Extensive research has been done to bring together the complete writings and all other pertinent information on Willard Bean from his birth to a polygamist father who, with three wives, fathered 30 children.....to his teenage years as a driver and camp caretaker for the Presiding Bishopric as they visited the saints in Mexico and surrounding territories.....to his years living in the Manti Temple while he did temple work and cared for an ailing temple president. Following these assignments, Willard embarked on a mission to the Southern States, particularly Tennessee where two elders had been shot and killed along with a few Mormon sympathizers. He was forging his way through intolerant territory to be sure. During these early years of his life, Willard perfected his athletic skills to the point that he was declared the middleweight boxing champion of the United States in the early 1900s.

    After serving as a sheriff in Goldfield, Nevada, and running gymnasiums (where he taught boxing to the likes of Jack Dempsey) in California, Willard was called on yet another mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He and his new bride, Rebecca Peterson, were called to Palmyra, New York, to live in the Joseph Smith Home, farm the land there, and make friends (and ultimately converts) for the Church. While there Willard purchased for the Church the Hill Cumorah, the Peter Whitmer Farm and the Martin Harris Home. Their mission, which was to be for "5 years or more," was extended to nearly 25 years. They went to Palmyra as newlyweds and returned home to Salt Lake City as grandparents. They spent the first several years working to break through the prejudice and anti-Mormon sentiment that existed in Joseph's home town. When they arrived in 1915, clerks wouldn't even wait on them in local stores. When they were released in 1939, people couldn't find enough words of praise to adequately express their love and appreciation for the Bean family.

This book includes:

Willard's autobiography Excerpts from his journals Newspaper articles and photos from his boxing scrapbook Rebecca's fireside talks relative to their years in Palmyra Memories of two of the Bean children Magazine and newspaper articles written by and about Willard Articles about the Indians and their battles near the Hill Cumorah Details on the purchase of Church-owned properties in Palmyra Funeral services of Willard and Rebecca Bean Announcement and Dedication of the Palmyra Temple Bean Genealogy Copies of the four books Willard wrote while serving in Palmyra     "ABC History of Palmyra"     "Geography of the Book of Mormon"     "Gospel Conversations"     "Cumorahland"

PLUS:

	Hundreds of photographs from the collections of two of the Bean children -- Alvin Pliny Bean and Palmyra Bean Packer Certificates, commendations, blessings Excerpts from correspondence between Willard and Church leaders

    If you're interested in obtaining a copy, contact: