[Zacharias in the Temple. Image courtesy Bizzell Bible Collection, University of Oklahoma Libraries]
When I played Zacharias, father of John the Baptist in Savior of the World, I discovered that the Angel Gabriel (Jeff Bean) who played opposite me was related to my grandchildren.
Playing Zacharias was at a very challenging time of my life.
Participating in the play Savior of the World as Zacharias was an experience that profoundly impacted my life. Back in 2008, our Latter-day Saint Stake in Layton, Utah, had put on this beautiful production. My wife Rosemary was deeply involved in helping to bring it to fruition, but at the time, I had convinced myself that I was too busy to participate. However, after witnessing the powerful message of the play and Rosemary’s experience, I couldn’t help but regret my decision. Five years later, when our stake decided to put on the play again, I knew I had to take the opportunity this time. Much to my surprise, I was cast as Zacharias, the husband of Elizabeth and father of John the Baptist.
Playing Zacharias presented a significant challenge, as the role required me to perform a solo and a duet with Elizabeth. Singing had never been my strong suit, but with determination and hours of practice, including a voice lesson from a member of the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, my performances worked out. Some even suggested that perhaps I had discovered a hidden talent. The theme of ‘With God, nothing is impossible’ echoed throughout the play, and I found this message to be a source of inspiration as I worked to overcome my singing insecurities.
Rehearsals spanned approximately six months, beginning with a couple of practices per week and eventually increasing in frequency as the production drew near. Amidst this demanding schedule, my professional life took an unexpected turn when the company I worked for announced a relocation from Salt Lake City, Utah, to Bellevue, Washington. I was fortunate enough to retain my position, but I now faced the daunting task of either arranging a move or seeking new employment within a six-month time frame.
To complicate matters further, the cancer I had previously overcome had resurfaced, and I knew that the impending radiation treatment would deplete my energy. Torn between my desire to fulfill my commitment to the play and the need to prioritize my health, I turned to prayer, seeking guidance and solace in my faith. My fellow cast members and loved ones joined me in earnest petition, and through divine intervention, a miracle occurred—the cancer vanished. My doctor attributed this incredible outcome to divine providence, and the relief I felt was immeasurable.
Despite the challenges I encountered during this period, I decided to remain a part of Savior of the World. Within two weeks after the performances, I had a new job that allowed me to stay in Layton and continue to live close to most of my children and grandchildren. The experience served as a source of strength and grace, teaching me that when we put our faith in God, the seemingly impossible can become a reality. In the end, my participation in the play was not only an artistic accomplishment but also a testament to the power of faith, perseverance, and the support of a loving community.
The Angel Gabriel cast along side me was Jeff Bean, a distant cousin of my grandchildren.
The story of Zacharias is that for many years he desired to be chosen to offer prayer in the temple. Similarly, he and his wife Elizabeth had for many years hoped for a child. Finally his dreams were realized. He offered the prayer in the temple and while doing so, the Angel Gabriel appeared to him. The angel told him to fear not and that his prayer had been heard 1. He was told that his wife Elizabeth would conceive a son and they would name him John.
As the story of Zacharias unfolded on stage, I found myself forming a deeper connection with my fellow cast members, including Jeff Bean, the actor who portrayed the Angel Gabriel alongside me. Our characters shared an emotional exchange in which the angel appeared to Zacharias, reassuring him that his prayers for a child had been heard. This message held personal significance for me during this challenging period in my life.
One day, during a break from rehearsals, Jeff and I discussed family history. Jeff mentioned that he was a direct descendant of George Washington Bean, an early pioneer in Utah. Intrigued, I recalled reading about George Washington Bean in my own family history. Upon further research, I discovered that along with my relatives he had traveled in the same Latter-day Saint Overland Pioneer company, went on a mission to Las Vegas together, was in a handcart company rescue together, and also that he was an ancestor of my son-in-law, Clay Penrod.
This revelation connected my family to Jeff’s in a serendipitous way, making Clay a third or fourth cousin of Jeff Bean. This new found knowledge meant that my grandchildren were related to my on-stage angel, Jeff. It was a remarkable reminder of the close-knit nature of our community, and the power of faith and family.
My family crossing paths with the Beans
There are a number of times that my family crossed paths with George Washington Bean, which I’ll summarize below. I might write additional chapters to expand on these in the future.
Crossing the plains: Jedediah M. Grant/Willard Snow Overland Pioneer Company (1847) 2
The Jedediah M. Grant/Willard Snow Overland Pioneer Company of 1847 was one of the early companies of Latter-day Saint pioneers who made the arduous journey westward. This company, also referred to as the 3rd Hundred, was led by Jedediah M. Grant, with Joseph B. Noble and Willard Snow serving as captains of the 1st and 2nd Fifty, respectively.
