Frances Brodil
Jane Brodil
Mother: Frantiska Minerova
Show Pedigree
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Husband: Frantisek Brodil |
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Children: Frances Brodil Jane Brodil | |
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Father: Klement Vesely Mother: Frantiska Minerova Show Pedigree |
Frantiska Vesela was born on the 12th of January, 1881. She was the daughter of a miller in Pavlova, a little village in southern Bohemia. This is known as Czech Republic today. She was the youngest girl in a family of twelve children, two of whom died the day they were born. The family grew up in a typical rural Bohemian environment. Tradition was that the parents arranged the marriages. Her father was assigned his wife in order to keep the two families businesses together. Though it was not a happy union, Frantiska was blessed with a fine mother, Frantiska Minarova Vesela, who had a disposition of an angel and was very religious. On the other hand, her father, Klement Vesely, despite his intelligence, was a brutal type of man who caused her mother untold sorrow and tribulation. At times, her mother was so unhappy with his drinking and his behavior that she was on the verge of ending her own life. Her faith in God and the thought of her ten children prevented such an act. Her children all loved and honored her and give her the credit for their values of honesty and integrity.
A crushing blow came when Frantiska's mother died March 29, 1897. She was only 16 years of age. Not happy at home, she left for Vienna, Austria, to live with her sister Anna, age 35, who was a home economist for a wealthy man named Mr. Merker. Anna was very strict but taught Frantiska to be an excellent cook. Being in the Protestant atmosphere in Vienna, Frantiska was given the freedom to read the Bible for the first time. The Catholic Church forbade such readings in Czechoslovakia, where only the priest was allowed to read the scriptures.
It was in Vienna that Frantiska met a fine man Frantisek Alexim Brodil, a man thirteen years older than herself. He was gentle and kind and had a wonderful talent for music. She always loved to hear him play his violin. Frantiska Vesela was married to Frantisek Brodil on February 14, 1904 (Valentine's Day), in the Votiv Kirche, in Vienna. Her husband worked for the government as a clerk and gave violin lessons for added income. They were blessed with their first child on December 22, 1904 who was named Frantiska Brodilova, (Frances Brodil) to carry on the family name. (We will call her Frances so as not to confuse her with her mother).
It was on April 16, 1906 that the family was blessed with another girl, Jana Brodilova (Jane Brodil).
Frantiska also helped raise her deceased sisters Kathy's girl, Sophie Kopecka. Little Sophie was
in poor health and cried constantly. She was one year younger than Jane. The three little girls
loved each other and Sophie flourished under the loving care of her Aunt Frantiska. Aunt Anna
later came and asked to take little Sophie for her own since she had no children. Parting was very
difficult for the Jane and Frances, since they loved her like a sister.
Frantiska desired to have her children grow up in the true church. In her own words, her feelings about the Catholic Church were: "from the lives of many of the supposed representatives of Jesus Christ with whom I was acquainted, I could perceive that there was a difference between Christ's teachings and their interpretations. They were using the teachings as a sham to carry out their own evil designs. These things quite disturbed me, and I began to wonder if God actually existed and if so, where were his prophets? The responsibility of my children deepened this feeling; but the Lord willed that I should not be kept in ignorance much longer."
"A young man who came to the door one day offered me a little pamphlet which I was reticent in receiving. Reading it was some misgivings, I soon found its message wholesome. When the missionary returned with a second tract, I began to read with deeper interest. This brought the young man and his companion to my home repeatedly. I soon discovered a large difference between the work of God and that of man. I received the answer to my question: Is there a Prophet of God upon the earth? Missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints were quenching the thirst for truth of another soul. After visiting the meetings in Vienna, I soon became a member, being baptized by Brother K. H. Bennion on September 29, 1913. It wasn't all easy being baptized — we had to arrange a night the officers would not catch us. So we settled the event on that of a stormy night, hoping that the officers would not be on control duty. The plan worked out wonderfully even though I was indeed cold. What a glorious event happened that day in the Danube River, that would change my life! My heart swelled with a feeling of satisfaction and at my confirmation. I felt myself filled with a new power."
