Great Grandma Tilda, by Marty

Tilda Louise Borgeson about 1885

My great grandmother, Tilda Louise Borgeson Lavin Lundgren, was born in 1867, in Malmo, Sweden. She married Anders Lavin when she was just eighteen, and at nineteen had a baby boy they named Theodore. This is part of her story:

I was raised as a devout Lutheran. When my tiny boy Theodore died at just two years old I began to question God. At this time of sorrow I found a new faith that brought hope of eternal families. On February 4, 1886, the ice was cut in the river and my husband and I were baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

"I knew I would be ridiculed by my family for what I had done, and I was right. All the members of my family turned against me. Only a few days after my baptism I met my mother on the street and she crossed to the other side so as not to speak to me. In time they became more friendly and eventually my mother, my sister and her family also joined the Church.

By then a new little boy, George, had filled the void in our hearts left by the loss of our baby. We decided to emigrate to Utah in America to join other Mormons who lived there. The ship was crowded, and the trip was long and difficult, with much sickness on board. I was very frightened, as I was only 22 years old.

When we arrived in Salt Lake City my husband was very ill. I became a dressmaker, and worked at a restaurant where I did cleaning. I went early in the morning and made sure I was through before anyone came, as I didn't want anyone to see me doing that kind of work, though it was honest labor.

If I had had any money I would have gone back to Sweden, where I could get better work. Those were trying days, and I almost lost my courage. Learning the language was a very hard task. The Lord helped me learn English and adjust to the customs.

In just three years we already had an adorable baby girl, Agnes, and another precious son, Joseph. When he was a year old he became very ill. It was the Lord's will that he should go, but it was terribly hard to lose him.

Not long after this great sorrow another beautiful blue-eyed baby was born to us. How proud we were of him. I loved to lie on the bed and look at him. He was such a healthy baby and when my friends came I was over-anxious to show him off!

One day while I was busy in my kitchen a never to be forgotten accident occurred.

I kept a wooden tub outside by the water pump. I left just a very small amount of water in the bottom of it to keep it from drying out and cracking. I had just checked on my baby and then went about my work. Within seconds I heard a terrible scream. My neighbor had come to get water and there she found my baby, Henry, face down in the very shallow water in the tub. He had died instantly, it seemed.

The sorrow was almost more than I could bear. Everyone did all they could for me, but I failed to be comforted. Baby Henry did not have a wet spot on him. His little life was just snuffed out so quickly. Oh, the shock was terrible. He was just a little over a year old. I felt the hope go out of me.

Our oldest son, George was then about seven years old. He came to me in my sorrow and tried to comfort me. I was so bereaved I scarcely knew what I said. I answered him, "Oh, you will probably die too, I guess." Instead of turning from me, he looked up at me and said, "No Mama, I'm not going to die. I will grow up and be a missionary, and make you proud. And you will be glad."

It seemed like there was magic when our eyes met. As he said this to me, something in my soul awakened. The faith my little son showed at this time acted as a tonic from heaven to me. My faith in God's love was mad stronger, and I was again able to walk through this Garden of Gethsemane. Little George's prophesy was fulfilled. He did grow up to make me proud, and I was glad.

My prayer from that day on was that I would prove to be worthy to meet my babies Theodore, Joseph, and Henry again. I always gave thanks to God that he allowed me to keep my children George and Agnes, who lived to raise seven children each. I had had much joy and gladness in my life."