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Page 1
On a green hill in England called Mars Hill, William and Ann Rowley had made their home. They grew hops and fruit in their orchards, and they lived a good, quiet life — but deep in their hearts, they were looking for something more.
Bridge text — written to connect the story; no single journal line behind this page
Page 2
In those years, many people in England were searching — reading the Bible, praying, hoping that someone would bring them more light. William and Ann were searchers too. They belonged to a group called the United Brethren, who prayed together and asked God to show them the way.
Bridge text — written to connect the story; no single journal line behind this page
Page 3
Far away in America, a young man named Wilford Woodruff felt a quiet voice in his heart. It said: Go south. There are people waiting for you. So he put on his coat and started walking.
From your journal · prints on the back pages
“The answer I received was that I should go to the south; for the Lord had a great work for me to perform there, as many souls were waiting for His word.”
Page 4
He rode in coaches through Dudley and Stourbridge and Worcester, and then he walked and walked — many miles through the English countryside — until at last his boots found the lane that led to Mars Hill.
From your journal · prints on the back pages
“On the morning of the 4th I again took coach, and rode through Dudley, Stourbridge, Stourport, and Worcester, then walked a number of miles.”
Page 5
William and Ann heard a knock at the door. A tired traveler stood on their step — a missionary from America, come to tell them something wonderful. They welcomed him in with glad hearts.
Bridge text — written to connect the story; no single journal line behind this page
Page 6
They sat together at the long wooden table and talked and talked. The candles burned low. The fire crackled. Outside, the night grew deep — but nobody wanted to stop.
Bridge text — written to connect the story; no single journal line behind this page
Page 7
Elder Woodruff told them about a restored church — a church with the same teachings Jesus gave long ago, now brought back to the world. The Chruch of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Ann's heart felt like a lantern being lit for the very first time.
Bridge text — written to connect the story; no single journal line behind this page
Page 8
Elder Woodruff sometimes stayed with the Rowleys while he preached to all the neighbors round about. Many nights he came back to their table. His stories about the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ filled the little house with light.
Bridge text — written to connect the story; no single journal line behind this page
Page 9
On a fine spring day, Ann walked down to a place called Nightingale Bower. She stepped into the cool water — and was baptized.
Bridge text — written to connect the story; no single journal line behind this page
Page 10
Elder Woodruff wrote in his journal that spring day: "The ground is parched, yet all Nature is covered with verdant green, while the fruit trees send forth their perfumes from the smiling blossoms with which they are clothed."
From your journal · prints on the back pages
“May 6th. This is the dryest spring that has been known in England for many years. The ground is parched yeat all Nature is covered with verdent green while the fruit trees sends forth their perfumes from the smileing Blossoms [with] which theire are clothed.”
Page 11
A few weeks later, William walked to Old Storridge Common where Elder Woodruff was holding a great outdoor meeting. When it was done, William stepped forward — and was baptized too.
Bridge text — written to connect the story; no single journal line behind this page
Page 12
That night, Elder Woodruff walked back to the Rowley house and spent the night with Brother Rowley. The hearth glowed. The house was full of something it had never had before.
Bridge text — written to connect the story; no single journal line behind this page
Page 13
When Ann and William looked back on those nights at Mars Hill, they said the preacher had brought them something they had been looking for all their lives: a message that felt like light, like joy, like peace.
From your journal · prints on the back pages
“The morning light of truth that broke forth across the rolling hills of England fell gently upon the uplifted eyes of these two noble spirits and dispelled forever the darkness of ignorance and error.”
Page 14
William and Ann Rowley had seven sons and daughters — and together, their simple choice to follow the Lord took them on an extraordinary journey of sacrifice and faith."We are their children," the family wrote, "and we write to you — who are our children — so that you might know the source of your heritage and blessings."Their story has traveled across generations, touching the hearts of millions — because your most precious possession, they said, is the legacy of faithfulness these noble people founded.
From your journal · prints on the back pages
“This is their story³the story of William and Ann Jewell Rowley and their seven sons and daughters. ... We are their children. We write to you³who are our children³that you might know the source of your heritage and blessings. ... We pray that you may come to know that your most precious possession...”
From the sourceAdapted from sourceBridge text
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Behind the story
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Page 1 of 8Rowley Family History.pdf
Page 2 of 8Rowley Family History.pdf
Page 3 of 8Rowley Family History.pdf
Page 4 of 8Rowley Family History.pdf
Page 5 of 8Rowley Family History.pdf
Page 6 of 8Rowley Family History.pdf
Page 7 of 8Rowley Family History.pdf
Page 8 of 8Rowley Family History.pdf
Where this story came from
This note prints on the last page of every book in this collection, so a reader can trace it to its source — set once for the whole series. It shows in the 3D preview and the printed PDF.
This book was drawn from the family history of Ann Jewell Rowley.
Places along the way: England and the American plains.