Max Wheelwright Max Wheelwright Student, Teacher, Chairman of the Board

- © 2004 Max Wheelwright Printed in the United States of America First Edition Type Font: Cheltenham Max Wheelwright Life Chronology

December 10, 1915 Born in Ogden, Weber County, Utah 1921-1932 Attended Ogden schools Quincy, Lorin Farr, Madison grade schools Central Jr. High School Ogden High School 1932 Graduated from Ogden High School 1934 Graduated from Weber College October 1934- Served in the French Mission April 1937 April 1937- Attended classes at University of Neuchâtel (Switzerland) and September 1937 toured Europe September 1937 Returned to Utah and enrolled in Brigham Young University 1938 Graduated from Brigham Young University (mathematics & French) September 26, 1938- Attended lithography course at New York TracteSchool December 2, 1938 sponsored by Lithographie Technical Foundation (LTF) 1939-1942 Employed by Schwabacher-Frey in San Francisco, California, as industrial engineer May 29, 1939 Married Ann Coulam in the Salt Lake Temple December 7, 1941 Japanese attack Pearl Harbor April 19, 1942 Birth of first child, Margaret Ann (Peggy) in San Francisco, CA May/June 1942 Moved to Salt Lake City, Utah 1469 South 1000 East (rentai) 1942-Fall 1943 Employed by Remington Arms (ammunition factory) as industrial engineer Spring 1943 Bought house at 608 South 1200 East in Salt Lake City, Utah September 13, 1943 Birth of second child, Steven Charles (Steve) Fall 1943- Employed by building contractor in Pasco, Washington February 1944 (building government housing project) February 1944- Served in the U.S. Navy as commissioned officer (Ensign); 1946 promoted to Lieutenant Junior Grade; retired as Lieutenant April 8, 1947 Birth of third child, James Craig (Jim) 1947 Established Wheelwright Lithographing Company 1950 Purchased home at 1785 Michigan Avenue, SLC September 12, 1951 Birth of fourth child, Catherine (Cathy) April 22, 1954 Birth of fifth child, Scott Matthew October 26, 1957 Birth of sixth child, Thomas Max (Tom) 1958 Purchased home at 1751 Yalecrest Avenue, SLC 1976 Built new home at 1836 Sunnyside Avenue, SLC

- X - July 1978- Served as President of France Toulouse Mission July 1981 1983-1984 Built cabin at Bear Lake, Idaho November 1984- Served mission (as District President) to Mascarene Islands May 1986 June 4, 2001 Death of wife, Ann, age 80

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Second Mission: Toulouse, France 1978-1981

n Friday morning, January 13, 1978, me how I would feel about a call to be a mission 0 Ann called me at the office on president. Wow! "l'd be honored and humbled," Fayette Avenue. She asked me, I said. "What have you been up to now?" "And how would your wife feel about it?" he "I don't know, why?" I replied. asked. "President Tanner's secretary just called "She would feel the same as I do." and he wants to see you. Why?" "Could we call her now?" he asked. "l'd like "I don't know but l'll call her." Which I did, to talk to her. So he picked up the phone and I and I made an appointment to corne by his gave him our home phone number, but no office that afternoon at 1 :30 pm. I would need to answer. "Do you think you could have her call go home and change my clothes, which I did. me this afternoon?" It was not a very busy day. January never is "Oh, yes." in our business. We sold off the last of our "Let's not talk about this to anybody until it Wheelwright Lithographing Company printing appears in The Church News, and your assign­ equipment the year before, and the building ment will be given to you later." also, hence our moving the office to Fayette I thanked him and then went down to our Ave. office on Fayette, and when Ann came in about I had met President Tanner only on rare 3:15 pm she wanted to know what happened. occasions. We have lived in Yalecrest Ward "What he really wanted was to talk with you," I (Bonneville Stake) since 1950. I became very told her. So I gave her his number, and she made active in the Boy Scout program and was the call. His secretary replied that he was very Scoutmaster for eleven years, plus two years as busy just now, so Ann tried several more times, Cubmaster and two years as a Salt Lake Council but got the same answer. Finally time ran out, District Chairman, having taken many training and her last call was about five to five o'clock. courses, like Woodbadge at Shaver Lake, This time Ann said to the secretary, "But it was California and an LDS course at Philmont Scout he who wanted to talk to me." And she immedi­ Ranch in New Mexico. ately made the connection. I heard her answers But this day in January 1978 I was not think­ to his questions, and they were almost verbatim ing about any of my church activities, only the same as mine were. about Wheelwright Lithographing Company Scott was still living at home with us. Do we and our involvement in printing services to the tell him? We promised not to tell anyone, so we LDS Church. So at my appointment that after­ did not tell Scott. Scott felt that there was some­ noon I was surprised when President Tanner, thing afoot, but went along with it. The next after some pleasantries like "How is your Tuesday at Rotary Club meeting our stake pres­ health, and your family, and your wife?" asked ident, Frank Gibbons, who was working for the

IY, Chapter X

First Presidency, came in and sat down next to April 7, 1978-Peg and Jim and their family me. His greeting was, "Max, are you sleeping came the night of 3/20/78 for two weeks. Jim has well these nights?" So he knew what was going helped me with the building of the kitchen and on! I could ask him about our secrecy problem, bathroom downstairs. It's nice to have him and any other questions we might have. Hurray! here, because he knows how well to do it (He They realize that we cannot wait for the news­ has just last summer added a large addition to paper to start making plans. They just don't his home in LaCrosse.) The kids are ail growing want us to shout from the housetops before up so fast. The baby, Amy, still does not sleep their public announcement appears. through the night, and the family really fills the The ensuing months brought many more basement, but it was so great to have them questions and answers and proof of Nephi's here. Jim was out of school and inasmuch as we statement that we should obey the Lord's com­ won't see them for another 3-4 years, they took mandments, and he will help us do his will. the kids out of school and came early for "And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto General Conference. my father: I will go and do the things which the On a hunch that maybe we might be called Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord to a French speaking mission, I started a 3rci year giveth no commandments unto the children of French 307 conversation class last Monday men, save he shall prepare a way for them that (3/27) at the University of Utah. The teacher is they may accomplish the thing which he com­ my old French Mission friend, Dr. Donald mandeth them." (1 Nephi 3:7) Barton. He speaks beautiful French and is a good teacher. About the 15th of March Charles Boynton (Rotary Club friend) called to see if we would like to take a French boy for the balance of the school year. He's 1 7 and has been at East High School since September. I said we would be delighted, as soon as we have room ( after Peg and her family leave). So on Monday, April 3,d, Cristoffe Curutchet came to stay with us. He is using Tom's room downstairs. His home is in Bayonne, France, near Biarritz. He's scheduled to return to Bayonne on May 3 l 5t, but may stay a little longer to take a trip with other students to Utah's southern parks. Last night Carlos Asay's secretary called about 6:00 pm to say that my letter of assign­ ment is at the Missionary Department office. Would I like to pick it up? Would I! So this morn­ ing after the opening session of Rotary District Conference at the Hotel Utah I went over and got it, then brought it home and Ann and I opened it together . .. FRANCE, TOULOUSE President and Sister Wheelwright Mission! Wonderful! France Toulouse Mission 1978 Now l'm glad l'm taking a French class at school. Though it is not coming as fast as I had hoped it might, it is coming, and I feel more and Following are some notes I made in the more comfortable. Christoffe's home is within Weeks before we left for Toulouse: the Toulouse Mission. His English is not nearly

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Max Wheelwright

ÎHli: Cjtu11m1 OF .JEsus Ctta1sT OF LATTEn • DAY SAII'IITS PFFICE OF. T.HE FIRST PRES.tOENCY SALT LAKE ÛITY, lJT,\H 04111

January 26, 1978

Elder Max Wheelwright 1836 Sunnyside Avenue Salt Lake City, Utah 84108

Pear Elder Wheelwright:

We are pleased to extend to you a.call to preside over one of the missions'of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The name of the mission w:l.11 be given to you la ter. We also exterid a call tn Sis ter Wheelwright to ser·ve as your companion in this important undertakit1g •. The date on which you will assume the presidency will be approximately July 1, 1978.

In this assignment as mission president, you will be fully responsible for· tlle supervision of the mission and will be expected to direct all of its affairs according to the instructions of the First Presidency. The missionaries · assigned to labor under your presidency will rely upot'l you for assignments; for guidance, and for motivation to put forth their best efforts. In a measure they are entrusted to your custody. They will need and deserve your understandins and sympathetic counsel. · Becoming close to t�em is an essential element in your leadership.

Wè pray that our Heavenly Father will bless and sustain you by the power of His Holy Spirit so that you may be abundantly qualified to discharge all the du�ies. devolving upon you to His honor and· glory. We pray also that through the · diligent, harmoniot1s, and unit,�d. labors of you and your asspciates, the Sai.11ts m&Y be blessed and strèngthened and many others may be brought to a knowledge of the truth. · · · , · When you write to accept this c�ll, we wou1d appreciate yoUr sènding a short biographical sketch on you, your wife, and your family, with a photograph of . You and your wife, to thé Missl()Jlary Department. This .information will be included in a future issue of the Church News when your cail is announced. If for any reason you would like th� announcement delayed beyond a given date, please mention this when you send thesé materials.

. . . . . ' ·· ·· . . . · · . . / · . �- · ...... _.;. _. :.. · -- . · · ,. · . •. ·.· �l ;�•·,Î/7·:; < {/i/ · . . . . .

��-·��· .. ·. · · The First Presidenc��. . · ·

- 132 - Chapter X as good as it should be for having been here all April 19, 1978-Peg's birthday. At high year. And his French is so fast that Ann and I do council tonight it seemed strange not to have not get much more than half of what he says in Allen Lundgren beside me. Sorne missionaries either language. He is a Rotary exchange stu­ reporting back were: dent, and l'm sure the Lord sent him to us to Elder Booth from Arcadia, California Mission help us and to help him. (President Goa tes), used the Hermosilla, Tonight we had five Rotary out-of-town cou­ Mexico "Baptize Now" program until forced to ples here to supper. Ann prepared a terrifie din­ change to the "Commit Now" program; ner, although she has been sick most of the Craig Cannon, El Salvador, #1 baptizing mis­ week. (I think she overdid while Peg and the sion in Central America (100/month); kids were here the two weeks previous.) Elder Ralphs served under George Lee, April 11, 1978-1 went in this morning and Navajo, used "Harvest of Souls" picked up papers at Murdock Travel, passport program ...enter Hogan, ask to kneel and pray applications, visa applications, etc. Ann's pass­ with family; Melissa White (Asa's daughter), port will be valid for the entire time we are Montreal, one stake (English, two French dis­ gone, but mine will run out, so I am applying for tricts, which include one Spanish branch with a new one. Tonight we took pictures of her and four missionaries, and one Chinese branch with me, and I printed photos for our applications. I two elders); last month they passed 100 bap­ will take them in tomorrow. Yesterday afternoon tisms (had been goal for some time); Book of I stopped by the Missionary Department and Mormon was their greatest tool; 200 missionar­ got information re the Toulouse Mission. Bob ies (35 LMs). Burton was most helpful. The mission has 126 April 22, 1978-Scott's birthday (we'll cele­ missionaries, 14 branches, 1718 members, no brate tomorrow). Ann, Christoffe and I went to stakes, and had 13 baptisms in the first two Bear Lake, sold the trailer to Vernon Keller of months of this year. It covers about the SW 1/3 Mink Creek for $500. (It was in poor shape due of France-Montpellier to Biarritz, north to to weather.) Turned keys in to Ruth Nielsen at Bordeaux, east through Angoulem, Limoges, Montpelier. Then we drove to Ogden for the south to Montpellier. I have never been in that Wheelwright Family executive committee meet­ part of the country. ing at Fern Harrop's home, 864 E 5500 S. Scott I talked with Harvey Glade at Rotary. He said drove the pickup and met us there to unload all to get as many local people as possible called previous issues of Family Bulletins and eat sup­ on full time missions and learn Church policies per with us. Then he and Christoffe came back thoroughly; beyond that mission presidents home while Ann and I completed transactions have tremendous (complete) authority. He of business and turned the reigns of the organi­ quotes his wife as saying that it was a short zation over to VP Jack Wheelwright and acting three years, but there were some long days. secretary, Fern Harrop. John Fetzer said: Be strict. It will be easier April 24, 1978-This morning at 9:00 am I for you if you are very strict with your mission­ met with John Chipman, attorney for Unigard aries. Don't use LMs in the office. Dcin't make a Insurance, who had the insurance which cov­ hospital out of your mission home. Keep in ered the accident I had on February 3, 1977. In good physical shape. It's an exhausting job. that accident I hit the rear end of a car driven by April 16, 1978-Yesterday and today were a Mr. Shauan. Gertrude Shauan is now suing us Bonneville Stake Conference. Allen Lundgren for about $87,000, as I recall. Mr. Chipman was released and George R. Hill (Jr.) was sus­ hopes the daim can be settled for about tained on the high council. I was released as of $10,000. The trial is to be May 22, 1978. There is June 15th, and Doug Smith (now mission presi­ no question about whose fault it was; the ques­ dent in London and due to be released July 1) tion is the extent of damages. lt was a nice was sustained to take my place. sunny day just before noon. I was traveling east

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on 33,ct South at about 450 West, just going When members can take care of their own, under the overpass of 1-15 and getting ready to then missionaries can concentrate on proselyt­ turn left. I was momentarily distracted, and ing and have much better success. when I looked up I was too close. I slammed on Music-most branches have piano or organ. the brakes, but collided. I was driving the In some of the smaller branches it is possible to Mercedes, and it smashed in the front end. I was use taped accompaniment with a live music not hurt, though I had been traveling about 35 director. He found this to work quite well (much mph. I think I was going about 5-8 mph when I better than no instrument at ail). hit the rear of their old Thunderbird. I could not May 22, 1978-No trial today. The plaintiff's see any damage to their car whatsoever. After lawyer, Phil Hansen, is involved in a trial for checking with Mr. Shauan I went to 5th West to Hutchison, the city commissioner who is being an auto salvage yard and called the police and tried on a morals charge ( contributing to the Dorothy and asked her to call Garff's to send a delinquency of a minor boy). Trial is postponed wrecker. Mrs. Shauan did not get out of the car indefinitely. until the paramedics came (in response to a call May 31, 1978-Christophe Curutchet has from the highway patrol). They took her to the been with us since April 1st. He is 17 and will be hospital. She had not appeared to me to be 18 on July 13, 1978. His home is at Maison hurt, and I was surprised to see the medics Harriet, Rue de Pau, 64100, Bayonne, France. A corne. Mr. Shauan was obviously not hurt. He Rotary exchange student at East High, he came said he had seen me in his rear view mirror and to us from the Charlie Boyntons' at 1348 had figured that I could not stop soon enough. Arlington Drive. He has enjoyed his stay with May 4, 1978-With Don Sarton. When Don us, and although he has not wanted to go to arrived in his mission (Franco-Belge) he found church with us, he has done it a couple of times. 60-70% of members inactive; many had never We shall miss his thick accent, black wavy hair had official visits (home teachers, etc.) for and fun sense of humor. He took drivers' train­ many years. Many branches had missionaries ing this last term and has passed his Utah driv­ as presidents, etc. He set up a plan whereby ers license. Yesterday I took him to AAA Auto members were visited by members. There were Assn. and got him his International Drivers not enough priesthood brethren to visit every­ License. This will save him about $400 in train­ one every month, because so many families ing fees in France. I also took him to Rotary and were so scattered. So he set up to visit it by out to the copper mine, which is now open rotation, so many this month, so many others again for visitors. We spent ail the rest of the next month, etc. Over the course of a year every afternoon looking for a large format book of pic­ family was visited 3-4 times. Many were found tures of American Indians which he saw three to be living in sin so courts were held and some months ago. He wanted to buy it for his father, were excommunicated, but many more were but it is apparently out of stock ail over town. reactivated. Instead he had to settle for a smaller format Local brethren were called to preside over book of the same pictures. branches. If no satisfactory brother were found Tonight we shipped our household goods to within the branch, one was imported from a Toulouse. I forgot to put in my shoes, so will neighboring branch. These brethren were then have to carry them with me. We sent books, trained to run the branches, others trained to slides, tapes, clothing, Topcon, Rollieflex and run the district with a high council, etc., just Bronica cameras and lenses, etc. Ann wanted like a stake. Thus they were trained to take care the Teton painting, so we sent it too. of the members and prepared to become a Charlie Nielsen came by with his wife, future stake. He thinks this could have been done 15 daughter-in-law and an elderly couple from years sooner, if proper emphasis had been put North Platte (where he lives also and is branch on doing so. president). His son is now laboring in Limoges. - 134 - ''k Chapter X

