45. Marcus and Narcissa Whitman

The complex and controversial career of Marcus and Narcissa Whitman, which culminated in the so-called Whitman massacre, was filled with a deep human commitment to serve in the name of Christ. The Whitmans established the mission station at Waiilatpu, near Walla Walla Washington, and faithfully served the native population for years, but in the end, forces of immigration, disease, misunderstanding, and suspicion, led to the tragic events of November 29, 1847. This lecture summarizes the major events of the remarkable career of these to heroic missionaries, and encourages us to recognize that in spite of our best efforts, unexpected twists and turns may present obstacles that appear insurmountable, but in the end good will prevail, and God's purposes will be realized in spite of, and sometimes as a result of, our apparent failures and shortcomings.