Vern & Ethel

I recently had the chance to review my grandparents' "how we met" stories and I was struck by the courage and faith both of my grandmothers showed in making that very important decision. These stories highlight to me an aspect of their "conversion" stories as well. They were committed to choosing the right, keeping the commandments, following the prophet, and being faithful disciples of Jesus Christ. I'm so grateful for their examples!

 

Ethel was a schoolteacher in Ogden, Utah. When school closed in June, 1928, Ethel was invited by her sister Mabel to spend the summer with them in San Francisco, California. Shortly after she arrived, she met Vernard Lester Beckstrand who became her constant and only escort during her vacation. Ethel wondered why none of the other young men in the ward would ever ask for a date. She found out after her marriage that Vern had bribed them not to ask. They all cooperated because they were so anxious for him to find a wife; he was 31 at the time. Ethel also did not know that Mabel’s husband had asked Vern to “take Ethel under his wing” and see that see had a good time while she was there.

Vern reports that he knew the first time he met Ethel that she was the one for him. Ethel records that she had no such feelings and, in fact, cut her vacation short because she thought she could not return his love. After she returned to Ogden, the letters and phone calls started to come her way along with “little surprises” in the form of flowers, candy and books. Eventually, Vern won her over, and they were married June 19, 1929 in the Salt Lake Temple.

Ethel often expressed her gratitude for her beloved husband whose goodness, patience, understanding and devotion to Heavenly Father’s teachings has given her life great meaning and happiness. She records in her journal, “When I think of how I almost lost Vern because of my indecision I feel so grateful to a Heavenly Father who knew what was best for me all along. No one could have had a more loving, thoughtful and kind husband that I have had. He has never changed in his feelings toward me or his ‘special’ treatment of me. I always mention him in my prayers with gratitude.” 

Read more on Grandmother's FamilySearch memories page.