by President Boyd K. Packer : : : Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles : : :
The following J. Reuben Clark Law Society devotional was pre- sented at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on February 28, 2004.
: : :
On the Shoulders of by President Boyd K. Packer : : : Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles : : :
The following J. Reuben Clark Law Society devotional was pre- sented at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on February 28, 2004.
: : :
On the Shoulders of ======In St. George we arranged for a tent for my president j. reuben clark = =Introduction = = = by= Elder= =D. Todd= = = = = covering= = =the =northeastern = = = United= = = = everyday= = = life. = . . =. You = will = soon = dis-======In my hand is a two-pound English coin. health and comfort, with a built-in floor raised == = =Christofferson ======of= =the = =Presidency ======States= = = =and = = much= = = of= eastern= = = = Canada.======cover= = = that= = = what= = = is= explained= = = = = so= =clearly ======about a foot above the ground, and we could roll up = =of the= Seventy======Then, = at= April = conference= = = in= 1970 = , = = =and = obviously = = = was = neither = = clear = nor======President Clark’s service was divided ======he= =was = = sustained= = = = = as= =a member= = = = = of======obvious= = = = =before = = = he= = explained= = = = = it”= =(Boyd ======Around the edge are inscribed the words “Stood the south side of the tent to make the sunshine and into two equal parts: twenty-eight years in = = =To = be =candid, = =my assignment= = = =this = = the= Quorum= = =of the= Twelve= = Apostles.= = = = K.= Packer,= = Teach = = Ye Diligently= = =[Salt = Lake======evening = = is superfluous—President======He =has = been = the = Acting = = President = = = = =City: = Deseret= = Book,= = 1975 = ],= ix–x). ======fresh air available. I became so weak as to be law and government and twenty-eight years ======scarcely able to move. It was a slow and exhausting = =Boyd = K. =Packer = needs= = no= introduction. = = = = =of that= =Quorum = = since = June= = 1994 =. = = = =President = = Packer’s= = =commitment ======on the shoulders of giants.” ::: Sir Isaac Newton as counselor in the First Presidency. == = =Still, = = I= am= =grateful = = = = for= =the = =opportunity ======This= = life= = summary,======incomplete ======to= = teaching= = = = as= = a =profession, = = = = = however,======effort for me even to turn over in bed. President Clark grew up as a farm boy in = =to = speak = about= = him = given= = his =influence = = = as= it is,= bespeaks= = = a man= of= substantial= = = = has= always= = been= = subordinated = = = to= and ======One day, under these conditions, I lost con- = =for good= = in my= life.= He= is= quick = to= = = =accomplishment = = = = but= only= begins= = to= = =guided = = by =his devotion= = = to the= Lord.======invented calculus and the reflective telescope, tiny Grantsville. At age eleven he could plow = =deflect = = praise = = or recognition,= = = = but = this = = reveal= = the = depth = =of the= man.= = Nor = will = = He= has= observed= = = a tendency= = = in many======sciousness of my surroundings and thought I had ======with a team of horses. If the weather was too == = =once = = I= intend= = = =to = impose= = = = upon= = = him.======this= = introduction======achieve= = = = that= = goal—======members= = = = = of= = the= =Church = = = =who = = have= = = stud-======defined the laws of motion, and did an astonish- passed to the Other Side. I found myself standing cold for others to go, he would walk to the = = =President = = =Packer’s = = experience = = = = = the= time= =is far= too = short. = =What = I =can = = ied= and= joined= = the= learned = = professions======and = achievements = = = are= extensive.======do =is briefly = = add = to = this = recitation = = = = =to =begin = to= judge = the= Church,= = its= doc-======with my back to a large and beautiful lake, facing a evening sacrament meeting alone. ======great forest of trees. There was no one in sight, and = =He was= =born = September = = = 10, = 1924, = = = =of facts= = something = = = of the= flavor= = of = = =trine, = organization,= = = = and = history = = by =the ======ing list of other things. Asked how he was able to In a large family he learned to work. He == = =in = Brigham= = = = City,= = = Utah,= = = the= = 10= th= =of = 11= = = = = this= = remarkable======life.======principles======of = their= = =own = = profession—======there was no boat upon the lake or any other visible had a father and a mother of pioneer virtue = =children = = of= Ira = Wight = =Packer = and= = = = = Those= = who = have = a= chance = = to spend= = = that= =is, to= measure = = the= Church= = with= the======means to indicate how I might have arrived there. = =Emma = Jensen.= = =Following = = high = school,= = = =any = time = around = = President = = =Packer = are= = =principles = = =of one’s= = profession = = as= the======do it all, he answered: “I stood on the shoulders of and integrity. His father wrote in his jour- = =he = achieved = = a= coveted = = goal = when= = = = treated= = to= a wonderful= = = sense = = of humor.= = = standard.= = = He= has = said: = “In= my= mind ======I realized, or seemed to realize, that I had finished ======1 nal, “I went down between the barley and == = =two = = days= = =before = = = his= = 20= th= =birthday, ======Apparently======this= = has= = been= = = a =trait= = of= his= = = = = it= ought= = = =to = be= the= = other= = = way= = =around. = = = =A ======giants.” ::: We stand on the shoulders of a giant: my work in mortality and had gone home. I began wheat in the old ditch, and knelt down and = =he = graduated = = = from = advanced = = = pilot = = = since= = youth. = His= biographer= = = tells= =of a= = member= = = of the= Church= = ought= = always = = . . .======school = and= received= = = his = silver = wings= = = =triple = date= with= = high = school = = girlfriends = = = =to =judge = the= professions = = = of= men = against ======to look around, to see if I could not find someone. prayed and dedicated the grain that we have ======There was no evidence of anyone living there, just = =as a= military = = pilot. = He= served= = in = the = = =in Brigham= = =City. = Boyd = (as= he= was = then = = =the = revealed = = word= =of the= Lord”= = (letter ======President J. Reuben Clark. Less than a month after my 37th birth- sown and asked the blessings of the Lord == = =Pacific = = = Theater= = = = =during = = = World= = = = War= = II.= = = = = known)= = = = and= = two= = friends= = = = were= = = driving======to= = the= =First = = Presidency,======24= =October ======day, I was sustained as a General Authority. those great, beautiful trees in front of me and the upon it; this I do every year with everything = = =After = the= war= =he learned= = the= = = = to= the = Packer = = garage = =after = they = had= = = 1974= =, quoted = = in Boyd= = K. Packer—======4 = =name = of= Donna = = Edith = Smith= = when = = = =taken = their= =dates = home.= = Passing = = the = = =A Watchman= = = on= the = Tower = , =244 =). ======On October 6, 1961, I was set apart in wonderful lake behind me. that I plant.” ======I began to explore, and soon I found a trail = =she =was = crowned = = Brigham= = City= = = = =Brigham = = City = Tabernacle,= = = they= saw= =Carl = = =It is= gratifying = = that= =Sister = Donna======the council room by the First Presidency, Another local boy, Heber J. Grant, == = =Peach = = = Queen.= = = = His= = judgment======was = = as= = = = = Josephson======parked = = = in= =his = police= = = =car. = =One = = = = Packer= = = = is= also= = with= = = us= this= = evening.======and later that same day I received word, through the woods which seemed to have been used knew him well. These two farm boys would = =good = =then = as =now, = and = he = soon = got= = = of= the = boys = leaned= = out = and = made = = a con- = = President= = = Packer = = has = been = heard= = to say======acquainted. = = = They = married= = in= 1947 = , = = =vincing = = imitation = = of = a siren.= = It was= ille-= = =with = some= = frequency, = = “Without= = = Donna, ======“President Clark just passed away.” His min- very little, and which was almost obscured by grass. meet again. ======I followed this trail, and after I had walked for some = =and = in the= ensuing= = years= = have = become= = = =gal =for private= = cars= =to have= =sirens, = so= = =I am= nothing”= = and= =“Donna = = is perfect.”======istry closed the same day that mine began. With an elementary school education == = =the = =parents = = = = of= 10= =children = = = = and,= = at======Officer= = = = Josephson= = = = = came= = = =after = = the= = boys= = = = = To= = say= = he= draws= = = =strength = = = = from= = = her= = is======The mention of his name polishes the time and had traveled a considerable distance and at the urging of his father, President = =the = moment, = = =grandparents = = = of= 59 = = = with= =his lights= = flashing. = = When= = they = = = most= = certainly = = an= understatement. = = = = His======and = great-grandparents = = = = = of 26= . = = = =stopped, = = he = inquired, = = “All= right,= = fellows, = = =great = ambition= = = is to= be = good—a = = good ======windows of my memory. I see clearly and feel through the forest, I saw a man coming towards me. Clark moved to Salt Lake City to go to col- ======I became aware that he was a very large man, and I = = President= = = Packer = = attended = = Weber= = = =where’s = = the = siren.” = = Boyd’s = quick= = reply: = = =husband, = = a= good = father= = and = grandfa- ======deeply the memory of this great man. Now lege. Dr. James E. Talmage was his mentor. == = =College = = = = and= = received= = = = =bachelor = = = = and======“We= = =just = =took = = her= = home.”======ther,= = = a= good= = =teacher, = = = = a =good= = =son = =of = his======you must not assume that I suppose that I hurried my steps to reach him, because I recognized When he went east to school, Dr. Talmage = =master = = of = science = = degrees = = from = Utah= = = = Sister= = Packer = =has =been = willing = = to = = Heavenly= = = Father. = = In =that = aspiration ======State = University = = = and = a doctorate= = = in = = =indulge = = that = wry = wit = as, = for =example, = = = =President = = Packer= = has= had= the= benefit= = of======compare in stature with him. I am, with you, him as my grandfather. In mortality he weighed said, “He possessed the brightest mind ever ======over three hundred pounds, so you may know he 5 = =educational = = = administration = = = =from = = = =when = President= = = Packer = =returned = = from = = =parents = = who = were= =truly = good; = but= no======one of many who stood on his shoulders. to leave Utah.” == = =Brigham = = = = Young= = = =University. = = = = = He= = has======an= assignment======in = Idaho= = = years= = = ago= = and= = = = = other= = = human= = = = influence= = = = = in= his= = life= = equals======My close personal contacts with was a large man. I remember how happy I was to He married Luacine Savage. They = =since = =become = = the = recipient = = of = honorary = = = reported,= = = “While = = I was = up = in Idaho,= = I = = that= =of Donna,= = who= embodies= = = what = it======doctorates = = from= = Brigham = = Young, = = Utah = = =found = a= rope.” = =“That’s = nice,”= = she = = = =means = = to be= good.