Item Detail
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Willardson, Caroline (Karen)
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1830-1902
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MSS SC 2790, 2791
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Patriarchal Blessing
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Karen Sorensen Willardson, wife of Christian Willardson was born April 4, 1830 in Viborg, Denmark, the daughter of Soren and Dorthea Petersen. She became the wife of Christian Willardsen on April 5, 1851, joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints together with her husband in 1852 and emigrated to Utah in 1852-53, crossing the Atlantic in the ship "Forest Monarch" and the plains in John E. Forsgren's company. Soon after her arrival in Utah she became identified with church affairs and became an active worker in the Relief Society during the remainder of her life. She was one of the head teachers of the Ephraim Relief Society for about thirty years. While residing temporarily in Spring City (officially the Allred Settlement) she suffered great anxiety and hardship on account of Indian troubles. Karen Willardsen became the mother of ten children and died in January 1902, in Ephraim, Sanpete County, Utah.
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Blessing #1- MSS SC 2790 This folder contains the typed patriarchal blessing of Caroline (Karen) Willardson given on March 5, 1857 by James Allred, patriarch. The blessing states that she will be blessed as long as she is faithful. Karen Willardson is told that she will have a large posterity and be a Queen and Princess amongst her friends. Blessing #2- MSS SC 2791 This folder contains the hand-written patriarchal blessing of a Karen Willardson. In the 1800s, sometimes multiple patriarchal blessings would be given to one individual. They were seen as a kind of fathers blessing in some cases and that is most likely the case here for Karen or Caroline Willardson. The blessing was given on July 11, 1892 by Canute Peterson, patriarch. She is revealed to be of the lineage of Ephraim. The blessing also states that she will be able to see the redemption of Zion and the gathering of the ten tribes of Israel. She is also blessed to see her grandchildren grow up before the Lord.
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1857-1892