John William ORTH

                   This is the John William Orth referred to by Sis Sydney Reynolds, granddaughter of Dr Reese, Mission President of the Australia Mission of the Church of Jesus christ of Latter Day Saints in the 1940's,who told a story of faith to pay tithing at the Sunday session of General Conference October 2003.ie.
   John Orth eyes were damaged in an accident when chemicals destroyed 85 % of his eyesight in one eye and 15 % in the Other. He lost his job and couldn't find work because of this. Out of work at the end of the year and no money to pay their tithing, he and his wife Alice after much deliberation and prayer, decided to pawn their only asset, her engagement ring to pay their tithing.
His branch president promised him if he paid his tithing, he would be blessed and eventually regain his sight and find work. Soon after, he met the Australia Mission President Dr Reese when Dr Reese was visiting the Brisbane Branch of the Church. It so happened that Dr Reese was an eye specialist doctor in the United States before his appointment as Mission President. Dr Reese examined John and was able to prescribe treatment and medication that eventually restored nearly all  of his eyesight. He gained employment and was never out of work thereafter.
The engagement ring was later retrieved and has since become a family heirloom being passed down from father to son and is now worn by Meredith, the wife of John William Orth the 4th, living in Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.