The Story of the Sugar Beets

Elder Vaughn J. Featherstone related the following story.

During the terrible flu epidemic in the United States during the autumn of 1918, George Goates had lost four of his family members through death within six days.  Les and his brother, Floyd, were at that time serving in the army during World War I. 
“After breakfast dad (George Goates) said to my brother (Francis), ‘Well, son, we had better get down to the field and see if we can get another load of beets out of the ground before they get frozen in any tighter.  Hitch up and let’s be on our way.’ “Francis drove the four-horse outfit down the driveway and dad climbed aboard.  As they drove along the Saratoga Road (west of Lehi, Utah), they passed wagon after wagon-load of beets being hauled to the factory and driven by neighborhood farmers.  As they passed by, each driver would wave a greeting:  ‘Hi ya, Uncle George,’ ‘Sure sorry, George,’ Tough break, George,’ You’ve got a lot of friends, George.’ 
“on the last wagon was the town comedian, freckled-faced Jasper Rolfe.  He waved a cheery greeting and called out: ‘That’s all of ‘em, Uncle George.’ 
“My dad turned to Francis and said: ‘I wish it was all of ours.” 
“When they arrived at the farm gate, Francis jumped down off the big red beet wagon and opened the gate as we drove into the field.  He pulled up, stopped the team, paused a moment and scanned the field, from left to right and back and forth – and lo and behold, there wasn’t a sugar beet in the whole field.  Then it dawned upon him what Jasper Rolfe meant when he called out:  ‘That’s all of ‘em, Uncle George!’ 
“Then dad got down off the wagon, picked up a handful of the rich, brown soil he loved so much, and then in his thumbless left hand a beet top, and he looked up for a moment at these symbols of his labor, as if he couldn’t believe his eyes. 
“Then father sat down on a pile of beet tops – this man who had brought four of his loved ones home for burial in the course of only six days; made caskets, dug graves, and even helped with the burial clothing – this amazing man who never faltered, nor flinched, or wavered throughout this agonizing ordeal – sat down on a pile of beet tops and sobbed like a little child. 
“Then he arose, wiped his eyes with his big, red bandanna handkerchief, looked up at the sky, and said:  ‘Thanks, Father, for the elders of our ward.’”

This story is a wonderful story of love, and service. The neighbors around him knew what he was going through. They knew how bad he also needed this crop to get in. So they pitched in to make sure that they could get it all done for him. We get our greatest joy from serving others. We arnt focused on ourselves and our own personal needs but on the needs of those who might be struggling or going through a rough time. We are helping them lift theirselves up. We are showing our care, love and concern for them. Look around for opportunities to help others out. Go out of your way to lift and make someone elses day better. You might be surprized how much better your day is too!