Dora and Jesse Merrill were married in May 1917. A little red-haired girl with big brown eyes was born nine months later on February 5, 1918. The young parents (Dora was only 18 and Jesse was 23?) were excited to have this little girl join their family. She loved to sing and after hearing a song only one or two times, she could sing the song herself. She was a good little girl and was a delight to her family. However, her life was cut short when she became sick with bronchial pneumonia and one month before she was to turn eight on January 1, 1926 she slipped away. Her sickness lasted for only one day but a winter snow storm prevented the doctor from reaching the family in his horse-pulled wagon.
The death of Elnora Violet devastated Dora and Jesse. They were told that because she had not been baptized, their precious little girl was dammed. This teaching didn't seem right. How could a just and loving God dam an innocent child. All pictures of Elnora were removed and her name was never mentioned. The thought of not seeing their daughter again, was too much for them to bear.
Years later Dora and Jesse were introduced to the gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Two sons, Clint and Jesse, had joined this religion and their daughter, Shirley was also investigating it. When they were taught that little children who die before the age of accountability or eight years old were saved by the grace of our Savior, they knew they had found the truth they had always felt. Both Jesse and Dora joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In ? they made the journey to the Salt Lake LDS Temple where they were sealed together as husband and wife for time and all eternity and Elnora Violet was sealed to them.
Death had lost it's sting. The healing process was started and in 1970 when Jesse Jr. had his first baby girl, Dora and Jesse asked their son if he would name her "Elnora" in honor of his sister.
Today is Easter Sunday. I have always been proud of my name and the meaning behind it. I am thankful to know that my namesake, Elnora Violet, will live again. Death is not the end!
(Note: While in Salt Lake, Jesse and Dora both received their Patriarchal Blessings from the head Patriarch of the Church.)
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