When they came I was out home teaching, so the company operations, mostly financial. Steve Ann called me at Pearl Milne's to corne home. I is going to loan us some money to carry on the keep hoping that Doug Christensen, my com­ reprints of the nature books, and Ann is getting panion, will get on the ball earlier in the month, a refinancing of the house at 2256 S 21 si East to but even leaving it to the end I sometimes end obtain the balance of the money needed. We up doing it by myself. I have assigned him to set may be able to do the Glacier book. I need to up ail the appointments. He's a great boy, senior talk with Dick Shaw and see if he can find some­ at East High, Barbara and Joe's son, very devot­ one to be the distributor up there. We'd need to ed to the Church and baseball, but not in that get the book into other stores, other than the order. I hope when he gets on his mission that park. he will be more dependable. Tonight the high council had a party for Another French boy who has been going to Allen Lundgren and me, celebrating (?) our school at East High is Lionel Navilloe whose release from the high council after almost seven home address is Le Renouveau, 73320 Tignes, years of service. Dave Hatch was the chairman France, which is up in the French Alps near along with Dick Winters and John Kennedy. Isere. He has made good friends with the French They had asked Doris Wendelboe to write a teacher at East and thinks the sun rises and sets poetic eulogy to Ann and me, and Bernice Hicks on her. He at first stayed with an LOS family in had written one on Allen. They were both read the lower avenues, but did not enjoy it there, after a musical program put on by Dian perhaps because he wears a beard and smokes. McCouen and Sam Sipherd. Sam is a fantastic He looks like a hippy but he doesn't act like one, pianist, plays so beautifully, and ail she uses is at least he hasn't around here the twice that he a list of titles and improvises everything. It was has corne tovisit Christophe here. He seems to a lovely dinner in the Relief Society room of the feel better about the Mormons since he got Bonneville Stake Center. They had Allen exhibit acquainted with us and has met LOS missionar­ nine of his oil paintings, which he has just fin­ ies here along with Marie Chantal Roussel, ished (the result of a challenge set by President whose home is just north of Lille, France. Gibbons last fall), and I exhibited a dozen pots. June 2, 1978-This morning I met with At the end they presented Ruth with a set of Brother Earl Sperry of the Church Financial Neal Maxwell's books, Allen with a large pack­ Section (mission accounting) and went over the age of blank canvasses and brushes, Ann with accounting system of the Church re missions. three blank journals (sewed and hard bound) He will be touring the European missions in this and me with a beautiful brown soft suitcase that July and will spend two days in Toulouse with will hold suits and has a settable combination Ann, me and our mission financial secretary. Iock. Apparently some procedures are not being Last night Dick and Martha Young, our properly followed in most of the missions, so he neighbors (and it was Dick who was the archi­ is trying to straighten them out. tect for our new home here at 1836 Sunnyside Then I dropped over by the new visitors cen­ Ave.), held a neighborhood party in our honor. ter on Temple Square. lt replaces the old muse­ They had a potluck supper and it was a superb um. They have installed a whole big room re evening. It was good to see most of the neigh­ temples and marriage, etc., with tremendous bors together. It gave us a chance to explain to Windows opening to the north toward the tem­ them where we are going and why, and answer ple. There is a full size baptismal font on 12 questions about our family. oxen, 3-4 theatres, dioramas, etc-a beautiful June 3, 1978-Saturday, another moving granite building. day. But first, as is my custom these days, a pri­ Steve came in this morning at 3:00 am and vate prayer (in French), then a few minutes of stayed until this evening. Ann had asked him to French study and a few minutes of gospel study corne,and they spent the whole day going over (in French, reading the D&C). I find that praying

- 135 - Max Wheelwright in French has greatly expanded my vocabulary decide, everyone for himself. The doser he and ease of praying in French. When I do my wants to get to perfection the less he should be roll-ups in the mornings I count in French, not worrying about the detail of 10% of what. The always from #1, often starting with 50, or 61, more he gives the doser he becomes to perfec­ etc., to get practice. First thing outside this tion. It is not like income tax where it is desir­ morning I went over to Joseph Terry (next door able to use ail the loopholes and exclusions and east) and patched his roof. He had lost part of a deductions. Bill Clawson told of his father, a shingle from the wind last week. He has an area dentist, who used the cigar box accounting about 9' X 1 O' that is qui te weathered to the method. When received payment for his den­ right and above center on the south side. The tistry, he put $9 in one box, and $1 in the tithing rest of the roof looks pretty good, but I think box. This was 10% of gross but Bill could never he'll need to have someone look at it before talk him out of it. He felt he received so many next winter. The north side should last another blessings that he could never repay the Lord five years. anyway. Then I installed a closet rod in the south Brother Joseph Anderson (formerly secre­ closet of the master bedroom downstairs, so tary to the First Presidency and since about Scott could help Ann move things downstairs, 1972 a member of the First Quorum of Seventy, which he did after he mowed and trimmed the General Authority), who has lived in Yalecrest lawn. Meanwhile I went to 65 W. Fayette to sort Ward longer than we have (which was 1950), things in the east garage-hauled a load of was there today. He mentioned that it is the paints to 861 LeGrande basement storage and duty of every tithe payer to tell the bishop if he later today a load of mise. to 2268 S 21st East pays full tithing, or just part. He says whenever garage for storage. I will be so glad when I finish he visits a stake conference he is always shown moving from Fayette. I should have finished by the confidential record of tithe payers, and par­ 3/15/78 but ail these other things seem to corne ticularly sees the tithing record of the stake offi­ up and are more urgent. If I can get a couple of cers. In one Provo stake that he visited recently more days there, I can finish it. l'll have several he discovered that 80% of the stake were full loads to haul to the dump. tithe payers, and 3.4% of the stake members Several times in the past three years I have were on full time missions. These are extremely started keeping more regularly a diary. After high figures. visiting at Gibbons' last week, l'm starting again. This afternoon Jim and Bev came by to visit June 4, 1978-Sunday. l'm still on the high just as we were preparing dinner. They wanted council of the Salt Lake Bonneville Stake, so l'm to discuss their upcoming jaunt to Africa and still attending meetings at Monument Park 2nd Europe. They have both been teaching school Ward. Today, however, is Fast Day, and it is eus­ this year and have saved their money well. tom for high councilors to attend their own They will move to Santa Rosa in early July and wards on their own ward's Fast Day. So I attend­ leave from there in late July for 4-5 months ed opening of priesthood meeting at Monument abroad. °ct Park 2 Ward, then went to Yalecrest 1st Ward to Tonight Doris and Strat Wendelboe (and attend priesthood meeting, Sunday School and later Calvin) came to visit. They had never seen Fast Meeting. In priesthood meeting (high our house. Of course it is ail torn up now. That priest group), Jay Welch was the instructor, and is there are packing boxes ail over, because we the subject was tithing and offerings (see D&C are going to store ail of our books and personal 104:16-18). The question was raised as to how things downstairs or elsewhere, while we are to determine how much tithing is 10%. 10% of gone on our mission to Toulouse, France. what? Gross? Net??? The weather has been quite cool lately, no My feeling is that tithing is a step toward the real hot weather yet this year. Our garden is United Order. The 10% is up to the individual to growing well, however. The spinach which I