======President Clark were very few. I heard him see him coming. I had been given his name [George became parents of three daughters and one ======Albert Smith] and had always been proud of it. = =State, = and= Weber= = State= =universities. = = = = =replied, = = a little= puzzled.= = = Then = he= added, = = = =President = = Packer= = is= a man= =tutored, ======speak many times. I stood in awe of him. son. From 1898 to 1903 he was teacher and == = =He = served= = = = as= =supervisor = = = = = of= Seminaries======“There= = = = was= = a= horse= = = tied= = to= the= = other======tested,= = = = and= = seasoned======in = the= = work= = = of======I was in his office once and remember When Grandfather came within a few feet of administrator in Heber and in Cedar City. = =and = Institutes= = = for =the =Church = =and = as = = end= of= it.” = That = led= to= construction = = = of = a = the= Lord= = Jesus = Christ,= = whose= = disciple ======a member = = of= the = administrative ======corral = and= much= = delight = = on =the =part = of = =and = witness = = he= is. = He = labors = in= the ======very clearly how he looked and what he said. me, he stopped. His stopping was an invitation for Before leaving to study law, he called on ======me to stop. Then . . . he looked at me very earnestly = =council = =and =of the= board= = of =trustees = = = =the = children = = (see = Lucile= = C. Tate,= = Boyd = K.= =Spirit. = =He waits= = upon = the= Lord.= = He = is a======I sat next to him at the dinner when he gave President Joseph F. Smith. President Smith = =of = Brigham = = Young = = University. ======Packer—A= = = Watchman = = = on the= Tower= =[Salt = = seer;= = therefore, = = =in the= words= = of =the ======2 ======his address entitled “Reflective Speculation.” and said: cautioned him about the field of law and set = = =Beyond = = his = achievements = = = and= = = = Lake= =City: = Bookcraft, = = =1995 =], 42,= 122 =) . = = scripture,= = = “he = becometh = = = a great= = bene- ======recognitions = = = in the= academic= = = world, = = = = =President = = Packer= = is an= accomplished= = = = =fit =to his= fellow= = beings” = = (Mosiah = = 8:18= ).======And there were other times. “I would like to know what you have done him apart on a mission to be an exemplary ======with my name?” = =President = = Packer = = has = had = extensive = = = = =artist, = an= avocation = = = he has= pursued======Given = the= audience,= = = I would= = like= to======Latter-day Saint. == = =experience = = = = = in= =government ======and= = corpo-======since= = = youth,= = = not= = for= = public= = = acknowledg-======conclude= = = = = this= = =introduction ======by= = noting======the question Everything I had ever done passed before me as Years earlier another young man wanted = =rate = roles.= = As =a young = = man = he = served = as= = ment= = but = for =the benefit= = of= family = = and = = a= legal = proceeding= = = in= President ======a city = councilman = = = in = his =native = Brigham= = = =friends = =and = as a= door = to= spiritual = = insight = = =Packer’s = = experience= = = that= few= have======though it were a flying picture on a screen—every- to go east to study law. James Henry Moyle, ======thing I had done. Quickly this vivid retrospect came = =City. = In more= = recent = =years = he = has = been = = =and = understanding. = = = = Although = = it= has = = =heard = =about. = Some= = years = =ago = he ======Now I have a question for you of father of President Henry D. Moyle, met == = =a =member = = = = of= advisory= = = = = committees======to= = = = = been= = = a =private = = = pursuit,= = = = we= = have= = = lately======was= = =served = = = with= = = a= complaint= = = = = in= =a civil======the J. Reuben Clark Law Society. I quote down to the very time I was standing there. My with President John Taylor. President Taylor = =the = governor = = of= Utah = and= to= both= the= = = prevailed= = = upon = him= to= permit = = an exhibit= = = action.= = His= codefendant= = = = was = Elder ======Interior = =and = Defense = = departments = = = of= = =of his= exceptional= = = wood= = carvings = = and = = =Bruce = =R. McConkie.= = = The= plaintiff======President George Albert Smith, the second whole life had passed before me. I smiled and looked said he was “opposed to any of our young ======at my grandfather and said: = =the =United = States.= = He= has= served= = on = = =paintings. = = The= exhibit= = is= now = on = display = = =alleged = = that = Elder= =Packer’s = = and = Elder ======of the three Presidents to whom J. Reuben men going away to study law. It is a danger- == = =the = =board = = = of = directors= = = = = of= Zions= = = Bank======at= the= = Museum= = = = = of= Church= = = = History= = = = and= = = = = McConkie’s======general= = = = conference======Clark served as a counselor. “I have never done anything with your name ous profession.” = =and = the= Bank = of= Utah= and= =as chairman= = = = Art= and= was= featured= = = in February’s= = = = = sermons= = = had = ruined = = her = marriage. ======of the= board= = of four= =insurance = = compa-= = = =issue = of= the = Ensign = . ======When = = the = complaint = = was= =filed, = Elder ======President Smith said: of which you need be ashamed.” His counselor George Q. Cannon ======He stepped forward and took me in his arms, = =nies, = including = = Beneficial= = = Life. ======Excellence = = =in teaching= = =is some- = = = =McConkie = = = had = already = = been = dead======persuaded President Taylor that “Brother == = = = On= = September======30,= = 1961,= = = at= age= = 37= ,= = = = thing= = = for= =which = = = President= = = = = Packer= = = = is= = = = = some= = = years.= = = = Of= course,= = = = =nothing = = = =came ======A number of years ago I was seriously ill; in and as he did so, I became conscious again of my Joseph had to engage lawyers. So [did] = =President = = = Packer = =was = sustained = = as= an = = universally= = = recognized.= = = The= desire= = to= = of= the= action, = = but = President = = =Packer ======Assistant = = to= the = Twelve. = = Sister = =Packer = = =be =a teacher = = came = =to him= early= = in life,= = =has = always = = wondered = = =whether = = Elder ======fact, I think everyone gave me up but my wife. earthly surroundings. My pillow was as wet as Brother Brigham.” ======With my family I went to St. George, Utah, to see though water had been poured on it—wet with = =learned = = of the= call= when= = she = heard = =his = =and = it has= been= = a passion= = ever= = since. = = =McConkie = = = was = ever = served= = with = the======President Taylor agreed then that it would = =name = = presented = = in= general = = conference = = = = Elder= = A. Theodore= = = Tuttle, = = who = could = = = complaint= = = and,= if= so, = how. = I don’t= = know ======3 ======if it would improve my health. We went as far as tears of gratitude that I could answer unashamed. be all right for Brother Moyle to go, and then = =as = she = listened = = at = home = on= the = radio. = = = appreciate= = = President= = = Packer’s = = skill = as= a = the= answer= = either,= = but= with= you= =I am ======She = was = 33 =and = the =mother = = of eight.= = = =teacher = = perhaps = = better = = than = anyone,= = = =grateful = = that = President= = = Packer = = has ======we could by train, and then continued the journey he spoke of “the pitfalls into which the young ======in a wagon, in the bottom of which a bed had been = =While = an= Assistant = = =to the= Twelve,= = = = =once = commented:= = = =“He = has = the = capac- = = =answered = = =the =“summons” = = = to appear======The question is: What are you doing man might slip unless he [was] careful.” He == = =President = = = = = Packer= = = =served = = = as= = president======ity= =to = translate= = = = = an= ethereal= = = = = verbal= = = con-= = = = = here= = = this= = evening.= = = = = President= = = = = Packer,======made for me. with the name of President J. Reuben Clark? gave him a blessing, from which I quote: = =of = the = New = England = = States= = Mission, = = = = cept= =to an= understandable = = = = activity= = in= = would= = you= please= = take = the= stand.======4 clark memorandum ======clark= = = memorandum ======5 ======In St. George we arranged for a tent for my president j. reuben clark = =Introduction = = = by= Elder= =D. Todd= = = = = covering= = =the =northeastern = = = United= = = = everyday= = = life. = . . =. You = will = soon = dis-======In my hand is a two-pound English coin. health and comfort, with a built-in floor raised == = =Christofferson ======of= =the = =Presidency ======States= = = =and = = much= = = of= eastern= = = = Canada.======cover= = = that= = = what= = = is= explained= = = = = so= =clearly ======about a foot above the ground, and we could roll up = =of the= Seventy======Then, = at= April = conference= = = in= 1970 = , = = =and = obviously = = = was = neither = = clear = nor======President Clark’s service was divided ======he= =was = = sustained= = = = = as= =a member= = = = = of======obvious= = = = =before = = = he= = explained= = = = = it”= =(Boyd ======Around the edge are inscribed the words “Stood the south side of the tent to make the sunshine and into two equal parts: twenty-eight years in = = =To = be =candid, = =my assignment= = = =this = = the= Quorum= = =of the= Twelve= = Apostles.= = = = K.= Packer,= = Teach = = Ye Diligently= = =[Salt = Lake======evening = = is superfluous—President======He =has = been = the = Acting = = President = = = = =City: = Deseret= = Book,= = 1975 = ],= ix–x). ======fresh air available. I became so weak as to be law and government and twenty-eight years ======scarcely able to move. It was a slow and exhausting = =Boyd = K. =Packer = needs= = no= introduction. = = = = =of that= =Quorum = = since = June= = 1994 =. = = = =President = = Packer’s= = =commitment ======on the shoulders of giants.” ::: Sir Isaac Newton as counselor in the First Presidency. == = =Still, = = I= am= =grateful = = = = for= =the = =opportunity ======This= = life= = summary,======incomplete ======to= = teaching= = = = as= = a =profession, = = = = = however,======effort for me even to turn over in bed. President Clark grew up as a farm boy in = =to = speak = about= = him = given= = his =influence = = = as= it is,= bespeaks= = = a man= of= substantial= = = = has= always= = been= = subordinated = = = to= and ======One day, under these conditions, I lost con- = =for good= = in my= life.