In 1907, the LDS Church quietly regained possession of the Joseph Smith Farm property in Palmyra, New York. At the time, there were no members of the LDS Church in the area. Indeed, a continued and very passionate anti-Mormon sentiment was shared by all who lived in what could be called the “Cradle of Mormonism.”
However, Church leaders were intent on regaining a foothold in the land. It was simply a matter of finding the right ambassadors.
While Church leaders were pondering the matter, Willard Bean and his new wife Rebecca were beginning their new life together. Unbeknownst to them, Joseph F. Smith, then president of the Church, had decided that they were the right couple to send to Palmyra.
By 1915, Willard Bean, then 46 years old, had already lived several lives–as a farmer, rancher, missionary, thespian, politician, and champion middleweight boxer! While living in New York City, he once starred in a play, won a professional boxing competition, and preached the Sunday sermon—all on the same weekend in the same building!
While attending Stake Conference in Richfield, Utah, President Smith called Willard to the stand and told him he had a mission for him and his wife, and after the conference, he would “tell them all about it.” To the couple's great surprise, President Smith issued them a call to serve a mission for “five years or longer" at Palmyra, New York. They were to live in the Joseph Smith home, care for the Sacred Grove, and work the farm successfully enough to sustain themselves.
Upon arriving in Palmyra, it became clear very quickly that life was going to be both lonely and vicious at times. No one in the area would talk to them or deal with them, and several made direct threats of violence upon them. Thanks to Elder Bean’s professional boxing career, the threats did not frighten him, though he remained concerned for his wife’s safety when working on the farm or making trips into town.
Elder and Sister Bean’s mission lasted an amazing 25 years, during which time, they were successful in winning over the hearts of nearly everyone in town. Thanks to a combination of strength and gentleness, honesty, and perseverance, Willard and Rebecca Bean not only survived their mission, but succeeded in reestablishing the presence of the Church in the land of its historic beginnings, and made hundreds of friends for the Church in the process.
By the time the Beans were released from their mission, the church had been able to purchase the Hill Cumorah, hundreds of missionaries regularly assembled on its crest for mission conferences, and the first historic Cumorah pageant was held in 1937.
The story of their enduring relationship and life of service, with each contributing unique qualities, temperaments, and virtues which contributed to their enduring legacy, is a story relevant to every married couple today.
The book, “A Lion and the Lamb” as well as the video “Love Unfeigned” (both available at all LDS book outlets), are both uplifting and inspiring, and highly recommended in this centennial anniversary of their call.