, extensive, firm and steadfast, one that cannot be overthrown.'° On the following day, July 25, we encounter some heavy weather on the domestic front which deserves to be considered in its entirety for it is, along with an undated entry made in retrospect, all we will have until November. |