- 136 - Chapter X 1111· planted last December 1 st is almost ail gone, but Ave. earlier this week, I found among ail the the radishes are at their height, the peas are paint three opened gallon cans of exterior white blooming and the beans and chard are up about enamel, which I used on the house trim. 3-4 inches. The raspberries are doing very well, Last evening Ann and I had dinner with and the newly planted strawberries look like LaVon and Jim Gibb. lt was lovely and peaceful. they will take hold very well. Lorin came up this afternoon and brought in June 5, 1978-Started moving again at 65 the blueline proof of Mother's autobiography. Fayette. l'm going to finish there this week. It's going to be a beautiful book. He has done a Tonight I took Ann to see the George Burns' lot of work and gone to a lot of expense to pro­ movie O God. Although it is somewhat light­ duce it. I have not offered to help pay for it hearted (actually funny), it does have some because we have not had the money to do so. I very good points: 1) God is human (albeit glori­ doubt if he will sell very many; he will probably fied); 2) He can appear to whomever he wishes; give most of them away. We will sell them for 3) he wants us to succeed; 4) the scholars scoff him at 925 S 300 West. at most of the above. Sorne errors the author Tonight after we finished eating supper, indicates are that God cannot foretell the future, Scott came home from a trip to Yellowstone and he does not have a church. This is the first Park with Bob Dykstra. They both graduate movie we have seen in many months in a the­ tomorrow from the University of Utah in chemi­ atre. cal engineering. Scott has received an offer to June 6, 1978-Tuesday. Still moving. corne to work for Hercules at engineer's salary Richmond and Barbara Anderson and their ($1350/mo.) for the summer. daughter Joyce visited us. The big news of the day, however, was the June 7, 1978-Wednesday. Still moving. I announcement of the First Presidency of the now have everything out that I want. I have new revelation which states that ail men asked Dorothy to reach Ron Hughes to see if he (including Negroes) may (subject to their wor­ will sell the plate punch and viewer. We'll give thiness) be given the Priesthood. This will have him 50% of anything he can get for them. l've far reaching effects throughout the entire invited Bob Miller of Lorraine Press and Bob world. It's great to have a prophet alive today. Davis of Davis Press to send someone over to June 11, 1978-Sunday. Yesterday was the see if they want to take any of the oils and greas­ University of Utah commencement. Scott es and chemicals that are left. They might want received his B.S. degree in chemical engineer­ to pay something or not. Ca m'est egal. It's a ing. There was a general commencement exer­ goodwill gesture on my part. cise at the Special Events Center at 8:30 am, fol­ Yesterday we received slides and tape and lowed by lunch at the Marriott library, with a maps from President George Broshinsky of convocation of the engineers at Kingsbury Hall Toulouse. They are very interesting. It's so nice at 2:00 pm. Now he is a graduate engineer, cum of him to do this. laude. He has done well, and is a fine young Tonight was my last high council meeting. I man, a good example for ail to follow. did not get a chance to say thanks to the coun­ Today was the launching of the fund raising cil in any extended manner. Apparently program for the building of the Jordan River President Gibbons was anxious to leave. They Temple. The Saints in the Salt Lake valley have are great men, so devoted to the Lord, so anx­ been requested to raise ail the money for its ious to do His will. construction. Our Yalecrest 1 st Ward share will June 9, 1978-Friday. Yesterday and today I be about $34,000. We shall receive letters from have been finishing the painting of the house at the bishop with suggested amounts. They hope 2256 S 21 st East. I had started last year and had that every man, woman and child will partici­ to stop because the weather got too cold. While pate. We have not had the occasion to partici­ cleaning and sorting at the garage on Fayette pate in helping to build a temple. We shall do

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our part. Tonight Edna and Bill Clawson invited publications. I met with President Gibbons on the study group to supper at their home to hear my persona} goals. Ann and me tell about what we expect in the The meeting this afternoon went very well. France-Toulouse Mission. Ann spoke mostly on consecration and did a June 12, 1978-Monday. I started trimming fine job of it. I do love my mission companion. I the locust trees around the duplexes. More sort­ told about the call and how things fell into place ing and packing. It's nice to have Scott home, and learning (or relearning) French. We had a and Cathy and Randy and Mark and Jeanine. I big crowd: Ralph and Carl Wheelwright and don't care much for sorting and packing. It their families, Jacksons, Greenes (Phyllis and involves too many decisions. Gordon and Steve, Sandy, Bob, Jim and their June 13, 1978-Tuesday ...more of the families), Georgia, Greg Hamblin and all their same. I attended my last Rotary meeting of the families, George Meredith, Ron Hughes, Bob Salt Lake club. Gang, Bob Barnes, Max Larkin, Fred Weenig June 14, 1978-Wednesday... more of the (Holladay Rotary) and their wives, Lorin, Mona same. I attended Rotary at the Holladay club for Lowe and families. Lorin recorded the service. the last time. This was to make up for next week Randy and Cathy played a cello duet that was at the Mission Presidents Seminar. really lovely. June 15, 1978-Thursday ... more of the The Open House afterward was great. So same. l'm about finished with tree trimming of many friends! How could anyone miss with all locust trees. Our garden looks great! The green that support?! peas are in full bloom, vines are two feet high. June 19, 1978-Monday. The seminar for The lilies of the valley that I got from Marguerite new mission presidents and their wives started Booth are doing well, as also the violets from this morning at the Language Training Mission Nellow and Ruby London, and the starts I plant­ in Provo. The Church has a large beautiful facil­ ed last year of euonymus from Pearl Milne, and ity there for language training, feeding and ivy. These latter two didn't do much last year housing 72 new presidents and their wives except to take root. They look like they are (except for President Ho Nam Rhee of So. Korea, going to take good hold this year. The raspber­ whose wife was prevented from coming by their ries we got at Bear Lake in April are doing government). The keynote speaker this morn­ remarkably well, even blossoms on many of ing was Elder Tom Monson of the Quorum of them. And the 50 strawberry plants I put in in the Twelve. He introduced this group and gave early May are doing fairly well. Everything does advice on how to motivate the missionaries better with more water. I think I did not give through persona} interviews, transfers, meet­ enough water last year. ings, newsletters and member involvement. June 16, 1978-Friday ... more packing. Neal Maxwell told us to think in terms of stake­ Scott started work at Hercules Wednesday past hood; we need more local members on fulltime and he seems to be enjoying it. I have been missions. working on my talk for next Sunday's Farewell. June 20, 1978-Tuesday. Ezra Taft Benson June 17, 1978-Saturday. Scott took a load gave the keynote address. Then Royden Derrick of trimmed branches to the dump. I cleaned spoke on motivating missionaries, and Arthur windows and around the yard. I have been get­ Strong et al on missionaries' problems. Tonight ting up about 5:30 daily and studying French was entertainment at the DeJong Concert Hall and the mission presidents' handbook for about by the Lamanite Generation, mostly lndian one hour. These grandchildren are sure cute. dances, with all LTM missionaries and presi­ June 18, 1978-Sunday. I shuttled between dents in attendance. Well done! We toured the Monument Park 2"c1 and Yalecrest 1 st wards LTM learning facility this afternoon. Excellent! today, trying to take in meetings at both places. June 21, 1978-Wednesday. At the LTM I have also worked on the budget for next year's presidents' seminar Duff Hanks led off with "Use

