Miracle of Bateman conversion

I had heard for years that the Batemans had a miracle when they joined the church but I have never read this one.

The punctuation spelling is questionable at times but if you work at it you can figure out what they meant.

It's a short read.  A very important part of your family legacy!  My dad's mother Lucille was a Bateman and so we are related through that line. Share with the children so they know.

Much love,

Mom (Lindy)

-------- Original message --------

From: Ron Bateman 

Story of my Paternal Grandfather's Conversion & My First Testimony Written By Annie Bateman Morrison - May 18, 1947 – Reno, Nevada Alfred Bateman, my Grandfather, whom I have often heard tell the following, when I was a child, was born December 8, 1824 in Orsett, Essex, England and years later, after he was married and had a family and was still living in England, he was walking in the fields one Sabbath morning, in May and he said the fields couldn't be lovelier anywhere in the world, than in England and many wild flowers grew in the fields, which added to the beauty of the scene. In going from one field to another there styles, instead of gates and as he mounted one of these styles, church bells began ringing from several directions, never before had they so impressed him or sounded like music and when he gained the top of the style, he stood still, wondering which of the churches were right, as he started down on the other side, he sad down and was pondering about religion when he heard a clear voice say, "Go to they Mother". He went down the style and looking all about and under the style, but could see no one and suddenly a strong desire to see his mother came to him, as he stood debating whether he should go to see his mother or return home and tell his wife he was going the voice again said "Go to thy Mother" and this time he knew the voice came from heaven and he looked up fully expecting to see someone, but he didn't see anyone and before he realized it, he was walking rapidly towards his mother's home and as he entered she said, "Oh, Alfred, we were just wishing you were here as we are going to hear some Mormon Missionaries from America", they all left at once having quite a distance to walk to where the missionaries were. Grandfather was very much impressed with the afternoon service and before the evening meeting was over he knew "Mormonism was true". He invited the missionaries to his home, to speak soon after and had invited all of his neighbors in to listen, but the missionaries never reached Grandfather's home that day as they were pelted with spoiled eggs and driven away by the bullies of the town, but later Grandfather and some of his neighbors, whom he had converted, went to the chief magistrate of the town and so they next time the missionaries came, he maintained order and many were converted. Grandfather and some of his family immigrated to America in 1874, first locating in Almy, Wyoming and four years later moving to Bloomington, Idaho. Two of their sons George and Alfred had gone before them and two of their married daughters never came but intended coming. Grandfather became a thrifty farmer, a dependable citizen and a good church member and I remember hearing it said, often " If Brother Bateman said so you can depend upon it", which impressed me very much as a child and I was very proud of my Grandfather. Grandfather's Conversion was my First Testimony and I'm very sure that was Heavenly Father's way of getting the Bateman's to America. As a child I use to relate this in Sunday School on Fast Day and once my Sunday School teacher had me give it in conference - because I knew then as I do now that it is true, it was very easy for me to do Grandfather and Grandmother, Esther Elizabeth Wiffin reared a family of twelve children and he lived to be 104 years and 1 day old. Never wore glasses and shaved with a straight razor until he was taken ill and passed. Grandmother, a small woman, lived to be 71 years of age and she and Grandfather were married in 1848 Orsett, Essex, England. Grandfather died December 9, 1928 in Bloomington, Idaho at the age of 104 and 1 day old. Written from memory expect last two lines I got from the Family Bible. Signed: Annie Letitia Bateman Foster Morrison At the time of Grandfather's passing, he and Grandmother were the parents of 12 children, 88 Grandchildren, and 187 Gt. Grandchildren and 9 Gt.Gt. Grandchildren Total 305 Children or Posterity. These Grandparents were baptized by a missionary named Charles Penrose – April 1, 1854 in England. Came to America 1874.