History of Gibson and Ceceia Sharp Condie

History of Gibson and Ceceia Sharp Condie

HISTORY OF GIBSON AND CECELIA SHARP CONDIE

Written by Thomas A. Condie, a grandson of Gibson Condie, in 1937. Read in a Sacrament meeting in the 6th–7th Ward of Pioneer Stake. A Program given in honor of Gibson Condie.

Gibson Condie was born in Clackmannan, Scotland, June 14, 1814, son of Gibson and Jean Russell Condie. He married Mrs. Cecelia Sharp, widow of Nathaniel Sharp in 1844. She was born April 9, 1812 and was the mother of four children. Her son, Peter Sharp, passed away in 1839. On the 29th of October 1845 twins were born to them, Gibson and Mary Condie.

About this time there came to the town of Clackmannan an Elder William Gibson clothed with the authority of the Almighty God. He proclaimed a new gospel restored in the land of America, through a youth named Joseph Smith who in answer to an earnest prayer had beheld the Father and Son; angelic messengers had ministered to him. John the Baptist had conferred the Aaronic Priesthood; Peter, James and John the Melchizedek Priesthood; and a messenger sent from the presence of God who gave his name as Moroni had a work for him to do. A great book had been revealed which he translated by the gift and power of God. This book contained the history of the former inhabitants of the American continent even down from the time of the flood, and it contained the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ. They said Joseph Smith was to be an instrument in the hands of God in building up his Church in America: the New Zion. And all who would assist might do so, being blessed of the Lord. The same gospel that was preached by Peter, James and John, the same Church, the same ordinances, and the same blessings were in store for

all those who obeyed. The same God of yesterday, today and forever was no respector of persons. For seventeen hundred years the heavens had been closed to mankind, and the contending sects were crying, Lo here is Christ and there is Christ, until the conscientious man was confused and tossed about by every wind of doctrine.

The testimony of Elder Gibson opened the spiritual understanding of the Scottish gentleman, Gibson Condie and his good wife, Cecelia Sharp Condie. They were God-fearing people, trying in their weak way to serve God as they understood. The Bible was their guide, and when they compared this new gospel with the teachings of the Bible, a new light dawned upon them.

The true Church must conform to the pattern of the primitive Church of Christ. It was contrary to the scriptures and reason that there should be various opposing religions in Christendom. Gibson Condie believed the testimony of William Gibson, obeyed, qualified, and was admitted into the fold of the Master's flock.

The Condies and Sharps were engaged in coal mining, at peace with all the world, surrounded by relatives and friends, housed in comfortable quarters, in a land they loved. The different sects in Christendom had worldly rewards to offer their converts—the Mormons only sacrifices. Zion was to be built in America, and blessed were they who would build it. Gibson Condie and his family were converted in their souls; they were called; and regardless of the consequences they must answer that call.

They sold their possessions and prepared for a hazardous journey across the mighty Atlantic Ocean. With three little children, they boarded a sailing vessel, their worldly possessions in a little trunk. Three thousand miles across the waters, eight long weary weeks on a treacherous sea, night and day nothing but water, eight weeks of watching and waiting, poor food, poor water, no help beyond the length and breadth of that small sailing vessel, and in the midst of these soul-testing conditions, their child, a boy, Nathaniel Sharp, sickened. Mr. And Mrs. Condie loved that child just as much as we love ours, and when his eyes were closed in death, their heartstrings were torn asunder, and to add to their grief the law of the sea must be obeyed. Wrapped in a canvas weighed down with iron, the little body was consigned to a watery grave. As they sailed away, those parents experienced the crushing blow dealt to wounded hearts. Gibson Condie and his good wife possessed that Spirit, they were comforted, by “Not my will, but thy will, O Father.”

At last, after days that were weeks and weeks that were months, the ship docked at New Orleans, and continued up the Mississippi River to St. Louis, Missouri. Mr. Condie’s means were now exhausted; 1300 miles separated them from the new Zion, in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. He obtained work in the coal mines of St. Louis and for two years he daily toiled to support his family and save enough to complete the journey. During the stay in St. Louis one of God’s chose daughters was born, Ellen Condie [Burt] later a mighty mother in Salt Lake City.

In the spring of 1850 early in the morning some 30 ox teams under the leadership of Cecelia Sharp Condie’s brother, John Sharp, started west.There were no cities in this 1300 miles of wilderness and but a few trading posts; the company must carry all necessities required for this three months’ journey, under the slow locomotion of ox teams. John Sharp, leading on his horse, must find suitable camp grounds, water and grass, protection from Indians, and from murderers of women and children, but even as God guided the wise men toward Bethlehem, so he guided the pioneers through the wilderness to build this New Jerusalem.

The journey across the plains required three months, 90 days, to cover the 1300 miles. This meant that they traveled an average of 14 1/2 miles a day. Thunder and lightning, winds and rain dogged their footsteps; their only shelter was a canvus covering four wheels. Over hills and canyons, rivers and swamps, Gibson Condie and his family trudged on, seeking their haven of rest. There must have been an unseen power impelling this man, to strengthen him and lighten his burden, for human endurance can be broken down by physical torture. Each night when the evening meal was over, the cattle fed and camp protected, thanks were returned to “God for his aid, and the Spirit of God rested upon them in mighty power. They were fed the bread of life, and drank a spiritual draught that filed their souls. Three months passed. They found a message on the whitened skull of a dead animal. Emigration Canyon was still two days away and their journey’s end. Clothed in tatters, faces bronzed by sun and wind, bodies lean and gaunt, they were met and piloted into Salt Lake City. Strangers in a strange land - a broken wagon, two gaunt oxen, and a determined spirit to serve God were Gibson Condie’s possessions on entering this city in 1850.↾

He settled in the 6th Ward, built his first home in the earth, a dugout. He was governed in all things by men of God. As the years passed, Salt Lake City, Utah, grew and Gibson Condie grew with it. His wife bore him a large family, seven sons and daughters, and today [1937] 87 years since he came to this city, his posterity numbers some 400 souls. His son Peter has filled four missions. Four grandsons, one granddaughter, and two great grandsons, have represented him in the mission field. Surely when Gibson Condie looks down upon the results of his life, he will have no regrets, and in the archives of heaven where records are kept, Gibson Condie and Cecelia Sharp Condie will be numbered among God’s elect. Ceceia Sharp Condie died June 17, 1892 and Gibson Condie died November 19, 1892.

Children of Gibson and Cecelia Sharp Condie are:

Gibson Condie, married Elizabeth Whitaker

Mary Condie, married James Cowan Watson

Ellen Condie, married Peter John Burt

Robert Sharp Condie, married Harriet Frances Powell

Elizabeth Ann Condie, married John Cowan

Peter Sharp Condie, married Janet Watson

Thomas Sharp Condie, married Margaret Ellen Watson

It is the good fortune of his heirs to have in their midst tonight, his son and a friend, John Miller, who came in the company, a mere babe, but who grew up closely associated with the entire family, who is familiar with their early life and hardships.

In closing I wish to pay a tribute to Gison Condie. He was a man who was cean both on the inside and outside, who neither looked up to the rich nor down to the poor, too brave to lie, too generous to cheat, who won without bragging, lost without squealing, was conserate of women and children and old people, who was willing to take his share of this world’s goods and let other people have theirs. God bless the memory of Gibson and Cecelia Condie.