The family wanted to emigrate to Zion, but the missionaries counseled them not to try because Heinrich could not read. They knew that he would be stopped and returned to Switzerland when they tried to enter through Ellis Island because of the literacy laws that prevailed in the United States at that time.
However, their desire to gather with the saints and special experiences (more of the story will be added later) gave them the faith to come to America. By then August had married, so the four of them gave up all that they had and left for Zion. A miracle happened as they went through Ellis Island. Even though each of the others was required to read to prove their literacy, the examiner looked at Heinrich, and simply siad, "you look ok, you don't need to read" and let him enter. (The actual words used, as related by August, will be inserted here later.)
Within two years of their arrival in Utah, Heinrich passed away and August's first wife, Bertha, died due to complications of child birth. Marie Anna, August and a new baby carried on. Even with the challenges of life, Marie Anna would stand at the kitchen window and while looking out at the mountains and the temple she would sing the hymn, "Oh Zion, dear Zion, land of the free, now my own mountain home unto thee I have come; all my fond hopes are centered in thee." In due time August married Frieda Miller and the family would eventually grow to 11 children. The story doesn't end here.