= He= is= quick = to= = = =accomplishment = = = = but= only= begins= = to= = =guided = = by =his devotion= = = to the= Lord.======invented calculus and the reflective telescope, tiny Grantsville. At age eleven he could plow = =deflect = = praise = = or recognition,= = = = but = this = = reveal= = the = depth = =of the= man.= = Nor = will = = He= has= observed= = = a tendency= = = in many======sciousness of my surroundings and thought I had ======with a team of horses. If the weather was too == = =once = = I= intend= = = =to = impose= = = = upon= = = him.======this= = introduction======achieve= = = = that= = goal—======members= = = = = of= = the= =Church = = = =who = = have= = = stud-======defined the laws of motion, and did an astonish- passed to the Other Side. I found myself standing cold for others to go, he would walk to the = = =President = = =Packer’s = = experience = = = = = the= time= =is far= too = short. = =What = I =can = = ied= and= joined= = the= learned = = professions======and = achievements = = = are= extensive.======do =is briefly = = add = to = this = recitation = = = = =to =begin = to= judge = the= Church,= = its= doc-======with my back to a large and beautiful lake, facing a evening sacrament meeting alone. ======great forest of trees. There was no one in sight, and = =He was= =born = September = = = 10, = 1924, = = = =of facts= = something = = = of the= flavor= = of = = =trine, = organization,= = = = and = history = = by =the ======ing list of other things. Asked how he was able to In a large family he learned to work. He == = =in = Brigham= = = = City,= = = Utah,= = = the= = 10= th= =of = 11= = = = = this= = remarkable======life.======principles======of = their= = =own = = profession—======there was no boat upon the lake or any other visible had a father and a mother of pioneer virtue = =children = = of= Ira = Wight = =Packer = and= = = = = Those= = who = have = a= chance = = to spend= = = that= =is, to= measure = = the= Church= = with= the======means to indicate how I might have arrived there. = =Emma = Jensen.= = =Following = = high = school,= = = =any = time = around = = President = = =Packer = are= = =principles = = =of one’s= = profession = = as= the======do it all, he answered: “I stood on the shoulders of and integrity. His father wrote in his jour- = =he = achieved = = a= coveted = = goal = when= = = = treated= = to= a wonderful= = = sense = = of humor.= = = standard.= = = He= has = said: = “In= my= mind ======I realized, or seemed to realize, that I had finished ======1 nal, “I went down between the barley and == = =two = = days= = =before = = = his= = 20= th= =birthday, ======Apparently======this= = has= = been= = = a =trait= = of= his= = = = = it= ought= = = =to = be= the= = other= = = way= = =around. = = = =A ======giants.” ::: We stand on the shoulders of a giant: my work in mortality and had gone home. I began wheat in the old ditch, and knelt down and = =he = graduated = = = from = advanced = = = pilot = = = since= = youth. = His= biographer= = = tells= =of a= = member= = = of the= Church= = ought= = always = = . . .======school = and= received= = = his = silver = wings= = = =triple = date= with= = high = school = = girlfriends = = = =to =judge = the= professions = = = of= men = against ======to look around, to see if I could not find someone. prayed and dedicated the grain that we have ======There was no evidence of anyone living there, just = =as a= military = = pilot. = He= served= = in = the = = =in Brigham= = =City. = Boyd = (as= he= was = then = = =the = revealed = = word= =of the= Lord”= = (letter ======President J. Reuben Clark. Less than a month after my 37th birth- sown and asked the blessings of the Lord == = =Pacific = = = Theater= = = = =during = = = World= = = = War= = II.= = = = = known)= = = = and= = two= = friends= = = = were= = = driving======to= = the= =First = = Presidency,======24= =October ======day, I was sustained as a General Authority. those great, beautiful trees in front of me and the upon it; this I do every year with everything = = =After = the= war= =he learned= = the= = = = to= the = Packer = = garage = =after = they = had= = = 1974= =, quoted = = in Boyd= = K. Packer—======4 = =name = of= Donna = = Edith = Smith= = when = = = =taken = their= =dates = home.= = Passing = = the = = =A Watchman= = = on= the = Tower = , =244 =). ======On October 6, 1961, I was set apart in wonderful lake behind me. that I plant.” ======I began to explore, and soon I found a trail = =she =was = crowned = = Brigham= = City= = = = =Brigham = = City = Tabernacle,= = = they= saw= =Carl = = =It is= gratifying = = that= =Sister = Donna======the council room by the First Presidency, Another local boy, Heber J. Grant, == = =Peach = = = Queen.= = = = His= = judgment======was = = as= = = = = Josephson======parked = = = in= =his = police= = = =car. = =One = = = = Packer= = = = is= also= = with= = = us= this= = evening.======and later that same day I received word, through the woods which seemed to have been used knew him well. These two farm boys would = =good = =then = as =now, = and = he = soon = got= = = of= the = boys = leaned= = out = and = made = = a con- = = President= = = Packer = = has = been = heard= = to say======acquainted. = = = They = married= = in= 1947 = , = = =vincing = = imitation = = of = a siren.= = It was= ille-= = =with = some= = frequency, = = “Without= = = Donna, ======“President Clark just passed away.” His min- very little, and which was almost obscured by grass. meet again. ======I followed this trail, and after I had walked for some = =and = in the= ensuing= = years= = have = become= = = =gal =for private= = cars= =to have= =sirens, = so= = =I am= nothing”= = and= =“Donna = = is perfect.”======istry closed the same day that mine began. With an elementary school education == = =the = =parents = = = = of= 10= =children = = = = and,= = at======Officer= = = = Josephson= = = = = came= = = =after = = the= = boys= = = = = To= = say= = he= draws= = = =strength = = = = from= = = her= = is======The mention of his name polishes the time and had traveled a considerable distance and at the urging of his father, President = =the = moment, = = =grandparents = = = of= 59 = = = with= =his lights= = flashing. = = When= = they = = = most= = certainly = = an= understatement. = = = = His======and = great-grandparents = = = = = of 26= . = = = =stopped, = = he = inquired, = = “All= right,= = fellows, = = =great = ambition= = = is to= be = good—a = = good ======windows of my memory. I see clearly and feel through the forest, I saw a man coming towards me. Clark moved to Salt Lake City to go to col- ======I became aware that he was a very large man, and I = = President= = = Packer = = attended = = Weber= = = =where’s = = the = siren.” = = Boyd’s = quick= = reply: = = =husband, = = a= good = father= = and = grandfa- ======deeply the memory of this great man. Now lege. Dr. James E. Talmage was his mentor. == = =College = = = = and= = received= = = = =bachelor = = = = and======“We= = =just = =took = = her= = home.”======ther,= = = a= good= = =teacher, = = = = a =good= = =son = =of = his======you must not assume that I suppose that I hurried my steps to reach him, because I recognized When he went east to school, Dr. Talmage = =master = = of = science = = degrees = = from = Utah= = = = Sister= = Packer = =has =been = willing = = to = = Heavenly= = = Father. = = In =that = aspiration ======State = University = = = and = a doctorate= = = in = = =indulge = = that = wry = wit = as, = for =example, = = = =President = = Packer= = has= had= the= benefit= = of======compare in stature with him. I am, with you, him as my grandfather. In mortality he weighed said, “He possessed the brightest mind ever ======over three hundred pounds, so you may know he 5 = =educational = = = administration = = = =from = = = =when = President= = = Packer = =returned = = from = = =parents = = who = were= =truly = good; = but= no======one of many who stood on his shoulders. to leave Utah.” == = =Brigham = = = = Young= = = =University. = = = = = He= = has======an= assignment======in = Idaho= = = years= = = ago= = and= = = = = other= = = human= = = = influence= = = = = in= his= = life= = equals======My close personal contacts with was a large man. I remember how happy I was to He married Luacine Savage. They = =since = =become = = the = recipient = = of = honorary = = = reported,= = = “While = = I was = up = in Idaho,= = I = = that= =of Donna,= = who= embodies= = = what = it======doctorates = = from= = Brigham = = Young, = = Utah = = =found = a= rope.” = =“That’s = nice,”= = she = = = =means = = to be= good.======President Clark were very few. I heard him see him coming. I had been given his name [George became parents of three daughters and one ======Albert Smith] and had always been proud of it. = =State, = and= Weber= = State= =universities. = = = = =replied, = = a little= puzzled.= = = Then = he= added, = = = =President = = Packer= = is= a man= =tutored, ======speak many times. I stood in awe of him. son. From 1898 to 1903 he was teacher and == = =He = served= = = = as= =supervisor = = = = = of= Seminaries======“There= = = = was= = a= horse= = = tied= = to= the= = other======tested,= = = = and= = seasoned======in = the= = work= = = of======I was in his office once and remember When Grandfather came within a few feet of administrator in Heber and in Cedar City. = =and = Institutes= = = for =the =Church = =and = as = = end= of= it.” = That = led= to= construction = = = of = a = the= Lord= = Jesus = Christ,= = whose= = disciple ======a member = = of= the = administrative ======corral = and= much= = delight = = on =the =part = of = =and = witness = = he= is. = He = labors = in= the ======very clearly how he looked and what he said. me, he stopped. His stopping was an invitation for Before leaving to study law, he called on ======me to stop. Then . . . he looked at me very earnestly = =council = =and =of the= board= = of =trustees = = = =the = children = = (see = Lucile= = C. Tate,= = Boyd = K.= =Spirit. = =He waits= = upon = the= Lord.= = He = is a======I sat next to him at the dinner when he gave President Joseph F. Smith. President Smith = =of = Brigham = = Young = = University. ======Packer—A= = = Watchman = = = on the= Tower= =[Salt = = seer;= = therefore, = = =in the= words= = of =the ======2 ======his address entitled “Reflective Speculation.” and said: cautioned him about the field of law and set = = =Beyond = = his = achievements = = = and= = = = Lake= =City: = Bookcraft, = = =1995 =], 42,= 122 =) . = = scripture,= = = “he = becometh = = = a great= = bene- ======recognitions = = = in the= academic= = = world, = = = = =President = = Packer= = is an= accomplished= = = = =fit =to his= fellow= = beings” = = (Mosiah = = 8:18= ).