Lavina Moses

Lavina Harper Moses was born March 3, 1879 to Charles Alfred Harper and Mary Boyes Harper, at Big Cottonwood, what is now known as Holladay, Utah. This was also the birthplace of her husband, Jesse T. Moses, and thus they were closely associated since early childhood.

She received her early education in Holladay where she was a good student and was admired and loved by her class mates for her cheerful personality. Later on, as a teacher in the auxiliary organizations of the church, she showed skill in this work and pointed the way to success thru love and kindness to many. She lived as an example to follow and as a good teacher she would want her work to carry on. Sister Moses kept a record of the important events in her life which tells us o f the following: On June 15, 1892 she was sustained as assistant secretary in the Big Cottonwood Primary and in May 1894 she was appointed secretary. January 28, 1897 she was sustained secretary and treasurer of the YLMIA association and as assistant secretary in the Big Cottonwood Sunday School August 22, 1897. From 1897 to 1902 she held positions as teacher in both the Primary and Sunday School organizations and was later sustained head teacher. It was during this time she taught Brother Neils Anderson who is with us today. He may be better able to tell her good leadership and some good lifelong impressions she made upon him as a boy. Her chief objective was to make truth live in the mind and soul. Sister Moses was set apart as second counselor in the Primary organization at Big Cottonwood April 25, 1901, and until November 1902 she was also a teacher in the Second Intermediate Department in the Sunday School for the Holladay Ward.

As a young girl, she showed talent in art and drama. She belonged to a dramatic club in Holladay and took a part in many of its outstanding performances. She enjoyed this work very much and was often called on to give readings at various entertainments. Influenced by a near relative who was an artist, Sister Moses painted several beautiful pictures. Among one, when finished, was a picture of grandfather Woodruff's home* in Vermont. Some of these paintings still hang in her home to be cherished by her children as a beautiful memory of their mother's gentle touch.

On September 23, 1903 she was married to Jesse T. Moses in the Salt Lake Temple, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They lived at Big Cottonwood until 1906. It was here that their oldest daughter, Mary was born. They then moved to Smithfield, Utah where they lived until 1914. In Smithfield, four more children were added to their happy family: Harper, Arabelle, Lavina, and Valate. In true pioneer fashion, she moved with her husband to Metropolis, Nevada, and homesteaded there. Here she was active in Relief Society work and it was here that two more children were born, Charles, and one daughter who died when three weeks old. The Moses family moved to Lost River in 1918 and attended the Arco Ward until the Lost River was organized a year later. Here two youngest daughters, Fern and Leone, were born. Sister Moses was sustained as secretary and treasurer of the Relief Society of this ward, in which capacity she faithfully served until the family moved to the Blackfoot area where they still reside.

She came with her family to the Riverside ward in 1932, where she continued her active, faithful services. She has been working as Work Director in the Relief Society for a number of years, always willing and faithful until her health failed a few years ago. It was in this position that I remember her best. I have always admired her for her sincerity in her work and her pleasant smile in everything she did. During the time Brother and Sister Moses have lived here, they have seemed very devoted to each other with a common interest in attending to their church work and rearing an honorable family. True to their pioneer ancestry they have performed their duties and, made the best of life as it came to them.

Lavina Harper Moses, 77, departed this life at the family home, Monday afternoon, June 25, 1956 after a lingering illness of ten years. She is survived by her husband, and the following sons and daughters: Mrs. Earl Durrant, Charles Moses of Blackfoot, J. Harper Moses and Mrs. Everett W. Jorgensen of Parma, Mrs. Wilkie Noble of Moore, Idaho and Mrs. Augustus Twitchell, Antimony, Utah. Three daughters have preceded her in death. She is also survived by 35 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, and three brothers, Joseph B. and Edwin B. Harper, Holiday, Utah, and William Harper of Mesquite, Nevada.

(author unknown)