By now David may have been discouraged by his success as a husband. Each of his wives had given him at least one son, but all had left him. There must have been something about her that told him that the Lord was now going to bless his union, for they were married on 30 May 1870 in the Endowment House.
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(Picture of David Griffith)
The call to Samaria was given. On 12 July 1869, Lorenzo Snow, one of the Council of Twelve Apostles visited the site and approved its location. He gave it the name of Samaria in memory of the biblical Samaria, because the families who settled there had become known as the Good Samaritans for their goodwill and kindness to one another. He encouraged them to build good homes, plant trees and beautify the place.
Samaria is located in southwest Oneida County, eight miles southwest of Malad, Idaho. It is bounded on the south and west by beautiful mountain ranges. To the east and north lies the rich fertile valley known as Malad Valley. Its chief resources are farming, dairying, stock raising and poultry.
The first settler there was John Davis Price, who was David’s brother-in-law by his first wife, Mary. Elizabeth’s mother and stepfather preceded them to Samaria. It was almost a total Welsh settlement resembling a great deal the Tyr Abed valley in Brecon, excepting it had a much drier climate.
David and Elizabeth settled in a two room log cabin nestled amongst the trees. David helped to build the community building which was to be used as a church, school and a public meeting house. On 31 October 1869, a petition was sent to the county school superintendent asking to be admitted as a school district. David Price Davis was selected to be the first teacher. There were now 19 families living there. As David taught and struggled to make his land productive, Elizabeth was busy too,making the cabin a home and preparing for the arrival of her firstborn. Two little girls arrived on 3 May 1871, Lucy Ann and Margaret. Much to their sorrow, Margaret went back to her Father in Heaven. She tasted life and having a soul which needed no trials, she went back home. Her earthly father blessed her before she went.
Edward Henry appeared next in line on 4 April 1873 and was blessed by his grandfather Owen Thomas on 15 June. Sons were given to David in abundance. He now had six to which was to be added a seventh, Owen Thomas who was born on 15 March 1875 and blessed 2 May 1875 with perhaps his grandfather Owen doing it. A few days later on May 9, David Joseph, sone of Alicy Williams was baptized at Samaria where he had moved.
The time had come for the unification of the Church. Brigham, the Moses of the Saints, had died. The enemies were rising to destroy Zion. Members were to renew their covenants with the Lord. The drifting was to stop, for to overcome the ever increasing unrest around them, they would need to keep the Word of Wisdom, the law of tithing and all the other covenants they had made by entering the waters of baptism again. The animosity of the world was being felt again. The Utah War of 1857 had proven that if they were united, they could overcome any danger. Now twenty years later the tide was rising. Men would have to deny wives and children. Women would declare their children illegitimate to help their husbands escape jail sentences. The President and Prophet of the Church would go into hiding, speaking from cover, offering guidance that his people needed. On 27 October 1888, 26 men would ask for excommunication so that they would be eligible to vote and retain some officers who would help them in the future.
David and Elizabeth remained quiet and productive during this time. They were rebaptized and rededicated to the Church and sustained the Authorities. What the enemies of the Church did not realize was that people like this couple believed that God led the Church and would continue to lead it.
Believing this and teaching it to their children, this couple continued to attend church and perform their daily duties. Their family increased with William Price who was born 9 July 1877, Elizabeth 8 May 1879 and David Griffith 24 August 1882.
In 1885 they bought a two room cabin from John Jensen of Brigham City, Utah. It was located in Gwenford, Idaho near an old grist mill. They enlarged it by adding a room and digging out a basement. Water had to be hauled from a nearby spring in buckets. Later a sleigh with a barrel on it was made for carrying water.