The Jarmans' Peaches

Photos courtesy of the Jarmans

The Book of Mormon contains several verses where we are reminded how we should be with one another. At the waters of Mormon, Alma commanded his followers that there "should be no contention one with another, but that they should look forward with one eye, having one faith and one baptism, having their hearts knit together in unity and in love one towards another." In Fourth Nephi, we read, "And it came to pass that there was no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people. And there were no envyings, nor strifes, nor tumults, nor whoredoms, nor lyings, nor murders, nor any manner of lasciviousness; and surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God." In Alma, we read of the joyful reunion of Alma and the Sons of Mosiah where "the joy of Ammon was so great even that he was full; yea, he was swallowed up in the joy of God, even to the exhausting of his strength; and he fell again to the earth. Now was not this exceeding joy? Behold, this is joy which none receiveth save it be the truly penitent and humble seeker of happiness."

These Book of Mormon scriptures came to mind when I heard the story of the Jarmans' peaches. The Jarmans' peach story is the type of story that deserves to be repeated often. While peaches are an important part of the story, it is really a story about relationships. It is what happens when a group of people love each other. This is faith in action. It's why we sit through hours and hours of church meetings, so we can create a community that takes care of its members. It is stories like this that make me continue to strive for Zion, and have hope that we can make a little bit of heaven here on earth. I am reminded of something Joseph Smith was recorded as having said, "Let me be resurrected with the Saints, whether I ascend to heaven, or descend to hell, or go to any other place. And if we go to hell, we will turn the Devils out of doors and make a heaven of it. Where this people are, there is good society. What do we care where we are if the society be good?"

With all of that, here's the story as told by John Jarman:

In August of 2015, I spent over a week in the hospital recovering from pancreatitis surgery. As I was convalescing, Lynn and Konnie Larsen came to visit and inquired as to Carol’s recovery from her recent hip replacement. I replied that she was probably at home trying to begin harvest of the peaches on our four fruit trees. The next day or so, several individuals arrived, marched into our back yard and began picking peaches. I think they found a crop much larger than expected, but they placed them all in boxes and took them to the Larsen’s back yard. A few days later, that yard was filled with happy volunteers, chatting, visiting, peeling and slicing peaches, cooking syrup and filling bottles. I understand there may even have been some discussions on which recipe for the syrup should be used! The several hour project resulted in over 200 quarts of beautiful peaches sitting on tables in the yard. The next day, Lynn Larsen and others arrived at our home, and carried all those peaches downstairs and stacked them on the shelves in our food storage room. Talk about service and ministering - we certainly received great blessings and gave thanks every day as we enjoyed eating and drinking the results of great friends and neighbors' kindness.

Look at these photos from part of the event. These are good, happy people. To live amongst such people is a blessing to not take for granted.