======And there were other times. “I would like to know what you have done him apart on a mission to be an exemplary ======with my name?” = =President = = Packer = = has = had = extensive = = = = =artist, = an= avocation = = = he has= pursued======Given = the= audience,= = = I would= = like= to======Latter-day Saint. == = =experience = = = = = in= =government ======and= = corpo-======since= = = youth,= = = not= = for= = public= = = acknowledg-======conclude= = = = = this= = =introduction ======by= = noting======the question Everything I had ever done passed before me as Years earlier another young man wanted = =rate = roles.= = As =a young = = man = he = served = as= = ment= = but = for =the benefit= = of= family = = and = = a= legal = proceeding= = = in= President ======a city = councilman = = = in = his =native = Brigham= = = =friends = =and = as a= door = to= spiritual = = insight = = =Packer’s = = experience= = = that= few= have======though it were a flying picture on a screen—every- to go east to study law. James Henry Moyle, ======thing I had done. Quickly this vivid retrospect came = =City. = In more= = recent = =years = he = has = been = = =and = understanding. = = = = Although = = it= has = = =heard = =about. = Some= = years = =ago = he ======Now I have a question for you of father of President Henry D. Moyle, met == = =a =member = = = = of= advisory= = = = = committees======to= = = = = been= = = a =private = = = pursuit,= = = = we= = have= = = lately======was= = =served = = = with= = = a= complaint= = = = = in= =a civil======the J. Reuben Clark Law Society. I quote down to the very time I was standing there. My with President John Taylor. President Taylor = =the = governor = = of= Utah = and= to= both= the= = = prevailed= = = upon = him= to= permit = = an exhibit= = = action.= = His= codefendant= = = = was = Elder ======Interior = =and = Defense = = departments = = = of= = =of his= exceptional= = = wood= = carvings = = and = = =Bruce = =R. McConkie.= = = The= plaintiff======President George Albert Smith, the second whole life had passed before me. I smiled and looked said he was “opposed to any of our young ======at my grandfather and said: = =the =United = States.= = He= has= served= = on = = =paintings. = = The= exhibit= = is= now = on = display = = =alleged = = that = Elder= =Packer’s = = and = Elder ======of the three Presidents to whom J. Reuben men going away to study law. It is a danger- == = =the = =board = = = of = directors= = = = = of= Zions= = = Bank======at= the= = Museum= = = = = of= Church= = = = History= = = = and= = = = = McConkie’s======general= = = = conference======Clark served as a counselor. “I have never done anything with your name ous profession.” = =and = the= Bank = of= Utah= and= =as chairman= = = = Art= and= was= featured= = = in February’s= = = = = sermons= = = had = ruined = = her = marriage. ======of the= board= = of four= =insurance = = compa-= = = =issue = of= the = Ensign = . ======When = = the = complaint = = was= =filed, = Elder ======President Smith said: of which you need be ashamed.” His counselor George Q. Cannon ======He stepped forward and took me in his arms, = =nies, = including = = Beneficial= = = Life. ======Excellence = = =in teaching= = =is some- = = = =McConkie = = = had = already = = been = dead======persuaded President Taylor that “Brother == = = = On= = September======30,= = 1961,= = = at= age= = 37= ,= = = = thing= = = for= =which = = = President= = = = = Packer= = = = is= = = = = some= = = years.= = = = Of= course,= = = = =nothing = = = =came ======A number of years ago I was seriously ill; in and as he did so, I became conscious again of my Joseph had to engage lawyers. So [did] = =President = = = Packer = =was = sustained = = as= an = = universally= = = recognized.= = = The= desire= = to= = of= the= action, = = but = President = = =Packer ======Assistant = = to= the = Twelve. = = Sister = =Packer = = =be =a teacher = = came = =to him= early= = in life,= = =has = always = = wondered = = =whether = = Elder ======fact, I think everyone gave me up but my wife. earthly surroundings. My pillow was as wet as Brother Brigham.” ======With my family I went to St. George, Utah, to see though water had been poured on it—wet with = =learned = = of the= call= when= = she = heard = =his = =and = it has= been= = a passion= = ever= = since. = = =McConkie = = = was = ever = served= = with = the======President Taylor agreed then that it would = =name = = presented = = in= general = = conference = = = = Elder= = A. Theodore= = = Tuttle, = = who = could = = = complaint= = = and,= if= so, = how. = I don’t= = know ======3 ======if it would improve my health. We went as far as tears of gratitude that I could answer unashamed. be all right for Brother Moyle to go, and then = =as = she = listened = = at = home = on= the = radio. = = = appreciate= = = President= = = Packer’s = = skill = as= a = the= answer= = either,= = but= with= you= =I am ======She = was = 33 =and = the =mother = = of eight.= = = =teacher = = perhaps = = better = = than = anyone,= = = =grateful = = that = President= = = Packer = = has ======we could by train, and then continued the journey he spoke of “the pitfalls into which the young ======in a wagon, in the bottom of which a bed had been = =While = an= Assistant = = =to the= Twelve,= = = = =once = commented:= = = =“He = has = the = capac- = = =answered = = =the =“summons” = = = to appear======The question is: What are you doing man might slip unless he [was] careful.” He == = =President = = = = = Packer= = = =served = = = as= = president======ity= =to = translate= = = = = an= ethereal= = = = = verbal= = = con-= = = = = here= = = this= = evening.= = = = = President= = = = = Packer,======made for me. with the name of President J. Reuben Clark? gave him a blessing, from which I quote: = =of = the = New = England = = States= = Mission, = = = = cept= =to an= understandable = = = = activity= = in= = would= = you= please= = take = the= stand.======4 clark memorandum ======clark= = = memorandum ======5 ======As thou hast had in thine heart a desire to go President Calvin Coolidge appointed it; it yields neither to entreaties, demands, or orders; intellectual vision forth to study law . . . , we say unto thee that this is him as Under Secretary of State in 1928. He and whenever you get in its way or cross its course or 13 a dangerous profession, one that leads many people then published his “Memorandum on the fail to meet its demands, it crushes you. President Harold B. Lee said of down to destruction; . . . abstain from corruption Monroe Doctrine.” Even his critics praised it Counterclockwise from left: President Clark: and bribery and covetousness, and from arguing as a “monument of erudition,” a “masterly Birth home of J. Reuben Clark Jr., From his classic address “They of the falsely and on false principles, maintaining only 7 In the universal sweep of his great intellectual treatise.” Grantsville, Utah, built by his Last Wagon” given in 1947, the centennial of the things that can be honorably sustained by hon- The title of your society’s semiannual the arrival of the Pioneers: vision he had few equals and perhaps no superiors. father in 1869–70; Clark’s home orable men; . . . publication is The Clark Memorandum. He once said of his grandfather on his maternal at 80 D Street in Salt Lake City We set thee apart . . . to go forth as thou hast Morning came when from out [of] that last line, Bishop Edwin D. Woolley: “He was so elo- desired to study and become acquainted with all call to the first presidency when he lived there; that home wagon floated the la-la of the newborn babe, and quent in political discourse that even his enemies the principles of law and equity; [then there is a as it appears today. mother love made a shrine, and Father bowed in came out to hear him.” So it has been with this big “if”in the blessing] if thou wilt abstain from In 1930 J. Reuben Clark was named as reverence before it. But the train must move on. So grandson of Bishop Woolley [referring to chicanery and from fraud and from covetousness, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico. Two and a half out into the dust and dirt the last wagon moved President Clark]. Even those who violently dis- and [another “if ”] if thou wilt cleave to the truth, years later he was called by letter as second again, swaying and jolting, while Mother eased as agree with his views [and there were many] are God will bless thee. counselor to President Heber J. Grant. best she could each pain-giving jolt so no harm intrigued by his eloquence, his forthrightness, pure General conference had come and gone, might be done her, that she might be strong to feed logic, and penetrating insight into the center and 17 He was promised by President Taylor and a vacancy in the First Presidency was the little one, bone of her bone, flesh of her flesh. core of whatever subjects he undertakes to expound. that if he would do these things, he would not filled. A senior Apostle told me that Who will dare to say that angels did not cluster “grow up in virtue, in intelligence, power two members of the Twelve waited upon round and guard her and ease her rude bed, for she It was said of Bishop Woolley that if he and wisdom, and stand as a mighty man President Grant and said, “We see you did had given another choice spirit its mortal body that should drown in a river, they would look 14 among the House of Israel, and be a not fill the vacancy in the Presidency.” it might work out its God-given destiny? upstream for the body. defender of the rights and liberties and President Grant replied, “I know the President Spencer Woolley Kimball was immunities of the people of God.” man the Lord wants me to have, and he is President Clark’s mother was one of a cousin of President Clark. When President And this promise: “But if thou doest not not ready yet.” Pointing his cane at each of those so born in 1848. Kimball would be very resolute (a kinder these things, thou wilt go down and wither them, he said, “I know that feeling when it word than stubborn), one of the Brethren 6 away.” comes. I had it when I called you! And I had criticism would say, “Well, he’s a Woolley.” In 1903 President Clark took his family it when I called you!” A young university student of politi- to New York City to attend the Columbia “When that cane pointed at me,” one To President Clark criticism seemed to cal science once spoke to Elder Lee about University School of Law. In 1906 he of them told me, “I felt as if I had been elec- be an inescapable accompaniment of the the student’s vigorous disagreement with graduated head of his class with an llb trocuted.” Church. He had held no administrative posi- there when he first spoke in church at age doing of righteousness. He