- 138 - I Chapter X [ "· of Scriptures." Every missionary should study apart Ann, and then Tom gave her a special scriptures every day, as well as language. This blessing of good health. They were beautiful will build him for the rest of his life. Most mis­ blessings. He gave me the gift of discernment, a sionaries leave the LTM with language ability at gift I have wanted ail my life. He told her of her level 1. 75; tests indicate that at the end of their great role with the missionaries as well as the mission they are about level 2.9 after two years, members, and traveling with me. She's great! I 58% at level 2 after 6-8 months; level 3 is mini­ surely do love my companion. mum for good missionary results. Natives with In sessions, President Kimball told us of the good language ability are level 5. great amount of work to be done in proselyting June 22, 1978-Thursday. The keynote the world, of the opportunities to preach the address today was given by Gordon B. Hinckley. gospel to many foreign people in their own lan­ He listed eight gifts every missionary should guage in this country (more Poles in US than in take home (concepts and habits, not things). Poland), etc. Mark Petersen gave a masterful These are excellent subjects for talks with and address on Joseph Smith. President Marion G. to missionaries: 1) knowledge of God the Father, Romney spoke on the Savior. (He seems to be of Jesus Christ, the Redeemer (testimony); 2) recovering well from his cataract operation on knowledge of and love for the scriptures ( con­ his good eye; his other eye has been practically sistent study habits); 3) increased love for par­ blind since youth.) This afternoon was testimo­ ents (write every week); 4) love for the people ny meeting in the assembly room of the Salt among whom they labor (understanding); 5) Lake Temple-very moving. Tonight was dinner appreciation for hard work; 6) meaning of inspi­ at the Lion House with others under zone advi­ ration, a great gift that we can seek ( cultivate a sor, Neal Maxwell (ail Europe), followed by responsiveness to whisperings of the Spirit); 7) assigned testimonies. importance of teamwork, look for virtues in June 24, 1978-Saturday. Around the your companion and make it a good compan­ house, still packing, moving downstairs, work­ ionship; 8) beauty and importance of personal ing in the yard; had our first batch of peas from virtue ( ...let virtue garnish ... D&C 121:45); 9) the garden. Ann is still under the weather. the faith to do what is asked of them (lNephi 3:7); 10) the humility to pray. Then followed discussions on "Finding and Farewell talk given in the Yalecrest 1st Friendshipping," using a baptism as means of Ward Sacrament Meeting June 18, 1978: meeting new prospects ( excellent method!), demos of missionaries in discussions, etc., with Brothers and Sisters, it's nice to be with you, families, public communications. today, or any time. I often think of one early We were off at 3:00 pm for Salt Lake City. morning when President Gibbons had invited Tonight we met with parents at 50 E No. Temple. President Brown to corne and speak to our six We met several, plus an eider who will enter the o'clock Priesthood meeting, one Sunday morn­ LTM in September. We answered questions as ing, and President Brown was having trouble best we could. with his knees. They didn't function very well, Ann has been sick ail week, for over a week and President Gibbons was just a little apolo­ now, but worse these past couple of days, sore getic for asking him out at such an early hour. throat, clogged sinus at night. We have put hot Pres. Brown said something to the effect, "lt's packs on her head the past two mornings always great to be where you're supposed to before she could get out of bed (air condition­ be." And this is where l'm supposed to be now. ing too cold?). This is a great ward. We have a great bish­ June 23, 1978-Friday. I was set apart as opric here. It's a wonderful place to raise a fam­ mission president by Eider Tom Monson at 8:30 ily. You know we've lived in Bonneville Stake this morning, following which Neal Maxwell set since 1942 and in Yalecrest Ward since 1950.

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We've raised six children here, and l've had the it. It's enough to strengthen a person's testimo­ opportunity of working with boys or boy pro­ ny. It's obviously a calling from the Lord, grams in the church ever since we came here. because who else would have thought of it? 1'11 The first year we were here I worked in the never forget Friday, the 13th, in January. Ann Mutual, in a class of Ensigns, if you can remem­ called me at the office at about eleven o'clock in ber that far back, and then Scoutmaster, and the morning and she said, "What have you been then Cubmaster, and then the Young Men's up to now?" I said, "I don't know. Why?" She Mutual Improvement Association. They gave said, "President Tanner's secretary called and me one year to work in the Sunday School and asked if you'd call him." So I did. And she said then back into the young people's programs very nonchalantly, "If you have time, sometime again on the High Council. It's been a great at your convenience, President Tanner would opportunity, and I appreciate it. I think really like to speak with you." I said, "When does he the name of the game in lite is service. We have in mind?" "Well, how about this afternoon? derive our greatest happiness through render­ He has an opening at 2:30." Fine, OK, still no ing service. We sometimes hear return mission­ dues, you see. So I go home and change clothes aries say, "It was the greatest two years of my and l'm sitting there in his outer office at 2:30 lite." Now they can't really say that if they spent and when he called me in and asked me how I those two years as an extended vacation, or if felt about being a mission president I don't they were only partially dedicated to the work, think I made a very good impression. When I because two years is a long boring time if you're mentioned this some time later to President not doing the service and being the kind of ser­ Gibbons, he said, "Well, don't be concerned vant that you are supposed to be. about that. He's used to that kind of reaction." l'm glad to see here one of my former mis­ Anyway, he wanted to know how my wife would sion companions, Elder Meredith. He reminds feel about it, and I said, "I think she'd feel very me that 41 years ago we were together in honored also." He said, "Well, l'd like to talk to Neuchâtel. And it was that summer that her." So he picks up the phone and he dials her President Heber J. Grant came through touring and she isn't home. So I go, "Maybe she's at the Europe with an entourage of general authori­ office." So he dials the office. She isn't there. ties, and right beside him was our own Joseph And I didn't know where she was. He says, "Do Anderson. That was the first time that I met you think you can find her within an hour and Brother Joseph. It's been our pleasure to be have her call me?" And I said, "Sure." "And across-the-street neighbor to him for many don't tell her anything about it." So I did, and I years. l've appreciated my work on the High didn't. But she couldn't get through President Council. It's been a great six years. It's been a Tanner's secretary. He had a very efficient sec­ pleasure to work with the caliber of men who retary, and she wasn't about to interrupt what are so dedicated. I don't recall ever having he was doing, and so it wasn't until five minutes heard President Gibbons offer an assignment to to five that afternoon that finally Ann said to the anybody on the Council but what the person secretary, "But he wanted to talk to me." So receiving the assignment said, "Thank you, then she got through to him. I only heard one President, l'd be happy to do it." And he's a side of the conversation of course. She was all great neighbor. President Warner has always smiles, and she answered just about the way I been my idol, so to speak, when it cornes to told him she would. And then we had this trial working with the young people programs in the of not saying anything to anybody. stake. And he's had lots more experience there The next Tuesday at Rotary luncheon I came than I have. into the Lafayette Ballroom and here was Several people have asked me a number of President Gibbons sitting at a table, and the questions about this mission. The most corn­ whole table was full except the chair next to mon I guess is, "Why you?" And I can't answer him. So I walked over and asked if I could sit - 140 -

�11 Chapter X there. He said, "Max, have you had any trouble the moment but the hotel is going to be empty sleeping lately?" So I went right home and found the first of April so let him corne, which he did. comfort in those scriptures, you know, that Ann His name was Christophe Curutchet, which is a has already read to you. If you've got your good Basque name. Christophe was a typical seven­ book, turn to 1 Nephi 3:7. I memorized it better teen-year-old boy. They grow them much the in French than I did in English. "And it came to same in France as they do in America, Japan or pass that I Nephi said to my father, I will go and anywhere else. He's from Bayonne, which is do the things which the Lord hath commanded, within our mission. Not LOS, but it was a great for I know that the Lord giveth no command­ experience for him and for us. ment unto the children of men save he shall pre­ Also about that time we had a general con­ pare a way for them that they may accomplish ference, and at the French mission reunion, I the thing which he commandeth them." met Charles Didier, a member of the First There's great comfort in the scriptures. You Council of Seventy, who is the area supervisor know, when the Lord's on your side you're the over the French missions. I thought afterwards majority. There have been a million questions, it was odd I was the only one in the group who and as Ann has explained some of them to you, asked him any questions about Toulouse. And if many things have fallen into place beautifully. l'd known then what I knew a week later, l'd We didn't know where we were going until along have asked him thirty questions about in April. But we'd received the call. We went in Toulouse. Because that following Friday I found and talked to Royden Derrick, who is one of the out we were being called to the France, people in charge at the missionary department Toulouse Mission. So then it was for real. It was of the church. I felt much better after l'd spent in earnest. And we visited with the missionary two hours with him. I felt like now I know at department, with the finance department of the least some method of procedure. On March 27, church, church education services, and others, just in case it were to happen, I signed up for a and I have to remark here about the growth of couple of French classes at the U. with our old the church in France. mission buddy, Don Barton. And that has been When Eider Meredith and I were there, well, invaluable. before that-1 got there before he did-when I About that same time we had a phone call arrived there in 1934, Bob Barnes over here had from a young lady, a member of the church, by left a few months before, and there were eight the name of Marie Chantal Roussel, from Paris, missionaries in the entire French mission, .who said she had met Tom, our boy in Paris, which included ail the French speaking parts of when he was laboring there. And before she Belgium, France and Switzerland. There were could say anything else, I said, "Could you corne eight missionaries, and four of us arrived at one to dinner next Tuesday night?" which she did, time, so we increased the mission population and at that time Peggy and her family were here, by fifty percent. We had 800 members in ail of and so they got to meet her. And several times those countries put together, of which about after that she came. She helped Ann and me two-thirds of them I guess lived in Belgium. considerably with our French. She is a linguist. Now, in 1978, there are four missions and two She's right now in the middle of her exams for stakes in that area. I don't know the population her Masters Degree at the Sorbonne in lan­ of the other missions, but in the Toulouse guages. That was great. Mission, as Ann mentioned, there are 1 720 About the middle of March I received a members. That includes Biarritz, Bordeaux, phone call from one of my Rotarian friends ask­ Limoges, Perpignan, Montpellier, Beziers, and ing if we would be able to take a French student some of those other good French towns. who was here, for the rest of the school year. President George Broshinsky has been the pres­ That'd be through April and May. And I said ident. He's a local man here, but was working we'd be delighted. Ali the bedrooms are full at previously in Paris as a representative of