"The next few months were indeed happy ones, for that was the time when the festivities and smiles were seen by many; then it seemed as if a wet, dark blanket had been placed over the entire affair. The World War broke out; missionaries were suddenly called home, and all the brethren went to war."
Her daughter Frances remembered the war: "From the age of eight to about thirteen, we went through the First World War. These were extremely difficult years for everyone. Food was scarce and materials were in short supply. My parents lost much of their savings and struggled as did everyone else. It truly was a hay day for the farmer. People were trading their fine linens, gold, silver, jewels, and anything of worth for food. Money was totally worthless. I remember having to wear boy's shoes and feeling very embarrassed about it. However, I needed to be thankful, for many children had no shoes. We had to wait in long lines for food. Sometimes, after waiting all day for food, there was no food to be given. I, myself, remember going to bed with only water and bread. Though trials of war were around us, yet in our home was peace . My mother made home our refuge and our strength. She made our humble home a heaven on earth."
During the war only a small handful of members carried on the meetings, only to have the government come and forbid any meeting. Missionaries were put in jail and the children were warned to say nothing about meetings. After the war, the governments were in an upheaval and all Czechs were thrown out of work. They were told they had to become Austrian Citizens. Being true Czechs, the Brodil family decide to move to Czechoslovakia and be loyal the their nationality.
These hardships caused Frantisek Brodil, their beloved husband and father to die from all the trials of the war, called war fatigue. He quietly passed away at the age of fifty, on August 19, 1919 leaving a fatherless family and a widowed Frantiska. She relates, "The next few years were indeed trying. I was alone in Prague, with no friends and two children of school age. My youngest brother, Karel, in Chile, South America, sent me the money that enabled me to send my children through school. Several years passed, and though we heard little of the Church, we continued to live according to its teachings. Finally, we were visited by President Serge F. Ballif, of the Vienna Branch, and Elder Niederhauser, a missionary from Switzerland; and on June 3, 1921, my two daughters, Frances, sixteen years old, and Jane, who was fifteen, were baptized in the Vltava (Moldau) River, thus becoming the first two members to be baptized on Czech soil. These brethren brought encouragement, saying that they would soon send us missionaries, but none came."
Frantisek worked tirelessly, pleading for missionaries. She wrote the German-Austrian Mission pleading for missionaries, but to no avail. She faithfully sent her tithing to the church in Vienna every six months. Years passed in disappointment as the Church failed to head her pleas. In the 1920s a Czech consul in Hamburg informed Apostle John A. Widtsoe that, "No Mormons are going to take Czech girls away." Frantisek continued to pray and to write to all the mission presidents and leaders in surrounding areas.
Then, an unpleasant experience entered into the life of Frantiska. She was suffering from a severe liver disease and asked the Elders to come and administer to her. Broth Jean Wunderllick came from Dresden and gave her a blessing, promising her that she would get well, "for there was yet a great work for her to accomplish upon this earth."
She was thrilled with a visit from 83 year old Thomas Biesinger who had been jailed forty years earlier for preaching the gospel in Czechoslovakia. Coming from Lehi, Utah he had desired to return to his mission and had taken his case to President Heber J. Grant. He was given an official mission call and arrived in Prague in February 1928. He was given a royal welcome by the Brodil family. He visited with the government officials in order to get permission to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. To his satisfaction he was told their would be religious freedom. His report that they way would be opened thrilled the Brodilovas. After his departure, no one came and Frantiska began to despair. Darkness seemed to hover round and she said, "Oh how bitter and disappointed I felt. I was deeply unhappy about his going. If I had not had such a strong testimony, I would have surely apostatized. I realized how great Satan's efforts were and how he did not hesitate to use any means to prevent the coming of the missionaries."
An entire year passed: "Then the thought came to me that I should personally write to the First Presidency of the Church. This thought continually stayed with me. An unseen power seemed to be pushing me to do it. It was my last try in this matter. I thought the Lord would surely do the rest." Two letters were written: One to the First Presidency and the other to Elder Jean Wonderlich asking him to translate the letter into English.
