Journal--How I Got My Name

In one of my wards, a very wonderful woman was called to serve in a family history calling (her name escapes me right now, but I will definitely hunt it down).  She told people about the importance of writing down our personal histories.  She said, however, that many people just don't know where to start.  As a fun way to go about this, she gave us topical writing assignments each month.

I always meant to do it, but never got around to it.  But I did save her list!  So, I'm going to do it now.

Her first topic to write about?  "How I Got My Name."

So, here goes (and if my Mom has any additional insights on this topic, I would greatly appreciate it!).

My full name is Sarah Elizabeth Mackay Washburn.

"Sarah" is a name that my mother always loved.  She loved it before it become a popular, trendy name in the 70's.  If I remember correctly, it might have even been a character name in a book (my Mom has always loved to read).  But it mainly comes from Sarah in the Bible.  When my Mom read the story of Sarah, she felt that she was incredibly selfless and faithful to give up her husband, Abraham, to Hagar so that he could have children as she could not give him any (at least at that time).  However, the Lord rewarded her faithfulness with the birth of Isaac in her old age.  My Mom grew to love Sarah because of her faith and sacrifice.  Originally, Sarah was named Sarai, which possibly means "contentions."  But her name was changed by the Lord to "Sarah" to signify that she would become the mother of many nations.  "Sarah" means "princess."

We later learned later that I have an ancestor named Sarah (Sarah Franks).  Though I was not officially named for her...the connection stuck and it has become somewhat of a post-birth significance that my name has taken on.  I'll go into detail about her in just a minute.

"Elizabeth" is another name my mother has always loved.  My mother thought Elisabeth in the Bible was another wonderful example.  But beyond that, I'm not sure if there is any further reason why I was named that.  "Elizabeth" means "consecrated to God."

"Mackay" came from my father, Clayton Grant Mackay (he goes by Grant).  His line includes many faithful people...family I look forward to meeting someday.  My great-great-something-or-other-grandfather was named Thomas Mackay.  He was Irish.  He was converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and emigrated to the United States.  He attended the School of the Prophets with Brigham Young.  The School of the Prophets was not only available to apostles, but to faithful male members of the church as well.  Thomas Mackay had three wives.  I am descended from his third wife, Sarah Franks.  Her story has actually become quite famous.  It is told in the movie 17 Miracles (you can find more information here).

Sarah joined the church and crossed the plains with her fiance, George Padley.  They were members of the Martin Handcart Company.  As we know, things didn't go well for the Martin Handcart Company.  Sarah became so sick that she was taken into one of the wagons.  Sarah's fiance, George, also became sick and suffered from exposure and hunger--which lead to pneumonia.  Sadly, George passed away.  Sarah was so heartsick at the thought of George being buried without any protection, that she wrapped him in her shawl.  I'm not sure of the timing of this, but she became the third wife of Thomas Mackay after entering the Salt Lake Valley.  It was only a civil wedding, however.  Years later though, Sarah's children begged her to be sealed to Thomas Mackay.  She did so out of respect for her children.  Many, many years later, Elder James E. Faust heard of Sarah's story.  Through his help, her sealing to Thomas Mackay was canceled and she was sealed to her fiance, George Padley.

Before this took place, I remember always feeling sad for Sarah Franks when I learned of her fiance's fate and her subsequent marriage to Thomas Mackay.  Now don't get me wrong.  I have great, great respect and love for Thomas Mackay.  But I always felt that Sarah must have longed for an eternal companionship with George Padley.  I often wondered why they hadn't married before the trek.  Hearing later of Sarah being finally sealed to George brought me so much peace.  I was sure that things were now as they were meant to be.

As for "Washburn," I gained that portion of my name when I married Jeremiah L Washburn on October 18, 2007.  I really loved all of my other names though and couldn't bear to part with them.  So, I kept them all!  That gives me one really long name!  "Sarah Elizabeth Mackay Washburn" is a total of 28 letters long.  Coincidentally, my first two names are 14 letters altogether and my last two names are also 1 letters altogether!  And darn it, my name is one letter too long to fit in its entirety on my driver's license.  So, the name on my license is shown as Sarah Mackay Washburn.  And that's also how you can find me on Facebook!  :)

Whew!

I really didn't think this post would be that long.  But I guess there is a lot of history attached to my name!