Family history moments: Significant date
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On Tuesday, March 26, 2002, while doing initiatory work for some of my wife's ancestors in the Reno Nevada Temple, the name of "Fortunatus Shackelford" caused me more than passing introspection. An actual sensation riveted my attention on his name.
We knew his name from our family history. Fortunatus was the oldest son of Jack Shackelford, a prominent figure in the Texas war of independence of 1836. He headed up a group of American volunteers from Alabama to assist Texas in her bid for freedom.
Fortunatus had enlisted and followed his father and was killed that same year at Goliad, Texas.
I commented to my wife about the distinct feelings I had about this young man. So upon returning home that evening, we began researching more about the circumstances surrounding Goliad and the Shackelford involvement. It was a brief but enlightening journey into this significant chapter of history.
We were not a little surprised to find out that the tragedy had taken place on the 27th of March. The significance of the date jolted us and we scrambled to complete the family's work as quickly as time would allow. The work for Jack had been done previously, and so by Friday the 29th, the remaining ordinances were completed for Fortunatus and his mother, Marie.
Jack and Marie Shackelford were sealed as husband and wife, and then their son, Fortunatus Sydor Shackelford, was sealed to them, bound eternally by the power and authority of the holy priesthood.
Our hearts were lifted in that beautiful sealing room as we reflected on the sacred moments we had experienced during the week. We were only too aware of the far-reaching and solemn covenants provided by holy keys that had been restored to the Prophet Joseph, 166 years earlier and to realize that the very day Fortunatus had died was the day when the Prophet of the Restoration dedicated the first temple in this dispensation, in Kirtland, Ohio. — Jeffery W. Olsen, Sparks 3rd Ward, Sparks, Nevada Stake