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Foreign Study League. So he's been overseas for of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. six years with his family of five children. And by the power of the Holy Ghost, ye may I see eventually that all of Europe will know the truth of all things." become stakes. Our goal is to help to form Christophe brought another friend to our stakes in southern France. In those days the house, a boy named Lionel, who was from east­ missions will be involved only in proselyting, ern France, from the French Alps. We didn't con­ just as they are now in most of the parts of vert him either, but we sure planted some good Utah, Idaho, Arizona, and California. It was seeds. And he hasn't heard the last from us yet. interesting one night when Marie Chantal was at We are blessed to live in these latter days, our home and we had Christophe there, and of when there is a true prophet of God living in our course the two of them spoke French together. midst, to live in a day of revelation, when the Once in a while they'd lapse into English just for word is told us directly, what we should do and our benefit, but Ann understood every­ thing they said, and I did too, and it was interesting to watch Marie, who had been a local missionary in France, prose­ lyte Christophe, and how she developed the subject of the gospel and the plan of salvation to him in his own native lan­ guage. And then of course in family home evenings we would work with him. To improve his English we had him read the English version of the missionary discus­ sions, and to improve our French we read the French version of the mission­ ary discussions. It helped us both and we got into some interesting gospel dis­ cussions. Like the one on keeping the laws of the Lord, which includes chastity, Mission Presidency, January 1979 and he wanted to know what that was. So Dominique Aujé; Js1 Coun.; Max Wheelwright, Pres.; Donn we had to explain to him. There are some Knight, 2"d Coun.; Edouard Turtos, clerk (standing) things he didn't understand very well, like he took drivers training and he did- n't understand why you don't go through a stop sign when there's no traffic coming. This was hard for him to understand. Sorne of the things in the gospel were hard for him to understand but we did use one scripture, and we quoted it to him in English, we quoted it to him in French, and it's one that all of us have used ourselves at some time or other if we are converted to the church and the gospel. If you'll turn with me to Moroni 10: 4 and 5, "And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true. And if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth Mission office in Toulouse

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! Chapter X

Eider Charles Didier, who supervised our Sister missionary conference in Toulouse, April 1980 mission the first year

Members and missionaries in Toulouse 1981

how we should live. I thank you for being with The following is a report I made to the us this day, for being part of our lives, for your Brethren at the conclusion of our time in influence on us and on our children, and I pray, Toulouse, dated June 30, 1981. let us ail be witnesses for Christ, and become like Him in service to others as well as to our­ MISSION FRANCAISE DE TOULOUSE selves. I bear you my testimony of the truthful­ Report of Progress towards Stakehood ness of this gospel, and do so humbly in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen. I. Requirements for Stakehood: (in a conven­ ient area: 160 Kilometers across)

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a. 1800 members. Bergerac and Montpellier). Otherwise, ail home b. 125+ Melchizedek Priesthood holders. teaching has shifted from missionaries to mem­ c. 5+ good branches, well organized and bers. Our policy has been that any job that a functioning. member can do, should be done by a member. d. 4-5 buildings, adequate for full programs. Missionaries are to be used only to teach how, and only substitute in very small branches II. A Little History which lack priesthood holders. My instructions The mission was formed in 1975 from parts have been to teach the principle that ail mem­ of the Paris mission and the Geneva mission bers, inactive as well as active, should have with George S. Broshinsky as president. In the home teacher visits regularly. If ail the members first three years President Broshinsky organ­ cannot be covered by the available home teach­ ized the districts, unified the members and the ers every month, then half the members should missionaries so they felt that they belonged be visited one month and the other half the fol­ together and would work together. Because of lowing month. This would only appear as 50% inadequate local leadership he was allowed to home teaching on the reports but everybody use missionaries in many positions of leader­ would be reached on a regular schedule. ship such as Sunday School presidents and (Unfortunately this principle is not always fol­ teachers, branch presidents and counselors, lowed.) Primary president and teachers, branch clerks, We have tried to teach delegation, and to branch mission leaders and home teachers. encourage district presidents to seek their own President Broshinsky was a very good organiz­ revelation and thereby solve their own prob­ er. lems as much as they can. I have been available During the second three years of the mis­ but have not told them ail the answers. When sion, we have built upon the organization which they ask what to do, I reply usually with a ques­ had been previously formed. For example, tion, "What do you think we should do?" Then every 3-4 months we have invited ail the district we discuss the problem and solve it together. presidencies to a 2-day seminar in Toulouse. We I have been blessed with superior coun­ have held workshops on such subjects as home selors throughout the entire three years. They teaching, delegation without losing responsibil­ have been highly qualified, intelligent, devoted ity, communication, line of authority, principles Latter-day Saints with supportive, devoted of leadership, problem solving, persona} mis­ wives. With the last change in the Fall of 1980, I sionary commitment, etc. To assist us as a mis­ altered the assignments of the two mission sion presidency we have been fortunate to have presidency counselors. Previously one had consulting experts available to participate with charge of adult programs in the mission and the us, such as the regional representatives, James other the youth programs. Now each counselor Martin and James Stevens, and specialists from is totally responsible for two complete districts, Frankfurt and St. Egreve/Torcy (Wolfgang Paul, President Eugène Sacuto for the districts of Pau Charles King, Antoine Turtos, Alain Paulus, and Perpignan, and President Jean-Paul etc.). Guérinot for Bordeaux and Angouleme districts. My reasons were two fold: 1) it enables III. Members those districts to be less dependent upon the The training of local leaders has continued mission president, which will 2) leave free the to the point where at the present time only one incoming mission president to concentrate missionary is serving in a branch office more fully on the missionary efforts and train­ (Brother Lucien Touret is on a one year mission ing of the full-time missionaries. The coun­ with his wife, our only missionary couple). selors, being French, can teach and converse We are still using some eiders in 3 branches much more easily with the local leaders, advise to help with the home teaching (Périgueux, them, be doser to them, and answer questions

- 144 - Chapter X more quickly for them than the president him­ I know the prophet," or "The choir is so impres­ self. I have worked directly with the Toulouse sive." district president myself inasmuch as he lives We will make even better use of the cas­ only 2 blocks from the mission home. However, settes when we own our own color television for the upcoming transition period I have asked set. Then we can use the cassettes anytime, President Sacuto to be responsible in addition anywhere, for firesides, investigator cottage to his other 2 districts in order to enable meetings, priesthood training sessions, etc. We President Hutchings to concentrate first on the have very few members who own color sets, missionary work, then later on the members, as and those that we have borrowed we have he sees the need. thrown so far out of adjustment that the owners We have recently completed an audit of ail have sometimes had to hire professional repair­ the membership records in the mission, com­ men to set them in order. The new generation of paring mission membership certificates with TV sets have a special channel for video cas­ the local branch certificates, attempting to settes and hence tune in very rapidly (5 min­ update both sets. Then, in accordance with the utes compared with 60-80 minutes for the older instructions received, we have sent our mission sets). We have taken the videoscope to each of set to the PBO branch office at Torcy, France. the 5 districts for a Sunday to show the 2 Baptisms have fluctuated in numbers, but General Conference sessions in one day. Rentai the record month in the mission was 24 in cost for the TV sets runs from 150 to 450 FF October 1980. The following month the record each weekend (total 10 weekends per year = was broken again with 28 (November 1980). We 1500 to 4500 FF per year). A new television set again reached 25 in May of 1981. The attached costs about 5000FF (US $1000). sheet shows the yearly totals by branches and Previously the audio direct reception was so districts. The retention rate is 70%. full of static that it was unintelligible and we The number of members of the mission serv­ often had confusion on the time schedule. The ing on full-time missions has increased from 12 video cassettes are a marvelous way to take in 1978 to 21 in June 1981. This is almost 1% of General Conference to the saints and to investi­ the total mission population. Of those who have gators. returned home, only one has become inactive. Following a suggestion of Eiders James M. IV. Buildings Paramore in February 1981, we challenged the In 1979-80 we established a missionwide district presidents to: 1) call as many district building fund to help the branches who were in missionaries as we have full-time missionaries need of buildings. The fund is to help them working in their districts, and 2) use them pri­ make their down payment. Ground which had marily as finders, to open doors so the full-time previously been found and approved was missionaries can teach their friends. These bought and the Lormont chapel (Bordeaux local district missionaries have now been called District) was built on it, construction being fin­ and are beginning to function. ished in March 1980. May I express a word of thanks for one of the Ground was bought and plans have been inspiring changes to take place during the past drawn for a new Cauderan chapel (Bordeaux 2 years. That is the use of video-cassettes for District). Construction should begin on the replay of the Church General Conferences. revised plans by 1 September 1981. These have given a spiritual uplift to the mem­ A new villa was bought in Pau and is now bers, an insight and view of the Church, the being remodeled to accommodate the Pau Tabernacle Choir, and general authorities that Branch ( attendance has been averaging 60-70 never existed before. We hear such comments people in a room that only holds 40). The old as, "So, that is what it's like," or "Now I feel that house is being sold; the papers will be ready for signing as soon as the lawyers finish their work.

