Mormon Sam

I heard recently, by way of the backwoods telegraph, that some LDS Church members wanted to get away from the name Mormon. Possibly they thought it left some stigma on the church out of their past. Name me one person besides Christ that wouldn’t like to forget something out of their past?

Or perhaps they see some need for revival. The body of Christ, regardless of denomination, is in great need of revival. Jesus said to the church in Lacodicea who scholars say is the end times church, “you are lukewarm,” be earnest and repent!

Anyway, enter Sam. Sam lived over on the bench out of Fairfield. There he raised barley, hogs and a few cattle and had lots of grandkids.

I first met Sam through a corral pole trade for a couple of cayuses he got out of Browning. What a pair they were. Sam got the best of that deal. But as time passed and I traded larch wood for hay, barley and great horses. Sam proved to be one of the best friends I ever had.

But then I found out he was a Mormon and I always heard these were really different people. So I sez to Sam something about be’n saved. He replied, “Do you think I’ll have to shovel coal? The Lord has done a lot for me!”

Come to find out, Sam was one of the greatest generation and wounded over in some hell hole. I believe some truth in the words, there’s no atheist in fox holes.

About that time I was reading in Romans, “Who are you to judge someone else’s servant?” Then the Lord said to me in Matthew, “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” The good book sez “All have sinned.”

So I came to realize Sam was a blessing to me. The Lord was in this friendship. If in the winter when I got low on hay and dollars were scarce, Sam sez bring the horses over and I’ll put em’ out on my barley stubble. And while you’re here, I just butchered. There’s some packs of meat you should have.

Sam got old and had a stroke. Ended up for two years in a care facility in Great Falls. They say he didn’t remember anyone.

But when the roll is called up yonder, somehow I sense Sam will be there. His dear wife went every day to sit by his side. She on crutches herself.

I’m proud to remember Mormon Sam, don’t you know. Sam Camphouse was a good friend of mine.