once wrote: President Clark’s lecture “Our Dwindling degree. Shortly after he was appointed as It was nearly a year before President tions, even on the local level. eleven. Like Nephi, “[he talked] of Christ, Sovereignty” at the University of Utah. Elder Department of State Assistant Solicitor, Clark was able to come to Church head- He kept things very plain and simple. [he rejoiced] in Christ, [he preached] of It seems sometimes as if the darkness that sur- Lee’s response was, “Yes, I suppose it would and he published his classic “Memorandum quarters. During the first fifteen months he The president of Equitable Life once sent Christ, [he prophesied] of Christ, and [he rounds us is all but impenetrable. I can see on all be difficult for a pigmy to get the viewpoint on the Right to Protect Citizens in Foreign was away for five months in Washington, him a speech. President Clark replied, “A wrote] according to our prophecies, that sides the signs of one great evil master mind work- of a giant. When I go to hear [a] world author- 18 Countries by Landing Forces.” (Does that d.c., or abroad on-call for the President of lot of it was over my head [trying to under- our children may know to what source ing for the overturning of our civilization, the ity . . . , I go to learn and not to criticize.” not sound familiar today?) the United States. stand it], but I sort of held my breath and they may look for a remission of their sins” destruction of religion, the reduction of men to the While living in Washington, d.c., he In October 1933 J. Reuben Clark Jr. was struggled to the top. . . . I accept your con- (2 Nephi 25:26). status of animals. This mind is working here and other giants 10 15 was appointed as an assistant professor of honored at a dinner in Beverly Hills, clusions whether or not I fully understand His classic books Our Lord of the Gospels there and everywhere. 11 law at George Washington University. California. Telegrams of tribute arrived— the reasons, and I congratulate you on and Behold the Lamb of God are examples. There are other giants of the law upon 9 He opened law offices in Washington, also one letter from Will Rogers, philoso- another fine speech.” His “The Charted Course of the Church President Clark spoke of the Pioneer whose shoulders I have stood—Presidents 12 d.c., in New York City, and in Salt Lake pher and humorist, perhaps the best-known I can imagine President Clark in his in Education,” prepared by assignment from leaders and in so doing described himself: Marion G. Romney, Henry D. Moyle, City, where he specialized in international American of his time. Will Rogers apolo- library with words scattered about on his the First Presidency, is an enduring classic Howard W. Hunter, and James E. Faust. and municipal law. gized for the letter but said, “I have more to desk. I see him discarding the longer ones akin to scripture. Upright men they were, and fearless, unmind- The saintly Abraham Lincoln said A staunch Republican, he became influ- say than I am able to pay for [in a telegram].” and then picking up a word and fitting it I give you two examples from his ser- ful of what men thought or said of them, if they that “lawyers should discourage litigation. ential in both Utah and national politics. John Nance Garner, the vice president into a sentence and then replacing it with mons. To the priesthood he spoke of the were in their line of duty. Calumny, slander, deri- Persuade [your] clients to compromise. The They tried more than once to draft him of the United States, was there, of whom one easier to understand. From words he burden of debt: sion, scorn left them unmoved, if they were treading lawyer who is a peacemaker can become a to run for the United States Senate. There Rogers said in his letter, “He . . . deserves made sentences, often very long ones, the straight and narrow way. Uncaring they were good man. There will be business enough. . . . was also an effort made to draft him as a [better work] than he’s got.” fastening them together into paragraphs Interest never sleeps nor sickens nor dies; it never of men’s blame and censure, if the Lord approved Never stir up litigation. If you do, a worse 19 candidate for the presidency of the United Rogers then spoke in admiration of J. and bundling them together into his goes to the hospital; it works on Sundays and holi- them. Unswayed they were by the praise of men, man can scarcely be found.” States until he firmly refused. Reuben Clark and closed, “So, God Bless inspired sermons. days; it never takes a vacation; it never visits nor to wander from the path of truth. Endowed by John K. Edmunds had a distinguished During World War I President Clark Reuben Clark, and make him a Democrat, travels; it takes no pleasure; it is never laid off work the spirit of discernment, they [knew] when kind legal career. He served as a stake president in served as a major on duty with the u.s. or Republican as necessity demands! his reverence for the lord nor discharged from employment; it never works on words were mere courtesy, and when they beto- Chicago. David M. Kennedy, later secretary 8 Attorney General’s office. He helped prepare [signed] Will.” reduced hours. . . . Once in debt, interest is your com- kened honest interest. They moved neither to the of the treasury, was his counselor. Brother the original Selective Service regulations. He President Clark came to the First One way or another his writing and panion every minute of the day and night; you can- right nor to the left from the path of truth to court Edmunds later served as president of the Salt 16 was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. Presidency virtually unknown in the his speaking had a common theme. It was not shun it or slip away from it; you cannot dismiss the good favor of men. Lake Temple.
6 clark memorandum clark memorandum 7 As thou hast had in thine heart a desire to go President Calvin Coolidge appointed it; it yields neither to entreaties, demands, or orders; intellectual vision forth to study law . . . , we say unto thee that this is him as Under Secretary of State in 1928. He and whenever you get in its way or cross its course or 13 a dangerous profession, one that leads many people then published his “Memorandum on the fail to meet its demands, it crushes you. President Harold B. Lee said of down to destruction; . . . abstain from corruption Monroe Doctrine.” Even his critics praised it Counterclockwise from left: President Clark: and bribery and covetousness, and from arguing as a “monument of erudition,” a “masterly Birth home of J. Reuben Clark Jr., From his classic address “They of the falsely and on false principles, maintaining only 7 In the universal sweep of his great intellectual treatise.” Grantsville, Utah, built by his Last Wagon” given in 1947, the centennial of the things that can be honorably sustained by hon- The title of your society’s semiannual the arrival of the Pioneers: vision he had few equals and perhaps no superiors. father in 1869–70; Clark’s home orable men; . . . publication is The Clark Memorandum. He once said of his grandfather on his maternal at 80 D Street in Salt Lake City We set thee apart . . . to go forth as thou hast Morning came when from out [of] that last line, Bishop Edwin D. Woolley: “He was so elo- desired to study and become acquainted with all call to the first presidency when he lived there; that home wagon floated the la-la of the newborn babe, and quent in political discourse that even his enemies the principles of law and equity; [then there is a as it appears today. mother love made a shrine, and Father bowed in came out to hear him.” So it has been with this big “if”in the blessing] if thou wilt abstain from In 1930 J. Reuben Clark was named as reverence before it. But the train must move on. So grandson of Bishop Woolley [referring to chicanery and from fraud and from covetousness, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico. Two and a half out into the dust and dirt the last wagon moved President Clark]. Even those who violently dis- and [another “if ”] if thou wilt cleave to the truth, years later he was called by letter as second again, swaying and jolting, while Mother eased as agree with his views [and there were many] are God will bless thee. counselor to President Heber J. Grant. best she could each pain-giving jolt so no harm intrigued by his eloquence, his forthrightness, pure General conference had come and gone, might be done her, that she might be strong to feed logic, and penetrating insight into the center and 17 He was promised by President Taylor and a vacancy in the First Presidency was the little one, bone of her bone, flesh of her flesh. core of whatever subjects he undertakes to expound. that if he would do these things, he would not filled. A senior Apostle told me that Who will dare to say that angels did not cluster “grow up in virtue, in intelligence, power two members of the Twelve waited upon round and guard her and ease her rude bed, for she It was said of Bishop Woolley that if he and wisdom, and stand as a mighty man President Grant and said, “We see you did had given another choice spirit its mortal body that should drown in a river, they would look 14 among the House of Israel, and be a not fill the vacancy in the Presidency.” it might work out its God-given destiny? upstream for the body. defender of the rights and liberties and President Grant replied, “I know the President Spencer Woolley Kimball was immunities of the people of God.” man the Lord wants me to have, and he is President Clark’s mother was one of a cousin of President Clark. When President And this promise: “But if thou doest not not ready yet.” Pointing his cane at each of those so born in 1848. Kimball would be very resolute (a kinder these things, thou wilt go down and wither them, he said, “I know that feeling when it word than stubborn), one of the Brethren 6 away.” comes. I had it when I called you! And I had criticism would say, “Well, he’s a Woolley.” In 1903 President Clark took his family it when I called you!” A young university student of politi- to New York City to attend the Columbia “When that cane pointed at me,” one To President Clark criticism seemed to cal science once spoke to Elder Lee about University School of Law. In 1906 he of them told me, “I felt as if I had been elec- be an inescapable accompaniment of the the student’s vigorous disagreement with graduated head of his class with an llb trocuted.” Church. He had held no administrative posi- there when he first spoke in church at age doing of righteousness. He once wrote: President Clark’s lecture “Our Dwindling degree. Shortly after he was appointed as It was nearly a year before President tions, even on the local level. eleven. Like Nephi, “[he talked] of Christ, Sovereignty” at the