Author: Unknown (If author is identified, please notify Chad Nichols)
Minor Editions By: Chad Nichols, 3rd Great Grand Nephew

Henry Holyoak was a counselor to Bishop Stewart, first bishop of Moab ward. Sarah Ann was counselor in Relief Society and later became President.

They took a prominent part in getting things started to build up the community, schools, and church. They were considerate of others and shared their food, but stood for their own rights. Squatter’s built a shack over night, on part of their land in Moab while Henry took a trip by team and buggy to Salt Lake City to get title to the land. Sarah Ann held the squatters off with an old gun, not loaded (and probably wouldn’t have shot anyway), but said, Mr. Loveridge, years later, “We moved when she said to get off because we knew she meant what she said.”

The blessings given Henry and Sarah Ann on the same day in 1875 must have been an inspiration to them and they lived for them and fulfilled them, and surely will be inspiring to all who read them, so are being added to this history. All who knew them well will tell you they were good, respected citizens, well loved by all, “Naturally of a kind disposition.” They fed the hungry and had plenty to set before their friends as Sarah Ann’s blessing said. They were friendly with the Indians and were able to feed them by the dozens when they passed through Moab.

In his declining and lonely years after the passing of his good wife, Henry was very desirous that some one carry on the genealogy work he had pursued. He was a life member of the Genealogical Society of Utah and sent money repeatedly for research work. When on a mission to England in 1893, he searched for genealogy and he also secured the Holyoak Family Coat of Arms and placed it in the Society. He always went to church and bore his testimony on fastday [sic]. Said he, “Even though I cannot hear, my presence will be there.”

A Blessing given by Levi W. Hancock, July 2, 1875, upon the head of Henry Holyoak, the son of George and Sarah Holyoak. Born March 5, 1839, at Worstershire, England.

Brother Henry, I place my hands upon thy head and give thee a patriarchal blessing, which is a fatherly blessing confirmed upon the heads of the sons of men, who belong to the house of God. That they may look upon the same and claim the blessings that are recorded. That they may be handed down from generation to generation for the benefit of the whole family branch, that shall spring from them through all their generations.

Thou art one of the sons of those that were counted wise in the counsils [sic] that are among the Gods. Thou hast come in the time appointed to be one with thy brethern [sic] in this age of the world to help them promote the cause of truth, peace, and prosperity among the offspring of Adam, the father of us all. To be counted with him in the ties of friendship and lovce to bind the hearts of the children to the fathers and the fathers to the children: that virtue and truth may prevail. Thou art the pure blood of Ephriam and much of thy time should be spent in the pursuit of Manassa [sic] by encouraging the young men and the middle age and also those of thine own posterity to deal kindly and truly with the Lamanites. That they may be brought to a knowledge of Christ, their Redeemer and learn to be one with Him. That his spirit may rest upon them and commence binding their affections to each other, and cease hankering for blood.

Thou art capable of doing a great work for the benefit of the House of Israel, not so much because of a great flow of words, but because of the uprightness of thy walk and proceedings. From this time give thy mind to study and wisdom shall be given from on high.

And when thou hath been sufficiently tried as Abraham was thou shall have intelligence concerning the second comforter which thou has not as yet comprehended but in part. When He comes thou will know it. It will be a sudden impression upon thee and it will continue to instruct thy mind from hence forward. Let thy heart be joyful. Let the revibrating [sic] strokes of the sudden emotions of thy heart stimulate thee to work in the service of thy God. And as for the riches of this world, thou shall be in possession of enough to make thee comfortable all thy days. And thine offspring, with a numerous host of others of the different branches of the family of man, will give thee much honor. Mind not what opposers [sic] may say. Keep a straight onward course. Do good for evil, remember the Son of God has set the pattern and they shall overcome all evil and havce right to the tree of life in the Paradise of God.

These are the blessings that I seal upon thy head, with the blessings of Eternal life, even so, Amen.