We may go through times when we see ourselves as a barren desert when we feel we have nothing of beauty to offer. But every person is born with sego lilies just waiting to be found. What a delight to help you find that gift and watch as we work to make it grow!
The Story
David Cannon and his wife, Wilhelmina received a call to leave their home in Salt Lake City and settle the deserts of southern Utah in 1861. The trip took a month of rigorous travel that November—a difficult task for the young couple, made more complicated because of their concern for their baby boy.
When they finally arrived in St. George, David built them a quick house for shelter, and began planting crops. Wilhelmina did her best to make a home in the floorless adobe, but the constant struggle against the sun, wind, rain and mud took its toll. She had nothing to calm her loneliness but red sand with a little sagebrush and greasewood mixed in among the reptiles. She could find nothing of beauty in St. George.
David came home one night and found her weeping. He quietly put his arms around her, and asked what he could do to ease her sadness. Through her tears, Wilhelmina said that if he could show her something about the country that was lovely—just one single thing of beauty—then she thought she could stay and make a home for the future.
Each day as David came home from the fields, he search for something to show his wife. Finally, in May, he spotted a tiny sego lily growing by a stream. He gathered a delicate bouquet and carried it home to his Willie. Wilhelmina’s heart softened when she saw the fairy petals. Their beauty gave her the courage she needed to make her desert land into a home.
