Ransom Marion Stevens

Find a Grave

Birth: May 1, 1864 Fairview Sanpete County Utah, USA

Death: Apr. 28, 1894, Samoa

Missionary Who Died While Serving

"I beheld that the faithful elders of this dispensation, when they depart from mortal life, continue their labors in the preaching of the gospel of repentance and redemption" President Joseph F. Smith (D&C 138:57).

Missionary and President of Samoan Mission (1892-1894)

Husband of Annie Christianson. Married 14 April 1886 Logan, Cache, Utah

Died of Typhoid at Fragalli, Upolu, Samoa. Buried on Island.

Annie Stevens and her husband Ransom M. Stevens were called as missionaries in Samoa and arrived April 17, 1892. Both he and his wife served diligently in their calling. After having learned the language and gained experience he was called to preside over the mission. He had many virtues. His deeds of love and kindness made him a great favorite among the servants of the Lord in Samoa. Early in April 1894 he did not feel well and was confined to bed for ten days with a high fever. Every possible action, both spiritual and material, was taken to help him recover. These efforts were in vain for he died 28 April 1894.

His wife Annie left for home May 23 on the next steamer. The missionaries expressed their concern for her and their feelings toward her.

"We have learned to love Sister Stevens as a sister during her stay in this land; her noble deeds and womanly actions shall long be remembered by us."

The Deseret News published the following:

"Mrs. Annie D. Stevens wife of the deceased telegraphed from San Francisco yesterday to Elder George E. Browning of Ogden, the former president of the Samoan Mission as follows: 'My husband is dead. Leave here tomorrow morning. Please inform authorities and ask them to telegraph F. Christenson, Fairview, at once.'... Brother Christenson is the father of the widow."

Mrs. Stevens arrived safely in Fairview, Utah. Numerous friends were there to greet her.

"The greetings were necessarily brief for Sister Stevens was feeling ill and had to retire to bed early... at 11 pm she gave birth to a nice boy."

A few days later the little boy died. (Ruth R. Yeaman, Women from Zion in the Samoan Mission: 1888-1900, pp. 56-57)

Family links:

Parents:

• Ransom A Stevens (1839 - 1917)
• Tranquilla Ann Brady Stevens (1846 - 1941)

Spouse:

• Annie Dorothea Christensen Stevens (1864 - 1932)

Children:

• Marion Christensen Stevens (1894 - 1894)*

Burial: Non-Cemetery Burial Specifically: Fragalli, Upolu, Samoa