A Meal of Miracles

A Story of Divine Provision and Neighborly Love

Hannah Cornaby trekked over 1,000 miles to her promised land, unaware that her struggles were just beginning.

In the fall of 1856, the people of the Salt Lake Valley were famished. The falling leaves left behind empty trees which matched their empty stomachs. There was a famine in the Valley caused by a sparse harvest due to what is now sometimes referred to as “Mormon crickets.” These shield-backed katydids had destroyed the Saints’ crops. 

In her autobiography, Hannah claims that Brigham Young promised the people that no one should starve to death if they would heed the commandments of the Lord. I cannot find the quote, but what I do know is that Hannah held fast to this promise, and the Lord provided.

Over and over again.

There was one such experience I found particularly incredible. It shows how God shows up for us, and often uses others to do so.

One morning, after family prayer, Hannah’s precious daughter Edith piped up with the question that was surely on everyone's mind: What’s for dinner, and why hasn’t Pa sent some fish?

I wonder if Hannah felt a pang of guilt as she looked around her home to realize there was nothing left.

As for her daughters other question: Pa, aka Samuel Cornaby, had gone fishin’… Kind of. He had left for Provo with some of the other men in hopes of catching fish so their families would have some food. Edith’s question reminded Hannah that it had been a while since she’d heard anything, so she decided to visit a woman whose husband was also on the expedition: Sister Ellen Jackson. 

Ellen had not heard anything from her husband either, but she was in quite a cheery mood anyway. She revealed that her garden had been thriving and her radishes were ready to eat. She insisted that Hannah take some, and I am sure that Hannah was glad to not go home empty handed, even though she had no news to share with the children of their Pa.

On her way home, she was stopped by Sister Gray. Sister Gray asked her where she had gotten her radishes. Hannah told her about Ellen’s thriving garden and offered to give her half. Sister Gray agreed… but only if she could give Hannah some lettuce and cress in exchange. 

Hannah was thrilled. It was more than she could have imagined this morning when she looked around the house and found they had eaten every last morsel. Grateful as she was, a small part of her wished they had some bread to eat with it. That would make it a truly perfect meal. 

She did not dwell on this though and was content with what she had. On her way home she was stopped again. This time by Sister Baker waving her over to come inside. And what did Sister Baker have?

Bread, butter and cheese. Her husband had dropped some bread off a wagon, and it was not suitable for his uses, but of course the pioneers would never let such things go to waste. Sister Baker offered the bread along with some butter and cheese from their dairy farm to Hannah in exchange for some of her vegetables. 

Hannah was elated. She writes that not even Elijah was as happy and grateful for the food the Lord provided as she was that day. 

When Hannah finally made it home, she saw her children peering out the window waiting for her. When they saw her bounty, they “clapped their hands with delight.”

The Cornaby’s ate very well that evening, indeed.

This story is an amazing reminder to me that Heavenly Father is aware of us, and He often plants the seeds for miracles long before they occur. 

So many things had to happen for Hannah to end up with the perfect meal.

The seeds of the radishes, lettuce and watercress had to have been planted weeks before.

The bread had to be dropped.

The cows had to produce milk, the cheese and butter made.

Three women had to be willing to give.

Hannah had to be willing to share.

All of these things worked together to form a miracle.

My friend, God is so aware of you.

& if you can’t see it, maybe He is in the middle of planting seeds.

Cornaby, Hannah. Autobiography and Poems . Salt Lake City, UT: J.C. Graham Company , 1881.