University of Utah. Elder Department of State Assistant Solicitor, Clark was able to come to Church head- He kept things very plain and simple. [he rejoiced] in Christ, [he preached] of It seems sometimes as if the darkness that sur- Lee’s response was, “Yes, I suppose it would and he published his classic “Memorandum quarters. During the first fifteen months he The president of Equitable Life once sent Christ, [he prophesied] of Christ, and [he rounds us is all but impenetrable. I can see on all be difficult for a pigmy to get the viewpoint on the Right to Protect Citizens in Foreign was away for five months in Washington, him a speech. President Clark replied, “A wrote] according to our prophecies, that sides the signs of one great evil master mind work- of a giant. When I go to hear [a] world author- 18 Countries by Landing Forces.” (Does that d.c., or abroad on-call for the President of lot of it was over my head [trying to under- our children may know to what source ing for the overturning of our civilization, the ity . . . , I go to learn and not to criticize.” not sound familiar today?) the United States. stand it], but I sort of held my breath and they may look for a remission of their sins” destruction of religion, the reduction of men to the While living in Washington, d.c., he In October 1933 J. Reuben Clark Jr. was struggled to the top. . . . I accept your con- (2 Nephi 25:26). status of animals. This mind is working here and other giants 10 15 was appointed as an assistant professor of honored at a dinner in Beverly Hills, clusions whether or not I fully understand His classic books Our Lord of the Gospels there and everywhere. 11 law at George Washington University. California. Telegrams of tribute arrived— the reasons, and I congratulate you on and Behold the Lamb of God are examples. There are other giants of the law upon 9 He opened law offices in Washington, also one letter from Will Rogers, philoso- another fine speech.” His “The Charted Course of the Church President Clark spoke of the Pioneer whose shoulders I have stood—Presidents 12 d.c., in New York City, and in Salt Lake pher and humorist, perhaps the best-known I can imagine President Clark in his in Education,” prepared by assignment from leaders and in so doing described himself: Marion G. Romney, Henry D. Moyle, City, where he specialized in international American of his time. Will Rogers apolo- library with words scattered about on his the First Presidency, is an enduring classic Howard W. Hunter, and James E. Faust. and municipal law. gized for the letter but said, “I have more to desk. I see him discarding the longer ones akin to scripture. Upright men they were, and fearless, unmind- The saintly Abraham Lincoln said A staunch Republican, he became influ- say than I am able to pay for [in a telegram].” and then picking up a word and fitting it I give you two examples from his ser- ful of what men thought or said of them, if they that “lawyers should discourage litigation. ential in both Utah and national politics. John Nance Garner, the vice president into a sentence and then replacing it with mons. To the priesthood he spoke of the were in their line of duty. Calumny, slander, deri- Persuade [your] clients to compromise. The They tried more than once to draft him of the United States, was there, of whom one easier to understand. From words he burden of debt: sion, scorn left them unmoved, if they were treading lawyer who is a peacemaker can become a to run for the United States Senate. There Rogers said in his letter, “He . . . deserves made sentences, often very long ones, the straight and narrow way. Uncaring they were good man. There will be business enough. . . . was also an effort made to draft him as a [better work] than he’s got.” fastening them together into paragraphs Interest never sleeps nor sickens nor dies; it never of men’s blame and censure, if the Lord approved Never stir up litigation. If you do, a worse 19 candidate for the presidency of the United Rogers then spoke in admiration of J. and bundling them together into his goes to the hospital; it works on Sundays and holi- them. Unswayed they were by the praise of men, man can scarcely be found.” States until he firmly refused. Reuben Clark and closed, “So, God Bless inspired sermons. days; it never takes a vacation; it never visits nor to wander from the path of truth. Endowed by John K. Edmunds had a distinguished During World War I President Clark Reuben Clark, and make him a Democrat, travels; it takes no pleasure; it is never laid off work the spirit of discernment, they [knew] when kind legal career. He served as a stake president in served as a major on duty with the u.s. or Republican as necessity demands! his reverence for the lord nor discharged from employment; it never works on words were mere courtesy, and when they beto- Chicago. David M. Kennedy, later secretary 8 Attorney General’s office. He helped prepare [signed] Will.” reduced hours. . . . Once in debt, interest is your com- kened honest interest. They moved neither to the of the treasury, was his counselor. Brother the original Selective Service regulations. He President Clark came to the First One way or another his writing and panion every minute of the day and night; you can- right nor to the left from the path of truth to court Edmunds later served as president of the Salt 16 was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. Presidency virtually unknown in the his speaking had a common theme. It was not shun it or slip away from it; you cannot dismiss the good favor of men. Lake Temple.
6 clark memorandum clark memorandum 7 “I know the man the Lord wants me to have, and he is not ready yet.”
He told me that a widow once came to passed from one generation to the next gen- This know also, that in the last days perilous him for help on a property matter. When he eration, is being showered with filth. times shall come. completed the papers and gave them to her, Profanity, vulgarity, blasphemy, and For men shall be lovers of their own selves— she asked, “How much do I owe you?” pornography are broadcast into the homes Check! He looked at her and said, “Why don’t and minds of the innocent. Unspeakable covetous—Check! you pay me what you think it’s worth.” wickedness, perversion, and abuse—not boasters—Check! Relieved, she got out her coin purse and even exempting little children—once hid- proud—Check! produced a quarter and put it in his hand. den in dark places, now seeks protection blasphemers—Check! He told me, “I looked at the quarter and from courts and judges. disobedient to parents—Check! Check! looked at her. Then I got out my coin purse The Lord needs you who are trained unthankful—Check! and gave her ten cents change.” in the law. You can do for this people what unholy—Check! Only a wicked lawyer would take advan- others cannot do. We should not need to Without natural affection—Check! Check! tage of a widow or orphans or anyone else. go beyond the members of the Church to trucebreakers—Check! In Liberty Jail, Erastus Snow, who prob- find superior legal counsel. false accusers—Check! ably could not afford legal counsel, asked incontinent—Check! Joseph Smith what he should do: a caution fierce—Check! despisers of those that are good—Check! Brother Joseph told him to plead his own case. Now I caution you, as President John Traitors—Check! “But,” said Brother Snow, “I do not under- Taylor warned James Moyle and as Joseph heady—Check! stand the law.” Smith warned Stephen A. Douglas at the highminded—Check! Brother Joseph asked him if he did not under- pinnacle of his political triumph, “If ever you lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God— stand justice; he thought he did. turn your hand against . . . the Latter-day Check! Check! “Well,” said Brother Joseph, “go and plead Saints, you will feel the weight of the hand Having a form of godliness, but denying the 21 for justice as hard as you can, and quote Blackstone of Almighty upon you.” power thereof: from such turn away. and other authors now and then, and they will take We must look to you for legal counsel. For of this sort are they which creep into 20 it all for law. You have, or should have, the spirit of discern- houses, and lead captive silly women laden with ment. It was given you when you had con- sins, led away with divers lusts, a charge ferred upon you the gift of the Holy Ghost. Ever learning, and never able to come to You must locate where the snares are hid- the knowledge of the truth. (2 Timothy 3:1–7; Those giants I named, like you, had den and help guide our footsteps around them. emphasis added) something that I do not have—a degree in law. With this credential comes obligation. morally mixed-up world Recently Judge Robert H. Bork said: You who hold the priesthood must be exemplars above reproach. You face a much different world than Judicial invention of new and previously unheard- And I charge each of you lawyers and did President Clark. The sins of Sodom of rights accelerated over the past half-century and judges and put you on alert: These are days and Gomorrah were localized. They are has now reached warp speed. It is not just Grutter’s of great spiritual danger for this people. The now spread across the world, wherever permission to discriminate against white males and world is spiraling downward at an ever- the Church is. The first line of defense— Lawrence’s creation of a right to homosexual sodomy. quickening pace. I am sorry to tell you that it the home—is crumbling. Surely you can The Court has created rights to televised sexual acts will not get better. see what the adversary is about. and computer-simulated child pornography and, in I know of nothing in the history of direct contradiction of the historical evidence, has the Church or in the history of the world to the prophets have warned continued its almost frenzied hostility to religion. . . . compare with our present circumstances. In these and other judgments, the Court is Nothing happened in Sodom and Gomorrah We are now exactly where the prophets shrinking the area of self-government without any which exceeds the wickedness and depravity warned we would be. legitimate authority to do so, in the Constitution which surrounds us now. Paul prophesied word by word and or elsewhere. In the process it is revising the moral 22 Satan uses every intrigue to disrupt the phrase by phrase, describing things exactly and cultural life of the nation. family. The sacred relationship between man as they are now. I will quote from Paul’s and woman, husband and wife, through prophecy and check the words that fit Once, with other members of a city which mortal bodies are conceived and life is our society: council, we met in the office of the city
clark memorandum 9 “I know the man the Lord wants me to have, and he is not ready yet.”