Due to her determination and her courage, things began to change very quickly. President Widtsoe wrote several letters which brought hope, but uncertainty. Would there be missionaries? Soon the Brodilova family received joyful news: a mission president had been appointed by John A. Widtsoe to serve and his name was Arthur Gaeth from Chicago.
President Gaeth described the event: "it was July 24, 1929 when I was awakened by a peal of thunder. This was the day set for the dedication of the new mission and there was a thunder storm. What a beginning! But by the time our visitors arrived at 8 P.M. a beautiful summer day was before us." Near the setting of the beautiful Karlstein Castle, sixteen souls gathered that day under the direction of Elder John A. Widtsoe, president of the European Missions, to dedicate the land of the Czechs and the Slovaks to the preaching of the Gospel. Frantiska, Frances and Jane were there in great rejoicing and thanksgiving.
Words cannot express Frantiska's great joy when her prayers were answered. Her joy was unspeakable! The dream of having an organized mission within her own country was realized! She thanked the Lord expressing her great appreciation for the help of President John Widtsoe and sending Elder Beisinger to her native country.
Elder Gaeth put two radio broadcasts on the air, August 3 and 7th, 1929 telling the Czechs that the Mormons had opened a mission in Czechoslovakia. The new missionaries stayed at the YMCA. They decided to play basketball there and played on the Czech National team where they were undefeated for three years. The mission home was close to the Brodilova home and Frantiska helped manage it. This is where she received the name of Our Mission Mother, or Momousek. It was no wonder that all the missionaries loved her cooking and appreciated her.
Frantiska was called to be the first Relief Society President in Prague, which position she held until her death. Her daughter, Frances was called to be President of the Sunday School and Jane was called to be the youth director, called Mutual which consisted of only five girls at that time. Jane and Frances used their great skills as professional translators, to translate the Book of Mormon from German into Czech. Tears of joy were often in Frantiska's eyes as she saw the success of the mission. She sent a gift of a crystal vase to the Relief Society SLC, Utah. Soon after, her illness returned and at the young age of 50 she died on November 26, 1931. Elder John A. Widtsoe sent her a beautiful wreath in remembrance of her great work.
President Gaeth spoke at her funeral and said, "Sister Brodilova has departed from our midst, but her beautiful, Christ-like spirit will linger among us. Only those who have a picture of the development of the work in this mission will be able to comprehend the loss we have suffered. She was a mother, counselor, and an example to us. We mourn her loss, but in the assurance that there is One who governs all and who guides our work, our "Momousek" has gone to her reward. We pray the Lord to bless and comfort her two daughters, our sisters. Sweeter, cleaner young ladies I have never met."
Her daughter Frances relates,"We missed her loving care, especially her counsel. How grateful we were for our fine friends, church members, and Aunt Marie, Karel's wife in Chile, who had remained in South America and just returned. When we needed some advice or counsel, they were always ready to help us."
Jane and Frances finished the translation of the Book of Mormon in Czech and to this day one may read Jana Brodilova as the main translator. It was promised to Frances and Jane in a Patriarchal blessing that they would live in Zion and have the priesthood in their homes. This wonderful promise was fulfilled when Frances was later married to Calvin D. McOmber in the Salt Lake Temple by John A Widtsoe on 30 Apr 1937. One year later Jane was married to William T. South in the Salt Lake temple. Their hearts desire was to be with the saints and have the priesthood in their homes. Being in America meant freedom of religion and the blessing that they would not have to live through another war in Europe. How their children loved them and honored them.
From the missionary journal of Elder Joseph Toronto dated November 29, 1931, we read,
"I would like to go on and further touch your heart strings and tell you of the deeds of this select
woman, who fasted and prayed and exerted untiringly every possible effort to have missionaries
sent to her countrymen in this country of Czechoslovakia, where we are now working. If any
Czech is saved by the gospel of Christ from condemnation, it will be through the effort of our
sister Brodilova. Dear family, she is like a mother to me."