Jolene Spendlove Allphin is the daughter of Clifton and LeOra Isom Spendlove of Hurricane, Utah. She grew up as a "middle child" and "army brat" in California, Alaska, and Utah. She is the author of Tell My Story, Too - A collection of biographical sketches of pioneers and rescuers of the Willie, Martin, Hodgett and Hunt companies of 1856.
Since 1999, in preparation for a Stake Pioneer Trek, Jolene has been collecting, typing and publishing stories of these people who paid such a terrible price to reach the Zion of their hopes and dreams. During the last eight years, whenever she has felt that her collection might be close to complete, she feels that more of these deceased and honored pioneers are pleading, "Tell My Story, Too."
Jolene resides in Layton, Utah, in the Valley View Stake. She is the mother of 11 children (2 Navajos and 9 palefaces) and 23 grandchildren.
Jolene is the wife of Michael Gene Allphin, a marvelously supportive but often confused husband who doesn’t know for sure on which side of the "veil" he lives. Michael and Jolene have lived in Arizona, California and Utah. Michael currently serves as a Judge in Utah's 2nd District Court.
Julie Rogers grew up on her family’s working cattle ranch in Goshen, Utah, as the oldest in a family of five girls. A typical summer day would see Julie cutting and baling hay and working with the livestock. Julie loves and cherishes this lifestyle and often depicts it in her work.
Julie drew constantly as a small child, concentrating much of her talents on her love of horses and other animals. Julie has always raised horses. She currently raises Welch and Quarter horses and a cross she calls Quarter Welch.
Julie received a Bachelor of Art Degree from Brigham Young University and has also studied with renowned artists. She has also taught art in elementary and high school, privately and on a college level. Her work has been selected for numerous private collections and received many and varied awards, most recently including:
- American Women Artists National Competition - Best of Show, People’s Choice Awards - 2006
- Springville Museum of Art Shows - Awards of Merit - 2004, 2007
- Robert N. And Peggy Sears Dixie Invitational - 1st place, 3rd place, Best of Show and Purchaser Awards - 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
- LDS Church International Art Competition - 2003, 2006 (Some currently exhibited in LDS Church Museum of History and Art)
Julie’s passionate portrayal of the pioneers, their sacrifices and triumphs, is truly masterful and inspiring. Her purpose is to help us all in learning what it is they can teach us.
Brothers Cory and Howard Bangerter first became interested in The Rescue several years ago when Cory visited the sites with the Church Educational System. After returning from that trip, and sharing the story of the Rescue, Howard invited him to a Family Home Evening to tell the story to his family. Howard's mind quickly became "fired" with the rescue, reading every story he could with the idea of piecing together the various anecdotes and keeping notes about what happened to whom, when, and where. A year or two later, Howard discovered that Cory had done the same thing, and the idea struck them that this was a story that needed to be told in a concise and organized manner. Thus, the idea for Tragedy and Triumph was conceived. One idea led to another, and after much research, visits on the trail, ironing out of seemingly conflicting details, etc., the result is the book we have today.
Neither Cory nor Howard had any relatives involved in the Willie and Martin companies, nor as rescuers. Cory's maternal Great Grandmother, Helena Rosenberry, crossed the plains in the 10th and last handcart company.
Cory is from Alpine, Utah, but will shortly be relocating to New York City where he will supervise the Church Seminary and Institute programs.
Howard lives in Highland, Utah, where he currently serves the Church as a Stake President.
In the spring of 1998, Emily Christensen was preparing for her first visit to Martin’s Cove in Wyoming. It was then that she discovered that she was the 3rd great granddaughter of Thomas and Sarah Moulton, members of the Willie Handcart Company. Since that time, as she has continued to learn more of the handcart pioneers, her love for them has grown tremendously.
As a songwriter, Emily has composed a number of songs about the handcart pioneers. She has shared her music and thoughts with people in Nebraska, Wyoming and Utah. Her song "Walk the Path of Faith" can be found on the soundtrack to Lee Groberg’s documentary film "Sweetwater Rescue." Besides writing songs of pioneers, Emily has also written theme songs for Girl’s Camps and Youth Conferences.
Emily graduated from Utah State University with a degree in Music Therapy, and a minor in guitar. She has spent the majority of the last 17 years raising children, but began songwriting in 1994, and tries to fit this into her busy life where she can. Emily and her husband, James, are the parents of 6 children.
Performances and firesides are scheduled in 2007
Nauvoo
Wyoming
Utah
Contact Us to schedule speaking engagements for Jolene, Julie or Emily.
