Nathaniel and Josiah Leavitt - Dedication of Graves and Monument

by Dr. Thomas Austad

White Pigeon Cemetery, Michigan

Tuesday, September 16, 2003

Dear Father in Heaven,

We bow our heads before thee on this sacred occasion gathered together as Leavitt family members around this beautiful spot. Our hearts are subdued, our spirits touched as we contemplate the great lives that have been born by our for bearers. They have left for us a great heritage. We recognize the great sacrifice that has been extended by them. May their posterity, at great length, take Thy strength from this sacrifice.

Realizing that in their travels they were anxious to find the Prophet and we recognize now as we gather here this day that in their great search there is a blessing in it for us. That they have laid before us the foundation for us to serve out our lives and to reach out to one another and those around us with gospel light. Heavenly Father, we recognize that is filled with the blood of Israel the family wherein there is the Spirit of the Lord working upon its members to draw us back to thee. Wilt thou watch over the Leavitt family. Wilt thou bless those who are of this family and their loved ones that they will feel…that they will reach out for the Gospel in their lives and that they will do what they need to be doing to bring one another back to thee. We gather here this hour, Heavenly Father, in recognition of Nathaniel and Josiah Leavitt, realizing that their hearts were right.

We pray unto thee at this time, oh Heavenly Father, that thou will accept this memorial and dedicate it as a place that will be a special place for those who will come.  And by the power of the Holy Melchizedek Priesthood which I hold, Heavenly Father, I dedicate this ground and consecrate it that it will be a place where thy spirit may be felt and that it will be a sacred and a hallowed spot that those who pass here will feel of that spirit and that those who are the family as they read the message that is on this plaque that their heart will be touched and their spirits quickened with a sense to want to seek out after their kindred dead and to do what they should be doing in their lives to seek after thee. I bless this spot that it will be protected from the elements that it will be preserved and a place where people can come of the Leavitt line and others who might come to read these words and to contemplate what happened here find peace in thy spirit and a sense of hope and assurance that there is a gospel plan.

We express our love to thee, Heavenly Father, and our great appreciation for the gospel, for our Savior Jesus Christ who came to the earth and paid the ultimate sacrifice for us all. We look to thee and we look to Him with incredible gratitude and enthusiasm.  Wilt thou bless our lives, Heavenly Father, that we might put them in order before thee.   That we might live worthy of the remarkable heritage that we each possess. We love thee Heavenly Father and thank thee for this special occasion to be gathered here this day. Wilt thou protect us as we travel and continue to be with us that we will feel of thy spirit richly in our mist and be blessed.

We say these things now in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.