A Turning Point for Wm. and Ellen McKay
This is a very small portion of the compelling history of William and Ellen McKay as told in Spiritual Quests; and also, William Wadley, Tiller of the Soil. I read this account when I was very young. This story of my great great grandparents will be continued in the next post! More of these wonderful stories will be coming your way soon in the Shepherd Millar Family History, Carol Ann Shepherd
In 1850, the McKay family had five living children and lived in Thurso, Scotland. They were honest, humble folks with open minds and a capacity for understanding spiritual things. William was a cattle dealer going from town to town buying up cattle and bringing them to the butcher. Having no office, he did his business transactions in ale houses (saloons). He never got drunk, but did drink alcohol. When the missionaries began explaining the Gospel in Thurso, the McKays attended meetings and were impressed with the teachings at once.
Ellen came from a wonderful, close-knit family, When her sister, Jane, burned her precious Book of Mormon with no regard, I personally always felt that action was a turning point for Ellen and her family. They then knew that their extended families would not accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ of which they had firm testimonies. They also knew this Gospel was their chosen path in life, and worked and made plans to leave their homeland in Scotland and journey across the ocean to be with the Saints in Utah. It took six years to finally be able to leave.
In 1850, the McKay family had five living children and lived in Thurso, Scotland. They were honest, humble folks with open minds and a capacity for understanding spiritual things. William was a cattle dealer going from town to town buying up cattle and bringing them to the butcher. Having no office, he did his business transactions in ale houses (saloons). He never got drunk, but did drink alcohol. When the missionaries began explaining the Gospel in Thurso, the McKays attended meetings and were impressed with the teachings at once.
I can't imagine how hard it must have been to have her only Book of Mormon burned and to have to stand up for her testimony with family members and church leaders. She was one strong woman.
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