Healing a Family Breech

Healing a Family Breach, David, Dad, Papaw

My memories of my grandfather James DeFord (Papaw DeFord) revolve around fun, laughing, and playing. One of my fondest memories is how he used to run into the kitchen when we visited and fetch the candy dish. The covered glass dish teemed with candy haystacks, Three Musketeers bars, candy corn, and other sweet treats.


Papaw loved playing yard darts, baseball, and shooting BB guns, shotguns, and rifles. He could hit a can from 20 yards with a slingshot.


Not long after we married, Kathy and I visited him and Mamaw. He was mowing grass and drove over to where we stood and said, "Let me finish this plot, and then we'll play."


He had a delayed childhood. When Papaw was about ten, his father, a Methodist minister, ran off with a female member of his church, leaving his wife and large family to struggle in poverty. Papaw quit school and began working at a stone quarry, where he carried a bucket and ladle of water to refresh the workers.


When he reached the appropriate age, he enlisted in the army, and learned the blacksmithing trade. Mostly he shoed the mules. Papaw sent most of his money home to his mother for her upkeep.


While I found him upbeat and fun-loving, he remained deeply hurt and resentful of his father. As I began researching our family history, he wanted to stay away from the topic of his father and his father's family.


George Washington DeFord, James' father, had created a breech in the family that affected family historians around the world. No one seemed to be able to trace the DeFord line past George's father, Jacob.


Thanks to Sarah, After nearly forty years of research, Jacob's father has been found! The effect of George Washington DeFord's indiscretion has been overcome.


Turns out, Jacob's father and George's grandfather, the long-sought ancestor also bears the name George Washington DeFord. He was born in Indiana in 1808, nine years after the death of his namesake, our nation's first president.


Last week I had him baptized and confirmed in the Winter Quarters Temple. Last night I received the endowment for him. His deliverance from spirit prison was delayed for many years, but it wasn't prevented.


As I pondered this story while waiting for our stake conference general session this morning, I felt deeply the impact of temple work. We are all connected. The Doctrine and Covenants says, "For we without them cannot be made perfect; neither can they without us be made perfect." D&C 128:18.


The breech has been healed by the Savior's atoning sacrifice and the temple ordinances it makes possible.


The temple work for another six generations can now be performed.


Let the healing continue!