Julia Samuelson Curtis

Julia Samuelson Curtis had been married for only four short months when her husband, who was preparing to serve a mission in Samoa, died unexpectedly in his work herding sheep. Julia was pregnant, but their son was stillborn six months after his father had died. Julia wrote a letter to President Joseph F. Smith, saying “He [her husband] said so many times, ‘The Lord is so good to us. I will not content myself until I am in Samoa.’ My beloved companion was not permitted to fill this mission. Our little son soon followed to the great beyond. And I now am alone, ready and anxious to fill this mission and take my husband’s place.”