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Max Wheelwright

The branch should be in the new meeting hall separate apartments, none connected with (with capacity of 110 persons) by 1 August meeting halls. 1981. Missionary apartments have been upgraded A villa was bought in Toulouse area for the during these past three years. We have moved Toulouse branches in the spring of 1979 (moved out of some that were below-standard housing, in 29th of June). It is by far the most spacious yet we have tried to hold down the costs of and beautiful facility we have in the France­ housing as much as possible. We established an Toulouse Mission and will someday make a equalization program whereby every mission­ great stake center. ary pays the same rent no matter where he At the present time we have inadequate lives. Ali rents, charges, water bills, taxes, heat housing in Perpignan where we have two and power bills are handled and paid by the branches meeting in a lovely house bought in mission office. Sorne of these expenses are paid 1978, but which is now too small. The two monthly, some quarterly, and some annually or branches have average attendance of 45 and 65. at other times. Ali apartments are on lease, and The main room will hold 45 persons. We have repairs are paid from this rent fund, so the been searching for a larger building to buy or apartment housing is paying its own way. rent. Unfortunately France is currently undergoing We are also overcrowded in Limoges, now an annual inflation rate of about 15-17%, so with sometimes 60 people in attendance. They rents are continually being raised. The mission­ meet in two rooms connected by a single door­ ary rent has been 425FF per month, but is being way. The speaker stands in the doorway with raised to 475FF (about $90 per month) on July 1, half the people in the front of him and the bal­ 1981. ance behind him. We are trying to find a larger facility to rent. VI. The Future Bourdeaux. When the district president, V. Missionaries André Salarnier, asked me in late 1978 if I Due to lack of members and proselyting suc­ thought they could have a stake in Bordeaux cess we moved the missionaries out of the before 1 July 1981, I told him, "Yes, if you really cities of Agen and Narbonne in 1980. I moved want it." They have made some progress so far the Narbonne eiders south to Perpignan where as buildings go but not much in number of we baptized 10 people in May of this year, and members. To make it in a reasonable time, they the 2 Agen eiders to Bordeaux, where the very need to be baptizing 40-50 per month instead of next week they tripled their number of discus­ 2-3. They have not yet learned to have genuine sions taught. Also in Spring of 1980 I moved 2 love for each other as members, and they lack eiders from Bayonne to Mont de Marsan where zeal. It is a paradox, for at the same time they we have a very strong family (Roussely), anoth­ have strong testimonies and love for the Lord. er couple (Paoli) and have since baptized 4 On Sunday 7 June 1981 we called Jacquie additional people. We were well received in this Simonet to be the new district president. He is city, the mayor even gave us a free facility in an ardent proselyter with a family that is strong­ which to meet until the branch grows large ly missionary oriented. I do not foresee at this enough to rent its own meeting hall. moment a date for a Bordeaux stake. We have made good progress in moving mis­ Toulouse. As Eider Charles Didier used to sionaries out of member meeting halls. In 1978 say, "Toulouse has always been a good baptiz­ we had missionaries living in 9 halls ( ail were ing town." Though they have fewer members, apartments or houses). In June 1981 we still 420, compared to Bordeaux's 690, they are have eiders (no more sisters) in 4 halls, but growing faster, and could easily be the first arrangements are being made so that within the stake in southwestern France, perhaps even in next 4 month ail missionaries will be living in 5-6 years. - 146 - Chapter X

The other districts are much smaller and 977 1979 , 1980 will probably be merged, with boundary Brànche M:�:J 1 1978 J changes, before a date can be set for stakehood. ANGOULEME·. Angoulême: 145 , 4 17 2 4 1 2 VII. Statistics 1lergerac; 34 6 9 1 1978 1981 Brive: 23 3 13 1 3 Members (we need more) 1819 2185 Limoges : 118 2 9 2 15 Pé:dgueux: 56 5 11 7 1 Districts 5 5 TotaL: 3761 20 59 14 24 .BORDEAUX

: 235 1 7· Branches (One was a new 14 21 'CaudéJ;"an ' 1 17 10 2 branch, others were dependent .J.c)J::Dlc.lt: 151 3 .17..' ' ·: ·:11 Tlll.l.,i\°": 30 8 10 --- Sunday Schools which became 41 ·!Q. '·. independent branches) ':T6tal: 690 28 H 23 35 � 4 6 6 Buildings owned ��io �; � ; 44 2 3 8 � 1 , Mt. dé' ".araum: · 2 9 4 · Meeting halls in which . P�tt.1. '· ... u 2 5 ' 7 ·6 ·. missionaries live · ·Ta�s: :.1 ·! 6 1 . .- ,,. 'l'otal.:, ,1� ', 8 14 J6 17 16 1 ,------c.�- Missionaries holding offices pj!:RPI(;NAN in branches (Other than . 4 1 3 home teaching) :ê::·t;:i: i èr� 1: 13 8 4 :. · . . 117 , · ..JJaxbonrt e . . ·· . 2 1 0 0 136 . . . . Full-time missionaries in MFT 123 Pt,;i:pi�an: .· U 2 ·, .St_, Gaµd; 80 3 7 Members serving full-time 12 21 $�. Mm:iyhl -2 Te>t,al; � 31 20 .22 missions 14 .'l'OQI;OU� VIII. Persona! Observations .Agen·<· 0 0 0 1 · 0 · ·cilrc�11onne· · • ' 0 2 0 Many of the good things that happened in · 36 . (:astres: 22 0 l the mission during these past three Y ars would , 3 3 f . · l probably have happened even if I ha not been · '"iràil: •:103 � )40ilt�ub�:_ there. But it has been my pleasuve to have 42'1 0 1 1 z. ' played a part in these events. � 84 1 ' 4 This has been the most rewarding experi­ ence of my life. And it is all because of the won­ :r;;;t;I::\I� derful people we have been privileged to work with. My wife, Ann, has been a constant source '.��1îl1 of help and inspiration, always there, always available, cheery and optimistic, encouraging, New member baptisms in the Toulouse Mission patient, a wonderful companion. She has great qualities and skills that I had never seen before. As a couple, Sister Wheelwright and I have Her zone conference talks have touched the drawn doser together. Our lives have been heart of many a missionary, her gift of discern­ touched by 350 missionaries, the choicest spir­ ment has helped solve many a problem, and the its on earth, and by hundreds of members and French people have truly admired her ability others. Sorne of our spiritual growth has been a and determination to speak their language well. result of rubbing shoulders with other mission