He told me that a widow once came to passed from one generation to the next gen- This know also, that in the last days perilous him for help on a property matter. When he eration, is being showered with filth. times shall come. completed the papers and gave them to her, Profanity, vulgarity, blasphemy, and For men shall be lovers of their own selves— she asked, “How much do I owe you?” pornography are broadcast into the homes Check! He looked at her and said, “Why don’t and minds of the innocent. Unspeakable covetous—Check! you pay me what you think it’s worth.” wickedness, perversion, and abuse—not boasters—Check! Relieved, she got out her coin purse and even exempting little children—once hid- proud—Check! produced a quarter and put it in his hand. den in dark places, now seeks protection blasphemers—Check! He told me, “I looked at the quarter and from courts and judges. disobedient to parents—Check! Check! looked at her. Then I got out my coin purse The Lord needs you who are trained unthankful—Check! and gave her ten cents change.” in the law. You can do for this people what unholy—Check! Only a wicked lawyer would take advan- others cannot do. We should not need to Without natural affection—Check! Check! tage of a widow or orphans or anyone else. go beyond the members of the Church to trucebreakers—Check! In Liberty Jail, Erastus Snow, who prob- find superior legal counsel. false accusers—Check! ably could not afford legal counsel, asked incontinent—Check! Joseph Smith what he should do: a caution fierce—Check! despisers of those that are good—Check! Brother Joseph told him to plead his own case. Now I caution you, as President John Traitors—Check! “But,” said Brother Snow, “I do not under- Taylor warned James Moyle and as Joseph heady—Check! stand the law.” Smith warned Stephen A. Douglas at the highminded—Check! Brother Joseph asked him if he did not under- pinnacle of his political triumph, “If ever you lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God— stand justice; he thought he did. turn your hand against . . . the Latter-day Check! Check! “Well,” said Brother Joseph, “go and plead Saints, you will feel the weight of the hand Having a form of godliness, but denying the 21 for justice as hard as you can, and quote Blackstone of Almighty upon you.” power thereof: from such turn away. and other authors now and then, and they will take We must look to you for legal counsel. For of this sort are they which creep into 20 it all for law. You have, or should have, the spirit of discern- houses, and lead captive silly women laden with ment. It was given you when you had con- sins, led away with divers lusts, a charge ferred upon you the gift of the Holy Ghost. Ever learning, and never able to come to You must locate where the snares are hid- the knowledge of the truth. (2 Timothy 3:1–7; Those giants I named, like you, had den and help guide our footsteps around them. emphasis added) something that I do not have—a degree in law. With this credential comes obligation. morally mixed-up world Recently Judge Robert H. Bork said: You who hold the priesthood must be exemplars above reproach. You face a much different world than Judicial invention of new and previously unheard- And I charge each of you lawyers and did President Clark. The sins of Sodom of rights accelerated over the past half-century and judges and put you on alert: These are days and Gomorrah were localized. They are has now reached warp speed. It is not just Grutter’s of great spiritual danger for this people. The now spread across the world, wherever permission to discriminate against white males and world is spiraling downward at an ever- the Church is. The first line of defense— Lawrence’s creation of a right to homosexual sodomy. quickening pace. I am sorry to tell you that it the home—is crumbling. Surely you can The Court has created rights to televised sexual acts will not get better. see what the adversary is about. and computer-simulated child pornography and, in I know of nothing in the history of direct contradiction of the historical evidence, has the Church or in the history of the world to the prophets have warned continued its almost frenzied hostility to religion. . . . compare with our present circumstances. In these and other judgments, the Court is Nothing happened in Sodom and Gomorrah We are now exactly where the prophets shrinking the area of self-government without any which exceeds the wickedness and depravity warned we would be. legitimate authority to do so, in the Constitution which surrounds us now. Paul prophesied word by word and or elsewhere. In the process it is revising the moral 22 Satan uses every intrigue to disrupt the phrase by phrase, describing things exactly and cultural life of the nation. family. The sacred relationship between man as they are now. I will quote from Paul’s and woman, husband and wife, through prophecy and check the words that fit Once, with other members of a city which mortal bodies are conceived and life is our society: council, we met in the office of the city
clark memorandum 9 The general Constitution of our country is And it is equally certain that you notes good, and a wholesome government could be members of The Church of Jesus Christ of framed upon it; for it was dictated by the invisible Latter-day Saints will be accountable for 1 Sir Isaac Newton, letter to Robert Hooke, Feb. 1676. operations of the Almighty. . . . what you have done with the Lord’s name. 2 J. Reuben Clark Jr., “Reflective Speculation,” address Will the Constitution be destroyed? No. It will I wonder if you who are now lawyers or given at Seminary and Institute Teachers Summer be held inviolate by this people; and as Joseph Smith you who are students of the law know how Session, 21 June 1954. said “the time will come when the destiny of this much you are needed as defenders of the 3 Sharing the Gospel with Others, Preston Nibley, comp. nation will hang upon a single thread, and at this faith. Be willing to give of your time and of [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1948], 110-12. critical juncture, this people will step forth and save your means and your expertise to the build- 4 Journal of Joshua Clark, vol. 12, 25 Mar. 1886. 23 it from the threatened destruction.” It will be so. ing up of the Church and the kingdom of 5 Harold B. Lee, “President J. Reuben Clark, Jr.: An God and the establishment of Zion, which Appreciation on His Ninetieth Birthday,” Improvement I do not know when that day will come we are under covenant to do—not just to Era, Sept. 1961, 632. or how it will come to pass. I feel sure that the Church as an institution, but to mem- 6 Gordon B. Hinckley, James Henry Moyle: The Story of a when it does come to pass, among those who bers and ordinary people who need your Distinguished American and an Honored Churchman [Salt will step forward from among this people professional protection. Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1951], 130–33. will be men who hold the Holy Priesthood 7 David H. Yarn Jr., “Biographical Sketch of J. Reuben and who carry as credentials a bachelor or another testimonial dinner Clark, Jr.,” byu Studies, 13 (spring 1973), 240. doctor of law degree. And women, also, of 8 Will Rogers to “Mr. Toastmaster,” 13 Oct. 1933. honor. And there will be judges as well. I told you about the dinner honoring 9 J. Reuben Clark Jr. to Thomas I. Parkinson, 11 July President J. Reuben Clark Jr. visits with Presidents Heber J. Grant and David O. McKay. President Clark in his library at Others from the world outside the J. Reuben Clark in Beverly Hills, California. 1947, fd 16, box 376, J. Reuben Clark Papers. Clark served as a counselor to each, as well as to President George Albert Smith. 80 D Street in Salt Lake City. Church will come, as Colonel Thomas Kane There was another dinner held at the !0 J. Reuben Clark Jr., Our Lord of the Gospels: A Harmony did, and bring with them their knowledge of Waldorf-Astoria in New York City. It was a of the Gospels [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1954]. attorney. He pointed to a wall with law “Condemning the righteous because of you, when ye shall see these things come among you the law to protect this people. tribute to President J. Reuben Clark on his !1 J. Reuben Clark, Jr., Behold the Lamb of God, [Salt Lake books and said, “Gentlemen, they are just their righteousness; letting the guilty and that ye shall awake to a sense of your awful situa- We may one day stand alone, but we retirement from the board of the Equitable City: Deseret Book Company, 1991]. like a violin. I can play any tune on them the wicked go unpunished because of their tion, because of this secret combination which shall will not change or lower our standards or Life Assurance Society. Elder Harold B. Lee !2 The Charted Course of the Church in Education, rev. ed. you are willing to pay for.” I thought there money” (Helaman 7:5). be among you; . . . change our course. was there to succeed him on the board. [pamphlet, 1994; item 32709]. was something not right about that. You have heard of the courageous lawyer Wherefore, I, Moroni, am commanded to Elder Lee told me that prior to the event !3 J. Reuben Clark Jr. in Conference Report, Apr. 1938:103. The Lord Himself, strongly condemn- who, having been fined fifty dollars for con- write these things that evil may be done away, and what will you do with his name? President Clark called him to his hotel !4 J. Reuben Clark Jr., “They of the Last Wagon,” ing the lawyers, scribes, and Pharisees, said: tempt of court, replied, “It is an honest debt, that the time may come that Satan may have no room. He found President Clark sitting, Improvement Era, Nov. 1947, 705. “Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade Your Honor, and I shall gladly pay it.” power upon the hearts of the children of men, but Near the end of his life, President Clark leaning on his cane, pensive and unusually !5 J. Reuben Clark Jr. in Conference Report, Oct. 1935, 92. men with burdens grievous to be borne, and Lawyers and judges and even the that they may be persuaded to do good continually, spoke at a dinner at Brigham Young nervous. He wanted to inspect Brother Lee’s !6 J. Reuben Clark Jr., “They of the Last Wagon,” ye yourselves touch not the burdens with sacred institution of the jury are being tar- that they may come unto the fountain of all right- University. I sat next to him. We steadied him formal dress to see that his cummerbund Improvement Era, Nov. 1947, 747–48. one of your fingers” (Luke 11:46). nished. When one considers some of the eousness and be saved. (Ether 8:23–24, 26) as he made his way slowly and laboriously was just right. !7 Harold B. Lee, “President J. Reuben Clark, Jr.: An high-profile verdicts, one could believe this down the steps to his car and drove away into Imagine those assembled, the great men Appreciation on His Ninetieth Birthday,” From the writings of the Prophet Alma: conversation: When the Saints in Missouri were suffer- the night. That was the last time I saw him. of the world—cabinet ministers, leaders in Improvement Era, Sept. 1961, 632. ing great persecutions, the Lord said that the The funeral of President J. Reuben business and government—all of different !8 Harold B. Lee, “President J. Reuben Clark, Jr.: An These lawyers were learned in all the arts and Judge: “Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, Constitution of the United States was given Clark Jr. was the first General Authority faiths. President Clark and Elder Lee were the Appreciation on His Ninetieth Birthday,” cunning of the people; . . . have you reached your verdict?” funeral I attended. South Temple was only two members of the Church present. Improvement Era, Sept. 1961, 632. [The lawyers] began to question Amulek, Jury: “We have, Your Honor. We find the that every man may act in doctrine and principle blocked off between State Street and West President Clark began his valedictory !9 Abraham Lincoln, notes for a law lecture, 1 July 1850. that thereby they might make him cross his words, defendant innocent by reason of insanity.” pertaining to futurity, according to the moral Temple. The General Authorities assembled by addressing them as “my brethren.” He @0 History of the Church, 3:258. or contradict the words which he should speak. . . . Judge: “What? All twelve of you?” agency which I have given unto him. [Notice in front of the Church Administration taught them about the Lord Jesus Christ @1 History of the Church, 5:394. They knew not that Amulek could know of that it does not say free agency, it says Building. There were thirty-eight of us then. and concluded with his fervent testimony. @2 “Has the Supreme Court Gone Too Far?” Commentary, their designs. . . . He perceived their thoughts, and When Moroni was translating the moral agency. The agency we have is a moral With measured steps, we followed the I conclude with my fervent testimony vol. 116, no. 3 [Oct. 2003], 25–48. he said unto them: O ye wicked and perverse gener- twenty-four gold plates, he interrupted his agency.] . . . hearse down the center of the street. and invoke a blessing upon you who are @3 Brigham Young in Journal History, 4 July 1854. ation, ye lawyers and hypocrites, for ye are laying narrative to speak directly to us in our day. For this purpose have I established the The solemn procession moved through lawyers and judges and who have great the foundations of the devil; for ye are laying traps He told of the Gadiantons and their bands Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise the south gate of Temple Square and around power to defend this people. and snares to catch the holy ones of God. . . . (in our day we would call them gangs): men whom I raised up unto this very purpose, and to the northwest door of the Tabernacle. I invoke the blessings of our Heavenly And now behold, I say unto you, that the foun- redeemed the land by the shedding of blood. (d&c There we formed an honor guard, half on Father upon you in your studies, in your prac- photo credits dation of the destruction of this people is beginning Wherefore, O ye Gentiles [that is us], it is 101:78, 80; emphasis added) each side of the door, and stood at attention tice, and more particularly in your home and to be laid by the unrighteousness of your lawyers wisdom in God that these things should be shown while the casket bearing President Clark and in your family, that the Spirit of the Lord and Page 2: Mementos from the desk of J. Reuben Clark, the J. Reuben and your judges. (Alma 10:15–17, 27) unto you, that thereby ye may repent of your sins, The present major political debate centers his family passed between us. the spirit of righteousness will be with you. Clark Collection, courtesy of L. Tom Perry Special Collections, and suffer not that these murderous combinations on values and morals and the Constitution. I ask you who belong to the J. Reuben I pray that you can take justice and Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah. Nephi, son of Helaman, described shall get above you, . . . There occurs from time to time reference Clark Law Society, What will you do with mercy and find a balance in them and fix Pages 3, 6, 8, and 10: Photographs courtesy of L.Tom Perry Special what happened when the Gadiantons [He then warned us in unmistakable to the Constitution hanging by a thread. his name? It is very certain that one day you them firmly with absolute integrity, in the Collections, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University, took over the lawyers and the judges: plainness]: Wherefore, the Lord commandeth President Brigham Young said: will be accountable to President Clark. name of Jesus Christ, amen. Provo, Utah. Pages 2, 4, and 7: Photographs by Bradley Slade.
