Jacob Hamblin, Trustworthy Pioneer

By Pat Graham

They were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted (Alma 53:20).

Jacob Hamblin was a brave pioneer who showed his courage by always telling the truth. The Indians knew that he was fair and honest, that they could trust his word. On one occasion Jacob was confronted by twenty-four Indian warriors who believed that the Saints were responsible for the deaths of three Indians. They wanted to take Jacob’s life, but he told them that his people had not betrayed them. After eleven hours of debate, the Indians decided to settle the matter peacefully because they knew that Jacob Hamblin had never lied to them. (See Valiant B Manual, page 140.)

Here are pictures for another true story that shows how Jacob Hamblin could be trusted. Cut out the characters and mount them on flannel. Place them on a flannel board as you read what each one says. You could give the story as a play for family home evening and have family members read assigned parts. The characters could be attached to tongue depressors or Popsicle sticks and held by each person.

The Trade

Jacob, Jr.: I am the son of Jacob Hamblin. My name is also Jacob. One day my father sent me to trade a horse for some blankets with an old Navajo Indian chief.

Jacob Hamblin: I am Jacob Hamblin. I told my young son to be sure to make a good trade.

Jacob, Jr.: I rode on horseback, leading the horse that was to be traded.

Navajo Chief: I am the Navajo Indian chief. Young Jacob told me that his father wanted to trade a horse for some blankets. I brought out a number of handsome blankets.

Jacob, Jr.: I shook my head and said that I would have to have more.

Navajo Chief: I brought out two buffalo robes and quite a few more blankets.

Jacob, Jr.: Thinking that I had done quite well, I bundled all the blankets and robes into a roll behind my saddle, mounted my horse, and started for home.

Jacob Hamblin: When my son arrived home, I undid the roll of blankets and robes. I looked at them and began to separate them. I put blanket after blanket into a pile and then rolled them up. I told young Jacob to take them back and tell the chief that he had sent too many.

Jacob, Jr.: I rode again to the Indian chief, returned the blankets to him, and told him that my father thought that he had sent too many. The old chief smiled and said:

Navajo Chief: I knew that you would come back; I knew that Jacob would not cheat me. (Adapted from Valiant B Manual, page 139.)

Sharing Time Ideas

Scramble letters of word pioneer. Ask children to think of word that describes someone who is brave, prepares the way for others, or does something new. Then tell true story “The Trade,” using flannel board figures. For large group, cutouts could be prepared for overhead projector.
Prepare copies of figures for each child to cut out. (Older children could cut out figures for younger ones.) Divide children into groups of four to six. Have each child choose figure; each group then retells story among themselves.
Three people could dress as characters of story. Use blankets for props.
Sing “Whenever I Think About Pioneers” (Sing with Me, E-2, verses 1, 2, 5, and 6).
Discuss situations in which people show trust. Make chart listing examples from scriptures, examples of people whom children trust, and examples of people trusting children.
Invite Boy Scout or Scout leader to tell what he knows about being trustworthy.

Jacob, Jr.; Navajo Indian chief; Blankets; Buffalo robes; Horse to trade; Jacob Hamblin. (Illustrated by Beth M. Whittaker.)