Peter Ferguson, Blessings of Tithing

Peter

Peter Lee Ferguson is a latter day icon of the church. He first served with Giles Vanderhoof and his own brother, George, in Sunday School; he then served with President Vanderhoof and George as first counselor in the Branch Presidency. When he was released, he served in other prominent positions until he was called as the third branch president. The records show that he served in that rigorous office for 12 long years. Through 100 years of local church history, Peter  served the longest in that particular leadership capacity. Peter’s life sketch is written in the Sparks Branch Presidents chapter with the exception of this faith promoting story that is written as a portion of George’s personal history compilation.

“As Peter was going to work one day, he announced to his wife that he was going to take the ten dollars they owed for tithing to the bishop. His wife was a bit distraught because he would not get paid for two more weeks and Alma, their son, needed a new pair of shoes. He had gone barefoot all summer, and he did not have any shoes. . . that fit him now that fall was to begin. Besides that was their last ten dollars, and Peter would not even have money to take the bus to work.”

“Peter assured his wife, that if they followed the Lord’s commandments that He would provide. Peter paid the tithing, and used his last bus ticket to go to work.”

“During work that morning, the factory owner called all of his workers together. He told them that he did not know why he was calling them together, because he was losing money for taking them off their jobs, but that his good friend was moving to Ogden, Utah, and had something for one of them. All of the men lined up in a long line. The factory owner’s friend started walking down the line. He would pause in front of each man, look at him, and shake his head and go on. Peter Ferguson was the next to the last person in line. The man studied him a little bit longer. He finally said, “You’ve got a boy about eight years old – and he wears size five shoes, and he doesn’t have any.”

“Why, yes,” said Peter. “But how do you know? You don’t know me, and I don’t know you?”

The man continued, “I have a son that is your son’s age. He has a new pair of shoes that he refuses to wear. They have only been worn once, and are perfectly good.” He produced a pair of shoes that he had been carrying in a brown paper bag. “Also, I’ve got two weeks worth of bus tickets between Reno and Sparks that I won’t be using now that I am moving.” He gave those to Peter as well, and left.”