The company departed from the Elkhorn River outfitting post, located approximately 27 miles west of Winter Quarters, Nebraska, on June 19, 1847. Initially, the company comprised 160 individuals in 100 wagons, but eventually grew to include 331 people. They arrived in the Salt Lake Valley on October 4, 1847.
The journey was a challenging one, with the pioneers facing numerous difficulties and delays along the way. Despite these obstacles, the company persevered and played a crucial role in the early history of the Latter-day Saint movement.
In this company were my Garr relatives:
George Washington Bean and his wife ( Jeff Bean and son-in-law Clay Penrod’s ancestor):
William Bringhurst and his wife (my daughter-in-law Jamie Hansen’s ancestors)
First Latter-day Saint Mission to Las Vegas and Lead Mining near Las Vegas 3
Those involved:
- George Washington Bean – Jeff Bean’s direct ancestor
- Nathaniel Addison Bean – George’s brother and my son-in-law Clay Penrod’s direct ancestor
- William Bringhurst – my daugther-in-law Jamie Hansen’s ancestor
- Nathaniel Vary Jones – first husband of my great-great grandmother Caroline M. Garr
The first Latter-day Saint mission in Las Vegas was led by William Bringhurst, who was called to serve as the president of the mission in 1855. Bringhurst arrived in Las Vegas in the summer of 1855, along with 31 other missionaries. The group began construction on an adobe fort, which served as a way station for travelers between California and Salt Lake City. In 1856, Brigham Young sent additional missionaries.
The mission focused on working with the local Paiute population, aiding them in farming, and teaching them the gospel. Many Paiutes were baptized, and some were called to serve as missionaries among their own tribes. The mission also attempted to establish a lead mining operation, but this effort proved unsuccessful.
Ultimately, the mission was closed in 1857 due to conflicts with the native population and internal disagreements between Bringhurst and Nathaniel V. Jones, who was in charge of the mining mission. Despite its short duration, this early mission played a significant role in establishing the Latter-day Saint presence in the Las Vegas area.
George Washington Bean was one of the 32 missionaries called to settle the mission in 1855, largely due to his ability to speak Native American languages and his position as a member of the Quorum of the Seventy in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. During his time at the mission, he served as the mission’s clerk and as a teacher of Native American languages.
However, in September 1856, George Washington Bean and a group of other missionaries left Las Vegas to return to Salt Lake City, as they were uncomfortable with the introduction of ore miners sent by Brigham Young.
Nathaniel Addison Bean was also a part of the Las Vegas Mission. He served alongside his brother and the other missionaries, working to establish the mission and interact with the local Paiute population.
Rescue of the 1856 Handcart Companies 4
Rescuers included George Washington Bean and members of my Garr family.
- George Washington Bean (25)
- Robert T. Burton (36) – husband of Sarah Anna Garr
- Abel Garr (22) – Solomon Kimball describes him as “a prominent scout in early days”
- David Garr
- John Garr
The Willie and Martin Handcart rescue is a significant event in the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It revolves around the perilous journey of two groups of Latter-day Saint pioneers, the Willie and Martin Handcart Companies, who set out on their westward migration in 1856.
These companies, totaling around 1,000 individuals, faced numerous hardships due to their late start in the season and inadequate provisions. As winter set in, they encountered severe weather conditions, particularly in central Wyoming. Heavy snowstorms and freezing temperatures took a devastating toll on the travelers, leaving them stranded and in desperate need of assistance.
In response, a heroic rescue effort was mounted by residents of Salt Lake City, who braved the harsh conditions to locate and provide aid to the stranded pioneers. Despite their valiant efforts, more than 210 of the 980 pioneers from the Willie and Martin Handcart Companies tragically lost their lives during the journey.
The event serves as a testament to the faith, determination, and sacrifice of the early Latter-day Saint pioneers, and the rescue itself is an example of selflessness and heroism. Today, the story of the Willie and Martin Handcart Companies and their rescue remains an important and symbolic part of Latter-day Saint history and culture.
References:
- Luke 1:13 King James Version ↩︎
- https://history.churchofjesuschrist.org/chd/list?filterOrganizationUri=%2Forganization%2Fpioneer-company%2Fjedediah-m-grantwillard-snow-company-1847&subtype=pioneer-activity&lang=eng&start=25&count=25&sortItem=name ↩︎
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Las_Vegas_Mission ↩︎
- http://wiki.hanksplace.net/index.php/Rescuers ↩︎
