Alfred Baker was born on 14 August 1851 in Australia where his father, who
was born in Sussex, England, had moved to homestead. There, Mormon Elders
converted him to the truth. They were the first family in that area to
accept the Gospel, so they were shunned and even shot at.
Though he had prospered, and was making a good living for his family,
Alfred's father wanted to leave it all and sail for Zion. Money was scarce.
The people were against the Mormons. No one answered the "For Sale" sign, so
the family walked out leaving the key in the door. All they had were the
clothes they wore and what they were allowed to take in a steamer trunk.
Alfred grew and married Ketura Hanna Lewis on 1 January 1876 by Bishop
George Washington Sevey. They were sealed together for time and all eternity
on 11 April 1877 in the St. George Temple by Brigham Young, Jr. soon after
it was dedicated. They settled in Pima, Arizona. Their only child, a son,
died after living only eight months.
Eight years later, Alfred married Luanna Maria Christensen on 19 October
1885 in St. George after receiving the appropriate consent from his first
wife, Ketura.
Alfred, Ketura and Luanna moved to Colonia Juarez where they made their
first home. Five children came to bless them through Luanna. Both wives
worked together to run the household and raise their family. They then moved
to Colonia Chuhuichupa where Luanna had her sixth and last child.
In 1912, when the Revolution in Mexico occurred, the United States required
all American citizens to return to the United States. They rented a farm in
Minersville, Utah. When the trouble in Mexico was over, they moved back to
Colonia Chuhuichupa where he died on 7 May 1934.
Alfred was always a faithful member of the Church; a good neighbor and his
church assessments were next to the Bishop's. He always paid them with a
good heart, grateful for all his rich blessings. He was a High Priest. He
was a hard worker, ate breakfast by lamplight and didn't go to bed until
late. He loved both of his wives and each of his children dearly. Alfred was
quite an entertainer. He was well known for his stump speeches and his
step-dancing.
Story taken from Stalwarts South of the Border.
What seemed to stand out in this story was; while things were going well for
Alfred's parents, they wanted to be with the Saints. So much so, that they
left most of their possessions behind, put the key in their door and just
came to Zion. It is one thing to be forcibly driven out with no choice in
the matter for one's beliefs. It is quite another thing to have the Faith
and Love of God so strong that one would voluntarily leave all behind for
the Lord.
Brigham Young once said:
"The most effectual way to establish the religion of Heaven is to live it,
rather than to die for it; I think I am safe in saying that there are many
of the Latter-day Saints who are more willing to die for their religion than
to live it faithfully." (Discourses of Brigham Young)
I firmly believe that this family, on more than one occasion, showed the
Lord that they were willing to live the religion of Heaven.