10 clark memorandum clark memorandum 11 The general Constitution of our country is And it is equally certain that you notes good, and a wholesome government could be members of The Church of Jesus Christ of framed upon it; for it was dictated by the invisible Latter-day Saints will be accountable for 1 Sir Isaac Newton, letter to Robert Hooke, Feb. 1676. operations of the Almighty. . . . what you have done with the Lord’s name. 2 J. Reuben Clark Jr., “Reflective Speculation,” address Will the Constitution be destroyed? No. It will I wonder if you who are now lawyers or given at Seminary and Institute Teachers Summer be held inviolate by this people; and as Joseph Smith you who are students of the law know how Session, 21 June 1954. said “the time will come when the destiny of this much you are needed as defenders of the 3 Sharing the Gospel with Others, Preston Nibley, comp. nation will hang upon a single thread, and at this faith. Be willing to give of your time and of [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1948], 110-12. critical juncture, this people will step forth and save your means and your expertise to the build- 4 Journal of Joshua Clark, vol. 12, 25 Mar. 1886. 23 it from the threatened destruction.” It will be so. ing up of the Church and the kingdom of 5 Harold B. Lee, “President J. Reuben Clark, Jr.: An God and the establishment of Zion, which Appreciation on His Ninetieth Birthday,” Improvement I do not know when that day will come we are under covenant to do—not just to Era, Sept. 1961, 632. or how it will come to pass. I feel sure that the Church as an institution, but to mem- 6 Gordon B. Hinckley, James Henry Moyle: The Story of a when it does come to pass, among those who bers and ordinary people who need your Distinguished American and an Honored Churchman [Salt will step forward from among this people professional protection. Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1951], 130–33. will be men who hold the Holy Priesthood 7 David H. Yarn Jr., “Biographical Sketch of J. Reuben and who carry as credentials a bachelor or another testimonial dinner Clark, Jr.,” byu Studies, 13 (spring 1973), 240. doctor of law degree. And women, also, of 8 Will Rogers to “Mr. Toastmaster,” 13 Oct. 1933. honor. And there will be judges as well. I told you about the dinner honoring 9 J. Reuben Clark Jr. to Thomas I. Parkinson, 11 July President J. Reuben Clark Jr. visits with Presidents Heber J. Grant and David O. McKay. President Clark in his library at Others from the world outside the J. Reuben Clark in Beverly Hills, California. 1947, fd 16, box 376, J. Reuben Clark Papers. Clark served as a counselor to each, as well as to President George Albert Smith. 80 D Street in Salt Lake City. Church will come, as Colonel Thomas Kane There was another dinner held at the !0 J. Reuben Clark Jr., Our Lord of the Gospels: A Harmony did, and bring with them their knowledge of Waldorf-Astoria in New York City. It was a of the Gospels [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1954]. attorney. He pointed to a wall with law “Condemning the righteous because of you, when ye shall see these things come among you the law to protect this people. tribute to President J. Reuben Clark on his !1 J. Reuben Clark, Jr., Behold the Lamb of God, [Salt Lake books and said, “Gentlemen, they are just their righteousness; letting the guilty and that ye shall awake to a sense of your awful situa- We may one day stand alone, but we retirement from the board of the Equitable City: Deseret Book Company, 1991]. like a violin. I can play any tune on them the wicked go unpunished because of their tion, because of this secret combination which shall will not change or lower our standards or Life Assurance Society. Elder Harold B. Lee !2 The Charted Course of the Church in Education, rev. ed. you are willing to pay for.” I thought there money” (Helaman 7:5). be among you; . . . change our course. was there to succeed him on the board. [pamphlet, 1994; item 32709]. was something not right about that. You have heard of the courageous lawyer Wherefore, I, Moroni, am commanded to Elder Lee told me that prior to the event !3 J. Reuben Clark Jr. in Conference Report, Apr. 1938:103. The Lord Himself, strongly condemn- who, having been fined fifty dollars for con- write these things that evil may be done away, and what will you do with his name? President Clark called him to his hotel !4 J. Reuben Clark Jr., “They of the Last Wagon,” ing the lawyers, scribes, and Pharisees, said: tempt of court, replied, “It is an honest debt, that the time may come that Satan may have no room. He found President Clark sitting, Improvement Era, Nov. 1947, 705. “Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade Your Honor, and I shall gladly pay it.” power upon the hearts of the children of men, but Near the end of his life, President Clark leaning on his cane, pensive and unusually !5 J. Reuben Clark Jr. in Conference Report, Oct. 1935, 92. men with burdens grievous to be borne, and Lawyers and judges and even the that they may be persuaded to do good continually, spoke at a dinner at Brigham Young nervous. He wanted to inspect Brother Lee’s !6 J. Reuben Clark Jr., “They of the Last Wagon,” ye yourselves touch not the burdens with sacred institution of the jury are being tar- that they may come unto the fountain of all right- University. I sat next to him. We steadied him formal dress to see that his cummerbund Improvement Era, Nov. 1947, 747–48. one of your fingers” (Luke 11:46). nished. When one considers some of the eousness and be saved. (Ether 8:23–24, 26) as he made his way slowly and laboriously was just right. !7 Harold B. Lee, “President J. Reuben Clark, Jr.: An high-profile verdicts, one could believe this down the steps to his car and drove away into Imagine those assembled, the great men Appreciation on His Ninetieth Birthday,” From the writings of the Prophet Alma: conversation: When the Saints in Missouri were suffer- the night. That was the last time I saw him. of the world—cabinet ministers, leaders in Improvement Era, Sept. 1961, 632. ing great persecutions, the Lord said that the The funeral of President J. Reuben business and government—all of different !8 Harold B. Lee, “President J. Reuben Clark, Jr.: An These lawyers were learned in all the arts and Judge: “Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, Constitution of the United States was given Clark Jr. was the first General Authority faiths. President Clark and Elder Lee were the Appreciation on His Ninetieth Birthday,” cunning of the people; . . . have you reached your verdict?” funeral I attended. South Temple was only two members of the Church present. Improvement Era, Sept. 1961, 632. [The lawyers] began to question Amulek, Jury: “We have, Your Honor. We find the that every man may act in doctrine and principle blocked off between State Street and West President Clark began his valedictory !9 Abraham Lincoln, notes for a law lecture, 1 July 1850. that thereby they might make him cross his words, defendant innocent by reason of insanity.” pertaining to futurity, according to the moral Temple. The General Authorities assembled by addressing them as “my brethren.” He @0 History of the Church, 3:258. or contradict the words which he should speak. . . . Judge: “What? All twelve of you?” agency which I have given unto him. [Notice in front of the Church Administration taught them about the Lord Jesus Christ @1 History of the Church, 5:394. They knew not that Amulek could know of that it does not say free agency, it says Building. There were thirty-eight of us then. and concluded with his fervent testimony. @2 “Has the Supreme Court Gone Too Far?” Commentary, their designs. . . . He perceived their thoughts, and When Moroni was translating the moral agency. The agency we have is a moral With measured steps, we followed the I conclude with my fervent testimony vol. 116, no. 3 [Oct. 2003], 25–48. he said unto them: O ye wicked and perverse gener- twenty-four gold plates, he interrupted his agency.] . . . hearse down the center of the street. and invoke a blessing upon you who are @3 Brigham Young in Journal History, 4 July 1854. ation, ye lawyers and hypocrites, for ye are laying narrative to speak directly to us in our day. For this purpose have I established the The solemn procession moved through lawyers and judges and who have great the foundations of the devil; for ye are laying traps He told of the Gadiantons and their bands Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise the south gate of Temple Square and around power to defend this people. and snares to catch the holy ones of God. . . . (in our day we would call them gangs): men whom I raised up unto this very purpose, and to the northwest door of the Tabernacle. I invoke the blessings of our Heavenly And now behold, I say unto you, that the foun- redeemed the land by the shedding of blood. (d&c There we formed an honor guard, half on Father upon you in your studies, in your prac- photo credits dation of the destruction of this people is beginning Wherefore, O ye Gentiles [that is us], it is 101:78, 80; emphasis added) each side of the door, and stood at attention tice, and more particularly in your home and to be laid by the unrighteousness of your lawyers wisdom in God that these things should be shown while the casket bearing President Clark and in your family, that the Spirit of the Lord and Page 2: Mementos from the desk of J. Reuben Clark, the J. Reuben and your judges. (Alma 10:15–17, 27) unto you, that thereby ye may repent of your sins, The present major political debate centers his family passed between us. the spirit of righteousness will be with you. Clark Collection, courtesy of L. Tom Perry Special Collections, and suffer not that these murderous combinations on values and morals and the Constitution. I ask you who belong to the J. Reuben I pray that you can take justice and Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah. Nephi, son of Helaman, described shall get above you, . . . There occurs from time to time reference Clark Law Society, What will you do with mercy and find a balance in them and fix Pages 3, 6, 8, and 10: Photographs courtesy of L.Tom Perry Special what happened when the Gadiantons [He then warned us in unmistakable to the Constitution hanging by a thread. his name? It is very certain that one day you them firmly with absolute integrity, in the Collections, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University, took over the lawyers and the judges: plainness]: Wherefore, the Lord commandeth President Brigham Young said: will be accountable to President Clark. name of Jesus Christ, amen. Provo, Utah. Pages 2, 4, and 7: Photographs by Bradley Slade.
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