Levi Stewart photo

Levi Stewart Memorial

From the LDS Church News:

Statue honors Kanab founder

Published: Saturday, June 30, 2001

KANAB, Utah — A nine-foot tall bonze statue of Levi Stewart, founder of this southern Utah community, was unveiled and dedicated June 16.

More than 160 descendants and residents of Kanab attended the statue unveiling and dedication and a banquet.

Levi Stewart, an amusing story

The friendship of the Indians was won by Bishop Stewart. He loved them, preached the Gospel to them, and showed them how to be a better people. An amusing incident is told in connection with one of the Indians he had converted and baptized. It was a very cold winter day, and after coming out of the water, the old Indian seemed so chilled that Bishop Stewart took off a heavy wool shirt he was wearing over his other shirt, and helped the old Indian put it on. According to the story, next morning early, Bishop Stewart was visited by a large number of the natives who had come to be "baptized Mormons" so they could have warm shirts, too!

Levi Stewart, missionary service

Under date of 13 April 1843, Elder Levi Stewart wrote from Nauvoo to the  "Times and Seasons" - Editor, John Taylor:

"I have traveled near six months since July last, most of which time I labored in the southern part
of Missouri. There had been but few discourses delivered by any of the elders in these parts, therefore,
prejudice was great. After hearing the Gospel for themselves, the honest in heart began to discover
the many falsehoods that have over -run the country, and began to investigate the doctrines of Christ.
The result was, many believed, and I had more calls for preaching than I could attend to, and
through the assistance of God, I was enabled to baptize 24 souls. I left many more believing, whom
I hope will obey the Gospel. There is a great door open for preaching. My prayer to God is for the
rolling forth of His Kingdom. Until the kingdoms of this world become the Kingdoms of our God.”

Your brother in the Everlasting Covenant,

Levi Stewart.

A sketch of the life of Levi Stewart

A SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF LEVI STEWART

If we could turn back the hands on the clock of time, back to the early years of 1800, and go visiting among the hills in Overton County, Tennessee, we would find there some of the descendants of Samuel and Lydia Stewart, who had moved from Stokes, or Forsyth County, North Carolina, to make new homes. It was here, about 1807, our progenitor, William Stewart, met and married Elizabeth Van Hooser, daughter of Abraham Van Hooser and Mary Williams (Wilhelm). They were the parents of five sons, Squire, Riley, Levi, William Jackson, and Urban Van. These children were all born in Overton County, Tennessee, excepting Levi. It is with him, our direct ancestor, this story has to do.

Levi Stewart, references from the "History of Kane County"

Copied from the History of Kane County.

On April 2, 1870 President Young accompanied by leading men in the church [among them was Levi Stewart] made a visit to Kanab area. On the return of the party to Salt Lake City, President Young called Levi Stewart to form a company of men selected and effect a settlement on the Kanab Creek. In this company were 52 individuals. The families of the following men made up this company: Levi Stewart, T.J. Stewart, Moses F. Farnsworth, a family f rom Big Cottonwood, John R. Rider, Edward A. Nobles, Al I en Frost, Edward Cooke and William Thompson. John Morgan's family also joined the party.