Ross and Anita Farnsworth Share Their Blessings
October 13, 2006
Ross and Anita Farnsworth have been helping students in the Lee Library and at BYU for many years. Their contributions seem to be a natural extension of the parental instincts they’ve cultivated from bringing up their own 12 children and seeing them get an education.
They have not only contributed their finances to the university, they have also been generous with their time and talents over the past 20 years, contributing to the latest expansion of the Lee Library and serving as BYU library and alumni board members. The Lee Library recognized their service by naming the Juvenile Literature Library in their honor. A photograph of the couple, reading with their grandchildren, hangs in that area.
Ross and Anita met and married in Mesa, Arizona, and he worked as a high school political science teacher; a job he said he “thoroughly enjoyed.” Despite his love for teaching, Ross turned down an offer by the school district to serve as a principal and instead, took a chance starting a business with his father and brothers.
The business grew slowly and Ross and Anita worked together to make ends meet while their children came in rapid succession. “We just said we’ve both got our health, we’ve got low house payments, we can all work,’” says Anita. “The kids can get jobs, we can do paper routes. Whatever it takes, we can do it.”
While working and raising a family, the two served in almost every church calling possible. Ross says his favorite was being a bishop because it was the hardest and most rewarding for him. Anita says she liked whatever calling she was doing at the time the most.
To maintain a strong, united family, the Farnsworths put a system in place many years ago. Family Home Evening was observed weekly and Saturday mornings were spent doing chores. “Then we went and had fun,” says Ross. Biking, swimming and picnicking were common activities for the family on most weekends.
It would be easy for the couple to justify using their time and resources for other ends besides helping the library (and many other community organizations). But Ross says, “I think we have been so blessed with what we have and were able to obtain, we should share it back out. I believe that.”
“Everyone should share what they’ve been blessed with.”
When asked about their advice for this generation of students, Anita admonishes them to keep the commandments, trust the Lord, follow the counsel of the prophets and find the truth of the gospel themselves. She also advises young people to be generous with their time and their means, giving to the Lord and wherever else they are able.
“Do what you can,” she adds. “Make your home and family first. The Lord and your home are the most important things of all. Keep that foremost.”
And Ross’s lifelong advice? “Pursue a steady course,” he says. “That’s good if you’re in business, going on a mission, whatever you are doing, if you just gain your testimony, follow the Lord.” He says that advice has not only helped him spiritually, but has also helped reduce stress in his life.
Joe Gonzalez, the LDS Foundation’s representative in the Lee Library, has known and worked with Ross and Anita for more than twelve years. During that time he has observed the way the couple strives to help others.
“The Farnsworths have continually demonstrated the traditional conception of charity, which is giving financially, but more importantly, they have shown charity as being the power of Christ to uplift and change lives,” says Gonzalez. “They truly are their brother’s keeper in an expanding, global sense.”
Comments
Leave a Reply