- 147 - MaxWheelwright presidents and sitting at the feet of General d'équipe. J'était un nouveau missionnaire. Nous Authorities, such as Charles Didier, Robert D. voulions vraiment trouver des gens â enseigner Hales, James M. Paramore, and others. et nous travaillions dur, au moins 60 heures par Our family has supported us strongly all the semaine, faisant le port-a-porte toute la journée way, as we have f elt the love and faith of the et des "retours" call-back, tous les soirs. French people, members and non-members, C'était un Jeudi soir, après notre jour de leaders and followers. preparation, on faisait des call-backs, et vers The time has passed unbelievably fast, 8:45 on avait fini le dernier, encore sans suc­ although there were some long days now and cess. On s'est découragé, il faisait tard, on arait then. A learning time, a working time, a few dif­ déja travaillé 65 heures et c'était la fin de la ficult times, a spiritual time, and above all a semaine. Mais on voulait vraiment trouver des most rewarding time. I shall be eternally grate­ gens a enseigner. Donc, on s'est decide a faire le ful for this great opportunity and challenge. It porte-a-porte dans ce meme bâtiment. Mon surely has been worthwhile, for God lives; He compagnon regarde son carnet: on a déja fait ce does answer prayers, we are on his team, He bâtiment 2 fois sans succès; quand meme nous has restored the Gospel in these last days, and étions poussés a le faire. La sixième porte por­ we'd better hustle or we'll miss the train that tais maintenant un nom de famille. C'est drôle; takes us back to His presence. les autre fois c'était un bureau. Frappe, frappe, un home ouvre la porte. Il prend a parole nous Addendum: arrivions dernierement du Havre, je vous ai vu The last item you request in the report is a en bicyclette en ville, avec vos chemises statement of my employment plans after return­ blanches. Je me suis demandé: qui êtes-vous? ing home. Frankly, I don't know what the future l'aurait voulu vous inviter venir me rendre vis­ holds for me. There are several possibilities: ite, mais, vous savez, cela ne se fait pas. 1) We own some rental properties. I am sure Toutefois j'ai prié pourque vous veniez me voir. some of them are in need of repairs. I could do C'était en réponse a sa prière que nous most of the repairs myself. sommes venus ce soir-la chez la famille Enal, 2) I have received a telephone call regarding nous avons enseigné l'introduction a l'Evangile, a printing firm which has gone into receiver­ on a ressenti l'esprit très fort. Maintenant toute ship. The creditors have asked if I would be la famille, père, mere, et 2 enfants sont baptizes interested in salvaging the company. Sounds et restent fort dans l'église. interesting. On apprend beaucoup de choses en mission. 3) Via the grapevine I have heard that in 1) Nous avons des missionnaires bien some aspects things have not been going too dévoués, qui travail 60 heures toutes les well at the Deseret Press. Could I be of service semaines, memes s'ils se découragent de temps there? a autres. 4) I know I want to be actively engaged in 2) Nous avons des members, des dirigeants something worthwhile. I have another 20 years qui se consacrent 100% au Seigneur, des mem­ left and I intend to use it to the fullest extent bers qui ont une telle grande foi que moi, possible. I appreciate your interest in my well­ comme leur dirigent, représantant du Seigneur being. pourrais leur demander n'importe quoi et it le ferait de bon Coeur, (ex: Sr. Sanchez-tithing) 3) Il existe un moyen d'obtenir tous les pro­ Following is the Farewell talk I gave in grammes de l'église pour vous et pour vos the Toulouse Branch 28 June 1981. familles, un moyen de sauver les âmes plus vite, un moyen de faire agrandir le Royaume de Dieu Je parle de l'experience d'un missionnaire. plus vite ici a Toulouse. Ceux sont des principes Je travaillait avec un nouveau dirigeant vraiment simple: - 148 - Chapter X m

1. Faire une longue liste de toutes vos con­ Notre famille a bénéficié aussi de notre mis­ naissances. sion. Le Seigneur les a beni. 2. Aller les voir avec 2 missionnaires: Le temps s'est passé incroyablement vite. a. Exprimer nos sentiments vis-à-vis l'é­ Parfois on avait des longues journées, mais les vangile et l'église. Qu'est-ce qu'ils m'apporte? A mois et les années passent vite. Je suis infini­ moi et a ma famille? ment reconnaissant d'avoir eu cette occasion b. Demander: Aimeriez-vous savoir de travailler a plein temps pour vous et pour lê advantage? Quand pouvez-vous recevoir ces Seigneur. Cela vout la peine, toujours, car Dieu deux missionaries? (Ouvrir les portes des amis vit; Il répond aux prieres des fideles; Il a rétabli pour que les missionaries puissant les enseign­ son évangile d'amour et son église dans ces er. Les missionaries sont les bons enseignants derniers jours. Et il nous faut nous dépêcher, de l'évangile.) autrement nous allons manquer le train qui 4) Chaque personne peut recevoir sa propre peut nous amener chez notre Père Céleste. revelation s'il suit ces quatre principes: Je vous rends témoinage qu'il vit, qu'il nous 1. Obéir a tous les commandements. aime! Qu'il nous dirige par son prophète actuel, 2. Prier d'un Coeur sincere, avec foi. Spencer W. Kimball. 3. Etudier les écritures tous les jours. Je prie qu'il vous bénisse toujours, au nom 4. Rendre service dans l'église aux autres. de Jesus Christ. Amen. (faire son devoir) 5) Qu'est-ce que l'évangile m'apporte? Quels sont mes sentiments? Notes from my homecoming talk given in a. La vie éternelle si je fais toujours le bien. the Yalecrest 1 si Ward in July 1981: b. Le bonheur eternal avec mon épouse, Ann, et notre famille. Bonjour des member et des mier France. I c. L'occasion de server les autres enfants feel honored to have been called to serve in de Dieu. France. There are some things I have learned to d. A connaître les grand prophètes et Jesus appreciate. One is the faith and devotion of our Christ lui-même. missionaries, for example, Eider Jon Drake. It e. A devenir comme le Christ. was 8:30 pm on a Thursday night and he'd 6) Je vous aime tous. Il m'a fait grand plaisir already worked 65 hours that week. Should they de vous connaître. A travailler avec: Frère go home? No, he decided they should tract. Sacuto, Rodriguez, Turtos, Cuvelier et beau­ They find a family living on the sixth floor where coup d'autres. Merci au Seigneur pour mon there was previously an office. They had just épouse, son soutien, sa patience. Elle a des moved from Le Havre, and they had wondered bonnes qualites et des capacites que je n'avais who those young men were, but hadn't dared jamais connus auparavant. Les discours qu'elle ask. "Come in," they said. Eventually the whole a donnés aux conferences de zone des mission­ family was baptized. naires ont bien touché le Coeur, et son don de Eider Bishop related the special challenge discernement m'a aidé a resoudre bien de prob­ given by the zone leaders in Bordeaux one day lèmes. after Fast Meeting, "Go find a family before Cette mission a été l'expérience la plus breaking your fast!" They did it in Lormont. I enrichissante de toute ma vie, c'est parceque also appreciated the faith and devotion of the j'ai eu l'occasion a faire la connaissance de members. Jean-Paul Guerinot would travel 20 vous, mes amis, nos members, nos mission­ minutes by car plus 2 1/2 hours by train to get naires. Comme couple, nous sommes plus unis. to Toulouse for a three hour mission presiden­ Notre vie a été touché par 350 missionnaires et cy meeting on Saturdays, paying ail of his own des centaines de members et autres Francais. way. Edouard Turtos, who was a sign painter for Elf Oil Company, served as the temporary pres- - 149 -

� Max Wheelwright ident of the Carcassonne Branch. He traveled I am thankful to everyone-parents, former the 60 miles there and back two times a week missionaries, ward members and friends-for for nine months, also paying his own way. your prayers and support. Our family also I learned that every person can obtain per­ actively supported us and has been richly sona! revelation through obedience ( obey all blessed, as are the families of all missionaries. the commandments), prayer (with faith and a It has been a short three years with a few sincere heart), scripture study every day, and long days and the most rewarding experience of service (in the Church and otherwise). my life. As with all missionaries who are 100% I also learned of Sister Wheelwright's dedicated, it's total service to others. It is the patience and hertofore unknown abilities. While true Church of Jesus Christ. I bear you my testi­ I attended meetings and interviews, she talked mony that Jesus is the Christ, He loves us, as with people, listened, helped them to under­ does our literal Father in Heaven; He has stand the Gospel way of life, always cheerful, restored his church in these latter days to patient, and supporting. She prepared excellent enable us to find our way back to the presence talks that touched the hearts of missionaries in of our Eternal Father, not just us alone but with zone conferences, and her gift of discernment our families. helped solve many a problem.

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