Ira Stearns Hatch   Conversion to the LDS Church

“Being adverse to the intolerance of the religious leaders of the day, and satisfied to live honest, peaceful, industrious lives, the Hatches did not affiliate themselves with any religious denomination. “Their daughter Rhoana, in her later years, said of her parents, “They never connected themselves with any church until after they had heard the Gospel in its purity, but were anxious concerning their spiritual welfare and rather desired to join some church, but Mother said, ‘No, there are none on the earth that agree with my convictions.’” “The first extended mission [of the Church]… followed the conference of 26 September 1830. At this conference Oliver Cowdery and Peter Whitmer were called to go and preach the good news to the Lamanites, or American Indians. In October, Parley P. Pratt and Zeba Peterson were called to accompany them…. They first visited the Indian tribes of Cattarugus. “As these missionaries preached the Gospel to the Indians in the vicinity of the Hatch home, Ira Stearns and Wealtha had the privilege of hearing the message. Quoting their daughter Rhoana again, “Mother was converted while listening to the first sermon preached by an authorized servant of God, and she said, ‘That’s what we have been looking for.’” “The missionaries left two copies of the Book of Mormon with two Indians who could read. Through Wealtha’s friendship with the Indians she was able to borrow one of them and was the first one of the family to read it and wanted to join the Church immediately. Her husband and near relatives advised waiting a while because of persecution. She decided to take their advice and waited, hoping that more of her immediate family would be converted to the truth, but none of the others, except her husband, were readying themselves to join this unpopular sect. Early in 1832 a hole was cut in the ice on the river, and Wealtha was baptized. At the same time she was confirmed a member of the Church. She was the first in the Hatch family to have these ordinances performed and the second person in the neighborhood to become affiliated with the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. Ira Stearns believed the Gospel was true from the first, but he waited a while before being baptized. He was cautious about joining the Church because of persecution. “The cornerstone of the Kirtland Temple was laid 23 July 1833. According to family tradition, it was some time after this that Ira Stearns decided to go to the headquarters of the Church in Kirtland, Ohio. The construction of the Temple was progressing, and the family decided to make a contribution to it. Ira Stearns was also very anxious to meet the Prophet Joseph Smith and feel of the spirit of the man. Consequently he prepared to make the trip, taking with him their contribution. Three days were required to make the trip, and upon arriving at Kirtland, he inquired about the Prophet’s whereabouts and was informed that he could be found in the grove where timber was being cut for the Temple. He made his way to the grove, and as he approached the working men, one of them struck his ax into a tree and came towards him. When he was close enough, he shook the hand of Ira Stearns and said, “Brother Hatch, I have been expecting you for three days. The money you have brought will be used to build the pulpit in the Temple.” Thus, because no one in Kirtland was acquainted with him, and none knew of his intended visit, Ira Stearns became convinced beyond a doubt that Joseph Smith was indeed a true Prophet, and consequently his testimony was steadfast during the remainder of his life. “Ira Stearns later related to his son Stearns that when he saw the Prophet Joseph Smith, his impression and testimony of his divine mission was so great that it became of great assistance to him in withstanding the trials and hardships that were his lot, as well as others of the early Saints. This testimony never left him but remained with him to the last day of his life. Ira Stearns was baptized on 1 June 1834 by John Gould.” Excerpt taken from Meltiar Hatch: Colonizer by I Armstrong and V Stahle.