On Sept. 22, 1822, a baby named Jane was born in Connecticut, USA. As she grew up, Jane had questions about religion. Then she learned about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. It was what she was searching for!
When she was about 20, Jane and some of her family members wanted to join the other Saints. But when they tried to travel by boat, they were refused because of their race.
So they decided to walk!
“We walked until our shoes were worn out,” she said, “and our feet became sore and cracked open and bled until you could see the whole print of our feet with blood on the ground.”
Jane and her family finally reached the city of Nauvoo, where the other Saints were living. She stayed with Joseph and Emma Smith in their home. Later, Jane was the first documented Black woman in the Utah Territory.
Toward the end of her life, Jane wrote a short autobiography. In it, she said:
“My faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ, as taught by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is as strong today, nay, it is if possible stronger than it was the day I was first baptized. … I try in my feeble way to set a good example to all.”
Happy birthday, Jane! We are so grateful for your example of faith.
Your Turn
Note: Quotes taken from this article about Jane’s experiences.