Attribute #5 - Tenacity

 

Elizabeth Warn

1828 - 1906

Tenacity: Persistence, keeping a firm hold of, holding together, retaining something

Job 17:9
The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger. 

2 Thessalonians 2:15
Stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught.

Revelation 3:11
Behold, I come quickly; hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. 

At first I thought I would share something about my great-great-great grandfather, William White, but then I remembered that to me the most impactful story about him was that while he was away at sea, his wife immigrated from England to the United States without him, taking their four young children. SHE had tenacity! You can read about more of her life here.

I found another story that shows her tenacity. This grandmother sounds like someone you should not cross!

Wherever possible she made hats, and dresses, sewing by hand. One time in Smithfield, William worked for a man considered well-to-do. The man promised payment at a future day and then did not pay. The family needed the money badly. One day Elizabeth met the man on the street and asked for the money. He said he would send the money later. She said they needed the money at once. He tried to put her off. She took hold of his coat sleeve and said she would stay with him until she got the money. When he saw her determination, he gave her the money.

Here's a little remembrance written by her daughter, Clara:
Mother was dark complexioned, medium height, had a rounded form but was very straight. She had black curly hair and large dark eyes. My mother was a strong, self-sustaining character, had a high sense of honor, was truly religious and charitable, a friend to the poor and afflicted, a wise counselor to her family, a faithful wife and mother, and was true to the gospel she had embraced in her youth.

I am grateful for Elizabeth's example of tenacity, of her courage and determination to hold fast to good things - like her family and her faith.

BYU Devotional on Tenacity by Elder David F. Evans.

Conference talk - Continually Holding Fast - by Elder Kevin S. Hamilton

Another conference talk - Hold Fast to the Iron Rod - by President Spencer W. Kimball

Last year's attribute - Patience